Dear Fans & Friends, Mingalarbar! A warm and fresh greeting from Yangon, Myanmar.  After spending 2 years time in Singapore, I have grounded back to the home soil.  Yes, it was exactly 2 years time (July 2009 – July 2011).  It might have been the hardest junction of my life but then I am happy that I have earned a lot of experiences throughout these two years.  I am glad that I could survive amidst heaps of “wee and woe”. I am delighted that I have accomplished some of the milestones.

First and the foremost, I would like to express a great gratitude to my family and Dad who crafts and guides me to be YE LWIN OO today.  There still are many people to remember!  It was 4th July 2009; I stepped into this small island.  And it was my photography friend, Ko Than Zaw Myo, who picked up me at Changi International Airport.  And Philips Tan (Myat Htoo), Justin Yang (Thein Toe), Raymond (Sai Paing Soe), Rainstealer (Htoon Linn Soe), Archboy (Htin Kyaw Myint), Aww Kyuu (Kyaw Zin Myo), Ko Thaw (Myo Thaw Htun) and Stanley Kay are dedicated people I should really be thankful.  Their accompanies, their helps and their supports are vital in each and every aspect of it. Last but not least, thank you so much to my little Lilly…

STORIES BEHIND THESE PHOTOS

This is the first ever post I upload the photos taken out of Myanmar.  It is my Dad’s wish to position myself as a pure Burmese photo blogger.  He is indeed one of the biggest art principals behind the scene and also the one who always advises me to decorate my blog exclusively with the traditions, customs and images of Myanmar.  So for this particular post, let’s call it “a tribute”.  These are the pictures of my personal choice.  These are taken throughout these 2 years, at different locales and occasions while wearing my fluctuating moods.  Some by intention, some by chance and some along the way!!!  And yet to express my sturdy thankfulness to my beloved friends and fans, I have come up with this post.

If I miss out to mention some of my friends here, please kindly accept my apology.

Good day to you all…

YE LWIN OO (MPS)

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It was my first flip flop in Singapore… Yes, I used to be a big flip flop fan…

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It was the first time in my life catching the sun at Changi with a groupie of friends… Days to remember!!!

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Yet another Changi shot…

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This is the place I normally go and pray… Very famous Quan Ying Temple at Bugis Street…

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Newly opened Marina Bay Sand Resorts…

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One night at VivoCity…

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Central Business District (an bird-eye view)…

I recalled my memories!  It was somewhere in the middle of August 2007, I started sharing my photos on a free online media space called “Photoblog”.  I was still in the learning stage and I just shoot my photos with “A-Mode (Aperture Priority Mode)”.  I simply did not have any clue how to shoot with “Manual Mode”.  I would say, my beginner days were just so messed up.  Photoblog is a place where I met most of my senior photography friends.  I love to have those comments and suggestions on my photos because I truly learned a lot from those comments left by fellow bloggers.

A Talented Travel Photographer (or) Emmeline Tan

There was a time that I have come to notice an international travel photographer called Emmeline Tan.  Emmeline bases in Singapore and her main focus is on travel photography where she used to have a rich collection of photos from Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, and Australia. She too shared the pictures of her daughter, “Hai Yu”.  Feel free to explore Emmeline’s photography works at her Personal Photo Gallery.  Can you imagine how lucky Hai Yu is to be the daughter of a mum who is a photographer?  Yes, Emmeline records every single moment of Hai Yu.  I am sure Hai Yu has a lot of childhood photos captured by her beloved mum.  And I am very confident that Emmeline has patiently trained Hai Yu to be familiar with cameras.

For one reason or another, both Emmeline and I stopped writing on Photoblog and we fell out of touch for some time.  I pay more attention to my personal webpage where Emmeline has her own.  Thanks Facebook for letting us catch up each other again in the late 2009.

One fine SATURDAY with Emmeline & Hai Yu

I came over to Singapore in 2009 July.  Ever since I arrived Singapore, I had just greeted Emmeline over the phone but we never happen to see each other outside.  It was 2011 Chinese New Year Day that I sent New Year Wish to Emmeline’s family. And she replied my sms and with grumbling tone for not meeting up her family even for once.  Since then, I have been trying to arrange for a gathering but my wish never succeeded.  It is, in fact, very difficult for me to make prior appointment with any friend as I have a very demanding work schedule.  Furthermore, I had to work during weekends while Emmeline and Hai Yu are normally free.  There are only a few people who could understand me for this particular job nature.

In MARCH 2011, I made a short holidays trip back to my country.  Yes, I spent 12 days together with my beloved parents and friends.  And on my way back to Singapore, I have got a present for little HAI YU.  It’s just a small Burmese JADE curved locket of LAUGHING BUDDHA.  Hence, I called Emmeline on FRIDAY evening for our very first time gathering.  And here the SATURDAY comes, we happened to have lunch in Holland Village.  Coincidentally, Emmeline’s hubby was on duty and could not join us.  I requested Emmeline to bring Hai Yu along as I am so keen to have a shooting with this little girl.  And yes, my dream comes true again.  I happened to make a small shooting for Hai Yu & Emmeline after lunch.  We walked to a small playground near their residence where I shoot a few pics of them.

In dedication to the very first time GATHERING with my old photography friend, Emmeline Tan & her little princess, Hai Yu.

09-04-2011
YE LWIN OO (MPS)

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That’s the very first capture for Hai Yu while we all were waiting for the food to be served…  Hai Yu loves watching cartoons on her mum’s iPhone…

Emmeline & Hai Yu 09.04.2011 at COFFEE CLUB (HOLLAND VILLAGE)…

Emmeline unveiled that her photography was born together with Hai Yu while she started shooting photos when Hai Yu was a few months old…

She is just sooo cute…

Can you believe that this four year old little girl knows how to acts in front of camera like a professional model???  She has been well trained by Emmeline, I believe…

She loves playing with me as I can carry her in ease…  She calls me “UNCLE” and that title reminds me how much I am getting older…  Lolz…

Emmeline shared me about one of her trips to Vietnam when Hai Yu was only 18 months  old…  She carried Hai Yu with her left hand and in her right hand was her NIKON D300…  That’s tells a lot about her passion!!!  Salute to you, Emmeline…

Photographers rarely have the pictures taken with their loved ones…  So Emmeline requested me to shoot her and Hai Yu together…

Emmeline shared me how she draws lines between family, hobby and work…  I am so much impressed that she could still doing photography while raising Hai Yu up and herself working for a big government educational project…

All rights reserved.
© Emmeline Tan 2011  http://emmetan.com/
© Ye Lwin Oo 2011  http://yelwinoo.com/

It’s been a year plus that I am away from home.  It was July 2009 that I had made my mind to earn some life experiences out of Burma. 2009 Dec, my beloved mom came over here for some business occasions.  I couldn’t find enough time to meet her more than twice.  I was busy working whatever I could, just to cover my living expenses.  I worked as a part-time messenger on weekdays;  and on weekends I turned myself as a part-time photographer and so on.  Yes, I struggled a lot until May 2010 when I attained my current job.  Since then, I become a ROBOT.  Yes, working life in Singapore is nothing more than a ROBOT.  I become financially stronger but not socially.  What I feel upset most about being here is that I really miss my parents.  I always talk to them over phone, via Google Talk and Skype.  But I really miss the feeling of BEING HOME.  Nowhere is as warm as home. Whatever kind of expensive food we dine with, Mom’s dishes are still the best.  It has some special seasoning called “HOME MADE”.  This is want I have been longing for.

MY DIGITAL DIARY

A lot my fans know about my blog.  It is actually my digital diary rather than a photo gallery.  I share my very shots along with some tips about my daily life, my works, my feelings and a few dedication to my family.  Many people undeniably distinguish my blog as a small collection of photos taken in Burma (Myanmar).  To be able to continue blogging here, I truly need to shoot more photos in Burma. This is one of the biggest concerns for the survival of this blog.  Whenever this thought come into my mind, I feel like going back to Burma and making some shots.  At least for my dear fans out there who tirelessly wait for my regular updates here on my blog.

HOME COMING

So a holiday to Rangoon has been my big plan.  Unquestionably, Rangoon is the place I picked for my holidays.  I am so ready to be there.  I am busy packing my luggage.

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It is one of my favorite spot in Rangoon.  L’Opera Italian Restaurant inside Dusit Inya Lake Hotel compound. It is really peaceful to chill out there with your favorite choice of wine…

This is not about my photography.  It is my sincere dedication and mini tribute to my family, the biggest piece of purpose in my life.  Many of my friends know how much I am attached to my family.  Especially when it comes to my Dad, who has been the biggest driving inertia force behind all my successes.  And also my Mum, who molded us to grow up in a big human society.  Every positive thing in my life, I have attained through their guidance and advice.  This is what I believe!!!

MY FAMILY & DECEMBER

I love December!  Apart from being the festive season for all human races over the world, it’s the month my beloved Mum was born.  Yes, Dec 20th is her birthday.  And it’s also the month my Dad and Mum started to build up our family.  They married on 26th December 1981.  Until 1997, we called TAVOY as our home.  Me, my little sister and my younger brother were being raised up in a small little mining town called TAVOY (now known as Da-Wei), the capital of Tenasserim coastal region.  We all studied at a local Middle Education school.  Dad earned money for our family with his clinic and Mum opened a pharmacy there.  Those are the days to remember!!!  This is where we came from.  And yet this is where all childhood memories belongs to…

A BIG U-TURN FOR MY FAMILY

Everything went upside down in August 1997.  The worst ever news I had in my life, Dad suffered from kidney cancer!  Couldn’t believe a person like him suffered cancer.  We all ran into tears as we felt overwhelming emotion of NOT wanting to lose him.  At that time, I was merely a 7th grade student.  Mum, being a medical doctor herself without wasting any time, immediately decided to take him abroad to have the necessary operation.  That particular day Dad and Mum went abroad; I still remembered the very words my Dad looking into my eyes and said:  “My son, I will be back.  Don’t cry.  You still are young and I am not ready to leave you all.  I must come back home and raise all of you guys until each of you can stand on your own feet.  So, stay home, study hard and look for the day I will come back.”  I was so frustrated, felt my mind was frozen, my body was dead, and my eyes were stuck all at once.  With hope that feeling over me, I replied “Dad, please tell me you will come back.  Please come back, Dad.  I love you…”

Those 3 weeks at our family home with a significant absence of my father’s presence; I felt like 30 years.  I could neither sleep nor able to eat.  I was so anxious and alert. I was just eagerly looking forward to the phone call from him.  The health problem is – CANCER, one of the most dreadful diseases in human history.  He may or may not come back home.  Who knows! Finally on 4th September 1997, he did manage to come back as he promised.  Thanks GOD, luck is still on our side. Yes, Dad came back after his successful operation with one of his kidneys removed.  He came back with a big smile of the fact “I am BACK home”.  Happiness overwhelmed our home beyond words of descriptions. All my WAITING days with such anxiety and uncertainty were over!!  Those were the days I always remember as “the longest waiting interval of my lifetime.”

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

So today, having our father alive in our family is like LIVING IN A TRUE DREAM.  I am happy, I am glad, I am thankful and I am delighted.  And I am grateful to my amazing Mum who always treats my Dad like a LIVING GOD.

Today’s their 29th wedding anniversary.  Their wedding was many years ago, the celebration never stopped and continues till today to many days in the future.  This post is to celebrate and tribute to their joyful ANNIVERSARY…

Anniversary Joy

Your anniversary is a time
For sharing your affection;
It’s obvious the two of you
Have quite a deep connection!
I/We send glad congratulations
And heartfelt wishes, too,
For joyful happiness and love
In everything you do.

~ By Joanna Fuchs ~

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The beginning of our family.  26 DECEMBER 1981, Wedding Reception @ INYA LAKE HOTEL, Rangoon, Burma…

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With Dad and Mum.  When I was one year old, on the bank of Maungmagan beach of my hometown, TAVOY…

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19 AUGUST 1997, my poor Dad just after kidney operation with my Mum aside him…

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16 OCTOBER 2010, Mum’s company new product launch @ TRADERS HOTEL… (Photo Credits: N2T Exposure)

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
24 DEC 2010

A year without camera becomes MY PAST.  In FEB 2010, I had sold my best companion NIKON D90 and NIKKOR AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR lens to one of my friends.  I have made tons of memorable photos with this camera and lens.  But then I sold it under many circumstances, mainly my financial hitch.  You know what?  It’s been a nightmare for me counting those days being without a camera in hand.  My sentiment, my mood, my ego was nothing less than a painter without brush.  Since that day, NIKON D700 FX has been ranked #1 on my “wish-list”.  That’s the basic philosophy that I titled this post “MY DREAM (01)“.

Every single thing coming into my eye sight never fails to tickle my desire to make precious clicks.  And I always ended up my days murmuring myself “If I would have camera in my hand, . . .”  I’m a kind of guy who lives on camera clicks.  My heart always beats upon camera shutter and my mind always opens like aperture. A lot of things big and small happened to me in this 2010.  Believe me or not, 2010 is one of the biggest junctures in my life with lots of ups and downs, many blacks and whites.  Sometimes I flied, sometimes I drowned.  And I am lucky to have  those dedicated saviors whenever there is hard time.

PRE-WEDDING & OTHER ASSIGNMENTS

I have been doing quite a lot of pre-wedding assignments lately.  As a freelance part-time photographer, I am truly thankful to those people who put their poise on me, my shooting styles and my works.  They all fuel my success and stimulate my ego to work hard.  And I am more than happy that my life time passion called “Photography” gives me a bite to eat whenever I am hungry.  I never dare to dream that photography would be a “Survival Tool” for me.

HTOON LINN SOE @ RAIN STEALER

Rain Stealer is a pure candid photographer I have come to know through “Native Myanmar Forum“.  My first hand photography trainer, Kyaw Thura Htun (Photo ThaKhinGyi), and some photography frenzy guys started a discussion board called “Photo Diary”.  We all throw all spare time for “Photo Diary” where many of our dear fellows discuss, argue, comment and exchange various photography know-how.  And we can never deny that Native Myanmar Forum has fabricated and trained a lot of so called Burmese Semi-Professional photographers.  Apart from the fact that forum’s main communication language is Burmese (Myanmar), the forum served as a pool of references for domestic online users as well as local Burmese residing abroad. From Astronomical photography to Macro and Candid, we discuss everything on forum.  Members under “Photo Diary” possess their own nicknames.  And there was a day I have come to notice a guy called “Rain Stealer”.  His mesmerizing candid shots always create thrilling wonders among forum members.  He kept uploading his breath taking candid master pieces under a variety of topics.  Today, I am blessed to have him as my trust worthy colleague, who always creates masterful shots during the assignments.  Whenever there is emergency call from my office, I need to leave the shooting and Htoon Linn Soe is the one I can eagerly count on.  I would say he has been a critical backbone for me all the way…  Hat off respect to you, my bro…

BROTHERHOOD BUDDIES

Social networking sites like Flickr and Facebook have been powerful marketing tools for me.  They did really great jobs for me.  The repercussions are well-paid assignments.  And pre-wedding photo shooting has become a spectrum of trend among Burmese people residing in Singapore.  Some couples are my friends, some reach me through facebook, and some are referred by my photography friends.  How could I be able to accept those wedding packages without cameras and lens of my own?  My fanatic appreciation goes to K.Z.Myo (Marvel4 Photography) and Stanley Kay who always generously allow me to use their expensive gears and gadgets.  Their supports and helps played vital role to my successes.  You guys are always in my prayers, brothers…

SWEET DECEMBER

My beloved dad helped me grab my #1 wish list in early November from his Bangkok trip.  Finally, here my dream comes true.  And Stanley again is the one who took a burden of troubles carrying my camera and lens from Yangon to Singapore.  I wonder why new camera needed 2 flights (BANGKOK – YANGON – SINGAPORE) to reach me.   And lately I have been away from town for 5 days.  I was in the sea, attending an off-shore station sent by my office.  I was back in town by 30 NOV 2010 evening.  And today, 1st DEC 2010 or SWEET DECEMBER, is the very first day I started making photos with my new D700.  I wasn’t outing to shoot intentionally.  I just wanted to test camera and made couples of shots.  NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8 is the only lens I bring along.  So, this is what I would like to share with you.  Finally, I am back and so does my photography.

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
01 DEC 2010

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A baker patiently decorating a dream home on the cake…  Like her, I too am building up my dream home with a great patience and yet bits by bits . . .

I am not a Christian.  Yes, I am a pure Buddhist.  But I read Bible, I do.  If you ask me why, my answer is to sharpen my English.  So I am quite familiar with Christians’ believes and school of thoughts.  And Christmas is one of the seasons that I love most.  Weather is beautiful, people show joy, do merits, wear smiles and keep peace.  This is the time where the whole world becomes ONE.

2 . 0 . 1 . 0

Year 2010 is a GREAT year for my family.  Dad & Mom, I love you so much giving us a big space to survive in this world. My Little Chaw, you had made a lot of milestones during 2010 which all those credits transform to BIG SMILE on our parents’ faces.  That’s the biggest merit for them.  Nyi Lay, thanks a lot for taking care of Dad & Mom while I am away.  I owe all of you a big time.  Because of you, I am YE LWIN OO today…

I am still “ALIVE”

I know I have been so silent.  The month October, I worked 26 days.  And what did I do on the rest 4 days?  I did my pre wedding photo sections.  Yes, I am doing pre wedding sections for my side incomes.  October to me was simply un-breathable.  And now is November.  Since 1st of Nov till today, I have no off day.  Can you imagine?  I work EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I do think about my blogs, my friends and my fans.  I always do.  And it makes me upset.  I can’t even manage to reply those comments on my blog which I usually do promptly.  I work in the sea where there is no internet (sometimes I borrow broadband KITS from my colleagues to check emails from my parents), no photography, no entertainment.  It’s quite a hard time for a guy like me who love to keep in touch with friends and family.

So my dear friends, fans and families, this post is just to inform you that I am still in love with photography.  Though I could not update my blog (for many reasons, mainly my current job), I am still alive, and so do my photography.  I am still YE LWIN OO, a little retarded photo maker.  And yet this too is my sincere Christmas warm up for you guys.  Christmas is drawing near.

Christmas Gift

Guess what?  I bought a Christmas present for myself. Yes, I am waiting for my new camera and lens to be shipped.  NIKON D700 and NIKKOR AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 NANO.  You guys gonna rule my life again.

My Plan for this Christmas

So these are the memorable photos taken in 2009 Christmas.  Just to bring the Christmas quintessence to you all.  And I will try MY BEST to shoot some nice pics during Christmas. “IF” I am in town.  Most probably, I will be out in the sea…

Wishing you a very joyous season and god bless you all…

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
11 NOV 2010

CHRISTMAS TOYS

Evergreen boughs that fill our homes
With fragrant Christmas scents,
Hearts filled with the loving glow
That Christmas represents;

Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,
Festive holly berry,
Little faces bright with joy,
Loved ones being merry;

Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,
Silver bells that tinkle,
Christmas trees and ornaments,
Colorful lights that twinkle;

Relatives waiting with open arms
To smile and hug and kiss us;
These are some of the special joys
That come along with Christmas.

~ By Joanna Fuchs ~

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Orchard Road under Christmas twilight back in 2009…

Taken from Wisma Atria Level (4) towards Takashimaya…

Christmas Bokeh (1), inspired by Htoon Linn Soe…  His style and color processing influences me a lot…

Yet another Christmas Bokeh taken at Tiong Bahru Plaza…

A lot of people know where it is…  ION ORCHARD during its opening days…

It’s Vivo City Roof Top…  You know what? NIKON D90 @ ISO 1600 is still very good.  I miss my camera a lot…  This is made by my Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 HSM WIDE ANGLE LENS…

King Anawrahta, also spelled ANIRUDDHA, the first king of all of Myanmar, (reigned 1044-77), introduced his people to Theravada Buddhism. His capital at Bagan on the Ayeyarwaddy River (The Irrawaddy River) became a prominent city of pagodas and temples.

During his reign, Anawrahta united the northern homeland of the Myanmar people with the Mon kingdoms of the south. He extended his dominion as far north as the kingdom of Nanchao, west to Arakan, south to the Gulf of Martaban (near what is now Yangon), and as far east as what is now northern Thailand.

In 1057 Anawrahta captured the Mon city of Thaton, a centre of Indian civilization. Its fall led the other Mon rulers to submit to Anawrahta; for the first time, a Myanmar ruler dominated the Ayeyarwaddy delta area. Contact with the Mons enriched Myanmar civilization. The Mons gave the Myanmar an artistic and literary tradition and a system of writing. The earliest extant Myanmar inscription, written in Mon characters, appeared in 1058.

Anawrahta was converted to Theravada Buddhism by a Mon monk, Shin Arahan. As king, Anawrahta strove to convert his people from the influence of the Ari, a Mahayana Tantric Buddhist sect that was at that time predominant in central Myanmar. Primarily through his efforts, Theravada Buddhism became the dominant religion of Myanmar and the inspiration for its culture and civilization. He maintained diplomatic relations with King Vijayabahu of Ceylon, who in 1071 requested the assistance of Myanmar monks to help revive the Buddhist faith. The Ceylonese king sent Anawrahta a replica of the Buddha’s tooth relic, which was placed in the Shwezigon pagoda at Bagan.

SHOOTING

It was a week after my road trip to Bagan, the biggest dream land of me and my photography.  I went there with two of my friends, Tha Khin Gyi and Mg Hla.  Spent two and a half days shooting around the legendary city.  I have got heaps of photos during my stay and yes they are for YELWINOO.COM.  But then, I was lost where to start these BAGAN posts.  Foundation, yes.  Before unveiling something, it’s always right to talk about the foundation or the founder.  That’s the reason, I woke up early on one of the June’s morning, stood in front of National Museum and made this shot.

KING ANAWRAHTA THE GREAT, founder of BAGAN DYNASTY.

Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D90
Lens – NIKKOR AF NIKON 50mm F1.8D
Aperture – f/5.6
Exposure Time – 1/640s
ISO Speed – 160
Focal Length – 50mm

The school was founded in 1882 as Methodist Episcopal Girls School on Lewis Street (now Seik Kan Thar Street). In 1894, the school was moved to its current campus on the corner of Lancaster Road (now Nawadday Road) and Signal Pagoda Road, and was also renamed Methodist English Girls High School. The school consists primarily of a three-storied Victorian-era style building Template: Convert long and Template: Convert wide. At first, boys were accepted only in the elementary level (from Kindergarten to 3rd Grade). During the interwar period, boys were allowed from Kindergarten to 4th grade. Just before World War II, the school had 55 students. The school was closed down for 6 years after World War II and later reopened in May, 1947. The principal, Mrs. Logie repaired the school buildings that were destroyed during the war. At that time, the school began to prepare its students not only for the matriculation exam but also for the GCE (General Certificate of Education) exam from the University of London.

In 1951, the number of students increased to 850 and the four-story Kindergarten building (113′×51′) with 15 rooms was built in 1952 to accommodate the students. The school’s name was Methodist English High School (MEHS). On April 14th, 1965, the institution became a public school and has been operated by the government ever since. In 1986, a new three-story building (90′×34′) was built to correspond to the increased number of students. The school is currently running under the Department of Basic Education which is directly controlled by the Ministry of Education. The current official title of the school is State High School No. (1), Dagon.  No wonder, this is one of the best high school in Burma.

It is listed among Top 200 buildings on the Yangon City Development Committee’s Heritage List.

SHOOTING

It was a sunny day in June, a few days before I left Burma.  I went there to greet my old teachers and decided to have this post running on my blog. The shots are not very promising.  But then it is just a dedication post to somewhere I belong, I love and I enjoy.  Once I entered the main gate, I could feel some sense of those high school days.

DEDICATION

To my bestfriends, Thein Toe, Myat Htoo and Wai Yan Chit Maung… We talked, we played and we had fun. Those are the days but then very memorable days for us. Similar ideas and strong ambitions link our friendships more tightly.  Now, we all are meeting up in Singapore again.  3 of us, me, Thein Toe and Myat Htoo.  Waiting for the day Wai Yan would visit us…

I do miss those day while shooting this photos…  This used to be our second home…

The primary school students having their fun break…

The upgraded canteen, the winner of CLEANEST CANTEEN AWARD by Ministry of Education for 5 consecutive years…

Three-storied Victorian-era style building as the elegant main building of Dagon (1)…

The bird-eye view of the school from Signal Pagoda Road…

The playground of us…

The food stalls along Nawadday Road (formerly known as Lancaster Road)

On April 11, I bought a new camera, NIKON D90 with NIKKOR 18-200mm VR zoom lens.  And since that day, I had a strong will to have some nice shots.  Buttons and functions on D40 and D90 are a bit dissimilar.  Meanwhile, it’s my guts to play with my D90 and get familiar with it.  Luck wasn’t on my side.  I wanted a sunset, there it rained.  I craved for Songkran water flashing event on Khao San road.  There Thai govt announced Khao San as hot spot for the riot.  I don’t know how to describe such coincidence.  I mean it!!!

So here are some random shots of my trip.  I have been way too busy meeting up with old friends, brain storming for my site version 2.0, shopping and eating around.  I have got some nice shots at least. It’s simply a memorable trip for me.  I did enjoy my stay in Bangkok.  See you, Bangkok…

Since I could not go out, I stayed room and write blog posts, brain stormed for my site revamp, retouch the photos I have taken and watched movies…

Myo Kyaw Htun is really into photography now…  His NIKON D80 with NIKKOR 18-135mm Zoom Lens…

Amazing sky above YAO-WA-RAT, Bangkok Chinatown…

Ko Toe doing good deeds on New Year day…

Our usual playground, THE MALL SHOPPING COMPLEX (Bangkapi)…

This is an aspherical shot with my Sigma 10-20mm HSM lens…  That’s where I live, NEW PHANASIN apartments, opposite of ABAC (Hua Mak campus)…

The Thai New Year (Songkran) is celebrated every year from April 13 to April 15. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia.

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors.

Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give alms to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha images from all of the city’s important monasteries are paraded through the streets so that people can toss water at them, ritually ‘bathing’ the images, as they pass by on ornately decorated floats. In northern Thailand, people may carry handfuls of sand to their neighborhood monastery in order to recompense the dirt that they have carried away on their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is then sculpted into stupa-shaped piles and decorated with colorful flags.

The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs.

Songkran is also celebrated in many places with a pageant in which young women demonstrate their beauty and unique talents, as judged by the audience. The level of financial support usually determines the winner, since, to show your support you must purchase necklaces which you place on your chosen girl.

SHOOTING

Once again, it is my serious wish to have some shots of water splashing during this auspicious season.  Bangkok nowadays is under STATE OF EMERGENCY. All of my friends asked me to stick my ass in my room.  But then, I couldn’t.  Today, I went AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) at Prathum Thani.  One of my friends told me that there is a water splashing event there.  My friends, Myo Kyaw Htun and Myo Min Win, were my accompanies.  There was a host at AIT called Kyi Cin Shwe. We arrived there around noon.  People already started playing water.  I had lots of shots and so does Myo Kyaw Htun. I saw some nice shots on his camera so sharing some of his shots here also.

Special Credits: My friends, Myo Kyaw Htun, Myo Min Win and Little Kyi Cin Shwe.

During Songkran, everyone young and old fervantly flash water with a great happiness…

Bwan…  That’s how people throw water…

Giant fire fighter pipes are efficiently utilized at AIT…

I have never known there are heaps of Burmese students at AIT…

This little guy was so happy splashing water around…  I really miss my childhood days…

They way people splash water in Songkran is exactly the same as Burmese’s Thingyan…  The only difference is that they used powder…

A group of Burmese friends at AIT Songkran Event

Water wash away their SIN…  that’s the renown belief of Songkran…

He seems too energetic playing with this giant pipe…

MYO KYAW HTUN likes this picture so much…  Taken with his NIKON D-80 and NIKKOR 18-135mm…

Participants at AIT Songkran, Bangkok, Thailand…