From Lines to LensesAbout Anniversaries
Heartland. Singapore CBD at twilight.
It’s been a while since my last write-up (or to be more accurate, since I last travelled). Honestly, I have maxed out my paid leave for the first three quarters of the year and have to wait for a few more weeks to be able to make use of the available balance. But that may not happen. I have resigned from my current post which might cause that balance to be forfeited; and it will take another long period before I could be allowed to take a long leave under my new / future employer. The good thing is that Singapore will have 7 long weekends next year. Some of the public holidays in 2017 will fall either on a Monday or Friday; so I am looking forward to working my road trips and photography projects around those long weekends. At least; until I get to my next major holiday. Meantime, I take the time to write this post to feature this beautiful country that has been second home to me for almost a decade.
It’s my 9th year working as an FT here in Singapore (Foreign Talent, as they call it) and my first time to find new work since I came here. This post simply could have waited for my 10th year anniversary (which sounds more appropriate) but it couldn’t; thanks to this period of inactivity and travel hiatus. Honestly, I just felt guilty I didn’t write about Singapore’s 51st Anniversary which happened last month. None of the fireworks photos I took during the celebrations was really successful; which was supposed to be the highlight of my aborted Singapore Anniversary write-up. So I simply write here and make use of the photos I have; images I have created recently as well as those I have amassed during my long stay here.
Fullerton Hotel at the Blue Hour.
You know what’s good about anniversaries? They actually help you remember. I have been blogging for a year now and I just realized I really haven’t featured this beautiful city. How could I forget a country that took care of me for the last 9 years and that has allowed me to do my best work and rewarded me accordingly? Ten years ago, I never would have imagined working here; much less move outside my own country and travel to see other places. But now I am here; and for too long. Familiarity does breed contempt (or even complacency); and you’ll never know of the wonderful things you have until you find yourself stuck somewhere in limbo with all the time available in your hands (which happened to me just recently). 🙂
Anniversaries also remind you to be thankful. The problem with being a foreign talent is uncertainty. I honestly feel quite fortunate for still finding new work in a foreign country especially at a time when most companies are either downsizing, reorganizing, or folding. Back where I come from, it will require an enormous amount of fortune, an intricate network of connections, and a miraculous economic upheaval to be able to succeed in my profession. Working in another country has levelled the playing field for me and has allowed myself and others to reap the benefits of meritocracy. So like any foreigner working in another country, my mantra has always been “to endure and succeed, or pack up and go home”. 🙂
Lastly, anniversaries allow you to start afresh. It allows you to take stock, appreciate your own uniqueness or strengths, and assess what worked well and what didn’t so you could better prepare and be stronger the next time around. We are only as good as our last projects; and this tempering process has painfully changed me from being an impractical theorist to more of a humble, open-minded learner. This recent activity of finding new work has taught me just that (the hard way, to be honest). 🙂
These City Walls. Blue hour at Marina Square in Central Singapore.
In most of my posts, I usually write a short historical background of the place or city being featured. But in this case, I am happy to forego that one and just allow the images to speak of the beauty and wonder of this place (hopefully). I just wanted it to be more personal and leave all the researching to you. Travel photography is all about shooting places in the best available light (those fleeting moments before sunrise and after sunset) which you do not have a lot of when you are traveling (how ironic isn’t it?). The best thing about living in a photogenic country is that you have all the time to do just that. So I share them here; my personal postcards from Singapore (my favorites) which I hope will entice you to visit this surprising and beautiful country (in case you haven’t done so). Enjoy the images and stay grateful and inspired. 🙂
See you in my next post. Cheers!!! 🙂
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From Lines to Lenses 
Beautiful pictures, glad I chanced upon your blog. 🙂
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Hi Audrey. Thanks for reading 😀. Looking at your blog as well. See you around blogosphere. Cheers!!! 😀
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