These days in New Zealand

Kimchi

2009-05-24T23:58:00.001+12:00

Kimchi, originally uploaded by jaeming.

the aspirations of men

2009-05-18T02:00:00.001+12:00

the aspirations of men, originally uploaded by jaeming.

I walk by this monument several times a week. I kind of like it. I read the inscription once and I think it said said something like it was dedicated to the aspirations of man (if memory serves correctly ;). Fittingly, the skytower is coupled in the background ;)

Fujifilm Klasse S w/ Superia 1600 film

guitar

2009-05-15T05:24:00.001+12:00

guit, originally uploaded by jaeming.

nbranded guitar ~
camera: Holga 120n with unmasked 135 adapter
film: kodak 400uc (because I like to shoot in darker places ;)

2009-05-07T05:23:00.001+12:00

I found a Mexican Salad in NZ.

Unfortunately the Guacamole is $2 extra

saturday rain II

2009-05-06T23:31:00.001+12:00

this is our turf, originally uploaded by jaeming.

It has been raining often lately, as it does in Auckland during winter. I always forget to take along an umbrella or jacket, though I haven't been caught during a real down-pouring.
I do get a little tired of everything being wet. At least it doesn't keep the birds away.

Saturday rain

2009-05-04T04:29:00.001+12:00

Saturday rain, originally uploaded by jaeming.

rained all night and all day. "A wonderful day to work" someone said.

walking in Tianjin

2009-04-09T03:44:00.003+12:00

walking in Tianjin, originally uploaded by jaeming.

Tianjin evening

2009-04-09T03:44:00.001+12:00

Tianjin evening, originally uploaded by jaeming.

2009-04-03T05:38:00.000+13:00

The last three days of work have been especially full with each subsequent day wearing me down more. I finally have a day off tomorrow. Feels like it’s been weeks!

my Auckland outlook

2009-04-02T01:35:00.001+13:00

my Auckland outlook, originally uploaded by jaeming.

@work

2009-03-31T17:53:00.001+13:00

work, originally uploaded by jaeming.

feeling introspective...

2009-03-26T03:40:00.000+13:00

What is this sudden sadness that sometimes takes hold without apparent cause. A vice in my spokes, that speaks, but unlike this bicycle, it only speaks when I am not in motion, when I find myself without immediate direction, then the darkest memories sink down from my thoughts into my heart and cause me to pause yet further, which yet increases the shadow; stilled, motionless, watching my shadow lengthen as the sun goes down behind my back. You try to give it words, try to reach out but others will only say, "stop being so introspective" and then you begin to see yourself from another perspective, and again notice your movement before you yet willed it and it has passed and you can only then agree, 'yes, no need for introspection. what was that somber mood?'. Yet, though you've been released, those thoughts and moods tighten back into the coil of your subconscious, waiting to spring again when you next give pause. Then you move for fear, keep moving in order to survive. Don't dare stop. This is the fear and warning of others as well, who would rather not listen or try to understand, as though they know that darkness will spread from you to them in an instance should they feed, the same darkness which gives them cause to sound, "stop being so introspective". And so we all once again join the human race, the struggle and strive of survival: transition as a constant, and the the hope of someday, content.

bicycle autumn

2009-03-24T04:20:00.001+13:00

bicycle autumn, originally uploaded by jaeming.

Summer is gone; more cloudy days and colder nights here in NZ. Thinking about breaking out my heater :)

Sora Shima - "Hovercraft"

2009-03-20T02:50:00.003+13:00

Amit and I collaborated along with Claire Van Beek (actor) and made this Music video for Sora Shima. It's a short one, but all composed of photos from a digital stills camera. Check it out! :) And if you want to listen to some more Sora Shima (and you should), check out: www.myspace.com/sorashima

economic woes...so...

2009-03-15T03:01:00.002+13:00

This is one of the work areas at my job. And if you bothered counting, yes, there are six displays there, though no clip is currently loaded.
Anyway, everyone’s job is on the line next week. The CEO sent an email out saying it couldn’t be helped. There’s a nervous tension in the atmosphere and queit whispers among employees. Emotions run high as livelihoods are lost.

I’m not focused on the economy or the potential of losing work. I like my job. But if things change, I’ll adapt. There are always more jobs and ways of surviving.

As the Taoist would have it, there are times when you cannot say what is misfortune or fortune. No way to know what turn of events will ultimately bring. I’m just trying to smile and absolve myself of economic speculation and dire finances. And if worse turns to worse, NZ does have a dole :)

2 year

2009-03-11T02:37:00.005+13:00

Tonight, Shuzhen and I celebrated the two year anniversary of our first date. Had to work late but bought a mini cake on the way home from work (I was lucky to find it at such a late hour :) Happy two years Shuzhen! I'm lucky to have you.

city baggage

2009-03-03T17:30:00.004+13:00

On the streets of Auckland, backpacks are not in these days, if indeed they ever were. I sometimes get smug remarks about the practical backpack I use to carry my accessories, which I bought at the warehouse during a back to school special.

Though it's not fashionable, I take solace that it's not nearly as ridiculous as some of the bag choices others find acceptable.

There are trade-offs however. I can see, for instance, my backpack might not provide the optimal balance and versatility to say, squat in a phone booth quite as comfortably as this fellow.

And I have to say I outright admired this young man's apparent ease in which he could comfortably carry what others might rightly asses as a somewhat effeminate leather handbag. He does however balance it out with a professional-looking business binder, and I have to say, nice touch with the vest.

I may have to rethink my tired backpack approach in the near future.

I haven't written much lately

2009-02-26T02:17:00.006+13:00

I've been posting on this blog since 2003 and the last 6 years have passed in a blink. However, for quite a while, I've found myself without the motivation to publish new entries here. I'll try to keep up with it better in the future hopefully.
As a side note, you might check here, where I am keeping a sort of log of photos, with sometimes brief commentary on my life in New Zealand.

http://www.seabubble.com

For some reason I've felt more free to post there lately. So go ahead and and check it out if you'd like to see what I'm looking at these days.

Still New Zealand

2009-02-05T02:41:00.004+13:00

wandering somewhere between Deja Vu and ennui. I look out the window and see Auckland...

returned

2009-01-07T13:00:00.004+13:00

Coming into New Zealand - feels good to be home.

On the way

2008-12-15T18:04:00.004+13:00

Travel lag kicking in now.

Just passed through customs out. Will board soon. Merry Christmas. See you all soonish.

-- Post From My iPhone

1.4

2008-12-08T03:00:00.001+13:00

The last few days, quite busily spent. Helped Shuzhen start her move, getting the bulk of it out of the way. There is work and related social functions as well. Looking toward 3 weeks off soon :) and here's a random photo of a contruction cone.

-- Post From My iPhone

4-track

2008-11-30T02:31:00.001+13:00

i got this app on my iphone called Four Track. Pretty fun. sample: sav1.mp3

2008-11-24T03:12:00.003+13:00

When I was in Southern China, I noted how every possible engine that could be attached to wheels was utilized. Likewise, if you will note the apartment in the background - every possible entrance into that apartment has steel bars on the outside. There is a reason the crime-rate is low in China. People don't look at it negatively like we do in the west, and they don't feel ashamed to bar their windows or think of overtones of offending thier neighbors; it's just common sense, if you live in a high population, you take step to discourage crime. Why invite tempatation, eh?

Fish sauce baby

2008-11-22T18:20:00.003+13:00

Must try baby fish sauce sometime...