| | | Cocoa Evenings | | | 可可黄昏 – Page 3 – feisty, whimsical, makeup enthusiast, mobile phone photographer, learning to live life to the fullest

The Gecko Saw Me

December 6, 2015

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Eye Spy.”

I must have been terribly close to the gecko because the gecko responded to my presence.

Look at that eye! It was checking me out from head to toe.

I must have been terribly brave because I held my ground and got more than one shot of the gecko. I think it was very brave to hold its ground too because it did not run even after I got all the shots I wanted.

I must have been holding my breath because I remember thinking,

“Please stay. Please do not go away until I have got your picture.”

I must have been the luckiest person on Earth because I probably ran into the same gecko twice at different times on the same day. I met the gecko once on my way into the wetland park and then again when I exited from the same point at the wetland park. I thought,

“Have we met before? Is it the same one?”

Look at its face! I am pretty sure it thought the same thing. I am pretty sure it recognised this human being – me, with the camera.

I must have been quite harmless because it turned away somewhat and carried on with its life.

My trip ended at that point. I took some photos with my fellow travellers and bade farewell to the amazing life that exists on Earth.

I am still thinking,

“How much do the other animals know? How much do they feel?”

[Photo: Taken at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore, 6 July 2013]
SL-WEEK 22 : Transparency

December 5, 2015

In response to Sylvain LANDRY, SL-Week 22: Transparency.

Not much beats enjoying wine from a crystal glass in a pool.

Who would have thought that the geometry of the wine glass could be stable enough for it to balance perfectly in water?

I also enjoy gazing through the water waves and noting how different square tiles appear after refraction by the water.

Cheers! Wine glasses up! This to a great week ahead!

Cocoa
Travel Theme: Mellow – Water Monitor Lizard at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore

August 20, 2015

In response to Where’s my backpack? Travel Theme: Mellow.

On a sunny afternoon, the water monitor lizard was lazing around. All four of its legs sprawled over the terrain, almost saying, “I am going slowly, there is nothing on the agenda today.”

Relaxing in the calm little patch looks wonderful!

Have you seen a large lizard in real life? If no, would you want to travel somewhere to look at it? If yes, where did you see it? Did it fascinate you?

Enjoy!

Cocoa’s notes:
Jensen Chua gives you the low down on Water Monitor Lizards of Sungei Buloh. The read has lots of fun facts and beautiful pictures of the lizard!

The International Year of Biodiversity 2010 also compares the Water Monitor Lizards to its celebrity lizard look-alikes. There are photos of cousins to the Water Monitor Lizards provided for you.
The Liebster Award

August 17, 2015
Thank you to Ramida of Candelsecent who nominated me for the Liebster Award!

The name of her blog is so pretty and her gallery of art pieces is cool too!

I have to answer the questions that Ramida asked, as follows:

1. Who or what inspired you to blog?
The idea of having a space to manage my thoughts inspires me to blog. I think a lot so I find the need to sort my thoughts out lest they bottle up and I explode.

2. Favourite day of the week & why?
Saturday. I was born on a Saturday. I also associate Saturdays with many good feelings, such as the day I can sleep in and still have time to get things done, the day I can go out with my family, the day of good cartoon shows, the day of my drama lessons, art lessons, and swimming lessons.

3. A technology you would love to be made possible for use?
What does this mean? Perhaps something that would help people feel what others are feeling.

4. Favourite book genre?
Adventure. I like following the protagonist around.

5. One thing on your bucket list?
Visit my grandmother’s hometown.

6. An embarrassing moment in your life?
A couple of weeks’ back, I walked on the streets and even boarded the crowded train with my shirt worn inside out. I felt that no one had noticed but I still alighted the train to find a washroom and change.

7. A proud moment in your life?
The day I gave my mother a gold ring – for bringing me up well.

8. Egg or chicken?
To eat? Egg.

9. Favourite thing to do on the weekend?
Make tea. You saw that coming, didn’t you? Haha. I make hot cocoa or hot honey/ hot honey lemon sometimes.

10. What is your curtain pattern?
I do not know how to describe. I have four set of curtains, each different in colour. The one below is behind me right now.

11. One fact people (here) don’t know about you?
I will put the grape jam on hash brown when I eat Big Breakfast from MacDonald’s. Don’t judge me! =D

***

I am nominating the following blogs for the Liebster Award, in alphabetical order,

Hamid Andalib Photography because her photos brings me places.

Into the Mild because he is not your usual traveller, much less tourist.

Overlooked Nature because she provides uncommon insights.

Photography by AlexK because you are missing out if you have not seen her photos.

The AnonymousSTalker because this guy’s humour and mystery is out of this world.

***

THE RULES FOR PASSING THIS AWARD ON
1. Once you are nominated, make a post thanking and linking the person who nominated you. Include the Liebster Award sticker in the post too.
2. Nominate 5-10 other bloggers who you feel are worthy of this award. Let them know they have been nominated by commenting on one of their posts. You can also nominate the person who nominated you.
3. Ensure all these bloggers have less than 200 followers.
4. Answer the eleven questions asked to you by the person who nominated you, and make eleven questions of your own or your nominees or you may use the same questions.
5. Lastly, COPY these rules in the post
***

My question for you are as follows:
1. What is the most memorable part of you life in the past week?
2. Where do you see your blog five years from now?
3. If you have to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
4. Do you use lip balms? How often? Which is your favourite lip balm?
5. What advice would you give to a twelve year-old?
6. Handphone camera or proper camera?
7. What is the model of the computer you are using right now?
8. Rest, work, or play on a Saturday evening?
9. Hardcopy notebook and pen for note-taking or handphone/tablet?
10. What is your most worn type (one-piece, colour, stripes, button, etc) of clothing?
11. Share something you want us to know but not already on your blog.
Do check out the blogs that I have nominated! I am always so happy to see one of their posts in my feed.

Enjoy!
Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge: 2015 Week 32 – Crayons in a restaurant?

August 16, 2015

In response to Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge: 2015 Week 32.

Why are there crayons in a restaurant? The crayons are obviously for customers to draw and colour because there is a piece of paper provided to every customer. Some of the drawings are being displayed on the walls. Still, I could not help wondering why there are crayons in the restaurant.

The crayons and paper could be the owner’s way of keeping customer entertained while waiting for the food. I do not know and perhaps will never know.

Have you come across restaurants that provide crayons and drawing paper before?

Click the banner below to learn about Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge and participate.

Enjoy!

[Photo: Taken at a restaurant that I stumbled upon in Bangkok, Thailand, 2012.]
Cee’s Which Way Challenge: 2015 week #32 – Cavenagh Bridge, Singapore

August 16, 2015

In response to Cee’s Photography Which Way Challenge tag.

Today, let us take a walk across Cavenagh Bridge, the oldest bridge over the Singapore River. The Cavenagh Bridge charms city-dwellers with its British colonial architecture nestled amongst modern high-rise buildings.

I hold this bridge in a particular place in my heart because I had to cross it to get to Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall to attend my favourite drama at least once a year. I would cross the bridge with good friends and cross back again (to return home) with sweet memories from the play.

On the day that I took this photo, I saw many young school children being led over the bridge by their kind and attentive teacher. There is always tourist and school organised learning journeys to the Cavenagh Bridge due to its historical significance.

Do you attend drama, plays, or musicals? If yes, which is the most memorable one? If no, what discourages you from it?

Click the banner below to learn about Cee’s Which Way Challenge tag and participate.

Enjoy!
Share Your World – 2015 week #32 – Brian’s Bakes and Blogging 101

August 16, 2015

In response to Cee’s Photography Share Your World tag.

Are you a collector of anything?

Yes. Sunsets, skies, and makeup.

Watch eighteen gorgeous sunsets that will relax your mood with me.

They say, “life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” Enjoy thirty-one amazing skies with me.

As for makeup, I like lipsticks and blushes. Find the perfect red lip colour from my thirty-one shades of red lipsticks. I will also appreciate if you vote for my photo on Sylvan Landry Photography.

I collect many other things like Lego, Hello Kitties, and stamps too!

What is your biggest fear or phobia? (no photos please)

Bugs. Same answer as Cee.

Do you prefer reading coffee table books (picture), biographies, fiction, non-fiction, educational?

Everything and anything! Fiction. I recommend The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks and The Pact by Jodi Picoult for younger readers. I also recommend Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore for slightly older readers. Last but not least, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is a worthwhile read.

I created the blog name Cocoa Evenings after reading Remains of the Day.

~~Choosing one category had been painful for someone who loves reading.~~

Complete this sentence: If I Must Be Reincarnated, In the Next Life I Want to Be…

A healthy human being? I have not thought much about this question.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I managed to take time out to visit the new university campus, where I spent a relaxing evening having coffee and chicken cheese baked rice. I was at Brian’s Bakes, Singapore University of Technology and Design.

I would also like to thank the Blogging 101 community for much guidance and support over the past two weeks.

My sharing will stop here today.

If you are reading, I tag you to join me in Share Your World. Click the banner below to learn more and participate!

Feel free to leave your Share Your World post URL in my comments box too.

Enjoy!
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Things with Engines or Motors – The Daily Mode of Transport

August 16, 2015

In response to Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Things with Engines or Motors.

The daily mode of transport for many staying in the capital, Bangkok, Thailand, is the motorcycle. The motorcycle gets one through massive traffic jams and well into alleys, right in front of one’s house. The motorcycle is also more affordable to own, both in terms of purchase price and maintenance fees such as oil.

*This photo has been edited to remove the man’s face and all vehicle license plate numbers.

The motorcycle is often seen as the more dangerous option compared to a car. The motorcycle gets into fatal road accidents more frequently (at least in Singapore) because it is tiny and often missed by drivers in trucks, buses, or cars. Motorcycles also offer no protection to the motorcyclist; there are no safety pillows, seat belts, or extra metal to absorb the impact of collision.

I once heard of the tragic story of how a friend, A, was riding on the roads and spotted a road accident involving a motorcycle. A recalled seeing the body of the bike, the storage box, and a book that A had gifted to his friend, B. A immediately experienced that sinking feeling. A knew that B was that motorcyclist. After that, A received official news that B had died in that road accident. Dramatic as it sounds, I will not doubt the perils a motorcyclist goes through no matter how safe that road is.

Regardless, the motorcycle is versatile and affordable. The motorcycle remains the choice for daily mode of transport in many major cities throughout the world.

What is your daily mode of transport?

Click on the banner below to read more and/or participate in the Black & White Photo Challenge.

Also, you could click on the link to find Cee’s response for this week.

Enjoy!

[Photo: Taken in Bangkok, Thailand, 2012.]
Sunday Stills, the next challenge: Clouds in Black and White | cocoaevenings

August 15, 2015

In response to Sunday Stills, the next challenge: Clouds in Black and White.

Do you enjoy watching the clouds? If no, why not? If yes, what is your favourite type of clouds?

Enjoy!

[Photo: Taken at Boracay, The Phillippines, 2013.]
Man in the white coat lured me in

August 15, 2015

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Creepy.”

I can feel Michelle Weber as I read about her stumble into the stacks of plastic babies. Indeed, creepy. I have had such encounters before – bumping into something eerie or disgusting in the middle of a happy day. In my case, I met with such a scene in broad daylight during my travel vacation in Boracay, The Phillippines.

I first saw this scene from further down, as shown below. I suffered a mini shock then, and I decided that I needed to go nearer and capture the man in the white coat from another angle.

What do you consider creepy? Is it eerieness? Disgusting sights? Sick acts or queasy feelings? Psychologically unsettling thoughts?

Enjoy!
~~I feel strange to ask you to enjoy creepiness! Haha.~~

Cocoa’s notes:
Check out my post on colours of the rainbow – ROY G BIV if you want a better view of the umbrellas!

Yes, I plucked up my courage and walked up to the man in the white coat eventually, because I wanted to photograph the beautiful array of umbrellas.