Inspiration

OMG! Should be studying for the upcoming exam but this video I watched through a share on FB really inspired me: http://youtu.be/mdJYkcNg2ms

I feel that one should not give up, one should not give in... else whatever happens can only blame it on himself/herself. And this girl of my age proved it! By not giving up, she came out stronger than before... I slightly stalked her, and her blog put me to shame because she is really so talented in art. :)

Do visit and be in awe! http://stephraphaela.blogspot.sg

But I will not stop doing what I am because I like making art pieces~ HAHA! Just let me grow old and die with them $0 value. I don't careeeee.... Just kidding. I guess my reason of drawing/crafting/whatever is to vent my emotions. "Be it happy - express my appreciation towards a friend, sad - painting my broken heart, or anger - tearing a shirt apart and use it as raw material." - this will be my answer to what I want to impart to my students if NIE interview ask me again. I want to teach them how to express themselves through art and from making art, the importance of all those academic subjects (Math, Science, etc) in contributing to perfecting the strokes, tones and proportions...

5 more years...

5 more years to a new phase in life... It made me depressed and exploded with stress after BBF and I were "forced" into signing a wedding photo package. Only then did I realize that I am not in favour of marriage... Did those adults have an impact on me afterall? Maybe if I sort out and achieve what I want, I will be able to settle without regrets?

In terms of career, I have already made up my mind. Recent news of teacher-student relationships disgust and instils fear in me... What were they thinking? The latest one actually happened to a Primary School teacher! O.O Will they disapprove female teachers from now on?

In terms of looks, I have a lot to work on but it is so far all talks and no actions... T___T

In terms of interests, I sort-of talked to Bry. about my interest on mission trips. But due to my free-thinker-not-christian state and lack of experience, I will start with giving free tuitions before my IA. I regretted not replying to my CrisisMgmt Professor when he asked for volunteers last semester... Somehow I am a magnet for people with emotional issues and having gone through it, I know how important it is for someone to provide assurance and warmth. Maybe it is a sign? I recalled a vision many years ago but maybe it was paintbrush instead of guitar I was holding? haha...

Darn! I wanna achieve something before.... that day comes...

These are my favourite things~~~

Hetalia, LINE PLAY, chats with friends made there, watching movies/animes and painting easter eggs... Life is so fun but projects and tutorials have to be attended to. At least I will be kissing 184's biz proposal goodbye. Python and Java are just lurking around the corner. Damn!

 

 

Had fun painting easter eggs thus I don't mind the low hourly pay... Patched up with my sis due to the warm environment too... But let's just keep a friendly distance for the time being... Thanks to PhotoGrid app, I can display many photo with just one upload. :)

* the uneven coloring of the yellow ovals are not painted by me!!

 

 

Sketched my super duper awesome Gilbert (Prussia) and other Hetalia hunks but didn't take a picture of it. Instead, I took a picture of Chibitalia, chibiromano, ChibiAmerica & ChibiCanada which I doodled after much dose of the Chibitalia episodes... THEY ARE SO CUTE THAT I WILL BUY THEIR DOLLS if it is in the market. ARRGGGHHHHHHH...

 

 

I sort-of fully decorated my LINE PLAY room for the second time... Open-concept but is really what I like (with curtains and more partitions covering bed and bathtub of course!) So glad I made some friends there... Makes life full of jerks less dreadful...

 

  

 Seriously, is my avatar nerdy?! I thought she looks quite cute and she loves dancing...

Gardens by the bay

After delaying again and again, BBF and I finally went to Gardens by the Bay. Even before reaching the garden, we already see "advertising" strategies by decorating the MRT station walkway with pictures of flowers. Not bad, because we are already interested and excited about the trip.

From the reviews, I assumed it to be a boring commercialized place with every step requiring a high price to enjoy the attraction. However, I can see the effort made to raise awareness about global warming. Kinda reminded me of the S.E.A aquarium which also tried to conserve the habitat of marine animals and raise awareness. It is rather heart-warming to see that there are people trying. 

I almost rolled on the floor laughing when I saw "Chinese Garden" and asked BBF why am I back in Jurong.

Jokes aside, I think the flowers are very gorgeous, blooming and scented in the Flower Doom. Of course, the place was also filled with dslr. Too many, I would add with displeasure. It was hardly possible to walk 5 steps without being stopped by a person holding dslr. But can't blame them since the only thing they could do is to take picture. BBF and I did too, but we had more fun reading the information of the plants and trying to smell them. HAHA! However, tourists have to treat the signs more seriously! I see some tourists pulling the flower towards their faces or holding the crystal rocks while posing, in front of a big sign which writes "Please do not touch", and grinning without sign of shame. If no effort is made to protect these plants, how is it valid that Gardens by the Bay is conserving these plants? They will most likely have to import these plants frequently to replace those tormented to death by hordes of insensitive tourists. :( Isn't that also a source of endangerment? Anyway, I decided to take my eyes off so as not to have my mood dampened. Tried to play teacher-student with BBF when we observe those plants, and made fun of why we are taking pri-parts of the flowers. Which is true, for those who still remembers the reproduction of plants, you might get the joke. 

We also went to the Cloud forest, +5 degree, Crystal Garden without taking any photographs due to the constant splashing of water from the artificial waterfall. It was not as enjoyable there since I don't like crowds and there wasn't much sense without the little educational boards. People just take pictures and walk, without care that there weren't cloud in the cloud forest. However, +5 degree was quite impacting when it showed us the predicted outcome if earth is to continue increasing in temperature. 

All in all, it is a generally nice place to visit. Did not complete touring the whole garden as I was exhausted before the LED lights were switched on. Maybe I would consider re-visiting with a bigger group and picnic baskets. :p It is another kind of fun, which you go home feeling like you've exercised because it is a whole lot of walking to do. Okay, my thoughts are in bits and pieces as I am blogging in midst of catching up on my online lectures. (O.O |||)

COunting down to CNY

Started playing with glass deco again and was quite satisfied with the results.



































However, I was depressed because it occurred to me that I am merely a copier. My mood improved after I managed to doodle the cartoon animals and received  many many likes on Facebook . :D

Also helped to decorate my house walls but it was more difficult than I thought...
Wanted to come out with something red but some  animals are not identifiable.  :(
Came out with a glass deco and gosh!  Luckily I came out with two copies because this first attempted ended up falling onto the ground and sticking together.

The question also arose when it dawn upon me that I was supposed to decorate the wall. So I tried to imitate some papercuts and ended up with 对联。

R.I.P HamHam

My family's chubby, lazy, greedy but always clean HamHam died yesterday. It was hard to accept especially when we saw how it continued to live,  eat and clean itself despite the lumps and hunchback. Such a strong warrior, chose to die in its favourite orange ball with its back facing us. Maybe it knew we will be sad / scared  seeing it with the lumps on its tummy and neck thus dying in that position?  Come to think of it, Pudding was running around frantically the  night before, as though it wanted to tell me something.  I sensed it was about Ham but didn't have the courage to check although I told my sister about it.

Ham was never much a hassle and it never bite. It never "complained" and cooperated every time we cleaned its cage.  It is a miracle as we never tried to tempt but it naturally didn't bite us, as quoted from  my sister.

We called over  the cremation service officer who was nice enough to travel down despite being after collection hours and didn't charge extra. It was really hard to believe that Ham Ham is really gone. Bye, my fluffy little friend and I am really sorry to not be around during your last few hours. In fact, I should have noticed the weather and provided u with wool and more food earlier... :'(

Sentosa Chalet

Was on my way to Coasta Sand resort but ended up having to WALK there thanks to SBS train towards Harbour Front breaking down.  But the advantage is that BBF and I get to walk (exercise) and take pictures. Although I enjoyed myself very much, BBF seemed to be tired and irritated. :p 

We had some fried food which was obviously NOT value for money. But I enjoyed the time BBF and I went to the beach to view scenery. Although we did not get to sit by the sand and drink wine while sun sets, the scenery was really breath-taking and we enjoyed ourselves drawing on the sand like kids. :D

BBF's ship was almost immediately washed away by the sea water. HAHA! So poor thing!

Birthday doodle

Today's Li twins' birthday and I wanted to make a card for them. Tried doodling and was quite satisfied with the effect. :) 

However, my sketching of them are kinda fail. :'(  Wonder when will I ever be able to sketch/chibi-lize people which looks at least 80% like the subject.

Random 2013 resolution

人比人 气死人
争论纠纷 离间人
非必要时 少说话
免得惹来一身蚊

多听 多看 多理解
今日事 今日毕
莫自大 懂分寸
知足 思源 永长乐
谦虚 有礼 遇贵人

Fix the cupboard 2

Just a "before" and "after" comparison. Tempted to polka dot the accessories holders as well but I was too tired.

Anyway, you're right if you guessed that the "draw snake add leg" drawer is removed. :)

DIY Make me a Stationary holder !

Had been whining about my need for a stationary holder but with tight budget and concern for the earth, I attempted to reuse the box wrapping my hamster's toilet room. Grabbing some unused materials,  I visualized a princess-style pencil holder which is of course pink and white color themed !

First, I wrapped it with white paper so that the hamster images don't haunt my stationary. Note to self, do this using paper used on one side next time!

Next, I pasted strips of color papers bought originally to make stars but my fat fingers cannot achieve.  I still pasted white color paper despite the background already being white to ensure similar texture and avoid looking like there is a gap.

Pasted flowers and golden ribbon to cover flaws such as gaps between color papers. It turned out to be so pretty in my opinion!  :P

Lastly, I pasted a label declaring my ownership. Muahahaha!  Done I'm less than an hour and mostly reused materials! Cost:  $0!

DIY fix the cupboard!

My step-mum was frustrated with the cupboard and in an attempt to convince her that I can fix it, I kinda got myself cut in the thigh. Small cut and I got myself a chance to try out some new experiments.

Took me a long time and note to self, pen knife is your best friend. But it is still hard to control and brought back my childhood nightmare of how my finger almost dropped off. Anyway, I switched back to my old friend - scissors - when I needed to cut some designs.

Very satisfied with the overall results but if I were to rate - it is still 2 out of 5...

Had a great day walking to Yuhua with Wen Wen and catch-up with her, most of the time is me chattering. :p Also went to her house after I cleaned my precious hamsters' cages and OMGosh, she showed me her portfolio!! I was in awe of the gap between our standards after 9 years!! Really kinda sad, but still, I feel that what we're doing are different areas. Of course, hers would be the real money pig while mine is just self-entertainment. Recently I kept getting the feeling that I am the only one enjoying these... SIGH...

Anyway, for those who are very interested, below is her website link to blow you off your feet and drool: http://ns-wen.weebly.com

Henna for friend's wedding! :D

Was honored to be invited to a friend's (ex-supervisor) Henna party. OMGosh.. Was quite shocked to see so many of her relatives there and took me awhile to adapt since they were all conversing in Malay. Okay, she's getting married to an Indian thus the Henna.

Anyways, I had Henna before in Secondary School so was quite cool with the idea. However, it was until I sat in front of the Henna artist and saw how rapid and without hesitant the drawing goes, yet the art is so flawlessly beautiful, my jaws dropped. Though I preferred Janice's design but.. oh well, it is my friend's treat so no complaints ok? But then again, bride's design is the best la. I am so gonna study on the history of Henna and draw out some designs using acrylic. Oh ya... also went to buy some glass painting. Hope to update soon! ^^

Janice's

Mine

Bride's

Updating Portfolio to 2.0

Wanted to remake the past cards I've made for others but started having migraine halfway. Thus, can only call it Portfolio 1.5.... Stay tuned for 2.0... Was thinking of making the Christmas cards sent out for 2011 and 2012 next...

Inspirations (Tangs Christmas magazine)

Really love how the flowers fade into the black, making the perfume bottle stand out... 

OMGosh! Pink and laces... This is MY favourite kind of design~

Actual results

However, it didn't turn out that well (painting on right) as I ran out of white paint and couldn't produce an even lighter pink. Thus I replaced with orange & beige. Gave up using the painting as a background as well thus I took the magazine's lacy page and just pasted the human model and decorated it. Kinda succeeded in reproducing the card but still disappointed in myself for being unable to paint out the effect.

Besides reproducing the card, I also cut and pasted my chibi drawings (not tracing, is drawn ok!) on one common drawing paper such that they stop flying all over the page every time I flip my portfolio. :)