Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster – For when you look long into the abyss,
the abyss also looks into you.” — Nietzsche

I wish that the border between dreams and reality become hard to distinguish, only then will we not bother about what we have to do in the real world; instead, hide in the safe comfort of our dreams and do the things that we want to do and feel. It sounds too dreamy for most, but that’s how its like when you view the world behind the lens. You would bash through undergrowth, walk across rivers and wait under darkness just to be able to capture that vision.

This photographer was seen in the Tampines dirt track taking photos of the sunset. I hope he got what he wanted.

We’ve been hit by more and more worrying news everyday as the financial crisis takes its toll on the economy.  All we can do is to have hope in a better tomorrow and do the best that we can today.  Try to spend some time with the loved ones and do the things that you love to do. Remember life is not about the destination; its to enjoy the journey.

Strange as it seems I don’t practise what I preach and I am guilty of working too hard this month and maybe because we tend to get caught up with our dreams that we don’t realise the people and friendships we’re neglecting.  I love what I do though, just gotta remember to have a good work life balance.

I don’t fish, but I like looking at fishermen with their buckets full of fish and crabs. Once I was at Bedok Jetty and I saw a fisherman catching a fully bloated puffer fish and that was a sight.

Singapore is an island so just travel for about 30 minutes and you’ll end up seeing the sea at some point. I am so used to having the sea nearby that when i recently went abroad for work at a location where there are no main rivers or seaside nearby i felt a little uncomfortable. Growing in Singapore, you will have many fond memories of swimming and playing along the sandy beaches of East Coast Park, Changi and Sentosa and the interesting thing is that you will get to see cargo vesels and ships like these at a distance. I know that it means the waterways are not that clean with all that sea traffic passing by but still being by the sea can be rather comforting.

Would you jump into the water to save a life? Recently someone risked his life to rescue a lady from the Singapore River. Its a heroic attempt and I felt that he deserved the award and a reimbursement of the medical fees for the cuts and bruises he received.

The Chinese are people who retain part, if not all of their cultures and traditions wherever they go. Almost every country has a mini Chinatown and Singapore is one of them too.

Chinatown is very much alive in the weeks prior to the Chinese New Year as the smell of barbequed pork permeates through the backalleys beyond the main streets filled with colourful decorations.  Lanterns hung across from a lamp post to the other light up the otherwise dreamy night sky.

This photo however was taken on a quiet morning right before the lunch crowd gathers to savour the roadside delights.

Get ready for the Great Singapore Mountain Bike Carnival 2009 happening from the 27th of February till the 1st of March 2009! Its going to be a wicked filthy weekend of fun regardless whether you’re an elite racer, weekend warrior, mountain biker, downhiller, roadie, cross-country runner, tri-athlete, duathlete, adventure racer, or someone looking to try something new. These events are what’s in store for you.

1. 100km MTB Marathon
2. Dirty Duathlon
3. Super D Race
4. Short Track Race
5. Speed Dual Trials
6. Schools Challenge Kids Race
7. SummerEast Night Festival

Most of the events and races will be held at the Tampines Mountain Bike Park, located north of the Tampines Ave 7 and Tampines Ave 9 T-junction, opposite Sun Plaza park. To get there, the nearest expressway access is via TPE (Tampines Expressway).Turn off @ Pasir Ris Drive, turn into Tampines Ave 12, turn right at Tampines Ave 9 T-junction. You can view the location of the Bike Park here in Google Maps.

You could get involved as the organisers need dedicated people to form the race crew and these need to be either good leaders or good team players to help make their long endurance event a success. The race crew may have to struggle through harsh weather conditions, tropical bugs and long hours, pushing the limit of one’s adventure in the wilder side of Singapore.

All race crew will receive catered meals, T-shirt  and some cash to tide you over. You can also get a chance to be part of the dirty weekend in the history of mountain biking in Singapore.

Its a great opportunity to take photos of Singapore mountain bikers battling out to take top spot in the various races. It can and will get muddy, so try to keep your gear protected with these from the grime and dirt and don’t forget to enjoy the races cuz thats what matters the most! This would be the perfect companion for the long day alone out at the dirt track.

There has recently been a lot of debate with regards to removing examinations for Primary 1 students since they are probably too young and would benefit more through continuous learning rather than cramming for exams. Kids should have more time to learn through experience and practise. They should go out to the Botanical Gardens and spend more time outside to learn about trees and flowers rather than from books. They should have stints in the zoo where they learn to take care of animals for a week or two and that would give them more appreciation for wildlife and responsibility.

Otherwise, in the current society that we live in, they might grow up failing to realise that they have to be responsible for eco-diversity and sustainability. By then it will be too late.

Many years ago I was doing my usual walkabout with my photography kit when i stumbled upon this telematch at Jurong Green Community Centre. I liked the excitement and enthusiasm that was displayed by the kids that day as they competed to win not as individuals but as a team.

I left Singapore to go on a trip to London in January and boy am I glad that i didn’t go in February because it seems like so many of my friends in England are snowed in. In fact i felt that i already hit the cold threshold and i can’t imagine myself waking up in a snow filled morning.. i would be a popsicle.

This photo was taken at the Departure Hall of Terminal 3, Singapore Changi Airport prior to my flight. Terminal 3 seems much more sophisticated and spacious and i like how fast the baggage check in counter service is.

Its getting quite unbearable to take a train to work in the morning as unfortunately i stay near a train station which is the last in the line before it connects to another route so its usually packed like sardines the time it reaches my place. This only happens during peak periods when everyone’s rushing to go to work and usually after that period the train is quite a quiet place to doze off. It is definitely not as bad as other cities though, just a little inconvenient.

We live in an era where demand for natural resources have reached the peak level and Mother Earth is probably screaming in agony as we plunder its resources for our own benefit. Oil prices have surpassed beyond daily record levels while it was half what it currently is just under a year ago. As such, i have cut back on unnecessary journeys on my car and learnt to frequent public transport instead.

Lets hope that our children and the next generation to come will still get to enjoy the vast beauty of our planet. We all need to do our part in conserving energy and the resources that we have.

Sometimes in life if you really want something you’ve got to go there and get it yourself. As much as you’d like to be entitled to something, privileges are few and far between and it pays at times to be a little thick skinned. There could be a risk to bear, be it to face total failure or ridicule, that is where risk management kicks in. Sometimes you got to face total failure to taste success.

Sorry, I didn’t want to sound so naggy but its something i need to remind myself occasionally. Have you ever had that moment when you felt you deserved more than you should?

This boy probably doesn’t understand what we’re talking about. Lets hope it stays that way for the next few years. Kids should be kids and enjoy growing up with new friends to make, new toys to play and new places to visit. He’s certainly having a good time in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where there’s plenty of space for him to run around chasing the bigger kids and get dirty.

This shot was taken on a lazy Saturday morning. Senior citizens mainly the old chinese men ( otherwise locally known as ah-pek) spent their morning playing chinese chess. This was my favourite shot as pointed out by my good friend… A very typical scene found in Chinatown. I loved the different expressions found at each of their faces with regards to the game. Most importantly, the background is a very local setting of the provision shop. Very Singaporean lor..:)