December Holidays, Sunday 6th 2020

 Jurong Lake Gardens.

Yup, that was where we were last Sunday. It was cool morning and we spent about 2 hours. Consisting of leisurely walking and eating. It is a magnificent place to be. Its free to go in.

We parked at the north car park knowing that its the nearest car park to the cafe. The cafe is halal certified and served very hearty kampomg fare, with some dishes given a modern twist. We ordered nasi lemak, some cupcakes and drinks. 

We continued walking after that but this time towards the car park, albeit taking a different route. Stopped by the water play area. Highly recommended.

December holidays. Saturday 5th December

Can't travel. Because of the pandemic. And also borders are closed between many countries.

Decided to do a "exploremyland" type of holiday activities.

Did a soft start last weekend and it does looked good. Especially when I am more mobile.

Wifey still working, the eldest still schooling and the helper is finishing her exams. So a soft start it was to be.

Decided to start the day at one of the civil service clubs where it's open to the public, for a fee. Only allowed an hour in the pool. We were issued with coloured wrist bands and they will announce as to when our time is up. From what I gather, the timing is between a quarter past the hour to the next quarter past of the next hour.

For example, 9.15 to 10.15. If you missed the quota, you have to wait for the next hour.

My two sons, wife and her mom enjoyed swimming in the wave pool and they rented a buoy to go around the lazy river. 

Pretty soon, our time was up. Mind you, if you have a 7 year old kid in tow, the drying up, the showering and the packing to get back to the car would take longer than you would expect. Luckily I was ready for it. Sat near the vending machines where coconut, actual coconut were dispense. Sweet juice!

It was a good morning spent!

Before dinner today.

Had an egg mayo sandwich as a snack at 5.30pm. Been drinking honey lemon as source of fluids. 

Meals today.

Bfast is 1 scramble eggs, with salt and pepper. And a glass of choc milk.

Lunch was a side fillet of saba fish grilled in cast iron. And a glass of root beer.

Feeling sleepy and tired.

Banana Puffs.

With Meli's help,
I made these. Only used the three overripe bananas and stale bread. Will not take all the credits here though. Inspired by the local famous brand of canned sardines.

Banana Puffs.

Need to keep busy

Ramadan
Its just around the corner. I have no idea as to what will happen but In sya allah, all will be fine. Maybe we will zoom and have a family dinner virtually.

Been buying stuff.
No pictures yet but deliveries has been getting more frequent. Maybe its because of the free-er time we are having right now. Will post pictures of the KZ RST in ear monitor that has just beem delivered. Enjoying it.

The KZ RST. Bought it blind because of the price. Not bad. Worth it!

By the way, I think we are half way through the circuit breaker period. Alhamdulilah, it seems we are adjusting well.

Circuit breaker.

I lost count as to how many days it has been. But it seems we are holding on quite well. 

Stay safe.

Picture is of Idris cleaning the aquarium.

Day 0.

In the house.

Been in the house the whole morning. Took a few steps into the common corridor to snap a few pictures.

Everything seems ok. Meli already have lunch ready. Su is finishing a new project, a 2 tier diaper cakes. Idris should be home by 2pm.

Shells under the umbrella. 

Be safe.

Eerie.

Like waiting for Armageddon lah.

Today I went to Ayer Rajah food center to bungkus some rojak India for dinner. Unlike the past several times I was there, this time the situation was quite different. 

The atmosphere was, for want of a better word, almost final. Shops were closed, stalls were closing early while some were serving their last customers for the day. It's so quiet that I jumped when  I hear the shutters coming down. 

Strangers were waving, saying their thanks to each other as they give way, either while on foot or while driving, smiling. And on the way back, it rained heavily. Vehicles gave way to each other, signal lights were switched on and civility was felt thoughtout.

On any other day or period, these, all these would not stop me to reflect what has come and what is coming. But to put this in context...

This covid-19 shit is as real as it gets. It's not happening in another continent, or another country even, people are sick and some have passed in a hospital near me!

Some are sick without their love ones to comfort them, while some have lose their loved ones.

I can't control what others do, but I know I can control what I can do.

Sunday.

There might be a chance of school closure. As it is, primary school students will be doing home based learning one day a week. Wednesday I think.

I also think this is in preparation for the worst case scenario where it is a stress test, for what may come next.

I hope we won't come to that.

On to better things.

Idris wanted to make cookies. He started it, but somebody else had to finish it.

That will be, the.rest.of.us.

Pic taken with xe2 and konica 40mm 1.8.

Last day.

Today mark the end of the March school holiday. In the morning Idris went for swim class followed by music class. Later he will go for his aiqido class. It's going be a new battle tomorrow as everybody will be fighting against the spread of the covid-19 virus. I pray all will be well.

In sya Allah

Pic is Idris having his mini lunch at before heading back home to rest before his aiqido class.

The view.

While waiting for the rest to arrive and also so that I won't lay down on the bed and snooze, I decided to go up to the BBQ pit at level 5. Manage to snap a few pics of the view.

Xpro1 and 35mm 1.4

Bbq

Had a great time yesterday during the BBQ. Idris made a new friend, rifqi. Gave Idris a hug when they left the BBQ area.

Xpro1 and 23mm.

At the pool.

It's a Wednesday and we are halfway through the March school holidays. We are at csc now, having a swim. Prior to that we had lunch and we bought nasi ayam penyet from Changi village. The food was deliciously beautiful, as usual. 

The plan was to go for a swim while we wait for our room to be ready.

Sometimes times like this and the people you are with remind me of how we are just planners. And sometimes what we plan may go wrong. But there is always goodness in those wrongs and Allah s.w.t knows best.

Return from jt.

Just came back from my sis's place. Went there for dinner. Had curry. Had opportunities to shoot with the new lens too. New to me anyway. 

Pics are taken with the xe2 and the konica hexanon 40mm 1.8.

Dad is back.

News of the lockdown in Malaysia made us aware how lucky we are in not going to Penang. 

My dad manage to come back today, together with dhia, his new daughter, my new "sister".

Talking about new, postman came a knocking and i got a new lens. It's the konica 40mm 1.8. it's on the fujifilm xe2 and I managed to take a few shots.

First impression it loses contrast when shot into the light.

I had to Snapseed it more heavily than I normally would.

Life guard

While I was at csc, decided to rope in the lifeguard to model for me. He just sat there, being on duty. With his permission, I managed to snap a few. Off camera flash with the xpro1 and the 23mm 1.4.

Off camera flash.

I decided to experiment with ocf, or off camera flash while the rest of the family went for a swim. Managed to get a potrait of Su with both flash and camera handheld.

Cam was xpro1 with 23mm 1.4. Used the godox flash, the smaller one and a trigger.  Got me to be very excited.  

First day, not in Penang.

After lunch at loyang point, we went back home for a little rest. The plan was to go to Changi civil service club for a bit of a swim. But I got other plans.

Pic of the lunch that Idris got for himself. Chicken chop with brown sauce. The sauce is very nice. 

Lunched at Tenderbest Loyang Point.

Cancel

Had to cancel the trip. This covid-19 things is starting to get very personal. I hope it ends here. No more getting personal. Hate tonthink about whats worse that can happen.

Went to a friend's house for a little weekend dinner and birthday celebration. Used the Sony 35mm 1.4 G for this one.

Using the takumars.

Was thinking about using the takumar for the Penang trip. But wifey suggested that it might not be a good idea to bring manual lenses for the trip. A close friend also suggested otherwise.

I have been testing the takumars for weeks in anticipation of the trip. But what was said does hold water. Anyway here is a pic of one using takumar 50mm 1.4.

Going to Penang.

Will be flying off to Penang tomorrow. Amid the covid-19 chaos, I can only pray for the best. In the meantime have been getting used to the various lenses that I might bring. Very sure I will bring the Minolta 20mm 2.8. Have not used it alot when I first got it so I hope the pictures taken with it will turn out ok.