Flower shoot

This is from a while ago, but I've only managed to edit them now.

Yes, I did just spend an entire Sunday doing hardly any work, study, or assignments. But, I guess I was productive? I took a phew photos out for an autumn-day out (featuring the brother), made some Anzac cookies, and edited a heap of photos. Also managed to fit in a long-overdue edit of footage from Med Camp. Wow, most productive when I procrastinate, yet again.

It feels good, to be honest. But it's been so long that I found myself kind of hesitating because I realised I forgot how to even operate some features of Photoshop :(

This photoshoot is from a while ago, and as you can probably tell, is a flower-themed one. Very, very flowery. But you can never have enough flowers! And I've always been a fan of them (as is CL).

It was a difficult photoshoot, not going to lie, because the weather was a bit of a pain. The cloudiness was good, but the rain made a lot of places wet and gross to navigate. But I guess the slight breeze was a nice addition! (This was also the same day we did the #MONOCHROME - navy installation)

Though a lot of our ideas fell through (quite literally, especially when we tried to have a shot of mid-air frangipanis falling), it was fun to do. I hadn't seen CL in ages as well (it's kind of hard when we're both at different stages in our lives) so it was a nice catch-up. And since she takes photos too, it makes it easier to communicate what I'm trying to say. No need to convert from photographer-speak to model-speak, I suppose!

A long time was spent collecting frangipanis from the floor.
Oh, the things we do for photography.
(None of the shots really worked out in the end either, whoops)

But, all in all, I'm proud of these shots! I guess it's just been so long since I've done anything, and a small voice inside of my head is starting to wonder if I still have it inside of me.

I did manage to go out and take some photos today but it's just... It doesn't feel quite the same as before. Maybe because I don't have enough time, or haven't put enough thought-power into producing creative and interesting shots.

Let's not think of it that way though -- In the meantime, I'm glad I even made enough time to pick up my camera again.

But to be honest, it's time for me to pick up my laptop and study hard because a new week of Uni is starting and assignments are rushing around too.

Not sure when the next update will be. I better stop this post before I explode from stress and guilt for procrastinating. Take care, everyone!

Paying homage to Margaret Zhang

The Storm

Hey everyone!

Long time no update, which I'll admit, is strange for me. Especially since exams finished not long ago, and the next set have yet to start. In the meantime, hope you've all been well.

But my life has taken a tumble and turn and flipped upside-down.

Taken from here

I've been thrown around by the storm and feeling quite beside myself. I guess my life just really took a turn for the busy and I couldn't find enough time to do it all.

I took a hiatus to try and take a deep breath and, as they say, 'take a chill pill'. It was necessary, and long over-due, in my opinion.

But I'm back now. I had to change my life a bit and make some difficult decisions and sacrifices, but I think  I've returned. Though still a bit shaken up, things are slowly falling back into place.

I guess what happened was that I thought I could take on too much. I put too much on my plate, and I let it overwhelm me. There were too many things going on in my life -- too many things to do, too many things I couldn't do, too many things. Every thing piled on each other and the weight started to crush my shoulders. Honestly, it was my fault, but I'm back now! Let's try and avoid it from happening again. That's what being a doctor is all about, isn't it? REFLECTION.

My life has been real busy. Every thing is rushing around me and sometimes it's hard to keep up, but I'm positive that I've taken control of my life again; evidently I've even made the time to update this in the first place. There hasn't been a lot of time to blog, take photos, videos, read, etc., or really do anything that was once-upon-a-time a 'hobby' of mine. At least, until a few days ago. The past few days I've been making more time for the things I want to do, which is a big change from a few weeks ago. Reflect on it! P+.

Assignments are ahead, and much work, but I think I'll do okay now that I've sort of reformed my life and life choices. Hopefully some photography tomorrow, if the weather permits!

No photos for this post, sorry, just really an update.

I'm still alive, just a bit dazed.

Will be back to posting soon, I anticipate!

xx Manj

Mother's Day and birthdays

Happy Mother's Day!

Along with the billions of people in the world who are giving a great big shout-out to their mothers for donating their uteruses (uterii?) for nine months and undergoing excruciating pain, I, too, did something for my mother.

Also my father, because it was his birthday.

As a relevant tangent, I'll admit that after watching an hour and a half long video about pregnancy and childbirth, I feel like I really owe it to my mother. And all the mother's out there.

Pregnancy is some scary stuff. Terrifying. Horrific.

Let's not even get started on the pains of raising a child.

Okay, getting distracted.

So, I thought I'd take my family out to Pappa Rich, for several reasons. Mainly because we'd hardly gone out for Malaysian before, and I've heard many good things about the restaurant.

Of course, before dining, there was the presentation of gifts.

My brother gave my parents a handmade card, thanking them for all the things they've done for him.
Yep, cue the unanimous 'ngawwww'

I find it extremely hard to purchase gifts for my parents. I suppose it's because as a child (and young adult), I've always had things that I wanted but never could have (reasons for this is ... mostly because of money, let's be honest here). But my parents -- as adults with a stable income -- that's really less of a problem for them (as juxtaposed to me).

What I'm trying to say is that there really isn't much that they can't get that I can get for them. Do you know what I'm saying?

Of course, there are things that money can't buy -- things that show how much you care, right? Usually I do something like that, but in recent times I've been so busy and swept away with life that I hardly even have time to think for myself, so I have to admit that I wasn't able to do anything like that for them.

In the end, I did settle with some gifts (mostly a Mother's Day pack of chocolates and a fountain pen), but for once in my life I really put a lot of thought into what this day meant and how to show appreciation for someone. I guess that comes with my slow transition into independence and Uni.

Anyway, onto the topic of food!

Some chicken dish with rice -- sorry, I forgot to make note of it.
Edit** Hainanese Chicken Rice [shout-out to DS]

Banana roti with Green Tea ice-cream

The food wasn't too bad. There were some dishes which were really nice, and some which were merely average, I'll admit. Additionally, since Malaysian involves a lot of spice (a lot), that also meant it was quite difficult for me to genuinely experience the meal.

I stuck to my plain roti and non-spicy noodles and rice, thanks.

It was really crowded, too, and the table we were seated at was incredibly cramped up, but hey, you can't have anything, right?

I guess it was a worthwhile place to eat at. Probably not my favourite place, and I likely won't be visiting back too frequently, but it was a nice change in pace!

Fountain pen

Not sure how to end this post.

I'm really only updating for the sake of it -- so many things are happening in my life right now that I'm struggling so hard to keep up to date with myself. Life is rushing forward and I'm hardly having time to stop and think for myself at all!

But I'm doing okay. I'm managing, and I can just tell that the next few weeks are going to be extremely difficult ones (pre-emptive anxiety strikes again!) and I'm trying not to become too worried or fearful of the days to come, because that does no one any good.

Trying to convince myself to just take things as they come. 

Roll with the punches, Man. It'll all work out okay, I'm sure. But hey, look on the bright side, you're distracted, and you're doing things (which, to be honest, is your life motto). (Yes, I'm addressing myself, like any sane person would do).

All in all, I'd rather be constantly doing something than to be doing nothing at all.

And since you've made it so far, I figured I might as well link this somewhere

Okay, Manj out.

Selective hits 1K

Sorry this post is so long overdue (and updates in general). I've been swamped by the thing that is known as 'real life' and sometimes it's a real struggle to even manage to keep up! None-the-less, I've got a few photos and such that are lining up on the 'to-do' list, but the problem is when they'll be done...

Either way, let's cut to the chase.

Happy days!

Although a bit of a late post (due to exams and events in life), a few days ago (a week? More than that? I've lost track of time) #selective hit a thousand likes on Facebook!

Many memories made during the production of this photo.

We'd all been waiting up for this moment for a long time. Ever since we hit about ~500 we had been contemplating the extreme possibility that MAYBE, just MAYBE, we'd hit the big one thousand one day. One day. If we were lucky.

Every time I try to reconcile with the fact that we're past a thousand likes I just end up reveling in confusion, because it's so hard for me to even believe that this is a reality???

One thousand. One thousand... One thousand! How did we manage to get this far? How is it possible that there's one thousand people out there who know what #Selective is? It's mind-blowing.

So here we are, at one thousand, and I don't know where we'll go from here. We never really knew where we'd go, or what we'd ever get to, but that's part of the surprise! It's great to know that I've always got two others to rely on (much love, MX and LQ) and I guess we'll just have to keep moving forward and see what hides in the future! 

What started out as a 'silly' idea between a few people has somehow grown, and along with it, our love for photography and friendships. It's brought me things I could never have imagined.

There are two events in my life that I account for my current daily enthusiasm for opportunity. One of those is Selective Photography. From what it used to be to where we are (started from the bottom now we're here), it all started with a deep breath and the motivation to 'give it a shot'. Had that first step not been made -- had our fears not been breached -- we'd never be standing anywhere close to where we are today.

It frightens me to think that we were so close from not making this a reality. It makes me think of all the other missed opportunities that may have passed me in my eighteen years of life.

But, we can choose to dwell on the past or we can decide to look to the future and learn. This entire journey thus far has not only taught me how much I love photography and improved my skills, but it's also lead to opportunities I wouldn't have dreamed of, great friendships, and a life lesson. It's shown me that every accomplishment you make, every achievement, every success in life, all starts with the decision to try.

There's nothing wrong with trying and failing.

But not trying at all? Now that's preemptive defeat.

You never know what's going to be the next opportunity that will change everything. So take every opportunity, because if you don't, someone else will.

Okay, now I'll leave you on this very deep and cliche ending.

JDG's 18th! 1920's themed

The other day I went to the craziest 18th I've ever been to.

I say that in the best way possible; good-crazy.

The dessert corner.

The detail that went into everything about the celebration was so inspiring and incredible. These are what birthdays should be like. Full with theme, enthusiasm, fun events, and great people.

I want my 21st to be like this.

The food was fantastic! The mood and atmosphere was insane. The details and decorations were incredible. I really don't know how else to explain or describe it. All I can say is that I'm so happy I was even invited and so happy for JDG's birthday.

Her family and friends did so much to make the night such a special one, and for once I think I learned and experienced what a birthday should really mean. A birthday is a celebration of birth -- it's a celebration of that person's very existence, and I couldn't help but realise that we frequently forget that. We take birthdays as an advantage to chill out and hang and party and receive gifts (and, most importantly, eat cake). But that's not the point. The point is to wish this person the very best, and be happy that they exist and that you know them. 

To love them and to love that day. 

Today is their day. 

We're all here to celebrate that.

With the theme being '1920s', that meant it was our cue to go all out Flapper Style. I'll admit, I'd never done anything like the sort (or even gone to a themed birthday party at all, really), so I left it last minute and rushed together a costume consisting of Lincraft beads and feather boas. I think it was satisfactory for the theme.

But there's no way I could compare to some of the finest-dressed at the venue. Some of these costumes were so great -- I felt like they were snapshots taken straight out from The Great Gatsby (shout-out to HSC English)

Overall, such a wonderful night.

Sometimes you need to just let loose. Especially five days before your first University exam. Sometimes you just need to take it easy, dance the night away, and catch up with some friends.

'Twas a night to remember. 

Many birthday wishes, J.