Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Precinct 3, Putrajaya.

When Wuan and I visited the Putrajaya Floria 2010 for the second time last Saturday we went up the Millennium Monument. It provided a panoramic view of the Putrajaya Waterfront and surrounding areas. The most eyecatching structure nearest to the monument was an imposing building crowned by a metallic dome. It is the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, also known as the Iron Mosque.

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Shadow of carved jade dragon ship.

Sun rays coming through the window and door early in the morning can cast some unusual shadows. One morning, I woke up in time to catch this shadow of the carved jade dragon ship that was standing on top of the television set. I should wake up early more often to see what other interesting shadows the sun casts at different times of the year.

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Weaved rattan canes.

These are weaved rattan canes of an Ikea chair. The shallow depth of field caused bokeh in the foreground and background with a very narrow range in between that is in focus. When I look at this image, I am reminded of the many instances in my life when I was unsure of what I should be doing. The past is a blur, the present unfulfilling and the future uncertain. Having gone through these phases, I also understand that nothing stays the same forever. As sure as the sun sets at dusk, it shall rise again at dawn.

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The change from paying for the drinks at Jalan Sayur.

Coins are one of those things that we cannot live with yet cannot live without. They weigh down our pockets. They fall out when we do not want them to. They are those little things that get wedged in sofas and car seats. They are also those little things that remind me of a time when I could have gotten a delicious bowl of Hokkien mee from the cigar-chomping hawker at the Caunter Hall – Jalan Terengganu roundabout in Penang with a mere 30 sen.

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Lemon grass stalks at Pasar Tani Mega Kg. Simee.

The distinct fragrance of lemon grass adds that extra zing to food cooked with it. I love the slightly chewy bits of lemon grass in my Lemongrass Fish Curry and the saliva-inducing aroma in the Sambal Petai Prawns and Sambal Prawns. A glass of cold lemon grass drink would be a perfect ending to a meal with any of those delicious dishes. This refreshing drink can be easily made by mashing ten stalks of mashed lemon grass and allowing it to simmer in two liters of water for one hour. Add rock sugar (to taste) last and turn off the heat when dissolved. It can be taken hot or chilled. How I wish I am sipping on a glass of cold cold lemon grass drink now, especially in this excruciatingly hot weather.

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Long-tailed macaque at Penang Botanic Gardens.

The Penang Botanic Gardens is also known as Monkey Gardens, among others, because of its population of long-tailed macaques. They have been there for as long as I can remember. These monkeys would roam in troops waiting for food from visitors. The more aggresive ones would follow visitors with food in their hands and intimidate them into giving up the food. The monkeys are an attraction as much as they are a nuisance. Without them, the garden will certainly lose part of its identity and heritage.

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Taiping Lake Gardens.

One the second day of the Chinese New Year, Wuan and I went up to Penang after spending two nights in Ipoh. As we approached the exit to Taiping, I suddenly decided that I wanted to just drive around the Taiping Lake Gardens. I have never been there before and it has been decades for Wuan. The detour was worth the time and effort. Despite the sea of cars and visitors, the idyllic scenes exuded a sense of serenity that I have not felt for a long time. We are definitely going to visit the Lake Gardens again, this time to explore the many nooks and crannies, the next time we head up north.

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Red lanterns to herald in the Year of the Tiger 2010 at Ikea.

When the shopping malls are all decked out in red, you can be sure that Chinese New Year is just around the corner. I especially like the simplicity of Ikea’s decor. The red paper lanterns that hung down from the ceiling were as auspicious for the occasion as they could be. They have already put me in a festive mood. I cannot wait for the celebration to begin. My gut feeling is telling me that this year will be different. Five more days to find out if that is true.

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Weeping tea tree flower – The Secret Garden of 1 Utama.

A soft breeze was blowing down from the hills. The pendulous branches of the weeping tea tree swayed back and forth. I pointed the camera at one of the flowers and waited for the swaying to subside. I was not even sure if the autofocus could pick up this tiny little bloom that measured a mere 5 mm in diamater only. In between the lull, I quickly took a few shots. This is one of the sharper ones.

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Lily magnolia flower – The Secret Garden of 1 Utama.

When we went back to The Secret Garden the following weekend, the lily magnolia bud had bloomed. Unfortunately, a few petals had already fallen off. Looking at the fresh condition of one of the petals on the ground, I estimated that we were late by one day only or less. Still, I am fascinated by this species of magnolia. Its large firm petals, white on the inside and purplish pink on the outside, makes a bold statement without being showy. This is one of the plants I would love to have in my garden.

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