INSTAGRAM PICK OF THE MONTH - October

I took many versions of this because you know the ticket cost money and the cold air was killing me. The very kiasu Singaporean guy in me was telling me I had to make my trip worth. You know the keyword, "value for money".  LOL.

It's time of the month again where I erm.. self glorify and make myself feel good about my fake Instagram life. I've this buddy of mine who travels quite a bit and if you are on my IG you will noticed that he has been "tracking" my travels. Seriously pot calling the kettle black! In fact, he is doing it for holiday while I'm doing it because of work. >:-( Like I'm still up replying emails and doing clients' work every night till late and people will reply me "I thought it's 4am in NYC now?" LOL

So that's the truth guys, Instagram life and real life is two entirely different lives.

1. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Have been running around so much that I've neglected my blog. I've finally sat down and updated it with a few posts this week. checkout my blog including my experience playing health care associate. #smithankyoutravels #datview #travel

A photo posted by Smith Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Oct 7, 2016 at 8:51pm PDT

Malaysia was the very 1st country I visited in my life at the age of 12. I never liked it at all and it gave traveling a very bad name to me. I had a very bad impression of Malaysia as that very 1st place I went was the very then messy and dirty Johor Bahru. Fast forward to 2011/12 where I had some work going on at Malaysia, I get to travel to Malaysia quite a bit. KL, Kuching, Penang etc. I grow to love the place a lot more. Going to Malaysia now feels a lot better than 20yrs ago for sure. And yes, I'm suppose to blog about this trip as well but erm..

2. Nicole + Ivan's wedding. 

Happy Anniversary to @chris_goh !!! Felt like it was just yesterday that we were playing stupid gatecrash games and going through all the painful Chinese wedding tradition bs. (And we survived!) But it has already been 2years since! Thanks for everything and especially fei fei! He is like the best wingman to pick up girls all the time! hahhaa #handsomeson #likefatherlikeson #butithinkoneisenough

A photo posted by Smith Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Oct 3, 2016 at 5:45pm PDT

My wife ain't exactly someone who feels comfortable in front of the camera. It's one of those rare chances that I can get her out in front of the camera with me. No other reasons needed for this to be one of my IG favs of the month.

3. Amari Phuket 

Your view is better than mine. 😎 #DiscoverAmari #AmariPhuket #poolgoals #infinitypool #smithankyoutravels

A photo posted by Smith Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Sep 30, 2016 at 8:10pm PDT

That view. Besides the view, Amari Phuket is super luxurious and peaceful. The place to be for a retreat if you just need to be away from the city life. And yes, I'm will share more about the resort as well! Meanwhile you can check out their site.

4. Seth goes GameStart 2016 

Brought my boy to @gamestartasia last weekend! For the fans of #sethankyou check out my blog for more pictures!!! #gamerinthemaking #gamestart2016 #projectplaysg

A photo posted by Smith Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Oct 13, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

If you haven't read about it, here it is. My son is shoooo cuteeee. Sorry for being erm, shameless but he really brings much joy to the family!

5.  New Ink - NYC Skyline 

Thanks @blvckwork from @bangbangnyc for the New York city skyline ink. More deets on smithankyou.com! #smithankyoutravels #tattoo #newyork

A photo posted by Smith Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Oct 27, 2016 at 9:14pm PDT

Yet another new ink! Love the guys at bang bang tattoo. I know this picture ain't taken by me (duh) but I love it! And ya I know, my arms are like shrinking and my belly is well, exploding.All these traveling really got me off my training regime and my IPPT is coming soon. How? Siao liao lor.

6. Me at Archer Hotel New York

Don't settle for what is easy, reach for what is good. #archergrams #archerhotel #nyc #smithankyoutravels

A photo posted by Smith Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Oct 30, 2016 at 3:24am PDT

It's me being posing again. Archer hotel in NYC is sooo pretty. Besides being pretty it is very well located. It's so close to times square, madison square garden and all. I promise I will share more about this. I know I said this too often (even just in this single post) but I promise I will!! In fact right after this I will go write about it!!!

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I like how I'm doing this to keep track of my pictures and each month I can see some improvement in my shots and edits. I'm the kinda person that needs to track my own improvement in order to keep myself going.

I actually keep a note on my phone to keep track of how much I lift in gym. I use Nike app to keep track of how much I run. I used to (ya.. used to. got lazy) have a notebook to keep track of the number of push ups I do each day. If I could, I would take note of how many basket I shoot each week and score during the games like a pro match but that's just too tedious.

A client was asking me to do an IG takeover for them and her colleague was asking me how many years have I been into photography and if I'm a professional. The same thing happened the other day when I sold one of my old lens to someone on carousell and she was asking me if I've been doing this for awhile and if I've any tips for her since she just started out. I've friends who are into shooting for years and they are so much better. I got a lot of tips from them by asking questions and all. I'm no where near their level but I guess if you guys wish to start shooting, my only tip is - to keep shooting. The only way to improve is to keep doing it I guess. Here's a song for everyone out there who wants to be good (or at least decent) in anything you do. Put in those hours.



I really like my NYC shots so far but I refuse to erm, pick all 5 of my NYC shots and call them my favorites of the month, that's just unfair. For those who are interested, check out #SmithankyouTravels on IG! 

For picks from previous months. Click HERE!

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INSTAGRAM PICK OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER

This picture didn't make it to my Instagram but I LOVE THIS PICTURE! You must be wondering wtf is happening here lol. This guy is actually the journalist from Shin Min who covered our story. He was asking me to get a picture taken on the stage and erm, we ended up monkeying around.

I mean I've almost 100 photos about Makan Bus but I thought I shouldn't flood the feed and also September was pretty much all about Makan Bus for me. (Ya, looking back the month of August and I only blogged like 6 posts? Omg. This space is like growing weed already?)  There were ups and downs, good times and bad. Moments that my heart almost stop, moments that I wasn't too proud of. but there were also many moments that I would probably want to keep them in my mind as long as I probably could.

Anyway, IG PICK OF THE MONTH! HERE WE GOOOOO!

1. Star wars Mei-xin Mooncake! 

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone. And may the force be with you. Always. #flatlay #starwars #meixinmooncake

A photo posted by Smith W Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Sep 14, 2016 at 8:38pm PDT

As much as I love my job of creating content for both myself and clients, creating a flatlay ain't exactly something I call it 2nd nature. I've seen other IGers who creates nice flatlays so easily. But I think I got this one pretty well. It's one of my favorite so far! It was also posted on their official IG account. 

2. Ah Bui on rainy day. 

Fatty bom bom fatty bom bom~ #sethankyou

A photo posted by Smith W Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Sep 24, 2016 at 6:36pm PDT

I think my son is beginning to get the hang of this seriously. He is smiling for the camera pretty well these days. Influencer to-be? 

3.  Tsukiji Sushi Takewaka 

Raw is war! #sushi #dinner #japanfoodtown 🍣🍣🍣

A photo posted by Smith W Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Sep 23, 2016 at 5:02am PDT

I'm not going to lie but this ain't exactly my favourite meal of the month. In fact, it's far from it. My wife wanted some nice sushi and I thought this is going to be pretty good since it's supposed to be some fresh fish from Tsukiji itself but I guess it's not a taste we are familiar with. It didn't felt like a $200 dinner at all. But hey, nice picture for the gram. ROI! 

4. Speech speech speech speech. 

Not the first time on stage but it's the first time I'm introducing my literal foodbaby to the world at @makanbus's media launch and omg, the feels. #prouddaddy #🚌

A photo posted by Smith W Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Sep 4, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT

Not as an emcee nor singing a song but it was our media launch and I was on stage to give a speech and share more about Makan Bus. I've been talking so much about it I think I'm actually talking about it in my sleep as well. 

5. Love is messy 

Love is irrational  Love is crazy Love is missing someone Love is taking care of someone Love is getting angry for someone Love is thinking about what she said and smiling to yourself Love is getting fat together Love is holding on Love is messy  Love is you  #fridaythoughts #garrettpopcorn

A photo posted by Smith W Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Sep 1, 2016 at 8:01pm PDT

Another flatlay! 2 in a month? Damn I'm on fire! I guess if it ain't messy, it ain't true love? Yes, I love you and I want you. In fact that's all I want. I want you every day and night, I want to be with you all the time. I want all of your attention, I want you and nothing else, and in fact i want to eat you! Yes, I'm talking about the popcorn. LOL. 

5.1 Kuala Lumpur 

Every minute without you is a minute too long. #klcc #smithankyoutravels #lookup

A photo posted by Smith W Leong 🦄 (@smithankyou) on Sep 12, 2016 at 6:01pm PDT

I know it's usually 5 picks but I really love this one as well! Did a quick stop over at KL and managed to steal some time for quick shoot. And also because erm, we didn't buy tickets and it was sold out. The view from below ain't all bad right??? 

Here's Sept for you guys and I can't wait to share my October post already!! The photos taken at Phuket are so so so so pretty!!! 

For picks from previous months. Click HERE!

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Shooting my pets - Ted, Marshall and Brover.

I would have said that photography is one of my hobbies many moons ago if people were to ask me about my hobbies but it didn't happen because DSLR got so popular and everyone became a "photographer", camera got too expensive to buy, too big to bring out all the time and too technical for my non-technical mind.

Then again, thank God for Instagram and I could live my hobby again for snapping nonsense.

I've never had a decent camera until a few hours ago when I get a second hand camera off Claudia, my same birth date friend and also my Kampong Punggol kaki. 

What else should I start shooting other than my pets! 

I hope I can be hard working and keep using the camera and not become another white Elephant.

And if you are also lazy like me but still want your pets' nice pictures taken, check out Furry Photos!

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Happy 2014!

Welcome to the brand new year!! 2014 is going to be LEGEN... WAIT FOR IT....

I am not too sure about you guys but I am a person who hates the year end. There are more than just a handful of reasons why I hated year end. Besides the fact that it is the holiday seasons where clients just disappears and work seems so slow and so not sexy, parties where you spend a lot more money and all you get in return is get fat.

It is also the raining season where you can hardly go out and play. Above all, the most painful thing about year end is because it is the time where we "look back".

We spend time every year setting goals and targets, new year resolution and what not but only to realize that we get distracted somewhere in between year after year and maybe not all but most of them are not being achieved at the end of it. The fact also comes served as a very cold dish to you that 1 year has past and you have a year less and a year closer to death, time is not always on your side and this is how procrastination has fucked you.

I'm never good dealing with the feeling of nostalgia. Looking back at the people who were once around me, people that come in and out of our lives. I am one of those people who treasure the thing and people around me a lot but more often than not I do not look like that. Recently I've spent a lot of time thinking about me and my friends.

The guys I used to spend most of my weekends with. The "normal~" gang.

I am one of those really blessed ones that my friends have accepted me for who I am, despite how impatient, direct (in terms or speech and things I want to say) and physically unavailable I am. I am always busy with some other people, doing stuff attending events or just choose to be alone at times. I have good people, guardian angel around me when I needed help or just someone to be there. People remember me and celebrates my birthdays so I guess many can put it in a way that I'm always the popular friend but I realized that people in my life come and go and it's partly because I never really make an effort to keep any friend specifically. I would put in effort trying to be in contact with everyone once in awhile, I will give my helping hand and listening ears to anyone who needs it, but I am never one who will always be there or make an effort to maintain a close friendship for a long period of time. I guess I do spread myself too thin sometimes.

Some of my favourite co-workers. Probably my favourite working environment after so many years and places.

If you are my friend reading this, I would like to apologize for the fact that I never call on important days, neither do I remember your birth dates, the lack of initiative to hold outings or dinner and maybe even missing out gatherings because I double booked or maybe just because I wish to stay at home and watch some porn. (heh, talking about priorities.) But I have to confess that I do miss each and everyone of you, from Secondary school to poly days, my ex colleagues, army kakis to many more. I hope I've touched your life before in one way or the other. I do not dare to ask for the slightest chance that you miss me too but I wish to tell you that I misses you guys in every other way.

Me and my armymates. The only thing we probably share is the bunk, not much of a common interest but I still miss the days we spent doing stupid stuff together.

I guess people grow up, people move on. Making new like-minded friends, getting attached, getting married, having a kid or two, relocating, getting a new jobs and many more other reasons why people gets drifted apart. It's a shame how sometimes something really good just can't stay good forever.  I guess this is just growing up.

Mr.Keong and I. Sometimes I've no idea why he hangsout with me considering how much I abuses him time to time. There's a lot of things that he does that I do not agree and I'm sure it's not 1 sided but we accept (kinda) each other the way we are. Or maybe because he is single for the longest time thus he have more time for me. LOL.

The interesting thing about friendship is that we are not exclusively committed to each other. We do not have written rules or how friends should treat each other and neither do we need to confess our love or even "breakup" with anyone with the classic "I don't friend you anymore" line.

Unless you are a follower of the bro code. Else, we do not have rules for being friends.

We come and go and if we are comfortable we stay. That being said, it also gets a little complicated when one party do a little more trying to keep everyone together while others just don't prioritize you in their lives.

Growing up together. I spent some of my happiest time with these boys and it's always comfortable hanging out with them cause we know how stupid we were when we were young cause we were all part of it together.

Of course, all said and done, we will never know who you will find in your life. Regardless of friends or partner, everyone will have someone out there who is willing to do something for you, grab a grenade for you or even put his hands on a blade for you. Maybe just that we, especially Asian do not tell that to each other that much. He or she might not hangout with you often but when needed you can always count on him like 1 2 3 where else on the other hand, those who are always around you during good times might not be there for you when the bad times come. I guess what matters the most is we have had each other in some part of our lives before.

Regardless of how long your friendship is, my instant brudder. The chiggar. LOL.

Being a blogger also means that I will meet unlimited people and making unlimited number of pretty bloggers who turns friend. We help each other by sharing our post, reading each others' blog and also chat online but we only meet up when there are events most of the time. That is a new type of friendship that not everyone can experience and I've no doubt in that either. I have no idea how much they treat me as friends, but I do treat them as friends and miss them too. Especially when they are all hot.

Pretty Bloggers,  pretty bloggers everywhere.

Good times with folks I met online. Not always together physically but always connected.

I've no idea how a 2014 kinda happy post ended up a little emo as I write on. This is the problem with not planning your post ahead I guess. Regardless of what is going to happen, I guess it's magical how people came into and left your life regardless of how or how long. Appreciate the people around you and love more in this 2014.

My evil twin back in school days. Miss those days back in school.

I was fortunate to start 2014 with some friends this year. We had a pretty chill and relax party at my place. It was pretty cool until they show Twilight on the TV and I almost lost a few friends instantly.

Countdown to 2014.

My best friends, my sister who shares most of my interest but more talented and less shameless. It is a blessing that we are so close despite of the age gap. It's one of the best gift my mum has given me. And my silly wife. Although we don't share a lot in common in terms of interest but she is always there for me and tries to put up with my lame shit. (I guess she doesn't have much choice.) LOL

I guess one of my resolution for 2014 would be to spend more time with friends around me physically instead of just via Twitter or Facebook. And if you didn't see a picture of yourselves here, I am sorry and that also means I haven't take much pictures with you, it doesn't means that you have been forgotten.

Mr.Smith, DARYYYYYYY

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My #SBA2011 Post - with behind the scene footage and Bonus Track !

The Singapore Blog Awards finally ended after months of battling. Seeing bloggers "chu" all kind of "pattern" online to garner votes. From creating "fake" facebook events to overkill of #sba2011 hashtag for everything, good morning, good night or maybe even "Pang Sai Time".

The event happened like few weeks back and I know I am very very slow cause I am only blogging about it now. It's my first time being part of Singapore Blog Awards but I am still not an invited guest. I was part of the events team which made this event happened. Being part of Waddup Events, we manage to get the deal with OMY team and get to work with them once again after the #SGSMD.

Not trying to gain cookie points but working with the team was a pretty cool experience as we work like we are an integrated team and not like they are client and we are slaves vendors.

Over the weeks of preparation I get to meet lots of new blogger friends as well as meeting some familiar faces from the blogosphere.

Publicity

With the theme "History gets Social" on the the table, we called in for a photo shoot with some bloggers and I must say the biggest "profit" of this project was meeting the awesome Chrispytine !  She is one wacky girl ! Fine, that's from the #humsupleague point of view but it was awesome meeting the rest too !
Pete,Nabil, Eric and Darren.

I'm actually risking my life to show you guys this "never been shown footage"

This has to be my favorite picture.

The Event

Was there way earlier than the rest cause as usual we have to do the setup as well as rehearsal. Interesting enough the Show Host Ah Dong is a friend of mine from wayyyyyyy back when he was still a student.  

It feels a little like my wedding cause I get to see so many of my blogger friends as well as some of the bloggers whom I have been talking to online but never met in person. Of course, I do not have the luxury of going around taking pictures with everyone so I manage to "steal" some pictures online ! 

Darren

Winner of Shopping Blog- A new friend I made during #SGSMD

 Mint

Liang Po Po. I really dunno why she is here but she looks cute. :X 

Melissa CHOY ! Choi 

Look at her naked looking top ! 

And the only picture I took myself was with Chrispytine !  #humsupleague 

Please DO NOT try this at home

Winners

Seriously, every other blog talks about the winners, must I do it again ?

 Instant Feedback

This is the part which I felt that it's really different about all the other 100 overs shows I've done on average year as compared to Singapore Blog Awards. I get INSTANT and I mean INSTANT feedback about how good or bad the event was. Over the last week I have been reading so many blogs and so many tweets about the event. I almost get to hear it from every guest as compared to a DnD or a product launch I have done where guests walk away and my only KPI I could measure on was base on what my point of contact client says. This time round I get to hear so much more. I have heard positive comments about how good Shimona's singing was. How awesome was the food and pizza. How funny the skit was and how handsome the event manager looks. (koff* koff*).

Of course I also get some not so good feedback over some of the things like the skit was offensive, bad jokes and pointless or some comments about Steven Lim.

Feedbacks are always welcome be it good and bad and I believe that it should be pretty much the truth hearing it from bloggers and on their blog unless they are just trying to paint a nice picture so they could get invited again next year. Which I clearly doubt so.

Bonus Track

and for those of you who really like Shimona's singing, this is her Social Media Song which she wrote for SGSMD.



THE SOCIAL MEDIA SONG (original)
LYRICS:
Youtube, twitter, facebook too
I feel I'm getting closer to you
we used to be strangers but now that's not true
because i read and hear all about you

it does not matter if u don't reply
i know we're friends now, that's no lie
you always say good morning, hello and bye
i know where you go, how you feel, and why.

doo doo doo...

google plus, flickr, spotify
so many out there for you to try
put your life on the web and you will find
like-minded people all have a good time.

cuz ever since you entered my life
i don't feel alone anymore.....

So go on and
Youtube, twitter, facebook me
that's the way to get closer you see
we used to be strangers but that won't be
if you subscribe and get back to me.


What I Won

It's blog event and it's about Social Media and of course we have to do some social media "games"

And I think I won something too. BEST PLANK of #SBA2011 !! (Only Entry)

Thanks to Leongraphy for this picture 

See you guys next year !!! Between now and then till I see you again, I'll be tweeting you... Tweet Me ~

Mr.Smith, the smile on your face is my real award for the day

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I'm the Mad Hatter

A good dressing or costume is never complete without a good hat or cap in my opinion.  Think about it, batman can be very naked but with his mask you can easily identify that he is batman, which same goes to every super hero. And on top of that hat or cap is a very good accessories for hiding the messy hair !

Disclaimer : this post is highly polluted (yes polluted, not populated) with my camwhore pics and many of my funny looking hats. Please DO NOT click if you are not ready to see my fucktarded face over and over again.

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Weird things I notice while watching Videos

I've never been a really good student in class as I can be distracted very easily. This point can easily be proven once again.

I was watching a video trailer of upcoming awesome game with the biggest clash of franchise aka milk your brand till you are dry. - Marvel Vs Capcom 3.

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