Shades of Life: 6:35pm, Shanghai

This photograph was taken some time back. It features the sunset and part of my neighbourhood in the evening. Besides the extra tall buildings on the right, the far back and the one I stay in; the rest are rather short in height. The shorter buildings have no elevators and were built ten to twenty years ago. The highest floor is the 6th floor. Many of the older buildings have shop houses below and living areas on the higher floors. The taller ones are rather recent. They house both families and offices on the first few floors. I wasn't aware of this until recently. One evening, I was waiting for the elevators in my PJs and a whole lot of formally dressed individuals barged out the doors o.O This shot was taken during Autumn. In the winter, we hardly get to see the sun. :( I like the way all the buildings are cluttered instead of a uniform pattern or height. This is very different from the way Singapore's infrastructures are constructed. And this shade marks the first contribution from my mobile's camera.

Shades of Life: Begins From Home

Mona and meself actually took several photos today, but am only gonna post one up as per the rule :)  The location in the above photograph is part of the University I study at. It is winter here so the trees are shedding their hair leaves. The bigger medical campus is divided into two mini campuses and in one of the them you have the ultra mini park. One of the many things that makes my world 'go round' is how nature responds to the varying seasons. Leaves changing colors and in this case even bare trees are worth my glance. I have no idea why part of the tree bark is painted in white. I will find out and let you know. The buildings behind the park are where the classes are held. You can actually see some of the students walking out from behind the park, somewhere near the right of the photograph.

As for the first person who made it to Shades of Life is my flatmate, Jan. She is the first person I crash into on my way to the bathroom in my groggy state in the morning. Sometimes she makes my world go round, other times she can drive me nuts. I have another flatmate but that will be a different shade.;) Jan is from Malaysia and is extremely studious. Despite living with her for over 4 months, she has yet to influence me with her study habits. I'm a tough nut to crack for all the right reasons. She cooks really well and she loves trying new things. When you are really lazy to light the stove, there is always Jan :D She loves Mickey Mouse, yes that same one that Walt Disney created years ago. Jan loves the mouse to the point of obsession. From stationary to accessories, they all have Mickey Mouse on them. I am not sure if she will pin a Mickey Mouse badge on her white coat. Though  I will not be surprised if she does. She is way too unhealthy for her age. She stocks the cabinet with oats, soybean milk, papaya, banana, etc. Right next to it, I stock my Lays, chocolates, Nutella, biscuits, candies, and everything healthy you can think of. :D Sometimes I wonder if she really is normal. Oh well, can't expect the whole world to lead the healthy lifestyle I lead, can I? Despite all the these, she makes a great flat mate.

PS: I might have to return Mona to her owner soon. Guess I will have to make do with my Mobile Phone. Sighs.

While my (borrowed) Camera Gently Shoots...

Juile & Julia the movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams was one very well pictured film. In the movie, Amy Adams (Julie) decided to stick to a deadline and try cooking 526 recipes from Julia Child's (Meryl Streep) "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" Cookbook within a time frame of 365 days. This movie by the way was based on the true story or rather the blog written by Julie Powell title "The Julie/Julia Project". I was pretty inspired by thewhole film. No! Not to whip up french dishes but instead to get myself involved with something. Something I like, or perhaps something I already do now but just need to be consistent at it. Anything but Something. I left it there and forgot about it.

After brunch earlier today, I was Blog-Trotting and I came across this: One Picture a Day

For the period of a week, a month, or even a year take one picture a day of the people and things that make life ‘go round’ for you. Take a snapshot of the people who help you every day....Use that camera phone to look for beauty in the natural world....Take a photo of things that help make your life work.... - by Americanising Desi on her Blog. 

The above was just an excerpt of her post, click on the link and visit her site, you wouldn't be disappointed. :)

Back to my tale: The thought that was sleeping at the back of my mind sprung back to life. Yes, the post by Desi did it all. Besides, my daily rants of medical school and other worldly issues, a daily photo journal of what I am greeted to every day will be up on this space of mine. :)

Since my Fujifilm Camera died a premature death, I am gonna use a borrowed Point and Shoot Sony Cybershot. Nothing fancy, unless a SLR drops from the sky into my lap; all photographs will be from the hand-held digicam and taken my me. Yes, me. I ain't no professional but it should still be viewable. Each shot will be of course accompanied with a bit of information about it.

Title of Project: Shades of Life  

(Across the Universe by The Beatles was playing so yeah..:D and of course it made sense to the whole idea as well :p)

Things/People involved: Mona - the Sony Cybershot, Myself, People We meet and Things We see

To be a little ambitious on this challenge I have told meself to have this photo journal going till I graduate; which is an extremely long while. Given my ultra short attention span, I haven't exactly continued anything till the very end. This is gonna be exciting. Hopefully you are not disappointed either.

The First Shade of my Life will be up Tomorrow, 14 December 2009.

Wish me Luck!