It’s 1230 midnight and I’m sitting on the couch with the laptop, supposedly culling pictures from my last wedding shoot for 2011, which was just a few hours ago. But then I thought, that can wait, cos it’s been awhile since I last wrote a personal blogpost. Might as well get it done now, on the last day of 2011. Perhaps this could be a precedent for the new year?

2011 has been epic for me. Like beyond belief.

I’ve shot weddings which will forever stay in my memory. Met people who’ve made a mark in my life. Travelled to places that I’ve only dreamt of visiting. Have friends who remind me that there’s always someone who cares, even though you’re away from home. I’ll be frank with you, sometimes I feel so blessed that I get teary eyed. Don’t worry, that usually happens when I’m driving home after an awesome shoot ;)

Some say all this happens cos I work hard for it. Whilst that may be partially true, I believe that it’s also because I’ve been given the opportunity by so many wonderful people. People who open up their lives for one day and invite me in to capture some of their happy moments. You know who you are. Thank you for entrusting me with your memories. Thank you for being my friend. I am forever grateful.

Here I am. “Working” ;) Thanks Ndrew for the shot.

I don’t know what’s in store for the new year. But I do know that whilst I’ll continue working as hard as I have this year, I’ll also be making room to spend more time with my parents who are in KK and also to recharge Annagizer in between of shoots ;) As for the rest, we’ll see what comes my way.

Here’s wishing everyone a blessed 2012.

Much Love & Appreciation

Edit : Just reread this letter to myself from end 2009. Dammit, still going through the panda eyes and breakouts -___-”

Where do I begin?

There’s just so many things I wanna share about Turkey – the super hospitable Turkish people, the amazing architecture, the absolutely gorgeous natural sights. It was by far, one of the best trips I’ve ever taken and totally worth every single cent saved up for it. Throughout the 14 days of being in Turkey, I would occasionally pause and say to myself “Wow. I really am in Turkey!”. That’s how surreal it was for me :)

But since I’ve got a couple of deadlines to meet (eeeks!), I won’t write much about it here but just share a general overview of the entire trip. Besides Istanbul, these below images were taken in Selcuk, Sirince, Ephesus, Pamukkale and in Cappadocia. 

Turkey is definitely a country that I’ll visit again in the future and a destination that I would highly recommend to my friends and clients. For now, I’ll just look back upon these pictures and relive the memories ;)

First thing I noticed, there are a LOT of cats. Every few feet I’d be going “Here kitty, kitty” :p

Sultanhamet Mosque

“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore…”

Inside Ayasofya. It left me flabbergasted.

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

Did I mention there’s a lot of cats all around Turkey? ;p

Ephesus

Both the below pictures were shot in Pamukkale. Check out the totally different landscape! Pic on right shot by my travel buddy and fellow photographer Adam Ong. Thanks bro :D

Goreme, Cappadocia

Meat, meat, meat. Bread, bread, bread.

At the Goreme Open Air Museum

I know what you’re thinking. Dirty minded people, you. Tsk tsk tsk :p

The 1-hour hot air balloon ride over the valleys in Cappadocia was quite an experience! Felt like a lil kid again :) 

Uchisar Castle

Gule gule Turkiye! I’ll be back :)

P/S – Incase you’re wondering, no. I didn’t shoot my “best-seller series of camwhoring” in Turkey ;p

I had wanted to wax lyrical about how grateful I am
~ to celebrate another year of life
~ to be able to take some time off
~ to have the best friends, clients and support in the world
~ that I’m absolutely blessed to be doing something I love, love, love.

But because I would go on and on and on about the above, I’m just gonna write this blogpost to remind myself that it doesn’t take a birthday to celebrate life, that every single day is a celebration cos I never know when it’s gonna be my last one. Not saying that in a morbid way but just reminding myself to live it up :)

You’d all say that I’m cheesy or cliched for writing this but seriously, there are days when my heart is bursting with gratitude that I’ve been given the opportunity to live my life this way and to meet the people who have crossed my path. And I just wanna say this before it’s too late, cos you never know what’s gonna happen in the next minute, the next hour, the next day.

To blogreaders who check out this lil blog of mine once in awhile and leave a comment, thanks so much for dropping by :)
To my clients, thank you for trusting me to capture your memories, for opening your lives to me briefly, for allowing me to ‘cheese’ things up ;)
To my friends, I don’t tell you all this, but your friendship, however brief or long it has been, leaves a mark in my life, reminds me that someone cares even though I’m far away from home and for that, I love you.
To my family, I love you not only because we’re bound by blood, but because at the end of the day, you are my constant. 

And because a blog post doesn’t feel complete without a picture or two, below are some shots from my recent Rawa Island birthday getaway :) 

Much Love & Gratitude xx