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