A few weeks ago a huge package arrived at my doorstep and all I can say is that my life has changed ever since. Meet Diana F+. This film camera was originally designed in the 1960's in Hong Kong, and the lomographic society has brought her back in her full analogue, retro-geek glory.



I love taking photos, and if you feel the same way you'll love this camera. When I was growing up I always enjoyed taking photos in film. Then the sexy compact digital cameras showed up and my life was never the same. But over the years I lost interest in taking photos because the photos were always dull and flat. Photoshop is an option, but I always felt that there's certain integrity that you lose when you manipulate an image with a computer. Then came Diana. And friends.



I ordered the Diana F+ deluxe kit from http://www.lomographyasia.com which arrived in 3 working days. The kit contains every crazy accessory you can find for the camera. Being a completely manual camera, it allows you to have control over all of your shots. But that's where your control ends. Your lens, exposure, film and lighting succumbs to the magic of the Diana camera. And you'll see how. The Diana operates on 120mm film, but the kit includes a 35mm adapter which allows you to shoot on regular film (which I use). Well enough talk and let's have some walk. Check out some photos I've taken in my first roll of film. I didn't edit the photos so you see the real color reproduction of the shots.














This was my first day out with my camera so not too bad all things considered haha. But why get a Diana if there are other cameras like Holga and Lomo? Only the Diana allows you to use widely available instant films. Subsequently I bought an adapter for the Diana which allows you to use polaroid film like the easily found Fuji Instax film. The results are crazy cool!









I am a hardcore skeptic. But after these few weeks of messing around with my Diana camera I've been sold on film photography. I've taken some of the most memorable shots with the Diana and I'm really glad I've gotten back into film photography. There's a certain jenesaisquoi about film photography that megapixels can't fully replace. Film can't be a substitute for digital, but damn I tell you film cameras have some kinda magic.



Thanks Laura ;-)

Yesterday Uncle Keng Long and Auntie Ting Ting came over for dinner. The usual little dinner after they come back from a long trip of traveling. Mom and Bap likes to have them over for dinner because they're great company and after being on the road so long they could always use a home cooked meal.

Uncle Keng Long works as a music producer for Mandarin artists like Li Hom and David Tao. It's funny because sometimes I see him in the music videos when I go for KTV. Despite his huge success it strikes me as amazing that they're one of the most down to earth and genuine people you could meet.

Uncle Keng Long is hugely talented. He's probably the best music producer in Singapore by a longshot. In terms of the music industry he's done it all. And when you meet someone like him it's inspiring.

Sometimes I wonder if I have any talent for anything. Not little hobbies or dabbling in things. But like an amazing talent. Something that you could really move people with. Something great. Jon is a talented musician. Galym is super at world history. Thomas is good at math. Chloe is good at singing. Neil is good at talking haha.

But that's talent isn't it. It's either you have it or you don't.

I am so tired right now but I have to write.

Just came back from our prom and I feel really happy.

So many friends that I care about all together in one place. Just looking at the photos makes me smile.

I have been blessed with meeting some of my best friends in the last 4 years. And that's the most priceless thing I've got from school.

For every person who I call my friend, I am so grateful for you, and I'm glad we've shared a part of our lives together.

Not writing with any purpose in mind tonight. Just came back from Vincent's wedding. We've known each other for 5 years now and I'm super happy for him. Not long ago we used to go KTV drinking rubbish carlsberg and with him sending me back on his bike. Funny how things have changed so much and so little as well. After the wedding we were laughing and mocking each other, and for a second it felt like we were back in time again, exactly where things left off.

It's been a long week for me. Been feeling on the verge of coming down with something. I'm extremely exhausted. Work and otherwise. A couple of messy things happened. None of which I actually chose to participate in. Life is all about decisions, and as far as humanly possible, I avoid complications and the people who bring them. I think anyone who really knows me would understand. And I am so grateful for the simple but amazing friendships that have kept me going all along.

In the face of a dilemma or a decision, all it takes is a short pause for thought, being yourself, and standing your ground about your own values. And for the most part, it's worked. I think everyone is human. Everyone fucks up. But its really what you do about it that makes all the difference.

With some of the rubbish that's finally ended lately I've been feeling like I need a proper break. An escape from everything and everyone. Sometimes I see a jacket on a store rack and my mind escapes to New York for a moment. For a second I can almost feel like I'm actually there. And although I know I'll be there next year, I've been wishing lately that I had gone.

Everytime I see that coat on my hanger I see alot of things. My dreams. My life. A restart button that I can't wait to press. And I've earned it.

Just within 2 days my family's life has been changed. Yesterday we signed the contract and today I got my acceptance letter. I feel so blessed.

One thing I've learned is to be open to unexpected changes in life, both good and bad. Sometimes we hold onto the identities we have: anything from sports person, academic, friend, banker, lawyer etc. but what happens when everything changes? Anything can change overnight. It's important not to cling to these identities too tightly because life is unpredictable.

We can only try our best, be content, and still hope that things turn out for the best for us.

The reality is barely sinking in. I still cannot believe I made it. It just doesn't compute. I have worked so hard. Not just this semester. Not just the last couple of years. But my whole life. And I think maybe I've finally arrived somewhere.

School ending has been the best thing to happen to me since school started. Things just feel alot more relaxed and it's just been really great. I haven't felt like such an even balance between work and play in maybe ever.

So the real work has started but it has been good so far. E-mailing, locating suppliers, coming up with the concepts and piecing everything together has been a jumble but it's nice being on top of every detail.

It's weird but between the time school ended and now I feel like I've grown up. It's like someone handed me the mantle of adulthood and asked me to get going.

This is the real world bitches.

Heya. Really been awhile since I wrote anything here. I think I'm outgrowing the idea of blogging.

Alot has happened the last few weeks. School has ended. I've had 2 amazing holidays with some of my closest friends. And there's something really exciting happening for my family in the next couple of months.

I was expecting some sort of sentimentality with the end of school but funny enough it hasn't been so. I guess it was about time school ended. And now I can finally get on with the rest of life.

I have alot to look forward to. And although I seldom check in with the big guy up there, I'm really grateful to God for everything in my life. I am blessed.

On Wednesday Margi microwaved the sushi I bought from Isetan.

It's a little scary, exciting and nerve wracking thinking about it. So everything's been done and all there is left to do is wait. One part of me says omg wouldn't it be exciting, but the realistic part of me says don't even think about it. I know my life won't be the same if all goes well.

I've decided to deal with it as though it isn't going to happen. If it happens, it happens. But for now I've done my best and I'm just going to keep moving, and keep working.

I feel grateful for the chances I've had and the people I met. Whether it happens or not I am blessed.

On Friday night we went for the party that Steve organized. I usually don't like to go to the bars or clubs if humanly possible but I thought I'd make an exception. Turns out everyone was there. So many old friends and faces from the good old AC days. Everyone you wanted and didn't want to see packed into that bar at Fullerton. It was great though. I wouldn't have caught up with that many people if I gave it a miss.

As I was sitting there at our table I could see the other tables with their different circles, and it was just nice to see how everyone was still in touch and together. These were friends from primary school and beyond, and it was good to know everyone's grown up together.

As school ends, it's just nice to know that even if I didn't learn a single thing in class, or even if I don't have that USD$5000 job, I've got my friends for life.

Heya! Yikes it's been awhile since I wrote anything here. I just saw the date on the last post and it's been a month since. Time really flies. In exactly 2 months from this date I am officially done with school. How weird is that?

Some of my best friends just got their job offers so congrats! Dinner on you haha!

Since I took the leap and chose to pursue my interest in psych my schedule has been pretty different. I've been helping Professor Tov on this exciting study on the benefits of journaling. I've also been going to NUS (YES NUS) to help Prof Hong on some studies on Schizophrenia.

Dr Collinson said some research positions in schizophrenia will be opening up at the NUS-Duke medical school so he asked me to contact him again in March if I'm interested in full-time work which is also extremely exciting.

I think one thing I've learned is that you shouldn't sell out on your long-term goals. Over the last months I've been tempted to just find a well-paying job or get into a free masters program, but you know life is full of opportunities, and sometimes you have to say no to things which may only be good for you in the short run. If you're going to say yes to every damn thing that comes your way you'll never live the life you want to.

I just had dinner with Dzeike and we went for Lan after that. We've been playing this mad game called left 4 dead thanks to Steve. It's 1am and I feel like a zombie could pop out behind me from the toilet any second haha.

I am always reminded that I have the best family and friends ever. They are the ones who make me Ian. Without them I'm really nothing. And that is by no means an overstatement.

So you. Yes you, you know who you are. You inner circle peeps. Don't ever think for a second I am not grateful for you. You mean everything to me, and I am so glad you are a part of my life.

I haven't been this upset or sad in a long time. If this were me a couple of years ago I don't think I could have handled it.

Although I saw it coming, I didn't realize that it would affect me alot more than I thought.

At the same time I'm surprised that I've managed to deal with it this well.

If I didn't have my family, my friends and my life as support I don't think I would been able to cope with it. I'm really grateful for everything in my life.

Today was a reminder that I have my own weakness, but it's how I deal with it that really matters.