Hey hey hey … so here’s THE NEWS that I’ve been wanting to share with everyone!

Early next month (Saturday, 3 April, to be exact!), there’ll be this Bloggers Symposium, the first ever, organised by Nuffnang, and sponsored by Canon!

Basically it’s an INTERACTIVE conference (on PHOTOGRAPHY and BLOGGING) where the speakers get to share their experiences and tips, and the participants get to ask just about any questions.

During the event, there will be FIVE separate workshops, held in FIVE different rooms, and six different bloggers will speak on FIVE different photography and blogging topics.

And the topics are:

Lifestyle, Food, Fashion (blogshops), Technology and of course, PARENTING!

*smile*

I’ve been invited to speak on the Parenting Photography Workshop! Yes, it truly is an honour!

I look forward to sharing heaps of photography tips there! (And perhaps even some blogging and parenting-related topics too if you like! Just throw the questions over, and we get the discussion going!)

Anyway, it’ll be a fun yet insightful session!

I SO look forward to meeting and chatting with fellow bloggers, parents, and blog readers IN PERSON!

SO excited!

…

Okay now, here’s MORE info.

REGISTRATION

It’s FREE of charge (Thanks to Nuffnang and Canon!).

You’ll have to register online (Click HERE) and sign up for the topic of your choice (choose PARENTING, yes? Yes?)

There are only 60 seats available for each workshop topic though, so please HURRY and register!

And please do share the news with friends and everyone else, so they too can benefit from the workshop!

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WHO IS THIS PARENTING PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR?

Just about ANYONE.

Come and join me at the workshop if you’re ANY of the following:

- A blogger
- A parent
- A photo enthusiast who’s keen to find out more about photography using your own camera

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CAN WE BRING ALONG OUR KIDS?

SURE!

The organiser will arrange a children movie screening next to the Parenting Workshop Room!

*A fantastic idea, if you ask me!*

So really, parents with kids have NO reasons for not being able to attend the workshop! *smile*

Btw, if you DO have someone who can help and babysit your little ones that day, I’d personally recommend coming without them just for that one event. This way, you can totally focus on the event’s programme without minding the little ones at the same time.

BUT, if you’re just like us who have no one to babysit Anya and Vai, the FOUR of us will be there at the Bloggers Symposium that day! Yep, Anya and Vai will be there too!

[Not sure if they're willing to volunteer and be the 'subjects of photography' during the 'live demo' at my workshop though, haha]

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I SHOOT WITH A POCKET CAMERA, WILL THAT BE OKAY?

Definitely!

I shoot with a pocket camera too, and using one should NEVER stop us from capturing life’s precious moments!

(THIS is one of the things I’d be sharing at the workshop!)

[Shots I took over the past years using a Canon point-and-shoot camera]

Some people have told me how Anya and Vai are relatively comfortable in front of the camera, and this makes it easier for us to produce better photos of them.

While it’s quite true to some extent, there are still other tips and photography approaches that can really help us capture moments of those who are perhaps more ‘camera shy’.

Here, check this out.

Below are some samples of the Outdoor Shoots I did for different families.

[Yes, just in case you are not aware of it so far, I DO outdoor shoots for families too *smile*]

As we all know, not all kids and parents are naturally comfortable in front of the camera, but yet their photos can still turn out heartwarming and precious.

And at the Parenting Photography Workshop, I’ll share with you these photography approaches and tips!

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YOU CAN STAND A CHANCE TO WIN CANON POWERSHOT S90!

Just last week I wrote a post on this cool point-and-shoot camera! (Read about it HERE)

And now you can WIN and OWN one too!

(Well, as they say, ‘How can you WIN it, if you’re not IN it!)

Here’s how:

>> By simply registering yourself and ATTENDING the event, you’re IN THE DRAW to win the camera!

There are TWO cameras to be won this way! And if you’re one of the first 150 registrants to arrive at the event that day, your chance of winning the camera is increased by FIVE times! (ie. they’ll have five cards with your name on them in the draw!)

>> You can also take part in a Mini Photo Contest, if you wish.

Simply send a photo you’ve taken with the theme ‘HAPPINESS’ together with your registration details to this email: myhappiness@nuffnang.com

Best 5 photos will be displayed at the event itself and ONE winner will bring home a brand new Canon PowerShot S90!

COOL!

…

So, what are you waiting for?

Hurry and get yourself (and your friends and spouses!) registered NOW!
(simply click on the ‘Share This Post on Facebook’ link below to let your FB friends know about this event!)

Gathering Point:
SMU School of Accountancy Level 2 Kong Si Auditorium

Date:
Saturday, 3 April 2010

Time:
1.30pm – 5.30pm

…

Click HERE to find out more about the event, its itinerary, and HOW to register!

See you at the Parenting Photography Workshop!

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Anya turned SIX today, and we had a little celebration yesterday at Sunday School AND another one at her school today.

And, I went ahead with my ‘decision’ to try and make her birthday cakes this year!

[Two weeks ago, I wrote a post on my first 'make a cake' attempt, read about it HERE]

Anyway, I’ll share MORE photos and how it all went SOON.

For now, here’re two photos of Anya and her humble little ‘Strawberry Shortcake’ birthday cake she had on Sunday.

…

From what I saw, she was a very happy little six year old girl that day *smile*

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… I saw a little note from Anya.

It’s sincere. It’s spontaneous. And it’s heart-warming.

I like.

…

To Anya:

Yes, I’d love to be there with you, Daddy and Vai one day.

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Added on Mon, 8 Mar:
Full details of the Canon S90 camera Contest and Photography workshop will be up TOMORROW (Tue, 9 Mar) ya!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oh my. Who would’ve guessed it?

Canon has just sponsored this COOL point and shoot camera, Canon Powershot S90!

And I’m SO loving it! Can’t be more grateful!

*THANKS Canon!*

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you would’ve known that I almost always have a pocket camera in my bag.

And it’s always been Canon.

My first pocket camera was Canon Ixus 850 IS.

It’s compact and light. It took great shots and I especially liked its relatively wide-angle lens!

I was VERY happy with it!

But.

Early last year the lens got half-broken after a bad fall (face down!) onto hard gravels. I couldn’t zoom in and out AND in each shot, all the sides of the frame were always ‘out of focus’, heh).

It still faithfully traveled with me UNTIL I was told that I won a Canon Ixus 970 IS last January!

(Read about how I got it HERE)

I was SUPER happy to have won a camera! (Another Canon Ixus too, which I’m familiar with!)

[Left: Canon Ixus 850 IS ; Right: Canon Ixus 970 IS]

Now.

I do get asked about what I think of these two cameras since I’ve used both models, and so here’s my honest opinion:

… between two, I think my earlier Canon Ixus 850 IS is better (before it’s broken, that is!)

And here’s why:

- with Canon Ixus 970 IS, I can really feel the ‘shutter lag‘ (ie. when I shoot indoors or in a less bright environment). So when I turn off the flash (like I usually did with my earlier Canon), the shot will mostly be blurry.

- Canon Ixus 970 IS comes with a less wide-angled lens.

I mean, when I extend my arm, turn the camera around and take a self-portrait of myself and the kids, for example, our faces will ‘fill the frame’, and not much of the background / surrounding can be seen (see samples below)

[Left: Me, Nichol and Will, taken with Canon Ixus 970 IS; Right: At East Coast Park, taken with Canon Ixus 850 IS]

And what do I have to say about Canon Powershot S90?

It’s SO SO SO much better than the other two!

Since I’m not a techie, here’s a good LINK to read more about it and its cool features!

And here’re some things about this point-and-shoot camera which I personally love:

- The shots and colours come out ‘crispier’ (great photo quality!)
- Wide-angle lens!
- Compact and light
- Minimum ’shutter lag’ in low light condition! (read: it has a cool ‘low light’ function and when you do shoot in such an environment, there’s hardly any ’shutter lag’ too!)

…

[View from an overhead bridge near Four Seasons Hotel, Orchard]

Here are two test shots (read: NO colour enhancement/ photoshop works done on these two below, well, except for the watermark)

The photo above:
I tested out its black and white function last night when I was at Orchard. It’s not set under its ‘low light’ setting, yet it came out great!

The photo below:
This one was taken at around 8pm, at a food court, using its ‘low light’ function.

…

Finally, I’d like to ‘partially’ announce two great news (The FULL story is coming up next Monday!)

First, YOU will have a chance to WIN this Canon Powershot S90 too!

Second, there’ll be a photography workshop early next month where I’ll be sharing photography tips on how to better capture moments (especially of those little ones who’re constantly on the move!) using YOUR OWN camera, amongst many others! (And oh, it’s FREE!)

Be sure you don’t miss out on this yeah!

I’ll share all the details next Monday!

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone …

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Here’s one thing, out of many, that I’d like share about my soon-to-be 6 years old girl:

she LOVES to write.

She loves to pen down her thoughts in writing.

I’ve been finding things around the house with her little notes on it, and it’s been heartwarming!

[I love her unintentional mis-spelled words and her kiddish handwriting]

Anyway.

Here’s one I recently found on her side of the dining table: her supposedly ‘going somewhere list’, hehe.

Let me ‘copy’ her notes again, word by word:

1. For going somewhere list

2. Bring bag

3. Bring many thingns

4. Bring something to Elisa
[Note: Elisa is a friend of hers]

5. Make sure you are full all over your bag
[Note: I asked Anya what she meant with this one, and she said she wanted to make sure that her bag is filled to the max! Haha. I love how she ended up with THAT sentence]

6. Bring the note book

7. Bring a pen or a pencel case

8. Do not forget to bring ereser

9. Bring toys for my Vai
[Note: I love how she referred to her brother as 'my Vai']

10. Also bring toys for myself

11. Do not be selfish
[Note: Love this self-reminder *smile*]

12. Do not forget to bring this peper
[Note: Haha, good point!]

…

I don’t know if she’d later become a book writer, a journalist, or even … a blogger.

What’s more important to me is that she learns to continually explore and develop her God-given talents and potentials.

Discovering things that she truly is passionate about. Sharing what she has with others.

The journey is still very long, and I’m just glad I can be a part of it.

And, I’m totally treasuring all these milestones.

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What do you see when you see little children?

Whether we realise it or not, the way we regard little ones will greatly determine how we treat them, consciously and unconsciously.

If we see children as ‘understanding nothing’ and ‘capable of doing little things though they ask about big things’, then we’ll have a tendency to (verbally and non-verbally) trivialise their actions, contributions and thoughts.

Now here’s one food for thought :

A child (or even an adult) who seems incapable of doing many things TODAY can indeed do great things in years to come IF he/she grows and explores, develops and actualises his/her God-given potentials.

…

And THAT is one good reason for us all to remember to look beyond what our eyes can see today, isn’t it?

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Someone recently suggested how I should perhaps consider ‘recording’ my Facebook status ’somewhere’, especially those day-to-day happenings where my kids did and said THINGS.

And so I thought of sharing three recent ‘Facebook Status’ today, involving our cheeky little boy today (who turned 3.5 years old last week!), as our way of remembering (and recording) his growing up moments and the little antics he did as a 3.5-year-old boy.

…

February 23
My soon-to-be-6-yo girl asked, ‘What are you cooking, mommy?’, ‘Beef Teriyaki’, I replied. Wanting to repeat my answer to his sister, my 3.5yo son said in his naive loud voice, ‘Jie jie Anyaaa, Mommy’s cooking Beef Very-Yucky!’ Great!

…

February 11
Before bedtime just now, both kids took turns in performing their ‘magic shows’. When it’s my 3.5yo son’s turn, he stood on his bed, bowed …and farted! well, THAT sure is magic!

…

February 1
I was in my bedroom when I overhead Vai loudly saying ‘HELLOOOOOO…’ outside, but there’s no reply. It’s only when I came out and saw how he said it FROM THE VERY TOP of our gate to some people who passed by our place. They were probably too shocked to say Hello back upon seeing a little spiderman near the top of the ceiling!

…

And errr, okay … I’ll include this (embarassing) one as well!

January 28
On our bus ride home from school, my 3yo son asked (loudly), ‘MOMMY, ARE YOU THIN?’, immediately my 5.5yo girl responded (in an even louder voice across the aisle),’DADDY IS THIN…MOMMY JUST HAS A BIG TUMMY!’ *gee, thanks kids*

…

If you haven’t already … you’re most welcome to add me on Facebook (do let me know if you’re a reader yeah).

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If you have been reading my blog, you would’ve noticed that I rarely write about food.

And it’s simply because I’m not a ‘food’ person.

I am not adventurous when it comes to food. I don’t snack much. I am not creative when it comes to cooking and mixing ingredients. And, when I see photos of food, I simply am not inspired to ‘try preparing it myself’.

Now. Last month I suddenly felt a little differently though.

I saw a friend’s photo album on Facebook and how she made her own cake for her son’s birthday.

AND I felt … moved.

I remember thinking, ‘Hey, I’d love to try making my own cake too! Like, for Anya’s 6th birthday!’

[We bought a plain cake and decorated it ourselves for Vai's 3rd birthday last year]

When I shared my little ‘mission’ with Anya the other day, she said, ‘Mommy, you’ve never tried making one before though.’

I replied, ‘Yup, that’s right. And before you learned how to rollerblade, you also haven’t tried rollerblading before, right? After lots of practice, falling and getting back up again, … can you rollerblade a little now?’

She nodded and continued to listen.

I went on and said, ‘There are many things that we all haven’t tried doing. But if we never give it a go, we would never know. It takes a lot of practice to learn about something. Mommy doesn’t know anything about cakes, but Mommy’s ready to learn how to make a simple cake for your birthday because it’s a special day for you and we love you.’

Since we had that conversation, I noticed how Anya looked all excited when I went to look for baking pans and other little tools.

And though she’s not into eating cakes, she asked to be involved in the process of making it with me (read: mixing and all). Which actually is the greatest thing about all this, because to me, the process of trying and learning how to make it together with the kids is much more important and precious than the results.

(Of course if the result is really yummy, everyone is happier too! Hehe)

Anyway.

Her birthday is due in TWO WEEKS time.

And I still need to practice A LOT!

Oh well … I guess we’ll see how it goes.

…

Top Photo:
Here’s the result of our chocolate cake experiment the other day and Vai ate quite a bit of it. We don’t have an oven at home, so it was ’steamed’ instead.

If you have simple yet yummy ’steamed cake’ recipes to share, please do share with me yeah! Thanks *smile*

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Last weekend, Wilson and I had the opportunity to share, with our church’s Youth Group, a little insight on Parenting.

The response was positive, and I was asked if I could share some of these points again over on my blog.

And so I thought, sure … why not.

I plan to share more parenting thoughts from time to time, and today I’ll start with : the importance of BOTH Mommy and Daddy playing active roles in raising and educating their little ones.

…

Children are given and entrusted to us by God, and as parents, both Mommy and Daddy are given the responsibility to raise these little ones according to God’s ways.

Together they jointly make up the complete world of the child, put together with affection, sense of security and thoughtfulness.

Now. The thing is, many still (falsely) think that the ‘task’ of raising and teaching kids in the family lies in the hands of Mommy (because Daddy’s main task is just ‘to bring home the bacon’)

In families where Daddy goes out to work and Mommy is a fulltime parent, it’s true that Mommy naturally spends MORE time with the children. She gets to be more actively involved in raising and teaching them on a day to day basis.

This however, does not (and should not) eliminate the importance of Daddy’s active involvement whenever he’s with his family.

In our family for example, when Daddy is around:

… he’d help the kids get ready for bed, while I wash the dishes in the kitchen.

… he’d read them books before bedtime, while I take some time to relax and enjoy a good uninterrupted shower.

… he’d step in immediately if any of the kids speak in a disrespectful tone towards me. And I would do the exact same thing if the kids behave in a disrespectful way towards Daddy.

… he’d take turns and discipline the kids when necessary, while I step back and keep mum

…

Basically, I strongly feel both parents should always support each other and work hand in hand in carrying out their parenting responsibilities.

In reality, it’s not easy though.

Wilson and I are still in the process of working things out continually too, for our family’s best interest.

And it’s all made possible because of God’s help.

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Each week we try to spare some time to do arts and crafts together. It’s not always possible though because we may have tonnes of other things to do throughout the week.

And so, since arts and crafts is something that the kids and I enjoy doing together, we’ve sort of ‘dedicated’ our Monday as our ‘Arts and Crafts Day’ (though we still keep our activities flexible as always)

…

Now today is Monday, and … we made this.

A watercolour painting using handprints and stencils.

It’s SO simple to do and the kids (and I) LOVED it!

…

What we used:

- Drawing Paper (white)

- Watercolour, palette and brush

- Paper carton (for you to draw on and cut out as stencils)

- Glue stick and scissors

What we did:

- I asked what the kids wanted to have on their drawing. Vai wanted to have a shark and a small fish. Anya wanted a butterfly.

- I drew the animals on a piece of paper and cut them out (Anya cut hers on her own)

- I applied VERY thin layer of glue stick onto the cut-outs and stick them on the drawing paper.

- I mixed the watercolour, brushed it on the kids’ palms, and they made colourful handprints all over the drawing paper

Note:
I prepared the watercolour one colour at a time (and this eliminated potential distractions and arguments like, ‘Oh I don’t like green, I want to use yellow FIRST!’). While we’re at it, I also talked to them about the colours and let them see the result of mixing different colours together]

- The kids covered as much white surface as possible with their colourful handprints

- Once done (and the watercolour’s relatively dry), I slowly removed the ’stencils’.

And VOILA, you get this!

I like!

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