My 2009, in pictures

It came slowly, then suddenly 2009 gained so much momentum that I sometimes find it hard to follow. Had a great year actually. Although there was the bit of gloom, grief, and anguish. Here’s the monthly highlights for the past year, the rest as they say, is history.

Winning the Festival Filem dan Video Pelajar Malaysia 2009 was sweet. My uni had a good sweep of the main prizes, one of which is the Best Film won by Gareth Chin’s Rewind. I was DOP of the production (which I still think shoulda get nominated for Best Cinematography HAHA).

Then there was the travel to China in February. Of all places, I still miss Shanghai. Maybe I still haven’t had enough of this city. It’s a place of imperfections and beauty, fast and slow, gentle yet full of energy. Words cant describe.

Back in Malaysia was a bit depressing. Knowing that the China trip could be much better (photographically), and knowing that you don’t have a job and you need money for everything.

So off you go again, to travel! A short trip to Singapore on April was a bit of a refresher. Probably because we had the best lycheetinis, steaks, and burgers in our lives! I love cities, as much as I love the non-cities. It lives and breathes in cold glass and concrete.

May is full of contradictions. Questions of choice and direction came and go, and came, and go. Had to find work, but had to think of what I’m going to be.

And so I did - a photography assistant spot at probably the busiest commercial photography studio in the whole damn country.

Busy to the point that I find it hard to spend time for anything else (photography included). But then,

it wasn’t that bad of a vocation. My work takes me to places and situations that I never been before. It’s tough and demanding. I repeat that sentence again – tough and demanding.

Wish life was simpler?

No way. But again, if you look beyond the complexities and juxtapositions, simplicity is all right over there. Hopefully that’s what I’m trying to.

It’s not like I dumped everything else aside and immersed myself in working hell. There’s still those time-outs with friends and (the very occasional) family. A couple of trips with colleagues and new-found friends in November was fun (at the cost of simmering heat and drenching rain).

And so, 2009 came and go. At the end, a lot of stuff went off with the year. But thanks for all the memories – bitter, sweet, and everything in between.

Here’s a toast to the new decade!

CHEERS!