There are things...

    There are things that are meant to be voice out. Everyone is imperfect right? We all; no age limits, no thoughts like 'I'm older, I'm wiser enough', literally EVERYONE are still learning how to become a better human being in this world and someway or another; we make mistakes ALL THE TIME even myself to be truthfully honest and i bet we all regret what we say or do sometimes too. 

    There are things that we should learn to forgive others even if it makes one feel really disappointed. We get upset and down even if it's just a fight but what I did learn about life is that we have to learn how to be calm and forgive even if it's our fault; we have to learn how to forgive ourselves and also to others most importantly. 

    There are things that we have to learn how to put ourselves in other people's shoes. Basically it means we have to try to understand other's situation. Look on the bright side instead of looking the darker side. You'll feel better and you'll definitely have more 'comrades' with you when you're a person who understands their situation the most as you try your best to find the good in them instead of trying so hard to find the bad in them. 

    Also, there are things that we should not judge people on easily. Whether it's because of the statement they mentioned or because of the stories they've posted on snapchats and Instagram stories; that doesn't define them. Not all people who have thousands of friends are those who doesn't feels lonely; not all people who doesn't smile are rude. Most of all, not all people who smiles all the time have no worries too. ;)  

    That's what I've learned throughout my first year in university and the people I hang around with and not forgetting some lecturers. You meet different people and you may either get backstabbed or get rewarded by someone whom you'll never expect in your whole life. I believe we all are different and we have different opinions about our ownself and even others. That's what makes us special right? As a student and a youth myself, I am trying to change too and changing is not a bad thing; it just gives you nervousness but soon it'll be alright, trust me. ;) God made us with different facial features, personalities and talents and we as sinners should learn how to voice out the positivity, forgive and love others no matter how much you dislike them as well as understanding and accepting other's differences and beliefs and not forgetting - the flaws. ;) 

Sincerely, Shannon. 

On The Tables

  'Dear God, thank you for the food and drinks that you have provided us as we will eat and drink with a thankful heart. In Jesus name we pray; Amen' That's what I'll always do before I eat any food served on the table wherever we are - I pray. And yes it is indeed important to appreciate the food we have on our tables and not to waste food; so if you know you are easily full and happen to have a big plate of rice in front of you; call for a change of small one or just give half of your rice to someone who can eat a lot! ;) 

  Food has always been a part of our lives ever since we were born into this world. From the types of cultural food to the different methods prepared by each restaurant with a visual that is always so attractive and also simple yet delicious to be eaten and snapped a picture before we eat. Every time I stepped into a cafe or a lively restaurant or even just a small snack/dessert shop, I would always take a few pictures of the food I've ordered and edit the photographs when I get back home. That's my hobby; food photography. 

  As a youth and a university student, I know all of us LOVE going to cafes and dessert shops that are sophisticated and trendy to take a photo of and post it on any social media we have like Instagram and yeap, I'm one of them too! ;) Going to cafes had me getting all kinds of inspirations whenever I stepped into their cafe where you can see some cafes have wooden tables and chairs that are vintage but covered with transparent glasses and modern music to make it a modern vintage style of cafe. Some even have an all-white concept cafe which is so elegant that we ourselves can't succumb to our urge of taking photographs of their cafe structures or if it's not food; just snapping an 'OOTD' (Basically means 'Outfit of The Day') picture to post on Instagram is good enough. 

  For me, I take food photographs from the top most of the time where you can see everything on the table. So here are some that I've taken in the past. ENJOY! ;)

 

This picture was taken in VCR, Jalan Galloway. In my opinion, they have the best coffee and cakes and even main course there! :) They have this Black Velvet Cake which I personally loved it too! I love how they show their modern characteristics in the cafe but at the same time I also love how they show their love for a hint of vintage where you would see some straw weaved chairs and small tables, wooden tables and chairs too!

 

Another one from VCR, Jalan Galloway. :) this is Latte and Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. It's really really nice! ;) Also, whenever you stand outside their cafe, their walls are painted in black and I feel like it gives off a sophisticated yet elegant feel to it. :) 

 

This one was taken at Merchant's Lane, Jalan Petaling. They serve fusion food where there's Western and Chinese and I think there's many more. The combination of fusion food are what makes them special! :) Their cakes are a 'to-die-for' too! ❤️ I also actually love how they serve the dishes with different types of plates which makes them somehow unique and different; basically not standardised in a good way cause different is always good. :) 

 

Well, it's not always all about cafes so this picture was taken during Chinese New Year where we had a gathering with my mum's sides. 

  In conclusion, the food we have on the table brings happiness to us and also bonds our relationship between each other who surrounds the table. That's why we need to thank God for the food and gathering provided by God and also the person who cooks and the person who hosts ;) 

Sincerely, Shannon. 

Things that makes me happy

   From hoodies and long comfy sweaters to sneakers and sport shoes; those made me happy. But unfortunately, those are the things that made me happy for only a short while as I avert my eyes on something that's even more important; things that were meaningful in my life. :) 

    I remember the time where my family would go out on Saturdays with another family to have dinner together. In fact, it still happens now. We see each other grow taller, older and more mature and we see each other going from primary schools to Univerisities. Some may have gone to out of their comfort zone and study abroad and some may have stayed and continue their studies, but one thing that didn't change was the gathering we have between two families where we would tell stories about our weekday happenings. Even though one member in a pack is not around, remembrance is always the key in keeping us together as Saturday buddies and these every Saturday get together are what makes me happy & I love that. 

    I also remember the time where we would text each other in our group chat; 'When can we meet up', 'Where should we go?' are questions we always asked each other in Whatsapp and the times when we could find time to meet up; we were excited for it. Whether it's going to the movies or just leisurely walking around malls with no destinations in our mind, we were having fun as we share our stories from each of our univerisities and school stories. We might be on our different pathways, but our friendship was so tight that even though we told ourselves we were busy and had no time to hang out, we'd still be able to find the time to meet up and have fun. The four of us, sometimes five or six; we made a group of great friends during our high school days despite the fact that we had different characteristics, we were a group of friends that was trying to pull each other from the ground together and one thing that made me happy about it is we are still doing it till now. I thank God where I am able to meet you girls and I hope that we will be able to meet up soon! ;) 

    Time flies as God continues to write my life stories whether it's a companion or new friends to meet. They were all a great existence that came into my life. A companion that would be patient with my crazy self as he accepts me for me where we could have fun times together going through cafe websites and going to that destination we want to whether it's under hot suns or pouring rain. To top it off, friends that I could make jokes with are one of the things that makes me smile all the time. We might have some dramas between groups but we were able to pull it through somehow even though it might not be a perfect landing as we convinced each other to look on the bright side everytime we see the dark side coming on us. From doing things we love together to always thinking of where should we eat for lunch every single time after our lecture ends, these are the things I feel happy and I hope this things will last forever; at least longer than the objects that I have at the palm of my hand. 

    The moments and memories I have in my mind until now, from having my tears of joy being shed from touching moments to the sound of laughters coming from my friends where they would wear smiles on their faces without fail; these are the things that makes me happy as I continue to hope I can see those moments every single day of my life as I thank God for their existence on this earth. :)  

Just like how these tiny flowers grew beautifully, I hope the little moments and things in life will continue to increase more as we appreciate them from the bottom of our hearts like how the roots put their faith in these flowers too! 

Sincerely, Shannon. 

A New Year's Warmth

  Every start of the new year; a big round table full of our favorite home-cooked dishes, a big collection of red envelopes given by our elderly or those who are married, a big gathering of one's family and relatives together under one cozy roof and most of all, a big smile on each of everyone faces is what I see ever since the first day of New Year started - every single year, without fail.

  Before every new year, all families clean up their houses from living room to their storeroom to get a 'new year' feeling in their house. As they clean every corner of the house, the start of buying new year's cookies and snacks comes into picture too where you'll see red-cover containers filled with Chinese New Year cookies all being set up on the living room table waiting to be eaten by us sweet tooth. From the sweetest peanut cookies to the most delicious pineapple tarts you've ever tasted; they are what we call the sweetest temptations during Lunar New Year. ;)

  Every New Year, everyone including myself wants to start anew with our own lives and forget about the past. But we clearly all know that the past we have in our memories will not vanish the way we want to, it'll only remain in our memories as it can only fade year after year until we truly forgotten about it and have no remaining scenes playing in our memory lane. Fortunately, we still can start fresh like those freshmen who starts their first day of school (just a comparison). Everyone, young and old has the rights to press the restart button inside of them and live a new life full of what they hoped for; from being more faithful to God to gaining more motivation to start their studies and get good grades or even just start taking up a new hobby one have always wanted to.

  The moment when you really experience yourself the gathering of your family members and relatives from the east to the west or from the north to the south, you'll realize its one of the most lively and the warmest gatherings you'll ever attend in your life. Every year just once, you'll see yourself facing the camera lens to have your picture taken with a bunch of relatives you've known for life and maybe sometime not closed but became closer after a meal or tea and that's when you'll realize that you're blessed by God with so many awesome wonderful relatives who are always attentive to you, blessed with an awesome scrumptious meal and being able to sit in a table full of your cousins that you may share your uni life with instead of sharing it to your siblings and parents.

   I do hope that the warmth and happiness I've felt will be felt by all readers who are reading it until the end. Wherever you are, I do hope you'll feel as warm as I am during this Chinese New Year. May the Lord bless you with his wonderful praises and creations for you, your family and your friends. ;)

A reunion meal is always the best during Chinese New Year! ;)

Sincerely, Shannon.

A New Start

  It's 2017; the start of a new year where we all would wish to have a better life than the one we previously had in 2016. As we start off with the new year of 2017, we realized that we had made a promise to ourselves that we would achieve that particular goal that we came up with in the year of 2016 like, girls tend to promise themselves not to eat so much the following year whereas the boys would promise themselves not to play so much games in 2017; I guess it's what we call it - new year's resolutions. 

  As a girl myself, I always make the most common resolutions I can ever think of like dieting so that I'm able to fit in my new pair of jeans I bought a few days back. Well, there are random ones like continue not to get involve in relationships for the next I don't know how many years of life and trying to not get too much attention in university so that I can just graduate peacefully. Well, come to think of it; some were successful enough to be continued while some are not. I guess it all depends on one's mind of determination and motivation to achieve those goals. ;) 

  The most common new year's resolutions that I've heard from peers are not spending too much money, them wanting to go on a strict healthy lifestyle where exercising and healthy eating is what they only care about and even them wanting to get a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Okay, the third one; not so much. But those resolutions they have made was last year's. During the year of 2016, all I see is no changes (no offence though). Some have changed but most of them; it's a no or a little only. I guess it's hard to follow those footsteps you have made for your own to follow huh. Even I myself had troubles following them most of the time due to lack of motivation. But we all know it's our own fault that we turned out the way we didn't wanted to anyhow. 

  After all the failures and successes we have made throughout the past year, I think it's our own choice to follow what we want and feel right for now. We may face a few consequences ourselves but that's how we learn our lessons right? ;) So just be yourself and believe that you can reach any goal that you want if you put your mind to it. Happy New Year everybody!

Trying new things are one of my new year resolutions too! ;) 

Sincerely, Shannon 

Sincerely, Shannon

  As I scroll through my gallery on my iPhone; all I could tell myself was 'I've come a long way'. Every photograph that I shot, every button I tap to capture the moments I want to cherish; they were all part of my journey. :)

  I took pictures using only my iPhone and I was proud of my photos. I was kind of terrible at it from the start; but I was able to take more wonderful pictures as I practiced my photography skills step by step, be it baby steps or giant steps. Guess I have to say 'practice makes perfect' right? I remember the time I got my first phone, I was excited and all I could do was keep on taking pictures till my memory space was full. As I upgraded my phone to iPhone, I was even more enthusiastic. I took more by exploring the camera functions; from tapping multiple times to focus on different objects to controlling the exposure that I want, I was attached to camera apps that can capture pictures that I want and at the same time - edit it with filters. 

  One of the apps that I love is VSCOcam. Vsco has given the opportunity for me to capture even more beautiful pictures with filters I can use to change a little of my photographs and tools I could adjust my photographs. I guess Vsco played a very important role in my journey of photography where it gave me even more motivation that all pictures can be taken beautifully if I put my mind to it and if I practice hard. That's why I would even suggest to my friends about VSCOcam if they want to edit pictures they took. This shows how much I love this app. :) 

  With a camera app and VSCOcam on my iPhone, I took more pictures as I capture the moments that I want to remember for the rest of my life. My dad recently bought a Fujifilm X-10 as a family camera and I can't wait to use it soon too! I do hope that I am able to take even better pictures with a camera gadget and that I can achieve more goals that I hope for. 

  Vsco has given me lots of opportunities too. These are the photos I've been curated with Distinctions and Honor. I am delighted and really honoured to be able to get published by Vsco and I do hope I can continue to get those accomplishments with my future pictures and photographs that I'll be taking and posting on Vscogrid. :) 

This photo was taken in Vung Tau, Vietnam. In fact, this is the first photo that got curated by VSCO with Distinction. 

This is the second photograph that got curated by VSCO with Distinction. It's a photo of water waves in a swimming pool. 

This is one of the photo that got curated by VSCO too but with Honor. It is by far one of my biggest achievement that I've gotten since I joined Vscogrid. This photo was taken at a deserted road in Sungai Buloh (Malaysia). 

- Nothing is impossible - 

- Believe in Him and He will make your paths right. - 

Other photographs of mine can be seen on sincerelyshannon.vsco.co

Thank you ;)