Macro Photography Using a Konica Close Up Ring

Photography is a relatively new hobby of mine.  I mean, I enjoyed taking photos before but I've only truly appreciated it when I got my very first DSLR camera (story of how I got it detailed in this post.) 

Attending workshops (I've so far been able to attend Nathaniel Salang's 3-day Basic Photography Seminar and DCF's 1st Photography Food Workshop with Mark Floro and Lori Baltazar) only fueled my interest and before I knew it, I've been lugging this heavy camera around even on short mall trips, just in case I find a good subject to take.

People say that photography is an expensive hobby, what with the lenses and extension tubes and the other stuff die hard photographers buy and/or lust over.  I, for one, am quite happy with my kit lens that came with my camera (thank you very much), but I have to admit, I do would love to try my hand at some macro photography.  You know those really close up shots of various objects.  I'm simply fascinated by it.

But with special dedicated macro lenses costing almost as much as a DLSR camera body, I just don't have the heart (nor the resources) to expend that much moolah (for now, anyway.)  That being said, my Konica close up ring addresses my macro photography fascination for the time being.

Konica close up ring

Meiji Chocolate and Strawberry Milk Drinks (A Singapore Beverage Post)

Just a short post on another well-known meiji product here in Singapore -- their low fat chocolate and strawberry milk drinks.

meiji chocolate and strawberry milk drinks

Bras Basah Complex: The Books and Arts Lover's Haven in Singapore

Singapore is one heck of an expensive city to live in.  Everything costs so much money!  And that includes almost every necessity and luxury item available, which yes, also counts books.  I guess it's the price you have to pay for being such a cosmopolitan city.

So yes, I do miss our very own National Booktore and Fully Booked a lot since brand new paperback fiction novels here cost S$15 (Php490*) on average, compared to just about Php300 in the above mentioned stores in the Philippines (imagine how much I pine for Booksale and other similar stores like them.  Drama, much?  J)

Good thing there's the Bras Basah Complex here in Singapore to cheer me up.


Bras Basah Complex: the Centre of Books and Arts



Allswell's Plum Juice (A Singapore Beverage Post)

One of my weirdest childhood memories was of an older cousin who used to mix kiamoy (preserved dried plum) with his orange juice, of which he drank with gusto and actually enjoyed wholeheartedly.  This would normally elicit waves of "yuck" and "gross" from all around the table but he stuck to it because apparently, it made his OJ taste so much better.  To each his own, I guess.

Fast forward to my very first trip to Singapore last 2007.  The ex-BF (now the Husband) brought me to this quaint little Swedish market restaurant called Marché® (read my full post about it here) where he introduced me to their delicious calamansi with sour plum drink.  And now I completely understand where the Cousin was coming from.  It's a great mix of sweet, sour, and salty that makes this one truly addicting drink.

I've gotten so hooked on this that not a month passes without me asking for a cup.  Marché®, unfortunately, is quite a ways from our place.  So whenever my carving for this kicks in, I just have the very next best thing -- a bottle of cool, refreshing Allswell's Plum juice.


Plum juice



Marché® Swiss Market Restaurant (A Singapore Food Post)

Fresh is definitely best and one of my favorite restaurants here in Singapore follows and delivers this exact adage to a T -- Marché® Swiss Market Restaurant.

Marché® at 313 Somerset mall

RIP Sec. Jesse Robredo

I usually veer away from posting anything political in nature, in respect to my readers who may or may not share the same views that I have; but this, I feel, is a different matter altogether. 

We have lost another great public servant.  May you rest in peace Sec. Jesse Robredo.  The Philippines was extremely lucky for have you, even for just a short while...

May we be lucky enough to find more like him in public service.

Who Moved my Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson

For anyone who's ever been so scared of change, here's a good book for you -- Who Moved my Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson.

Who Moved my Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson

Harry Potter™ Fever in Singapore: Holy Grass-Flavored Jelly Beans, Harry Potter™! Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frog (Part 2 of 2)

I must admit, one of my favorite scenes in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the part where Ron and Harry first meet on the train to Hogwarts. 

It might seem like such a boring scene but it stuck to me because I enjoyed reading about their magical food.  How ingenious and totally out-of-this-world must it be to have such marvelous, unusual treats!  So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'd buy these exact same items at the Harry Potter™: The Exhibition souvenir shop.

My treats from the world of Harry Potter

Harry Potter™ Fever in Singapore: Harry Potter™ The Exhibition at The ArtScience Museum (Part 1 of 2)

NOTE:  Hi!  Hope everyone's ok now after the recent floods and rains last week.  Hope you're all doing great!

Fresh from success of their recently concluded Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands here in Singapore once again brings another totally entertaining exhibit to the public -- Harry Potter™: The Exhibition.

Enter the world of witchcraft and wizardry

Praying for Everyone's Safety

Hello, everyone!  Hoping everyone in the Philippines is safe and well. 

I'm posting some important numbers to remember from PhilStar's facebook page in case of emergencies.

Emergency numbers

 Be safe, everyone.  And keep the faith!

Haircuts at QB House, Singapore

I fondly remember watching those Japan Video Topics shows when I was little.  Mind you, these were during the days when cable TV was a newfangled technology, and us common people were stuck with only 6  (*gasp*) local television channels.  So it was either get stuck watching Kuya Germ's That's Entertainment or this.  I'd usually choose the latter.  It was definitely more entertaining and gave me a glimpse of life in another country.  Surprisingly, they're still being shown with more modern and up-to-date content. 

I clearly remember one such episode showing their viewers just how convenient their train stations are in Japan for the modern working Japanese.  Every conceivable shop selling loads of items, from food to clothing, are made available.  All for the convenience of their commuters as they go about their daily hectic lives.

One thing that clearly stuck to me was the concept of their 10-minute haircut shops.  As the name implies, you get your lovely locks trimmed within the set 10 minute period.  Totally blends in with their lifestyle, don't you think?

So imagine my utter delight to find similar shops also servicing Singaporeans as well.  QB House is one of them.

QB House in AMK mall

Finally! A Taste of happy lemon! (A Singapore Beverage Post)

Stands like happy lemon sprouted within the Metro Manila area seemingly overnight.  I'm actually still in awe at how many they are now, and the number just keeps on growing every month. 

Well, I may not always be a fan of tea, milky or otherwise (sorry, folks.  The taste just doesn't sit well with me.), but that didn't stop me from trying out their other non-tea based drinks.

happy lemon branch at ION mall, Singapore

Vintage Luggage from John Little (A Singapore Shopping Trip Post)

I guess I'm really an old soul since upon seeing this at John Little, a popular retail store here in Singapore, I just couldn't help but take a shot to share to everyone.

Vintage-inspired luggage from John Little

The Little One's Photoshoot at The Picture Company

Every parent can attest to how fast babies seem to grow.  I swear the Little One grew a foot taller when my back was turned! 

Exaggerations aside, time does fly so fast and before you know it, your baby's off living her own independent life (Sniff!  L)  This is the exact main reason why videos and photos are so essential in capturing those carefree days of their childhood (although I don't know about the others, but I'm also planning to use these mementos as blackmail when the Little One does grow up and drive me completely off the wall with her dangerous out-of-this-world requests.  You can never be prepared enough.  J)

In line with this thinking (both reasons stated), I just couldn't resist not having the Little One's photo taken at The Picture Company (Mall of Asia branch) just before we left for Singapore last April.

The Favorite Nephew and 'Lil Cousin