28032012
THURSDAY
00:24
TAMPINES ST 81
WINE.
Somehow, Life always sends you to funny places.
The Journalism certificate course is over. It was a flash of courage, a sure decision, and a moment of trial. It was the first time I've felt a passion for school. In all, it was a blast.
In four days time I will begin a new phase in my job: one that will take me closer to my goal of working in National Geographic. I have ever been sure of anything more in my life. I have never been less ready for anything.
This little break I took before work, I spent working a few small jobs - waitress at a wine bar in Holland V, concert promotion for Sprout, sales rep for Salt. These jobs are so different, but they have made me grow so much.
26092012
WEDNESDAY
16:59
TAMPINES
LIBRARY
AUSTRALIA.
It's been so long since I posted. I feel a little rusty and my fingers feel stiff. it' been a good break so far, filled with meaning and new experiences.
I finally made time to volunteer at ACRES. it's been on my list for so long that I thought I would never find time for it. Well, I finally did, and boy, it was awesome. It feels good to campaign for what you believe with like-minded people. You feel more accomplished as a person, and you make new friends. what's not to like. (UPDATE: been volunteering with them a couple more times, saving up to go on a trip with them! it's great how they really care about animals that we treat for granted in Singapore.)
hmm Australia. So many things to say about this small peek down under. Specifically, mousing around Brisbane and Gold Coast. I have met some of the most wonderful people there. It's on my bucket list now, to go back.
I met up with HK there, and he took me out for a cup of the most wonderful hot chocolate I have ever drank. San Churro, a famous place to locals and tourists alike. We had a different flavor each, mine was mint, his was spiced chilli. Maybe it was the place, maybe it was the time, but that moment was heavenly. He came over from Melbourne. We talked. And I was happy we did.
Maybe I haven't traveled enough yet, because the sunset at Gold Coast was one of the most beautiful things I have watched in my short life. Next to the one in Thailand. They will never top the one in Changi.
♥ I'VE GOT HEAVEN ON THE INSIDE OF ME.
peace and joy God has set me free.
peace and joy God has set me free.
02012013
WEDNESDAY
16:53
STREET 81
RETROSPECTIVE.
ret·ro·spec·tive (rtr-spktv)
Adjective
1. Looking back on, contemplating, or directed to the past.
2. Looking or directed backward.
3. Applying to or influencing the past; retroactive.
4. Of, relating to, or being a retrospective: a retrospective art exhibition.
oh, yes, that's right. we're looking back today. we're looking back not just on 2012, but the past few years. we're looking at all the mistakes, all the heartaches, all the celebrations and all the divine opportunities attributed to us by our Father.
I used to look back on my past with a sense of regret and sadness. Maybe if I had a different upbringing; maybe if I had better judgement; maybe if I had more money and so on. However, today I have learnt to look back on the past 18 years with a sense of pride, joy and gratefulness. You see, I have learnt one very important lesson in 2012: the importance of perspective.
Why does that make such a difference in my reflection, you ask. Well, in the past I used to focus and dwell on all my failures. I couldn't see the small successes in life with all that self-disappointment clouding my vision. I couldn't see how my family were, and still are, ever supportive. I was blinded, very simply, by my own fears and thinking.
Now, I focus instead on small achievements that God has given me throughout my life. My family may not be perfect, but it is still loving, nurturing and heart-warming. My job is a miracle unto itself - it has taught me so much in such a short time, and it still amazes me how much more I still don't know. School is a blessing, even if it feels torturous: it has taught me logical thinking, biomedical industry specifics, and it has taught me that time is too short to not pursue my dreams. I have wonderful friends and colleagues. They have blessed me with joy and great memories, and I feel really privileged to have met some of the dearest people in the world to me. I have lost some, but I have gained tenfold during this process of growth.
I have been so very lavished on all my life, and I have just begin to appreciate all of it because of 2012.
Thank you and goodbye. It will be sad to see you go, but I welcome 2013 with open arms and a wide-open heart.
Noun
An exhibition or performance of works produced by an artist over a considerable period.
As an artist, 2012 has seen me take my work even more seriously than before. I have taken new jobs, went to new events, and have learnt so much I can't begin to describe it here. I learnt make-up for my models, I have flown overseas and saw so much new sights. I have gone to new places alone, and together with friends, and I have learnt to see old haunts with fresh eyes.
No reflection is complete without thinking about the future, because that's why we have a past. We have a past to teach us how to go on, how to move better, how to love better, how to learn better. We are who we are today because we have learnt bravery, courage, emotion and dreaming from our history.
So for 2013, I do not have small dreams. I have huge goals, and greater passions. I'm getting certified in Journalism, and it is the scariest decision I have made in my life yet. I am absolutely terrified, but I have never made a more sure decision in my life. I have decided to try out for a National Geographic scholarship and I still feel unreal in every way.
I know 2013 will be bigger, better, and s much more memorable.
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:4
♥ I'VE GOT HEAVEN ON THE INSIDE OF ME.
peace and joy God has set me free.
peace and joy God has set me free.
25072012
WEDNESDAY
22:02
STREET 81
FILMING.
Had a really cool experience this week, was tagging along a UK film crew as a volunteer make-up artist. Three firsts: first time doing nothing but make-up related to the film, it was in a new campus near my house, i didn't touch my camera for four days. that last point was a little shocking really. i thought i would end up bringing my camera to set, but i didn't! oh wow. the film is called "Acceptance" and it was really fun to be on set with the crew. i love the feel of this set, because everyone was volunteering, nobody complained. we all enjoyed ourselves tremendously, and we treated each other like family in the time we were "stuck" together. in other sets where i shoot behind-the-scene stills, everyone thought of it as work, no one was willing to do overtime, and people were scowling. this set actually made me feel sad the filming was done.
and that's all this week. feeling a little evil, so i'm planning to write the perfect murder MUAHAHAHAHAHA!
♥ I'VE GOT HEAVEN ON THE INSIDE OF ME.
peace and joy God has set me free.
peace and joy God has set me free.
17072012
TUESDAY
02:19
STREET 81
AMAZEMENT.
I cannot help but marvel at God's plan for my life sometimes. It been really busy lately, but taking a step back to admire my place now, it's really amazing. i mean, come on, a media representative, freelance photographer and polytechnic student? The student part goes without saying, just that it's still really exciting and cool. Freelancing was a really wide blow - i would never have saw myself doing this in secondary school. Lastly, media representative? Whoooooo i say. the irresistible, unforgettable, incomparable feeling when you walk to a public personality and interview them. not leaving out that giddy head rush of excitement of media events and privileges, unlimited access everywhere and the look on some PR's face when they learn you're only 18. i will never get used to the feeling of anticipation and challenge when you introduce yourself, make your impression, grab your pass and juggle the event coverage.
i will never tire of it, only growing more experienced and better at handling my excitement, that's all.
i think that's all i have to gush about my work now. got a few programs ongoing, and the experience is so unnerving, that i have to get it out of my system somehow.
MOVING ON~
found this A W E S O M E fan fiction about Bones, called The When and the How: A Bone to Pick. it's on FanFiction.Net and there are lots of other great writer too. Her particular story stood out for me in a way that it closely followed the story-line, but had a distinct difference in the way the characters were portrayed. throughout the series the characters were fleshed out more emotionally than on television, and the author incorporated a huge part of her personality into the story telling. i also loved the way she put a crime story in all that love-making, and how she tries as hard as possible to get the science correct. mad props for her "Boothy" descriptions though; can almost imagine her channeling her husband into that sexy agent.
thinking back on all the characters in Bones, i guess my sister is right. I've always admired Brennan herself for her ability to detach and focus, but what i really am is a Hodgins on the inside. oh let us count the ways: 1) I'm an entomology enthusiast, or maybe more on an arachnology fever since high school. 2) I'm studying molecular biotechnology, and practically what Hodgins does on the show, i do in my lab. (minus the crime-busting bit.) 3) I'm a bubbly person, and i can't wait to show my knowledge off (to a fault i guess). if my lab were as awesome, i would want to be king/queen of it too.
i guess that's enough gushing about the show for a while, gotta go back to my photo-editing, but here's a small piece in memory of the bravest, strongest person i have known that death has claimed. Life isn't always as kind to us as we would like it to be. it's a little messy, but it's really just out there for myself.
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It was quick, painless, and the boy was dead before he knew it.
the car had skidded on the wet tarmac and hit the sidewalk, snuffing out a life with the crunch of metal against concrete.
looking back on that day, he did not have the slightest inkling of how short his life was. He would not have grumbled about waking up that one hour earlier, would not have scowled the morning through, and most certainly would not have saved up lunch money for that latest game.
then again, if we knew these things, life would not hold the same precious quality as it does now. that elimination of breath caused no grief to those already oblivious to the living, but the living had to mourn their dead.
the living mourn, because sorrow and pain need to be dealt with, before it sprouted resentment and anger at life itself. it was a necessary survival instinct, one that manifests most prominently. each death takes away a little of bit of your soul.
Sometimes, God steals the best of us home to keep him company, because even God gets lonely too.
RIP
♥ I'VE GOT HEAVEN ON THE INSIDE OF ME.
peace and joy God has set me free.
peace and joy God has set me free.
