“Two is a company, but THREE is a PARTY!”

It’s March again and we do love March! Cos it’s our birthday month (Little Haley & I shares the same birthday) and this year, we’re throwing a big party for Little Haley. We’re so busy planning & preparing for the happy day and things are starting to unfold excitingly. With lots of candies and CHOCOLATES, balloons and colorful fabrics, delicious cakes & desserts and fun-filled activities of magic shows, puppet show and swimming pool splash!

Don’t worry if you don’t get to come to our party, cos here’s an early birthday treat from us to you.

Template courtesy of The CoffeeShop Blog.

Hurry & write in to us soon. This birthday giveaway is only valid for bookings confirmed in this month of March 2011 (invoice dated March 2011). You can book for your sessions anytime in 2011 and it doesn’t need to be taken place in March only. Our calendar is pretty filled up til May 2011 (with only very limited days left) so hurry to avoid disappointment.

Please visit our favorite vendor, Storybook, at their website and Facebook Page for beautiful inspirations & pretty little things which will tickle your heart & soul.

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Here’s a quick flash back of my 2010…

JANUARY:

My photography business had gotten more bookings ever since the launch of this new web-blog. There was a time when I kept praying for the possibility of an enquiry email right before I open my email, and the Lord has answered my prayers ten times over! Thank you, dear Lord! And thank you to YOU whom had taken the time to write in & shown an interest in my photography services.

I had my first ever outstation assignment for portraiture. It was to the beautiful island of Penang to capture Little Ryleigh’s special moments with her family.

My little girl finally got to meet her two cousins from the U.S this year.

Haley with her cousins having some pool fun!

FEBRUARY:

Family photo by my fabulous sister-in-law, the person behind Jennifer Tai Photo Artistry

The Tan’s Family finally got to celebrate the Chinese New Year together as one big family after some 5 long years being apart from each other.

One of my bestest girlfriend finally brought her Greek husband home to Malaysia. They had their marriage blessed in the family church and I got to share those moments with her!

My maternal cousin & an old friend had each found their lifetime partner & tied the knot. Gabriel & Daniel! Hope married life is treating you well.

MARCH:

I finally had my eye-sight corrected with an epi-lasik surgery. I have an almost 20-20 vision now. I still have a small degree of astigmatism on my left eyes. Ah well… At least I don’t need glasses anymore!

Haley & I celebrated our birthdays together with the family at the fabulous Pangkor Laut Resort. We had a blast, thanks to the outstanding services by the resort as well as the friendship extended to us by some of the staffs there.

My baby girl is now a toddler!

APRIL:

The craziness of shooting & editing amidst mommy duties continued. But I am blessed to have made great friends out of my clients. Thank you so much for your friendship, dearest Daphine & Foong Yee!

Three ladies met-up with a mind boggling goal to achieve. Gina & Mei Yoong! Remember our first meet-up for G.O.L?

MAY:

I had my first & ONLY scuba diving trip this year. It was wonderful to be back in the deep blue at Layang-Layang Island! I’m blessed to be able to meet & spend time with my old comrades there. I love you all! Oh! Not forgetting the absolutely gorgeous sunset! I kept counting my lucky stars to be able to document some beautiful moments there. Our Little Haley had a blast exploring the little island & get to know where her mummy used to live & work.

I had my long overdue dentist check-up in Muar this year. It was years since my last check-up and I’m lucky to have a dear friend who owns his own dentistry practice there. It was an adventure for mom, Haley & I, driving down to Muar & back. Thank you for the check-up & lunch, Rick! We did some shopping along our way back to KL. Fresh mussels & la-la! Must make a trip down to Muar again soon.

We finally had our own family moments captured this year. Thank you Zach!

JUNE:

I got to see my little clients from last year & document their little moments again. Little Sophia & Shuen-Shuen have both grown beautifully! It’s always so heart-warming to be able to meet & spend more time with my little clients again.

Justin + Joo Lee = Gabriel & Charmaine

Ras + Carol = Twins Asyraff and Aimar & BabyRose!

God decided it’s time for me to meet with my old old old friends and their families. Justin + Joo Lee and Carol, thank you so much for sharing your precious family moments with me. I’m so sorry we didn’t get to meet up again since your session but I’ll try to have a get-together with you & family again next year.

JULY:

I made a trip back to my hometown Kuching & attended my high-school reunion dinner which turned out to be… well… let’s just say I’m sad cos most of my classmates whom were close to me were not in town, but at the same time I’m really happy to be seeing some of my teachers again. Thank you Eileen & Joanne, for making the night much more interesting & meaningful for me.

I met another childhood friend, Mommy J with her little family during my stay in Kuching. So happy we took the effort to finally meet-up after more than 10 yrs!

It was a crazy month with continuous shooting, traveling, editing & meetings for the Gift of Love Charity Bazaar!

The mommies behind G.O.L

AUGUST:

I made a few more beautiful mommy-friends this month. My job is definitely a blessings! Thank you Iris and Helen, for taking the extra effort to know me as a person and as a friend to you.

I attended the first ever photography conference in Malaysia. Had some good fun with the industry peers and made some good friends along the way too. Thanks WPPM!

SEPTEMBER:

I’d dare say this month had been a month full of newborns!

We had a very short break to Singapore during the Hari Raya Holidays. Met some friends & brought our girl, Haley to the Singapore Zoo for the first time.

Little Haley & Daddy in the Zoo's Tram

Haley's so happy when she saw the flamingoes!

Gift of Love had our first interview with Sin Chew and we enjoyed the session very much. We also had other major newspapers covering our event namely TheStar, China Press & Parenthood Magazine. Our event kicked-off with an unexpected high response, especially at the photo-booth section.

Tropicana City Mall in Malaysia by Kay Bin Kow

We managed to collect more than RM8k from this charity drive. Very very thankful to have a strong support team. Especially when everyone involved was doing it on a volunteer basis. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

OCTOBER:

Another outstation portraiture assignment and this time it’s to Seremban. Thank you Cheryl, for your friendship & the opportunities to document your special moments. I still owe you the photos and will try to get them done for you ASAP.

Tis another month filled with photo sessions, play classes for Haley and final planning for my beloved cousin’s wedding.

One of my best friend from high school came back to Malaysia, bringing her new British husband along to meet her relatives & friends. Wish we could spend more quality time together but it was beautiful to share her happy moments back in Kuching! Congrats Rachel!

NOVEMBER:

This is a bitter sweet month for me!

My closest cousin sister (she’s the sister I never had) finally got married to her beloved. It was an emotional week for all of us.

Another one of my best-ies girlfriend got hitched this month. Congrats Lynette and here’s wishing you a happy life with Leo in the U.S!

I was suffering from knee pain for several months, making it hard for me to walk up & down steps as well as crouch or kneel comfortably. Finally went for an MRI and doctor told me it’ll require an arthroschopy and about 2-3 months to heal. Am still healing after the surgery and I’m praying hard that I’ll be A-Okay before Chinese New Year 2011!

A week before my knee surgery, I lost my footing on my way back to my car after a baby session. My small toe bone was fractured towards the end where it’s attached to the tendon near my ankle. I was on crutches for about 2 weeks. I had to postpone/reschedule my photo sessions but am really lucky to have some very understanding clients. Am currently still limping from both the leg & knee injuries.

My left leg was swollen for weeks!

Despite my injuries, I continued with the Christmas Mini-Session at my home studio and we had some happy fun.

DECEMBER:

The Family & I finally had a chance to spend some quality time together at Pangkor Laut Resort again. It was a trip full of dramas but we’re happy nevertheless.

I decided to take this month a little slower mainly for a few important things.

1. To prepare for Christmas. Shopping for groceries, food preparation, shopping for gifts, cleaning the house, etc.
2. Spend more quality time with my little Haley. She was showing signs of cling-iness and I believe she misses me as I’ve spent so little time since a few months back, burying myself in work mainly.
3. Take some time off for “Me” time. I was at the verge of “burning out” and thanks to my dear friends and family, I was reminded on what are my priorities once again. I was sick a lot this year due to lack of sleep & rest. So, I’m pretty adamant at keeping my stress level down this month and just CHILL. Heck, my body, my soul, my creative mind, ALL needs a rest & positive boost before it all breaks down.
4. My doctors’ appointments for my leg and thyroid. Everything is going on the positive side!

So there… my 2010 filled with so many happenings & dramas and such! I would like to express my deepest gratitude & love to my family, friends and clients for filling up my life this year. I will cherish all the laughters & tears, the knowledge gained & shared, and most importantly the relationships gained & shared together with each & everyone of you. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

As for what will be waiting for me & you in 2011, well… let’s just prepare ourselves with all things good and the not so good. Plan your year and try your best to fulfill your dreams. Most importantly, cherish everything around you, cos without them, there is no you.

What will be brewing in ALP’s world? Let’s just say there’s lots in the “I wish” and “I need” lists. And we’re going to try our very best to tick-off each & everything in the lists in 2011. Come and walk along with us in our adventures and dreams.

Here’s wishing you a 2011 filled with more happiness, good health and love!

KISSES & HUGS from me to you. xoxo

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Am going to write another “fast” post here just to keep you updated with what am caught in at the moment. After the event was over last weekend, I have to settle a few post-event matters (accounts, paper-works, etc.) as well as to catch up on my work, especially the MANY deadlines that requires my main attention at the moment.

But I’d like to share with you the results of our photobooth contest during our charity event.

Our Photobooth Poster by Storybook

Our Photobooth Contest details

We got 2 ladies of different backgrounds, 2 children and a gentleman to be our judges for the contest. And here are our winners!

Pregnancy Portrait Winner - Claudia W

Open Category Winner - Stephen Wong's Family

Baby Portrait Winner - Emily Chew's Baby

Once again, we would like to thank CANON Malaysia for sponsoring the printing papers & loaning us 2 units of excellent printers for our photobooth. Printing quality was excellent!

We would also like to thank Baby Bump Maternity, Borders Malaysia & Getha Beddings for sponsoring the contest prizes which amounted to RM600 for each category.

We’re VERY thankful to those who came & supported us. I hope to post our post-event write-up once it’s completed sometime in the next week or so. So do stay tuned & come visit this blog space soon.

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Entry #2 = Jozuana A.D

Entry #5 = Jinelle Chay

Entry #10 = Adeline Low

Entry #12 = Sharon Leng

Entry #13 = Low Hsiao-Ju

Congratulations to the winners. And a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who contributed & shared their thoughts on breastfeeding. Very encouraging indeed!

We will be sending the winners an email soon on how to claim your FREE Canon print from our Gift of Love Charity Bazaar’s Photobooth.

Our event is just around the corner. 24-26 September 2010 (Friday to Sunday). You’re all invited to come & join us in the fun of shopping, having your portaits taken and joining our various stage activities & contests.

ALP together with a few other volunteering photographers will be at the photobooth, ready to help capture your beautiful portraits. You will be able to purchase a 4R print or A4 print of your portraits taken from our booth.

1 x 4R = RM10                    1 x A4 = RM30                            1 x 4R + 1 x A4 + Contest Entry = RM50

There will be three categories for you to enter:

1. Child Portraiture (age 3 and below)

2. Group Portraiture

3. Pregnancy Portraiture

Amazing prizes awaits, including a FREE photo session with ALP among them. Contest entry closes at 3pm on Sunday, 26th September 2010.

So looking forward to seeing you there! More info at: Gift of Love Charity Bazaar 2010’s Facebook Page

Till then, have a great week ahead!

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Little R's smudgey face. Cheeky but cute!

Little C enjoying her buttercream delight!

Little D's yummy face!

Little R's all covered with yummy cream!

These images have inspired me to start another blog contest and this time, I’ve gotten a fellow mommy friend to sponsor the giveaway! A gift voucher from Babysweet Cakes worth RM100.

I came to savor Pleasance’s delicious cupcakes during a visit to my close friend, JennL’s home earlier this year. Ever since that day, I’ve been dreaming on eating more of her yummy creations and finally we decided to order a set of birthday cupcakes from her for my mum’s birthday recently. My mum loved her birthday cuppies & ate most of them herself!

Pleasance is a fellow stay-at-home-mom who loves baking & owns a little home-based bakery business. She’s famous for her delicious butter-cream cupcakes (but she bakes other yummies such as cakes & cookies too) and she uses all-natural & fresh ingredients for her yummy creations.

Here’s a list of her cake/cupcake flavors:

VANILLA BUTTER ~ rich butter cake! *slurps*

FRESH ORANGE ~ one of her best selling flavor! Fresh!

LEMON ZEST ~ tangy & refreshing!

DARK CHOCOLATE ~ rich, buttery & chocolaty!

BITTERSWEET RICH CHOCOLATE ~ lusciously dark & melt-in-your mouth texture!

COFFE PICK-ME-UP ~ fragrant brewed coffee with vanilla

CLASSIC MARBLE ~ swirls of vanilla butter cake and delectable dark chocolate

MOCHA MOCHA ~ bittersweet notes of chocolate & toasty coffe

DARK CHOCOLATE ORANGE ~ rich luscious chocolate cake with a fragrant citrus kick!

Some of Babysweet Cakes best creations. Photo Credit: Babysweet Cakes

Are you salivating yet? Want to know how to WIN this contest & get a chance to savor her creations? Here’s how…

1. Head on to Babysweet Cakes’ Facebook Page & “LIKE” the page. You’ll get to see MORE pretty & yummy creations of hers there.
2. Write down your favorite flavor/s from Pleasance’s flavor list (as given above) ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE’s wall.
3. Leave a comment UNDER THIS THREAD/POST REPEATING what you wrote on her Facebook Page. Do remember to leave your NAME, EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER so we can get back to you in case you win!
4. You will then be assigned a number (by post order). All comments will be moderated before they will show up, but they will still appear in the order they were received in automatically after I approve them! Only COMPLETED submission will be given a number. So REMEMBER to post comments on BOTH Babysweet Cake’s Facebook Page wall and HERE on this thread.
5. Entry deadline will be on next Monday, 6th September, after which a winner will be chosen RANDOMLY using the True Random Number Generator.
6. As a WINNER, you will be sent an email/text message with a winning notification, after which an e-voucher will be emailed to you.
7. Then you can proceed on contacting Pleasance & place your order with her!
8. Your yummy adventure BEGINS!

NOTE: This contest is only applicable to those who can collect the yummies from Pleasance in Selangor.

Christmas is only a few months away and Pleasance’s calendar gets filled up pretty fast with bookings. You might want to try her limited edition Chocolate Truffles Cupcakes for this coming Christmas celebration.

Babysweet Cakes' Christmas Edition Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes. Photo Credit: Babysweet Cakes

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? Submit your entry now! GOOD LUCK!

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Here are a few moments I help documented during Earth Hour at one of their dining location, The Feast Village. We had our bountiful buffet dinner with candle lights that night. Romantic!

Entrance to the restaurant

View from the seaside

View from the hill-side garden

Dining setting before Earth Hour

Amazing architecture!

Dining in almost darkness

Candle-lit environment

Candle holders for table setting

Candles for floor lighting

Here I’d like to quote what Jeff told me that day,

“Our effort may seem small, but it’s the awareness that will spread in hope to encourage environmental conservation effort among us. Especially so the younger generations may still enjoy what we have now.”

while pointing at the beautiful beach scenery in-front of us.

So, let’s strife for a better tomorrow. Every little thing counts!

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Pretty Little Venus!

Location: Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur

When: During Lil’ Venus 3rd session for “The First Year” baby portrait photography package.

Note: This little girl is now 9-month old! It’s so amazing watching my clients grow!

28.02.2010

Little Angela

Location: Taman Tun Dr Ismail Park

When: During Little Angela’s baby photo session with her family.

Note: Her “kai-ma” aka God-Mother brought this drawer along for the photo session. Really appreciate such effort!

01.03.2010

Twins!

Location: Petaling Jaya

When: During Little Devya and Little Devesh baby photo session at their home.

Note: They’re my first twins! That piece of furniture they’re on is an antique, I tell you!

02.03.2010

Little Adam

Location: Kuala Lumpur

When: During Amin & Shareen’s Wedding Anniversary photo session.

Note: This is their youngest son, waiting to dress up for their family portrait session.

03.03.2010

Vrrrooommm!

Location: Petaling Jaya

When: During Little Seth’s birthday party

Note: This is one of Little Seth’s car toy. So cool, eh?

04.03.2010

Yummy Thumb!

Location: Subang Jaya

When: During Little Jayden’s newborn photo session

Note: This little (big) boy was only 3-weeks old and he’s managed to bring his own thumb into his mouth! Clever boy!

Alritey! That’s all for today.

If you like what you’ve seen so far, why not try your luck at ALP’s Birthday Contest to win a FREE photo session with me? There are e-vouchers to win as well, so go check out the details and we’re looking forward to seeing your entries soon!

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Cupcakes by Mama Min

Location: Dessert’s Bar, Petaling Jaya.

When: During Little Seth’s 1st Birthday Party

Note: Mommy C found MaMa Min via my blog post on her. It feels really good knowing that my blog came in handy to my clients.

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2. Maybe I should…
… stop worrying. Que sera sera?

3. I love…
… scuba diving and definitely photography! Books, movies & music too. Not forgetting good & considerate people.

4. People would say that I am…
… bubbly & helpful but can be a control freak at times.

5. I don’t understand…
… why people like to demand inconsiderately.

6. When I wake up in the morning…
… I look for my Little Haley.

7. I trust…
… but carefully.

8. Life is…
… full of cross-roads and we must choose always to go forward & face what’s beyond.

9. My past has taught me…
… to be a better person.

10. I get annoyed when…
… I’m being pushed even though I’m trying my very best.

11. Parties are…
… for kids, young people and those young at-hearts.

12. I wish…
… miracles happen to us everyday!

13. Dogs…
… are fun & bouncy.

14. Cats…
… are soft and cuddly.

15. Tomorrow is…
… another day and praying it’s gona be a beautiful one!

16. If I had a million dollars…
… I will buy a bigger house & have another baby. Build a home studio & maybe then darling Francis can work for me!

17. I’m totally terrified of…
… failure but I’m learning to embrace it & learn from it. See it as an opportunity.

18. When I look at the night sky, I think…
… there is too much light pollution here in Petaling Jaya. I wish I’m back on an island where I can see the stars vivid & clear!

That’s all for now… Have a good week ahead, everyone!

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I’ve come up with a New Year Specials for YOU this 2010! Check it out!

Having a baby this 2010? These are for YOU!

♥

The First Year
[Portraiture Package for Infants below 1-yr old] = RM800

• Capturing baby’s growing moments from birth to first birthday
• FOUR (4) x 2-hrs portraiture sessions in an interval of 3 months each
• 1 location (within Klang Valley) for each session

♣

Bump to Pop!
[Portraiture Package for Pregnant Family] = RM888

• Capturing your beautiful glowing moments and your newborn’s new moments*
• 1 x 2-hr portraiture session for pregnancy moments and 1 x 2-hr portraiture session for newborn moments
• 1 location (within Klang Valley) for each session

* Newborn has to be within 2-week old from birth date.

Looking for something different or getting married this 2010?

♦

Underwater Dream
[Portraiture Package for Casual/Engagement/Pre-Wedding] = RM2010

• Capturing your underwater portraits the ALP style!
• 3-hr session
• Location: Petaling Jaya, Selangor or recommended island retreat *
• Make-up service inclusive
• Support divers inclusive (for safety purposes)

* island retreat logistic cost is not inclusive

STANDARD DELIVERABLES = High resolution digital files [post-processed with a mixture of special treatments (whenever I see fit) on DVD] at least 1 month after shoot date.

So what are you waiting for?!?!?! Go ahead and Contact Me NOW!

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