CJ, Author at juesatta (CJ Photography)

Dec 23

Pre-Christmas 2011 in Kuala Lumpur

By CJ My journey, Photography

Pre-Christmas atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur

Christmas atmosphere is almost everywhere in KL’s busy shopping malls now. After the street photography in Pudu with friends, we walked to the shopping area to have our lunch and certainly to feel in the spirit of Christmas.

We made to Time Square first as Fred had an appointment with a customer. Then through Low Yat Plaza and Sungei Wang we went to the Lot 10’s food court. It’s named Hutong Lot 10 food court, is offering variety of non-halal food that took us quite some time to decide what to have. I heard that each of these eateries is specially hand-picked by the CEO of Lot 10, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh. After a yummy meal, we visited Fahrenheit 88, Starhill Gallery and finally arrived at Pavillion.

At this time of the year, most malls in KL are dressed up in beautiful Christmas decoration and create special and magical Christmas experiences for the shoppers. Christmas trees, rein deers, Santa Claus and Santarina, angels, EElves, vibrant and colorful lightings, special Christmas’s delicacy and anything to do with Christmas are seen everywhere. We had recharged our energy after lunch and started to get some shots of the lovely environment.

It had been a decade since I strolled in KL city like this. I always think KL as a busy, stressful and hectic city. This visit however gave me a different perception. It was crowded and busy as usual, yet calm, relaxing and filled with laughter and joy. Perhaps it was simply that the festival atmosphere had taken over. The crowd just having fun, spending sweet time with family or loved ones, and hang out with friends.

So we too had so much fun and glad that we made it to this trip, not to mention meeting up with Robin and Chun-Chow. Thanks to Fred and Kenn-Wai for inviting me, and we are looking forward for a next time in near future.

Here’s wishing you all the joys of the season, may your Christmas be filled with peace and love. Happy Christmas!

Dec 21

Pudu street photography for the first time

By CJ My journey, Photography

morning reading at Pudu's street

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure to meet up with Robin Wong and Chun-Chow in Kuala Lumpur together with Fred and Kenn-Wai. It was drizzling early morning when we left Kelana Jaya where we stayed at the place of Kenn-Wai’s sister. However and it turned out to be clear and sunny sky when we arrived at Pudu LRT station. The weather was really unpredictable in KL.

Even though I always took bus from Pudu bus station back to Melaka when I studied in KL, I didn’t know the place well. Robin does so he became our guide that morning. He first brought us to have a delicious Hakka noodle breakfast. As soon as we were done, so called shutter therapy session by Robin had begun.

Robin got us in the alleys, to the dry and wet markets. We were amazed by how lively the area was, and it was full of locals and foreign workers. Though we hardly see tourist over there. Most of the people there were nice even though some might not seem to be. I guess that’s the reason why Robin loved the place so much for street photography. We just discovered the other face of KL. We got to learn from Robin how he approached the crowd and captured the people so close.

Robin and Chun-Chow are experienced street photographer and familiar with the place. They knew exactly when and where to press the shutter. It was just their instinct. Fred, Kenn-Wai and I also tried to get some nice shots of the street but we rather enjoyed our walk with jokes until we reached the wet market at about 11:00 am. We couldn’t stand the strong smell of the market place under the hot sun so we threaded our way through the market quickly.

The photography session was smooth and everyone had fun. we decided to go Bukit Bintang area to take some shots of the Christmas decoration and atmosphere. While making our way to Time Square, we stopped by Pudu Plaza to have a break and share our captures with each other. Everybody gained valuable experience and intuitive knowledge in street photography from others.

May all beings by happy. Share some shots of the Pudu area:

Dec 20

Homestay de Melaka

By CJ Beautiful Melaka

dining area

Melaka, the Historical State of Malaysia is a must visit travel destination for all tourists who visit to Malaysia. We, at Homestay de Melaka is here to provide you a clean, comfortable, feel like home accommodation which is situated at the heart of Melaka town.

Our homestay units in Mahkota Hotel have the following advantages :-

● 2 bedroom apartment (city view at 15th floor)
● nice scenery at night
● air-conditioned bedroom
● fully furnished with refrigerator
● walking distance to historical sites (A Famosa Fort, Clock Tower, Stadhuys, Dutch Square, Jonker Street, Chinatown, etc.)
● next to Mahkota Parade shopping mall
● next to Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall
● walking distance to entertainment outlet (Arena club, Movida club & Overtime club, the Jetty)

Give us a call at +60196690168 (Jason) and we will be looking to serve so that you will have a pleasant visit to Melaka, the Historical City of Malaysia!

living room

double bedroom

twin bedroom

Dec 19

Visiting the homeless at Pertubuhan Kebajikan Villa Harapan Melaka

By CJ Juesatta Awakening Foundation, Photography

listening

It was last Sunday morning after my breakfast with parents. They were to drop me home after our meal and to go somewhere. I wondered where they were going. They said they were going to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Villa Harapan Melaka to meet up with the Buddhist society’s children from Merlimau.

The centre is a charity home in Duyung which accepts homeless, old folks, handicapped, and mentally disabled adults. I was quite busy with work for the past few months and didn’t have time to visit any of the centre like before. Since I was free that morning, I was in for the visit and I could take some photos.

It wasn’t the first time I came to this centre. But for most of the people especially the children, it was. When my parents and I arrived at the centre, the teachers and children had just arrived with a bus, and they were listening to the management’s briefing.

The centre is rather big and the residents sleep in a dormitory. Male and female are seperated. Currently the centre is taking care of 109 residents. Most of them are old folks and others are homeless, handicapped or mentally disabled. Although the centre is partially funded by Government, they still need public support to maintain the centre.

Then we were brought to visit the place by Thomas, the vice chairman of the centre. To spread the joy, the teachers talked and understand the residents’ needs and the children distributed their DIY greeting cards compassionately to the residents. It really made us sad to hear that some of the residents there were actually dumped by their family on the street or the centre, and couldn’t be borthered to visit them. Some shed tears when they told us their story. Anyway, I don’t think they hated their family, instead I felt they are missing them everyday and hoping one day their family would come to visit them or bring them home.

We could really see some of the faces lighted up when they looked at us, because they were bored and lonely. It took us 1 hour staying at the centre spending time with the residents there.

The visit was truly an unforgettable experience for us, and it didn’t end here. The organising committe decided to go to the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Centre Melaka in Bukit Baru. I will upload some photos of our second visit soon.

Sharing some shots taken at the first centre we went. May all beings be happy.

Dec 15

Romantic penguins holding hands

By CJ Compassion

Just the two of us: This romantic pair of penguins hold hands as their buddies congregate in the distance in Port Lockroy, a natural harbour in the Antarctic Peninsula (photo by Silviu Ghetie)

It might be chilly outside, but this snowy snap of a penguin couple holding hands is enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.

The perfect pair enjoyed a romantic clinch, opting for a moment of solitude while dozens of other penguins gathered nearby.

In fact, as one interloper approached the penguins, who looked almost like humans holding hands, appeared to give the freezing cold shoulder – and he continued trudging by.

The heart-warming display of affection took place in Port Lockroy, a natural harbour in the Antarctic Peninsula. It was captured on camera by professional photographer Silviu Ghetie.

'What are you two up to? Oh, holding hands again': Lonely heart approaches the couple and seeing they are only interested in themselves, moves switfly on (photo by Silviu Ghetie)

The pair stand hand in hand appearing to stare out at the dramatic vista of the frozen Antarctic landscape. Their heads tilted slightly toward one-and-other, they look as if they are feeling the quiet drama that love brings to inner life.

Then, still holding each other, they wander down to the icy waters and the rest of their friends.

Photographer Mr Ghetie, 43, from Baia Mare in Romania, usually takes pictures of people but he couldn’t resist snapping this magic moment while on a polar expedition.

He said: ‘This is the first wildlife picture I have ever taken but it’s actually very apt because it just goes to show you can find the same patterns in both nature and people.

‘I started taking pictures primarily because I was amazed by the landscape. The light and the atmosphere was really interesting.

‘Then as I walked forward the two penguins came into view.

‘I always think penguins look very much like humans from behind anyway but this was particularly funny because they really did appear to be holding hands.

‘It looked like they were two lovers, hand in hand in front of a beautiful landscape and looking into each other’s eyes.

‘They were far far away from the rest of the group so it was easy to believe they were having a romantic moment alone.

‘They stood there for about two minutes before they were interrupted by another penguin.

‘It was at this point that they walked off together and made their way to the ocean. It was a very surreal moment.’

[souce: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2073529/Love-cold-climate-Romantic-penguins-share-moment-melt-iciest-hearts–weather.html]

Dec 12

Food waste – are we greedy and guilty Malaysians? 国人日扔930吨食物 9万包10公斤白米不见了　

By CJ Compassion

What happens to your food waste? (image from USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency)

A study has found that Malaysians are throwing away up to 930 tonnes of unconsumed food daily. Ironically, we Malaysians love food so why waste the one thing that we are known to love most? The regular flurry of news reports on food shortages and the global food crisis have failed to alert us on the importance of being thrifty and humble to contribute towards sustaining global food supplies.

The multi-racial of Malaysian food is simply glorious. We are blessed with such diverse food options that spice up our daily food consumption. Perhaps such diversity has led to our insatiable appetite for food at one sitting which eventually leads to a huge costly waste. At any time of the day, any type of food is easily available. We now have more restaurants that serve fusion food, making us more impulsively greedy in making our selections. Go to any of these restaurants and you might have a hard time making up your mind on whether to have a plate of Chinese fried rice or Sizzling Lamb Chop because the striking pictures in the menu send you drooling over them right away. Eventually, you ordered both items. The reality is you can’t clean your plate even before the dessert arrives. Such a waste.

Simplicity and balance are what missing in our meals. A balanced diet for a normal Malay family may consist of a plate of rice, a vegetable dish and a main dish (chicken curry, chili beef etc). Sometimes, when the main dish is dry, soup is served. Dessert is optional. Perhaps a bowl of porridge for lunch with some condiments? A plain sandwich would also suffice for any meal of the day. Why not? Such items are healthy, simple and economical, reducing the amount of leftover which might end up in the garbage bin.

We definitely do not want to pay the price for our own greed and selfishness. It’s time we find ways to reduce food waste in our landfills and become a more conscious food consumers. Malaysia boleh or tak boleh?

[source: http://ehomemakers-malaysia.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-we-greedy-and-guilty-malaysians.html]

News from ChinaPress:

（吉隆坡7日讯）农业及农基工业部副部长拿督蔡智勇说，国人每天浪费930吨食物，相等于9万3000包10公斤装的白米。

根据马大一名教授阿卡慕都，最近公佈的调查报告显示，国人每天浪费的食物量高达930吨，许多民眾或许觉得不多，但他们不知道每天都在浪费著9万3000包10公斤装的白米。

他说，民眾应该懂得珍惜食物，每次用餐时，应依照自己的胃口进食，並非叫了一堆食物，却吃不下。

蔡智勇今日出席“马来西亚青年绿动”活动后，在记者会这么说。

垃圾量可填满42双塔楼

其他出席者包括马来西亚青年绿动发源人林德和。

蔡智勇指出，除了浪费食物之外，在2007年的一项调查也显示，民眾在一年內製造的垃圾量，可以填满42座吉隆坡双塔楼。

“民眾每天製造约0.8公斤的垃圾，而巴生谷民眾则是1.5公斤，而一年內则是730万吨垃圾量，所以刚好可以填满42座吉隆坡双塔楼。”

他说，上述只是4年前的资料，如今我国人口已经增加不少，所以民眾应该要开始响应环保。

他举例，政府部门和机构的冷气温度，限制在摄氏24度，这將减少使用4-7%的电量，所以这能够带来很大效应。

另外，马来西亚青年绿动即日开始寻找100位环保达人，协助该组织宣传环保活动。

如果民眾对环保有任何的计划，可以把计划书电邮至my4green@gmail.com。

[source: http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/275209]

CJ