at perfect peace

a little more than a year ago, i left the philippines for a strange land as a brave, confident, aspiring middle-aged professional. i left new zealand as an immature, dense, broke but happy (that’s for alanis fans) normal person.

My life may be little and boring, but at least its mine–not some assembly line, secondhanded,hand-me-down life.

- C. Palahniuk

listen, i’ve got a story to tell.

in an attempt to bring life to this blog, let me tell you what’s been happening for the past couple of days. i want to start this story about the day i got extremely lucky, and that was yesterday. waking up saturday early morning is so unusual as i usually sleep until 12pm, or until the early hours of noon, but i’ve been planning to get this tetenal chemical for c-41 process for ages (okay i know half of you understand it, so it’s just some important thing i have to get) so i woke up, with uncooperative body heading to kitchen for breakfast (yes i take breakfast now), a quick shower and off to tao payoh by train. the place i was going to is very much off the map of singapore i have in my mind and so i wanted to just walk my way ’cause i suppose it was easier to find it and not get lost, but i was wrong. rain started to drop from the sky, and then it was heavy downpour. i was running to and fro while talking to this local lady over the phone how to get to their stock building under the drenching rain for half and hour! eventually i gave up, soaking and a bit frantic, i decided to go back to where i started and take the bus. getting off the bus, i still have to run a few meters circling the block and then finally finding the spot. i really hate myself for not bringing a raincoat as i highly suspected it would rain while still back in the flat, and getting lost is alright if i dont have a restricted time, but the factory will be closing at half past 12. they waited for me until 1pm, which evens it out, and obviously, i realize it’s not their fault if i don’t have a clue about my directions. the building was old, elevator creaking with a stripper-pole-like in the middle of which i have no idea what it is for, i went inside, walked the eerie hallway, and was greeted by the lady i was talking to over the phone earlier. she was apologetic about her misdirection but i told her never mind, i know it’s my fault really and my stupid desire to process c-41 on my own. and so, i spent a total of $32 for the chemicals($10) and thermometer($22). they don’t have a developing tank, so i took a bus going to city hall to their commercial store in peninsula where i spent another $33 for a 500-ml paterson tank, making my total investment to $65. i saw they sell the very same chemical for $23, and moments ago i just bought it for $10! so i remain quiet.

i know i’m hungry then and despite spending so much already, i headed for a kfc lunch where here, started the very lucky day. i found 2 folded-together-crisp 50 dollar note, lying on the floor. i was in queue, it was just slightly on my left. i did not see it drop from anybody, because if i did, believe me or not, i will return it to its righteous owner. so i looked around, stepped on it, and fish it in front of me, bend down, and pick it up. i felt guilty and shameful and happy (for my personal gain) and sad (for the loss of the other person), but hey, as much as i want to return it, i don’t know to whom! it is out of the question that i won’t be giving it to the cashier or the person ahead of me in line, so i pretended nothing happened, although my face at that time completely betrayed me i know. i ordered my meal, sat on furthest empty table i spot, and then i found myself eating hurriedly, perhaps deep inside  i want to get out of this place the fastest possible for the reason that i hate the true owner to show up and look for it. i would feel entirely guilty and devasted believe me, haha. i’ve lost other valuable things before and i know it’s not the most pleasant thing to happen to anyone.

thinking back, i know i did the right thing. the money was designed to be lying on the floor the moment i lined up to get my food. it has been there waiting for me because you don’t run after things. it comes to you, and so it’s mine.

Run

well, this one’s from yesterday:

distance: 4 km. time: ~26 minutes. maximum heartrate: 160 bpm

we all live by different clocks and calendars.

monday’s not my favorite day, everything seems slower, and despite the many things that i did at work, i’m still almost convinced that my clock get stuck from time to time. i know that this blog has almost long forgotten, and merely the reason is because i just can’t find enough time to sit down and write something. i’ve been pretty much busy with work, and a lot of extra curricular activities. i’m still a ton behind all the pictures that i have to upload, even from the few weeks after leaving casino and auckland, going down to queenstown in south island, and here in singapore. i’ll try my very best to make it up, especially now, that i have an internet connection at work! ‘was able to get around by bringing my own laptop, and renting a mobile broadband from a friend/officemate. i use it officehours, his turn is after office hours. we split the cost, and the best thing, i don’t have the contract under my name!

getting home today was shocking, not because it was pleasantly smelling inside the train, but because i was welcomed by 2 packages from 2 different friends! one is from cielo from kiwiland, even i’ve known her only for a few weeks, she’s very genuine, and most of all, she trusted to join me in my craziness and adventure reaching down south of queenstown!  i was only asking her for filter tips (to be used for a special project, ahem), but she tossed in a whole box of OSM (one square meal), which provided my staple diet during numerous hikings and eternal bus rides when i was still…well, under the great influence of recession.

the second present was the earliest christmas greeting card i got, enclosed in a red envelope, from nave (hk). she’s my closest friend when i was living in hong kong, and despite not seeing her for like more than 2 years, i really appreciate it that she remembered me. the card was from japan, during her recent trip, and it plays a christmas carol in tune of joy to the world, and as an extra, there’s a snippet of notes color-coded, and buttons matching the colors that you have to press simultaneously and will sound to another song, which is pretty cool! (that was twinkle twinkle little star, and i guess if you know me, i spent a couple of minutes playing with it and discovering other tunes that can be made out from it, lol)

nave and cielo, thanks a lot! ‘really appreciate your thoughts!

Kamerang WILD

whenever i’m unsure of something the first thing that comes my mind is to google it, which would most of the time answer my question, but at some rare occasions, even googling gives nothing. just like this WILD camera i found in an antique second hand shop in totara (nz)..so i finally loaded a 135 in it and expensively had it processed at an astounding $15 for a single roll!

so, in order to share something in the growing and substantial world of cyberspace, let me show you what the camera gives.

film: kodak ultramax 400

more pics

Alam ba ng mga tiga-Maynila ang salitang kanaw?

ako ay tubong laguna, alam ko ang salitang kanaw, may mga salita akong alam na pag binabanggit ko eh natatawa na lang ang iba pang pinoy na nagsasalita din naman ng linguaheng tagalog…kagaya ng saling kanaw.

ganito din ang karanasan ng aking brother sa isang eksena. halimbawa:

brother: kanawin mo nga yung shampoo.

boy1: ha? anong kanaw?? (nalito) 

yaya: eh di kanawin mo, alam ko yan.

brother: yaya , alam mo ung kanaw? how?

yaya: oo naman, kasi sabi mo dati magkanaw ng iced tea.

brother: alam mo yan before?

yaya: hindi, sa’yo lang

brother: gagu! 

hahahaha

ang kanaw, bow!

Project LomoWALL - Complete

Many thanks to the ff contributors:

1) Glaiza J. - http://glaizah.multiply.com/photos

2) Buffy - http://shwakdotcom.multiply.com/photos

3) Claire Lu - http://www.flickr.com/photos/clariza/collections/72157608006364386/

4) Oli - http://www.flickr.com/photos/olievr/

5) Claire E. - http://maxtrips.multiply.com/photos

6) Nave Fung - http://www.xanga.com/whoareyounave

 http://yossarian22.multiply.com/photos/album/140/Project_LomoWALL

Project LOMOWall

25% - 11.07.09

50% - 11.08.09

75% - 11.09.09

Project LOMOWall

i know i’m starting to get irresponsible in maintaining this blog, but i just don’t have much time lately. ‘will try to post something substantial soon, but erm..i’d like to post this one, ’cause i need it, lol. so, i’m very pleased to announce, perhaps the 2nd contest of this very spectacular blog!! tantararan….the project LOMOWall!! i’m still in the process of laying it out, so all pictures are welcome.

mechanics:

1) pictures taken by a lomo camera of all types.
2) square resolution is preferred, but any will do.
3) simply send your pictures @ jeremydavid.chua@gmail.com, or send me a link where i can download it.

FAQ:
can i submit pictures taken by my expensive dSLR?

see mechanics number 1)

what is my prize?

the fact that your shot will be included in my wall is a grand prize in itself! at stake is a dinner date with your very own, ahem…haha, but seriously, maybe a singapore sling when you drop by around the area, or a chicken rice meal for 2.

money talks.

i’m pleased to announce that i got my first pay cheque already. however, like i said, it’s in the form of a cheque so i’ll use it to open a bank account tomorrow and maybe get the money early next week. sweet! the fruits of my labor has finally come, and i know precisely how’s it going to be allocated. a big part of it pays for debts, another big part for paying the flat and utilities, and then some for staying alive in this country for the next pay would not come until the end of next month, november.

to be more motivated, i’m planning to do some shopping next weekend. i’ll have to get a rolling chair as my back hurts using this tiny stool like now when i type this blog, and a photo printer to transform my very plain wall into a gallery, and maybe an external harddisk..haha..i even want to get an m-audio keyboard as i miss playing so much, but i’ll still have to check my budget for that. and in the meantime, i’m just looking forward to a more eventful weekend as the past has been so-so, well, primarily because it’s more important to have money for my ez link card load, and to buy grocery for food, etc. my injured knee has been a factor too, i can say, as definitely it’s harder to walk sometimes, and i hear some clickings on my right knee when i massage it. i guess it’s getting better now, and planning to get a bike next weekend as well. anyway, i got the knee injury from a very marvelous skateboard stunt down in the steep concrete ramp. if you only saw it, it was incredible.

in other notes, i want you to know one very important lesson when lending money. do not just trust. lending it to someone.. anyone out there, even to your very best friend, or your mom’s or sister’s friend, is always a risk. you should realize how hard it is to earn money, and that risk, is something not worth the labor you had to get that amount of money. do not just let that fateful day happen, that when you need it, it’s gone. this proved to be a lesson, and i’ll be extra more careful lending money, and even if i want to lend, at the time being, this is impossible. you should also know how hard it is to ask for payback, and you will even come to a point that it’s you who will be shy to get your money back. it’s grealy irritating as well…so if you want to worry less financially, do yourself a favor and keep your damn savings inside your underwear.

PS -> if i’m the one asking for money, give me some, i promise i’ll pay you back asap! trust me.