To Undreamed Shores

Birds of a Feather #2

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:17:00 +0000

I was at Jurong Bird Park again. I love birds and so I returned. I decided to photograph more birds because these poor specimens are not as glorious as Colourful Birds, but nevertheless, they are special.

Fig 1: This swan, though without a swan song, is as graceful as it is black.

Fig 2: A peculiar specimen trots around as an English Guard/Farmer-with-cool-straw-hat.

Fig 3a: At first glance, it appears that this bird is unremarkable and not particularly awe-inspiring. Do not be shocked.

Fig 3b: Closer observation proves that it has very special knees. They remind me of so many things; like play dough, and dinosaur excavation toys, and an intestine. His reminder-inducing knees are what makes him special.

Fig 4: Why, dear friend, we meet again. We've met HERE before.

Fig 5: This ruggedly handsome owl should get a live mouse for its striking good looks.

Fig 6: I hate this glowing snake. It makes me terribly unhappy.

Fig 7: What a poor one-legged bird! That must be how you felt, as did I, until I realized he was a trickster. He is hiding his other leg. What a delightfully cunning one!

Technorati Tags: Wonders,Delights,Birds

Alien Landscapes #1

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:36:00 +0000

Fig 1: What could this be? A satellite shot of Mars?

Fig 2: A desert unknown to man?

Fig 3: In Singapore, it can only be construction. People's Republic of Eternal Construction.

Fig 4: A mechanical crane removes my childhood memories.

Fig 5: What used to be a secret garden has become desolate and dismayed.

Fig 6: These evil men of construction know not what they do.

Technorati Tags: Destruction,Changing Landscapes,Construction men

Discoveries Around Me

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:14:00 +0000

Yes. It has not floated past me that I have not updated this page with wondrous adventures. However, please do not mistake this hiatus for a lack of adventures. May I at this point clarify that I have many adventures and occasionally am too overwhelmed to relive them through photos.

To reward you (I believe in rewards), today I shall be showing you some discoveries!

Fig 1: At first glance, it appears that this fragile man is trying to be active – and one can hardly fault him.

I was awake rather early one morning and I was fortunate enough to catch this old lad taking his usual stroll.

Fig 1b: Do not be deceived. This man is far from fragile! He does not use the alleged walking stick but drags it behind him like a burden. That is why I feel that this is a Special Old Man.

Fig 2: This assortment of cigarettes reminds me of “bloomin’ onion” sold for $14 at Outback Steakhouse. It is safe to say that the remindee is more delightful than the reminder.

Fig 3: I stumbled upon a wondrous stash of machines at a theater. This is how a projection room looks like!

Fig 4: Upon closer inspection, I discovered the film reel for “Changeling”. To have entered this forbidden room made me feel like a spy*!

Fig 5: How delightful it was to see baby films. I wondered what could be on these filmlets; it is truly a mystery.

Fig 6: A disgusting discovery of half-eatens, from scavenging my barren fridge.

*I enjoy feeling like a spy, it makes me feel powerful and mysterious!

Technorati Tags: New Delights,Special old man,Reminders,Filmlets

Strangeness in the Tummy Pit

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:50:00 +0000

I found myself at a tattoo convention one day. It was a first (and last) for me. Many people in the expo hall were strange-looking and unconventional. This is to be expected at such conventions.

For the unconventional to be conventional at conventions.

Fig 1: The intimacy of willingly letting a stranger puncture you and leave you permanently marked baffles me.

Fig 2: A girl about my age is not so baffled.

Fig 3: This instrument frightens me.

Fig 4: Both this man and his thong further made me uncomfortable in the pits of my tummy.

Fig 5: Many conventionists ride motorcycles, which also make me unhappy.

Technorati Tags: Miserable Times,tattoo convention,nausea

Other Foodstuffs #4

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:49:00 +0000

I recently embarked upon a mini-adventure. The coming of Chinese New Year begs for cooking delicacies and delights, some arguably more delightful than others. Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to witness an intriguing albeit not-so-delightful treat*.

*This is a treat to some, but not to me.

Fig 1: Many seeds are laid out for classification. Some are young, and their innards are brown. The old ones are black - they take months to ripen.

The nature of this Peranakan dish is to have the filling stuffed into the shell after the original seed filling has been cooked alongside various delicious condiments. In order to retrieve said filling and then replace it, each seed is required to be carefully hacked into.

If seeds are of inferior shape or size, they are merely pounded for their filling.

Fig 2: A pestel and mortar set does some of the work.

Fig 3: While waiting for their brutal examination, they pile up, motionless.

Fig 4: My mother's hands display an okay seed.

Some seeds are not completely waterproof. They tend to leak a little, but this does not mean anything with regard to their quality or type.

Fig 5: A frightened seed cries.

Technorati Tags: Ethnic Dishes,my mother,seed characteristics

A Lack of Colour

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:29:00 +0000

I had something to write, and something to show.
But the blasted drive decided to die.

Krystal:
SOBS I lost all my data! Everything.

Derek:
Don't worry. You can have new data.

Observations of Nature

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:08:00 +0000

When I am not observing social situations, I like to observe nature. Some say I personify objects unnecessarily, but I personally think (can one impersonally think?) that’s just very narrow-minded.

My favourite type of natural photos are those of silhouettes struck against the brilliance of day. If you are a sharp person, you would notice that I’ve placed one such silhouette as my blog background.

(Please excuse the offending, non-natural chimney at second portrait bottom-right.)

Fig 1: Another lovely silhouette.

Fig 2: Morning has broken, like the first morning.

I was fortunate to have been at Pasir Ris beach, where I chanced upon a few curious items. Unfortunately, my camera was uncharged, making me a tad miserable at the prospect of having lousy photos and so many photo opportunities.

Fig 3: This is a lonely tree. I have cast a de-saturated background around it to amplify how it projects its loneliness.

Fig 4: This mini tree is looking out to sea wistfully.

Fig 5: This charcoal, muy fervent, would later cook sumptuous food for us.

Technorati Tags: Nature,loneliness,first morning

Other Foodstuffs #3

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:38:00 +0000

Before I embark on yet another literary journey, I must warn that this post also metaphorically refers to foodstuffs, not just literally.

Fig 1: This is how a Christmas meal should look like. The colour combination is not only festive, but also healthy on the eyes and body.

Fig 2: I am a carnivore. I had 3 servings of meat. I am also ashamed to admit that my soup was also meat-based goulash.

We had a sweet family dinner at Hotel Rendezvous yesterday. The buffet spread was far from disappointing. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for my ability to be a glutton. It was lucky, then, that my dad could consume the token salmon, oyster and lobster that made the bulk of the meal’s extravagant cost.

I took a badly composed shot of a sugar house that was used for decor. I can’t post it because it is disappointing in two ways. 1) It was not a good photo. 2) I could not eat it.

Fig 3: My mom is a creative being. We were all lazy in the tree-constructing business so she took pine-fresh branches from an esteemed florist to make this beautiful assortment.

Fig 4: When I went out, I observed nothing particularly captivating in the social scene.. till I saw this Elmo head. I’m not sure if it is appropriate to idolize the head of a puppet with helium, but for now I am reserving judgement because its Christmas.

Fig 5: This lady was in a rude position, although it should be noted that I was not disturbed.

Fig 6: Indeed, the moments were sweet.

Technorati Tags: Social Confusion,yummy meat,strange heads

Birds of a Feather

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:37:00 +0000

I was at Jurong Bird Park the other day and I had myself a delightful time. Much more so than at the zoo previously. Birds are really sweet and cute little friends. So I decided to photograph some for keepsakes.

If you’ve followed this blog closely, you should know I have a pet bird, Blondie. I will put others up when they’ve been good.

Merry Christmas Eve to all.

Fig 1: This talented macaw bursts through paper on a daily basis, making me jealous. I too, want to burst through paper and have people be awed by me tirelessly.

Fig 2: This brilliant macaw deserves a pat.

Fig 3: Some colours in this world are meant to be admired. However, I would like for readers to note that I do not like navy blue, army green, teal, or matte silver.

Fig 4: This bird has made up for its lack in colour by the intricacies of its feather structure and design. Therefore, it is not inadequate.

Fig 5: I found this little guy wandering about, seemingly lost. But I couldn’t help as I was unable to get close since a moat was in my way.

Fig 6: Even pigeons needs armpits aired, contrary to popular belief.

Fig 7: This picture made me doubt that these specimens were pigeons and not peacocks. The crest is proof of nature’s beauty. It is soft to the touch.

Fig 8: A misunderstood, but lucky, pigeon.

Fig 9: A bird of paradise was kind enough to show me why it deserves such a grand name.

Fig 10: His friends were being fed but he decided he wanted to be alone for awhile.

Fig 11: An unfriendly owl.

Fig 12: This vulture prefers to walk, rather than fly. Somewhat like me!

Fig 13: This delight is a handsome baby owl.

Fig 14: Fur grows on birds too.

Technorati Tags: Colours,Wonders,Delights

Other Foodstuffs #2

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:10:00 +0000

I am on a foodstuff mission! I was born a picky eater and, sad to say, I’ve not been independent enough to make my environment a product of me, vis-a-vis versus vice versa.

As such, I find it incumbent to document certain foodstuffs that have a significant poetry in my particular gastronomical culture.

Fig 1: Kuishin-Bo Chocolate Puff. This special puff is a delight. I first sampled such a puff in Motorola, via their caterer. To my dismay, there were no such puffs to be tasted anywhere.. anywhere, that is, till I went to Kuishin-Bo. The rest, as they say, is history.

Actually, it is not history. I have spent hours plotting on how to transport said puffs away from Kuishin-Bo and into my possession outside of the realm that is Kuishin-Bo. I was successful on the first two attempts and unsuccessful on my third buffet visit. These special delights are treats.

Fig 2: This is an annoying foodstuff which is a collection of vegetables that I have been unable to consume successfully. However, I do not mind on occasion the funky purple one, which is a solid equivalent of water.

Fig 3: This is a delight. Japanese desserts are truly exciting and I had two of these specially-packaged treats at Kuishin-Bo. It is certainly a Place of Many Delights.

Technorati Tags: Delights,Treats,Yucks,Funky Purple

Other Foodstuffs #1

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:41:00 +0000

That day whilst making rounds at Clarke Quay, I felt rather starved and decided to feast upon a little bit of saturated fat. I was dismayed to find out that I feasted upon this overpriced potato three nights in a row (_-_-_), no thanks to an event explosion that I was unable to truly appreciate sans health.

Fig 1: A tray of mashed up roots people call .. wedges.

Fig 2: Happy times with a friend I have not seen in some period.

Technorati Tags: Old friends,wedges,foodstuffs,clarke quay

A View From Home #2

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:30:00 +0000

Today I decided to view more social activities in order to understand the neighbourhood around me better. After all, having lived here for 21 years, it is my duty to be duly informed.

Fig 1: Social activities of children take place many storeys below. I remember part-taking in some of my own, but this particular playground was much less safe and had a swell amount of sand in it. I remember playing on the slide in self-entertaining ways that was to pave the future of the type of fun I’d have had in later years. Then I remember there was a sand-digging mechanism that allowed you to place move sand like how a crane does. I obsessed on that mechanism for hours at a time, and looking back, that must have saved my folks a lot of trouble and money.

Fig 2: Social activities of adults take on a less physical approach and always seems to involve food. This was many blocks away and I felt like a secret spy taking spy-like photos so it gave me a tinge of excitement!

Fig 3: When I turned to my right, I zoomed into the school field which seemed in quite a mess. I was a bit upset at looking at it but I was curious to know what was happening.

Fig 4: It was then that I realized this was tar. Why does a school yard need tar? I googled it and now I feel silly because this is not tar. It is asphalt.*

Fig 5: A better-composed mound of asphalt.

Fig 6: I got distracted with the scenery of the mysterious off-limits lake.

Fig 7: Singapore has only 2 seasons – Hot and Wet. Today was Wet.

*Optional reading: The word asphalt is derived from the late Middle English : from French asphalte, based on late Latin asphalton, asphaltum, from the Greek ásphalton, ásphaltos (άσφαλτος), "flawless".

Technorati Tags: Social Activities,Observations,Curiosity

Online Adventures

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:22:00 +0000

In a conscious effort to better myself (I do this about twice a week, online and alone), I went to wikiHow to find out social behaviours that I could utilize.

I know this is a photoblog but I really want to post these links. So I shall put up photos from SupperClub, at which I attended an event a few days ago. The photos do not represent anything, but if you find any relation, I assure you it was not concerted and is merely a coincidence.

Link 1: This is a good link to survive in Singapore.

Link 2: This link is useful for me, because I don’t enjoy people fussing around me and these tips may work in the future. I would like to say that my own (unplanned and highly spontaneous) methods have been successful so far, but this is just an embellishment.

Link 3: I like this link because I find myself detached from society sometimes and need stimulation through other means.

Technorati Tags: Social Tips,Delights

Californian Friends

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:04:00 +0000

Today some pressies were passed to me. I can't say what some were but a pleasant surprise was this treasure. Kate Spade, which I can't afford. Now I have a dilemma in planning how to go out into public and perform social activities with this new addition. But it should be known that I feel grateful and very fortunate today.

Fig 1: A delightful treasure.

Fig 2: More delights. This Nintendo DS Lite has provided solo entertainment to me. However, whilst I was playing Legend of Zelda, I died. As in, my character died. So that contributed to some emotional turmoil, which I honestly did not quite care for. :(

Fig 3: I hope that these will provide delights for my friends as well. (Note: I wrapped these myself and am very proud of how they've turn out, but certain... traits led me to take 2 hours for that task alone.)

Fig 4: This is a trick picture. The delight is actually what is being used to take the picture, which is a great camera I received from my closest friends. This was taken without flash and in only VGA settings. I was extremely delighted.

Technorati Tags: Social Confusion,Disappointments,Delights

Disturbing Foodstuffs #2

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:16:00 +0000

There is often the need to buy something for someone you don’t quite know. While this in itself is somewhat disturbing, it increasingly ruffles my feathers (metaphorically, of course, even if you may insist I have feathers in publicly unseen places) that not only is there this generic social activity, but also that there is a specific mass-produced chocolate given to soothe the minds of presenters who don’t know (by know , I mean to understand) the presentee.

Fig 1: This generic item disturbs me greatly. However, having consumed about 30 pieces in 2 days, it now disturbs me physically. It must be noted, however, that during said consumption it was, in fact, very pleasant.

Technorati Tags: Food,Pleasures,Social Confusion

Disturbing Foodstuffs #1

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Unlike other online personalities (Scott), I have not striven to achieve a perfect pop. I have, in fact, not thought particularly hard about popcorn. This is due to two reasons: 1) I only recently had a microwave, and I’m admitting this at the risk of being socially outcast, and 2) I do not see myself, in any way, a popcorn-popping connoisseur, and would hate to disgrace others who have said goals in mind.

However, it is beyond me that a pack of popcorn should be so unpopped that it would trigger me to Google “how to re-pop popcorn”. While a pinch of under-performing kernels would be disappointing at worst, this pack had me appalled and, incidentally, gastronomically unsatisfied.

Fig 1: A disgusting sum of highly disappointing kernels stared back at me repugnantly.

Technorati Tags: Disappointments,The Perfect Pop,Social Embarassments

A View from Home

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Today I was looking out my window and I saw a peaceful community minding their own business. I am often agitated by people, which causes me to be homebound rather often, so this certain peace in knowing society is fully functional (especially so without my interaction) was inexplicably comforting.

Fig 1: I walked into my room and looked backward at a garland from my birthday party.

Fig 2: A neighbour's plant is imposing on the level above.

Fig 3: Grilled windows keep me from falling out accidentally and/or purposely.

Fig 4: I zoomed in to see social activities..

Technorati Tags: Existential,Home,Observations

Blondie Photoshoot #1

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:44:00 +0000

Maybe an introduction - Blondie is the oldest of my birds, born September 05. He's the sweetest cockatiel; dusty, loving, nice-smelling and happy-go-lucky. He can only say one word, only sing one song.. Something about him pulls my heart closer to nature and better things in life.

Fig 1: Notice the glistening chocolate at portrait-middle-left lingering like a temptress to cholesterolise me.

Fig 2: Blondie's "I'm not quite looking at the lens" pose.

Fig 3: The crown is soft to the touch and nose, pleasant to the eye.

Fig 4: Out of 4 toes, 1 has a black toenail on either foot.

Fig 5: Some have the benefit of a healthy blush without exercise.

Fig 6: Blondie's beak has been injured rather mysteriously.

Technorati Tags: Cockatiels,Toes

Inaugural Entrance

k@krystalchoo.com (Krystal Choo) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:20:00 +0000

21 years later I've decided to start a blog detailing, photo-journalistically, as I've always wanted to, the mundanities of my life that show the world an intimate glimpse of what seems like a meandering path in my (now legally adult) mind.

Hedonism at its slowest pace, really.

Fig 1: Balloon from my 21st party, which was a disappointment. Not the balloon, I mean.. The party.

Technorati Tags: Disappointments,New Beginnings