twentytwelve

In this year alone, I've come across so many people of my age that has done so well for themselves like Denny, of Lookbook and Tumblr fame or Ringo - of popular lifestyle blog fame - they have fostered a career, doing what they love. And at such a young age, no, MY age, I would love to think that I, too can get what they've got. Though I think what sets them apart are the traits of persistance and determination - and shamelessness wtf. I want that for myself. It's so inspiring, but I'm having a little trouble finding my niche. But I'm going to make it happen, no less.

However, these people I look up to, have gained success via social media/blogs. They get fame and all that in return. But I would never want the amount of fame these people have. #shy 

Maybe a little just to get some recognition eh?

So next year is all about making things happen. Okay I say this every goddamn year and did I do what I set out to do? No.

A few things I have to make sure I do accomplish next year:

1. Get braces done

wtf vanity trumps the list. I've gone to a dentist in Form 3 to get it checked out and the nice albeit inappropriately jokester woman said I'd have to remove 4 teeth. Damn scary ok because the last time I visited the dentist to remove teeth was during my teeth-fallout years (5-6 years of age) where I had to visit the dental clinic every 2-3 months wtf and then go thru primary school with two missing front teeth.(But I still grin gleefully with teeth sinfully exposed when taking pictures #likeaboss haha) Therefore I have no idea what's the pain level like and I think I have this fear of people prodding cold, metal instruments of death into my mouth and proceeds to pull out all my teeth. 

2. Get a job at an agency

A job at an advertising agency would be last on the cards because I figured it's not really what I want to do. Maybe I'll do it for the experience. Maybe. My current freelancing 'career' wtf is doing okay I guess but I'd have to up the ante if I want to reach anywhere near the level of success the people I mentioned earlier having.

3. Plan a trip abroad

I was thinking somewhere more for a learning and enriching experience wtf. Of course I have to be practical and go for Asian countries first as my spider senses tell me that I would most likely still be very poor fml next year. Like, Hong Kong. I've been admiring HK culture from afar all throughout my life via TVB that I'm so, so intrigued to feel it first hand. I want to ride in a red and white Crown Comfort taxi that so epitomizes HK ahh and nom on fresh egg tarts and have breakfast at a REAL char chan teng.

And maybe scout for potential work places because I have been eyeing the design scene in HK and I have to say, it's really awesome. 

Then after that maybe detour to places that are way out of my comfort zone like idk, China and see walk the Great Wall. Or Bangkok, Thailand! I hope to have a buddy to do this with me but I doubt so because they're probably still studying or having exams or too poor to travel or too rich to travel to Asian countries and refuse to sleep in cheap motels wtf. It's ok, make new friends!

4. Bring my creative projects to the next level

I'm currently working on a illustration-based project to expand my portfolio and also to startup a small business. Hopefully, things will work out and I will be one step closer to being a commissioned illustrator. I'm most excited about this because I really want to make a career out of this. Or at least a side income for my unmistakably growing desire to buy materialistic necessities wtf. 

5. Try Lomography
I have always admired the colours and tones of lomofied photos. But never got to dabble in it because I got my dslr. Now that it's been almost 2 years since the 450d, I want to give Holga 135 with Agfa film a try. I saw some of the pictures taken by the Holga 135 and I really like it!

Okay, goals set. Bring it on, 2012.  

Car help

About an hour ago, a flat tyre put our journey home to a halt. Noticing we had trouble jacking up the car, a stranger in red stopped to offer help.

Having watched Turistas, Taken, Hostel and two seasons of Dexter recently, my initial reaction was: Quick! Grab the spanner in case he takes it and puncture your eyeballs with it wtf.

While I jack up the car, and him unloading the spare tyre, I kept thinking the possibility of him using the spanner in his hand and flailing my teeth into smithereens and I die from drowning in my own pool of blood.

And then he takes off with the fresh donuts and rojak in the car.

Clearly I have issues.

IPC

Back in a class of Social Psychology, the lecturer was talking about something I really cannot recall. It was one of the many concepts that were to be memorised and regurgitated onto a piece of paper on the last day of class. To make things easier to remember (and relatable uh huh) she broke said concept into a form of mnemomic. Something with the initials of IPC, was turned into Ikano Power Center wtf which was supposedly more relatable to us students uh huh because we are all mall hoppers uh huh. #bitter

Till today, I can't recall what the hell does IPC stand for.. except for Ikano Power Center wtf.

Edit: I think IPC stands for interpersonal conflict. I think.

Confind

Backtrack #1

I graduated!

Well, not officially I didn't, but school's over for me /dies, and the sinister voices of working life is calling out for me. It hasn't quite dawned on me that, 'woah, this is it, you're officially going to be an adult, doing adult things like paying electric bills and drifting away from your already distant school friends and family, buying insurance wtf, enslave yourself to a lifetime of OTs and part-time jobs to pay off your education loan, et cetera. in short, you are going to die.' Sorry I'm pessimistic.

As for future plans, I have decided to give myself a year or two of break from studying. I will, eventually, pursue my undergrad degree, of course. Whenever that is.

A final showcase to exhibit our final projects, my batch, being the pioneers of The Design School at Taylor's University, was held and it was a success. Friends, family and faculty members came to lend their support and it was - as cliched as this would sound - a night to remember wtf.

That's minshen, who will be flying to UK soon and karheng who's now taking his degree in Swinburne, Australia. 

We showcased our editorial works, dangling from the ceiling for people to appreciate and read, so cool, right? wtf.

With one of my favourite lecturers of all time, who is really cool tell me where can you find a lecturer with over 30 piercings and can converse with you in Cantonese while cracking unfunny English jokes that make you fall into a fit of uncontrollable laughter? TELL ME.

A GPOY haha, it's actually the premiere of a reel we did for the graduate showcase. Check it out at the end of this post! Don't laugh ok wtf.

A few minutes before the launch - those white posters you see in this picture are designer profiles, featuring the ten pioneer graduates of the night.

Oh, the concept of this showcase is Confind: Finding Within Confinement. We, as designers, work within restrictions and limitations aka the brief. Thus, we thought that this showcase, which featured our final projects and works from other terms, would very well project the idea of solving something, within walls of confinements. 

Here's the awesome poster for the event. 

Sister and bro-in law and joelle who came to show some support /touched.

Zany lecturers I love.

Random pic of some random guy reading my book haha! And check out the t-shirt yo! Makes my day hahahaha!

Pictures credit to Jason Lee, Nicholas Yong, Rifan Gunawan

Said reel. Enjoy!

Thank you, Teddie, Min Shen, Nicholas, Rifan, Liyana, Gladys, Darul, Aqilah, Jun Yang, Kar Heng, Dennis, Mei & others.