Weekend Happenings

I have been quite busy over the weekend. Starting off at 6:00AM on Saturday, I went through the practical aspect of my basic photography course at the lake in Permy. I went around photoshooting.

Bintang Mega Mall. It has gone through quite a lot of changes over the last 2-3 years. I think the construction of the hotel has slowed down.

Christmas fever is now on! Weekend was quite at Bintang. Then I realised that ...

... there is a fun fare at Boulevard.

A stage for singers and performances.

Then this guy was selling his 7-in-1 gadgets for home use. The price came down from RM799 to RM249.Go there and check it out if you are interested.

On the way to UK this Thursday!

Believe it or not, when I got up this morning, I got an sms from Janice, my youngest daughter in UK. She told me  that she will sponsor Ah Jon to visit UK for 6 weeks. And all the sisters will attempt to "fatten" him while he stays there - during the winter! Everything happens so fast and he got the ticket! Ah Jon is now very excited!

Janice said that she still got some money from her part time employment to sponsor for his trip. So, she is feeling very generous. Thanks, Janice. Now, everyone is jealous that Ah Jon is going to UK for holiday.

Photography practical class tomorrow, Saturday

Last Saturday, I had gone through the theory aspect of handling the camera. Then, I let all the participants to go back to try for a week and tomorrow, we shall meet again for a guided practical.

Venue: Pujut 7 man-made lake.
Time: 6:00AM (yes, not wrong because we wanted to catch the sunrise over the huge lake)
Date: 27 Nov 2010
Will go only if there is no rain!
How to go there: From Pujut 7, cross the bridge at Pujut 7, drive straight on until a set of traffic light. Turn right at the traffic light. Turn left at the first sandy road on the left. You will see a big lake. The lake is visible from the main road. Click on the image below for the map.

New comer may join but have to pay RM50.

Those interested, you may start to write (williamting @hotmail.com)/sms (+6012 878 2007) to me. The next lesson will be in Dec. Course fees will be RM100.00 which includes part 1 and 2 below.

The beginner course contents:

Part 1 Theory

1. How camera works
2. Camera System - go through the main functions of a camera, explaining in details the various part of a camera and how to control the camera
3. Digital Imaging - explain how to read the histogram, white balance, noise, etc
4. Exposure - exposure in details and compensation
5. Optical - Depth of field explained and how to control it.
6. Setting up your digital camera
7. Framing and composition

Part 2 Practical
Self practice at home for at least a week
Guided practical in the field in real life!
The following pictures were taken at the location.

Miri in the evening

Last night, I witnessed a beautiful sunset in Miri. I took pictures of Miri and here, I reproduced one of them. Hope you enjoy it!

Miri in the evening.
Click on the image for a much larger image. Make sure that IE is fully maximised.

Photos

Click here for 2010 Piasau Boat Club Triathlon Photo. Only 30+ photos out of 200+ photos were shown. Please order a CD of photos.


Click here for Foochow Association World Conference photos.

Foochow Association World Conference

(Note: Click on any image to see a bigger picture)
Last night was the closing of the Foochow Association World Conference. During the afternoon, the weather didn't look promising. It was raining. However, at 6:00PM...

I saw beautiful sunset and I knew that the evening will be good.

It was held at Eastwood Valley Golf Club...

... and it was filled to capacity!

Food was plentiful!

Welcoming dance at the VVIP/VIP area.

... more performance...

... and more.

At the other side, the people were treated to some wonderful food!

... and the crowd wasn't small at all.

The evening finishes off with firework!

More pictures will be posted later and uploading to my facebook. Come back again for the link.

Interesting Exhibition by Foochow Association

International Foochow Association has their meeting in Miri these few days. They also has a mini exhibition at Mega Hotel, Miri. Those things reminded me of my younger days.

Carpentry tools

Smoker pipe? Or whatever it is called. This thing is actually used by smoker. The tank below was supposed to be filled with water and used for filtering the smoke.

Believe it or not, this is a pillow!
If you have not seen it, please go quickly today as it is the last day of the exhibition.

Miri New Runway!

If not because of the street lights along this stretch of road in Permyjaya, it would definitely qualify as a runway.

There is hardly any road user for at least 70% of this stretch. So, if you plan to take off at the end of this road, you can definitely try it. The road surface is good and flat, and at the end of the road ...

... it came to a sudden drop, ie, for motorcar to go airborne. Ok, on the serious side, if you ever drive along this road, just watch out as there is no sign and at night, it was complete darkness. 

SJK Chung Hua Miri Primary six Graduation Day

Yesterday was Joshua's Primary Six Graduation Day. So, that was the end of his primary education and next year, he will be in secondary school.

Principal Mr. Jong gave his speech.

Prefects

A play by a student group... I think it was the choral speaking team.

A group photo with the teacher in charge

Honouring the teachers

An emotional day for many!
Click on any image to see a larger version.

Water Village at Pujut 7

The following photos show the water village at Pujut 7 in Miri.

Please click on the photo to show an enlarged image. Make sure that you maximise the window as the images above are quite big.

Photography Class

I will be conducting a basic photography class on Saturday morning (20th Nov), teaching you the basic of photography and then how to use your camera. On Sunday afternoon, I will bring you out for a field trip to try out the skill. Please SMS (+6012 878 2007) me if you are interested or drop me an email (williamting@ hotmail.com)
I only accept not more than 10 students.

Mutang Opens his own bookshop @ Merdeka Mall

Mutang came from the 5th division in Sarawak and we were from the same school. Today, I was surprised to meet him at Merdeka Mall and he is opening a bookshop!

He is a lawyer by profession. But in actual fact, he did a few things.

There will be a dedication service for his bookstore tomorrow (Monday 15 Nov) at 10:00AM. Everyone is welcomed. His stock of books were stuck in the custom. I hope they will be released soon.

He planted apples at the highland in Limbang. The supply cannot meet demands and we in Miri will not be able to sample them.

Every week we go to Merdeka Mall, we see addition. 

Full house at this cybercafe.

There are many eating stores.

Temporary store is everywhere. This group is selling induction cooker.

Varanasi Environment Folk School

A day for proud parents

When Stephanie graduated in this year, we could not attend her graduation ceremony. However, as parents, we always wanted to share this proud moment with the child. The good thing was that the whole event was broadcast live over the internet and we could view it on our computer screen. We were very excited.
Last week, I was at the graduation ceremony of Fajar International College covering the event by recording it on digital images.

My colleague, Bangga. His son graduated!

My ex-colleague, Julian

Jerald. If there was a prize for the most colourful family, this family would have won! See! Three generations were there. Not many beat them.

My ex-colleague Lily's son graduated. Oop... I forgot to ask her. I think Ameer is her grandson!

Timothy Nawan, whose parents are my colleague.

Congratulations to all!

I have finished uploading all the photos on my facebook. Click here to view.

For the whole week, photos were printed and frame were being made. They should all be ready by evening but it will take me a little time to sort them. If the college is open on Saturday, please be there to collect the photos from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Otherwise, it will be on Monday. Plesae SMS me or call me on 012-8782007.

ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS 2011 in Miri

Checking out the birds at Kuala Baram Lagoon, 2009.

Asian Waterbird Census, AWC is an annual waterbird census carried out by volunteers every January (sometimes starts mid December and spills over to February) at various sites thoughout Asia.

Analysis of data collected during AWC help Wetlands International, the organizer, in long term planning for the conservation of waterbirds and their wetland habitats.

The census has 3 major objectives:

1) to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during non-breeding period of most species, as a basis for reviewing of sites and monitoring populations

2) to monitor on an anuual basis the status and condition of wetlands

3) to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst the public and thereby promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region.

The census is mainly undertaken by volunteers from various sources with the community. The sites covered include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, swamps, coastal areas, mangrove and mudflats, reefs or beaches.

Waterbirds counted during the census include all waterbirds and birds associated with the wetlands habitat.

The census is coordinated in each country by a volunteer national or regional organisation, in Malaysia it's the Malaysian Nature Society. The coordinator is responsible for building up the network of volunteers, sends out count forms, liase with participants, receives and collate forms after the census and compiles and disseminates national reports.

The official dates for AWC are any dates between 9-31st January, however counts from December and February are still accepted from poorly known areas.

MNS Miri Branch has a small band of birdwatchers who will be participating in AWC this year covering the following tentative sites listed below, participation in the census is sought from all branch members and the public interested to know more about waterbirds and birds in general.

MNS Miri Branch AWC tentative sites for 2011:

25-26th Dec Kuala Sg Niah, Kuala Sg Sibuti,

31st Dec-02nd Jan Kpg Awat-awat, Lawas,

08-09th Jan Pujut 7-Go-Kart Lakes Area,

15-16th Jan Curtin University Lakes Area,
22-23rd Jan Kuala Sg Baram-Kpg Masjid Prawn Farms,
29-30th Jan Kuala Sg Baram-Kpg Batu Satu ,
05-06th Feb Pulau Bawai

12-13th Feb Loagan Bunut National Park
19-20th Feb Sibuti WS

Most of these sites are revisits from past year's census (an important monitoring component of AWC) with two new sites (Kuala Sg Niah, and Kpg Kuala Sg Sibuti) added for 2011.

Some of our past AWC highlights :
Lesser Adjutant in Sundar, 2010.
Malaysian Plover, Grey Plover, Wandering Whistling Duck, Oriental Darter in Miri, 2009.

Plovers in general in Kuala Baram, 2008.

Lesser Adjutant in Lutong, 2002.
Storm's Stork in Loagan Bunut, 2001.

This year we are spending a bit more time over at the coastal wetlands in and around the greater Miri area, we are hoping to include schools and some youngsters into our survey team this year as part of awareness raising on AWC amongst schoolchildren.

Members and the public who are interested to participate in this largely citizen's effort can email nabghani@yahoo.com for further details.

Schools interested to participate as part of a school project are encouraged to send enquiries.

Fajar International College Graduation

All the formal photos can now be viewed from my facebook. Click here. More will be posted later.


Last week, I was commissioned to take the photos of the graduating students of Fajar International College in Miri. This year, they have more than 100 students graduating. Congratulations to all the students. Below are just three of the photos. I will post the rest to my face book after I have printed them.

I ordered a set of Elinchrom studio flash. In fact I have the option to go for those made in China which cost just a fraction. But at the end, I was chicken out as reliability and quality are my top priority.

I also ordered a set of background made by Lastolite. The major benefits are the solid colour and studio quality.

Group photo of all the students.

Only part of the photos have been printed. I think I need another 3 days to complete the job. So, it looks like the final product will only be out this Friday. The main obstacle now is the frame maker who won't be able to complete the job within a few days. My apologies for that.