Malaysia Day!

Hibiscus tea. How very patriotic, Joanne.

I was born and raised to become the twisted person you all know and love right here in Malaysia. Never went anywhere else except on holidays. I sing the anthem, I pledge the oath, I study the history. I don't go all way out to keep myself updated on the country's activities, but when there are news that should be known I try to know it, and know it right.

18+ years in Malaysia, folks. And for the first time in my life, I attended the Merdeka celebrations.

And, I'll be absolutely honest. If it wasn't for the sole fact that I went only to fulfill the requirements of my photography assignment, I wouldn't have bothered. I wouldn't even watch the live feed on tv. I'd be mouldering in the corner of a court watching a bunch of boys run after a ball and get all hot and sweaty.
The boys, I mean. Not me =P.

But I went to the celebration. And no, I've no regrets for going at all.

Not even when I had to wake up at 4.45am (and though I said I'd 'sleep earlier' the night before, 'sleeping earlier' technically meant turning the light off slightly before 12, and even then I was bludgeoned by odd calls by odd people at the obviously odd hour), and wrestle through the crowd and oppressive heat (I read the weather report the night before and it said plainly= showers throughout the day in Kuala Lumpur. Lies, all lies. Well, it was a lie for the first part- it did rain later in the afternoon, but still. I digress.). I had so much fun! The place was packed with locals and tourists alike, all in the mood for celebration and merry-making. Even the participants of the parade were cordial- they didn't mind the photos and even struck poses for us when we asked. I didn't pay much attention to the delegates and important people up there, though. Was too busy hunting and shooting (lol) the people who really made the event happen- the rakyat, yo.

Twas odd, really. Everyone appeared to put their differences aside, to come together and celebrate on this one day. I was really impressed by the people who were really into the whole celebration, waving their flags and singing in entirely wild abandon, young and old.

I'll probably post one or two shots up here later- right now the cameras are tucked away in their bag after a long day under the sun and their owner is too brain tired to even get her fat ass off the floor and go downstairs to fetch them =P.

Anyway, I shall return with more updates soon enough. I'm sleepy and I'm in Melaka and I'm going shopping tomorrow and I'm planning to attend next year's celebration not as a photographer, but as a celebrator, if such a word even exists. Peace out, and salam Satu Malaysia, folks.

Emo post

I'll admit, this was suppose to be an emo post. I planned, as I turned my laptop on, to release my pent up frustration over myself in the form of a blog post. I wanted to let out all those stupid thoughts, thoughts that creep up to me and pounce like dark robbers of all that is good. And just as I was in this mad delusion of dark thoughts, more problems come up, clamouring for attention. It was about all I could stand. It was just one of those moments in my life when I felt as if everything I did and am doing are all hopelessly wrong, that the world around me is moving forward constantly with me just standing still. A moment when I feel completely lost with no sense of direction. No knowledge of where I'm going, where I was now, what I was then. I was quite ready to take a flying leap over the balcony, headfirst just to make sure the cavern in which all evil from within me resides reaches the hard ground first. All jokes aside.

But then a call came. A call with a warm voice; gentle despite its own exhaustion, kind regardless of its own tired needs.
And suddenly, the world and I seem to be moving forward together again.


I don't think even God knows how much I love you Esmond. No, I don't think He does.

Shine

Ho-hum, here's a blog post =3.

Went for Animangaki day 1 with dear friends. I must say, the more I go to all these cons, the less I enjoy them. I remember just how excited I was when I went to my first one (GACC- it was so long ago I was actually using a film Kodak to take pictures O^O) and my sister and I were squealing over all the cosplayers. Now I just wander around feeling as if I've seen it all and am seeing it over and over again. I did get to see the wonderful friends I was lucky enough to meet along the way, but other than that nothing about the con particularly interested me. Oh well. We went late and left early, adjourning to Sunway Pyramid after that for meandering around and window/grocery shopping. After that we went back home and I did nothing of particular importance (aka sleep) till the next day. It's been a well spent day today so far- did some domestic chores around the place =P.

I feel the urge to go shopping. I believe the Fee in my female is growing as the days go by. Me saw a pair of gorgeous turquoise loafers yesterday (along with a couple of other pretty things =P) and it was only the price tag upon it that stopped me from buying it on the spot. Maybe when I've saved up enough money I'll go back for it. If I haven't forgotten about it and/or spent the savings on something else, that is, lol.

There's nothing better on a hot, sunny day than cold, juicy watermelon. But it rained yesterday night, making it nice and cool today so all I want now is a cup of hot coffee, haha.

This blog is in need of a makeover. Soon.

Unknowing

...If only it was possible to see the 360 of each and every scenario. There'll be no doubts, no suspicions, no unnecessary thoughts. The world would be a better place really. I wish I knew all the sides to all that has happened to me, the way I do now for one. It really changed my views on certain issues completely. If I had known what was going on then, I wouldn't have been such a whiny retard weeping and feeling sorry for myself, completely oblivious to the pain and worry I'm causing my loved ones. I would have forced myself to be stronger, regardless of what was thrown at me. But, I swear. I really didn't know then. I was completely clueless about what they thought, what they felt, what they said, what they feared. All I cared about then was my own pain and fears. More painful than my own anguish, however, is the suffering of those I love and cherish the most. I feel somewhat ashamed of the way I used to feel and think now. How I allowed my emotions to be controlled by such selfish thoughts. It's all good now, though, and I'm glad to have done what I did, no regrets. With the discovery came knowledge and understanding. And repentance and forgiveness from my side. I know now that I love and trust you more than ever. And if there would be anyone I'd want to spend the rest of my life with, it'd be you.

JELLY!!! ^O^

...How come things I cook up always end up weird in some way? =/

Okay, so I made jelly from a packet yesterday. And from previous times making jelly, I always remembered them...firmer. Not as firm as the agar-agar or konnyaku varieties, but just...well...they seem to hold themselves up a little bit more, and with less wobble.

This one I made was jiggling and wobbling like nobody's business...

...I wanna try making another one, using konnyaku powder. I shall infuse it with fresh lime juice and rose water because I can 8D.

Oh, and since the previous post I've not begun on my assignments *cracks knuckles*. IT'S CRUNCH TIME.

Monday Morning Adventure~! =D

Well, so after the previous realization of silly me getting the films all mixed up, I set off with me dad to go develop the right rolls of films (the mixed up one and one -finally- completed roll off the Yashica) this beautiful cloudy morning. What with the previous experience of developing in Melaka, I expected to receive the completed rolls at least by the end of the day, but surprise surprise the man said to return in 2 hours, aka 12pm. Of course, I nagged my dad to just hang around for a couple of hours instead of returning in the evening as he planned. He was going on and on about wasting time doing nothing here and there was no way the other errands he had to run would take more than 2 hours. And then, he put the key into the ignition and started the car...

Only to realize the car could and would not start.

Before anyone asks, yes, I got my wish.

But not before we (well, my dad did, I just tagged along beside him giving him moral support) lugged the car battery to the workshop across the street, had brunch in the nearby vegetarian shop (well, he ate, I just watched him and had a mouthful of some oddly salty dish =/), and walked around some of the shoplots. Then we finally went to collect the films! And, hm, I believe I will not attempt to manually unload any more films, lol. The roll of film from the Diana was overexposed and there were still plenty of light leaks despite me having covered up the whole dang thing. I believe I need to not only tape the inside but also the outside. Anyway, despite my parents' best efforts to talk me out of using the Diana again (and just sell it off at 50 bucks- can you imagine?), I have decided that I shall do another sealing off the frame counter window, load a new roll film, and go gangsta again. Here's hoping things turn out happy this time 8D.

The film from the Yashica, however, turned out incredibly well (as expected =P). Well exposed shots except for the last two frames when the batteries for the Yashica's exposure meter ran out and I had to check the exposure with the DSLR before shooting. Me sees fun times ahead with the dear Yashica- my dad actually suggested I sell off Diana and go lomo with the SLR. But, no, I shall not give up so easily. When there's a will, there's a way! Tally forth, Joanne and you shall soon succeed! =D.

Oh, and after scrutinizing the films for awhile, me dad and I ambled over to the bus stop where we promptly sat for 45 minutes until we managed to get a town bus back home (the car being dead still- who knew that charging a car battery would take 3 hours? O^O). Me dad says he couldn't even remember the last time he'd sat a public bus in Melaka- heck he couldn't even remember having taken a bus in Melaka at all. Old people these days...

That's all for nao. Have a good day folks! Tis beeooteefool weather now; nice and cool and cloudy. I believe it'll rain soon. Just hope Thursday to Saturday will be nice for outdoor shooting *crosses fingers*. For now, tis assignments time!

Finally

I've done what I've been wanting to do for an insanely long time.

I've been dying to get my artwork printed on my spare style up cover (the shop I bought my W508 from didn't give me the orange style up that should've came with me red model- I had the bloody white one with butterflies on it =___=). I don't know why I kept putting it off. Just got too busy with other shyt that I pushed this little whim to a little corner of my mind.
Now that whim has been pulled right out into the limelight, and huzzah. Awesome phone just got awesomer.

Ignore the terrible patch of reflection. All I wanted to share was the fact that the image is right over the screen as well T_T.

I'm honestly really really happy with it ^O^. Tis so pwetttyyyy, really it's what I've been wanting for so long. The print is slightly translucent, and given the white background of the original cover, the pattern of butterflies and flowers show through just a bit. Not that I mind, really. It gives a sort of odd, confused underlay. And when the cover buttons illuminate at a call or message it just goes fhweeee~

Tis the holidays now! One week, and man do I have a LOT to do O_o. Need to spend these three days completing my Illustrator and Photoshop assignments before I work on my photography after Wednesday. And speaking of photography...owh man can Joanne get any more messed up lol. Me sends an unused film to develop while insisting it was the used film XD. Seriously, it's amazing how my mind works. I was SO SURE OF MYSELF, right to the point that I was willing to swear an oath and cut my little finger off...but logical facts are facts and the fact is that my brain is completely losing it T_T. Perhaps it's just as well; no need for me being a digit less =P. Moral of the story: hold your brain together Joanne. Or don't attempt to remove the damn film and just take the whole camera to the shop =P. Anyways the happy used film, plus another that shall be used up soon enough, will be sent to the developers on Monday so...let's all cross our fingers and hope to everything that all is well >< *crosses fingers and toes*

Anyways, tis been an enjoyable day indeed. Tune in next time for the next update folks.