Peach tart that Vyanne made on the fly. The green comes from crushed pistachios. Some semi unripe peaches, otherwise it tasted fantastic.

* * *

I guess it’s time of the year when you start reflecting back. I’d start reviewing the year now, as I’m in the mood and since I was in Adelaide at the beginning of the year, the 2008 review never got posted and is still sitting as a draft on this blog. Heh, don’t think I’d write it anyway as the emotions now are so different to what it was then.

Travelled quite a bit this year. Was in Adelaide, back in KL for CNY, went to Mildura, Beechworth. Soaked in Taiwan, which was a great experience in terms of the food and culture, it reminds me of who I am. Which is an issue with me now as I can’t recall who I am sometimes. I think this year I was more laid back then I intended to be. Work now brings in the funds to keep things moving along. It’s relatively comfortable but I don’t feel I’m pushing myself hard enough. Heh, which reminds me, I’m going to chuck all the documents into an envelope and send it off to CPA Australia. I really mean for myself to be sitting for an exam in April so announcing it here means no backing out. Failed horribly for my CFA paper this time last year, and I still wonder how I graduated from uni (as always), being the kind who can’t sit still to ingest information.

I’m the kind who likes to have interactive work. You do something, you get feedback from your work, either through your own assessments or through a third party’s opinions. I’ve sort of neglected my camera since I got my coffee machine, being more interested in making that perfect espresso shot and texturing silky milk. It was a good break from taking photos, and I feel more appreciative of how I can approach a shot these days. You hit a point in time where the technical aspects are no longer that important. I can look at a not so great shot, and know what I need to do immediately to rectify the issue at hand. I’m trying to connect more to the reason why I take a photo, and the impact it should leave the viewer. I’ve been wanting to do portraits for people all year long, and never really pushed to do it, so I will push for it from now on, and see how I can interact with people to achieve this aim.

Heh, I’m not getting any younger, and don’t feel like I’ve achieved very much. I’m praying for next year, and if I need events to whack my backside to get me going, I’m all for it. I’m against running away from doing what needs to be done, against fearing failure, as failure is just a reason to pick oneself up and keep going until one succeeds.

* * *

Ordered a 5kg turkey for Christmas as there will be some relatives over during that last stretch of the year. Just looking forward to the feasting now.