Happy 9th :)

It's officially our 9th month together :) It's probably the longest for me but still it feels like a year :)

Happy anniversary sayang :)

Comfort

I wake up to this little heart every day. I place it at the place where the sun shines the most because my love always burns eternally for him. My heart goes out to my boyfriend. 

I love you baby :)

Ugh

I won't spend until next month :( Cause seriously, LCC's prices and printing services are seriously killing my money. It's sad to say. I saw pretty stuffs at Topshop. I was so tempted to buy but I refrained myself. Usually I would go for it but then I stopped and realised. What the fuck. I have H&M and Primark and they're obviously cheaper than Topshop. But seriously, even eating my canteen food is cutting my throat slowly. Every now and then, I resort to buy salads and soup. That's how far I would buy, nothing else.

I realised I spent less on materialistic stuffs (aside from my groceries) and it's a good practice. At least it keeps me off and well all the best shopping malls are far away which gives me the reason to well stay put at home and do homework. Unlike TOA which has Sunway Pyramid (where my shopping habit developed), my college has no sort of nearby shopping malls, except one which is the shadiest shopping mall I have ever seen. It can beat Summit seriously. And the markets are equally shady as well. So all the more reason to save more money. I am considering to find a job actually. Because my sister's already working and I can't always depend on her to loan me money. I have to find my own way to save up money. Considering the big projects are all coming up, it'll probably keep me away from spending. I'm not exaggerating. People complain that Malaysia's taxes and everything are increasing. But do you know UK's taxes are as well?

UK's taxes are fucking 50%. And their cost of living is high. Brands here are expensive as well. And sometimes it gets on my nerve because I have to save up for my materials and not think about all these needs. I realised the second best thing at the moment is cooking. I never did liked cooking before but in a country like this, it's essential. Every now and then, I would buy some groceries and cook whatever that comes to mind. So I'm practically saving money at the moment and I need to get a job :( Something that well pays for my materials. Good hard earned money :)

Oh well in the mean time, today I went to the gym! It was good exercise! I feel like going tomorrow around like 7-8? Hopefully in time before my college starts.

Heehe, tired. need to crash. NITES.

Photography

Today we did Photograms. An interesting take. Today's lesson really made me realised how much I'm missing out in photography. Being stuck to my DSLR, there's more to photography than meets the eye. It's an amazing piece of art. It's not just about fashion photography or portrait or composition or whatsoever. But today, when we did the process, it's not easy. We have to consider a lot of things at the same time, having a designer's concept into your photography. It's not just photography we dealt with today. It was design AND photography.

I'll upload some of my work later though it can improved. But to be honest, I am in love with photography so much. I want to learn more and do more. But there's so little time. Peter is such an amazing guy, you don't know how much it means to have him as a lecturer. He's laid back, cool but he does wonders to everything.

Aside from the awesome photography equipments, what's more important is giving a whole communication reason to your photos.

I know I talk alot about Weegee but he's one to look at. Another is Brassai and Henri Cartier Bresson. They didn't just take photos.

Weegee didn't. He didn't just take photos. He gave LIFE to them. He gave them a reason to live, a reason to be in that picture, and it's real alot. He took pictures of crime scenes, because he loves taking pictures at night. Cause the best bad things happens at night as he said. He has his view on politics and he sometimes mocks the rich through his pictures. But he has reasons. His view on life, reflects through photography. He takes pictures of murder, crime scenes, so on so forth.

Why called him Weegee? Funny thing is, because if there's a murder, he's always to first to know and the first to be there to take the photos long before the police arrives.

Yes, the back of his car where he processes them after he takes the photos. 

I quote this from Arthur Fellig's website.

And although Weegee had systematized the taking of a photograph, he never became emotionally detached. When he photographed a woman and daughter crying helplessly as the woman's other child and a young baby were burning to death inside a house, Weegee said of the photograph he took: "I cried when I took this picture." And the public cried too when they saw his photos. That was he what he wanted, to involve his audience, to move them to empathy or reduce them to tears, and that is why he is still today one of the best known of all the famous black and white photographers and why he was a great artist.

I did saw the picture. And even after all the years, this photo was taken. I cried.

The message sent through that picture, felt real. Almost too real. As if I was seeing them, crying. It's not easy taking a photo like that. If you're the photographer, you wouldn't have the heart too. You wouldn't bear to take a picture of them but he did.  And he cried too. And the audience cried. I can't show you a photo of it cause it can't be found on the web. I'll prolly scan it. 

I quote this from Weegee himself. His real name is Arthur Fellig.

He didn't just give a photo, he gave life to the photo. He made it possible, he made it too real enough to be part of the photo. Maybe now, you might find this ridiculous cause the high end definition of photography ruined the true meaning of photography. But the meaning in it will never fade. I'll always cherish film cameras not because they have nice effects whatsoever, but the process of it is enjoyable. I love processing something and when I see the results, its satisfying. 

You own a DSLR. It doesn't make you a photographer. Everyone can take pictures to be honest. Weegee did not have formal training and he was able to produce films and take amazing pictures. He was ordinary like us. But the thing about him? He has passion for photography and he shares the joy with other people. 

"When you find yourself beginning to feel a bond between yourself and the people you photograph, when you laugh and cry with their laughter and tears, you will know you are on the right track." - Arthur Fellig

Weegee. A man never forgotten in time.

 

Bubble tea goodness and Dim Sum!

So I invited my friends out for some bubble tea since they told me they never tried it before (except for Han). We decided on a date and we went yesterday! I actually went to two-three places at one go but well that would be for another post. We went to this place called the Bubbleology and the interior was so cute! I didn't manage to capture all the interior parts cause I was so busy taking photos of the crew but I did captured some! :D

Brewing the bubble tea :P

Tori! :)

Egads, I have beautiful friends :)

The menu :)

Hahah I have thousands of her in my camera. You'll see why :P

Group!

Us girls :)

Walking to Jade Garden

HAHA THIS IS REALLY CUTE :D

Joanneeee :D

OMNOMNONOM MONSTA.

HAHHA I FIND THIS HILARIOUS :)

Hahah I have more post on the way.

Rawr

Painting was fun today! It was hilarious but I just love how Chris and Willie teach. It's so fucking different from how One Academy teaches. One Academy strives for perfection like every detail is important AND drawing from photographs where they train your skills in terms of proportion. While here, they teach you to develop your own style. They don't strive for perfection, they want you to make mistake. They want you to understand the power of observation. When life drawing, they expect you to seriously trust your brain and trust yourself. Through drawing, I learnt trust. Because all this while, I was too self conscious with everything, with drawing, with this and that. But in design, it's not like that. You have to be loose, you have to make mistakes. I did that many times and I understood why.

There was once he told us to just stare at the person you're drawing and you can't look at your paper. It's humanely impossible at first cause we just weren't trained for it. But sooner or later, we got the idea and the more we did it, the more we trusted ourselves. Some didn't but somehow I was getting there.

I say it was not a waste of time. Perfection can't be achieved. No matter how many figures you draw, in the end, they'll just look like any other figure drawing. Nothing special, nothing you like cause it's boring. But when you draw something with your own style, your own personality, it shines through.

And that's how people start noticing you.

Working hard is one thing. But learning to trust yourself, is another.

And I made many mistakes today but they were good ones. And self learning is everything. You can't be taught everything but you can teach yourself how to trust your senses.

Mushroom Cheese with Pesto

So today I cooked my own breakfast, hur hur hur. And I thought it turned out pretty okay (except for the fact it was a little bit too salty)! Here are the piccies!

Huge mushiesss!

Mozzarella cheese :D

TINY MUSHROOMS :D

From top view. Yes I was really free.

In the process of cooking!

And the result?

tata;

Next mission? Lemon french toast with poached plums :D

So umm hi

My day was relatively boring. I woke up, had toast, watched the School of Rock and Indiana Jones. Read my books for research. And then my sister decides to go out to settle my bank stuff. So after that, I wanted to go to River Island to look at some clothes and we bought two stuffs. Well technically I bought them :P Here's the haul :)

 

I love this top! I know I'm gonna freeze to death but whatever love it! River Island's clothes are so trendy and chic. I totally recommend you shopaholics to go and have a look. I hope it opens in Malaysia soon. But it's going to cost a bomb. Not as bad as Topshop but enough to empty your pockets. Got this for 30 pounds :/

See what I mean by it's not for winter :D but I love it. I am so in love with anything that is skin revealing oops. HAHAH. Anyways next!

Forgive the shorts, I couldn't match it with anything else and my skirts are not suitable for this D: But I kindda like it :D

Hahaa it doesn't look that bad here.

And jeng jeng, I surprised my boyfriend with this.

A matching jacket :D As you can see my boyfriend has a similar jacket to this.

I just realised our stripes are inverted :D His is black and white and mine is white and black. <3 MEANT TO BE :D

And I bought that jacket for 38 pounds..:/

HAIH. :D See you later alligator! 

Heartfelt.

Something to remind me of home :)

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you 

Missing home badly. 

Indesign

Indesign today was really fun! We were guided through the whole thing about Indesign which honestly I already knew most of the basics. And then, you know in LCC, you're always given a surprised project no matter what and BAM! We had a whole day to do this project. It was actually recreating a Vince Frost's design and make an invitation based on an inspiration of his designs. My design technically came for this gorgeous piece of his where it has diagonal lines. I did a few sketches here and there and I managed to picked the one I like the most. I started working on it and surprisingly, I had so much fun. Not too much but evidently it was just thrilling.

I mean when I did typography with Ban Lee, it was very stressful. But Chris was very cool with it. He gave good criticism at the same time he comments and gives you some boost. I really did enjoy using Indesign today :D But one thing about Ban Lee, is that he makes you think thoroughly about what are you doing. In a way, Chris has that kind of personality as well. Ban Lee can be very mean and harsh but he has his reasons. Throughout the time with him I finally realised the meaning of typography. I'm not saying Ziehan is not a good lecturer. She was strict with the rest but I didn't find the meaning of typography then. It was until Ban Lee came and taught me about it. Only to realise that it's a beautiful subject that all graphic designers must adhere to. Chris on the other hand is very similar to Ban Lee, impatient, straight forward and not one to mess with but he gives off a more relaxed aura compared to Ban Lee. But of course eventually Chris would reveal his true colours and ugly sides start showing up. Anyways, Vince Frost is indeed a brilliant designer. You should check out his work :)

I met up with my sister and went grocery shopping cause we wanted to cook today. So we went home and cook. I cooked mushrooms with cheese and onions. It tasted good of course! :D I'm full to the brim. Haih, I've got to exercise! Yesterday had like 3 potato chips packets :( all in one go. And salad. GAH.

Anyhoos, not much of pictures today really. I have research to do and some small objects to think about. Heh, a lot things to be done.

Just a nice and sweet thought about life. How great :) The cow is from my boyfriend :)

Just to remind myself every day is beautiful. Never forget :D

Daisies for my friend Daisy HAHA. :D

Goodnight people.

Camera equipments :(

You know I don't shop that much anymore ever since my mother and sister left? It's kindda sad and right now, looking at the lenses I feel like shopping for clothes is just not really my kind of thing anymore. Looking at the gorgeous camera equipments and pretty useless yet awesome designs of stuffs, I can't help but sigh. I love shopping yes but now whenever I look at clothes, it's kind of a meh thing. Besides, I have a shopaholic sister so whatever. I can just wear all her stuffs. Which saves a lot of money to be frank. If not I'll be splurging all the way through. And whatever I buy, it goes to her too so she knows best on what to get and what not to get.

Anyways, I am madly in love with lenses. Madly. I want to purchase another lens. And if I'll be using my 600D for the time being until I get a more professional camera for my camera use. It's time I actually get a professional camera. I don't think I wanna use my entry level cameras anymore.

It's time I change.

I will start saving up money for my lenses! :D

Research and research

Reading books about graphic design can be boring but some are actually really good. Umm to sum up my weekend so far? It has been quite boring. I'll be posting pictures as soon as possible but for the time being,  I have some research to get back on to.

It's crazy cause the due date is 6th October and I got my assignment like on THURSDAY! I borrowed books yesterday and started reading them all the way until today. So far, I've gathered some information but I'm still reading. One month's not long so I have to make my article a BOMB. 500 words is not a lot but the research is really amazing. A lot of things answered my doubts while some questioned me and some actually made me realised a lot things.

You might be wondering, who needs to study theory for graphic design but it is imperative that you do. Knowing the history is very important despite the long essays and riddle of words. I actually understood a bit more about the principles of design and so on. I got to know many designers and I am thoroughly inspired by them.

Trust me. It's hard but once you read them, you actually understand a lot on design therefore you revolve around it and develop your own style rather than skills. As much as I would love to develop my skills and train them, I also want to develop my thinking into a more creative one and let alone, let it expand into a wide scope where I view things differently.

That is all. Chao!

So I'M OFF!

Lectures

So today was our first lecture! And guess what? It was based on bauhaus! Ah memories from Stephen's class. Then again, it was an amazing lecture. I believe I understand a little bit more on how Bauhaus really influenced design tremendously. The lecture came to an end and we were off for lunch break. Maya went off to the bank so I had lunch with the others. I ate salad with snickers. Surprisingly the cafeteria food wasn't bad at all! I thought it tasted really good. In my opinion that is.

Then again, I met more new people :) And I'm actually on a mission to take pictures of all my course mates because I really like to remember them and keep them in my little collection :) Anyways here are some of the peeps :) I secretly took some well there are others where I forced them too muahahah. Nah, I'm just kidding :) Anyhoos! Here ya go!

Meet Saloni :P I secretly took this muahahahahah! She's not reading it so it's okayyy~

This is Daisy! :D 

This is Joanneeeee :) She's half Italian :D

Aarushi :P Gosh that woman can talk :/

Lastly ahah! Mr. Fabio :P Thank you for being my tube buddy when Han's not around D=

Anyhooossssss :D See ya peeps!