A pair of white swans at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, at the Swan Lake.

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."-Anaïs Nin

This is a close-up view of a young, unopened Victoria waterlily flower which I cut open at work. It fell off the plant, so I picked it up cut it open. This photograph was taken with my phone since I don't bring my camera to work. 

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"-Albert Einstein

Many apologies for the lack of activity for such a long time, but I've been extraordinarily busy moving out for renovations of my house. Good thing is, they're finished, so posting can resume! 

So then, here's another beauty from HortPark. This one is a leopard lacewing butterfly. 

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."-Dr. Seuss

 "Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like."-Lemony Snicket

Here's another one from the World Orchid Conference. There are so many types of orchids and hybrids, there seems to be no end to them. They are quite interesting though.

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which gives value to survival."-C.S. Lewis

These are the "Supertrees" at Gardens by the Bay. They are supposed to collect rainwater for recycling, and are also able to harness solar energy.

"Fear is inevitable, I have to accept that, but I cannot allow it to paralyze me."-Isabel Allende

"The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone."-Mitch Albom

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Haven't been posting in a while, but I did explore a little into timelapse photography. This little venture actually reminded me how important it is to admit that I didn't know anything about timelapse, and that realising this was the first step to learning. So here's my first timelapse attempt. 

"I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."-Mark Twain 

My exams are finally over, so posting finally resumes! This one was from a lunar eclipse, though I forgot when it occurred. 

"May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out."-J.R.R. Tolkien

Here's another one from Gardens by the Bay. It has already been opened for a few weeks now, but this was taken before the official opening during the World Orchid Conference. 

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."-Mark Twain 

This one is from one of the open fields around Singapore. This is another one that tends to cheer me up. It reminds me that though the world may be huge and we are only a small piece in it, we should not lose our bloom. 

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all."-Walt Disney Company, Mulan

One of the many sculptures all around the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Little bundle of joy here. 

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."-A. A. Milne

Finally back to posting! This is another one from the Jurong Bird Park, and it always cheers me up when I see that little smile. These friendly lories and lorikeets will land quite close to you, so don't be alarmed. They may even land on you.

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be."-Abraham Lincoln

This is one more from the Jurong Bird Park. Not too sure what bird this is, but it looks quite nice. 

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."-Winston Churchill

This is one more photograph from HortPark. I noticed that they have really nice pebbles. 

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."-Lou Holtz

This is another of the butterflies from the Butterfly Garden in HortPark. This one lacks the flashy colors, but carries a certain elegance.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."-Abraham Lincoln

Here's another one from the Jurong Bird Park. These crowned pigeons are kept in a large enclosure which visitors can enter. They often wander close to visitors, which can be quite delightful.

"Happiness depends upon ourselves."-Aristotle

This is another one from the Istana, a flower of the Orthosiphon aristatus, also known as Cat's whiskers. The dried leaves can be brewed to make a tea.

"The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend."-Aristotle

This one is from the Jurong Bird Park. It's a pretty nice place to go to just see their variety of birds. Open from 8.30am to 6.00pm daily at the cost of $18 for adults and $12 for children age 3 to 12, you can spend as much time as you like inside. I particularly enjoy the owl exhibit, as it's always nice and cool in there.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

These are the flowers of the climber Antigonon leptopus. These pink blooms are popular with insects like small bees.

"There is more to life than simply increasing its speed."-Mahatma Gandhi

Another one from the Butterfly Gardens from HortPark. This is a male leopard lacewing butterfly. Their colors differ from that of their female counterparts. 

"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how."-Friedrich Nietzsche

This photograph was shot at the Butterfly Garden in HortPark. It's only open at the last Saturday of every month, or on occasions like the Garden Bazaar.

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."-George Bernard Shaw

This was from the Istana in Singapore. It's only open to the public on some local public holidays though. 

"You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do."-Eleanor Roosevelt

From near the unused KTM railway track at the Stagmont Ring area. This bicycle must have been there a while.

"The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings."-Henry Ward Beecher

From Gardens by the Bay which is to officially open sometime this June!

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."-Robert Frost

The fissured bark of a Fragrea fragrans, also known as Tembusu. It is one of the few species of plants native to Singapore and interestingly, is on the back of the Singaporean 5 dollar note. The particular Fragrea fragrans tree on the note can be seen still alive and well at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."-Epicurus

"Accept who you are; and revel in it."-Mitch Albom

"The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection."-George Orwell

I'm not trying to sound deep or corny or anything, but quite often people wish that things had happened differently. I'm not going to lie, sometimes I do too. But that actually just makes us more upset about the way things are. Wallowing in sorrow will do you no good. We should set our sights on something more productive and use our energy on that. 

"You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."-Marcus Aurelius

I honestly can't remember the last time this blog's been active. But it's time to get it back on track. I started this with a partner, I can't let him down. Though life may be getting hard for me, it's no reason to let it get me down.

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."-Gerard Way

Help me

Help me. Please. Contrary to popular belief, I am actually insanely unhappy at the current moment. 

I guess I need someone to save me, to show me the light at the end of the tunnel. The light that isn't coming from the incoming train.