Journal, 1 November 2009 : STOP Focusing on Yourself

Some notes I made when I was reading the book by John C. Maxwell – Failing Forward while waiting for boarding at the KLIA.

Filed under: Cartoon Illustration, Journal, Message , Airport, Book, Cartoon Illustration, Failing Forward, John C Maxwell, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Message, Moleskine, Noodler's Ink, Notes, Polar Black, Sketch

Going back to Miri, yes, again!

This is the 5th time this year and that broke my past records of going back once or twice a year in the past, especially during those years when I was under employment, as most of you know it is not easy to take leave from work and go away as often as you want to.

When I was asked about for what particular reason or occasion that I am going home this time I said none, do I even need any? Miri is my home. It is good to be with family. Just a couple of days ago I found out that both my youngest sister and mom’s birthdays fall on this week! NOW, I have a good reason for coming home! Yes, their birthday presents are all prepared, will wait til the celebration day.

Coming back home does not mean I am on holiday, yo, work continues still. It is about working at the comfort of my home-sweet-home environment without having to worry what’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner today. But I prefer my workstation in PJ with my cat, Bebe around and watch her nap and do all the funny little stuff she always does.

Filed under: Journal, Personal, Photography , Aircraft, Book, Digital Photography, Flight, KLIA, Lamy Fountain Pen, MAS, Miri, Moleskine, Sarawak

Journal, 17 October 2009 – Keep pressing forward

One thing in life that I have learned is to keep looking and moving forward. There are things in our past that are not always memorable, mistakes we made, failures we went through, relationships that turned sour – and those are already history!

I am reminding myself everyday is a new day. Nothing I can do to turn back time anf fix the past. It is foolish to dwell in the past and do not long for the good old days either. My best days are ahead of me. I am going to keep pressing forward! I am not going to let my past hold be back from achieving my dreams.

Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message , Illustration, Journal, Keep Pressing Forward, Message, Molekine, Noodler’s Ink, Polar Black

Journal, 9 October 2009 – Tune in to the right frequency

We have a choice to choose which channel we want to listen to. We are what we hear. We become what we hear.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17

Pen : Lamy Vista Fountain Pen Medium Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message , Drawing, Illustration, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Moleskine Pocket Diary, Noodler’s Ink, Polar Black

Journal, 7 October 2009 – Yashica Electro 35 CC

No, I am not a collector but an user.

This is a quite rare find of the Yashica rangefinder range. What I like about it is the 35mm f/1.8 lens! Wideangle and big aperture – just the right camera for streets and portraiture. Cannot wait to try it out soon.

Pen : Lamy Safari Charcoal Fountain Pen Extra FIne Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Photography, Sketch , Drawing, Film Camera, Illustration, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Moleskine Pocket Diary, Noodler’s Ink, Polar Black, Rangefinder, Sketch, Yashica Electro 35 CC, Yashinon 35mm f/1.8

Journal, 2 & 3 October 2009 – Don’t be a thermometer but be a thermostat

Be not like a thermometer that is changed by the temperature of the surroundings.

Be like a thermostat that changes the temperature of the surroundings.

Pen : Lamy Vista Fountain Pen Medium Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Medium : Staedtler Karat Aquarell Watercolour Pencils
Brush : Goldie Artists’ Super Nylon 3, Rarhael Martre 6, Ashley Dagger No. 3/8
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Taking break from work. Drawing makes me feel more relaxed.

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message, Personal , Illustration, Journal, Drawing, Message, Lamy Fountain Pen, Moleskine Pocket Diary, Watercolour Pencils, Thermometer, Thermostat, Staedler Karat Aquarell

Journal, 29 September 2009 – Learning to write is learning to think.

“Learning to write is learning to think. You don’t know anything clearly unless you can state it in writing.” – S. I. Hayakawa

So, go get yourself a good Moleskine notebook and fountain pen and START writing!

Pen : Lamy Safari Charcoal Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Medium : Staedtler Karat Aquarell Watercolour Pencils
Brush : Ashley Dagger No. 3/8
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message , Illustration, Journal, Moleskine Pocket Diary

Journal, 28 September 2009 – When your work gets rejected don’t you ever feel rejected!

Something I’ve been reminding myself of lately. Even when your work gets rejected by client that does not mean you have done a bad job, but it simply means that some client just cannot appreciate your good work! You’re TOO GOOD for them!! Just move on and continue to give of your best!

Be EXCELLENT in EVERYTHING you do. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Be your BEST! RISE HIGHER each time!

Pen : Lamy Safari Charcoal Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Medium : Derwent Graphitint Pencils + Staedtler Karat Aquarell Watercolour Pencils
Brush : Ashley Dagger No. 3/8
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message , Drawing, Illustration, Journal, Moleskine Pocket Diary

Journal, 26 & 27 September 2009 – Test writing with Sailor Sapporo Demonstrator fountain pen

I had a chance to use my Boss and friend’s Sailor Sapporo Demonstrator fountain pen last week for test writing. Very impressed I was with the flow of the ink through its beautifully engraved 14k gold medium fine nib. It writes extremely smooth. Gorgeous piece of writing instrument – transparent and sexy looking, just the right kind of pen for the Boss!

I will just stick to my cheaper Lamy’s.

Here are some of the photos I took of the pen with not my usual 105mm macro lens, but with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS, by reversing the lens. Camera, Nikon F3. Film, an expired Konica Minolta Centuria Super 400.

Filed under: Journal, Message, Personal, Photography , Film Photography, Handwriting, Journal, Macro Photography, Moleskine Pocket Diary, Sailor Sapporo Demonstrator Fountain Pen

Journal, 25 September 2009 – Living to give

“Living to give. Bless someone everyday. Be someone’s miracle today!”

A message to remind myself that a life we live on earth is short, too short to live for ourselves selfishly. Everyday from today I make sure I start off my day with a prayer that I will be a blessing to somebody. Give whenever I could. Be somebody’s miracle. Even a simple friendly smile can brighten up somebody’s day!

We will be happier when we look forward each day to bless others, instead of waiting for somebody else to do that to us. When we bless others we will also be blessed too!

Because God has blessed me so so much, I cannot help but to also want to bless others. His blessings overflow.

Filed under: Journal, Message , Handwriting, Journal, Message, Moleskine Pocket Diary

Journal, 24 September 2009 – Difference between losers and winners

“Losers focus what they are going through. Winner focus on where they are going to. When your facing great challenges in life that means you have a great future!”

Something I picked up from one of Joel Osteen’s sermons. A good reminder to myself when I am facing challenges in life.

Filed under: Journal, Message , Handwriting, Journal, Message, Mole, Moleskine Pocket Diary

Journal, 21 September 2009 – Be Your Best!

Be EXCELLENT in EVERYTHING you do. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Be your BEST!

Pen : Lamy Safari Charcoal Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Medium : Derwent Drawing Pencils
Brush : Goldie Artists’ Super Nylon No. 3
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message, Sketch , Derwent Drawing Pencils, Illustration, Lamy Fountain Pen, Message, Moleskine Pocket Diary

Journal, 18 September 2009 – Life and death is our choice

Read Deuteronomy 30:19

Pen : Lamy Safari Charcoal Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Medium : Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolour
Brush : Rarhael Martre No. 6
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message, Sketch , Bible Verse, Drawing, Illustration, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Moleskine, Moleskine Pocket Diary, Scripture, Sketch, Watercolour

Journal, 20 September 2009 – Joel Osteen’s book & J.Co Donuts

A day of book shopping and donut eating.

Live sketch at J.Co Donuts place @ Pavilion KL.

Pen : Lamy Safari Charcoal Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Medium : Staedtler Karat Aquarell Watercolour Pencils
Brush : Rarhael Martre No. 6
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Personal, Sketch, Urban Sketches , Become A Better You, Book, Drawing, Illustration, J.Co Donuts, Joel Osteen, Journal, Kuala Lumpur, Lamy, Lamy Fountain Pen, Moleskine, Moleskine Pocket Diary, Pavilion KL, Sketch, Urban, Urban Sketches, Watercolour Pencils

Journal, 16 September 2009 – When you’re faced with a problem…

How many times when you’re in a situation you tend to talk about your problem and complain about it? We will find that most of the time by doing that you won’t solve the problem but it gets worse as you talk more about it.

The revelation to you today is that do not talk about your problem but talk to your problem instead! Do not speak about how big your problem is but speak to that problem how big God it!

“… if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20

Pen : Lamy Safari Charcoal Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib
Ink : Noodler’s Ink Polar Black
Medium : Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolour
Brush : Ashley Dagger No. 3/8
Material : Moleskine Pocket Size Daily Planner 2009 (Soft Cover)

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message, Sketch , Drawing, Illustration, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Message, Moleskine Pocket Diary, Sketch, Watercolour

Journal, 19 August 2009 – Seven Steps to Success

Seven Steps to Success. Visual summary from John C Maxwell’s book in visual mind map.

Filed under: Illustration, Journal, Message, Sketch , Diary, Drawing, Handwriting, Illustration, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Leadership, Message, Mind Map, Moleskine, Noodler's Ink, Polar Black, Steps to Success

Journal, 30 August 2009 – Laughter – the best medicine

Wouldn’t you agree more?

Filed under: Cartoon Illustration, Illustration, Journal, Message , Best Medicine, Diary, Faith, Handwriting, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Laughter, Message, Moleskine, Noodler's Ink, Polar Black, Watercolour

Journal, 29 August 2009 – Good Thinkers

Good thinkser are always in demand.
Choose which one who want to be – one who has the job or the one who is the boss.

I choose to be the latter.

Filed under: Journal, Message , Diary, Faith, Good Thinker, Good Thinking, Handwriting, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Ledership, Message, Moleskine, Noodler's Ink, Polar Black, Watercolour

Journal, 23 August 2009 – Step out of the boat

Make a change! Be bold and courageous to step out of the boat! Have faith!

Filed under: Christianity, Illustration, Journal, Message , Boldness, Courage, Diary, Drawing, Faith, Illustration, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Message, Moleskine, Noodler's Ink, Polar Black, Watercolour

Journal, 13 & 14 August 2009

In our life mission there may be many mountains we want to conquer but God will always let us start from the smallest one first.

Filed under: Illustration, Journal , Diary, Drawing, Illustration, Journal, Lamy Fountain Pen, Life Mission, Moleskine, Mountain, Noodler's Ink, Polar Black, Sketch, Watercolour