Sunset Horizon

.The Empire.

.Sunset at the Empire.

So Far in 2 Weeks

It all happened in a flurry with much that have been done: many sights seen, places visited, sounds heard, things touched, tastes tasted and knowledge learnt. Officially as of today, it has been a week and two days since I arrived back to my motherland.

Most things have remained the same, well pretty much everything and everyone's still the same. Except roads are bigger and there are more cars on the road... oh and very less sights of smokers around town.

In terms of my dearly beloveds, I'm happy to say that its quite pleasing to see everyone in good health and general mood. Coming back home, the cats were still the same ole rambunctious bunch I had left when I began my trip to Melbourne.

Oh how I wish I could tell you the things we've been up to, however sadly photos and details are far too many for me to process all at once in my head, let alone type up onto this blog. However, I will share with you a few visual insights as to the events of the last two weeks.

Nine people

One Crew

This is Melbourne Paintball

Jump Shots

Always on the go, Always on the move - that's what you get for living in the city. Now that exams are over and done with, most students are free to roam about the cosmopolitan city in search of entertainment and other amusing activities to fill in the passing time. For four Melbruneians, it was a time to JUMP.

I suppose it's almost become a signature mark for me when it comes to photography: Jump Shots. I find myself attracted to the idea of jumping mid-air. For me it signifies many things: colour, sudden movement, sporadic energy, happiness, silliness, fun, power and much more. I came up with this random idea that whenever I do photography, I will always try take the opportunity to have at least one session of Jump Shots - no matter where the photography is taking place.

Thinking back, I think what started it all was a photo I took of Ms SG. Earlier on this year, my budding interest in photography led me and my curious stubby fingers to reach for CameraGuru's SLR... I was keen on giving it a go - to see what it felt like, what I could come up with. I still remember that day vividly: bright lit blue skylines in Docklands. The weather was just perfect for a hang out - all of us wanted to check out the art exhibition there.Curiousity led me to explore the camera settings, I went for the continuous shoot settings whereupon I had asked Ms SG to jump mid air. Below was what I produced.

. My very first ever Jump Shot.

Ever since then, as I continue on to explore the world of photography and I hope in time learn to develope some serious skills, I have been quite persistent in making many of my candid subjects jump. Don't ask me why... I just like the results - I find them to be quite interesting. Fueling my eagerness for these jump shots is actually the energy I get from my jumping subjects. The more they are keen on joining in the fun and jumping, the more it energises me and drives me to take more jump shots. So when my last jump shots take place? Well... no more than 2-3 days ago, in fact.

I call it: Conquering Bourke & Crown.

.The Crown Shoot.

Conquering Bourke & Crown

Left to Right: Mx, Ms Crocs & Mr Anime

So how did conquering Bourke and Crown came to be? Quite an interesting story to that.

The day was just like another other, except in this case there was less pressure from the academic world now that most of us are done with our exams. The sun was out in mid sky, flaring out against the baby blue backdrop skies and white cotton clouds.

Mx & Ms Crocs

Cool breezy winds were sweeping throughout the city and amidst the noises and sights of the hustling bustling city, Ms DT and I found ourselves heading up to the QV to meet and play catch up with some dear old friends: Ms Crocs and Mr Anime who brought along their friend, Mx at Max Brenners.

Max Brenner's colourful popsicle

Being a good day, the five of us decided to enjoy the weather outside the chocolate café – where I decided to go for the small ice-cream popsicle they offered on the menu. Much to Ms Croc’s misery, as she was trying her hardest to resist the temptation to give in and buy self one, despite the fact that her stomach was filled up to the brim with luncheon that ended not more than 15 mins before our get together.

Ms Crocs & Her Chocolate

As we hung out in Max Brenners, the gang took turns to play around with Primo - it was a great opportunity to kill time as we had plenty of it to spare that day. After the refreshing afternoon break, we headed back to Mr Anime’s place for a bit of relaxation from the sun before dropping by RMIT to check out his architectural exhibition (more on that later) which was to take place later on the week.

The Gang in RMIT

Mr Anime climbing the walls

After a little fixing and rearranging, the group headed out back into the streets. We went through the back (I think) alleyways of the university, where I found the architectural designs of the building interesting. Out came primo for a little play… .and this was what eventually led to the Jump Shots of the day.

First Jump shot of the day

Pretty soon from RMIT, our jump shot craze led us down to Bourke against the nice backdrop of the sun setting…. We even came across Mr Silhouette and managed to convince him and his friends to join in the jump shot in Bourke Street – scuttling back and forth to give way to the trams. As the day, night and eventually the midnight hours dawned on… we were still out and about in Melbourne doing several jump shots…Even I joined in the fun… and ended up hurting myself.

Mr Silhouette & his friends join in the jump

.Jump shots in Bourke Street against the sun set.
For more photos: Conquered Bourke & Crown

.Con El Primo.

.La Primera Pictura.
As Lai said: "...Love at First Shot..."

For more photos: Putt-ing & Shadow Play

.Invasion on Brand Junction and ChilliPadi.

Mr. Rockband with his new drum sticks

It was already well past twelve in the afternoon when the first signs of human activity stirred in the house. One by one, we slowly opened our eyes only to stare at the blank whiteness before us - the empty bland ceiling hovering above us. Just once more, eyes were briefly closed again as though each of us were wishing to fall back into blissful sleep, wishing that the velvety blue night skies still enveloped the heavens. Instead as I turned to the huge glass pane by the living room, all I could see was rich golden sunlight pouring into the room, its warmth wickedly creeping in from the small openings of the window shades.

Enjoying cuppa before heading back from Brand Junction

Ms KK

I hesitated to get off the bed. As I looked about the room, I noticed others were doing the same - our bodies were yearning for more sleep after the late night birthday surprise celebration that had just ended not more than 4 hours ago. Jamming against the playstation 3, with our neighbouring guests, we rockband-ed and guitar-heroed our souls away well into the dawning horizon - much to the misery of the assistant resident advisor who came yelling by the balcony halfway through the night. Finally by 4 in the morning, quietness had settled in. Outside in the hallways, it was said that dark shadows were seen lurking in the darkness... our neighbours were creeping back into their houses with sleepy eyes and tired muscles.

Afternoon coffee with munchies at Degani's.

By 2 in the afternoon, the house was alive with buzzing movements as Ms DT, Ms KK, Rockband and myself readied ourselves for the much-anticipated visit to the newly-opened Brand Junction outlet mall located not more than 5 minutes away from the house.

Now that I think of it, I suppose my expectations for the outlet mall was high - I had expected to see many stores of various brands wide open... beckoning people to drop in and visit. Browsing through their refined selection of outlet retail products. These were there.... but just not as much as I had expected. Furthermore there were plenty of empty merchant slots that have yet to be filled. It had dampened my mood and consequently I didn't enjoy the shopping experience as much. But nonetheless, it doesn't mean you shouldn't pop by for a visit. For it is quite a nice place, layout is simple and very spacious as well... perhaps with time, say... maybe the end of this year... the place might flourish into a buzzing outlet malls like those such as Cheltenham and Southern Cross.

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Scenes from Ms KK's dinner celebration

Before heading out the officially celebrate Ms KK's birthday, we headed for a quick stop over in Bundoora where we all took the opportunity to freshen ourselves up as Ms KK glamourised herself with the latest in fashion. Dinner was to take place in city at Chillipadi where the four of us trammed down to have fun with a few good friends over a lovely dinner.

The delicious spicy Laksa

Ms STP

Ms Goldfish enjoying her din din

It's been a while since I last ate at Chillipadi - sadly whenever I'm there, I find myself reminiscing of days back then: the last parting dinner we all had with Mr Canon.

Anyhow, back to Chillipadi... Dinner was great as was the company. It was the opportunity to OFFICIALLY celebrate Ms KK's birthday with a simple dinner with no more than 15 good and charming friends of various charaters - which consequenty produced quite the colourful scenario! The food as always was much to the delight of the crowd: sumptuous and delectable malay cuisine cooked with heart and soul. Among the many dishes ordered were the Citrus Glazed Duck, Seafood Laksa, Ginger Chicken, Beef Kuey Tiau and many many more before many headed back to their homes with a happy faces and happy stomachs.

For more photos: Brand Junction + Chillipadi Invasion

Happy Birthday Ms KK

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ms. KK!

For many, turning twenty-one is one of the biggest moments in one's life - a joyous moment, signifying the entry into the world of adulthood officially. How so? One is no longer in the teens, - no more opportunities and excuses for rambunctious behaviours. So naturally, the twenty-first birthday ought to be celebrated in grand style and today no one could be more happier celebrating this momentous occasion other than our very own Ms KK, who officially turned twenty-one when the clock struck midnight on eve of Saturday morning.

It was all hushes and hums as her friend Mr PH, Rockband, Ms DT and myself conspired with one another to organise a surprise birthday celebration in her home at Bundoora along with the some of the neighbouring Melbruneians.

As pre-planned, Ms DT and I headed up to Bundoora with the pretension of sleeping over to join Ms KK and Rockband in their shopping spree at the newly-opened Brand Junction Mall by the RMIT university on Saturday. However, little did Ms KK know that we had earlier in the hour snuck in a birthday cake by Ms Bubble's apartment.

When clock struck midnight, the organising troupe saw Ms KK standing by herself out in the veranda, blowing bubbles and singing happy birthday to herself. With her back facing towards everyone, we all took the grand opportunity to sneak in the rest of the Bundoora entourage (and the cake) into the living room before bursting out into a happy birthday celebration song - giving Ms KK the shock of her life.

Everyone was in the best of moods and the room hushed down into silence as the lights dimmed into darkness and faint yellow flames glimmered over the birthday cake - waiting to be blown out.

The event was celebrated amongst a tiny group of friends, mostly of the neighbouring Melbruneians and others who came to visit. Faces that long have not been seen had appeared as much laughter and jokes were exchanged throughout the room. Some rocked on the whole night over Guitar Hero and Rockband whilst others froze out in the veranda, twirling and swirling about against the cold wind playing with a-many bubbles.

1, 2, 3....

----- faces from that night -----

For more pictures of that night: Ms KK's Night.