A most rewarding experience.. my work published *grins*

There was an email from The Malaysia Page team which I overlooked.. it got "drowned" along with the other emails in my mailbox when I was away on recent trip to Sabah and Brunei. It suddenly caught my attention as I was slowly going through my inbox..

Well there was this photo I submitted for the publication of Malaysia 50 Years: The Commemorative Book some time last year. I got an email from them the same day asking for the location and a description of the photo, and how I came up with the title "A Stroll Down Memory Lane". I did reply, and that was the last I heard from them.. I thought.. oh well, probably it's not good enough for publication..

Ok fast forward to this present email from the Director of Quachee Enterprise - was asked to provide my h/p number as the courier service came by to deliver the book, but no one was in.. hmm I got a bit hopeful but dare not get my hopes too high :P

The book was finally delivered to my office last Friday. I flipped through the book and saw the photo I submitted there!! Though this humble shot of mine is nothing to shout about as compared to the rest of the brilliant captures by other contributors, it is very motivating and I definitely hope to improve my photography skills with time and experience :)

It is such a rewarding feeling, esp for a first-timer! :) :) :) I was totally thrilled by it.. it soooo made my day.. still does! *grins* What an honor to be part of this ;)

Hehe so excited I was that I even took a pic of it :)



















The book: 50 +1 . malaysia - a showcase of places, food, people & love





















The photo I submitted: A Stroll Down Memory Lane - pic taken within the vicinity of the famous Jonker Street, Malacca some time in May 2007.

The same is found in my picasa web album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/ashonova/Malacca


























A kind acknowledgement from the Director of QuaChee Ent. :)


50 +1. malaysia is a comprehensive guide to everything a Malaysian needs to know; even more so a foreigner! Flipping through the colorful pages of the book reminds me of what a beautiful place Malaysia is with its unique characteristics that no other can replace. It also gave me more ideas as to where to go for photo-shooting.. hoping to explore all these places with friends and fellow photography enthusiasts.. not forgetting more food-hunting hehe!

A note of appreciation to the publisher for this fascinating book. Thank you for making us Malaysians proud of our country and our roots. It is a remarkable effort indeed!

For further info on the publisher, please go to: http://www.quachee.com/.

Malaysian International Fireworks Competition 2008

20 Aug 2008, Putrajaya - Team Canada



















A year has passed since the last MIFC. It's time of the year again to watch fireworks.. yay :) I did not get to watch the fireworks by team Malaysia and China as I was still in Sabah and Brunei then.. so the earliest I could catch was by team Canada :)

Kuan Shern happens to be in KL for MAHA '08 exhibition in Serdang, which is not far from Putrajaya. We had a quick dinner at Alamanda before the fireworks.. but we were already late and the roads leading to Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) were closed to vehicles :( Called Daniel (from my usual photography bunch) who directed me to the road leading to Cyberjaya where we could get a good view across the lake. Thank goodness for the experts! ;)

My first attempt at fireworks.. all taken with my Olympus E-510 equipped with the 40-150mm ZD lens, mode set to "M" at 5 sec exposure time and aperture at F8.. ISO 100.


























A quick shot of the bridge before packing up :)

Most of my shots were crappy :( but then enjoyed the fireworks and it was great catching up with Kuan Shern in KL.. usually we only catch up in Penang haha!

Well next is team Spain on Sunday, 24 Aug and the finale by last year's MIFC champion - team Australia on 29 Aug :)

a month since our last goodbye

This is for Nick - who is deeply missed by family and friends

It has been a month since our last goodbye.
I didn't use to like this song Bye Bye by Mariah Carey - I thought it's kinda sad. But the day after your passing away, the radio played this song when I was on the way to work. I thought of you. Since then I've always relate the song to you..

"I never knew I could hurt like this
And everyday life goes on like
"I wish I could talk to you for a while"
"I wish I could find a way try not to cry"
As time goes by
And soon as you reach a better place
Still I'll give the whole world to see your face
And I'm right here next to you
It feels like you gone too soon
The hardest thing to do is say bye bye"

At times in the midst of me doing something, I'd thought of you. It was very hard at first, but I kept telling myself you're in a better place now and happier - it makes it easier to get by. I really hope and pray that you are. God bless.