2009

Hello 2009. It's been a short trip with 2008. She's already left. And i feel quite guttered honest. I couldn't do much in the past year. Felt there was MUCH more that could've been done. Isn't it always that way. Having the idea that, things always doesn't go YOUR way. But i insist on it. I still think i've wasted too much time on nonesense and nothing productive.

The last few laps of 2008 was led by a trip to paris, of which i promised MORE photos, and also london. I just got back from the city and arrived in Bicester Town. Crashing over a friend's place for New Year and the first day of 2009. Seemingly, i've learned alot since the last new year.

Many have struck my mind. Ideas and thoughts which might've intrigued me earlier. Lying in the midst of growing up, possibilities and opportunities were the chase. In such an ambigious race towards what i might call; LIFE, made me wonder as well if it was all worth it.

Another year in the foreign land has made me a different person. 2008 witnessed the many frustrations, happiness, anger, depression and lots more from the inner heart of me. Some of which i don't even want to express. In fear i would only bother myself.

A year ago, i thought it was the most perfect year ahead! Everything planned out, carefully straightened and sorted. But Allah has His ways with His subjects. Everything happens for a reason. I've learned that well in enough. Mama has taught me to accept what Allah has laid out for you and make the best out of it.

People tend to forget, we are mere humans. Humans with minds which think and re-act to certain situations with effective means. For everything that happens, even with the strength of our wisdom, fail to apprehend, happens for a reason.

Reasons of which you need to logically form within your scope of mind. 2009, i hope would bring the best of me and of everyone else. Last year's resolution, Alhamdulillah, most of them have been achieved. And some others? Being achieved. InsyaAllah with His blessings and prayers, it will all happen smoothly.

For this year, i propose to myself, a life without hassle and a disciplined one. A life where i would greatly appreciate things more! I wish for 2009 to be a lovely year. Eventhough now, Gaza and Israel are fending each other off. I still think there's a way for everything. In time, we'll see.

InsyaAllah, i will try to keep my promises fulfilled to Allah, parents, family and friends. With what strength that's in me.

To bring it all up, i wish all a Happy New Year. And may Allah bless you. May this new year be an auspacious one. Prosperous and bring great fortune to all.

I'd also like to ask for forgiveness if ever i have faulted. For i am still learning.

Wassalam.

Hilmi
2009

A snappy holiday

heyya. My oh my. I've taken so many photographs, that im so lazy to have a look at them and bother to upload. hahahaha.

I've uploaded a part of the Paris photos on my flickr though. It's still uploading whilst i do this. Hmm tomorrow, i'm leaving for Bicester. Kak fida and Lubi are doing a 'makan2' for us at their place. Seemingly, their house is just a stone throw away from Bicester Village. I think i posted something about it before. It's a village where branded goods are sold. BUT at a cheaper price. It's last season's stuff. But heck. I care? no i dont. i love some of the stuff they had. I'm sure i'll pick up somethng tomorrow.

Speaking of picking up, i picked up a nice cardigan from Tommy Hilfieger, the ONLY thing i spent on Boxing Day. hahahahah funny. Cost me about 60 quid it did. Painful. But really warm. I could wear it to class and at home :D

London's next on sunday. A whole four day trip with my brother. Planned up quite alot of things. Was thinking if we can even get IN the Madame Toussauds this time. I wonder.

Busy busy as a babbling bee...... i need to catch up on my sleep. I've been waking up early. Rising shine in the morning. I shouldn't. I just turned 20 a month ago. And i'm sleeping proper. That's not right. Blargh!

Oh and we bought a few games for the PC today. Assassin's Creed is the bomb! Though, they could saman the main character's voice. For being so 'reading the script' voice. Ergh... Oh and the highlight of today!!! As the picture above hints, we went and watch the Aston Villa vs. Arsenal game today. It was at the Villa Park. Seated at M1 Doug Ellis stand, we saw everything crisp and clear. Got about 300 shots of the game. hahahahha crazy!!!

Anyways, it's clocked at 2.45 now. Gonna head to bed. The air bed that is. It IS comfortable u know. When u have a nice comfy comforter of course ;)

good night!!

Salam.

Merry Christmas!

Eiffel Tour

Just a sneak peek at what i saw in Paris. Magnifique? Don't you think?

:)

Je mapelle...

Oooh la la.. I just got back from Paris! The land of Romance and love. Very lovely. Nice people. :)

But i'm really tired. Sorted out things in the house. Luggage. Clothes. Laundry...Haih..

Was viewing the photos i took in Paris. Not as NICe as the ones i took in ROME! Reason?

Sky was as dull like nobody's problem on the first day out... the next day, it came out nice. BUT my battery pack went out... so yeah... some day huh?

But some of them looks great. Am loving the camera...

updates soon!

Merry Xmas all..

Cooked up

Hey all!

I'm really sorry for not being able to update recently. These few days were packed with sleeping and lots more of that. Hahahah. Also my brother has JUST arrived yesterday. We've already had lots of fun. More to come in the next few weeks ;)

It's great having him here. At least, i HAVE something to do. And someone to be around :) Last year, i didn't get to celebrate New Year in the UK. So this year, perhaps in London insyaAllah. I've planned up ALOT of things. Phew.. thanks to papa and mama for their support, i've got a few trips lined up for us.

First off (cause some of them aren't confirmed yet!) we have a trip to the romantic city of Paris this Sunday. Flying from Birmingham to Charles De Gaulle. Will be staying there for about.....3 nights? Good enough for a short euro trip. The hotel itself HAS caused the big damage. Silly me didn't do a good job organizing stuff earlier. Haih.

We then have the Bicester Village trip. Basically, it'll be killing two birds with one stone. Morning till afternoon (depends on the sale!) and enjoying a good evening dinner with kak fida and lubi at their house. It'll be great! A fun time i reckon. Bicester is famous for their branded clothings which HAVE been slashed off prices. So i thought, it'd be a good time to go. Especially AFTER boxing day ;)

Oh and speaking of Boxing day, me and my brother will be watching the ARSENAL vs. ASTON VILLA match at the Villa Stadium here in Birmingham. On a bombshell, Fairuz helped HEAPS in getting the tickets. As they were QUITE sold out :P

London...is the trip i haven't really thought over. Perhaps 29th - 1st of January. Or perhaps 2nd? Cause Ayu and Fairuz would only arrive back home on the 3rd anyway. So no one's at home :)

Me and Fairuz then thought of an ingenious plan! The few days before ilham goes back, we thought a trip to Manchester and Liverpool would be great! Everton, Old Trafford, Manchester City and liverpool... woooooooo..hahahhaha

Hmm so far that's what i've PLANNED. I hope it'll be as i planned. InsyaAllah with Allah's permission.

Oh and yes, i've submitted my final essay for THS just this afternoon. Brought ilham around the campus. To show him what my classes and faculty is like. :) He somehow likes the computer hub. har har har. Who wouldn't. When it is covered with 10-12 Macs and Extra flatscreens. Hahahha.
My earphones went bad a few days ago. Lost the mesh for the tip. SO had to get a new one. Saw this beauty ( if Apple didn't keep finishing their stocks), i wouldve gotten the APPLE in ear headphones.. which costs the same with this. Had a try just now. And it works pretty darn good :)

Truly on a bombshell, that would be my plans for the weeks to come. :) Will be posting photos from Paris once i'm back insyaAllah :)

Till next time!

Hilmi R.

Breathe

It's been awhile...


and i'd like to take a breather. with the winter cold winds blowing. Outside my window God works it all out..

Eid Adha

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha kepada semua mulimin dan muslimat di seluruh dunia. Dan kepada mereka yang sedang mengerjakan ibadah Haji, moga Allah merahmati anda semua.

A happy Eid Adha to all muslims around the world. To the pilgrims, i wish you all the best and may Allah reward you with what's best for he is the All-Knowing and Kind.

Hilmi R.

Swan Lake

Hi everyone,

how was your saturday? Mine was VERY productive. I had my magazine stuff done (not much) the night before. And a few hours ago i had some touching up with it as well.

interesting thing today was, i went to the park AGAIN, this time with andy (again) and photographed nature's best. Swans, birds, people and the lake. It was beautiful. Pretty and astounding! I just feel peaceful when i get so close with my creator's creations.

Anyway, there's lots more to do with my assignments. So i wont be updating much so soon. Tomorrow, i'm planning to do the FCUK photo session. It'll be fun. i promise ;)

anyways, more info soon! i'm totally knackered.

Goodnight! Salam.

Hilmi R.

December

Hi all,
first of all, a happy birthday to ALONG!

sorry i haven't been updating. To those readers who wouldn't want to say anything, but keep dropping by. Thanks :)

Anyway, it's the 4th of December. DECEMBER?! WOW! Time does fly! Faster every minute. I suppose it does when you are all caught up with the many things ahead and past of you. I've been back in the UK for about 3 months now. Man, and i thought i wont get through. Alhamdulillah all is well. Though there was bumps here and there. Support from family and friends couldn't have been better ;) thanks guys.

Anyway, updates on my daily activities! Hmm let's see. On monday, Bal and Phil (lecturers) agreed on my idea and told me to proceed. Hah! I haven't said much about the FCUK brief here eh? So yea, i have quite abit to think about before posting it for viewing :)

The next day, Michael needed some help with photography in the studio for HIS FCUK idea. Good lad. I LOVE his idea. Hahaha it's REALLY out of the box! We shot a few exposures and results were splendid. I was quite happy. Michael a.k.a art director for the shoot was happy (i hope)... and the models? enjoyed and had fun we did! Yam joined us after a few shots. So we then had MORE fun with lighting and the studio. Hahaha we were asked ' You guys done yet?' by the technician cause we didn't want to leave :P

Wednesday passed by like a candle light. i slept quite late that morning and forgot to throw out the thrash! God. I'm so sorry. Apologies to Ayu and Fairuz for not remembering to throw out the thrash. Gomenasai!! I hope it didnt affect that much. Cause i tried to clear it out and put it outside at the dump site. So yeah, i'll remember next time. I feel like a d**k. Now, moving on! Wednesday was quite a breeze. And chill. CHILL. VERY chilly. It was -4'C the night i was doing my Magazine layouts. My goodness, my arse froze like nobody's problem. hahahaha. My toy arrived that morning as well. hehehe ordered a MUNNY from amazon. It's a really neat thing. It makes u think creatively and makes u want to be creative! Having fun at a blank canvas. I totally salute kidrobot for such an effort ;)

MUNNY!

Today was rather light. I didn't do much in the morning. At aroun 2am, i went to bed and dozed off till morning. Woke up and was so lazy to go for NewTechnologies. It was cold, rainy and i was all comfy in bed. But yes, i pushed myself and got ready. i was in class a little LATE. But i was there nonetheless. We were having a lecture on GAME DESIGN. Interactivity and how games were and still are designed for certain target audiences and etc.

Very interesting, but found it rather draggy in the middle. The usual :P

I then joined Amar and Sneha for lunch. We had vegetarian burgers at the Gosta Green Pub. Hahaha it tasted weird. But filling. Hehehe good enough for me. Discussed some things regarding our current on goings and headed back to Uni. I was in a tensed situation of not knowing WHERE to print my soon to finish magazine. It's so hard to find printers around here who would do 10-15 pieces of magazines. Anyway, more on that later on.

SO yeah, now i'm here writing away about what most wont even bother to read or think about. Hope i'll get my essay for THS and magazine layouts done by tonight. God speed.

InsyaAllah all will be smooth and done on time.

Till next post.

Salam :)

Hilmi

Sheikh Yusuf Estes: Beat Women in Islam? Their High Value

i just love this dude. :) May Allah bless your soul good sir :) he makes islam sense to logic and it works!

What im trying to say is, whatever's in the Quran, there's a reason behind EVERYTHING. And the reasons are clear in front of you. :)

JazakallhuKhair

I ask for help

2007

Hey everyone! How's it been? Good weekend?

above is a picture of me whilst i was at CANON INC. I miss the days i had to wake up so early in the wee morning. And sulk over it while in the car. hahaha. Drive up all the way to Subang and got in the office in time.

I've been having a lot of work to deal with. Mostly my magazine and fcuk brief. Very stressful as it requires alot of time and also brain 'PERAH-ing' to do. I've not been out for quite some time now. I feel like, i need a day off and just spend some quality time with my camera or something. hahahaha.

I've decided maybe on monday, i'd have a walk (if the weather favours me) in town and head to the German Market again. I was thinking of getting something for mama, ira and papa. Ilham will be coming by in less than two weeks. So i'd just ask him to bring it to my them later on.

Oh yes! I nearly missed this. Last night our house cat, MIAO helped us from having a flooded house. Hahahaha. Funny as it sounds, our kitchen pipe burst and flooded the area abit. It was quite wet and COLD. Putting water and cold side by side in THESE conditions arent the best cocktails you can get. Besides that, the cat actually woke my housemate AYU up. So we had to fix it up with lots and lots of duck tape. hahaha it was so funny! But yeah, we just sealed it up. And turned the tap to the house's main water line off. The morning came and the landlord tweaked some things and the pipe was alright. For now. Cause he only managed to block the bursting water from flooding the kitchen again.

Everything has been quite alright. It's getting chilly by the minute. It's -1 now! Though there's no snow, i'm seeing frost outside under the twilight sky. The azzan has just went on. It's fajar now. So i'd best be off to pray. I'd want to ask for guidance, support and rahmah from Allah swt. For i am so lost now in my fcuk brief. I'd ask him to provide with whatever i need to get through it with flying colours. InsyaAllah.

oh by the way, a very kind gentleman has contacted me through email. He's an avid photographer. He's been a photographer for at least 30 years. Owns a print company and lots more. I really cant recall much for his email was really oustandingly long! Thank you Terry for such a warm email. I appreciate all the help. I hope i'll be able to learn alot of things from the good sir in due time :)

Other than that, i'm planning a trip to Paris. yes, it's still on! And also to london right after. So yea, quite a hectic xmas this year. hahahaha. My brother will be here with me, so will spend quality time with the bugger.

I've updated my flickr with some wedding photos of my cousin from 2007. Do have a look.

Take care. And goodnight!

Hilmi

Quack Quack...!

Hey! Sorry for not writing yesterday. Not that people read my posts anyway. Hah! Well, there's been not much of things going on around in MY life. How bout yours? Any good?

I've started playing Final Fantasy X again. hahaha. I know, childish! but hey. i love the game. It helps me to release stress. Apparently, the clock showed i played for exactly 22 hours. What?! I've wasted a whole bloody day on the game! Well yes, so i thought i'd punish myself (better than papa punishing me :P). I took the liberty to do some reading for my THS writing. And yes i reached a 1,500 word target for the three hours i sat in front of the laptop. Frustrating to know that, it is such a huge topic;

' How has photography affected human's lifestyle? '

I know. Cheesy. But i did want to personally find out. How HAS it affected people. How much of social interaction has been created ever since the foundations of photography. Oh by the way, did you know, the first CAMERA OBSCURA was invented by ALHAZEN or AL-HAYTHAM? He's a middle east inventor. He designed the first obscura. Can you imagine. hahaha masyaAllah.

Yesterday i went to the lake. Reason was, the sun shined bright. You don't really get that around here that much. Not during winters anyway ;)

So yeah, i was filled with the thoughts of testing my new camera out in the field. With ducks, pigeons, sparrows, swans and etc flying around, i should be able to get a few shots. And i did! I was happy but not too much indulged. Cause later, i had to go for our weekly grocery shopping at ASDA. So yea, headed home after a good 45 mins walk around the park. An old man with his dog greeted me and said he wanted to do photography when he was young. So he said a few nice things and i somewhat keep it in my heart and mind. Thanks sir :)

Yesterday, Acik and Pakcik (uncle and auntie) went on board a plane to Saudi Arabia, where they are to begin their pilgrimage. I wish and pray for safe health to the holy land and back here. InsyaAllah. I even tipped in and asked if they'd do a special doa (prayer) for me. And they happily said OF COURSE. If God wills :)

Ahh three weeks and i'm done with my first semester. To be honest, i haven't done much WORK. I've done alot of thinking. Concepts. Context. And thinking. More and more. Not much of physical work (not that im good at it anyway). Some of my classmates agree as well.

Updates on assignments?

FCUK: well, i could say a fair 60% completion. I just need to do the hard part now. All the talk, put aside. Now's the production period people.

THS essay: 45%. It's there. Quite. I have another essay to chip in as well. And a reference page to go with them. Not so much here.

Art Direction Magazine: It's going as planned. Well not that much. We had slight problems with our graphic designer, so we had to pull ourselves together and sort it out. i'd give it a 70% completion time :)

That's about what happened these two days. I'm having classes tomorrow. And i'll be working on my magazine tonight. Insyaallah it'll all be great when it's done. Pray for me!

Images from the lake are posted in my flickr. Do have a visit and comment. :)

thanks!

salam

hilmi

Acik and Pak Cik to Hajj..

LabbaiKallah Humma Labbai' Labbai Kala Syari Kalakalabbai' Innalhamda Wani'mata Lakawalmulk La Shari Kalak

InsyaAllah. tomorrow on the 25th of November 2008, the first in our generation after my grandparents will be heading to the Holy land for their Hajj.

Hajj is performed by muslims at least once in a lifetime. It's a form of submission to Allah as to how the prophet Muhammad did it. It is a must for all able-bodied or who can afford it.

It is a pilgrimage not a trip. Each year, an estimated of 3 million muslims from around the world gather to pray to Allah the Almighty.

The idea of someone doing the Hajj is something of holy. Though i do know some who has done the Hajj but not act like one who has. This pilgrimage would mean your devotion to your creator. The relationship between creater and creation where Islam holds strong.

In Hajj, many things have to be done. From the stoning of the devil. To the zikir or chant by the people. All dressed in white robes. This shows how united muslims are. This shows how everyone is equal. NO matter skin colour, race or nation.

See, there is a difference of this and UMRAH. I did my umrah or VISIT to the holy land in 2006. I was blessed Alhamdulillah to have made the trip. For many others wouldn't have had even the thought or chance to go.

Look at it this way. Umrah, Hajj or even a visit to the holy land. The Masjidil Haram, the mosque where we position our prayer directions to is the house of God.

Heck, all mosque's are a house of Allah. And we are only visitors. So what i'm trying to say is that, Allah invites whoever He wishes. And so, Alhamdulillah, i was invited and i did my umrah. It's nothing hard but takes the spiritual mind into play.

I've heard of the so many people i know, ive been to umrah 10 times! But it wont matter if you don't embrace it.

My dad for instance, went that ONE time. And see what happened. MasyaAllah, i know it's not right to say. But he was clueless or even lost in direction. He only remembered life on earth and not after. He didnt think of the one Higher than him.

On the first day of Umrah, he realised that, there is something greater than money. Something greater than fortune. And something greater than him. That was most important. He embraced the idea of it. He embraced the purpose of being there in the holy land.

I myself learned that, seeing the thousands and millions of people gathering together at the same time. To pray to the One lord. Makes my heart soft. The one time i can be truly honest and submit my weakness is when i speak to Allah in my prayers.

He's the Ar Rahman and Ar Rahim. The most gracious and most merciful.

So to my uncle and auntie, i pray for your safe going and safe return. I hope you will receive Allah's blessings the moment you step on the land.

=)

lots of love,

Hilmi.

Infinity!

50D ( 100mm macro)

" Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former"
Albert Einstein

well professor, i do agree.

sil vous plait? i think best we agree on something we see everyday. :)

Yoga? to or not to?

Malaysia's National Fatwa council has declared that YOGA is haram.

I was thought, (no offence to anyone) since i was a child, Haram is something that if you do it, it'll bring bad effects to your health, morality and life.

Understanding that for the past 20 years of my life, i understood why drinking is haram. Why clubbing is haram. Why dating is haram. Why mixed socialising is haram. All these activities bring together men and women in a non acceptable condition. Yes i understand. Drinking. I understand it's bad for mentality and personal life.

But yoga?

Simple breathing activities. Which u usually do it ALONE. And ok sometimes in classes. Yes that might cause trouble. Mix of men and women. BUT that can be resolved!

Please oh wise ulama in Malaysia. I have the most utter respect for your decision and conclusion. But this? Did u notice that the Nintendo WII has YOGA on it. It doesn't bring any form of Hindu.

I respect all religion, i respect MY religion. But what you are doing is, you are making others get annoyed by it.

MasyaAllah. Yoga? You are not praying to a spirit. You are not doing anything bidaah. It's only BREATHING exercises.

hahaha i know i might sound rather peculiar with the whole idea of " Are u mad? ", but Islam was meant to ease lives. Not to burden them with No and No.

Why yes,i agree Yoga has been derived from the Hindu practices. but it is merely breathing and etc.

If the fatwa council decided on such a small topic like this, i wonder how they will decide on bigger issues.

Wallah.

It's not helping gentlemen.

i refer to;

Surah Al Kafiruun -

[109:1] In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

[109:2] Say, 'O ye disbelievers!

[109:3] 'I worship not as you worship,

[109:4] 'Nor do you worship as I worship.

[109:5] 'Nor do I worship those that you worship,

[109:6] 'Nor do you worship Him Whom I worship.

[109:7] 'For you your religion, and for me my religion.

Amin

I think, in this case, what you declared, have somewhat hurt the other religion's feelings. That's not nice is it?

iklan Mcdonalds

OMG! this made me laugh all over! hahahah!

german market photos!

As promised, the german market pictures. Didn't get to take much photos cause it got dark a little too quick. But insyaAllah will go again ;) real soon.

Oh ilham's coming over this december. Possibly, what fun can two brothers get in the UK. Hm unless i push that boundary to europe? perhaps espana?

suggestions?

merde.

note to hilmi:

work ur ass off! you have three assignments to get done. Ur not close to even one! Come on! WORK IT! And remember, ask Allah for guidance. Dont forget!

love
hilmi

Vroom Vroom... German Market!

BMW M5 1:18 die cast by Maisto

Guten Abend!

i hope i said it right. No no it's not because i posted a BMW. It's because the Birmingham's frankfurt Xmas market has started! It's been on since last week. Only had the chance to visit it today with my housemates.

Really wonderful stalls selling wonderful food and stuffs. Most interesting was the mushroom and potatoes stall :P hahahha. oh yes, and the wood crafts they had. Amazing.

Left home after breakfast. At lunch time. Get it? hmmph. but anyway, we took off and headed to town. But before that! We did some shopping first. Hahahhaha. I bought myself a (my very first) Vans shoe. Can u believe it? I'm wearing Vans now. hahahah. Will post a photo of it tomorrow insyaAllah. Cost me about £20. Very good buy. hahaha. I then went to the camera store to get a UV filter for my lens. God it's expensive! 27 quids?! My oh my. Thought it was gonna cost only 20 or less? Oh nevermind. I needed it anyway.

Sulking, i went and met fairuz and ayu beside HSBC. We went on to the market. As i said earlier, we had so much fun. Eating. Eating. and Eating. hahahhah. There was banana coated in chocolate, mushrooms and fried potatoes, garlic and cheese bread and much more! Lalalalala.

Lots of food. I sometimes wonder, when am i gonna head to the gym again? hahaha. troubling.

After a whole three hours of walking around and eating and eating, we then head to the apple store. Ayu and Fairuz have been officially converted (partially) to mac users. hahahha though fairuz doesn't seem to be that happy. hahaha i'm sure he'll get over it. Nice people they are :)

They bought the iMac for themselves. After their HP laptop (just serviced last May) had split screens, blue screens and many more hahahaha. HP, cant live with them. Haih.

I'd like to bring everyone to last year, when i had my DV1000 Hp Entertainment Laptop? It was nice. For the first few months. Until it had the battery problem. Shit. I then decided to go all Mac. And i havent regretted ever since. Despite the fact u cant play games on it. and also torrent isn't as effective, i love it!

Back to today.

Tonight i did some shots for my M5 BMW die cast model. Received the model yesterday morning. The morning i received the 50D. Oh yes, it's a beauty!

Vroom Vroom...

anyway, i have my New Technologies class tomorrow with David H. Have to be there on time. I was late last week. Damn!

oh photos of today are in flickr. Will post them soon-ish insyaallah.

Anyway, am off to bed now. Feeling rather groggy and sleepy. Isya' and im off.

Goodnight!

Hilmi

the parcel

It arrived at around 11.39am in the morning. I ran down and signed the parcel. And let the postman be on his way. It weighed quite well. Went up the stairs. And went back to bed.


WHAT? yes. i was so sleepy i couldn't be bothered what it was. But yes, i was expecting it. Anyway, i then woke up and did what i had to. and attended the parcel.

It was, the one i was waiting for. Darn it. i made it so dramatic :P hahahha.

IT'S HERE!!! My new 'toy'!! No not the BMW M5 Die cast model. That too, but THIS! is something else!

At first i thought it wouldn't be such a big thing. But when i took it out. Batteries in. Settings checked. BAM! I was in love. It feels like i was just in LOVE! It was just pure brutal. but with a pinch of love. God. I thank you for this auspacious machine.

The CANON EOS 50D (w 17-85 IS f/4 USM lens)


My oh my. i LOVE it. I absolutely love it! From the grip. 3" vga screen. And it's super fast 6.3 (sounds faster though :P) frames per second. God.

Put a 15megapixel machine into a nice rugged body. And call it a camera. I call it a canon. literally.

snap snap snap! i did some test drives. and i was happy. the happiest man on earth! Who else to greet this happiness but my family :) they were on skype. and papa said 'have fun with ur new TOY'. hahah thanks papa and mama. appreciate the trust and belief you have for a passion I believe in.

Crazy as it sounds, the camera is damn fast. The first thng i noticed was the clear sharp shots it took. Wasn't me, but the FAST autofocus. And damn, it's amazing.

I love it. I adore it. I dont want to sleep with it. But i do fancy it. :)

the 50D. just feel like, whoa! and feels like that kid in me went berserk. i absolutely love it. Unfortunate for my 30D though. But he was a good one too.

Anyways, tomorrow i might head to town. The frankfurt or german market's up and running in birmingham. It's like an annual thing here. So i thought i'd give it a visit. Ayu and fairuz are also planning to get an iMac, so might as well go to town with them.

hah. it's been a great week. Great day. Heck, great year! And now,i have to put my focus on my studies. Parents paying so much for such a thing, i wouldn't want to be failing them now do i?

InsyaAllah, with the blessing and rezeki given to me and those around me, i would succeed in whatever i do insyaAllah.

Hilmi R.
Proud EOS 50D owner.

Mid review work check?

y

I miss studio photography. Already. :( oh how i wish i took fashion photography as an elective. Oh bummer. what am i saying? Art direction seems to be doing quite good what!

anyways, im REALLY sleepy right now. Had a work check this morning. Afternoon rather :P with sam. He suggested i took three concepts and work with the collaboratively. From there, i might get lucky and come up with a good one :) insyaAllah!

Got back home at about 6 today. Was so tired. And hungry! Cooked myself a fillet of salmon. Pan fried on some olive oil, lemon juice, coarse black pepper and some garam. ;) Those should do the trick! Put it on bread. And voila, salmon sandwich ;) hehehhe.

Anyway, was trying to do some of my essay just now. but couldn't come up with much sense. So i just did (so far) , the introduction.

Oh guess what! I got myself the NOW 71 album. It's fantastic. Am loving some of the songs:

listening to:
Viva La Vida - Coldplay

Not that i haven't listened to it YET, but the album is somewhat cooler than i thought! Though, ting-tings seem to be REALLY annoying. To the ears and heart. Argh!

Ahh oh yes, Sam gave me a 69% for my mid review work check. Alhamdulillah. It'd be great masyaAllah if i could get a 1st class with sam. He's quite the tough one i tell you. Oh and shoaib did loads of work! Shoaib's one of the star students in class. He's quite creative and does what he WANTS. Very nice. :) oh and happy anniversary again shoaib ;)

Oh yes, tomorrow, a special delivery is arriving insyaAllah. I hope it does!! :D

Anyway, i'm gonna call it a night now. Really tired. Only got 5 hours of sleep last night. Was looking at my illustration pages. Will look at my magazine development tomorrow insyaAllah. Pray for my success!

Till tomorrow people.

salam

Hilmi R

Coming soon!

it's on the way! yay! If i'm lucky enough, insyaAllah, it should be here tomorrow! surprise surprise!

my Canon EOS 50D kit!!

tomorrow. InsyaAllah. :) updates soon!

I said goodbye..

And i said, goodbye.. to the most trusted friend.

And i said goodbye to him for he was there forever more. When i needed focus to help capture my thoughts. Ideas. Mind boggling bits.

He was there, when i needed to help me snap myself out of the blues. He was there, and among others, he was the first. And the last.

He was all the way a friend. Never foe nor fiend. He was as tame as you can think of. He was the gift, a father gave to me. He was the first. But not forgotten.

It is so emotionally staggering. I just thought it'd be an easy thing. But it isn't. I am so attached to him. That i somewhat feel part of my heart been slashed or chucked away the moment he left the door.

I feel rather different now. People would feel better! But i feel rather solemn. And in this solitary state, i look back. To my decision.

I made it cause i wanted to. So i knew what i was doing.

I sold off my first digital SLR to a friend of mine. It was (i thought) an easy thing to do. But seems that, my heart was still attached to it. I would UNDO it, but i'd rather not.

Now, i'm left cameraless. I feel like something's missing. Like a space that was in my heart. See. Things that were bought and given to you by parents and loved ones can never have the same passionate 'feel' to them than u buying it. It's with the thought that counts.

SO yes, i sold it off. For quite a decent price too. I'm sure the new user would have a great time with the old bugger. I hope the camera would serve his needs well. VERY well. As how he served me for the past 2 and a half years.

Goodbye my friend.

Hilmi
cameraless...

It's green..

nothing was wrong with the lens. the man said, it couldn't have happened.

maybe i panicked.. so what..

hilmi

Studio with the gang

Hah. As promised, the photos to our studio shoot today. More of it will be on my flickr. I'm quite happy with the pictures to be honest. hehehe. With help from Veronika and Amar, we managed to bag a few hundred shots today!

But sadly, again, my lens has to be put to a stop for a while. pity. but nonetheless. images!!



hehehe. any good? do comment! :D

hope u guys like them. hehe.

Hilmi

It has come..a parody..

CouGh CouGh CoUgH.... ergh... sick sick sick...


Oh my goodness..the time came when i most didn't expect it. My favourite one. The one lens who has followed me throughout my travels around the world, fell ill just like his master just this afternoon.

My my, it sucks. I love my lens. :( apparently, i have to try and get it fixed soon. haih. Apparently, many people want to buy the lens from me.

List!

1) Amar
2)Andy
3)Boque

hmm.. there's a few more, im lazy to name all of them honestly. But yes, i really am just so annoyed the lens couldnt be used. We were having a studio shoot today (again..) and it was FUN! It was rather tiring, cause it was the whole day. We had three models today. Our friends of course. :)

All of them did very well! A final group photo of us concluded the whole session. Oh my. I'm actually feeling it. The lens being the one that always sticks to me. Is now sick. :( I need to go to the clinic tomorrow to check myself up. Also, to just give the 'camera clinic' in town a visit as well. Fix the lil baby up. Just in case.

Anyway, will post most of the photos in Flickr. Haih..

Hilmi

Hilmi @ 20

The day came with such bright light. The day came with people wishing and greeting of well and warmth. It was great, and i thank you all.

Papa was the very first to wish me on the night of the 10th. I even received cards from my family. I won't write them here for i will 'tear' again if i were to re-read them all.

I didn't do with any celebrations as usual. Yes, i missed the whole extravagance of celebrating. But there comes a time when some things comes to a halt or a red light. I am also not in the position/mood to even celebrate anyways. I've been rather ill. Fever and what not filled my nights rather than joy! Oh nevermind, i suppose there are things that happen where it's meant to happen. Maybe i'm not supposed to celebrate. Maybe i'm just supposed to just contemplate and sit down, how 20 years of my life has been spent. And how im gonna live my next coming years.

InsyAllah with the support from family and friends, i'll be able to do well. People say, even think nowadays,being positive is such nonesense. But for me, it's the one thing that keeps me going. That keeps me thinking that, there's more for me out there. And not to stop JUST yet.

Although i might not be as adventurous as some others. Or even hard working. I try hard enough to keep up. I suppose everyone has their own 'guns'. eh?

Ive had lots and lots of warm wishes from so many people. And i do appreciate it.

I pray Allah will guide me throughout my coming future, endeavours and career.

Amin.

Happy Birthday you lucky bugger.

Hilmi Ramlan
20 @ Day 1

Down with something

I am officially sick. Fever. Cough. Semput. Err asthma? hmm. it's warm on the inside. And cold on the outside. Care to explain any further? no.

Yesterday was the nottingham malaysian games 2008. It was nice to have met so many NEW people and also old friends ;)

Yet, to say i have enjoyed the whole trip. YES. It was amazing. Thanks to Fairuz for driving us all the way there. And congrats to the winning Football team. Birmingham team! Way to go guys!

Apparently, i'm still lazy to upload photos. And i've been sleeping my way throughout the day. I think, wallahuallam, tomorrow would have to be a miss. :( sorry.

I'm just not thinking right now. Everything is so heavy at the top.

2 paracetamol pills.

a mug of Lemsip Max soluble.

One vitamin C capsule.

And my bed.

I've never felt so sick. Since last year. God it hurts so bad :( help?

Anyway, i've got a LOT to catch up with. Pending as usual:

1) FCUK rebranding (or so to speak...) completion? 50%

2) V-Zen Magazine (going quite alright.. honest :P) completion? 40%

3) THS essay ( not given a GREEN light... YET?!) completion? pending.

Argh. i have lots of work to do. I need that extra push! Hmm eh? guess what, tomorrow's the 2-0 day.

No it's not football. It's my birthday. Though, i dont feel like celebrating now.. :( i feel so sick to the stomach. I had to put happy faces so i wont trouble anyone. Haih.

Nways, the bed is already calling. I havent performed my Isya' prayers yet. InsyaAllah right after this.

Below is a pic JUST to let u know how tensed the games were on saturday. The organisers did a great job again. But i'd suggest. Chairs next time? please? We were standing for at least....let's see....the whole day?? Come on.. :)


Till next time.

Au revoir.

Re-visiting

Netball team BIRMINGHAM 2007

This will be the second visit to Nottingham in two years. I was there, if u recall last year. About the same season (cold and menacing). And about the same time as well. (6.30am ?!)

Anyway, we're off to the Nottingham Malaysian Games tomorrow. :) Bet it'll be fun. hehe.

Will post pictures from tomorrow when i get back insyaAllah. Im so tired! Went to Ikea today and got some stuff. My new CHAIR! the same one i had back home. SNILLE's the name. Very nice ;)

Anyway, Ayu's WII came today! We had so much fun! haha. Mario Kart la. Wii Fit?! Wii this. Wii that. hahha. fun fun fun :) stress breaker! hahhaa. how i wish i had a ps3/xbox arghh..

Anyway, more of that later on. Have got to get some sleep. it's 2 already?! im leaving in four hours. :(

goodnight!