"The greatest freedoms are freedom from regret,
freedom from fear, freedom from anxiety,
and freedom from sorrow." ~ Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Freedom is what everyone yearns for but how many of us are truly free?
We cannot answer for each other. We need to look deeply into our own heart for the answer. Only deep within us can we find the truth. Only ourselves know the underlying causes of our own self-created prison.
Why are we trapped then? We are trapped because we are ignorant, deluded and the attachments we hold. We regret because we have done things we should not have done and we have not done what should be done. We fear because we don't understand the true nature of all phenomenas. We suffer from anxiety and sorrow as we cling to the future and the past without living in the present moment.
Judge not each moment but embrace and truly live the moment. Gently observe, quietly reflect and the mind naturally calms. Everything will become clear. It is just like the water of a lake - when the mud beneath the water is not stirred up, the water is clear and we see the bottom. There we will see the bottom of our heart and there lies the answer like an uncovered gem.
I'm still waiting for my water to clear. How about you? =)
Sunday 27 November 2005
Thursday 17 November 2005
James Blunt - Back to Bedlam
Got the album last week. Yup, it's the one that was heavily advertised quite sometime ago with the hit single - You're Beautiful. Have to thanks C for giving me the pleasure of hearing a few tracks while getting a ride from C. =) Made up my mind to get it after the sampling.
On the whole, the album has a good mix of songs. Depending on individual taste, you may find some tracks not as well done though and you need some time for those to grow on you (after a few times). In my opinion, i'll recommend the following tracks:-
Track 1 - High
Track 2 - You're Beautiful
Track 4 - Goodbye My Lover
Track 5 - Tears and Rain
The one that grew on me:-
Track 3 - Wisemen
Track 2 - You're Beautiful
Track 4 - Goodbye My Lover
Track 5 - Tears and Rain
The one that grew on me:-
Track 3 - Wisemen
Tuesday 15 November 2005
Perth - Day Seven
This post will conclude the days i spent in Perth. Of the seven days i spent in Perth, this is the day that something struck me more deeply than anything else during my days in Perth. Will relate why as you read on.
Like to give thanks again to Dy for ferrying and accompanying me around for the whole day. =) Dy had been most accomodating during the period of stay.
Began the day with a simple lunch of fish and chips with Dy and guys. Noted that the locals really like their chips well salted. Or maybe it's just coincidental that all the chips i had were well salted. Haha, really have no idea...
Went back to Perth City for some shopping. Looked for some stuff to bring back home. Did a bit of gocery shopping with Dy as well. Haha, don't get it wrong - i didn't fly any gocery back to Singapore. It's just along the way, so Dy bought some daily necessities. Guess supermarkets are a proven and established concept. Haha, they all looked the same! =)
Anyway, the main part of the day wasn't spent in Perth City but in our next destination, Sunset Coast! Dropped off at Hillary Harbour for a cool ice-blended fruit drink. Seems that the fruity ice drink is getting a real warm response from the locals. Maybe you have guess it by now, the drink ain't the main star but the SUNSET that i going to witness and shoot at !
It's Sunset Coast and it lived up to its reputation! You can really get an excellent sunset view from the various lookouts along the beach. Though i didn't get a big red yolk (as it was fairly cloudy) but the view was still just as breathtaking! =) Haha, you should have heard the way Fe was exclaiming about the sunset when Dy showed it to Fe through their mobile. Good gracious but Fe was really excited. Btw, Fe, thanks for the dinner you cooked if you happened to read this! Trust me, your cooking isn't all that bad. =>
After that, it's dinner time. Slacked for a while and it was really for quite a while. It was around 1 a.m. or so before we got active. Made a trip down to Burswood Casino. It's the first time i've been into a casino. You can say, curiousity got the better of me. Just had to take a look how it looks like. Within the casino, it was a big contrast to the quiet outside surroundings. It was bright, vivid and lively.
Just as we left, i happened to spot an old couple, likely to be in their late sixties or early seventies. Nothing uncommon you might say. What really struck me was that they were withdrawing cash from the atm located near the entrance of the casino. How it made my heart ached... Sigh... Maybe you can empathise what i felt at the moment?
Like to give thanks again to Dy for ferrying and accompanying me around for the whole day. =) Dy had been most accomodating during the period of stay.
Began the day with a simple lunch of fish and chips with Dy and guys. Noted that the locals really like their chips well salted. Or maybe it's just coincidental that all the chips i had were well salted. Haha, really have no idea...
Went back to Perth City for some shopping. Looked for some stuff to bring back home. Did a bit of gocery shopping with Dy as well. Haha, don't get it wrong - i didn't fly any gocery back to Singapore. It's just along the way, so Dy bought some daily necessities. Guess supermarkets are a proven and established concept. Haha, they all looked the same! =)
Anyway, the main part of the day wasn't spent in Perth City but in our next destination, Sunset Coast! Dropped off at Hillary Harbour for a cool ice-blended fruit drink. Seems that the fruity ice drink is getting a real warm response from the locals. Maybe you have guess it by now, the drink ain't the main star but the SUNSET that i going to witness and shoot at !
It's Sunset Coast and it lived up to its reputation! You can really get an excellent sunset view from the various lookouts along the beach. Though i didn't get a big red yolk (as it was fairly cloudy) but the view was still just as breathtaking! =) Haha, you should have heard the way Fe was exclaiming about the sunset when Dy showed it to Fe through their mobile. Good gracious but Fe was really excited. Btw, Fe, thanks for the dinner you cooked if you happened to read this! Trust me, your cooking isn't all that bad. =>
After that, it's dinner time. Slacked for a while and it was really for quite a while. It was around 1 a.m. or so before we got active. Made a trip down to Burswood Casino. It's the first time i've been into a casino. You can say, curiousity got the better of me. Just had to take a look how it looks like. Within the casino, it was a big contrast to the quiet outside surroundings. It was bright, vivid and lively.
Just as we left, i happened to spot an old couple, likely to be in their late sixties or early seventies. Nothing uncommon you might say. What really struck me was that they were withdrawing cash from the atm located near the entrance of the casino. How it made my heart ached... Sigh... Maybe you can empathise what i felt at the moment?
Sunday 13 November 2005
Perth - Day Six
Went to Caversham Wildlife Park (CWP) on my sixth day in Perth. It's not really far from Perth City but taking public transport there can be quite a hassle. Took bus service 60 to Morley bus station and changed to service 336, dropped off at Whiteman Park.
CWP started out small but today, it has become one of the premier development of Western Australia. It houses about 2000 head of animals. The main attraction for most visitors is that you can touch or feed some of the native animals in their replicated natural habitat. These animals include kangaroos, koalas and wombats. =)
CWP started out small but today, it has become one of the premier development of Western Australia. It houses about 2000 head of animals. The main attraction for most visitors is that you can touch or feed some of the native animals in their replicated natural habitat. These animals include kangaroos, koalas and wombats. =)
Not only that, you can also get up close with some of the feathered friends as well. Of course, you will not be able to touch them as they are relatively shy. But if you move quietly, you can get real close as the vsitors are actually allowed into the enclosed area of these friendly birdies. Haha, falcons and eagles not included. =P
Funny incident of the day - a couple of singaporeans and i got trapped in the enclosure for farm animals. They stick really close to people, probably in hope of getting food.. Thanks to one of the park keepers for coming to our rescue. She scattered some food and the animals got distracted, allowing us time to get out. =)
Saturday 12 November 2005
Perth - Day Five
How can i not go to the Perth City itself when i'm in Perth itself. Sigh... wasn't much for me though... at least not in terms of photography opportunities...
There are a few places of interests within the city such as St Mary's Cathedral, Barracks ' Arch, Parliament House which i visited. These are buildings that remained from the old colonial days in Australia. As they are fairly well distributed over the city, i did quite a fair share of walking. Heehee...
I do recommend a trip down to Bell Tower which is located right along side of Swan River for fresh air and a great view. A better view will be from the opposite bank of the river. From there, you will be able to view Perth City in its full glory. Brilliant view if you can go there in the evening. Best time will be from 6 to 8. =)
Hmm, it was a good thing i came back to the city area again in the next day. Otherwise i would have missed the various museums located near Northbridge (in the opposite direction of the business district). These are the real gems of the city! A pity photography are not allowed within museums. Quite a standard rule though, so nothing much to lament about.
The museums i recommend - Perth Institute of Centemporary Arts & Art Gallery of Western Australia. Thumbs up esp for PICA!
There are a few places of interests within the city such as St Mary's Cathedral, Barracks ' Arch, Parliament House which i visited. These are buildings that remained from the old colonial days in Australia. As they are fairly well distributed over the city, i did quite a fair share of walking. Heehee...
I do recommend a trip down to Bell Tower which is located right along side of Swan River for fresh air and a great view. A better view will be from the opposite bank of the river. From there, you will be able to view Perth City in its full glory. Brilliant view if you can go there in the evening. Best time will be from 6 to 8. =)
Hmm, it was a good thing i came back to the city area again in the next day. Otherwise i would have missed the various museums located near Northbridge (in the opposite direction of the business district). These are the real gems of the city! A pity photography are not allowed within museums. Quite a standard rule though, so nothing much to lament about.
The museums i recommend - Perth Institute of Centemporary Arts & Art Gallery of Western Australia. Thumbs up esp for PICA!
Perth - Day Four
Fourth day in Perth and where can i go but to another pride of Western Australia, Kings Park. =) A beautiful area of 400 hectares filled with natural vegetation, lakes and lookouts. Just to let you have a feel of how enormous the park is, just imagine 2.2 times the area of East Coast Park.
A must visit if you travel to Perth in late spring. Beautiful flowers of all kinds will be in full bloom and the park becomes a most scenic place. Best part, it's within walking distance from the city. Among all my days spent there, this day has been most fruitful in terms of photography opportunities.
Another feature of the park - war memorials. Look carefully and you'll notice some of the trees within this designated area have a small plaque with a name beneath. Every name is a Service Personnel that has given their lives for Australia during war times.
One place you definitely have to go within the park is the DNA Tower. It's a viewing tower with a total of 101 steps to reach the top. From the top, you get breath-taking birdeye view of the surrounding.
A must visit if you travel to Perth in late spring. Beautiful flowers of all kinds will be in full bloom and the park becomes a most scenic place. Best part, it's within walking distance from the city. Among all my days spent there, this day has been most fruitful in terms of photography opportunities.
Another feature of the park - war memorials. Look carefully and you'll notice some of the trees within this designated area have a small plaque with a name beneath. Every name is a Service Personnel that has given their lives for Australia during war times.
One place you definitely have to go within the park is the DNA Tower. It's a viewing tower with a total of 101 steps to reach the top. From the top, you get breath-taking birdeye view of the surrounding.
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