Ever since I bought a new dSLR two weeks ago, I have not shot or in another word, UNABLE to capture any good and decent looking photograph. One reason is because I can’t find anything nice that inspire me to shoot.

On weekend as usual the kids will be running in the playground. Again, I was reluctant to bring my New Babe out to play. The topic doesn’t inspire me at all. Kids + playground = Boring! Somehow I thought to myself, “When are you going to start learning if you don’t start it now?” I just gave it a shot. If nice, then I’ll blog it. If it turn out otherwise, there goes the CTRL + D andddd……………………..???

Picture number ONE!

Using 50mm F1.8 lens which is my favourite lens (if only I can afford the 50mm F1.4!).

After the first shot, I know I will love the topic. dSLR really brings out the subject. Somehow, there’s a huge difference if you are using a pns (point and shoot) camera.

Don’t know what to talk liao. I will stop writing and let you enjoy the pictures.

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At other times when Baby Princess is running too fast, I’ll shoot the little kids around me. And I love the above picture so much. Look at the happiness on her face.

The sun is about to set hence why this picture is a bit dark.

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Did you ever wonder why I put up only Baby Princess photographs?

Because the two eldest went cycling.

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Wah, why her face lidat wan? You see, is lidis wan. The car boot can only fit one bicycle. Once we reach the playground, both of them fighting over the bicycle. So I get them to one, two, som! (scissors, paper, stone) Princess lost so she merajuk. Ma cry lor. Is lidis wan la. *sigh…*

Ok. Last picture.

Other than edited to merge the two pictures, the rest is original.

So, I would say, when I was using pns, I’ve never like to shoot in the playground cos everything looks so dull. Now with dSLR, everything looks lifelier. I am more than satisfied with my new Babe.

This is what happened on the eve of New Year’s Day.

After we got ourselves 2 pints of Baskin Robbin’s ice-cream, we headed to the petrol kiosk as Hubby has received numerous smses on the price increased for petrol. As usual, we expected a horrendous queue at the kiosk.

I went to bed as I don’t intend to stay up for the countdown while Hubby and Prince stay up to watch Cars on Disney Channel at 11:00pm. I was awaken by the midnight fireworks from the nearby newly opened mall when the clock strike 12. I dozed off again.

This time, I was rudely awaken from my slumber by fireworks again. I cursed under my breath at 1 o’clock in the morning! The thunderous sound tells me that the fireworks is just a stone throw from my house. I went and check from my room window and saw the fireworks sparked right before me. I told myself, “what the heck. Since I am already up, might as well go get a shots or two with my dSLR.” I quickly ran downstairs, grab my cam, changed the lens and dashed out the door. Hubby thought I was walking in my sleep! Muahaaahaaa! Cos I heard him asking where am I going. I don’t have the time to answer him as the fireworks has been going on for quite a while. I need to be quick before it stop. Anyway, common sense wat – camera + fireworks = take photo la.

I only managed to get one shot. That’s it. The fireworks display ended. I cursed under my breath again and went to bed.

The next day when Hubby came home from a golf session with Datuk, he said, “Cilaka wan. Petrol price did not increase.”

I just laugh.

He added, “Datuk laugh at me. He say election is coming soon. There won’t be any price increase as of now.”

Credit: Shutterfly

“Later Mr. Chung and his family will visit me. I’ll ask them to visit you too! The Chung family members are, Chung Ma Piu, Chung To To and Chung 4D. They’ll be there to wish you good luck for 2008. Don’t worry! One of the members will not visit your for the whole year. Chung SaMan is out of town this year” – These are some of the smses I received since Christmas. They are so hillarious. I saved them all in my Inbox and will read them whenever I am bored. That really lift up a smile on my face.

If you are out partying tonight please remember, don’t drink and drive. As for me, I’m going to Baskin Robbins to do my ‘Aunty business’.

Happy New Year to all 🙂 *hugs*

Barely a week left till the school reopen for school children. This year, I have 3 school going children. Yea, Baby Princess who is turning 3 next year is joining her Brother in the same Kindergarten and will be staying back full day in the child care. Tomorrow my pocket is going broke ($$$) again as I am going to the Kindergarten to pay for their school fees which might cost me another dSLR. I’m not kidding you. Montessori Kindergarten is a very expensive affair. I can’t wait for them to enter Standard One. No more coughing out monthly school fees and we even get free text books this year. Woohoo!

Talking about which, majority of Chinese school students is make compulsory to wear their name tag. I’m not sure about Kebangsaan school tho.

Four pieces of name tags was given free to each student. But halooooooooh, my daughter had 5 sets of school uniforms! What to do. Pay money lor. Buy lor.

Eldest Princess have her stationaries (cum Christmas presents) to show off this year to her friends.

The sissy pink High School Musical merchandise. Kids nowadays matured too fast. When I was 7 y/o, I know nuts about TeeVee actors and actresses.

Since school holiday is coming to an end, Hubby felt bad for not bringing the kids for a holiday. But I was so broke after buying the new dSLR. Holiday + Money = 🙁 <~~~ me!

Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to the new schooling semester. I’m sure most Mothers do 😉 .

******* Unrelated to the above *******

Since I was stitching Eldest Princess name on to her pinafore, I had her Taekwondo’s grading badge sew too.

Taekwondo grading syllabus is a bit weird. The number start from 10th Kup (grade) to 1st Kup (grade). For example:

• White Belt – 10th Kup
• White Belt Yellow Tag – 9th Kup
• Yellow Belt – 8th Kup
• Yellow Belt Green Tag – 7th Kup
• Green Belt – 6th Kup
• Green Belt Blue Tag – 5th Kup
• Blue Belt – 4th Kup
• Blue Belt Red Tag – 3rd Kup
• Red Belt – 2nd Kup
• Red Belt Black Tag – 1st Kup

She will be Green Belt holder next year. Don’t prey-prey….

According to the weather forecast, the monsoon season is expected to stretched for another few weeks and the prediction of a wet Christmas came true too.

Few weeks before Christmas, it has been raining every evening without failed. Good thing it was just a drizzle. I would make sure that I kept a spare umbrella in the car at all times instead of the car boot. While digging thru my umbrellas, I’ve found a cartoon umbrella I bought many years back.

Ever since the recovering of the lost treasure, kids have been hopping that it would rain every evening so that they would get the excuses to walk in the rain. And very often, the rebellious kids would fight over who-gets-to-open-the-gate-today!

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*sigh…. they fight every single day. Enough said. The end.

I miss the worries-free-life while using a PNS (point and shoot) camera. Never in my photography life would I need to try out so many settings, change the ISO, increase the shuttle speed, the AV, TV, aparture… gosh!

When I thought this is kinda nice shot, my sifu (master) said the picture is too soft. I should increase the ISO 🙁 . There’s too many calculation and adjustment needed for a newbie like me.

On Christmas eve, I bought a 50mm F1.8 lens too. All the photographs shown here is taken with the lens. I was really paranoid when I don’t get what I want in the first few shots and of course I deleted more photos than I save them. Good thing this is dSLR!

Here are some ramdom shots that I like.

Baby Princess is observing my Eldest Sis pleating her cousin’s hair. She just had her hair done too.

Camera was aimed at my niece’s eye while her Mummy (my eldest sis) was pleating her hair.

50mm F1.8 lens is good for portrait shot to create creamy background. The further the background, the creamier it is.

I still love to take close-up portrait.

So apa maciam Sifu-sifu sekalian?  Where should I need to improve?

QP Credit: Weeds And Wildflowers Design

“Christmas isn’t Christmas,
til it happens in your heart.
Somewhere deep inside you
is where Christmas really starts.
So give your heart to Jesus,
you’ll discover when you do;
That it’s Christmas,
really Christmas for you….”

I got myself this…

Canon EOS 400D!

This is the deal I get from Canon Lifestyle Concept Store @ Mid Valley:

1. Body & Kit Lens (standard la)
2. Sandisk 2gb CF card
3. Jenova dSLR camera bag
4. Jenova Lens cleaning kit
5. Kenko 55mm Slylight UV Filter
6. Silicon screen protector
7. Smile & save Canon centre Photobook voucher (1 book free + 6 books at 30%)

All for the price of RM2,500.00 CASH!

I’ve never cash out so much cash in my life before and it’s gone within a few minutes 🙁 So, is it a good deal? The next best deal was offered by Key Colour (in Mid Valley). For RM2,590.00 they gave me additional compatible battery. I was advise by Canon dealer that it is not good for our camera to use non genuine kit. That is how I ended buying with Canon instead of their authorised dealer.

I can’t wait to explore the ‘new baby’ and of course I need a sifu. Who want to volunteer as my sifu?

Soon, after tomorrow, I will be the proud owner of Canon EOS 400D!

Envelope Image Credit: Newlife’s Dreams

This time I have seriously betrayed my husband, my kids, myself to buy something that is over the household budget but the offer is too good to resist. I can’t sit and wait for my advertising money to come in next year just incase the shop deny me the attractive prices he is offering now.

Since tomorrow is Hari Raya Haji and also a public holiday for me, I’m going to bring my ‘new baby’ home.

Sorry, Dear.

Woohoo for me! Yay!

* I accidentally left out the word ‘instead’ in the speech bubble. Dang!*