the snap art poem

More Food

2011-01-22T15:03:00.000+01:00

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Pan Mee in Tomato Soup, Fried Anchovies, and Fried Sui Kao :)

Food

2010-12-30T05:13:00.000+01:00

I surrender

2010-09-12T16:15:00.001+02:00

I surrender...

With the bright flash on his face, this photo is reminiscent of...

***

I was cleaning my room when I decided that my soft toys needed a bath.

Close Up

2010-09-02T14:26:00.000+02:00

In the evening, I found this little fella sitting on the wall.

***

I'm sorry I've been away. I've been so totally busy. Still am. Ugh...

Plus I desperately need a new camera. Mine is out of focus....which deters me from taking any photos.

Friends

2010-07-29T15:17:00.002+02:00

Swamp-Like

2010-07-20T14:41:00.003+02:00

I wonder what's in there...

After Dinner

2010-07-15T14:54:00.000+02:00

Photo taken at one of the restaurants along Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur.

View from above

2010-07-11T13:06:00.000+02:00

View of the traffic from a pedestrian bridge.

Flowers on the desk (i)

2010-06-16T12:30:00.001+02:00

***

The flowers were fading when I took photos of them. Some might not like it, but they give off hints of loneliness and loveliness... I would write a poem, but I haven't got the time with my new teaching job. Perhaps one day I will. I hope you like the photos. There's more.

On the desk

2010-06-07T01:01:00.001+02:00

Along the river

2010-06-02T01:01:00.014+02:00

Graffiti along the river near Dato' Keramat LRT Station, Kuala Lumpur.

Bare

2010-05-30T14:46:00.003+02:00

Photos taken in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia

Wood II

2010-05-17T15:21:00.000+02:00

Grasshopper

2010-05-16T16:48:00.000+02:00

I managed to capture this shot just before it hopped off :D

Wood

2010-05-08T16:12:00.000+02:00

Alice in Wonderland in Graffiti

2010-05-02T09:40:00.001+02:00

Trees on the Beach

2010-04-28T01:30:00.000+02:00

I thought having them in black and white somehow made them more charming...

Click on the images to enlarge...

***

Now for a bit of colour...

This last one is a photo of my granddad.

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Orchids II

2010-04-25T01:30:00.004+02:00

Moss?

2010-04-23T01:30:00.001+02:00

Moss among the orchids :D

Orchids I

2010-04-21T01:20:00.009+02:00

So Close

2010-04-18T13:36:00.001+02:00

I love flowers, yes I do :D

Photos taken in my grandmother's garden in Kuala Terengganu.

Click on images to enlarge.

Sky Watch Friday N°5

2010-04-16T07:17:00.000+02:00

Photos taken in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

Click on images to enlarge.

Visit Sky Watch Friday for more skywatch photos.

Look Out Post

2010-04-13T16:41:00.000+02:00

Photos taken in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

***

After a three-month hectic course, I'm finally done. Taking a break in Terengganu, I managed to take some photos (finally). I've been on a photo taken hiatus for too long.

Trees I

2010-04-04T15:07:00.002+02:00

Phone

2010-03-31T03:12:00.024+02:00

It has been ages since I used a public phone. I thought I'd take pictures. Boring I know. Lol.

I haven't had the time to get out much and take interesting photos. Hopefully, I'll be able to again, soon.

Push - that's all it takes,

A few buttons depressed,

And connection makes.

Cost - there is a price to pay,

More than a few cents,

To get me through the day.

Tone - is it alive or dead?

Will you answer me?

Or my call do you dread?

Oh yes - it takes more,

Than a few cents,

And a few depressions,

To get me through to you...

Bear at Prayer

2010-03-24T01:30:00.004+01:00

Sky Watch Friday N°4

2010-03-19T10:47:00.001+01:00

Visit Sky Watch Friday for more amazing skywatch photos.

Vice in Rome

2010-03-17T01:30:00.010+01:00

Lol, the title of this post is misleading. Vice is actually the name of an ice-cream shop I found in Rome. I loved the design...the whole place looked like an ice-world.

The Obelisk of Piazza Savoia

2010-03-12T01:30:00.001+01:00

The monument was erected in 1850...

In honour of the Siccardi Law being abolished by the ecclesiastical court.

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Frost

2010-03-08T01:30:00.003+01:00

I found these patterns on the road outside my home in Turin...I think they look pretty.

I assume it is frost...can anyone explain? Deepest thanks.

***

One Lovely Blog Award

2010-03-06T03:55:00.001+01:00

I woke up this morning, and found an email from Sam from Thoughts, writings, coffee... presenting me with this award. Thanks so much Sam. I really appreciate this.

Please visit Sam's blog.

The rules are:

1. Pass this on to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and love.

2. Display this award on your blog, either in a post or on your sidebar.

3. Inform your chosen bloggers of their award.

Okay, so I'm going to bend the rules a little here. I haven't had time to discover many new blogs, so I'm only going to present this award to three bloggers whom I would say are the most recent discoveries which aren't very recent at all. But I do love their blogs. Please check them out.

Travel Bug from Live.Learn.Laugh.Love

Lyn from A day in the life of a photographer

Hannah Chen from Three Little Birds

The monument of Vittorio Emanuele II

2010-03-03T01:30:00.002+01:00

Here are some photos of the monument of Vittorio Emanuele II of the house of Savoia. He was the King that united Italy. I actually bothered to walk a long distance to find this monument. I had seen it one day whilst passing by in a car...and I saw the flowers at the feet of the statue. I knew I just had to get a photo. So a few days later...I went in search of it on foot.

In these two photos you can see the flowers....(that usually aren't there). I thought they looked pretty.

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Run...

2010-02-27T01:30:00.002+01:00

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Around Torino

2010-02-22T01:30:00.002+01:00

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More New Year Decorations...

2010-02-17T15:54:00.000+01:00

A Long Wait

2010-02-14T16:17:00.001+01:00

It's a long wait,

Almost endless, almost forever,

Amidst the clanging silence of never.

What is this hope that drifts in and out?

A cruel play... twisting emotions?

Or a merciless game of false notions?

It's light, no wait, it's dark.

Who can ever tell?

It's yes, oh wait, it's no.

Now isn't that just swell….

With half blind eyes I look upon your promise,

But you know, I've always been a doubting Thomas…

So humour me.

Chinese New Year

2010-02-13T15:08:00.002+01:00

This year Chinese New Year falls on Valentine's Day. At least the colours are the same :)

These photos were taken in Kuala Lumpur.

Another submission for the Color Carnival at:

http://colorcarnivalmeme.blogspot.com/

Berry Cold...

2010-02-13T01:30:00.001+01:00

***

Note:

I apologize if I'm not able to answer your comments or visit your blogs, as I'm without internet connection for these few weeks. I have left Italy and returned home to my country Malaysia. To read more about this click here. This is a scheduled post.

Have a great day :D

xoxo,

Lly

Skate Park

2010-02-08T01:30:00.000+01:00

Some cool graffiti =)

Photos taken in Torino

***

Note:

Have a great day :D

xoxo,

Lly

The day it snowed (Three)

2010-02-03T01:30:00.003+01:00

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What do you think about these in blue?

***

Note:

Have a great day :D

xoxo,

Lly

The day it snowed (Two)

2010-01-30T01:30:00.002+01:00

Part two

Hmm...this picture is upside down...lol I just noticed...oops.

Here's a splash of colour...

***

Note:

Have a great day :D

xoxo,

Lly

The day it snowed (One)

2010-01-26T01:30:00.002+01:00

There wasn't much snow in December... I really wanted to get some shots of the snow, but I couldn't summon more snow. Here are some photos I did take...the snow is sparse...oh well. I took quite a lot of photos in my favourite park - Parco Valentino. I'm breaking them into three parts. This is part one.

I love the way this tree looks :D

Sorry about the gloomy pictures haha.

***

Note:

Keep warm :D

xoxo,

Lly

Churches on a grey day...

2010-01-22T01:30:00.001+01:00

These first two photos are of the English Speaking Church of Torino. The following photos are of another Church a few doors away. Many Filipinos attend this church.

***

Note:

Have a great day :D

xoxo,

Lly

Number 1ne

2010-01-18T01:30:00.001+01:00

I don't know how true this is, but my sister told me that this building was

built by Benito Mussolini to show that Italy is number one.

Imagine a hand with the forefinger pointing upwards to the sky - what do you get?

The number one.

Photo taken from Piazza Castello, Torino

***

Note:

Have a great day :D

xoxo,

Lly

Delicious...

2010-01-13T01:30:00.001+01:00

Lightly fried calamari and prawns...

To be honest, I'm not a seafood lover. But this is really good :D

Another one of the things I'd miss about Italy.

***

Note:

Have a great day :D

xoxo,

Lly

Delicate

2010-01-08T01:30:00.003+01:00

A beautiful plant...although I do not know its name.

Photo taken at Superga

***

Note:
I apologize if I'm not able to answer your comments or visit your blogs, as I'm without internet connection for these few weeks. I have left Italy and returned home to my country Malaysia. To read more about this click here. This is a scheduled post.

Have a great day :D

xoxo,
Lly

Arrivederci Italia ☂ Farewell Italy

2010-01-05T20:05:00.000+01:00

With the coming of the New Year, a new chapter of my life begins. After one and a half years in Italy, I'm moving back to my home country Malaysia.

It’s funny how one can be glad and sad at the same time.

I’m glad because I’m returning home. Home to friends and loved ones. Home to the familiar. I'm looking forward to resuming my life. I say 'resume' because my life in Italy has been unreal – a complete break from normal living…seriously. Haha. Upon my return home, I'll be continuing my studies for a time, and soon after hope to get a job.

Making the transition will be a challenge. Switching modes from “lazing in the house all day” to “working my ass off” might be a tad difficult. Lol. I’m bracing myself for the pain. I’m feeling a little blue over my last days here. I will miss Italy – a truly beautiful country that I will be leaving… forever. I wish this wasn’t so.

I’ve made a list of things that I will miss about Italy...

The lip-smacking pasta and sauces. My favourite: Tagliolini con funghi porcini – pasta with mushrooms.

The chocolate. Torino is the city of chocolate. One of my favourite brands...Venchi chocolate. I like Ferrero too. I could get Ferrero easily back home but here in Italy, it tastes different. A much better kind of different.

The wine…and the excuse to drink it. In Italy it's cheap. It's good. It's custom. Hence the excuse to indulge... My favourite wine...Barbera D'Alba. I love Moscato too.

The old architecture. Being surrounded by beautiful buildings and artwork was amazing. It was like living in a museum :D

The gorgeous landscape / scenery / nature. I can't describe it. Hopefully my photos have.

The view of the Alps from my balcony.

The clean fresh air and water.

The super high speed internet connection....that I can never get back home in Malaysia.

Things I'm not going to miss however...

The red tape. It is endless.

The weird stares / looks. Yes, I'm a foreigner and I stick out like a flashing neon sign...but please don’t stare! I get the “you're not welcomed here” look a lot. Or maybe I'm just paranoid. Not...

The short operating hours. [Of stores and restaurants] Many stores still close for pausa – their really long lunch break. To make things worse, stores close early too. Oh, and they are closed on Sundays.

The doctors that don't speak English. I shouldn't be complaining about this. It's their country and they have a right to speak solely in their own language.

The lack of variety when it comes to food. They have delicious food but not enough variety. Too much of the same thing can get pretty boring.

Not having a cinema to go to... 99.9 percent of their movies are all in Italian...with no subtitles in the original language (English). I've missed so many good movies.

Anyways, whatever bad points they have, my memories of Italy shall always be fond.

***

So to all my followers, a big thanks from me. I'm afraid I won't be able to share Italy with you any longer. I will be posting up some photos I took while living in Italy now and then. I still have a few of those that I haven’t posted up yet. But in time, they will run out. I'm not sure about the future of this blog. I'll have to learn how to take photos in Malaysia...it's a different scene. Finding interesting shots in a modern city can be difficult for an amateur like myself. Plus, I expect to be very busy with my studies / work. I hope to be at least posting up a photo weekly once I've settled myself in. It may take a month or two to get an internet connection. So till that happens, I'm sorry if I won't be able to visit your wonderful blogs or respond to any comments. Meanwhile, instead of keeping this blog idle...I will be scheduling some post to appear automatically every week. Yep, so even though I'm not connected...there will be some photos popping up here. The wonders of technology. I hope this works though.

Do take care.

Big hugs,
Lly

Superga

2010-01-04T13:29:00.000+01:00

Here are some of the photos I took of the Basilica of the Superga :D

My little brother trying to do some stunts...

I edited this shot to make the sky look stormy.

The funicular train that took us up to the hill.

Sky Watch Friday N°3

2010-01-02T23:23:00.000+01:00

On new year's day, my family and I paid a visit to Superga. It's a prominent hill on the eastern side of Torino. We took a funicular train up to the top (672 metres above sea level) and although it was quite misty that day, the skies were gorgeous. We also visited the Basilica of Superga...I'll be posting up photos of it in the coming days.

Do click on the images to enlarge

A beautiful view of the Alps

This shot was taken on the way up the hill.

Sunset

Torino... shrouded in mist, and in the background stand the Alps. I love this shot...in the middle is the River Po....the longest river in Italy.

Visit Sky Watch Friday for more amazing skywatch photos.

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T17:05:00.000+01:00

A whole year past and gone,

The play is over, the curtain is drawn,

Is there an applause, a thundering ovation?

Or the terrible hiss of deprecation?

But above and beyond all that I've done,

The good deeds, the white lies, and bad sticky buns,

There are many things to be grateful for,

The many blessings I cannot ignore.

So although the past year has not been the best,

And still many regrets I cannot lay to rest,

I'm thankful for everything that has come my way,

And with this in mind, tomorrow will be a better day...

The morning sun shining down on Piazza Castello in Torino. It's warm rays are so welcoming and happy. So, Happy New Year...and have a great year ahead!

Keeping Warm Together

2009-12-29T12:17:00.000+01:00

I was taking a walk in Parco Valentino two days before Christmas. Snow was still on the ground then...(it's all nearly gone now)... and it was very chilly. These ducks and mallards had all gathered together at the artificial pond. When it's warmer, there would never be so many just sitting still by the pond. I guessed they wanted some warm company :D

Have a Blessed Christmas

2009-12-23T21:36:00.001+01:00

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas :D

Christmas Approaches...

2009-12-20T21:27:00.000+01:00

A few days ago I took this shot of some Christmas deco down a walkway and I posted it up on Soaring Through the World in Pictures. Since I loved it so much I played around with its blending modes and came up with different looks. I thought I'd post up these for fun...
Click on images to enlarge

It's been very very cold for me... and I really don't want to go out, even though the snow has just fallen and everything is so pretty. However, I have some Christmas shopping to finish up. So that will force me out of the house. Hopefully, I can get some good photos. Anyway, here's one from my balcony.

I love the snow on the trees...but I just don't know how to get the white trees to stand out. I wish I could really capture the beauty I see with my camera...for memory's sake...but oh well.

Sky Watch Friday N°2

2009-12-18T10:50:00.000+01:00

A soft sunset. This photo was taken quite a while back...along with the other three. I had posted the other three up before here. But I just love them so much and since these were all taken at the same time, I thought I would include them again with this first photo which I had left out previously. The first photo was actually taken after the other three...when the land spout had left the sky.

Visit Sky Watch Friday for more amazing skywatch photos.

La Fontana Angelica

2009-12-16T18:35:00.000+01:00

Today the sun was shining. I just had to go out. Besides, I still needed to buy a few Christmas presents. But really, I went out to snap photographs. I had not taken any in a few days. Gloomy skies and freezing cold keep me home under the sheets most of the days.

Today's photos are of the Angelic Fountain found at Piazza Solferino. Each group of statues, four in total represent a different season. I can't tell which is which though. Hope you like them.

The Slice of Polenta

2009-12-15T20:28:00.000+01:00

Polenta is a paste or dough made from cornmeal, which is boiled and then typically fried or baked. In Italy it's usually served in thin (about 1cm) slices. In this case, have a look...

Do click on images to enlarge.

***

Found in downtown Turin :)

Inside St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

2009-12-14T19:02:00.000+01:00

The artwork is amazing. Click on images to enlarge.

***
Sorry about the noise and the blurry images.
The camera I was using doesn't perform so well in low light. Plus I had no tripod. I used my sister's Sony camera to take these shots. My Nikon Coolpix was totally hopeless. All the images came out blurry to the max. Sigh...

***

A light in the darkness...

2009-12-13T18:39:00.000+01:00

Photos taken inside the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Moncalieri

Sky Watch Friday

2009-12-11T14:40:00.000+01:00

More photos from the Vatican.
Do click on the images to enlarge.

Visit Sky Watch Friday for more amazing skywatch photos.

Kick-Ass Blog

2009-12-11T14:10:00.000+01:00

I just received this Kick-Ass blog award. This is my second award for this blog ^^

A big Thank You to sushigirl4996. Do check out her blog: Emily the Strange

I now have to pass on this award to five deserving blogs, so here goes...

I would like to pass this award to:

iLikeToWrite at iLikeToWrite's Photography And Life
For his awesome photographs and stories

Gozer and friends at Naked Rome
For their truly beautiful and stunning photography

Dan at Wood And Pixels Narratives
For his bright and colourful transformed photos and interesting narratives

Julia at The World is My Oyster
For her witty posts that are always fun to read

Kiki at Awake with Charm and Spirit
For her amazing photos and the gentle and charming phrases that accompany them

Cheers!

Gearing up for Christmas with the right Arsenal...

2009-12-10T11:03:00.000+01:00

I took this photo because I liked the street sign (its fancy borders are not typical in Turin), and the large display window. I also found the combination of Via Arsenale and Chanel's N°5 perfume amusing :D

St. Peter's Square

2009-12-06T21:22:00.000+01:00

Some photos taken at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.
Click on images to enlarge.

The little boy in orange is my brother :D

***

Friends

2009-12-02T14:31:00.000+01:00

To my dear friends...

It seems a long time since we've met,

Whether in person, or through the net...

I have a tale which is painful to tell,

Of how I disappeared down a well.

That was the day I sailed away,

To a different world in a different realm,

There was no magic, neither were there dreams,

Only sadness, fears, and silent screams.

Behind me, I shut the portal into that dark place,

I did not want you to see me in such disgrace,

I couldn't bare the thought of you knowing,

Of the million tears from me flowing.

And thus I removed myself from your sight,

But know, I missed you on countless nights.

And there beyond the reaches of light,

In the midst of my unhappy plight,

I had not forgotten the friendship we've shared,

I treasure it still, as I've always cared...

Any hurt I've caused, I did not ever intend,

I hope it's not too late for me to amend...

The no exchange of greetings or pleasant conversation,

No smiley faces or emoticons to halt the alienation,

Tis a tragic failure on my own part,

I pray you will not take this to heart.

You who showed compassion when it was in want,

For being warm-hearted and not nonchalant,

I want to thank you for being a dear friend,

I should not want our friendship to end.

Take care always...

This is me...the slug...who hides in a shell...(sometimes anyway)

On the walls of Lucca

2009-12-01T22:12:00.000+01:00

Here are more photos of Lucca. I mentioned in an earlier post that Lucca is famous for its thick walls, but didn't post photos where the walls could be seen (I only posted photos that I had taken while on them). Well I've included some pics of the walls from the side view so you get some idea of its scale...

Moss growing on the walls...

There's a trench all around the walls...

This is my shadow saying, 'Hi'

This walkway is on the wall...so people can just walk, ride bikes...etc on the wall.

I think it's pretty cool.

All these trees are growing on the wall... I like this photo with the dome in the background...

Lol, I keep saying 'on the wall'. That's because I'm so fascinated with the walls. I guess this is the closest I've been to being atop something like the Great Wall of China. Perhaps I'll actually get a chance to go there someday. Well, hope you enjoyed the photos. Have a great December!

Dome

2009-11-30T17:33:00.000+01:00

Photos of the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica

***

Have been pretty busy these few days, plus the weather is super gloomy and I can't stand the cold so I've stopped taking photos for a while. Will post up photos whenever I can. :D

Dry

2009-11-28T10:55:00.000+01:00

***

Stains and Shadows...

2009-11-23T12:43:00.000+01:00

Another submission for the Color Carnival at:

http://colorcarnivalmeme.blogspot.com/

Do click on the image to enlarge. Sorry about the noise and blur though...

Seasons of life

2009-11-20T14:02:00.000+01:00

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven...

Just as nature must take its course,

Through splendid springs and winter frost,

Our lives too change with time,

With different rhythms, different rhymes.

Times for new things and looking forward to the future,

Times for hard work and for us to mature,

Times to reap seeds planted in the past,

Times for hardships, and closure at last.

We may not always understand the things we go through,

Sometimes sadness and anger throw things askew,

But keep your chin up, for all hope can bring,

For without winters, there cannot be spring.

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven...

Lucca

2009-11-17T14:12:00.000+01:00

After Rome, we paid a visit to Lucca. Here are some photos on the evening we arrived.

These first 3 photos were taken on the famous walls of Lucca. The city's defenses that were never used. These walls are so thick that people can cycle, take walks, enjoy themselves on them.

These two gentlemen having a game of chess.

I added an orange gradient to this photo for fun.

Inside the Pantheon

2009-11-16T11:48:00.000+01:00

Here are the photos of the Pantheon's interior as promised. I'm sorry these aren't great. Most of the photos I took are so blurred. They just don't do it any justice. But it was lovely being there. We got lucky in a sense because just as we entered the church, there came on the announcements for the public to leave as there was going to be a Mass. We didn't leave with the crowd but attended Mass instead. And after the Mass, we had enough time to admire the place before the guards let the crowd in again.

As the Black Ink Slowly Fades...

2009-11-13T17:29:00.000+01:00

For David...

Listening to the smells of a rainy day, looking into the dead chill of twilight, holding on to two crumpled movie passes of seasons past. The ink was barely visible...and he could do nothing to stop it from disappearing altogether.

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will the memories too fail?

Like old bricks once so strong,

Fall away from the house that was meant to last forever.

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will your love for me too die?

Like the fires out in winter,

With nothing enough to feed it. To nurture it.

Will you not let me burn for you?

The one who left you too soon,

Because of this I am alone,

As I desperately try to hold onto,

The shattered pieces of what was once us,

Plunged into the river of time,

Alas I cannot outdo the river,

And the memories escape my grasps...

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will you try to strip away?

The flesh from my bones,

Where you were once me, and I was once you.

As the black ink slowly fades...

Will you not recall?

The boy who would climb hills with you.

The man who would climb mountains for you.

As the black ink slowly fades...

***

Photo taken in Paris last December

Pan the on...

2009-11-09T17:02:00.000+01:00

Alright it's not funny. It's the Pantheon. I couldn't think of a better title for this post. So there >.<

I recently found out that sleeping (or being) too near your mobile phone can cause brain damage. I've been sleeping with mine under my pillow for a few years now. That probably explains my forgetfullness, my inability to think clearly and quickly, and my declining intelligence. The thing is, I use my mobile as an alarm clock [this probably means I'm going to have to buy myself a real one soon]. So in the meantime, I have moved its position from under my pillow to the floor under my bed. Since some sources say that the radiation emited is about the size of a basketball...the floor should be safe enough right? I'm not convinced, but it will have to do for now.

Back to the Pantheon. Here are some pictures of it and the square in front of it. For the insides, watch out for my next post.

This Pantheon and the crowds of tourists. One thing I dislike about going to tourist destinations is that it's impossible to get a photo without the...uh...tourists. I know I'm one myself but...

View of the Pantheon from the back.

***

The next few shots are from the square in front of the Pantheon. The fountain there is lovely (although the viscious looking ducks creep me out a little) and I thought I'd get bits of it in the photo along with the Pantheon. I wanted to put these in black and white. They really do look quite lovely. But I fell in love with this sort of muted colours look. The wanning light added to the effect.

Do click on the images to enlarge.

More of the Colosseum

2009-11-06T11:57:00.000+01:00

Hmmm, so here I am again with more photos of the Colosseum...more of its outside ['more' not refering to the number of pics but to how much of the amphiteater can be seen in the pic] and some photos of its inside. This post has too many photos...but since I've already uploaded them...

Do click on images to enlarge.

In the evening...

[Sorry about the noise in the photo. *Glares at camera*]

I had to be a good distance away to fit the whole of it [well almost] into the photo. I can't decide whether I hate the lampost or like it, but for better or worse, there it is blocking the way >.<

***

Now for some photos inside the Colosseum

I was told the remake of the wooden platform was quite recent.

I quite like this shot. I think the window frames the image pretty well.

This little treasure I found on one of the walls of the Colosseum.

And to the exit we go...

***

I must say it wasn't that easy taking shots because of the really strong sunlight. I couldn't see anything on my camera screen. So it was pretty much shoot and hope for the best. I have some photos that I quite like but are partly ruined by the over-exposure. I've no idea how to fix that. Any ideas?

***

For previous photos on the colosseum click here

Floundering with the Flavian Amphitheater

2009-11-05T15:29:00.000+01:00

Urm...floundering because the Colosseum is so... well colossal...and trying to fit the gigantic structure (or at least the better parts of it) into my tiny camera frame proved to be no easy task. I did take some shots of it from a distance but I'll be posting up those photos later. For now, I'll just be posting up pics of its parts. I hope you like them.

I particularly like this shot... a tiny fragile flower, next to the colosseum. A great many opposites.

Click image to enlarge.

I found the orange rays of the sun peeking out through the arches interesting.

The moon was out early one day and I thought that was a nice addition to the otherwise spotless sky.

Red Sky

2009-11-04T13:12:00.000+01:00

These photos were taken shortly after turning off the highway into the Eternal City of Rome. We arrived in the evening, and the sky was afire with beauty. I took the shots from the back seat of my Dad's car.

Hmm, the sky is lovely but is this Rome?

...still waiting

now this is Rome...

***

When we initially arrived, I didn't get the feeling that I was in someplace really different. The buildings were normal, the shops were normal...I guessed since I'd been in Italy for awhile I didn't get the WOW effect, and was pretty disappointed. But the disenchantment dissipated as soon as I saw the ancient buildings and architecture....I didn't realize that we had been traveling through the modern parts of Rome earlier... Head to self: "Oh so that's why I thought Rome looked so normal"

Anyway, looking through my photos, I've got loads of what every tourist with a camera has. The same shots of the same buildings, statues, artifacts... The tour guides points and says "now look at this", *snap snap snap*, "now look at that" *shoot shoot shoot*. I didn't really get an opportunity to take photos of anything besides the old run of the mill. A bad bad lly, makes a sad sad me.

Oh well.

Street Art in Rome

2009-11-03T15:54:00.000+01:00

***

Here are some of the photos from my holiday to Rome. There are so many photos, a good number of them bad [noisy and out of focus]. I'd blame my camera because a poor workman always blames his or her tools [yeah I'm an amateur, what can I say...]. I'd post more up soon...once I decide which ones I should post first....[hmmm should my decision be based on venue, quality of photos, or should I just be random?]

Hats off to this talented street artist.

Colourful Dolls and Flowers

2009-11-02T15:06:00.000+01:00

These were taken in Moncalieri. There were so many people about the morning market and my family (as usual) was hurrying off somewhere so the angle on these shots aren't that great :(

This is my second submission for the Color Carnival at:

http://colorcarnivalmeme.blogspot.com/

***

Over the Top Award

2009-10-31T11:28:00.000+01:00

My very first blog Award. Awarded by a truly talented and amazing blogger iLikeToWrite.

Thank you very much :)

But one of the conditions of accepting this award is that I have to answer the following questions. The catch is I can only use one word for each answer.

1. Where is your cell phone? Bed

2. Your hair? Bunned

3. Your mother? Departed

4. Your father? Wonderful

5. Your favorite food? Noodles

6. Your dream last night? Unreal

7. Your favorite drink? Tea

8. Your dream/goal? Survive

9. What room are you in? Hall

10. Your hobby? Writing

11. Your fear? Lizards

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren't? Accomplished

15. Muffins? Yum

16. Wish list item? DSLR

17. Where did you grow up? KL

18. Last thing you did? Mop

19. What are you wearing? Sweater

20. Your TV? Junk

21. Your pets? None

22. Friends? Faraway

23. Your life? Unaccounted

24. Your mood? Stable

25. Missing someone? Yes

26. Vehicle? Toes

27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Kinokuniya

29. Your favorite color? Black

30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

32. Your best friend? Great

33. One place that I go to over and over? Heart

34. One person who emails me regularly? Spam

35. Favorite place to eat? Penang

Next, I have to pass this award on to six other bloggers.

There are so many amazing bloggers but since I can only choose six, I shall pass the awards to:

♛ Jay Dreamer ♛

For lovely perspectives on photos and meaningful poetry

♛ Rebecca ♛

For her really great photography

♛ Sara ♛

For her creative and inspiring photos

♛ TeeTee ♛

For honest, interesting, and great posts

♛ Fly ♛

For beautiful photography

♛ Corina ♛

For her amazing photo blog

Piazza San Carlo

2009-10-23T13:09:00.000+02:00

I've taken so many photos of this place... yet I never get bored of it.

***

I'm off to Rome, the Eternal City tomorrow for a few days. Hope to get some good eternal memories...dispense with the bad. Lol.

Chocolate is the Answer!

2009-10-22T10:19:00.000+02:00

I have an endless love for Chocolate...

The cure all.

(Cioccolata Calda = Hot Chocolate)

***

Godiva Chocolates from Belgium. I was delighted with the golden wrapping and took the time to photograph the unwrapping of the precious parcel. Yeah, I'm crazy.

***

Do you like chocolate?

Autumn in Alba

2009-10-20T20:40:00.000+02:00

These photos were from last fall in Alba, Italy.

This here tree is the same one I used in my little um... poster... for this blog ;)

End of the Universe...

2009-10-19T12:18:00.000+02:00

I want to fly away...

Past the furthest star at the end of the universe,

And in the Drifting Desolateness make my home.

Where I can be safe....

Alone.... but safe,

From you.

But I have no means to fly...

Where are the strong wings that should be?

In their place, Sad Stumps of brokenness,

That could not take flight...

Clipped.... long ago,

By you.

I wish it all away...

The sadness of the past that carries on into the future.

Laughing amidst the burning tears of hurt,

Laughing at the futility of a Waifish Wish,

The remains of the dead child within me that never grew.

I carry it still in my arms...

As if trying desperately to comfort it.

Holding it, where loving arms should have been.

Only it no longer breathes to feel,

It no longer breaths to live,

But to its forlorn form, I continue whispering...

Everything is going to be okay,

Everything is going to be okay...

And tomorrow is another day...

Till then in the darkness I'll with it stay,

Till we both see the light of that beautiful star,

At the end of the universe,

Away from you.

***

Clouds

2009-10-18T11:14:00.000+02:00

Click on images to enlarge

***

I took these shots because I liked the way the clouds were formed in the sky. Quite a nice backdrop for the church I figured.

Orchids (3)

2009-10-15T20:48:00.000+02:00

Click images to enlarge

This orchid plant, we got by donating to UNICEF. I like the 'skirt'...it looks like snake fangs...only not so sinister. Sorry the photos are a bit blur.

Colours & Cutouts make the Cure...

2009-10-13T12:12:00.000+02:00

Lots of Colour (high saturation) and Cutouts (artistic filter)... the cure for badly taken photographs.

Click on images to enlarge.

Carry Me to Heaven

2009-10-12T12:41:00.000+02:00

Smiles on their tiny faces. Excitement in their brightly lit eyes. A growing joy in their little hearts. Carefully marching down the cobbled stone steps of the church; in their grasps - happily colored envelopes. Each one to his/her own. Inside, were their names. Inside, were their aspirations. Inside, were their souls... to be sent up to heaven by way of balloon....

And when the clock struck twelve, and the church bells rung, they let go...

***

These photos were taken yesterday at Moncalieri in front of the church of S. Maria Della Scala. The event was part of the initiation rite of Catechism Classes for the school year.

The short story behind these shots...

A crowd of parents and children were gathering in front of the piazza with the balloons in hand, and I knew something was up. That's when I pulled out my camera and took the first shot. I wanted to hang around to see what would happen, but my family was on it's way to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. Needless to say, the restaurant was away from the scene. I reluctantly went...knowing that I was going to miss a very special sight (special because I had never witnessed a group of people let fly balloons into the air all at once). By a stroke of luck, the restaurant was full. So I quickly ran back to the piazza and got there just in time to witness the event, and get a few shots of it. The whole thing made me happy. Well, balloons make me happy...so yeah.

***

Here's the second shot... in black and white.

Click on the images to enlarge.

Oh and this is my first submission for Color Carnival at:
http://colorcarnivalmeme.blogspot.com/

Cold on a Cold Day...

2009-10-09T16:38:00.000+02:00

The rain falls from the heavens,

Strong and heavy,

Clear and steady.

The temperature drops,

The skin turns cold.

And mists begin to form,

In thin white wisps,

And the green hills are now a blurry grey.

I don't have to cry,

I'll leave that bit to the sky,

And when I see you online...

I remember. I smile. I forget.

I think about saying 'Hi'

But no...

I am invisible to you

And I want it that way...

It's a cold cold day...

***

Photos taken in Sekayu, Malaysia.

The Mole Antonelliana

2009-10-08T10:59:00.000+02:00

Some photos of the Mole Antonelliana...thought I'd take some pics of the symbol of Turin :)

***

What the nearby signage said:

'Bold and controversial, this building designed by Alessandro Antonelli (1798-1888) is the symbol of the city, and appears on the 2 cent coins. Originally commissioned as a Synagogue, it was acquired in 1878 by the City Council. Near completion in 1889, it was the highest brick building in the world (now 167,5 m). Since 2000 it has house the National Cinema Museum, symbol of Turin's renascent cinema industry. The dome is illuminated by an installation by Mario Merz "Il volo dei numeri".'

By the River Po ❤ This is my 100th Post ❤

2009-10-04T18:45:00.000+02:00

I walking around town the other day, when I took these few shots by the River Po.

Rowing boats in the distance...

The Church of Gran Madre below.

***

I've finally reached a hundred posts since I first began in March this year :)

Some of my favourite posts are:

Pretty in Pink
Viewing the World in Circles
Where Sight Takes You
The Withered Leaf
Alone?
Water Lilies
Quite Quiet
Pink Autumn
Addicted to Flowers
Earth Sky Water

Colourful Scarves on Sale

2009-10-02T21:07:00.000+02:00

***

Photo taken near the Mole Antonelliana

Click on image to enlarge

Henry and the Ancient

2009-10-01T14:47:00.000+02:00

You've met Henry (here).

Henry with the musket.

If you think he's scary...

Look who's he aiming at.

Let's take a closer look...

Meet the Ancient...

His name is Eudomius.

Eudomius is angry.

Eudomius is strong.

He wants to fight Henry.

Something's gone wrong.

Musket Vs Dagger....

Who do you think will win?

I hope they don't kill each other,

That would be a sin.

***

Sorry for this childish post :) I couldn't resist.

Enshrined

2009-10-01T10:30:00.000+02:00

In Italy it is common to find little shrines here and there along the way.

This shrine of the Madonna and Child Jesus was taken in Florence. I simply love the way it's positioned above the street with a staircase leading up to a nearby door.

The balcony above is also of interest.

Click on the image to enlarge.

This little shrine was found along one of the winding roads in Brusson, a little town (famous for its ski resorts) located about 1,388 meters above sea level. Its size is about 12 x 8 inches.

It was so small I almost missed it.

The photograph below gives a better idea of its size.

Have a Happy and Blessed October :)

The Soldier with the Musket

2009-09-30T22:19:00.000+02:00

Meet Henry.

The soldier with the musket.

He drinks sherry.

He loves a racket.

See the blue flask? Yep, that's where Henry stores his sherry.

***

This toy soldier belongs to my little brother. He begged my dad to buy it from a flea market in Moncalieri. It's quite heavy. Well-made. I took photos of Henry here when my brother was away in school to avoid any objections :)

P.S. I named him Henry. My brother knows nothing about this =D

Almond Cantuccini

2009-09-29T18:17:00.000+02:00

Famous in Florence and Tuscany

A delight with coffee or tea

My Italian teacher came by today, and together with my mom and I, made this crunchy yummy biscuit.

Ingredients:

150 grams of sugar

75 grams of butter

2 eggs

250 grams of self-raising flour

lemon and orange zest

50 grams of diced almonds

***

After mixing together all the ingredients,

We spilt the batter into two,

Laid them out as two long rectangles on a tray,

Baked them for 20 minutes (200˚ C),

Took them out for slicing,

Popped them back in for another 10 minutes

and they were done.

Earth Sky Water

2009-09-25T12:46:00.000+02:00

Just three or so days ago, I tried coaxing photoshop to perform an action, but it told me flatly that there was not enough memory. So I had to abandon the project I was working on and do some housekeeping...i.e. throw out stuff. And by definition,"stuff" meant photos. So I ended up running through my iphoto library deleting any photos I felt were a complete lost. Mission heartbreak. No photo is a complete lost... even the horrid ones can be used for their texture or something right? Anyway, in the midst of parting with gigabytes of memories, I found some photos I thought I'd like to post up here.

These photos were taken in Chendering. I had posted up some in a previous post. But here are a few more...

In this photo, the earth, the sky and water meet. The photo below is an edited version of the original. I adjusted the levels in the photo to make it almost white. I thought it looked dreamlike.

Three coconut (extremely tall) trees. I liked the way they reach up into the sky. The photo above has been edited to mute its colors and add an antique look. The original colour of the sky can be seen in the photo below (I wish the car wasn't in the way...)

I love this photo. I added a colour filter to it. The little boy with the bucket is my 11 year old brother :)

Seashells delighting the beach...

***

p.s. I cleared up about 8GB that day.

It Isn't Just Kids Stuff

2009-09-24T14:27:00.000+02:00

Since posting photos of other people's art in my previous post, I decided to do so again in this one :) We could all use a little (or a lot) of inspiration from all the creatives out there. These photos were taken in May in Moncalieri. The brilliant and creative artists behind these beautiful works of art are but kindergartners.

The Candy Shoe

The Pasta Shoe

Primavera (Spring)

There's Daddy, Mommy, and the Twins...

Graffiti

2009-09-23T12:44:00.000+02:00

Illicit but art is art.

For the paper plane and boats (not fully visible), the artist actually stuck on newspaper to the wall...

***

The first four were taken in front of the lido entrance near my place. Whereas the other two were found in Parco Valentino.