The Reader

Photos from my Nokia E71

via www.flickr.com

Now it is easier to snap photos because many of our mobile phones have built-in camera.When I got my Nokia E71 a few years back,I snapped a few photos.People said the best camera is the one you have with you when you need it!

Over the years,I have learnt some tricks in taking better photos with my camera phone.Now,I am using BBB9900.However ,nothing beats the real thing....Whenever I can,I carry my compact Lumix LX5 around.My dSLR is collecting dusts some where..Link to my earlier posting.

Boat cruise in Putrajaya

I took this photo using Lumix LX5 last September,2011.The gondolas reminded me of my trip to Venice,Italy way back in 1987 when I was on an European tour with my wife to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversay.Actually it was our first honey moon overseas for us because when I got married in 1977,I could not afford an overseas trip-so we just did Cuti-Cuti Malaysia.Better late than never...

To younger couples who cannot afford an overseas holiday like me before,this is a nice place to enjoy a gondola ride in Putrajaya with your loved ones.In fact, Putrajaya offers a catamaran cruise and even speed boats.By the way,I have not tried any of these facilities yet-too busy cycling and taking photos around Putrajaya.

Of course, you may not be able to smell and taste the real cappucino from the cafe at St. Marks Square in Venice but you can have teh tarik and roti canai at The Souq or you can have a mee basah at Umai Cafe and board the Cat from there.Further more info,kindly call Perbadanan Putrajaya.

Feeding the poor..

A note from my Facebook:  Tuesday, 17 January 2012 at 11:32 

As I approached the entrance to a McD restorant in Gombak a few days ago,I had a pleasant suprise.I stood and watched a young boy in his school uniform giving to a blind man a cup of drink and a pack of fries.The blind man was sitting there selling packets of tissue papers.Then the boy went inside the restaurant and I followed him pretending I have not  noticed anything.He went back and continue eating with his mother.

 

This act of kindness,even though it may be the good deed of his mother really rouched me deep...Most of the time when I eat,I will not be thinking about others who may not have  anything to eat and any money to buy food.Most of us are having problems with what to eat and where to eat,but we forget about those who have to skip lunches or dinners..

 

The incident reminds me of our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH who always feed the poor...

 

Below is a few notes related to the above.

From Nasiha.com

Understanding the Prophet's Life

Helping the Poor

Clothing

Ibn Abbas related that the Prophet said: Any Muslim who gives a Muslim a garment to wear will be in Allah's safekeeping as long as a shred of it remains on him. (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)

Feeding

Safwan ibn Salim related that the Prophet said: Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah's cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night. (Bukhari)

Anas related that the Prophet said: If any Muslim plants something or sows seed from which a man, a bird or an animal eats, it counts as a charity for him. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Relatives who are needy

Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet said: The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents. (Bukhari)

Salman ibn Amer reported that the Prophet said: To give something to a poor man brings one reward, while giving the same to a needy relative brings two: one for charity and the other for respecting the family ties. (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Nasai, Tirmidhi)

Compiled From:

"The Quran and Hadiths on the poor and needy: a topical index" - SoundVision.com Staff Writer

 

 

Around the World with an iPhone and Camera+ | Photographer, Lisa Bettany captures 5 continents, 15 countries, 50 days with an iPhone and Camera+

Today, I am setting out on a trip around the world to capture photos for my very first travel photography book. I’m inspired by the freedom of shooting, editing, and sharing photos with a light-weight mobile device, so I’m leaving my professional camera gear at home and capturing the entire journey with an iPhone 4S (well actually two incase one gets tromped on by an elephant or snatched by a meer cat).

Over the past year, I’ve taken more pictures with my iPhone than my Canon 5DMKII. I’ve been really impressed by the dramatic quality improvements of iPhone 4S, and I honestly think that I will get better candid travel shots for my book with my iPhone. The best camera is the one you have with you and while I still adore my dSLR, shooting on the iPhone challenges me and makes me see capture photos in a new exciting way. Plus, it’s about 30lbs lighter than my camera gear!

Photographer, Lisa Bettany is setting off on an around the world with just an iPhone 4S to capture photos for her first travel photography book. Inspired by the freedom and creativity of iPhoneography, Lisa is leaving her expensive professional camera gear at home for the adventure of a lifetime.

via mostlylisa.com

Given the choice,I prefer to us my previous smart phone-Nokia 8.I started taking photos using mobile phone when I got my first Nokia 6600.I called it The Fatboy because of its look.It is not as great as compact camera but it is with us all the time when we need it.Then I moved to Nokia 71 before jumped on the great bandwagon Nokia 8.Now I am using Blackberry 9900.However, nothing the real thing.

The good thing about phone camera is that it is with us all the time and we can send the photo immediately to any where and anyone.I love to snap a nice photo when I see one and post it on my facebook or blog.

God willing,I love to follow this expedition online but sadly Malaysia is not on her roadmap.Below is a photo I took using a mobile phone Nokia 71:

Family Sunday Ride

Yesterday was a special ride where members decided to have our own picnic after the ride.We rode about 20km around the Putrajaya lakes and later adjourned to higher terrain at Taman Saujana Hijau-a cool Salem High Country.However a few of us  decided to for another 10km-good for them to burn 1000 calories before the eating festival..

Sometimes in March ,2011 we started cycling in small group-mostly men.Nowadays,we have our  wives and kids tagging along.The biggest number we had last year-with 29 members!Yesterday was also a big crowd of 22.Now,our PUR(Putrajaya Urban Riders) a.k.a Uban Riders are riding 2 nights and 2 mornings in Putrajaya every week except in Ramadhan.

More photos are at our PUR blog. 

The right colours!

Just look at these flats now.They are livelier and pleasant to the eyes...

These flats were constructed in the 80's to house the squatters who lived near Taman Maluri,Kampong Pandan.It was done using prefab construction method.Now,it is called Desa Pandan.I think the colour of the walls was plain white-boring all over.Over the years,the facade and colours faded away and no one gave a second look when they pass by this group of flats.

A few days ago,I have a pleasant suprise to see these flats with new coats of paint.Not only with new paint but with some design as well.Kudos to the new breed of architects.

 

To my fellow architects,please make an effort to make the middle and low cost flats look nicer and interesting.As engineers,we have done our jobs when the building are still standing and fit for use.To the building Management Corporations,this is one good example to make the tenants happy to pay their monthly fees.

Let us see what Singapore had done to make bored looking staircases into a work of arts!!!

 

 

Nasihat Luqman Al Hakim

 

"Wahai anakku! Apabila perutmu penuh dengan makanan (kenyang) makaakan matilah fikiran dan hikmah kebijaksanaanmu. Semua anggota badanmuakan menjadi malas untuk melakukan ibadah dan akan hilanglah kebersihanhati dan kehalusannya, di mana hati yang bersih itu hanya akan tercapaidengan kelazatan bermunajat (mngadap Allah) dan manfaat berxikir (ingatkepada Allah)"

"Wahai anakku! Kamu ikutlah ketika orang membawa jenazah, dan janganlahkamu mengikuti jamuan perkahwinan. Kerana jenazah itu dapatmengingatkan engkau akan kesudahan dari hidupmu di dunia yang fana ini.Sementara majlis perkahwinan akan membangkitkan nafsu berahimu dan iniakan membuat kamu merasa bahawa senang dengan kehidupan dunia."

via www.scribd.com

Berikut ialah satu kumpulan nasihat dari Luqman Al-Hakim untuk saya berkongsi dengan anak-anak saya dan rakan-rakan semua.Sebagai ibu bapa,kita perlu sentiasa menasihati anak-anak.Kadang kala kita juga jadi takut untuk beri nasihat kepada anak-anak kerana kita juga masih lagi lalai dan berterusan melanggar perintah Allah swt.

Sama-samalah kita mengambil kebaikan dari nasihat tersebut diatas.Agama itu nasiha.

Nota :Foto Masjid Putra.

Above the clouds #2

One of the things I enjoy on a flight is watching the world from 10km above.A few days ago,I was on a flight from KBR to KUL.We were just above a carpet of white clouds.They look like an ocean!It was around 7:30pm and the I saw a beautiful sunset with the waves of white clouds forming the new horizon..Sadly,I could not capture the view using my camera phone.

Most of the time we earthlings see clouds from below.When we see from above,the view and the feelings are totally different.Just imagine the sight to behold if we were given to chance to explore the Milky Way...

Photo:Suatu pagi di bulan Januari@Pantai Batu Burok

Cerana dan gobek

Gobek tembaga ini adalah milik nenek saya dan cerana ini milik ibu saya. Dulu diguna setiap hari tapi sekarang dah jadi bahan antik.