I love San Francisco

I love the city of San Francisco for many different reasons.

San Francisco is a city that you can “walk.” It means you can experience the city by simply walking around. San Francisco is not as big as Los Angeles. Freeways are only around the city and local roads connected the entire city. In the middle of most local roads, it’s the track for Muni. People living in San Francisco rely so much on public transportation as packing is expensive and spaces are limited. During this trip, I just relied on Muni to travel around the city as I did not have a car. Sometime, I walked alone. It seems so free as you can go wherever you want without waiting for your companions. However, it is always better if you can travel with one or two friends who you are very familiar with, you feel comfortable with, you feel happy with and share similar interest with you - like taking pictures.

On 12/10, I flied to SFO by Virgin America. The ticket was just 60 bucks. The experience was just awesome. Here was a conversation between the flight attendant and once I was on the plane:

FA : How’s going? First time to travel on this plane?
I : Yes, the plane looks good and comfortable.
FA : Well, so you are a virgin…welcome on board…
I : Well, thanks…lol..

I was a virgin on a virgin flight ! Actually the VX 929 was not a typically A320 but a A320 with AVOD system. You could set your music playlist, play games, watch movies, order food, view the navigation with this system in a US domestic flight. It’s unbelievable. But as the duration of the flight was just 55 minutes, I spent most of the time on enjoying the view outside and taking pictures. Virgin America used the international terminal in SFO. So three months later, again, I was back to there.

I accommodated at my friend’s apartment which was located in sunset district. So without driving, how could I go to downtown to meet another friend? That was the biggest concern before. But the convenient public transportation system in San Francisco solved the problem. Traveling from sunset to downtown, I could chose either No. 71 and N Muni. Both choices took about 40 minutes to downtown and they were still available after midnight. It’s so convenient for me to return home from downtown after midnight. Sunset is really a nice place for living. I can’t say that the architectural style of buildings in sunset is beautiful, but they are very special. Sorry I didn’t take any pictures of the street view in sunset district. Another benefit is that there are many choices of food in sunset. For sure, there are Hong Kong style food as sunset district is another Chinese neighborhood aside from Chinatown. If I could stay in US after I graduated, I would rent a apartment in sunset district. I just love that area.

One of the most enjoyable things is walking around the downtown holding my cameras. During those 4 days, I spent most of the time on walking around the city and window-shopping. Finally I could experience the cable car [ding ding car] ! I long for taking it to Fisherman’s Wharf for a long time. The cable car is really the symbol of San Francisco. First we took cable car to Chinatown for lunch. Then we went to Fisherman’s Wharf by cable car. On the way, it went up and down hill. If you are sitting inside the car, then you won’t feel scary. But you know, we were just holding the handrail and at the same time taking pictures. It’s so exciting especially when the car was going down hill. If you want to experience San Francisco, definitely you must try taking the cable car. The Fisherman’s Wharf did not surprise me as I had been there for several times. It was freezing there so we got a hot chocolate without cream. There was a merry go round, and we really wanted to play. What? 5 bucks each ? So we decided to spend money on tasting the french-style crepe. We chose the chocolate and banana flavor and it was just so yummy =) On the way back to downtown, we chose to sit inside the cable car as it was even freezing in the evening.

Although I just stayed there for 4 days, I was really happy and took a lot pictures. Thank you my friend kidman for providing accommodation for me and being my guide showing me good places for dining. There are many discrepancies between the city of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Los Angeles is not bad if there is no traffic ! Well, but Los Angeles will no longer be Los Angeles if there is no traffic!

Therefore, still, I love San Francisco so much.

LAX

As I can’t tolerate staying at home and doing nothing anymore, today, I decide to hang out on my own.

Driving along the S. Sepulveda Blvd for half an hour, I finally reached the In & Out Burger. I was not going to have a double-double there. I was going there for taking pictures. The In & Out near the LAX is really a good place for shooting landing aircraft. I longed for taking pictures of commercial aircrafts for years. Before when I was in Macau and Bay Area, I could not capture the landing aircrafts due to the location of the airport and the descending route of the aircraft. Now I am in LA, my desire can come true. Then how did I discover this spot? Actually I just searched “LAX”in flickr and found a guy who took pictures outside the In & Out Burger before. So that’s why I was there today.

I brought along with my friend’s Canon EOS 30D, EF 24-105 L IS and Tokina 12-24 F4. First of all, I chose to go to the top of the parking lot, but I found that it was not a good place to capture the descending aircrafts. So I finally chose to stand along the Lincoln Blvd. It’s just so fantastic when you tilt you head and see a “Big Speedbird” (actually speedbird is the callsign of British Airways during air traffic control procedure, and “”Dynasty”is used by China Airline), i.e. Boeing 747-400 descending to the runway. The noise of the engines vibrated my heart, the proximity of the giant aircraft made me gaped. I felt relaxed.

As I didn’t bring any tele lenses, most of the pictures were wide or medium shot. For more pictures, feel free to visit my flickr and leave some comments. But actually today the weather wasn’t really good, and it’s my first time to shoot pictures of landing aircraft. Next time, I will bring more great pictures for you guys. Enjoy the pictures !

P.S. LAX = Los Angeles International Airport.

20

It's a belated entry.

Well, I am finally 20, haha, ya that means a lot. So traditionally I should say something about that.

As the amount of candle on the birthday cake decreases, it symbolizes that you are getting older and older. Perhaps there may be less friends who are going to celebrate with you. Perhaps there may be less gifts that you receive. Perhaps the birthday celebration means less and less in your mind.

Perhaps......
Perhaps......
Perhaps......

Perhaps, here I thank everyone's greeting and wish from facebook, msn, calls and sms. I feel so happy as many of my friends could remember my birthday and celebrating with me. I had a wonderful moment hanging out with you guys, having dinner and taking funny pictures ! Thanks a lot, I wholeheartedly appreciate that. Pictures were uploaded to my flickr and facebook so just feel free to check them out !

Celebration includes going to have Korean BBQ, going to Cheesecake factory at the Grove and having a mini drinking party at Aaron's apartment...lol..it was really enjoyable as it's really a long time that I did not drink.

Well, after a series of birthday celebration,
it's time to focus back to the study. [sigh]
it's time to prepare for the FINAL as I do need to do them very well [sigh]

I used to be a hardworking student, from week 1 to week 6 only.
after midterms and essays, and the subsequent frustration, I lost the confidence and motivation.

Thanksgiving is coming, but it's highly likely that I am going to spend most of the holiday for final exam..as all finals will took place on week 10...><

Well, a good news is that I will begin my Christmas break in Dec 4, and I am going to watch the rival football between UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans at Rose Bowl on Dec 6...It's must be fun and excited tho I know that USC is highly likely to defeat my school...-.-

Once again, thank you guys, I had a wonderful moment indeed.

P.S. I will work very hard on Comm ST M116...because I think I do need to as I can apply those knowledge in my daily life....lol...seriously

Buenas tardes ! Santa Monica

I could say that Los Angeles is a city that's full of entertainment. This weekend, I could hang out around, finally, after midterms and essays due. The 3rd street in downtown Santa Monica is really nice and comfortable for walking around, shopping and high tea. My feeling is like being released from prison, and re-gaining the freedom. Once upon a time I have ever said that I won't spend money on buying apparels, but I did buy something from urban and h&m, sigh, please forgive me, my dear dad and mum ! I promise you that I will work harder and harder!

Walking along the beach is really comfortable and romantic especially during the sunset period. When I saw such a stunning sunset, I felt relaxed, relieved, and fresh. Facing the Pacific Ocean, I spontaneously thought of my parents, my friends, and my love 6348 miles away. I missed all of you guys a lot.

Recently I did think about my future. Considering taking a minor in film studies, I think it would be better for me to seek internships here in LA or full time offer later. I need to be even more distinctive, well-equipped and creative among other strong local students under the current economic recession.

I always contradict myself in many different ways. But I can't explain this phenomenon. I don't know what I really want to do. Lord, please give me confidence and wisdom to tackle all the existing and upcoming problems and worries. Load, please show me my path on your own will, now I really can't see it. I have faith in you, I know you are the only one who knows what's the best and suitable for me. Now I'm just awaiting your voice and your indications. I know I'll be patient as usual.

The best is yet to come.

Thank you lord,

Amen !

Yes, he can

It was a historical night, truly.

Dating back to the 1960s, African Americans had been experiencing racial inequality and elimination of fundamental human rights from the white supremacy for a long period. Countless effort had been contributed in order to achieve their ultimate goal : gaining acceptance, equality and racial harmony. During the 1960s, many civil rights groups were established and led by civil right activists, notably the famous Martin Luther King, Jr. and his inspirational " I have a dream" speech in Washington D.C..Before, African Americans did not even have the right to vote; but this year, on Nov 4th, the Illinois Senator, Barrack Obama, was elected the 44th President of the United States, defeating his opponent, Senator John McCain, with a significant margin.

At UCLA, I could see many students promoting for their candidates and their stances on some propositions. "Hey, did you vote?" was the most common questions being asked on the election day. "Obama" and "McCain" became familiar to everyone in the world due to the influence of mass media, through perhaps some people even know nothing about. It was my first time to experience the atmosphere of presidential election. (you will never experience that in Macau/China) and I was glad that I could witness such a historical moment in the American history. If I were an U.S. citizen, definitely I would go to vote, although I know the fact that the key factor for winning the presidency is electoral votes, not population votes since U.S. is using the system of indirect democracy.

Obama is truly a great communicator indeed. Yesterday, we were watching McCain's concession during dinner, and after that, we watched Obama's acceptance speech and celebration in downtown Chicago. It's inspirational, full of confidence, and wholehearted. Everything is possible here in the United States, Obama had proved it. Now, he is the icon of Americans, with his confident eyesight and smile which is full of hope. From today on, the slogan for African Americans will change from "we shall overcome" to "Yes, we can !" I am so happy for those African Americans. Hey, yoyo man! check it ! Mr. Obama, I am looking forward to what you can really bring to the Americans, how you can restore the poor economy and how you can make your words from presidential campaign come true!

Perhaps the reason for the increasing new register voters is not only for the presidential election after the incredibly poor Bush Administration for 8 years, but for the Proposition 8 in California. Regarding Prop 8, in my own opinion, is "amend the California Constitution to make only a marriage between a man and a woman recognized by the state" but not "eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry." California is well-known for precedents and is recognized as the most liberal state in the U.S.. If gay marriage can not be recognized in California, then it's highly likely that it also can't be recognized in any other states in U.S.. Well, as a Christian, for sure my definition of marriage is between a man and a woman, and according to the Bible, homosexuality is not something that God pleases. However, for those non-Christians, definitely you can have the rights to love whoever you want, guys or gals, that's totally on your own will. I don't care whether you are gay or straight as long as you don't bother me. But for marriage, it should be within one man and one woman only, for the sake of the future, the next generation, the moral value in society, and many other aspects. Imagine a scene that a guy couple holding their daughter's hands walking in the street, who is adopted from a charity organization, how would you feel ? Who is the father ? mother ? or both fathers? It's totally wrong ! I don't wanna see this scene happened anywhere in the world, I want happy family, with father and mother. It's not the right nor the freedom, it's the fundamental moral value in human evolutionary aspect. You can't claim that you have the right or freedom to do whatever you want which is totally for your only good but ignore the severe harm to the entire society and the next generation ! Please don't abuse the your "right" and "freedom".

Congratulation to the Americans

Congratulation to the African Americans

Congratulation to those "conservative" (claimed by those liberals) Californians who successfully secure the fundamental moral value.

God bless America !

It was a historical night, truly.

Dating back to the 1960s, African Americans had been experiencing racial inequality and elimination of fundamental human rights from the white supremacy for a long period. Countless effort had been contributed in order to achieve their ultimate goal : gaining acceptance, equality and racial harmony. During the 1960s, many civil rights groups were established and led by civil right activists, notably the famous Martin Luther King, Jr. and his inspirational " I have a dream" speech in Washington D.C..Before, African Americans did not even have the right to vote; but this year, on Nov 4th, the Illinois Senator, Barrack Obama, was elected the 44th President of the United States, defeating his opponent, Senator John McCain, with a significant margin.

At UCLA, I could see many students promoting for their candidates and their stances on some propositions. "Hey, did you vote?" was the most common questions being asked on the election day. "Obama" and "McCain" became familiar to everyone in the world due to the influence of mass media, through perhaps some people even know nothing about. It was my first time to experience the atmosphere of presidential election. (you will never experience that in Macau/China) and I was glad that I could witness such a historical moment in the American history. If I were an U.S. citizen, definitely I would go to vote, although I know the fact that the key factor for winning the presidency is electoral votes, not population votes since U.S. is using the system of indirect democracy.

Obama is truly a great communicator indeed. Yesterday, we were watching McCain's concession during dinner, and after that, we watched Obama's acceptance speech and celebration in downtown Chicago. It's inspirational, full of confidence, and wholehearted. Everything is possible here in the United States, Obama had proved it. Now, he is the icon of Americans, with his confident eyesight and smile which is full of hope. From today on, the slogan for African Americans will change from "we shall overcome" to "Yes, we can !" I am so happy for those African Americans. Hey, yoyo man! check it ! Mr. Obama, I am looking forward to what you can really bring to the Americans, how you can restore the poor economy and how you can make your words from presidential campaign come true!

Perhaps the reason for the increasing new register voters is not only for the presidential election after the incredibly poor Bush Administration for 8 years, but for the Proposition 8 in California. Regarding Prop 8, in my own opinion, is "amend the California Constitution to make only a marriage between a man and a woman recognized by the state" but not "eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry." California is well-known for precedents and is recognized as the most liberal state in the U.S.. If gay marriage can not be recognized in California, then it's highly likely that it also can't be recognized in any other states in U.S.. Well, as a Christian, for sure my definition of marriage is between a man and a woman, and according to the Bible, homosexuality is not something that God pleases. However, for those non-Christians, definitely you can have the rights to love whoever you want, guys or gals, that's totally on your own will. I don't care whether you are gay or straight as long as you don't bother me. But for marriage, it should be within one man and one woman only, for the sake of the future, the next generation, the moral value in society, and many other aspects. Imagine a scene that a guy couple holding their daughter's hands walking in the street, who is adopted from a charity organization, how would you feel ? Who is the father ? mother ? or both fathers? It's totally wrong ! I don't wanna see this scene happened anywhere in the world, I want happy family, with father and mother. It's not the right nor the freedom, it's the fundamental moral value in human evolutionary aspect. You can't claim that you have the right or freedom to do whatever you want which is totally for your only good but ignore the severe harm to the entire society and the next generation ! Please don't abuse the your "right" and "freedom".

Congratulation to the Americans

Congratulation to the African Americans

Congratulation to those "conservative" (claimed by those liberals) Californians who successfully secure the fundamental moral value.

God bless America !

Destined Evolution

The hottest topic for photographers recently must be: " When will Canon release its full frame 5D Mk II, 3D, 7D or whatever."

In response to its rival Nikon's recent release for the full-frame D700 and D90 featuring HD movie recording, Canon has made the above advertisement in its official web site a week before the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, indicating that there will be a new, innovative and "destined evolutionary" EOS camera body announced to the market.

It is a creative way to promote its future products and to foresee how the users and the market comment about. Since the ad was shown in its web site, photographers from all over the world actively discussed about the features in this "destined evolutionary" DSLR. People are guessing what will the name of the new model will be and what evolutionary features that Canon is going to bring to the users. Many photographers are looking forward to it, including me.

Let me talk about my ideal specifications. For me, it doesn't have to be 21 MP, 12 MP is good enough already. I don't want to upgrade my hard-disk and memory card before I upgrade my camera. What I concern most is the the picture quality, accurate AF system, metering system and the display. So, may be the current Canon 5D is good enough, as it is just 22,xxx HKD with EF 24-105 L IS. Now it is a good deal.

Well, Sony has released its full frame A900 recently, featuring anti-shake body, gorgeous 3.0 inch LCD screen and the compatibility of Minolta Lens and ZEISS lens. Sony claimed that its A900 is produced for family users, while the Canon one and the Nikon one are for professional users.

However, equipment only assists great photographers to shoot great pictures all along. Returning to the basic, I'd better spend more time on learning how to shoot great pictures, rather than thinking how and what to upgrade.

There is still much room for improvement, I know that.

The 911

It was 7 years already.

On September 11,2001, two commercial planes were hijacked and crashed into the Twin-Tower of World Trade Center, where symbolized the image of New York City and also the authority of the United States in the world. Thousands people died, including many elites in different aspects from the world, brave firemen, and the innocents.

I remember at that time I was a Form 1 student. I didn't know what World Trade Center was and I was not familiar with the New York City. Around 8 pm, there was a special news broadcast by the "3 colors channel", reporting that the World Trade Center was attacked by the terrorists. I was totally shock at that time. It's just too sudden.

7 years later, I was studying in the US, and last Spring Break, I went to New York City. When I was in the World Trade Center site, I could imagine the circumstances at that time : many unknown objects falling down from the towers, people in the streets were running for lives, and suddenly the towers collapsed, people were crying and were busy with finding their dearest...etc etc. Then we went to the museum of the 911 (Just next to the site), where it showed many emotional videos, dramatic photos, touching audio with transcript, and things remained in the site after the towers were collapsed.

When World Trade Center was there, New Yorkers would never get lost. You will never experience the feeling of the tragedy unless you are standing in front of the site, seeing a "big hole" in the lower Manhattan financial district (as it was used to be one of the most gorgeous place in NYC or even the world), and listening to an American who is so enthusiastic to explain the truth that he thinks everyone must know about the 911 tragedy. Then, you will have different feeling compared to watching the news from TV and newspaper.

The 911 is undoubtedly a significant event in the US history. It triggers the US invasion to Afghanistan in 2003, with its aim of anti-terrorism. Now, the White House, aka the "World Police", still refuse to evacuate its troops form Iraq and some places in Middle-East. I am looking forward to see how the new elected President would deal with the current circumstances, and obviously, the Iraq issue is a crucial part for the two presidential candidates to debate in coming months.

God blessed the victims.

Pray for a peaceful world.