Utah trip – Bryce Canyon National Park

We left Arches National Park at around noon, heading to our next destination – Bryce Canyon National Park. We did not do any hikes there, basically just stopping at a few spots to take photos. The view there wasn’t that spectacular in my opinion, but my expectation wasn’t high in the first place too.

I somehow discovered the widescreen mode when I was taking photos in this park. Yeah shoot me for not knowing that earlier…but since then I was hooked. Here are a couple of widescreen shots that I took…and I used to think that such photos are computer-stitched panoramic shots:

 

An enlightening trip indeed!

Utah trip – Arches National Park

During Labor Day, five of us (Wei Ping, Jason, Siew Gee, Pei Ying and I) went to the Utah state for a short trip. We transited at Salt Lake City and reached Grand Junction at around 9pm. After collecting our Ford Fusion from the airport, we proceeded to the Arches National Park to spend the rest of the night.

Due to unknown reasons I could not fall asleep (guess sleeping in car only works for me when the car is in motion), hence I spent the whole night pondering on the meaning of life…not (stupid lame sarcastic catchphrase IMO). Too bad there was a full moon, so my plans of capturing the milky way in still frames did not manage to realize.

 

Thank you very much…very bright indeed.

Early next morning, we went to Dennis for a quick breakfast (taking away leftovers for later), then rushed back to the park in hope of catching the sunrise. The walk/hike to the Delicate Arch was unexpectedly long, and at one point we got lost. Luckily we somehow made it to the destination, just in time to catch the sunrise. The sunrise itself wasn’t that awe-inspiring, but the Delicate Arch was definitely majestic and a sight to behold. And I’ve never imagined I could get that close to the Arch, basically to the point that I was under the Arch.

 

Delicate Arch

Pei Ying patting Delicate Arch’s head and commended it for being a good arch

One of the numerous jumps, with Delicate Arch watching behind silently, for it is a good arch.

View 1

 

View 2

View 3

This photo sticks out like a sore thumb after it was photo-shopped. Like the poses though, as if this is a cover shot for an album

Double Arch

Balanced Rock (right column). It has the size of three school buses according to Wiki.

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Limited edition – only one pair in the world :P

Hilter Parodies

I recently came across some very funny parodies (IMO) made from one particular scene in the movie Downfall (German: Der Untergang). The original scene depicts Hitler’s furious outburst when he realizes that the war is lost. Since the movie was in German, subtitles were added to the clip showing Hitler ranting about various issues (essentially putting words in his mouth). I had some good time LOL-ing when watching some of these videos. I am sharing some of my favorites here (WARNING: HARSH LANGUAGE IN VIDEOS):

1. Exactly what I felt when I found out iPod Touch did not get the camera upgrade:

 

2. Hilter reacts when he finds out MU lost to Burnley

 

And there are countless of other such videos showing Hitler ranting about basically everything, from complaining about Windows Vista to ranting about Usain Bolt’s win in World’s Championship. And here is the parody of parodies (my favorite!):

US Senior Open 2009

Our company happened to be one of the sponsors of the US Senior Open 2009 which took place in Carmel, and had tickets to the practice rounds and also actual games. I initially declined the invitation to one of the earlier practice rounds, but on second thought, I figured it would be almost sinful to turn down a free day off offer complete with a free lunch. So in Crooked Stick Golf Club I was, when I could be working in the office :)

Entry pass that has to be worn at all times

Entrance

Fine day…check out the crowd watching the practice

Greg Norman, who used to win some majors

Airshow Tak Jadi (7/18)

We wanted to go to the Thunder Over Michigan airshow at Willlow Run Airport, and had even bought tickets for it. However, due to us reaching there late there was a massive traffic jam near the entrance. We ended up not being able to enter the site, instead parking our cars outside the area and contented with taking pictures of the aircrafts observable from where we were. Thanks to Seow Yuen who was well prepared (with bottled water and beef jerky!) the experience was not that bad.

A B2 stealth bomber in sight (only 20 exist now)

 

Can you spot the plane?

   

Getting comfortable…

July 4th 2009

July 4th coincided with my first quarterly valuation work, hence I had to work even though it was a public holiday. However, things weren’t as bad as I had two visitors during that weekend – Pei Ying and Wei Chieh.

On Friday night, we saw some fireworks on sale in Meijer. Since I haven’t tried one before, we decided to buy some and light it in a park not far from my place.

 

Orang-orang gila (orang gila-gila?) celebrating first discovery of fire…

On the 4th of July itself (which was a Saturday), we went to see the real deal near the Carmel City Hall. The place was within walkable distance, but I really should have driven there since it was raining and parking wasn’t that difficult to find. And did I mention that we had to carry our own camp chairs there?

Such a wide pool. What a way to show off Carmel’s coffer.

 

Everyone’s well equipped and determined not to let the rain spoil the fun

 

Stalls making quick bucks

Curly fries seasoned by rain

 

Wei Chieh forcing a smile despite all the “hardships”

And finally, the fireworks:

All in all the experience will be so much nicer without the rain…still it was a memorable July 4th.

Alden Dow House and Studio (Midland, MI) (6/20)

Alden B. Dow was the son of Herbert Henry Dow (founder of Dow Chemical Company) and student of Frank Lloyd Wright. He was an architect, and one of his most renowned piece of work is the Alden Dow House and Studio, located in Midland, Michigan.

We paid this place a visit on one fine summer day. There were 8 of us, and we went there in two cars (Billy and Wei Ping driving). We had a tour around the house, and it was extremely informative thanks to the friendly and knowledgeable tour guide.

In the afternoon, after having lunch at a pizza place in the town, we went to the Dow Gardens, which is developed by the same Dow family. Before heading back to Ann Arbor, we managed to stop by at Frankenmuth too. As usual, the pictures will do the talking:

Alden Dow House and Studio

 

                                                                          

Dow Gardens

   

Frankenmuth

 

I bet the photos are a little bit too talkative today…:P