Remain hopeful

Case: An elderly with liver cirrhosis and occasional coughing was admitted to manage hepatic encephalopathy. She had an episode of vomiting & choking which led to aspiration pneumonia. Hypotension and desaturation ensued. While she is in DNR status, we tried our best to resuscitate her with fluids, performed sputum suction, provided oxygen therapy and started her on antibiotics. Her vitals recovered gradually and stabilized. However, she’s not out of the woods yet.

Just when life is about to come to an end, our path crossed, where I tried a little bit to help, and you tried a little more to live.

May you go though this challenge and live to see another day.

I wish you all the best.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the people around me, who gave me emotional support when I needed it the most.

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A role to play

A cook, cleaner, nurse, doctor, artist, teacher, mechanic, technician, and many other unlisted professions.

They have one thing in common: A role to play in this society.

Everyone is deem important in ensuring this society functions well, and everyone deserves the respect they can get.

I am often humbled and inspired by the people I meet. Thank you for reminding me that I can be more than I am today.

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Believe

Enough with the self-doubts. “Believe in yourself!” that’s what they said.

One’s potential can only be unleashed when you believe in yourself.

Since life is so unfair, why make succumb to it when all you have to do is believe that you’ll be successful too? Believe in your strengths, make them shine. Learn your weaknesses, work on them. You’ll be there someday.

Story behind this photograph: He is an acapella band member for VOX. The crowd, spotlights, stage… They are all fruits of hard, persistent work. True potentials are unleased when you believe in your strengths and make them work for you. Someday, everyone will have their own stage to shine.

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Ah… Finally…

I’m finally back after having so much struggles with Windows Live Writer. I must admit, the Open Live Writer developer team did a wonderful job with the open software, and I am now able to get back on track and start blogging again!

By the way, here’s something cool from Nik Filters. Users used to have to pay for the filters, but the company was recently acquired by Google. So now you can get them for free!

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Love for machines

The love for these beasts is undeniable, and this father brought his children along to see all motorcycles. Look how the rider and the father connects, while the curious children continue to look in awe.

I spent a little time around the Biketopia event, fascinated by how these people customize their motorcycles. Though I’m not a big fan of Harley Davidson, some of the bike designs certainly caught my eye.

The Harleys are definitely getting a sportier look, as it seemed that the company are moving towards targeting the market of younger generations.

And I got a little chance of sitting in an Audi TT Coupe: Quattro too. Thanks to my bro for the shot.

Story behind the first photograph: The biker was reluctant when the father requested to take a photograph of the motorcycle together with the biker. As the biker was about to ride away, the father approached him and requested for a contact, perhaps to send photographs to him. With that connection, I was the lucky one who got this shot of the interaction between the father and the biker, with the children engrossed in curiosity.

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A look back

Pause and look back on the things you have done in the past as you move forward into the future. You shall notice that while there is still a long way to you, you have come a long way too!

It may just be the second week of my clerkship rotation at the cardiovascular surgery department, yet I have learnt so much throughout the days. I have seen many great surgical operations, meet patients and feel their anxiousness about their illness, write patient charts and interpret medical images.

A self-reflect indeed come in handy at time like this. All is well.

 

Story behind this shot: I stopped by the road for a rest after riding in the rain for the past hour. The paddy field was really beautiful and it was indeed a moment of reflection as I ponder whether to turn back to Hualien because the weather report indicated bad weather for the next few days to come. The image in the mirror reflected how much I had come so far, and perhaps it was the time where I brave the fear of the unknown in front of me. I pushed forward, and I had some of the best memories throughout the journey.

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Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

I certainly love the idea of having hands-on experience in the hospital. Yup, this is my second week in the hospital as a clerk, and I certainly have gained much by being foolish.

Just like what Steve Jobs’ famous quote, “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish,” I may have asked some foolish questions, made myself look like a dumb some of the times, but I guess I gained a lot more for asking those questions. I know what I know, and I am truthful for what I don’t know.

May the “How-s” and “Why-s” dominate my day… And let knowledge by the path forward.

All is well. =D

 

Story behind this shot: This shot was possible because of the curiosity towards an ad. That evening I saw a poster at the bus station at Taitung, and I asked the ticket conductor about it. That lead me to this stunningly beautiful architecture made of bamboo. It’s the “Tree of Life”. The person standing below kindly accepted my invitation to be part of the shot, further emphasizing the significance of the tree.

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Getting out there

Our mind tends to shut ourselves from the outside. Yet, when we’re out there, we waited and hesitated.

Well, the surprise is just out there. Believe, have faith and go forward…

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Shower in the cave

This cave is just stunningly beautiful. The last time I was there, I knew that I had to go back again, armed with gears to take shots of this cave. The water temperature is about 8 to 12 degrees. A cooling shower indeed!

This cave is called 水漣洞 (Water-curtain cave), located at the end of 白楊步道 (Bai Yang Trail) at Taroko National park. It is crowded with tourists now, so it’s best if you can go there as early as possible to avoid the crowd.

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A passing storm

The storm has passed, damage has been done. But the sun is up, and it’s a brand new start.

May what we have been through help us grow stronger and wiser. As we grow older, looking back, we see only fond memories of us being together, enjoying our lives.

So let’s move on together. And may we be stay positive always.

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Summer’s here

Summer has been pretty hot, and a few of us managed to take some time off to cycle out and play in the water. We headed out on the 1st of June, but this post came a little late as I was waiting for my roll of film to be developed.

Hualien is a beautiful place to explore if you’ve got the time to spare.

Exam week is coming up next, so I guess back to my books then. =D

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Shining bright

After photographing fireflies for a couple of times this month, I realised that we could very much learn from the fireflies.  

They may be small, but together, they lit the forest. They keep glowing, even when it rains, and till the very last moment of their life. 

They persevered during hardship, for a better future. They took months to mature, and glow the brightest during this season. 

Opportunities are for those who are well prepared. When you are prepared, be it hardship or challenges, you’ll be able to overcome it. All the best to everyone!

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Back online

It has been a while since I last posted here on Blogger. I've been doing much web redesigning work for others that I started asking myself, "When will I have time to design a proper blog layout of my own?" 

After a few comments by the others that the previous template was heavy and slow loading, I've decided to look for something lightweight instead. So here you go, a new template where I can blog and share photographs at the same time. 

As my schedule is pretty much packed most of the time, I find it harder and harder to take photographs. I'll try my best to take a few more shots to share with everyone. At least check out my Instagram, where I use it to post most of my day-to-day shots.

Till then, take care. All is best. 

Photo of the day, mystical forest of fireflies, taken in 白鮑溪 (BaiBaoXi) Hualien, Taiwan.

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The feeling of closeness

When you’re out there, you need to adapt to your surrounding, to get yourself comfortable with the culture you’re in. And these are the people who helped you the most: Friends.

Although the time together is brief, and time flies through your life quickly, they are important people who make you realise the importance of having someone close who could laugh with you when you’re happy, and cry with you when you’re down.

A pat on the shoulder means so much, and as soon as they come by, they’re off again in search of their own dreams. So in the mean time, cherish the time you have together.

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Fire of Hope

 

Life is always about meaning.

You live in search of meaning.

That is your flame of hope.

 

If you do not cling on to that meaning of life,

you’ll lose your steps quickly,

and you’ll fall.

Still, if you are strong enough, why not dream again?

Why not start a new search, another meaning of life?

We are what we are because of our dreams and hopes.

 

So keep that flame ablaze in search of your very own meaning of life.

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Self-Reflection

Imagine you’re standing in front of a mirror.

Look into that mirror, see a reflection of yourself.

Think of all the things you have done right.

Think of all the things you need to improve on.

A last look at things you need to let go.

Learn what you can from yourself.

Then before you leave the mirror behind, motivate yourself.

I can do it! Thank you, I’m sorry, Please forgive me, I love you.

And you’ll soon realise that you are a better person than before.

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As it turns yellow

As the tree turns yellow to red, it signifies the arrival of autumn, and winter is coming up next.

The bright yellow of fresh flower against the glorious red of withering flower is beautiful, yet rare enough to be appreciated by passers-by where one can only see it once a year.

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Angkor Cambodia

A beautiful temple to visit. Although it is quite costly to pay Siem Reap a visit, Angkor Wat is definitely a must see place if you’re up for the walks and climbs.

Some of the temples are still under restoration, and this will take some time. Most of the restoration projects are funded by a join collaboration between countries like Germany, Switzerland, Japan and others. As you can see in the following photograph, the green tents set up in front of the Angkor Wat temple while waiting for the restoration project to resume.

The number of visitors dropping by is astounding. The crowd here was waiting for the picturesque sunrise, but too bad the sky was cloudy due to rain on previous night.

You can purchase your entry pass after 5.30pm (+7 GMT) and you can hike up to this Phnom Bakheng Temple, where you get to enjoy a nice sunset. However, it was drizzling that day I was up there.

Many of the Buddha statue was maimed and damaged. A handbook which you can buy easily when you’re in the temples will explain why this happened.

It will take about 1 day to see Angkor Wat and some of the temples around it. The best is if you have 3 days to spare, then you’ll be able to visit most of the places, including the ones some distance away like Banteay Srei temple and Roluos Group. Entry tickets are priced at USD 20 for 1-day, USD 40 for 3 days.

If you have some spare time, you may consider taking bus trip to Phnom Penh and return the same day. I guess I was quite lucky to visit this place early Aug. It may be the monsoon season, but it was quite windy. Sunscreen is a must, do remember to reapply them when you’re out there.

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Next Level Photography

Moving forward into the future, we shall be able to see how high-speed photography can act as life-saving tools. In addition, further research could lead to advancement in medical imaging and search-and-rescue tools. Take a look at this promising research.

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People in Bali

The locals here are just as interesting as the island itself. Besides being tour guides, they have other jobs as well. And they do take time of to enjoy their own island.

Some sell food and snacks for a living, while some others cheat tourists into paying them money by forcing them to buy something, e.g. placing a flower bud on your ears, saying that this would please the Gods and ask you to pay for that flower bud. They may be so poor to the stage that they are using different tactics to survive here at the outskirts of Bali. Still, there are lots of good people around. Just remember to keep small changes in your wallet, so that you can give exact amount to them. Most of them do not have small changes in their pockets.

The Jimbaran beach sunset is quite a stunning one, and therefore lots of wedding photographers like to bring their clients to these areas for wedding shoots.

This local fisherman heads out to the sea during high tide to affix the fishing nets. He collects the harvest the next morning.

Some others would spend their time preparing for their religious celebrations.

Some lazy ones would just hang out and wait for time to pass.

The kite seller sure have a pretty and nice kite for sale.

Monkeys at the temples may look harmless, but they are in fact notorious. So don’t follow suit of the lady in the dark clothing. Her sunglasses were snatched by the monkey moments later.

Lots to see and do in Bali, with the people there, it’s even more interesting. So get to know a few locals around, but remember to be not too friendly, else they would rip you off when you dine or purchase something!

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