Feb 28th 2011 - Fetch (Day 14)

   After month of cloudy and gloomy weather, the sky finally opened up the last couple of days. What better chance to take Kratos for a run around in an unpopulated park!
   One of the best things about our dog is that, all you need is a ball, or two, and he does all the work for you! He is like a fetch machine! Which of course makes our job much easier.
   Dogs are like us, everyone of them has a unique personality. Our dog is like a golden retriever trapped in a German Shepherds body. To think anyone could mis treat dogs or any other animals, that homosapiens are more superior than any other species, seems pretty misguided.

Feb 27th 2011 - Where to? (Day 13)

   After meeting an acquaintance to discuss what the future holds over a cup of coffee, I was ready to head home for a rest.

   So as I pulled out of the basement, I thought to myself: "we drive around with a GPS in the car these days, but to get anywhere we still need to input where we want to go". This I suppose is a lot like life, sure we can go places, but unless we know where we wish to end up, we won't be able to plan for the journey.

   Guess what I'm trying to say is, we all choose what we want to do, and where we want to be. There will always be choices, and I just hope mine are wise.

Feb 26th 2011 - Comfort (Day 12)

   Living in an environment long enough and your body adjust to the conditions. After spending 4 years in Taiwan, high humidity has become the norm for me, and travelling back to New Zealand where the air is drier may be the cause of my sore throat and continuous dry coughs.

   Popping pills to alleviate symptoms is not how I like to cure myself, somehow I feel like that is cheating your own body into believing that the illness no longer exists. Therefore I've taken the more traditional approach of drinking liquids, especially warm water or honey water. As an added treat, a nice warm cup of plum and mini orange tea like this one really help brighten up the day.

Feb 25th 2011 - Home (Day 11)

   Although my trip back to NZ was a very short one, it reaffirmed what I always believed to be true - some things never change. It was like I had never left, everything was familiar, barring a few minor changes of course.
 
   It reminded me that it doesn't matter which part of the world you are in so long as you're with the people you love and care about. Being with these people is what home really is.

Feb 24th 2011 - The Light (Day 10)

   Day 3 of the quick home visit. Didn't really shoot anything out of the ordinary, until i hopped in the car before dusk. New Zealand is also known as Aotearoa in the Maori language, which translates to "the land of the long white cloud", and it certainly lives up to that name.
   New Zealand had always produced some of the most amazing cloud formations I have ever seen, and images like this frequently occur. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me at how stunning it looks.

Feb 23rd 2011 - ENERGY (Day 9)

   Day 2 of home time. After a bit of a lunch, took off to the local supermarket. As we were checking out, noticed the drink stand next to me. Those who are from NZ and Australia will surely recognize the item on display. To those who do not, this is one of those energy drink that has dominated an entire generation, and on.

   I still remember in university years, this was the magic that got many of us through the long lectures, tedious bus rides, and late nights of whatever people get up to.


   Unofficial medical advise:  Do not overdose.....

Feb 22nd 2011 - Going Home (Day 8)

   Almost a year ago, I watched as the plane left the runway at Auckland airport. It is not till today that I had a chance to set foot back here again. Luckily, travelling as a crew meant I could snatch a business class seat if available, definitely helps when the total flying time is close to 11 hours!
   Fortunately for me, I get to see this view quite often, and it never gets old!

Feb 21st 2011 - Hot Dog (Day 7)

   Our gorgeously adopted dog, aka Kratos decided to be extremely cute and poesable today.
  
   It so happened both of his sleeping cushions were clean and dry and within reaching distance, and with a small bit of bribery, he agreed to be on display.
  
   The wife found Kratos nine month ago lost on the streets, and ever since we took him in, our home finally felt complete. Just having him around makes the day that much brighter.

Feb 20th 2011 - Pleasant surprise (Day 6)

   Fact: Airplane food is quite possibly one of the most undesirable cuisine on the planet.

   Norm: Airplane food is very undesirable, especially if you have to consume it on an almost daily basis.

   Surprise: Opening up the tin foil wrapper to find this on my plate, grilled prawns in mild curry with veges and not too bad rice!

   Lesson learned:  How having little or no expectations can make everything that much more surprising!

Feb 19th 2011 - Hard at work (Day 5)

   Waking up at 5am in the morning is never pleasant, neither is waking up to a cold, damp and windy weather. Things don't get any better from there, TaoYuan was not the only place the weather affected.

   Hong Kong airport was wet, cloud base low, and visibility minimal. As soon as we taxied into the gate, swarm of workers gathered around the plane, conducting their business despite the weather.

   We all complain about what we must do to get through the day, maybe if we just take a step back, and see what others have to do, then maybe the world will be a happier place?!

Feb 18th 2011 - Patience (Day 4)

 Walking down ZhongZheng road (中正路) here in TaoYuan, I spotted this gorgeous stray crouched next to a drain. Waiting patiently for the next meal to appear.

    As I moved close to get a better view of the action, it gazed up at me, staring directly into my eye. As if to tell me "hey human, get off my spot, I've waited too long for you to snatch it from me".

Feb 17th 2011 - Will you be my Valentine? (Day 3)

    Valentine's day. What makes this one day more romantic than any other day? Is it because we do not put in enough effort in the other 364 days of the year, or because this day really holds a special meaning in our hearts?

    Since I was away working during this festive day, La Anzel Restaurant in TaoYuan became where we celebrated our belated Valentines day. The decor was classy, the drinks soothing, and the food, pure divine. Definitely a place for the special occasion.

    As for the day, maybe St Valentine simply wanted to remind us that once a year, all we need, is love.

Feb 16th 2011 - Day 2

    Super early flight from Kaohsiung (second largest city in Taiwan) to Taipei, this was taken with the sun barely out. 
Which gave me a chance to try out the large aperture on this camera, look at the DoF...!!

Feb 15th 2011 - The Beginning (Day 1)

     After several failed blogging ventures throughout the years, a few stalled attempts at a "Project 365", I was ready to give up on documenting life.
     It is suppose to be fun, but they all eventually up being a chore, and after a while, motivation level begins to diminish because it is no longer... FUN. DSLRs are great, but definitely not something to lug around the world everyday; smaller Digital cams just doesn't do what I want to record justice, as good as technology are today.
     It wasn't until recently this little gadget caught my attention. The Olympus XZ-1, it made taking photos FUN again, and hopefully, it will be the tool to carry me through my first full Project 365.