Azalia Suhaimi Photopoetry

Of Breakfasts and A Lot of Love (Part 2)

2012-01-08T11:49:00.008+08:00

8th January 2012

Remember that morning I played with the food for our breakfast and came up with a portion a tad too little for my husband?

Well this morning has proven that I am not alone with that - the whole playing-with-food thing and fascination towards breakfasts. My husband made me wake up to this today (with him being much more generous with the portion):

This day last year we walked down the aisle to The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love. The past year (and today) has proven the song real. Happy Anniversary to the amazing man who replies to my poems with beautiful songs. I love you. :-)

How and Why I Decided to Wear the Hijab

2012-01-05T22:20:00.002+08:00

5th January 2012

Maybe it was anxiety. Maybe I was thinking too much. But I recently could not stop thinking about the idea of loss.

How does one handle loss? What if I lose my loved one? What if I lose my family? How do I live without my husband? How will I ever gather strength if someone I love goes away before I do?

I wasn’t sure if I wanted answers or just some calmness to stop myself from thinking too much.

Allah. I told myself that for each thought I was thinking, for each answer I was seeking; think of Allah. He who knows best. He who knows there must be rain.

Redha. For each loss I should experience, know that it is written. That Allah knows best.

There is life after death.

I began wearing the hijab not just because. Not because of looks, not because of style, not simply because it is a new year.

I want to join Allah in Jannah one day. I want to live in Heaven with my husband and my entire family forever when the day comes. I want my loved ones to be in Heaven and not suffer for my sins.

Allah has given us so much. I want to learn all the ways to thank Him.

Submission to Allah.

I am still learning.

Coloured Notes

2011-11-10T00:15:00.000+08:00

Let’s leave some coloured doughnuts at different corners of the streets for those who are homeless,
And maybe an “It’ll be okay” note or two.

And the next time we have a packet of M&M's,
Let's leave out the red ones for the kind people we know,
because it might be their favourite colour.

.

Of Breakfasts, Islands and A Lot of Love

2011-11-08T22:02:00.004+08:00

8th November 2011

It's that time of the week when I can't seem to come up with at least five lines of poetry even after having John Lennon on loop (yes, he's what I've been listening to all the while I wrote some of my poems) yet too afraid to let my blog be lost deep into the forgotten realm of cyberspace.

So here goes nothing.

Alright, let's start over. Let me introduce you to a few of my favourite things - breakfasts, islands and a lot of love.

Here's what I made for my husband yesterday morning.

But of course, considering his appetite, there was a huge plate of Maggi Goreng hidden from the frame.

And here's an entry written by the same man who's been forced to eat tiny hearts at the start of the day.

Click on the photo above to be redirected to our updated travel blog, Busking Barefoot. We've an entry on what I believe as one of my most favourite places on Earth - Kota Kinabalu.

Here's another shot I took back at my most favourite place on Earth.

And here is a lot of love.

Goodnight and be well. <3

Our Nights Are Bright

2011-11-02T23:59:00.000+08:00

The night is never too dark; the stars are beautiful. Think of your bad days as the night. And the love from your loved ones; The stars.

.

Your World

2011-11-01T23:29:00.002+08:00

Get a world map and doodle some hearts across it. You know it needs them.

.

Instant Love

2011-10-25T00:40:00.001+08:00

This is my Polaroid he(art); filled with amazing souls whom I love. The first shot I ever got with the instant machine is placed at the centre. It was my first date with the husband.

Instant love.

Of Tiny Drawings and Malacca Portuguese Food

2011-10-16T20:45:00.002+08:00

I thought it'd be nice for me to post little notes and updates on this site every now and then in between my "photopoetry", just to catch up with you on things. :-)

So here's a little something from the past week:

1.) Children's Story Book
I spent one recent rainy afternoon by the window writing and illustrating my first children’s story book. It’s going to be a story about the acceptance and celebration of our differences. The story is pretty much done and I'm currently in the midst of completing the drawings. :-)

2.) Food Review
My husband and I were recently invited to do a review of this new, lovely Malacca Portuguese restaurant located in The Sphere of Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur - Simply Mel's.

To read further on Mama Melba and her wonderful dishes, head on over to my husband's and my travel blog, Busking Barefoot.

Til' the next one, have a great week!

The World Has An Answer

2011-10-09T21:56:00.001+08:00

The photopoetry below was written and created by me in conjunction of '100 Thousand Poets For Change' on the 24th of September, 2011.
You may scroll to the bottom of this entry for a video of me reading it at Malaysia's '100 Thousand Poets For Change' event:

Does the world need answers?
Or does it already have them?
Could the world map use more colours?
Or could we use the lights surrounding them?

What about those in the skyscrapers?
Could they cry for some answers?
Or should they only just look down?
For there's that same old lady at that bus stop
in the heart of the town,
Sitting at the same spot, with the same stray cats,
wearing the same clothes, but never a frown.
For she wears the same heart, lives the same soul,
Smiling,
to strangers around.

And what about this lady at the bus stop?
Could she cry for some answers?
Or does she continue to look up?
Not to the skyscrapers,
not to the top of the same tall billboards in front of her;
But to the constellation of stars.
For there is always light that surrounds her,
always so much wealth for her heart.
Such beauty; those painting in the skies.

And what about the stray cats wandering around town chasing feathers?
Could they cry for some answers?
Should we build them a home?
Should it be made of concretes?
Or should we just grow more trees?
So much shelter, so much green, so much to breathe.

Does the world really need more answers?
Or does it already have them?
Why are we looking around?
Why are we moving too fast?
So much answers; They lie so close
here,
in our hearts.

From Nothing To Everything

2011-09-30T02:00:00.007+08:00

This site sure is a little dusty now and I truly apologize for the lack of updates. I hope you've been well.

So here goes. I have not been in the best of health the past months but have been recovering well with more activities recently, alhamdulillah. This, I think, calls for a quick catch-up before I resume with more photopoetry, insyaAllah. Let's see if I can do this in one breath. :-)

1.) Eid 2011

I think and hope it's still not too late for me to wish you a blessed Eid. Salam Aidilfitri, mohon maaf zahir & batin, loved ones. I spent the days before Raya crafting and drawing some Duit Raya Packets for the little ones in my family as pictured above. Perhaps I should do more of those next Raya, insyaAllah.

2.) Charity Photo Exhibition Launch (19th June 2011)

Now sometime before Raya (quite a few months back, actually), I was involved in a charity photo exhibition at Pelita Hati which I've mentioned before in a previous post.

The Star had done a little write-up on the event as pictured above, detailing on the charity and the theme of the exhibition. And a little on my photography journey thus far. You may click here for an online version of the article. Below are some photos of the event which was launched by YBhg. Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong, Pro-Chancellor of the Universiti of Malaya. I am more than glad to have had my loved ones there with me as well.

3.) Lomography Cover

Now, pictured above is a printscreen from the cover of Lomography's website recently. Being a huge lomo fan that I am, I certainly am honoured to be on the cover of www.lomography.com for some good few weeks (which does serve as somewhat a reminder on how much I need to finally develop the rolls which have stayed in my Diana F+ and Spinner 360 for quite sometime)! Please make sure I'll do something about that.

4.) LiteFM's Everyday Heroes' Special Session on Malaysia Day

Recently on Malaysia Day, I was given the privilege to be part of LiteFM's Everyday Heroes' special session. I was interviewed by Zak and Sara on my role as a "photopoet" in getting young souls towards the love of art and literature.

The lovely Sara left me touched by reading out my poem Tea For Two on air.

It was aired between 8am to 9am on that lovely Friday morning, which was then followed by some off-air chats in the studio captured on LiteFM's video recorder as per the below YouTube clip:

Thank you once again for having me over, LiteFM. It was truly an honour.

5.) 100 Thousand Poets For Change (24th September 2011)

On the 24th of September 2011, a global poetry event was held in support of promoting change (political, social, etc.) to the world. Held at 700 events, 550 cities and 95 countries, the day certainly was quite a historical one for poets all around reciting poetry works in hope to change the world.

Named 100 Thousand Poets For Change, Malaysia was no exception in participating in this worldwide event. Hosted by Jamal Raslan and supported by New Straits Times Press ("NSTP")' WakaLab, there were about 25 of us poets reciting our works at NSTP's hall in Bangsar that evening.

I will post up a video of my poetry recital and the full poem in another entry. Meanwhile, here are some articles by WakaLab, NSTP and myMetro if you'd like to read further on the event.

6.) Travelogue

One of my husband's and my story from our travel blog, Busking Barefoot has recently been shared by AirAsia on its website.

My husband and I did go to a few more places recently; and I am currently in the midst of editing our travel photos. Will update our travel blog soon, I promise. I'll let you know here.

In a nutshell (and not quite in one breath), that's pretty much most of everything. How have you been?

Do have a great week and stay tuned to TV3 this Sunday, 2nd October 2011, 7.30pm as my Sejuta Impian's episode will be on air. You may follow me on Facebook as well as I post frequent updates there via mobile. Take care now and much love!

Busking Barefoot - A Travel Blog

2011-08-01T23:45:00.009+08:00

Have I introduced you to Busking Barefoot? It's a travel blog combining the writings and photography works by both me and my husband. This means more details on the whereabouts I've been producing my photography works.

Click on the photo if you'd like to follow us further. :-)

My Little One (and a video of me reading it)

2011-07-04T23:00:00.021+08:00

The photopoetry below was written and created by me a day before I read it at a Northern Writers session. It's about motherhood. About the mother I want to be; The way my mother raised me.
You may scroll to the bottom of this entry for a video of me reading it, and also for a little or two on the Northern Writers:

If we were in a garden,
You would be the butterfly.
I would whisper softly enough for you to listen;
Of the delicate beauty of your wings,
Of the way they're made to fly.

But before I could even tell you
of softness,
Of how slightly pastel the pink polka dots on your wings had become,
You would have pointed out to me first,
My wings; They're warm,
They could embrace the both of us.

If we were in a garden,
I would sing to you of how you could fly.
For you would have taught me freedom;
You would have made me breathe the sky.

The freedom to touch,
The freedom to share,
The freedom to look you in the eye,
The freedom to watch you grow,
The freedom to love.
Just how far you would have brought me to the sky.

But a garden;
Are we there yet?
But a song;
Can we hear yet?

If we were music,
You would be the missing key in the songs your father had written.
If we were a dreamer's poetry,
You would be the dream in each verse.

And my days; They would surround you.
My nights; Made by you.

For if we were day,
You would be the warmth that keeps us out at play.
If we were night,
You would be the reflected moonlight, the brighter starlight.

And I would hand you a box of crayons;
A life of colour.
And if they'd tell you there's no garden,
We would draw one.
Of apple blossoms and sunlit daffodils;
We would colour a garden.
And if they wouldn't believe we're butterflies,
We would colour some wings.
Of orange hues and pastel pink polka dots,
We would draw us two pairs of wings.

If we were art,
You would be the palette of colours to paint us a name.

If I were a mother,
I would hand you a box of crayons, my little child,
The same one;
My mother gave.

--------------------------------------------------------------

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, slightly tranquil than usual, when I had the chance to read in a cozy old black and white building in Ipoh with amazing writers Chuah Guat Eng, Mary Schneider and Uthaya Sankar SB.

I can't thank Yusuf Martin enough for organizing this and for letting me be part of such a beautiful initiative.

What made the event more beautiful was the presence of my mother, my husband and my former English Literature teacher from high school who had always been my role model. I may not be where I am now nor go up there to read my poem if it weren't for them and their support all these years.

Before I go all sentimental, I probably should let some pictures do the talking now.

The kind organizer, Yusuf Martin.

The amazing Chuah Guat Eng.

The vibrant lady who cheers us up weekly at The Star; Mary Schneider.

The talented Uthaya Sankar SB who writes perfect Bahasa Malaysia.

...and yours truly :-)

I hope you enjoyed the poem above. And I hope to see you at another Northern Writers event perhaps. Do follow its page on Facebook for more info. Have a great week now.

Tea for Two

2011-06-14T01:00:00.004+08:00

The photopoetry below is created as part of the One Shot Wednesday on One Stop Poetry, a place where poets, writers and artists meet:

You could be the chestnut coloured blanket and sunlit pillows,
The comfort breeze from the side window,
The warm mocha down my throat,
The jazzy hit uplifting yet slow.

But you are the mystery;
my other language, my romance, my poetry
my thrill, my endless guide.
You are the pages that keep me wanting for more.

You and I now;
We are like tea-time at the sunlit room downtown,
And you are the accompanying book I cannot put down.

A Poetry Reading and a Photo Exhibition (Soon).

2011-06-08T11:30:00.007+08:00

The Northern Writers is an amazing initiative by Yusuf Martin, bringing writers and readers of the Northern region together.

It was recently launched by poet Laureate Muhammad Haji Salleh and had featured readings by Bernice Chauly, Patrick Teoh and Graham McEune.

The next Northern Writers session will be happening on this coming 2nd of July. Held at Garden Villa 5, Jalan Dr. Nazrin Shah (Gopeng Road) of Ipoh, it will feature readings by Uthaya Sankar SB, Mary Schneider and yours truly :-) Hope to see you there.

----------------------------------------------

Coming along closer, the Pelita Hati Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur will be hosting a photo exhibition in support of the World Hepatitis Day called "Being There". Held from the 15th to the 30th of June 2011, "Being There" will feature artworks from B.U.L.B – Barudak Urban Light Bandung, Hasriq M. Nor, HLG – Hikarimoji Lights Graffiti, KC Chai, Melvin Tong, Mohd Azlan, Mohd Firdaus Herrow, Rupajiwa Studio, my uncle Tengku Al Murad and also, yours truly :-)

The exhibition will be launched on Sunday, 19th June 2011 at 4.00pm by YBhg.Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong, Pro-Chancellor of the Universiti of Malaya.

For more details on the exhibition, do read further on Pelita Hati's website here.

See you lovely souls soon!

The Night Wish

2011-06-02T00:10:00.001+08:00

Night
skies; Dark blue.
A shooting star,
But for two.
A wish; I did not make.
Wishing; did I have to?
I was sitting
next to you.

----------------------------------

P/S - I was recently nominated with The Perfect Poet Award in Week 44 of The Poets Rally.

A huge thank you to the amazing Promising Poets' Poetry Cafe for the award. I accept it with the above short piece of mine; and would like to nominate Dheepikaa for the following week :-)

An Unlived Answer

2011-05-30T23:12:00.007+08:00

The photopoetry below is created as part of the One Shot Wednesday on One Stop Poetry, a place where poets, writers and artists meet:

Life does not write back letters;
it blows petals of flowers.

Life does not reply whispers;
it rains on flowing rivers.

If you had to wonder,
would life have an answer?

Now why hear;
when you can listen?

But why wait;
when you can live?

Photopoetry Book

2011-05-21T00:19:00.001+08:00

Here's a sneak preview of my photopoetry book which will be on sale soon.

I'll keep you posted on this :-)

Sejuta Impian (TV3) - Updates, Part 2

2011-05-15T23:55:00.003+08:00

If you are following me on Twitter or Facebook, you would have gotten tired of my impossibly incessant attempt to promote the all-new reality show on TV3 known as Sejuta Impian.

Today was no exception. Sejuta Impian aired for the very first time today at 7.30pm showcasing our dear fellow Malaysians in their efforts to change the world.

My episode will be aired on the 25th of September. Four months away, but none can stop me from feeling all geared up in executing my Sejuta Impian project. I am as driven as the way I prepared for my garden wedding. And because you play a huge part in getting me to where I am now, I would like to share with you the bits and bobs of my pursuit in accomplishing my Sejuta Impian dream.

For now, among other things, you can expect:
a.) A surprise on this website soon;
b.) A special book of my photopoetry works for sale soon;
c.) A poetry reading I'll be doing soon;
d.) The launch of my photopoetry book at the poetry reading session soon; and
e.) Because I'm being very vague and seem to be dramatizing each line with the word "soon"; yet more surprises on this website...soon.

But more than anything, I truly cannot wait to do story-telling sessions to the children of our rural counterparts and Orang Asli villages in the upcoming months. I will journal these experiences in words and photographs alike, all of which will be published here for you.

Do take a peek for updates on this site from time to time. You may click on one of the headers at the right side of this site which says "My Sejuta Impian (TV3) Project", of which, will lead you here.

Till then, here's a video by Sesame Street of story-telling shared by children. We'll do this soon as well :-)

And true to my incessant attempt to promote Sejuta Impian, yes, do watch the show every Sunday on TV3 at 7.30pm.

What Have We?

2011-05-11T15:44:00.005+08:00

The photopoetry below is created as part of the One Shot Wednesday on One Stop Poetry, a place where poets, writers and artists meet.

It has also been nominated as part of The Celebrate Poet of Summer in 2011 Awards.

What does the night have without the stars?
What does the sea reflect without the moonlight?
What does the ocean sing without waves of blue?
And what does a day have without you?

Darkness.

Sejuta Impian (TV3) - Updates, Part 1

2011-04-23T05:36:00.002+08:00

I can't thank you enough for all the support you've given with regards to my cause. Alhamdulillah, I pitched my heart out and it went well. I'm elated and beyond thankful with the result I achieved :-)

Definitely one of my happiest days and most important highlights of my life having my husband, mum, dad, little sister and bestest friends with me celebrating my cause.

A million thanks to Sejuta Impian TV3, Dana Belia 1 Malaysia and TM for supporting my dream. I'll be looking forward to tell stories to the beautiful children of our country. My website will also be expanded thanks to the parties mentioned above. For the love of reading, literature, arts and children! Alhamdulillah and thank you once again :-) ♥

To know more, do watch it on TV3 every Sunday, 7.30pm, 15th May 2011 onwards.

To view more photos, click here.

Please Support My Cause Which Is Featured On TV3's Sejuta Impian

2011-04-18T00:41:00.005+08:00

My passion lies in literature and the arts. Out of this passion, I would like to build a community of creative, reading Malaysians. As this is best nurtured from a young age, and out of my love towards working with children; my next project goes to the adorable young ones of our country. More details soon. Do support my cause/dream which will be aired on TV3's Sejuta Impian. I'll need your support and prayers for me to get the funds needed to kick-start this project.

Thank you and much love :-) <3

P/S- Do follow my Facebook page if you'd like to get updates on this - Click Here
P/P/S- Tune in to TV3 if you'd like to know more as they've already featured ads on this upcoming show.

A Lived Fable

2011-04-06T12:30:00.001+08:00

The photopoetry below is created as part of the One Shot Wednesday on One Stop Poetry, a place where poets, writers and artists meet.

Fleeting rays of sunlight,
A warm touch, a rhythmic sight,
The sky; A blushing blue.
The sea; An orange hue.

Reflected before the night,
A dream (so true).

Blooming words in love letters,
A warm touch, your rhythmic whispers,
A fabled evening; Tea for two.
A song written; Painted souls too.

Lived each day and night,
A dream (thank you).

The Day Is Made Beautiful (For You)

2011-03-21T22:17:00.000+08:00

It's World Poetry Day today, as declared by UNESCO. I thought I'd take this space to wish you well, and a day as beautiful as poetry.

Read a poem to your loved ones tonight. For the full moon smiles; it is within sight.

Lots of love,
The Photopoet.

Supermoon (A Day; But Not)

2011-03-21T20:49:00.008+08:00

All of the lovers you've brought together,
All of these poems you've made us write.

Why would you need a day to be super?

All of these years;
you've brought souls alive.

*More photos here.

Dream Green; Live Your Dream.

2011-03-13T12:43:00.005+08:00

Here's a random design (and quote) I created in conjunction with the coming Earth Hour.
Dream Green; Live Your Dream.

On the same note, I would appreciate your support towards this design on Cutout Magazine's Eco-Bag Design Competition 2011.

Click HERE and click the "Like" button. Maybe it would help me win. Just maybe. ;-D

Thank you, and have a beautiful Sunday!

Vintage Baby Photography Services

2011-02-05T02:44:00.005+08:00

*Note: As at 01st January 2012, this service is put on hold until further notice as I will be concentrating on my Sejuta Impian project. Thank you to everyone who has supported my Vintage Baby Photography services all these while!

_________________________________________________________

Dear loved ones,

I am pleased to let you know that I now offer vintage baby photography services!

In a nutshell, what I am offering are:

An outdoor baby/toddler portraiture service (up to a maximum of 2 hours shooting time)
All photos (original and vintage-edited ones) in a DVD
A scrapbook of the printed chosen photos (upon request)

You may send me an e-mail at azaliasuhaimi@gmail.com with details of your baby/toddler(s), and also your preferred location and time for the photoshoot. I will then let you know on the price quotation.

As of currently, I would be able to accept bookings only within the area of Klang Valley and Ipoh, Perak.

The photoshoot would be in a very fun and natural manner, so do bring along your favourite props and do wear those outfits you (yes, your little one(s) and yourselves too!) wished you'd wear more often in public. Have lots of fun, for I'll be capturing every moment of that. ;-)

The scrapbook I mentioned is a service upon request, and would consist of black-coloured pages filled with printed photos of your choice. The cover would be customized with ornaments that would mean a lot to you and your little one(s).

Please do not hesitate to drop me an e-mail if you have any further inquiries. I'd be happy to fill you in with more details.

Till then, have a beautiful weekend. And keep in mind that I am very excited to be seeing you and your beautiful bundle(s) of joy soon!

Much love.

My Dream Wedding (Came True)

2011-01-18T02:21:00.033+08:00

Note: Before you proceed, do click this and have it up on another tab to set the reading mood if you'd like ;-)

This site is meant to be a compilation of only my photopoetry works if it were to stay true to its title but I can't help it here - I just got married, and just like a bride on her wedding day, I'd like to take this opportunity to be queen-for-a-day, again, this time on blogosphere. And queen-for-a-day here can only mean an overly-excited newlywed yapping away the littlest details of her wedding day like how the colour of her wedding gown was three shades lighter than the tone of her husband's scruffy hair.

And because the very idea of that would scare you as much, if not more, as it did me, let's put it this way - This entry shall stay true to the essence of photopoetry with these beautiful wedding photographs captured by amazing photographer Nik Aizu with teammates Shazni and Amir. These photographs may not be accompanied by a piece of poem but I believe that on their own, they talk of poetry.

It's amazing how that dream wedding I lived vicariously through my Barbie and Ken twenty years ago has been realized last Saturday, so simply, yet so magically. Not with any man, but a man who speaks my soul. My soulmate who also writes. And what else could all that be, but a hauntingly beautiful part of life written in poetic verses. Marriage is poetry; and I could not be more grateful to be blessed with its beauty.

I have always dreamt to be wedded in a small solemnization ceremony in a mosque surrounded by the warmth of all the beautiful people who played huge roles in the groom's and my years of growing up.

Alhamdulillah, in a small mosque down the road, it was. Filled with love and the smiles of our loved ones.

And for my love towards nature, sunshine, love, art, anything vintage and all things soulful, I could only dream of a small and intimate garden wedding reception outdoors filled with buckets of love and good music. I believe I could not have chosen a better place.

My wedding reception later that evening was held at a garden by the lake I grew up loving. My childhood bestfriend, Ayesha and I used to go swimming here every other week when we were twelve. And for the next ten years or so, my mother, my sister and I would frequent this place. Sometimes for a good swim, sometimes just to lie down on the grass and listen to the songs the birds sing. This was where we celebrated my mother's birthday, this was where my bestfriend and I shared a good laugh, this is where I write my poems, this was where I captured the shots which had been used in this postcard and that, and this was where he proposed.

Last Saturday, this was where we celebrated our marriage.

I am beyond touched at how my loved ones travel (some, literally halfway across the world) to witness this special day of my husband's and mine. Especially to think that this "garden by the lake" was quite deep inside all of those greens that I love and talk about so much.

There was my charming aunt who flew all the way from England, a cousin from Chachoengsao, friends and old workmates from Australia, and a whole beautiful bunch of family and friends who came from several different corners of Malaysia.

What was beyond beautiful was to be reunited with my favourite cousin, Alida again after ten years. Especially on a day so magical to me.

And I can't even begin on how grateful I am to be blessed with such wonderful, selfless family and friends who helped so much with the wedding reception.

Because of my love towards having every little thing made personal and sentimental, I had almost each single bit of my wedding sprinkled with my own crafts, my mother's, my father's, my sister's, my grandparents', my uncles', my aunts', my cousins' and my bestfriends'.

I began by inviting my loved ones to the reception with an invitation I fully personally designed. They were sealed in brown environmental-friendly envelopes which had tiny heart shapes and music notes I personally doodled.

The mini garden baskets with tiny purple flowers were personally crafted by my mother, with the help of my dearest sister and my wonderful aunts. The baskets had rose-shaped chocolates in them, and were made as doorgifts for the wonderful souls who graced the garden with their presence.

I am at loss for words at the amount of passion and love my mother put to this wedding. I am moved to tears at the thought of how much she wanted it to be like the way I dreamt it with my Barbies and Kens twenty years ago.

It was no wonder then that the wedding turned out beautiful. My mother was behind it. Just the way she always is, to all things beautiful.

The beautiful lights and lanterns all over the garden was magic done by my creative Uncle Al, together with Uncle Shah, my mother, Aunt Shyda and the rest of the wonderful team. Amazing how they turned my wedding night into a fairytale dream come true.

The wedding cake was made by a very talented childhood friend of mine, Su, who now runs the amazing designer cake shop, Delectable. Su and I used to sit next to each other at our tutorial classes back when we were twelve. And to have Su baking and designing my wedding cake was an honour. It truly meant the sun and the moon to me.

No surprises, she did magic with my cake. It was designed in the wedding theme colours, together with the cartoon doodles of my husband and myself which I earlier designed for the wedding invitation cards.

The emcee who graced the night with her beautiful ways and made the guests comfortable in a semi-formal casual manner was my very own kind-hearted cousin, Vic. She has her way with words, has a beautiful soul, and is simply a gem. But more than anything, she is a sweetheart whom I love dearly, and would share warm hugs with every other morning we bump into each other before work.

What also made the night special was a short, heartwarming speech specially made by my Aunt Shyda who flew halfway across the universe for this joyous occasion. A very compassionate and thoughtful lady, she is. Blessed, I am, to be loved by an aunt with such a soul.

The guitar which set the mood of the music for the night is my father's, and the items in the playlist throughout the night were also inspired by my father's musical soul. I spent dreamy days and months before the wedding telling him how much I wanted my reception to be completed with songs by The Beatles. And each of these dreamy days and months would always be accompanied by beautiful childhood memories brought alive to mind.

And with all the heart and soul there were for the night, I then recited a poem I wrote for my husband. Of which he replied with a song he wrote when he proposed to me earlier last year.

A dream wedding indeed.

One in my favourite colours; surrounded by nature, love, art, music and beautiful souls whom I love dearly.

To top it all off, I got to walk down the aisle with my husband in what I reckon should be a theme song for the universe, All You Need Is Love. This, I have to admit, has always been my secret dream, especially after seeing it happen in Love Actually.

Alhamdulillah.

I truly could not ask for more. And I could not thank you enough for all the help you've given, and simply, for being there. And if you weren't, believe me, you were still a part of it. For I had you in my thoughts throughout the night.

I can now only look forward to fill the pages of this site with even more photopoetry I'll create for my husband; my soulmate who also writes :-)

InsyaAllah.

--------------------------------------------------------------

P/S: I have yapped away like an annoying, excited newlywed, have I not?
P/P/S: Here are some other links also on my wedding day. Thank you, guys! (Do let me know if you have also written and posted photos of it on your sites too):
a.) My husband himself, Asrif
b.) My cousin with a beautiful heart, Rina
c.) The lady who beautifully baked and designed my wedding cake, Su
d.) My gorgeous girlfriend, Helen
e.) My official photographer, Aizu, on the solemnization ceremony
f.) My official photographer, Aizu, on the wedding reception
g.) My official photographer, Shaz, on the whole event
h.) My former classmate from primary school, Intan
i.) My Power Ranger partner when we were eleven, Yana
j.) Fellow KLickr photographer, Nik Azwaa
k.) My colleague who has his way with the art of sketching, Izzy
l.) The lovely cousin to the groom, Mie

A Feature in Jiboneus Webzine

2011-01-18T02:16:00.002+08:00

Special thanks to Jiboneus arty online magazine, for the write-up on my photopoetry works:

http://jiboneus.com/2011/01/05/photopoetry-with-azalia-suhaimi/

A Farewell; But Not.

2010-12-22T23:45:00.000+08:00

The photopoetry below is a work I created for a farewell event and is now posted as part of the One Shot Wednesday on One Stop Poetry, a place where poets, writers and artists meet. :-)

For the way we've flown,
For the way we've grown.
For the ways you’ve shown,
For the ways you’ll show.

A farewell; But not.
You aren’t alone.
A farewell; But not.
No one’s to go.

A reflection; This is,
how much we’ve grown.
A reflection; This is,
how far we’ve flown.

May more wings fly,
may more souls grow.
May the wind be kind,
may the skies stay gold.

A chapter you’ve written,
another to go.

A reflection; This is,
Great lessons you’ve shown.

But A Graceful Dream (#oneshotwednesday)

2010-12-15T11:09:00.001+08:00

The photopoetry below is a work I've created some time back and is now posted as part of the One Shot Wednesday on One Stop Poetry, a place where poets, writers and artists meet. :-)

But how do I speak of your love?

When I look into your eyes, I see the skies above.

Pure and beautiful; simply endless.

But how do days not know of seasons?

Every second; a summer love.

Every step; a growing garden.

But how do my mornings sing?

Nightingales appear, a chorus begins.

The sun, shining; The river, flowing.

But how does darkness disappear?

The moonbeams call; and bright stars twinkle.

Our souls, loving; Our shadows, waltzing.

But how do I even begin?

The depth of your love; my blue skies.

The light of your love; my summer,

The poetry you whisper; my nightingale.

The way you're next to me; my moonlit waltz.

"After all, it is written in the stars."

2010-11-03T00:06:00.005+08:00

Maybe just one more piece now before I really go on hiatus. And do put on John Lennon's "Imagine" or "Woman" to create the mood (if you'd like) before reading this ;-)

I was singing to John Lennon’s “Woman” when I felt this overwhelming desire from the sentimental hormonal side of me wanting to make an appearance.

There is something about songs by The Beatles or any of its members that would naturally, everytime, evoke these melancholic feelings in me. None of which I could ever explain or understand why.

“Is it Lennon’s words or McCartney’s voice?” I would wonder. Or is it the picture of Yoko I had at the back of my head as I breathed into each of Lennon’s words?

Not until the sounds of piano from “Imagine” were played next that I realized how similar the sounds were to that of my father’s music. When I was growing up, my father would grace the hallway with his Lennon-like voice and his magic on the piano while I doodled hearts and stickmen on the walls. I was pretty much born into a home of music and the arts. So much that I wished the crayons I wasted on the white walls would transform the cozy home into a mushroom house similar to that of the Smurfs. My parents, not exactly pleased with the doodles, would make certain that the home was built with love.

And a tuneful lot of music.

I sang to “Martha, My Dear” at the age of four not knowing who Martha was, and with the only word I understood and thought existed in the song; “Mother (Martha)”. I hopped on the piano seat next to my father as he played “Imagine”, only to fall fast asleep on his arms and into a dream of fairies and ponies, and of course, a couple of the Smurfs. Perhaps I did all that he sang then; “Imagine”. My father would play the guitar to “Across The Universe” while my mother decorated the home with her magic touch, and together, they would sing. They would play videotapes of live concerts by The Beatles, and again, they would sing. The gentle strums of my father’s guitar were what soothed my ears as I grew up, that I, not knowing the meaning of rock and roll, began wanting to sing.

But above all, it was beautiful. It was a beautiful time growing up into who I am now, finally realizing that it’s “Martha” and not “Mother”. It has been beautiful singing my way into what looks like adulthood now. It has been beautiful having my little sister joining me sing later and tuning our ways of growing up. It has been beautiful that at any time a chord resembling a number by The Beatles gets played now, I get somewhat sappy. Did I sing too fast? How is it possible that I am typing and seeing my words on a glassy monitor now when it seems like only yesterday that I doodled and saw my jagged, doodled hearts on the walls?

I am currently two months away from my wedding at this very moment. And while I’ve been caught smiling from ear to ear every now and then, in between I can’t help but ponder upon the idea that I’ll be the one building a home now with the love of my life. I am no longer the little girl who hops on the piano seat next to her father before snoring into a deep slumber. I am no longer that girl with a high ponytail who runs to her mother exclaiming the best news she’s ever known; that she could draw a perfect, symmetrical heart in her Art class.

And I reckon perhaps that is the beauty of life. For all the beautiful things we have been given, we are able to give back. For all the amazing love my parents have taught and given me, that is the same love I am giving back. The same love; for the parents, for the sister, for the cozy home that once had doodles on the walls, and now, being the grown-up that I am, for the home that my fiancée and I will build. The most incredible part that has left me baffled ever since adulthood came into the picture though was the way my fiancée and I began falling in love. He sang and played to “Across The Universe” on his guitar before he even knew the story of my musical childhood. To which of course, I sang along.

I first believed in magic when my mother held me into such warmth. My belief was made stronger when my father played the piano. I tried to convince the world into the existence of magic when I had my beautiful sister in my arms. But the world stopped into a constellation of all things magical when my fiancée and I first sang to The Beatles.

Not quite on the magical side though, my ponytail now isn’t tied as high as when I was six. But still, nothing quite changed now everytime I am at home; the house I once tried to transform into a mushroom, somehow.

My mother and sister are creating heart-shaped crafty magic for my wedding reception. My father is playing John Lennon’s “Imagine” on the piano.

I am, but of course, doodling some hearts. Not on the walls now, but on envelopes and pieces from a stack that strongly believes in magic; my wedding invitation cards.

On hiatus. To tie the knot :)

2010-11-02T01:05:00.004+08:00

Among some of the major things I’ve been busy with lately :)

Speaking of which, this site will be on hiatus until after my wedding. I realized it’s a bit impossible for me to juggle all of the things I want to do these days. But I’ll be back, that’s for sure :)

For now, I’m creating photopoetry and drawings on my wedding cards; crafting artworks for the wedding doorgifts, sprinkling dusts of love on all of them.

—————————-

I am always on Twitter or Facebook if anything.

Twitter, mostly, since I update it via mobile.

Be well, loved ones. I love you.

The Garden You Built

2010-09-22T22:20:00.004+08:00

The following photopoetry is published as part of the One Shot Wednesday at One Stop Poetry:

To the distant scent of cherry blossoms;
Merrily, I twirled.

To each falling leave and misty drop;
Softly, I tasted.

To a garden seen with closed eyes;
Heavenly, this love.

I thought I'd wish you personally..

2010-09-12T18:54:00.008+08:00

Here's to the Raya songs we sing a little out of tune, and to the way they still sound so beautiful.

Do click on the image for a better view, for my handwriting isn't the most beautiful thing in the world :) Much love.

Tanggal 31. Dan esok hari.

2010-08-31T21:23:00.002+08:00

Dear Malaysia and all of its beautiful Malaysians,

Here's wishing you a huge Thank You for the beautiful country we live in today and a Happy Independence Day.

I did not write a poem, but a creative writing piece instead in conjunction with this day (which of course, comes with a photo too)

You may read it here on my Facebook page: Click

Or on my Tumblr site: Click

Much love.

In The Local Newspaper Yesterday

2010-08-17T00:23:00.007+08:00

A little something outside the photopoetry world:

My article was published in The Star yesterday, on Page 19 of the StarMag section.

You can have a look at the full article here on The Star’s website: Click Me

Or on my Tumblr post here: Click Me

The latter would be the original, unedited one, or for lack of better words, straight from my heart.

The one published in the papers have been edited here and there, perhaps made for better public viewing.

Despite what the news have for us today, I hope the day has been good for you.

The Song You Completed

2010-07-29T21:52:00.010+08:00

How is it that each time I walk,
I hear the wind whistling about,
the hummingbirds singing aloud,
the sea answering the clouds?

But how is it that each time you're near,
So simply, beautifully, and so clear,
You bring the words to the music I hear?

----------------------------------------------

Dear readers, to make up for my absence from the photopoetry world the past weeks, here are some personal notes for you:
# My second photopoetry on the Live and Inspire magazine is now up and published :)
# For each time you come here and not see a new piece, you may head on to http://azaliasuhaimi.tumblr.com/ where I publish all my other artworks on the go, via mobile.
# But I do promise to publish a new photopoetry piece here every now and then when I'm not too busy.
# But definitely, you're always welcome on this photopoetic space :)

Much love,
The Photopoet.

The Songs We Missed

2010-07-04T23:00:00.008+08:00

The sun shines all day to see the flowers bloom.

The stars stay all night to sing to the moon.

Have I done enough to show my love to you?

Two tickets to the end of the rainbow.

2010-07-01T23:10:00.009+08:00

Dear beautiful readers,

You are cordially invited to the launch of the Live and Inspire magazine at www.liveandinspire.com for all things inspiring :)

My photopoetry is also published under the Creative Arts column :)

Now here's a little wish for you to have beautiful sunshiny days ahead <3

Urbanscapes 2010 (and the poetry we made).

2010-06-28T18:44:00.008+08:00

Sold postcards of my photopoetry artworks opposite the room made for screenings of Yasmin Ahmad's works. Have not stopped singing to Keroncong Hujan up to this moment :)

Thank you to all who dropped by. Had a wonderful time catching up with you beautiful lot <3

The Walk of Heartbeats

2010-06-17T23:44:00.006+08:00

Here is for the way I'd walk the world with you.

For the way the dance floor was made for two,
But the way we move on galaxies.

For the way your feet stay next to mine;
But the way we even walk on sunshine.

For the way we dig into the sand;
But the love letters written on them.

For the way we stand a little still;
But the sea of constellations we feel.

Here is for the way I'd walk the world with you.
But the way I don't even have to.

The Painted News

2010-06-04T08:37:00.005+08:00

If I could paint a dream, it would be on newspapers.

A few strokes of pretty hues,
where bad news turn into skies of rainbows and butterflies.

The Seeking That Wasn't

2010-06-02T02:05:00.003+08:00

Seek not a shining star,
for the moon hides beneath the dark.

Seek not a beating heart,
for the beloved is nowhere within sight.

"Foto dan puisi," katanya.

2010-05-11T19:59:00.017+08:00

"Terima kasih," bisik hati saya.

I could walk across town to paint a huge "THANK YOU" to express this gratitude of mine towards your love and support.

Alhamdulillah, my Photopoetry exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Design Week 2010 went well. Thank you for coming, for creating beautiful moments while we talked carelessly inside my Photopoetry tent, for taking that five minutes looking through my set of postcards and deciding which ten you'd like, for spreading your love. You're beautiful.

And here's something else just as beautiful, which also serves as my highlight of the week. The day I introduced my photopoetry works to Malaysia's well-known poet cum novelist, our Pejuang Sastera, A. Samad Said.

Terima kasih, Pak Samad :)

And a beautiful day indeed.

Now before I continue walking with some buckets of paint and love ♥, I shall leave you with a set of photos from the event, and a prose of puisi (Malay poetry) I have just scribbled on my poetry pad :)

Diberinya pena, dilahirkan seni;
Tercatitnya mimpi, tersenyumnya sendiri.

Diberinya melodi, diukirkan sepi;
Tersenyumkah bunga, tuk sang mentari?

My Little Photopoetry Tent in Kuala Lumpur Design Week 2010

2010-05-06T01:52:00.031+08:00

Dear beautiful souls,

Here is my secret hope to meet each and every one of you. And no, this is not part of a poem. This is me, and some of my hopes and dreams left scribbled here to be shared with you.

Azalia Suhaimi Photopoetry will be part of the Kuala Lumpur Design Week 2010 (KLDW) this week, expressed within a tent. Head over to Level 2 of Capsquare, and find your way to a tent filled with photos, poems, artsy postcards, music and buckets of love.

Sneak Preview 1:

Photo thanks to Nik Aizu

Sneak Preview 2:

Photo thanks to Mohd Shazni

While some of my photography and poetry works are clipped as exhibits around the tent, I will be there, day and night, on the 8th and 9th of May (this Saturday and Sunday), to see you. Also, I'll be selling collectible artsy postcards of my own designs.

Yes, the same way as I did back in my previous exhibitions / participation in Kuala Lumpur Design Week 2009 and Urbanscapes 2009.

Here, my dear readers, are the latest designs you can choose from:

Postcard #1

Postcard #2

Postcard #3

Postcard #4

Postcard #5

Postcard #6

Postcard #7

Postcard #8

Postcard #9

Postcard #10

And after some demand (thank you, beautiful people), here are some of the previous designs which will make way to KLDW 2010 as well:

Postcard #11

Postcard #12

Postcard #13

Postcard #14

Postcard #15

Postcard #16

Postcard #17

Postcard #18

Postcard #19

Each postcard costs RM2.00;
while a set of three (3) costs RM5.00.

And worry not, the postcards you'll receive will NOT have the 'Azalia Suhaimi Photography' watermark as pictured above.

You may e-mail me beforehand at azaliasuhaimi@gmail.com should you want to book/order any of the designs. Just let me know your name, contact details and the design number.

But most of all, I hope you'll have a beautiful weekend, and I hope we'll meet soon :)

Much love,
The Photopoet.

------------------------------------

P/S- Many thanks to Asrif Yusoff, Adi Arfan, Shafina Sheridan and Sue Bahrin for staying with me and helping up with the decoration of my little photopoetry tent.

P/P/S- Speaking of which, do also head to Level 1 of Capsquare for a photo exhibition by the KL Flickr group, comprising of works by the four beautiful souls I mentioned above, and other brilliant photographers around Kuala Lumpur.

P/P/P/S- Also, speaking of which, some of my works are also exhibited at the KL Flickr Photo Exhibition corner. Shots which involve Subang Jaya area were covered by me and my fiancee, Asrif under the KL Flickr KLDW project. Do check out the exhibition at Level 1 for more info :)

Of Secret Hymns & A Tapdance

2010-04-27T01:46:00.003+08:00

To the mornings they walk so fast;

I'll sing my heart out and do a little tapdance.
I'll hum to the melody of the wind, move to the rhythm of the clouds, and shine under the rising sun.
I'll point my finger at each cloud, and connect one point to another until they form the shape of a heart.
I'll rearrange the words and alphabets on the billboards until they form a poem of hearts and dreams alike.
I'll draw a smiley face on the car window just so every person in each of the cars passing by could catch a smile.

To the mornings they walk so fast;

Here is how the day begins.
Here is my little love note of sentimental scribbles and secret hopes,
Here is how it wishes to touch your heart.

Suria Nan Cinta

2010-04-19T21:40:00.007+08:00

Pulangnya sang suria, tinggalnya sang cinta;
Sang angin bersuara, mimpi indah lagunya.

Mekarnya bunga, tenangnya nyata;
Tuahnya warna, sinarnya mata.

Suara halus, mudahnya bicara;
Hati tulus, gigihnya bercinta.

Kemana sang suria, usah ditanya,
Sinarnya dikau, wahai sang cinta.

Of Hello's and Thank You's.

2010-03-22T18:50:00.010+08:00

Rare is the sight of an entry being written in a casual daily-conversation manner on this blog of mine I call Photopoetry.

And this, is one of those supposedly rare sights.

I thought I'd borrow a few beautiful minutes to say Hello to you in just "Hello", and not proses.

So, Hello. :)

And yes, I thought I'd use this one entry to paint a huge "Thank You" to those behind the Accredited Online Colleges.org site for listing my blog into their 100 Best Poetry Blogs article (mine at Number 91, under 'Photographic Poetry').

It's a huge honour to have my works acknowledged, and be part of their best hundred. I thought mine's nothing compared to the rest they've listed. So most of all, it's the wonderful article they've written, introducing us to a bunch of brilliant poets out there and their beautiful sites. Oh, the beauty.

Just how wonderful it is to know of and be inspired by five other photopoets out there. :)

So, Thank You. :)

That's to my usual nightly routine of sipping tea, humming jazzy tunes, and reading poetry. Now I've got a whole new list of poems and sites to be included into what's known as my therapeutic routine.

So there's Hello. And there's Thank You.

Now here's a truckload of love. I love you, and would you please have a good week? :)

P/S- But of course, I'd still insert a photo. Here's one, from my collection of polaroid shots hung on the wall. x

But A Graceful Dream

2010-03-20T01:40:00.007+08:00

The following Photopoetry was published on the Live and Inspire magazine:

But how do I speak of your love?

When I look into your eyes, I see the skies above.

Pure and beautiful; simply endless.

But how do days not know of seasons?

Every second; a summer love.

Every step; a growing garden.

But how do my mornings sing?

Nightingales appear, a chorus begins.

The sun, shining; The river, flowing.

But how does darkness disappear?

The moonbeams call; and bright stars twinkle.

Our souls, loving; Our shadows, waltzing.

But how do I even begin?

The depth of your love; my blue skies.

The light of your love; my summer,

The poetry you whisper; my nightingale.

The way you're next to me; my moonlit waltz.

On Distance (Part 3) / Apa Mungkin

2010-03-16T01:18:00.008+08:00

Apa mungkin malam mengerti,

sang bulan belum menjelma lagi?

Wahai sayang, kutunggu di sini,

nyanyianmu bermain di hati.

Selagi masih rindu ke pagi,

Kan kukira, nun bintang nan tinggi.

Apa mungkin bermain sembunyi,

sang suria memanggilmu kembali.

On Distance (Part 2)

2010-03-14T12:19:00.006+08:00

If I could pick a star while we are apart,

would you be able to tell which one?

But you are, at the other side of the Earth.

And maybe that's when the power of Love lets one shine on you when day turns night.

The star I picked.

On Distance (Part 1)

2010-03-13T17:06:00.006+08:00

The following Photopoetry was published on the Live and Inspire magazine:

Glassy reflection; O' singing ocean,

Will you pass this whisper, to ever after?

Message in a bottle, just not on paper,

A litre of tears, a thousand tales.

One drop, for the way we are apart,

Another, the way we'll reunite.

Let him be, at the other side,

But let him see, o' glassy reflection,

But let him hear, o' singing ocean.

The Way The Pages Flipped

2010-02-22T00:49:00.006+08:00

I could tear down a page and write you a love letter,

Or never.

For I'd keep the pages clean yet scribble tales of love forever.

But for all the passion this pen and paper could share,

The greatest love story is still

in the way you pick up the phone and ask me how I feel.

In the way a mother strokes a child's hair.

For pages could tear.

For inks run dry.

The Insanity We Planned

2010-02-06T01:35:00.006+08:00

Like the way we sit and sing on the meadows were planned;

Like the way the windblown hair and our feelings, weren't.

So much of our lives can be carefully planned,

So much of life can we carelessly feel.

The Circles We Stopped Running

2010-01-29T13:39:00.009+08:00

Like a walk of dreams;

only this time,

it's on water.

Like a dance of summer;

only this time,

it's in Jupiter.

Like the way we fall;

only this time,

from star to star.

Like the wind against us;

only this time,

we'll reach the moon; there's no distance.

Like rocket science it seems;

only it's easy,

just holding hands, just you and me.

The Letter I'd Write

2010-01-11T23:37:00.005+08:00

If I were to write you a letter,

I'd paste that flower I picked; that is the scent of our summer,

I'd clip photographs of us; that is my smile when you're near,

I'd attach a tape of our voices; that is the melody we could whisper.

But I'm writing you a letter,

"I love you"; that is how I'm feeling, my dear.

The Year That Was

2010-01-01T14:56:00.004+08:00

But the tide is low and then it's high,

The sun rises and then it sets.

Digging sand; building castles, tumbled

Leaving footprints; another pair, undiscovered

Throwing sand; laughter, faded

Dipping toes; catching waves, shivered

Taking photographs; unearthing dreams, captured

Walking straight; finding light; sunset.

But the tide is high and then it's low,

The sun sets and then it rises.

Holding hands; dreaming, sunlit.

Holding hands; dreaming, moonlit.

The Longing That Shouldn't Be

2009-12-20T18:03:00.006+08:00

I didn't quite understand when you talked of waiting.

So the sun was going to rise and flowers were about to bloom.

That wasn't waiting.

That was you and me; and the stars meeting and the moon smiling.

The Promise I Made

2009-12-05T18:32:00.005+08:00

I'd be there, I thought.

I'd be there to whisper of how beautiful a person you are.

Of how the wind brushes against your cheeks, of how the water sings as it falls, of how sunlight reflects on water.

And that is why I'm not there.

You can feel and you can hear and you can see. And that makes you a bit much more than beautiful.

The Dream I Didn't Know I Knew

2009-11-22T03:27:00.007+08:00

I'm not sure how to explain it; I'm just sure you play a huge part in it.

It feels as though I'm walking in a dream; an illusion of some sort, or technicolour magic.

I don't know; I just know I'm the luckiest person to be in it.

The Marvellous We Forget

2009-11-15T20:05:00.008+08:00

And maybe it was years ago when everything seemed new and you were little; and you marveled and asked; and you pointed at white clouds and blue skies and falling leaves and singing birds before you went another wow from another wow.

Nothing's changed.

You still see with the same eyes and hear with the same ears and feel with the same heart. And the clouds are white and the skies are blue and the leaves may fall and the birds do sing.

And here is when you say

Wow.

The Discovery That Was

2009-11-07T16:47:00.005+08:00

And when you didn't see me, you didn't have to worry. I saw you in so many ways while you were looking for me.

Because the heart could see.

The Search After That

2009-11-01T23:49:00.008+08:00

Or maybe we could take a break from searching for more and maybe we could stop singing whines.

And maybe we could just open our eyes and see what's in front of us and maybe we could start singing "Thank You"s.

Thank you.

The Blooming Return

2009-10-28T14:21:00.005+08:00

I don't miss you. I miss who you were and what it was.

Which was why I walked back.

Because who you were and what it was;

they're not there.

Blooming daffodils and apple blossoms,

only I realized later

that where I stand;

is a beautiful garden.

The Unanswered Call

2009-10-17T02:33:00.008+08:00

I called to say I love you;

And if that didn't get to you, I could probably walk a mile or two.

Or maybe it's time to use that rusty bike and that faded map,

and if I'd get lost along the way; maybe that's okay,

maybe then I would see who'd help.

Or if I'd fail to arrive at the door of your heart,

if I'd need to change the aim of my ride,

a little more than maybe, I'd be quite alright.

I called to say I love you;

I grew a ride stronger, discovered who'd help, learned to read the map.

of things we missed (or not).

2009-10-11T22:24:00.007+08:00

That month you went on holiday. That week I went celebrating. That time you got that interview. That day I took up dancing.

We talked so much of yesterday, but none of them felt like it.

As easy as looking into each other's eyes; each time we're together, it's as if no time has passed.

the tragedy, Hope & Faith

2009-10-03T04:35:00.012+08:00

Hundreds to the rescue, millions pray for you, a population who loves you.

The immeasurable strength in you.

May your strength brings you sunshine as beautiful.

red and blue make magenta

2009-09-25T14:21:00.009+08:00

So there's that pen with a cute-looking character, and another not so similar,
and then there's that pretty pen, a boring pen, a long pen, a short pen, a thin pen, a fat pen, a bright-coloured pen, a dull-coloured pen, a funny-looking pen, a scary-looking pen, a classy pen, a normal pen.

Or we can skip that tiring introduction, and marvel at the
beautiful myriad of colours and patterns.

And then we shall proceed with that approach not only with pens; but among us humans.
Skip those unhealthy comparisons; celebrate our differences.
Because variety is fun; we're all made beautifully different.

we don't say it often but we do

2009-09-19T00:40:00.011+08:00

And it's like that time I thought I could carry the world for you,

And that time I'd carry you away from feeling blue.

That time when our eyes met and I realized, but did you?

And that time our skin touched for a minute or two.

And I knew then when we looked at the sky and the minutes flew,

We looked out for each other, then we knew it's true.

So much that we don't see; they go around in the simplest of things.
In our actions, there's love. In love, there's apology.

Eid Mubarak, Maaf Zahir & Batin, dear readers. Much love, from me to you :)

The Bright Side of Things

2009-09-14T02:11:00.004+08:00

I called to talk about the night;
of how dark it was, of sad people walking fast.

You only asked me to look up;
for it was bright, for the moon slowly smiled.

That Short Stroll

2009-09-05T15:50:00.003+08:00

We didn't have worldly knowledge, we spoke a different language.
We looked into each other's eyes, we walked what we thought were miles.

And that was all it took to walk the world; Love.

The Seasons Do Smile

2009-08-29T01:53:00.010+08:00

Who knew you'd walk with me when I started walking alone.
Who knew we'd be bestfriends when we were strangers last year.
Who knew we'd talk less today when our hearts spoke yesterday.
Who knew we'd be strangers when we were lovers last winter.

But who knew you'd feel sunshine at dusk and then raindrops at dawn. And that's life; if you don't have your umbrella with you, then feel the rain.

It's beautiful. Too.

It had a little "Push" sign

2009-08-05T23:16:00.005+08:00

The door was left closed for a reason.

So you felt darkness,
but you deserve the beautiful surprises in life.

Take a peek already,
a different light awaits.

Cliches are quite true, so seize the day now.

2009-07-13T22:11:00.006+08:00

We try so hard to build a perfect castle but it keeps getting washed away.
So we're saying perfection is what our eyes don't see.

But really, all we're failing is not to see,
but to hear the waves calling our names.

So that was a full moon we saw.

2009-07-10T01:19:00.005+08:00

And because our dreams deserve to be as beautiful as how our days should be.

Now goodnight, beauty.

The One with an Urban Gratitude.

2009-07-04T23:20:00.022+08:00

Good mornin, beautiful people :)

Here's a little somethin for all of you who have had a blast at KLPac last weekend:

* Super congratulations to the KLue Urbanscapes team... The event went with a bang, which I reckon most of you know already ;D

* MUCHOS GRACIAS to all who came to support my photography works....at my exhibition and at the Postcard Bar...from the hugs you gave, to the kind words you threw, to the postcards you purchased! ;) You're awesome.

* And because pictures tell a thousand words, let me bore you now with a few thousand ;)

Yes, yours truly; with my first set of exhibits at KLickr's 24-Hour-KL Photography Exhibition:

..and at 'The Postcard Bar' ;D

and of course, with awesome friends who came to support :)

----------------------------------------------------------------

And as a note of thanks, this one's yours:

I'm sure it wasn't just music we heard,

and I'm sure it wasn't just flying we've learnt,

And maybe it was a little bit divine,

maybe it was much more than that.

But more than anything,

magic; is the sharing we had.

. TERIMA KASIH again, from the bottom of my heart :)

p/s--come drop a 'hello' if you purchased any of my postcards; you deserve a personal 'thank you' :D

Collectible Postcards For Sale (Part 2)

2009-06-05T03:13:00.029+08:00

Hello, awesome people :) I know I have been a lousy sentimental photographer failing to keep consistent with my photopoems on this blog. I do apologize, and to make it up to you, I have designed a new set of POSTCARDS :)

These postcards are made and designed out of my love towards photography & creative writing; hence the mix & match of my photography works and my own quotes :) And for those of you who remember, I sold my first batch of postcards over at KL Design Week's Secret Tents:

I truly thank all of you who supported the sales of my first set of arty postcards; from those who purchased, to those who ordered for more, to those who helped me sell and also definitely to KLickr for having me at the Secret Tent. You guys are simply AWESOME :)

And to those who demanded for more, I am truly touched; here I introduce to you, a new set of ten postcard designs by the name of Hearts & Dreams:

(The designs below have "Azalia Suhaimi Photography" watermarks on them but the postcards you'll be receiving will not.)

Design #HD1

Design #HD2

Design #HD3

Design #HD4

Design #HD5

Design #HD6

Design #HD7

Design #HD8

Design #HD9

Design #HD10

Just as before, each postcard costs RM2
A set of three postcards = RM5
A set of all ten postcards = RM15

To make orders, simply e-mail your name, contact details, the Design Code of your choice and the amount of postcards you'd like (eg. Design #HD9 x 2, Design #HD6 x 1) to azaliasuhaimi@gmail.com

This time around, you can come see me personally and collect the postcards at the Urbanscapes' exhibition venue at KLPAC, Sentul Park on this coming 27th June 2009 at anytime of the day (I may be exhibiting my photography works with the rest of the KLickr on that day too).

Worry not if you cannot make it to Urbanscapes, for we can always negotiate on the possible whereabouts of the-postcards-exchange.

In the mean time, have fun and go wild selecting your favourite postcard designs, drop me a mail at azaliasuhaimi@gmail.com and we'll definitely be in touch :)

P/S - If you'd like to get some of the designs from the first batch, feel free to make your choices from here. Have a good week then :)

--------/edited June 13th 2009/----------------------------------

Do also come have a look at the collection of postcards for sale by a friend of mine, Shazni who'll be at Urbanscapes as well.

I hope to see you, you and YOU at Urbanscapes, and I sincerely thank all who have made your postcard orders.
Come one, come all, make your postcard orders already :)

Pokerface.

2009-06-04T03:47:00.003+08:00

I tried to write without a heart.

I didn't write.

You won't get through it / You'll GROW through it.

2009-05-21T05:17:00.002+08:00

Let the leaves fall, let the snow drop.
The cold weather still makes a good picture.

The point is, to watch the melting snow,
the flowers grow.

And you can only grow together,
form a stronger character;
a garden of spring, a breeze of summer.

Frown; that's okay.

2009-05-20T03:53:00.004+08:00

And then someone else laughs at you when you're frowning.
Only because you're allowed to let go and be exhausted of smiling; because you're not expected to feel good every time.

And that is when friendship comes into the picture.

No one was laughing at you. That was a friend; laughing for you when you couldn't.

Good Morning, this one's yours.

2009-05-19T00:24:00.002+08:00

Because you effortlessly bring sunshine to someone else's life.

You'll start your day today with sunshine;
not only because you can,
but because you deserve it.

Where There's No Pedestal

2009-05-14T12:25:00.021+08:00

Please come home with me,

Let's lie on the grass and stare into the beautiful blue skies,
Let's watch the same clouds move,

except this time we're side by side,
on the same green grass.

Let's watch the same birds fly, and give them names,

Let's hold hands when it starts to rain,

and let's watch beautiful creations from the same eye.

Let's look into each other's eyes when dark clouds form over us,

Let's still see beauty even when the storm doesn't sound pretty.

Please tell me if lying on the grass gets a bit uncomfortable,
Come share with me which one's your favourite cloud,
Which tune would you prefer the birds sing,
Which shade of blue do you like best.

I may not be able to make the grass comfortable,
I probably won't make your favourite clouds appear,
I may not make the birds sing another tune,
I won't make the skies blue when dark clouds form.
But I'll be next to you.

I'll be on the same grass,
I'll watch the same clouds move,
I'll listen to the same song the birds sing,
I'll look into your eyes when dark clouds form,
Let's be side by side.

And ride this journey together,

We'll sing beautiful songs with ardour,
Only because we share too many favourite ones.

Please come home with me,

The grass is waiting,
The skies have different shades of blue,
The birds are waiting for new names.

No Joker in that stack.

2009-04-16T16:33:00.009+08:00

Dreams.

I used to dislike them much that they often appear to be cheating. They did not last long, I thought. They give you fantasy-like visions only to let you down as soon as you must open your eyes for a little something called Reality.

And then I began sketching.

And then I got a camera.

So in this little something called Reality, you are given cards. But before seeing the cards in front of you, you must...see the cards. Visualize them. And pick one, known as The Game.
Now that you're in the game, you're still given a stack of them. Cards.

If you choose right, you get to go back to that bigger something known as Dreams. Thankfully I did, and I realized that dreams did not have to cheat me at all to begin with.
I could cheat Reality.
I could sketch a dream. Photograph a dream. Paint a fantasy. Capture those fantasy-like visions of a dream.

Simply, we can live our dreams. It's a choice.

So I kept this dream for a long time to capture photographs for National Geographic.

Last night, I managed to see my photography work on the National Geographic website. A start.

Reality.

P/S- So, what's your dream?

p/p/s-- Click here to view the original photography work accompanied by a little poetry I wrote. Or, click here .

"pesan ibu saya kita kena fikir positive kalau nak cepat sembuh"

2009-04-13T00:49:00.002+08:00

It was easily the most beautiful feeling to be able to see the smiles upon the faces of these strong, beautiful children as I handed them the prints of their portrait photos.

The University Hospital held an event for children with cancer, the Perhimpunan Sosial Pediatrik Onkologi ke-7.

Alhamdulillah I had the opportunity to be part of a good cause, and most importantly, the children were happy. No words could describe just how much these children have touched my heart. I was in constant attempt of holding back my tears throughout the event. They may seem small, but their hearts are big. And so are their strength, their optimism, their yearning to live.

Alhamdulillah I met these beautiful souls. I hope I can change their world as much as they have changed mine.

P/S - Many thanks to Han Ghazi for giving me the opportunity to be part of this cause. You've done such a great job, with such a big heart yourself :)

Life Is A Game

2009-04-12T01:49:00.002+08:00

The following is a remake and an extended version of the photo-essay I wrote titled "Life is a Playground", and is also the photo essay exhibited at the Rantai Revelation Art Exhibition 2009:

Life is a game; we foresee the fun but may fall later,

The rules are written but could be broken,

We may start our games by choosing our roles,

Just as how some prefer hiding,

...some others prefer the seeking role.

Some prefer playing by themselves,

...whilst breathing in every beauty observed.

Some play better in pairs,

...with two hearts sharing the beauty of the game.

Some may initially play alone,

...then wait for someone else to call out to play.

Some play with much passion,

some under the shelter of love.

And while some play towards perfection,

...some others need to play with guidance.

We wouldn't know when our game ends,

It may even come with a flow of drawbacks.

But that doesn't stop us from playing fair,

...or seeing the beauty behind every obstacle.

We can choose to overcome the shadow of hindrances,

...and unite in a coloured game of differences.

As together, we can witness beauty reflected from a myriad of angles,

...and protect each other as we go along.

Because rain or shine, we'd play through as we hold on to something called "Love".

P/S - Every line written for every photograph is intended solely for metaphorical purposes, and has nothing to do with the person(s) displayed in the particular photo.

In Numbness, I Feel

2009-04-08T17:47:00.003+08:00

Speech.
You may stop speaking,
indulge in whispering.
I'd still hear you,
your heart is screaming.

Movement.
You may stop running,
indulge in resting.
I'd still feel you,
your heart is beating.

Sight,
You may stop looking,
indulge in missing.
I'd still see you,
your heart is peeping.

Touch.
You may stop caressing,
indulge in numbing.
I'd still sense you,
your heart is feeling.

Love,
you may be in distance,
indulge in flaws.
I'd still see us.
As just like yours,
my heart has senses.

Collectible Postcards for Sale :)

2009-03-20T16:06:00.005+08:00

Hello good souls :)

I would like to begin this beautiful day by introducing you to a set of collectible postcards I have for sale. These postcards were personally created by yours truly, having my own photography works and own quotes on them.

As of currently, I have twenty one designs, with each postcard costing RM2. If you choose a set of any three postcards, you'd only have to pay RM5...for all three, yes.

To make orders, simply e-mail me the Design Number of your choice and the amount of postcards you'd like; to azaliasuhaimi@gmail.com

You may come and see me, collect the postcards and make the payment personally to me during the Kuala Lumpur Design Week (KLDW) between 27/03/09 to 04/04/09 at Capsquare, Kuala Lumpur.

Should you not be able make it to KLDW, we shall negotiate accordingly :)

Happy browsing! The designs available here will have "Azalia Suhaimi Photography" watermarks on them, but worry not, the original postcards you'd be receive will not :)

Sample of the postcards you'd be receiving:

Design #1 :

Design #2:

Design #3:

Design #4:

Design #5:

Design #6:

Design #7:

Design #8:

Design #9:

Design #10:

Design #11:

Design #12:

Design #13:

Design #14:

Design #15:

Design #16:

Design #17:

Design #18:

Design #19:

Design #20:

Design #21:

Hope to see you, you and YOU at KLDW 2009 :)

*Note: July 2009--> If you'd like to check out newer postcards I've created, click here. Do not hesitate to mail me over at azaliasuhaimi@gmail.com for enquiries or orders from any of the designs above or the newer ones :)

A Mother's Love...

2009-03-08T18:00:00.001+08:00

...knows no boundaries.

Dream-catching.

2008-12-27T00:35:00.003+08:00

I have always interpreted success as being able to build a healthy, happy family. We rarely see happy families nowadays, which I think is quite sad. I guess building one is a feat more difficult than building a good career. Perhaps.

But today, I met one.

A happy family.

And just like in my dreams, they were enjoying the simple pleasures of life. They were living in the moment. They stopped to smell the roses. And only when I thought these things happen in dreams these days.

Perhaps.

Alhamdulillah, today, I got to capture my dream.

Rantai Revelation Art Exhibition 2008

2008-12-16T16:40:00.002+08:00

I had perhaps my best three days of the month from 12th to 14th of December 2008; having the chance to portray my perspectives on life to the public, captured in various freeze-framed moments.

My photography works and poetry were displayed to the public at the Rantai Revelation Art Exhibition 2008, and I'm truly thankful for the support I got throughout the event, alhamdulillah.

I chose twenty four of my best photography works and framed them up in a series of a photo-essay. Each photography work was accompanied by a line of poetry I wrote, and when read in sequence, you'd get a whole metaphorical story on life.

Life is a Game; that's what it's called.

Many thanks to the Rantai crew, to those who helped, those who attended, those who have always encouraged my passion in photography and literature, those who never hesitated to become my models.

Simply, thank you for your support.

Below are a few photographs of myself, my friends and my exhibits throughout the event:

Life is a Playground

2008-12-03T18:04:00.009+08:00

You'll choose where you start, or how you play it.

Some play without company; Alone, breathing every beauty and flaw observed.

Some play safe and near; content under the shelter of love.

Some prefer to be guided; whilst the wiser ones explain the rules of the game.

Some may hesitate or wonder where to even begin the game.

Some go with the flow; whichever way the branches sway.

Some play hiding under a certain shield, hoping for some others to seek.

...and then there are some who play towards perfection.

But while some prefer playing to an audience,

...some others may only get to watch others play.

But despite our differences, we're in the same game as we protect each other.

Rain or shine, we'd play through as we hold on to something called "Love".

P/S - Every line written for every photograph is intended solely for metaphorical purposes, and has nothing to do with the person(s) displayed in the particular photo.

Beauty; you're finally my alma mater :)

2008-09-16T00:04:00.001+08:00

Alhamdulillah I have graduated from the University of New South Wales.

It's been such a journey, and I've made it; with the help of God and the support from all of you :)

Next up, the career world. InsyaAllah I'll be chasing my dreams of becoming a photographer as well back home.

Below are some graduation photos taken by my talented photographer friend, Sabrina Hanim:

Cairns.

2008-07-27T04:13:00.002+08:00

And where's your next destination now?

Syawal in Sydney

2007-10-15T02:53:00.008+08:00

...is when I realize,

that the people who sit with me,

through the swings of life,

had also coloured my world,

and made it possible,

to paint a lively picture,

of a beautiful thing,

...called "a FAMILY".

Caught; but couldn't quite release.

2007-08-03T14:43:00.005+08:00

"For every loss, there's something to be found."

I just watched Catch and Release. One of my favourite movies now, I must say. Perhaps it's the kind I'm easily drawn to. The genre I'm into. Y'know, drama, love, loss, family, friendship, roadtrips (fishing trips in this case), beautiful sceneries, acoustic indie music playing in the background from time to time, and everything in between.

The scene where four-year-old Mattie uttered a brief sentence concerning his late dad, "My dad was a super-hero" with his innocent grin while the acoustic sounds of Joshua Radin's What If You came into the background was simply...plain perfect.

I think Jennifer Garner did a great job as well. Don't get me started on Timothy Olyphant's role as the flirtatious photographer. The selection of music was impeccable to say the least. From Death Cab For Cutie to Imogen Heap to Joshua Radin to yet more beautiful acoustics which appeared from scene to scene.

I read the critics' comments which mentioned about it being slow. But perhaps slow is just my kind of thing. From Elizabethtown to Garden State to this. They're the kinds I can watch over and over again while getting my emotions all drawn into the screen. Not Transformers (tsk).

I could go on with my review on it. But as of currently, time is playing envy. Til next time,

Release.

2007-02-24T18:51:00.000+08:00

You’re as beautiful as a language. Your gaze; a prose. Your smile; a verse.

2007-02-23T18:51:00.000+08:00

We’re like an unknown journey in a yellow submarine; All dreams.

2007-02-22T18:50:00.000+08:00

There are no bad days. Just days better than some. Days you get to see the rainbow and days you get to feel the rain.

2007-02-21T18:50:00.000+08:00

We are all learning. The sky is our limit and these chalks are for drawing rainbows.

Colour Photography at the College of Fine Arts

2007-02-20T21:44:00.002+08:00

For my Summer 2006/07 Semester, I decided to take Colour Photography as my elective subject and concentrate solely on that. Summer Semester would be perfect for this, as I could travel all the way to the College of Fine Arts (COFA) Campus down Oxford St everyday, and wouldn't be bombarded with Commerce workload unlike the other usual busy semesters.

We got to use the Manual SLRs provided by the university throughout the semester for our project, hence a perfectly good chance for some of us who did not own an SLR yet to finally get to play with the functions of aperture, shutter speed, and whatnot.

I got to use a Pentax manual SLR, went all over Sydney to get perfect shots for my assignments and projects, and the best part was that we got to process and print our own photography works in the dark room.

To make the whole Colour Photography experience even more colourful, we got to make photograms as part of our project. Very Man-Ray-ish, no?

Finally, we had the chance to visit the Australian Centre for Photography during the Animal Photography exhibition, whereby we got to write essays on how the works affect and influence us in any way.

Easily one of the best courses I have taken in uni so far, Colour Photography is. And Alhamdulillah for that.

At the end of it, us students had the chance to exhibit our works at COFA. When my lecturer saw my works on display, he commented on how much I connect with the subjects of my photographs. He then also mentioned on how directive I was as a photographer with some of my works, tsk. Alhamdulillah, I managed to get a Distinction for this course :)

Below is a photo of some of my printed works from the Pentax I used for some great three weeks:

...and hereafter are some photos taken throughout great, great times of Colour Photography :)