It’s been ages since last one! Too much to update, but this one should come first.

On 13th July, i was involved in a collaboration between KLickr + KLue + Nike, along with 3 other friends from our group, namely ena, magnus and waa.

It’s out on KLue magazine August 2008 issue #118 now. These are my photos that are published:

And this is the page i’m published in:

Big thanks for the opportunity and all parties involved!

This is an update of previous blog entry: this in a mag soon?

So, i went to BluInc earlier, and i got a copy of Going Places (Malaysia Airlines in flight magazine), May issue from the writer, Lydia. (Thanks, Lydia!)

And the photo is featured at bottom of p.30

However, the credit read like this:

TD? i’ve been called JD many times now, and now TD. That’s a first. Thank you

i’ve been missing for a while now, as i went down under the earth – to Kiwiland, as you might have guessed.

There have been quite some material to write and blurb about, but they require quite some time to be organised and put into words. (Procrastination, yes) And this post should actually come after all those.

But i thought if i was to make this strictly chronological and blog the trip first, i wouldn’t get to update this site for a while. So pardon me to skip the trip journal. i shall try to recount the trip in later time*.

(*note: i thought this disclaimer was needed as i found out that i actually have a fan of my blogs, and she’s been waiting for my trip journal! Thank you, sweetie!)

Right, now… why, a week after coming back from the trip, have i not uploaded any photos and blogs? i shall tell now.

(Sorry i’m bad at story structure, even worse now that i’m in some internet cafe now) i applied a diploma course in visual communication in a college in Singapore months back. Had my portfolio reviewed, myself interviewed, and taken an entry test early this year – as i applied to direct enter 2nd year. And before i went to Kiwiland, i got offered a place in 2nd year, but i differed it as i wasn’t offered a Tuition Grant Deed (which subsidise tuition fees by more than half) which i expected.

So i went on with my trip, thinking i’d have to look for a proper job after i come back.

Towards the end of my 4-week trip, i heard that i was wanted back in Malaysia. No, sorry to disappoint you, i wasn’t an outlaw with a prize money of £10,000. This photographer, Eskay – to whom i was introduced by my mate, Moses, earlier this year – was looking for me; as he had a job offer.

So, after landing in Singapore, i was eager to get back to Malaysia and get in touch with Eskay, as well as to make a couple of other phone calls.

But when i was in Singapore, i got another email from the college again. It said that Ministry of Education (Singapore) had granted the college more quota, and the college would like to offer me Tuition Grant Deed now, based on my “good entrance test results and portfolio interview”.

Hahaha… good results? Whay aye, man!

(i didn’t think i did well in the test! For i spent 2 hours thinking of ideas, and slightly more than half an hour to finish to artwork – well, an advert poster, really – while other applicants used nearly 2.5 hours drawing and painting!)

Ooh, i’m pampered by choices now!

Right, now there are 2 options. Great.

i was almost torn between them – should i go to college or take up the job?

i thought i should contact Eskay and check out first – i wasn’t even sure if there still was a job offer!

So, i called him, and arranged a meeting, last Saturday. We had a very casual meeting: a breakfast together in McDonald’s. But, sadly we didn’t continue to Ronald’s playground and play in ball-pool.

Right, Eskay’s assistant has left (or has been asked to leave). And there’s an opening. We talked bout details of the job. And i took up the offer! Pay is not high at all, but i have a good feeling bout it, as from our conversation, he kinda assured me he would train me properly as a photog*.

*big grin*

(*note: Honestly, i don’t even know i’m hired as an assistant photographer, or photographer’s assistant! But yes, from the whole meeting, i think it’s the former one. At least i hope it is! i shall let you know in time to come when i start work)

Great! i got a job in the industry i want now. i differed the college offer again.

*big grin*

i have been asked to start work ASAP, as Eskay really could use come staff. But a li’l hiccup. i need relocation. And it’s quite hard to find a place to stay in very short time.

Fortunately, me mate Alan, is very kind enough to offer me a room at his apartment temporarily, until i find a flat – well, a room.

So, i was supposed to report to the studio at 0930hrs this coming Monday. But earlier today – shite! it’s nearly 0200hrs now, so, yeah, yesterday, to be precise – Eskay called up and asked when i was moving. He said there was a shoot in Penang on Monday, and maybe we might leave on Sunday!

Ooh! First day at work and it’s gonna be on assignment in outstation! i’m all excited!

Right, i must come to a blunt stop for this post now! Till then!

*This is a CC of my post to http://go-kiwi-go.blogspot.com/

Hello mates! i’m just popping to drop a quick line that i’m now at Auckland airport at last! Gonna go to city centre and find a way to travel south! Later!

This is one of my shots from the live jazz gig by Lewis Pragasam & The Rhythm Maniac, in Alexis Bistro & Bar Restaurant, Ampang, K.L. on 23rd March. (more photos here)

Just got an email from a writer from BluInc Media Sdn Bhd whom i met there, wishing to feature this photo in an article. i’ve granted her request, free. Well, not really. In return i asked for a copy of the magazine (i think it’s Going Places) in which it’ll be featured.

Hope that will happen soon (tho i’ll be away from country for a month!).

Centre Point, Bandar Utama, Malaysia.

Bukit Panjang Plaza, Bukit Panjang, Singapore.

*This is a CC of my post to http://go-kiwi-go.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: By all means, i’m not being racist at all with the Indian accent thingy. If you’ve seen Russell Peters’ standup, you’ll know wot i’m talking bout. i love every bit of him doing the Indian accent.

So, wot’s happening?? Yay! We’re going to Ibiza!!

Wait a sec.. that’s Vege Boys song… We’re going to Kiwiland!!!

i’m so excited that in my MSN status, i wrote “i’m gonna shoot kiwi, eat kiwi, drink kiwi, speak kiwi! then i’m gonna be hobit and beat an orc!”

Disclaimer: By all means, i’m not posting any threat at all, to the birds, the fruits, and the people in NZ. i’m gonna shoot (as in photograph) the place, eat the local delicacies, drink local beer, and speak a word or two of Maori! Bout the hobit and orc part… just don’t ask. lol

(side story: my ex popped by in MSN and asked “wot’s wrong with them Kiwis? They are cute!” LOL!)

ye’s talked bout us talking via MSN, but she failed to mention that it was soo non-productive when we’re all talking together, a conference MSN of ye (in Singapore), me (in Malaysia), and Koo (in Kiwiland). We, who can be real random at times, got hyper random and talked lotsa crap during discussion! Crap like eating “laminated labbit” and drinking “libena” and all! And thinking of proposals to offer labour to skydiving people, hoping to get free dives in return, cuz they’re just jolly expensive! And helping Koo to choose a car as she’s getting one – both ye & i would like her to get one shocking-neon-pink convertible, with Hello Kitty wheelcaps! i think we may even make headlines in Chronicles of Kiwiland or The Kiwi Times, travelling in such car!

Good laugh tho! But i really don’t know wot exactly would happen when 3 of us sitting down at a Kiwibar in Christchurch* together (physically at same place) and starting the crap-talk again! Hope them Kiwis won’t label us as crazy Asians and get a court warrant to keep us away from their sheep!

*Btw, Koo uses ChCh, which – i decided – is pronounced as it is, “t∫-t∫”, for Christchurch. And i’ve decided it’s gonna be an official abbrevation throughout the blog!

Right, we’ve made the first big step – ticket’s booked now…

Now wot???

i’ve been advised by my best friend, Ryo that we should concentrate on only one island as we’re only going for a moon*. Should i listen to him? He’s a Japanese! Maybe i should, cuz he IS a Japanese! He’s travelled quite alot, esp he’s backpacked in NZ for half a year before!

*moon, n. (whydish) – month

Dang… we wanna go to South Island! But we’re landing in Auckland! Well, as mentioned, flights (from Singapore) to Auckland are generally cheaper than going to ChCh. i just hope hitchhiking is sound & easy & safe. According to Ryo, it was so it appeared when he was there. Tho Ryo actually suggested us to buy a car in Auckland and sell it off again when we leave. We’d probably lose couple hundred of dollars on the investment, but we could travel very freely and fun! Yes, i love road trips! Worth considering, i guess.

So, really, NOW WOT??

Hmm…

As ye & i have discussed, we’re now looking at WWOOF-ing in one farm in the North for a week, then another one in the South. And the rest of the time, mostly in the South!

Well, i best get off the line now and read extensively about the regions of NZ and shortlist just a few (wot i already have in mind are Auckland/ Taupo lake aread for the North, and Nelson and Canterbury in the South). Also to read on the farm list in WWOOF book and start contacting them…

Oooh… lotsa stuff to sort here…