Just Flaunt It

A path less traveled by

Shane — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:41:19 +0000

HEART

I think I am just a kid that is easily electrified by new things. How Ms. Priti understands me just by talking to me for a couple of minutes everyday I do not know, but there was a time I felt guilty and swore to be less adventurous. The reply I got from her was pretty damn quick: Please don’t. Be yourself. Perhaps I was a little sadistic to laugh when she said I was stupid by attempting to travel in a guys’ compartment that ended up with my body and laptop bag separated in and outside of the train.

Being away at some point, other than suffering from homesickness, you will have the advantage to connect to people whom you don’t usually interact with back at home. Close friends are more concerned with your daily life with viber-ing and whatsapp-ing (thanks to Steve’s iPhone) starting from around 6am everyday. My address here is also another piece of hot cake and sometimes I thought eventually someone will send me some cash, if I really ask for it!

I was supposed to pen these down on Oct 6 2011. However the passing of Steve made me postpone it. I thought partially God knows I will be sharing another getaway with a truly heartwarming family. I was sick for the past whole week which started with a really bad throat infection. It was so nasty that I could barely do without a Soresil (Strepsil in India) in my mouth, even when I was sleeping. That one night I was in pain and I wasn’t even sure that i was dreaming. Ms. Priti was at my bedside and she was holding my hand. The next day I woke up and my sore throat was gone. Before I managed to say a prayer of appreciation, I started coughing, at least for 10 minutes. So here the day went by. I tried the easier way out and the cough syrup I got from the pharmacy put the cough to death. The next day I woke up with a lighter heart. Then the 3rd wave came. I found a patch of blisters on my left armpit. I started to get really panicked by the sight of it, thinking about few days back when I traveled downtown and on the train I was cramped between the wall and the lady beside me. Unable to describe my situation to the pharmacist and feeling awkward, I called the helpful Dr. Seema and she diagnosed that might be caused by some spider bites. How perfect! On the same day, I called home and found out that mom was sick. The helplessness started to sink in. I was so far away and I couldn’t even help myself out of this mess. As I always do, I talked to a couple of friends and sent a short message to Ms. Priti. I was actually weeping in contrast with the loud Dussehra music outside with the local people were celebrating the festival. In fact, it was the first night I didn’t feel great but dreadful.

It took me almost two days to get over the stitching pain on my arm and for doctor to confirm mom is at least ok. On Saturday morning I have got 3 messages on my mobile. 0600, 0630 and 0720. The third one literally made me jump out of bed. I was offered an extended trip to Ms. Priti’s house (with the originally planned walk to the train station together). Her son was turning 6, the family and friends will be celebrating for him. The feeling of being part of something really lightened me up. If I have come to India and just stick to being alone, that will be a great loss for me, comparable to losing a big chunk of my savings. It was also the first time I got onto a train headed north from Andheri. I was greeted by the two adorable kids, Nathan in fact reminded me so much of my brother. His smile, his lanky figure and of course his bossy sister.

It was a pleasant afternoon, followed by a pleasant evening. We chatted on the front steps of the house, which brought me back to my childhood memories when I sat on the long bench in front of our now-demolished kampong house, chatting with my late grandpa and grandma. Then I took a short walk with Ms.Priti for some groceries, some puris and some badminton with the kids. At night I joined all the family members and friends to sing the birthday song, share some jokes, enjoy the food and alcohol (breeze, homemade wine and whisky oh yes!) before going to bed. I was actually fast asleep, totally drained because all my energy was spent on being happy and smiling all the time. I got back the next day, after a trip to the church, and I started this after my lunch, which was around 3 o’clock, 9 hours ago.

It has been an amazing ride. It amazed me how people can be really helpful to you even they don’t know you. Sometimes I admired the people here who can be truly happy and their smiles are always so real and heartfelt. Expressions. Gestures. Just like every pat at the back of me from Ms. Priti, so much of encouragement, affection and truly sincere. I guess that’s why I always tried to make her annoy, just to get her to hit me. Perhaps I have been living in a transparent shell before this, well-protected by the rules and perceptions which even myself was not aware of. There were a few moments when I closed my eyes at night that I found all these too surreal. I was actually afraid of the feeling of satisfaction and wanting for more just went dead when I woke up. How stupid. I have already lived that once. It will not change and even if tomorrow there are less adventures, inspiration and satisfaction, my heart will know what’s next.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

And my heart has led me here.

A path less traveled by

Shane — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:32:08 +0000

ESCAPADE

At this point, I am torn between explaining the bonding between me and Ms. Priti, and the footsteps I have left behind in my adventure so far. (Mark the word “adventure”). After a few minutes I realized that they complement each other. Salt and pepper, kind of.

It all started with a little walk to the train station. In fact, my story in India is closely related to the most popular transport in India. I was quite persistent in asking Ms. Priti to show me the way there. For this matter I have approached her 3 times and with a min of 5 visits a day to her desk for the 1st week there, it didn’t mean that much of disturbance, I hope. We started off with a map drawn by her showing the way from the school to Andheri station. Even though the map is so simple and less complicated compared to a primary school drawing I had totally no idea of how to get there. Anyway I told her that I got it, kept the map and reminded her to wait for me for an afternoon walk there. It turned out that Dr. Nabsiah was also a fan of the amazing race and the three of us spent some good time walking in the drizzle. At the station I was told about the do’s and don’ts before Ms. Priti handed me my first ever ticket booklet. We waved goodbyes to Ms. Priti when she took the train headed north home. What I remember next (which I had openly discussed on Facebook) is muddy water and potholes. The rain was perfectly timed and it’s my first encounter with mind-and-body endurance in Mumbai. When I look back, it amused me how feeble I was, as it is the same route I take everyday now, just a mere 20-minute walk. The big luggage with 14 pieces of kurta cloths makes the difference on that rainy afternoon. Dr. Nabsiah played a part in the minor awakening, when she mentioned our generation was really a pampered bunch.

So my engagement with train actually started with a really pleasant ride with Deepti, another good friend of mine in the school. She is always caring and another shining star of mine. As I was a rookie in transiting by train, she has spent the morning of my first working day with me, traveled south to Bandra. The fast train happened to be easy to hop on. I managed to push some ladies into the compartment and got down easily at the destination. Little that I know I would become the infamous student from Malaysia in the same afternoon, who restlessly tried 5 times before making it into a ladies compartment. Nevertheless the pride of successfully making it onto the coach is amazingly satisfying. It’s like you are able to solve a secondary mathematic questions but you are just a 10-year-old, even today I’m still feeling it. Bitter sweet.

Other curricular activities in India are loss of directions with a combination of language incapability that rules out any chances of asking for directions, and to tell the auto drivers the exact place that I wanted to go. For the first week traveling to work, I have lost my way for not less than five times and has reached the hostel gate as late as the minute it supposed to be locked up. Sometimes when luck wasn’t with me even the auto that I hopped on broke down in the middle of road, the most unforgettable experience I had is the one I got down from the dead auto in front of the JW Marriott Hotel at Juhu. Anyway, it’s the rainbow after the rain which got me eagerly anticipating the next thrill. I failed to hop onto a train and here she came, a physician volunteered to share an auto ride with me. When I was confused because of some ladies pointing fingers at me there were another group of kind passengers advised me not to block their way out of the train (yes they spoke English). On the night I have changed 3 autos because they were not able to understand where I headed for, God sent an auto with an English-speaking driver. Because of all these constant setbacks and faithful bunch of good people came along, my definition of hardship has changed. It’s just a process before we get there and the process is what makes the whole thing worthwhile. All my silly adventures were usually reported on almost a daily basis at the desk of Ms. Priti. That same corner which I passed every morning before going to cafe for sandwich and a cup of masala chai, has been my favorite corner to visit in the campus. It’s not hard to realize that worries started to grow on her face and it was that one ridiculous night which I was lost outside for 3 hours that made her raise her voice. The usually calm Ms. Priti has lost her cool, I thought. She looked into my eyes and vowed to cancel my VISA if I continued to risk my own safety by choosing unorthodox ways of commuting and lacking sense of security. That priceless expression of hers will remain with me for the rest of my life, just like how I always remember the first time I met my mentor one fine morning in Arizona. The weather was freezing cold and those were a pair of warm hands.

A path less traveled by

Shane — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:10:42 +0000

This is a piece of writing I’ve done for myself, just a little celebration of golden month in my life. I’ve got the manuscript of this “trilogy” with me, just a little too long to post them all at once.

ALIVE

It’s over a month now. I place my palm in front of my face and I breathe. Hey, I survive.

In the evening of September 6, Riza and I touched down at Mumbai with the rain drizzling and welcoming us to the alpha world city. When the car drove into the suburb through the bustling streets, the scenes took my breath away, literally. This is not Thailand, it’s extraordinary . Autos. If one night in your dream there are an army of autos(rickshaws) surrounding you in the traffic, that must be India, and yeah, that could be Mumbai.

It was dark. From the main streets the driver led us to our school where our hostel is located, through some narrow lanes with potholes and human beings. From that moment I believe this city is in fact inhabited by almost 21 million of Homo Sapiens, almost 1-Malaysia (population – 27 million). It’s almost impossible that you walk out from your room, your hostel, your school compound and you don’t cross path with someone else.

I remember the water was ice-cold. It’s our first shower in India. The first phone call I made is to Ms. Priti Miranda, the school assistant registrar before we went to bed. I am not really sure if my voice was a little shell-shocked but she asked if we were comfortable with our place. She told us to meet her in the office the next day. That was the first conversation, in proper English, comforting one, without any self-defined sign language. Right from my heart I can tell you that I was afraid. Fear grew inside me and I questioned myself of the decision I made to come to India. When we are weak, we question about everything we’ve done. I remember I’ve sent some messages back to Malaysia, other than announcing I have reached in one piece I’ve also wondered if I will leave in January, one piece. Total days to come, 147. Yeah, the number sticks with me because of some insurance I got for myself, you know, just in case.

Among the lessons learnt in India is about not being judgmental, especially at night. Stepping out of the hostel is refreshing, the next morning. Being a student again is something I have longed for. The sense gradually came to me that every difference you drive into your life, somehow will start with a cocktail of anxiety mix with fear. The pleasant Ms. Priti made me feel at ease, especially the way she reacted to seeing my ID photos. I know from that instance, we are going to be friends.

The first week rolled by peacefully, which I like to put it as lack of adventures. By the end of the week, USM sent Dr. Nabsiah to Mumbai for a brief visit and sent Riza away to Pune. Then I was alone. When you are singing solo, you are the driver of your life. You can either make yourself miserable by thinking oh dear, I’m too lonely and I’m gonna die or tell yourself hey, the world is yours now! Unbelievably, I found myself having this gung-ho spirit.

Man, this is gonna be one hell of a ride!

This is for Steve.

Shane — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:39:43 +0000

Hi Steve,

It’s sad that I can’t celebrate my 1-month at my new home because you had just left.

I do not know if you are afraid or disappointed before your last breath, as you’ve said time and time again, even people who want to go to heaven, are not willing to die for it.

To be honest, I have spent a whole lot of money in you and your company’s creations.

I first started off with a iPod Video which I have got it back in 2007 when I was excited about online shopping and the brand Apple. With the capacity of 80GB, my device is always with that 50 songs I’ve played again and again for 4 years now (and counting).

In April 2010, I bought something that changed my life completely. It allows me the access to so many different social medias and I have been absolutely a fanatic since then, and I believe I will be for the rest of my life, if I still can swipe using my right thumb as I always do. After practicing it a zillion times I have become so good at operating this thing even I was half asleep and a message came in I could move my arm to the study desk beside me and unlock it without looking at it. I am also quite professional in texting while I am driving. I can do it when my car is on the highway, at the traffic lights and of course in massive jams, which I always updated my status to tell the world I am stuck and hell please don’t come over and make it worse people. Of course all these sound like completely ridiculous ways to kill myself and all my friends who heard about my stunts scolded me like I have been suicidal (well at some point maybe yes) in doing so. That’s why when your successor revealed Siri yesterday that I was excited enough to think hey this time what can you people do?!

And because of the brand itself has meant so much in this new generation, I have been madly in love with it that I started to give your product as gift. I purchased a iPod-Nano online and mailed it to my friend because she just needed a simple MP3 player. Maybe you didn’t hear about it in 55 years of your life but in Malaysia, anything related to Apple cost a lot. I was an engineer and earning Malaysian Ringgit. I did not save much out of my salary and most of my money went to gadgets like cameras and your inventions. Other than my friend nobody knew about this and hey now you are the second one to share this secret with me. Flattered?

Before I resigned as an engineer, I burned another big hole in my pocket getting myself another products of your company, the MacBook Pro. God knows how long I have dreamed about owning this machine. I patrolled the Apple reseller stores for a few weeks before I decided to bring him home. I don’t mean to be arrogant but really I don’t think I will switch back to Windows after I got hitched like this. I clearly remember the first time this machine was booted at the Switch store and the screen came alive. Man, that kind of feeling is better than getting a 20% raise in your paycheck. Trust me. Because of him, I have spent another big chunk of money assuring no harm can be done to him. His perfect body and soul.

Perhaps now you thought “What?! All you gave me is about the materialism, the devil behind all evils.” You’ve got it wrong, just for once. In the first big slump of my life, which at this point I’m still not that old to discuss about it, I have watched your Stanford Commencement Speech and spent a long time wondering if I have done the right thing for myself and was that the kind of life I have always wanted to live. Then I remember when I was young, relatives came visiting and I was acting like a boss on the couch wearing my dad’s black-framed glasses. They asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. My answer has always been “I want to save the world by becoming a doctor”.

As I don’t think your words become the only motivator behind the change I had installed in my life, it’s you that always make me to be critical and asking questions about what I love and I wish to do. I will never be a doctor or save the world in this life. Yet, I chose to do something that’s closer to it, at least. I doubt you will be able to read this, or will this eventually reach you because there are millions out there who are writing to you now. I just want to tell you that your legacy and inspiration stay, even you have walked away. You have gave us the i-Citizens the kind of experience that we would never think about a few years ago. You told me not to regret what I have gone through, because life, is about connecting the dots.

Thank you for i.

With respect,

Yong Yee

I’m home, mom and dad.

Shane — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:34:02 +0000

现在是晚上十点三十分，爸妈都睡了。

妈睡前我还问了一句，这么早就睡吗？妈说，我们都老了。

十年之前，我上中五的时候，爸妈还是每天载送我和弟弟补习，风雨不改。

十年之后，他们晚上都不出去了，叫他们去旅行，他们都说会很累。

每次回家坐在电脑前，等到爸妈都睡去，听着自己手指敲打键盘的声音，那种心情是特别的平静。

因为这是我的家。家给我的归宿感，让我觉得无论外面是日晒或雨淋，我也不用害怕。

我在大学的五个年头，打电话回家的次数是每两周一次。

最后一次出差到美国，我每隔一天就打一通电话回家保平安，这是我上两次都不曾试过的。

回国后的我，第一次闻到回家有扑鼻而来的香气。我睡得更好，和爸妈有更多的话题，回家乡的次数更加频密。

我想，那是我在凤凰城已经失去了我之前所有依靠之后，才发现一直以来守候我的，是年迈的双亲。

有时睡前躺在床上，翻来覆去都记不起最后一次陪父母看电影是什么时候，最后一次让他们真正感到骄傲又是几时。

我分不清楚这是叫做不孝还是“很忙，没空，改天”的代名词。

最近几次回家，爸都是问我功课怎么了，还能应付功课和工作的压力吗。妈就是肯定叮嘱我不可以忽略睡眠，回到家来要是迟上床肯定挨骂。

我知道爸妈对我好的，我叛逆又粘家的心真的知道。

2010对我来说是重要的一年。我从颠簸流离，到偾事疾俗，然后茅塞顿开。离家，读书，朋友，让我从新找到一个定位。

这不是一篇2010回忆录，因为离新一年还有27天。

我只是想做回我自己，做回那个有话就写出来的我，那个知道自己要什么的我。

度过了一个不是那么平静的一周，回到家，打起字来，感觉和在海边一边吃早餐一边看书一样好。

踏进家门的一刻，我第一时间其实就想拿刚买的二手相机给爸妈看，不料他们都已经把饭菜端上桌了。

这就是我的家，永远不会遗弃我的人住在这里。

现在的我可能成绩不再标青，工作也不见得上了几层楼，但我不会放弃追求我还得不到的，不会害怕知道自己的脆弱，也不会放过任何一个让我身边父母和朋友为我感到幸慰的机会。

记得每个扶过我的人，记得每个严厉骂醒我的人，记得每个在我懊恼的时候让我平静下来的人，记得我很多以前忽略了的人。

当然还有他们，现在已经熟睡的父母。

这照片是我在拿到我相机两个月后拍的，是去年四月。爸妈在和我吃了早餐后，在我到蛮远的Darul Aman Golf Resort来拍照。

或许很多人不知道，我回家的话，要是要带相机出去走走，爸都会跟着去，因为我实在让他太放心不下了。

我和他去过Masjid Negeri前面拍light trail；去过象屿山拍稻田博物馆；去过亚罗士打火车站等火车到站；去过Sala海口拍夕阳下山前渔船出海的一幕。

从美国回来后的一天，我对他说，如果有一天我拍照有了起色，我会用它来帮助那些有需要的人。爸听了后，没有作声，只是缓缓的走开了。

爸怎么想我是知道的，我也更明白他担心我会耽误我的工作和课业。

可能是我真的长大了，还是老了，我不会想再追问爸妈的意见，因为我了解什么可以让他们放心，可以让他们微笑。

时间可以让你衰老，更可以证明一切。

而这一次我除了要证明给父母看，我还要把自己夸下的海口兑现。

Singapore, Once Again!

Shane — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:39:05 +0000

I have to make use of this place as you can see the photo that was uploaded in Facebook was stretched and compressed.

Photo#1 – Taken on the “floating platform” at Marina Bay Sands. It was the 2nd attempt for me at this place, different angle. I don’t know how I am going to do it when I return again in the future.

Photo#2: Little India is about colors. I don’t think I will get tired of looking at the colors, smelling the scents of peppers, walking the streets of this place. While I was sweating all over, a group of tri-shaws and tourists passed by.

Photo#3: I always love the back lanes. If you happened to follow my work, I have been really affectionate when dealing with the hidden treasure of restaurants, hotels and places that people don’t feel like admiring.

Photo#4: Freaky saloon – I wish I’m Sweeney Todd!

Photo#5: I love antiques! God knows why I’m here!!

Photo#6: I would love to do this one day. Thanks to the coincidence theory.

Photo#7: Exploring Little India – A “Biker’s Life”

Photo#8: Tried out new stuff. One of the continuous shots caught her eyes.

Photo#9: The National Museum of Singapore

Photo#10: Being mini and classic.

The man who can’t be moved

Shane — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:25:39 +0000

The streets of City by the Bay has the coldest nights. Compared to the extreme weather in Bryce Canyon, UTAH and Grand Canyon, Arizona, the summer nights in San Francisco could prevent you from getting out of your apartment. Bearing the temperature of merely 50F, we were out walking with hoodies, from Van Ness Avenue towards Fisherman Wharf. Being no rich travelers who could afford hundred bucks of luxurious King Crab, we headed for the authentic stalls at the wharf which sells the famous chowder with the very much affordable buns.

It was when we passed by a bread factory that we were attracted to this guy. Through the glass back wall of the bakery, his diligence caught our eyes. His moves was so routine yet professional. It was over 9 on the clock, he was working and he nodded when I took his picture. So I smiled back.

Life’s simple and easy if we make it that way.

I wish I am as simple as him.

From Silver Screen to View Finder

Shane — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:25:49 +0000

These pictures were taken at PHX airport, before I left for Sacramento in order to meet up with Pei Sze & Co., before departing to San Francisco. If one year ago, you told me that taking a photo could make you an artist of your own, could materialize what you see in a movie, and live it once again, I wouldn’t have agreed with you.

Today, after more than 1 year I spent my time nurturing the love for shuttle clicks, I finally come to understand one thing – the real life stories, those you might have missed, are so worth captured and made into movies of their own. My Canon Rebel Xsi (450D) doesn’t have a video capability. So I could just do it this way, making movies out of some photos.

I love this shot the moment I took it. The couple were sitting just in front/opposite of me, with the wife (I presume) was waiting the love one to show up. They have shown very intimate chats, serious eye contacts and shared a lot of time giggling at what might be some jokes thrown to each other.

The second one was the first photo I took after I sat down. The young boy was chasing his daddy all the way while making noises, with some attitude of his own. After I looked at my camera LCD, I feel so warm and it’s that kind of heartfelt moment I always wanted to have.

You do, direct a movie of your own, everyday. So live a good life, win an Oscar for yourselves.

This is San Francisco (Part I: Pier 39/Fisherman’s Wharf)

Shane — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:41:11 +0000

San Francisco, another lovely city I would be pleased and excited to revisit in the future. It’s not because the freezing cold 50F summer breeze, neither does the food or shops attracted my appetite to spend. But thank God, I made a right decision to return to this city since 2008. Life in this city, depends on how you look at it, could be pretty hectic if you don’t work fast enough and have the fear of driving down-hill. It’s mesmerizing to walk across Chinatown, witnessing how people live their Chinese lives in a foreign country, which then they call it home. (I won’t upload any Chinatown photos yet though running out of editing bandwidth) I somehow wish the summer could be warmer right at the bay area. Even though I have been here in the summer before and got a little frustrated while taking photos (solemn or pissed faces when the wind swept right on your face), the experience of being a shooter in this kind of weather proves a good exposure to an amateur like me. Anyway there are a lot of success factors which contribute to a satisfying trip, one of them is right travel partners. I have the pleasure of paving the streets with Pei Sze and a lovely couple, SM + Diana, one of the funniest and nice to mix with. So in the 1st part of the story, I shall present you the most famous pier of San Francisco.

The freedom of life – Viva La Vida, esto es San Francisco *Mind you, this is the album cover, if you haven’t realized about it yet. Ahemm…*

Guess what he was doing then? No, you ain’t suppose to get it right. *wink*

You gotta believe sometimes good things happen in front of us without being noticed. Glad I caught the couple were intimately sharing the moment

Shooting in the mid of passionate sea lions lovers x:-D Could see the Coit Tower and Transamerica Pyramid at the back, rising from the center of crowded buildings.

Alcatraz and Pier 39. Not a very interesting shot though @@ just for the sake of having this photo in here. Sorry.

These “fellows” entertain so many tourists, endlessly receiving cheers from the crowd. They deserve some rest, and a good back drop.

Something simple that I like It’s called the Routines of A Hundred Lost Souls

Always wanted to touch the heart of a million souls. Couldn’t do it now? Well, try capturing 10, 20 or 40 first then.

Another part of life, which supposed to carry joy and energy of teenage charms.

Planning to explore another side of photography, where uncertainties and casual come in. (Shot across the street with tramp rails). I was crossing the road, running.

The best thing of life, is when you know it’s short, that you gonna lose it, and you could still truly embrace it at that moment.

The mono life of mine

Shane — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:04:27 +0000

It is strange that I could be in love with something, long enough to make it my passion. That’s what my parents find it hard to believe. Year 2009 should be a year of new life for me, at least that was what I thought by the end of 2008. Yet I didn’t make it or should I say they didn’t let me do it? I remember what I saw is black, just like an eclipse has happened and I’m just blind to see any greatness and positive sides of my life.

However, God is kind enough to give me a second life. In February 2009, a parcel I long-awaited for reached my place from the States and I first landed my hands on the Canon 450D, the tool that delivers the awakening. So after a year or so of practice, I am clear enough about what I want to do with photography. My life has changed, and I guess next up, I will try to change yours. Couldn’t thank enough is those kind motivating words from my friends, constructive criticism and I just don’t stop meeting with people who inspire.

What I like about mono is people see with literally a more detailed pair of eyes. So I turned all 3 of these into B&W which originally were so vibrant.