a cloud shaped like an elephant

I thought I’d start the year off with one of my favourite photos of the trip. It really does look like an elephant!!!

One thing I’m struggling with since coming back from holiday is adapting to the time. In KL sunset was at 7pm. Here in Sabah, it’s 6. One of my resolutions is to wake up earlier. Preferably at sunrise. I’m practically a plant. I thrive on sunlight and I love water.

I hope this new year spirit lasts throughout the year. I want to constantly be striving to be a better version of myself.

The biggest thing I learnt last year was “I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to.” Except, dancing it seems.

I wonder what I’ll learn this year.

B&W

The theme for this week’s photography club competition at school was man-made in black and white. I just knew I had to edit this photo I took a few months ago. My dad is a hardware fanatic. When he’s not cutting people open (he’s a qualified surgeon don’t worry) , he’s busy cutting wood in his workspace at the side of our house.

This time last year we went out together to find a plywood board for my art project! After acquiring the board he indulged himself in window shopping around the warehouse. I foresaw this happening so I brought my camera along with me.

My dad was interested in power saws and drills and I found interest in the shapes around me.

This photo was edited with Lightroom.

a window of opportunity

Date: (March 2020) A week before life as we knew it changed.

Location: On a ferry from Labuan to Sabah

Mid-March 2020, my grandfather celebrated his 71st birthday as he visited Labuan Federal Territory. This trip marked his completion of visiting all the 14 states of Malaysia. I’m very glad I got to do it with him.

Since that trip, I’ve only seen him once and even that was only for an overnight stay.

During our Labuan trip we knew the unavoidable was coming. The virus had already hit China and was rapidly spreading. It wouldn’t be long before it hit our country. However, what nobody could expect was the impact of the virus. Thus, nobody was prepared for it. I naively assumed it would be over in a few months, yet here we are in our third lockdown with thousands of cases daily. I still naively hope that we will be in the clear soon. My greatest wish of last year was to be able to spend Christmas with my family. It didn’t happen. Despite that, my greatest wish this year is still the same.

I frequently contact my grandparents through video chat but it’s just not the same as being in their arms.

I love looking back at photos from my previous trips. Even photos as insignificant as this window on a ferry, brings me back to a time where I could feel the sea breeze on my face and wrap my arms around my grandpa.