.micro four thirds

oops, but i like it.

Before I continue, I'd like to announce that this is my 200th post.. So yay! :D

And umm.. I'd like to welcome the Olympus E-P1 to the family!

So why did I get a new camera all of a sudden?

Well.. The Cyber-shot T2's still reasonably good but it's just not advanced enough for me anymore.. I love the camera, but I can't help getting frustrated with the photo quality.. What looks "reasonably good" on screen doesn't necessarily look as good on the computer..

Don't get me wrong, I still love the fact that it's so small, and easy to carry around, but I reckon I need something a little more advance...

I did think about going back to Canon, getting one of those super zoom powershots.... But, things do change.

I went for a road trip with some old travel buddies last weekend, and one of us had the Olympus E-P1. A point-and-shoot (oh okay, not quite) that allows users to change lenses.. And not to mention, the ability to take RAW images, as well as full manual settings. Perfect.

Sure, it is a little bulky, but I guess I'll have to choose between image quality, and size. Image quality is pretty important to me – it usually determines whether or not I upload the photograph.

Now all I need is one of those leather jackets for the camera body.. As well as a proper case - something small and snug for the camera, which would then allow me to chuck it into my handbag without worrying about scratches.

...

..Actually, I have no idea what micro four thirds mean. Can anyone explain?

edited: I highly recommend the E-P1 for any experienced DSLR users who are looking for something smaller without compromising functions. If you need flash, you could either invest on an external one or get the E-PL1.

.anti suppression

the memorable night.

I don't believe in suppressing my feelings, and I don't think I ever will. Chances are, if I were to bottle everything up I'd just end up exploding and hurt everyone.

So whoever (especially those who are very close to me) is reading this entry, I just want you to know that this blog acts as an outlet for me to vent my frustrations, sadness, or things that I shouldn't keep to myself. I'd rather unleash all my emotions in text rather than hurt you, and I am sure you'd make the same decision as me if you were in my position. Don't say I didn't warn you – feel free to close this window if you don't wish to read whatever I'm about to share.

--

SF and I went star sighting the other night.. We thought we'd go about 100km out of Melbourne since the city is too bright. The fact that we saw the beautiful milky way the other night on our way to Sydney made us want to see it again. Heathcote was our destination but SF reckon it wasn't dark enough, and that we should have driven further up north if we had extra time.. But it was good.

I know things will change in the next couple of years... And [sad to say] I don't adapt to changes as easily as most people could.. Seeing the above image hurts because I don't know when we'll get to go star sighting again. It's not that I don't trust this relationship, it's just that I don't trust whatever that is coming up to us in the next couple of years.

Firstly, I don't like being unable to know how long we're going to be apart – he can't promise, and I don't want him to promise as well, knowing that there is a possibility that other external factors may change our lives. So I guess there is nothing I can do about this and I don't know how to deal with it.. I need help.

Next, I hate having to suppress my emotions and thoughts but this is something I have to do right now, for the well-being of everyone. I guess I'll just need to work harder on this and try to occupy myself with as many things as possible.

Last but not least, how often can we talk? We are both going to lead separate lives for a while and it is unreasonable for either parties to demand to go online 24/7. Will we eventually get tired of chatting on the webcam? What else can we do about this other than making an effort to visit as much as possible and interact online/on the phone?

--

And umm, I don't know if I actually feel better yet, after typing these out, but I hope I do after an 8-hour sleep.

P/S – I hope my dad recovers by the time he wakes up.. :( Being sick is definitely the worst feeling ever.

And as for commenting, I've decided not to allow because all I want is for a few people to listen [read] and understand what I am going through..

.team work

Together for life.

I hope we'll eventually get there.. And I hope we'll do everything we can to prove to people who don't believe in us.
Wish us luck everyone! :)

.calendar

I was checking the weather forecast for the next week a few minutes ago when all of a sudden, I felt despair.

We're less than 2 fortnight away from living apart (for a while).

Well this isn't the first time I've felt the strong urge to break down while looking at dates.. But at least I have (kind of) found a way to control my emotions.. And I hope it works long term.

Or.. Maybe it's just PMS.

I am still taking comfort in the fact that a handful of couples I know are currently in a long distance relationship, and they seem to be handling it pretty well, emotional-wise.

At least we know SF's going to leave 90% of his stuff here with me (yes, including daily necessities such as clothing), and that he's always saying stuff like "Can't wait to come back to Melbourne, I hate working there [Singapore].

We have no idea when he's able to return - I've given up asking since no one's sure what will happen in the next couple of years.. Things DO change when you least expect it to.

But for now, let's pray that he'll get a banking/finance-related job within the next couple of months.

.he said.. #1

Country Victoria.

As we drove along the M31 National Freeway the day before, SF said, "We'll take a break from road trips.. And continue next time [when I come back]."

For some reasons, that actually made me feel good... Because this shows how much he looks forward to coming back.

.new year resolutions are so cliché

pre-2010 fireworks at Docklands.

Cliché. So cliché. Almost everyone I know are making a list of new year resolutions... But it's great, and I enjoyed reading them! Thanks for sharing guys - that kinda make me wanna make my own too.... And here goes

_pdra's 2010 resolutions/wishes

#1: Once again, SF and I are definitely going on a long distance relationship..Again. I don't know if this is the last time we are going to be apart or not.. But to ensure that we move onto a new chapter of the relationship, a bridge that will lead us to yet another step which is being together for the rest of our lives, this is the only way. I hope that SF will get himself a much better job in Singapore in the next two months and come back to Melbourne as soon as possible. By then, we should have a permanent place to live in. I hope we'll be able to step into the new chapter soon rather than going around in circles, which is not healthy for the relationship.

#2: Graduate school life: I.Need.HD's. SF said this to me the other day: "You try to work hard [in uni] and I'll try to find a good job in Singapore." So I'm going to put in extra effort in all my assignments and graduate with Distinction.

#3: Be a better cook. I need to refine my curry puff recipe, as well as my almost-famous-amos-like cookies recipe. And I would like more than instant food for bento.

#4: Improving my photography skills - There is always room for improvement!

#5: Generally, to become much more optimistic about everything. Sure, being emo is cool but it is damaging to #1 and #2.


Hmm.. That will do. And guess what? This resolution took me like, 3 hours? :|

Question: What's your 2010 resolution? :)

.snap out of it!!!

Key to independence.

You know.. I just want to snap out of this being-depressed-about-going-on-a-long-distance-relationship feeling. You guys are probably sick and tired of my rantings already and I am just as sick of it as y'all.

And it's easier said than done. Am I not trying hard enough? :\

.inside and outside

Past and Present.

On the outside, I am a cheerful, fun-loving chick whom most people enjoy hanging out with...

But...

My world on the inside is currently filled with the total darkness - it is filled with despair, pain and uncertainty.
Part of me just refuses to accept the truth, and the other part of me is aware that this will do him, and most importantly, us, good.
But I am going to go with the latter - I will force the other part to see this positively.. And I have to!

I know I will definitely release all these tears that are building up when the time comes.. So let's just see it as tears of joy - that we're moving into a new chapter of the relationship.

.誕生日

of birthday & sock monkey.

今日は私の誕生日である。Today is my birthday.

For those of you who have left messages on Facebook and sent text messages, thank you so much!!! :)

And most importantly, thank you SF, for getting me this cute Paul Frank sock monkey even though the first one (pink in color) annoyed the hell out of you. :P I'm going to miss celebrating your birthdays as well as mine for a while.. So all I can say is, come back soon, love! :)

.when money matters

Yes, it's true that money cannot buy you happiness...

But think about it. Without money, you can't buy stuff that you want, stuff that will make you happy. How are you going to be happy knowing that you cannot own something dear without having the money?

For us, it goes like this.

Without a career, there will not be money.. And without money, we cannot build a future together.

I know I have to let go and accept the truth of going on a long distance relationship, because there is nothing we can do about the sub prime crisis. It's way beyond our control, because it's not even our fault to begin with.

So _pdra, long distance = a great future for you and SF ahead. no long distance = no money, no happiness, no future.

Which one would you choose, _pdra?

My selfishness is jeopardizing a successful long-term relationship and yet, I find it impossible to get rid of that self-centered monster inside me. I guess the reason why I feel forced about this whole situation is because I hate it when something well-planned has to be changed all of a sudden.

I hate to think about how I am going to be living alone from next year, for a few years. How long is a few years? Well, nobody can answer that right now. I wish I had an answer, an answer like, "I will be back in about 2 years time, really really, soon."

Question: Do you think you can still buy happiness without money?

.our future is all blurred out

Fading...

I am not alright with the fact that you might have to leave me here by myself.. But I know there is nothing we can do if that really happens.. I won't be okay for the first half of the year without you by my side but I know I will get by eventually.

Eventually.. Umm.. When? I am not sure. All I know is that I will pray for you to return to Melbourne really really soon.. And I hope it's not going to be longer than two years.

After all, we are not the only couple that have to live apart.. I take comfort in the fact that a few of my friends are also in a long distance relationship and they are doing well. I should start learning a thing or two from them.

If only things would work out nicely...

Our future is all blurred out.. I don't know what's going to happen in the next few months, but I know that you'll always be the one for me.