A New Toy

Many people now own a new toy, similiar in common but much more affordable than BMW, Benz, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Beverly Hills.

It's camera! DSLR seems to be a new toy.

Canon EOS 500D

DSLR= Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. OR, normally we call it camera for the PROs. Friends surrounding me own one, and being readily involved with photography. You can play with different lens for different zoom, polaroid lens, and so on... Everything is so digitized now that the used-to-be SLR became DSLR.

Dad said formerly SLR, using films produce a lot better picture than the current SLR, and a lot cheaper. Only problem is that you have to carry around lots of films with different ISO sensitivity. DSLR makes life much easier with memory cards. And, we dont need to produce poster-size photo so the picture that DSLR produce now is pretty much satisfied.

This is my third year of studies in UK and I've travel around a little bit, which is a golden opportunity for me. And hence, taking good pictures during my trip is extremely inportant.

Olympus FE-280, 8 MP, August 2007.

This Olympus camera is what I used to own, following me around to take pictures, and I've been complaining this camera for 2 years now that it takes lousy and low quality pictures even though it's 8 megapixel (so what??). There's a lot of settings you have to make before u take a picture, for a higher quality, but after you're done with it, the moment you want to capture is gone.

Over summer of 2009, I've consider lots and lots of camera to invest a new one. They includes DSLR and semi-SLR.

Panasonic Lumix FZ-28, with 10MP and 18X Zoom

Sony HX-1, 9.1 MP, 20X Zoom, and sweep panorama (which I like!)

Nikon Lumix G1, DSLR, smallest one in market
And many many more.

There's to many things I put into consideration, including size, shape, weight, price and image quality. I want it to be easy to bring around, for a girl to travel around!

At last, I've got this: (which I really fell in love with)

Canon Powershot G10, 14.8 Megapixel, 5X zoom. (Sorry for the dodgy picture as was capture using iPhone)

I went around Europe during mid September, walking around with this camera, taking pretty pictures. I love this one is because of the size, high in megapixels (which is upfront), comes with horseshoe for additional flash light, convertible adapter for telephoto-lens, retro design, metal body, and most importantly, easy to use.

You can adjust the ISO sensitivity, mode and backlight immediately from the top without going into camera's menu to click here and there. Quick and easy to adjust.

You can choose you want to shoot pictures using shutter speed priority (Tv), aperture priority (Av), or other custom pre-programmed mode. The video quality is DVD, which is good enough, though I have another video camera shooting High Definition video.

I will be happily travel around with my retro-design Canon Powershot G10, taking every happy moment that I enjoy here. This is just a perfect camera who wants something in between DSLR and normal compact digital camera. Just like me!!

It's been 3 weeks.

Had 2 weeks of Europe tour, not whole of it but 2 countries. And now, I've already had a week of lecture, including clinics.

Many said that third year in Optometry is the toughest of all. I cannot deny even during the beginning of it, I have to look for books and stuff from first year and compile them altogether into a sensible eye examination part. Just ask me if there's any question about the eye that you're curious about, I would love to help, and helps a lot for my revision as well.

Moved in to a different room from the previous years, with different people and different environment. My flatmates are all quiet, which I like a lot, and no serious party-animal here.

Have not been blogging for quite sometimes and not sure where to start and what theme to go with. I'll definitely work it out.

Sorry for the delay

I'm now back in UK but currently having some problem with my internet connection in my room.

I have loads and loads of stuff to update and say here in which a post would not be enough.

Stay tuned!

Down the memory lane

Kuching High School is where I grew up with. This is my secondary school, which involves deeply in my memories. I've left school about 5 years now (this reveals that I am old!), and I still miss the good old times!

On 2nd December 2008, I received a text message when I woke up early in a winter morning, there in UK. "St John Room is gone!" I was shock then quickly find out what's happening! Part of Kuching High was burnt. Click on this to read more about it.

I started to miss my high school much more after that incident. Our school is a semi-government school so need money to rebuild. Raising funds, funds, funds and funds. For interested people, please click on this to find our more about how you can help to donate.

Alright, back to my main point.

I'm now back in Malaysia and definitely wants to meet up with BFF from school, as well as those whom I've not seen for ages!

It begins during the charity sales at Kuching High in 20th June.

Then it was all the gatherings, night out and dinner with friends!

Friends, you all will stay in my memories forever. When is the next meet up???

Traffic

Red-Amber-Green

As usual, when I am back home in Malaysia, I drive a lot.
I love driving, and I can go anywhere at my own speed, but of course bound with the Malaysia Traffic Law.

One think I hate to the uttermost is traffic jam. That's why I always try to avoid them. Your legs will be tired to pressing the accelerator and brake. Lucky me, I have an automatic modulated car.

There's some driver, especially some annoying people, who thinks they rule the road. Whenever they have their signal light on to the left or right, they think they can just drive over without considering whether it is safe or the situation allows them to do so.

And there's another type of driver is those who seems to always have emergency, tail-gate you. Follow by overtaking you and other's people car in a zigzag way.

On the contrary, there's another type of people who drive very very slowly on the outer land, meant for overtaking other cars. Then when you are in a rush or need at least 70km/hr, and they drive at 30km/hr.

Sometimes, I just think that this is 'the way' how some 'Malaysian' drives. And I just need to be patient. While I'm stuck in the traffic jam, I will have my phone out to play with a few games or just look around at other drivers, what do they do.

*Fairytale*

When I was a kid, I love to play with Barbie dolls. I will get a new one during my birthday as well as Christmas. I have lots of their dresses, particularly, in the style of princesses!

I believe many girls would have a dream of meeting their prince charming and live in a castle. When you grow up, you will realise a dream is still a dream.

However, there's always a fairytale within you, you design it yourself and it's your type of fairytale. It's always good, although not as perfect as those in books and movies.

I've seen a fairytale-like castle when I went away for a break during Easter holiday. Isn't it pretty? It's in Benmore Botanic Garden, Dunoon, Scotland. It's a huge garden of more than 150 acres! There's hidden treasure in it, including the castle above (now they use it as recreational centre), and the endangered red squirrel.

I just love that place as any picture you take is postcard-like and suitable for your wallpaper!

Qantas A380 experience

As I mentioned in my previous blog (see it here & here), I am very picky in choosing a good long haul flight. I've flew back to Kuching, via 2 transits, all the way from Glasgow.

Glasgow - London (1 hour 10 minutes)
London- Singapore (approximately 12 hours)
Singapore - Kuching (1 hour 30 minutes)

Again, I've picked Airbus 380 as my choice of plane. I just love it! Will definitely fly with it again, not Boeing 747. Continue to read and you'll know the reason why.

As usual, I fly on my own, from UK to Malaysia.

Qantas A380. Amazing big bus.
QF 32, 3rd June, depart at 12.15pm
London to Singapore

Qantas land and depart from Terminal 4 of Heathrow Airport. I was as excited as a kid when I saw A380! I will compare my A380 experience of Qantas and Singapore Airline, and will use 2 abbreviation. QF for Qantas; SQ for Singapore Airline.

Upon knowing my flight QF32 depart from Gate 6 of the terminal, I quickly find my way there. And a bit disappointed on the way they leave their passenger in the waiting hall, just like waiting for an internal flight. People queue up 20 minutes before gate open. SQ has a much better service, they have a proper gate, with a welcome counter, and better service start from the point of check-in.

After I found my seat, I am so happy of how the girl at the check in counter pick a seat for me. It's the best seat and I do not have to worry about reclining my seat anytime during the flight.

It's all due to the fact that there's no one sitting behind me. I'm sitting at 69D, at aisle, and there isn't seat 70D. Good yea.

The size of their seat is the same as SQ, big enough for me and bigger legroom. The LCD monitor is 10 inches with touch screen and remote capability. SQ only has remote facility to control the tv entertainment.

This is what you will get once you get on the plane.

Headphone, blanket, pillow, comfort kit,.. I love their pillow than SQ, softer and bigger. However, SQ giveaway Givenchy complimentary comfort kit.

Normally, when you are in the plane, you need to wait till every passenger has settle down, then you can enjoy the entertainment they have for you, right? As soon as you go on board, found your seat, and you can enjoy tonnes of entertainment rightaway. Good right! There's another feature I like about this plane is that they have 'Skycam', as seen below:

This is taken while my plane is ready for departure in Heathrow Airport. Quite cool right? You can see how they land as well. I love this! And sometimes you can see part of the city when the plane does not fly as high yet. This is a feature that I do not find in my previous SQ flight.

About food, Qantas is just awesome! Soon afterdeparture, the crew on board, will give out menu for the long haul flight.

Lunch

• Roasted Sage and Butternut Salad
• Choice of Lamb Casserole with Baby Onions, New Potatoes and Beans
  

or
Seared Red Snapper with Herb Butter and Sugar Snaps

• Cheese and Crackers
• Coffee/Tea
• Ice Cream

Snack on Q
Snacks for leisure, with water and fresh fruit is available.

Relax & Unwind
Cadbury Hot Chocolate or Organic Peppermint Tea

Breakfast
Continental Breakfast
- Orange Juice
- Fresh Fruit Salad
- Raspberry Yoghurt
- Butter Croisant
- Cereal

Hot Breakfast
- Orange Juice
- Fresh Fruit Salad
- Vegetable Omelette with Bacon and Braised Beans
- Butter Croisant
- Coffee/Tea


Beverages
- Australian Wine
- Australian Sparkling Wine
- Spirits (Rum, Gin, Vodka, Whisky)
- Beers
- Non-alchoholic (Juices, Soda, Mineral Water, Coke, Lemonade, Ginger Ale, Squash)

Their menu is really good! Food isthe best among all my flight. Though SQ also has an inflight menu but not as good as Qantas. With Qantas, you eat and sleep, then u sleep and eat. Thumbs up.

Their loo (toilet), not as big as SQ. They provide less toilettries then SQ. SQ would have lotion, aftershave, mouthwash, toothbrushes and toothpastes ready in the toilet.

Other than that, they are pretty much the same.

Service wise, SQ has a quicker service and crew member will remember your needs very well, and try to fulfill them all in the shortest time possible. Qantas not that bad and they are all very very polite.

Apart from that, the airsteward and airstewardess are all handsome and pretty, young as well. Always have a smile on their face. I saw one airsteward who serve the other row, he looks so much like a shorter version of Tom Cruise! With dimple as well! He's so friendly! Their service is comparable with any 5-star Airline!

Qantas Airways is given 4-star by Skytrax. 5-star members are like Singapore Airline, Malaysia Airline, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Kingfisher and Asiana.

I give Qantas A380 a 5 STAR! Love it! Will fly with them again! Looking forward for my return trip!