Tuesday, March 25, 2003

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Picture unavailable.

Well, people. Sorry I haven't been blogging the last few weeks. Been busy with school and what not. I've also been working on a website called shuttercollective.com, a website where amateur photographers all round the world can unite and share different cultures. If you are interested in contribution, please send me an e-mail at info@shuttercollective.com. shuttercollective.com needs regular contributors, not just in photos, but also in web administration, news, updates, reviews and so on.

Anyway, enough of advertising that. Now let's get back to my life.

The last few weeks have been good to me and there shouldn't be any reason that this blessing should change. I really thank God a lot nowadays. School has been nothing but one good thing after another. Perhaps I speak too soon, but I guess I'm happy about it now and I want to share that with my friends. My teachers must be the nicest bunch of people on earth. They are flexible in terms of assignments, and that means that students are encouraged to do exciting things with their projects. Anything goes. So in fact, I have so much that I feel that I can expand towards.

My involvement in school is on a heavy side, considering that I'm still only a TAFE student. On top of my classes, I am actually helping out in the video department in my faculty by shooting lectures where guest speakers are present. Last week, I was invited to contribute to the faculty newsletter (for what it's worth) as a regularly writer. I don't know much about my writing skills nowadays, and I very much prefer fiction. But I think I'll find this newsletter a good experience. It builds up on my resume, maybe? These are just the things related to the faculty.

Outside the faculty, but still in RMIT itself, I'm involved in the student-run television RMITV, which broadcasts on Channel 31. There, I work in different roles each time because they want all the 'new kids' to gain experience in different roles before settling down on one. So far, I've a camera operator, lighting grip, floor manager and the director's assistant (again). I find that the leadership roles of floor manager and director's assistant was very much like when I was working for Sonic Fest. Quite grueling but fun. Healthy stress.

I'm eating well, but the expenditure for food is high. I guess that's city-living. In Singapore, I would probably never be able to afford property at all. Here I could work for a while and will earn enough for a comfortable life in the inner city districts. I love Melbourne and I want to stay here at least a while. I feel that He has been telling me that He has plans for me here. So far, I've come in faith, and I do not know what He wants me to do yet. So now I'm upgrading myself so that I shall be more useful when the time comes for me to serve Him again.

But even as good as life gets here, I am beginning to feel the effects of missing home. Everybody feels that way. Don't get me wrong. I'm not like missing home very badly. In fact, I don't want to go home this year if I can help it. But there are a lot of friends I have made in the past year that I long to see every now and then. Perhaps my last months in Singapore were the only times I've ever made real friends - aside from my secondary school pals Terence and Max, of course. All my life, I'd have to cope with loneliness and it was only recently that I've made friends who are actually worth it. In fact, I was beginning to wonder if I can match up to their friendship. After all, I'm still so used to being alone, doing things by myself and working out my own issues. But now, even here, I have begun a network of nice people who I hang out with every week, so perhaps the spirit of loneliness has lost its battle within me. Sometimes, the situation is funny because I tend to be over-hyper about my relationships with other people. Maybe it is a psychological mechanism to compensate for my lack in the past. I just hope I don't overdo it.

Anyway, on to some other stuff.

Judy! What are your contacts? When are you visiting Melbourne? I would love to see you around soon. In Easter, I'm going up to Sydney for 3 or 4 days. Perhaps we can hook up? Kim, Angel, YC, Tessa! I'm thinking it's best we go to NYC in June/July 2004 period. What do you suggest? I think 2 weeks is enough. I want to visit Boston too, while I'm there. And Tessa, I'm thinking very hard about continuing on to London. Need to save money first. Milton! you coming in winter holidays, right? Let me know which days you're coming, yeah? Dex, also let me know if you're flying over here in Easter quick. I'm going to Sydney so I've got to get tickets soon. I'd hate to miss you when you're here. Anyway, guys, anyone of you visiting Melbourne, let me know. I have room for two bunkers. Save you loads from even backpackers'.

Drey, you must take care, babe. Don't miss out on what you deserve. You've come too far for that.

Anyway, it's late here. Almost 3. My normal bedtime. I gotta go. See you when I see you.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Friday, March 07, 2003


School of Creative Media, RMIT (Nikon 28Ti)


Long day for me.

I woke up early for classes today. Went to Editing I and did quite an okay job for my very first assessment. Everyone did more or less the same. Pretty straight forward. Pretty easy, I guess. No surprises there. No prizes for passing either, though.

Had some teamwork done in the afternoon. Quite fun. Now I'm surprising myself as a more outspoken person. Thank God the changes He has blessed me with. It is so apparent that He is in my life always from now on. His works never ceases to amaze me.

Bumped into a few friends at school today. But I realised that I'm getting along better with Australians than most other Singaporeans. Also, I'm coping pretty well in this society. I'm not homesick yet. I know two Singaporeans who didn't enjoy their first few weeks here already. They said: "Lucky thing it's only for one year." Not very positive, is it? Oh well.

Went to mass near the University of Melbourne with students from different universities. Most of them are Singaporeans, but there are some very nice Malaysian kids and a decent American, who keeps on asking everyone to explain the rules of cricket to him. Talked a lot about photography with a few of the Catholic guys tonight and picked up some pro tips, things to keep in mind when I go on another lomo trip and for my 28Ti. Had a pretty decent night, soaking in the atmosphere and taking photos (see links below).

So much to see and do. Even at night. :D

Photo updates:
>>>> Nikon 28Ti shots (new)
>>>> New night shots added (digital)

Thursday, March 06, 2003

Centre Place
New photos added (click here).


Today, I walked down to explore Collins Street and Flinders Lane, and bought myself another hat. With the new ivy cap, I stumbled into Centre Place totally by accident (see photo). It was an amazing site. It gives me a New York's Little ltaly vibe. It's actually a paved lane with shops and little restaurants along the sides. Very old school-looking. Damn nice. Lots of character from the turn-of-the-century style architecture. If you look up, you'll see old 1910s-style tenement apartments. I went to the entrance of the apartment block, which opens up on Centre Place, and they posted up a FOR-SALE sign. It is a huge apartment, though it only has one bedroom. Two balconies, kitchen, bath (with bath tub!). Beautiful. What would I do not to get an apartment here in such a pretty lane? AUD 350,000.

Beautiful.



And so, armed with an arsenal of cameras: The Lomo CyberSampler, the Nikon 28Ti, the Nikon F-401 and the Panasonic LC-40 digital machine, Chris Ong goes out for a day to discover wonderful sites.

Wish him lots of luck, ya?

Monday, March 03, 2003

Mini Lomo
Visit my >Lomohome<.


My recent purchases involved a classic-looking (and obviously classic in its own class... hur hur) Nikon 28Ti, a black compact point and shoot camera with analog-like dials describing focus distance and what not. The 28Ti had gone out of production in 1998 and it is said that there are only 2,300 pieces in the world. I hope that's true.

Makes me wish I kept that old Nikon Pinkaichi camera my parents had before the F-401 SLR came about.