Faces

Today was actually Fun Day, an event held by NAFA. Many people were there. The games were fun; it was unexpectedly scorchingly hot and because of that reason, I left early. Nonetheless, I still got a tan. Ha. Doesn't this picture look like a newborn puppy's face? This is actually an oxtail bone I had for lunch. There are many things that can be considered a face if you look around. I think this is one of them. It's just cute and awe-striking to see something resembling a real thing. 

The Big Project

My biggest challenge yet. This is our A0 group project. We are to reconstruct an artist's work and decided on doing the MonaLisa. Knowing that there are lots of artists who have reconstructed Monalisa, we were quite worried about how we were going to make this project a success. But so far, it looks pretty good.

We first divided the tasks of each member. Each one of us take a part; the hair, the skin, the background and the clothes. For the hair we used patterns. Background with ink. Clothes with stitching and skin with acrylic. I am in charge of the skin. We chose patterns and texture as our main focus. So we tried mixing sand with acrylic for the skin and came off quite well. I was very anxious that the face would look rather weird as I have only little experience with painting and never did I ever paint by myself. It was always with a teacher around. But seeing as how the piece works out, I can say I am pretty satisfied, though there were some errors in the process.

Royal Affair

Elie Saab is one of my favorite designers out there. He is best known for his designs in evening gowns which are worn by royalties and celebrities. And I dream to wear one of his designs in the future. I mean, which girl wouldn't dream of that? All of his designs are very classy and elegant, which can make one feels very special and royal-like. His recent couture collection, Royal Affair, is just outstanding, marvelous, amazing or much more. From red, the color palette moved onto grey, navy blue, emerald and finally silver, all in sequence. With a wedding dress as its closing. 

There are exposed backs that don't show too much skin, just a moderate exposure which kind of gives the elegant vibe to the dress, asymmetric neckline and also one-sleeved design. Most of the gowns are embedded with crystals, sending classy atmosphere to the room. I am amazed by his designs. Not many can create such elegance to every piece. And the fact that he hand-embroidered every dress is truly mind-blowing. A great collection, indeed. And my favorite piece is the navy blue dress i the first picture.

Confession

Telling the truth is hard even with good intention at heart. Picture yourself in a typical situation which involves your friend asking whether or not she is fat (she actually is) and you tell her she is a bit on the overweight size and suggest she lay down the carbs. She would surely be offended by your words and might say you are a mean friend. But what you actually did was being honest so she would be a healthier person. On the contrary, if you just tell her she doesn't look fat at all, doesn't that mean you are doing her no good? As she will not consider her diet at all and would consume all those fast food she likes so much. Even if you don't want to hurt her feelings. A white lie is still a lie, isn't it?

So which is the right thing to do? I really think that we should tell the truth all the time. Because eventually, one will realize that we are making the right thing.

READS #2

Every girl wants to believe the best of her father, doesn't she? This is what Megan Shepherd's novel is about. This novel is talking about a girl, named Juliet Moreau, whose life is ruined because of her father gruesome scandal. In that case, she is so desperate to find the truth about her father's accusation. This is one interesting novel. It is the kind of book which keeps the reader going to the end. Not putting your hands down. Because curiosity gets ahead of you. This book has all the essences of romance, horror, family and mystery that can hardly be found in other novels. Besides that, the writer's way of writing is very intelligible. Not only does she tell us the story but she could also create the rich atmosphere for the readers to feel scared and shiver down one's spine. Sure enough, this writer can take you to the maze the main character is in. In conclusion, this book is very suitable for those who love reading fiction and mysterious novel. I am definitely declaring that this is one incredible and recommended novel. Though I said I preferably not read fantasies, but this one is an exception.

Ending Summer

Tomorrow is the day of the summer love event. It's NAFA's FunDay, held on the beach with friendly competitions and game stalls. I have no doubt that it would be a fun day. However, with the following week being assessment week, I don't think I have the spirit to go. I mean, I will go but with a mind concerned about the works I haven't finished. That's not a really exciting thing to think about. I'm looking forward to it though, curious about how fun it would be, whether or not it can take my mind off of my work for a while. Unbound by all the stress piling up.

Vivacity

These are some photos from Vivo City. For all of you who don't know where it is, it is located on the Harbour Front precinct and it is considered the largest shopping mall in Singapore. It was designed by a Japanese architect Toyo Ito. The name itself derived from the word vivacity, meaning the quality of being attractively lively. The design of this building emits a modern essence in a way that could let customers vitalized.Toyo Ito surely does it well. He is a conceptual architect who seeks to simultaneously express the physical and virtual worlds. He is a leading exponent of architecture that addresses the contemporary notion of a "simulated" city, and has been called "one of the world's most innovative and influential architects.

The Unexpected Life

One thing about life. It never stops giving us surprises. A minute it is raining, the next minute the rain stops. The pasts we had, if we look back, it would be a very funny thing to tell in some cases very saddening.

Life has its ups and downs. You would find yourself having the best day of your life one day, the next it just goes down to where you wish you could rewind time. I too often wish that I could control time but in the end we couldn't, could we? They say just embrace the past. There's nothing we can do about it except to learn from it. The unexpected, embrace it, let it be a present to us all.

Picture Perfect (?)

Photography. One thing that I like besides reading and all the other stuffs I usually do. It is really interesting to know how every single one of us sees this world as. I am curious of how they see it. And through photography, one can surely knows how the others percept it.

Taking pictures is really fun. Whether the subjectives are living beings or sceneries. I like how the photos turn out later on whether good or bad. The colors of a picture also change with the touch of aperture and photoshop. Above is a picture I took when on a holiday. It was really cold that day as it was during winter season. The sun was just about to set behind the trees. It was very picturesque in my eyes that I had to take a picture of it. I didn't edit this picture. It is as it is. I am pretty satisfied with it. Other pictures I took are on the previous posts.

Dream House

A dream house. Everyone has one from a kid to an adult. I also have one. It's all based on personal preference. Mine includes a minimalistic exterior in white with glass around. The interior would also be mostly in white and neutral color, as for the flooring; wooden tiles like the pictures above. I don't know why but the color white just emanates the feeling of cleanliness. For the furniture, it would be wooden.

My dream house would have a mini library as I read often, a kitchen (like the last picture), a bedroom with a great view. A room without a big window is a sin. So I planned to have big windows everywhere; ; the house would be allocated near a beach or a forest so one would feel relaxed staying there. The thought of waking up to a bright nice day view of the sea is very thought provoking; it makes me one to quickly earn money and make my dream come true.

NIght Life

 A day starts with a bright sky then ends with a dark sky with glimpses of bright stars. During the rotation of the sun, dawn appears (first picture). I just love dawns. Just look at the sky when the time is right, you would see pink cotton candy clouds as well as other colors with streaks of blue, purple and yellow on the sky. After that scene ends, night falls in. Night life in Singapore sure is unreal. All the lights coming from skyscraper tall buildings. Looking at it from different heights gives off different feelings and the amazingness doesn't wane (pictures above) from whatever angle. The hustle and bustle of the city still around till dusk.

Though all that is beautiful, it can't be compared to the beauty of the nature as the cities' lights are too bright for the stars to appear. Go to the suburbs and have a look. You would see clusters of stars over the dark sky. It is a stunning galactic view.

Missing Home

After a great deal of months spent in Singapore, I am starting to miss home. The warm feeling of it, the aroma of home-cooked meals, snacks and the endless time spent in front of the TV. Of course, I miss my family too. 

My hometown, Medan. For once, I really miss it. I often said to myself that I did not want to go back to it and would continue living abroad. But I guess, my heart says otherwise. I am starting to miss everything. The food especially. Medan is known for its street food, which most is sold at night along the streets. They sell sate padang, martabak, cha kwetiaw and many more mouth-watering delicacies. Just thinking about it makes me salivate. It is a place to be if you are a food enthusiast. Soon though, I will get back and fulfill all my cravings.

Winter Tropics

As a child, I always wanted my hometown, which is in Indonesia, to have those snowy seasons. Wish not wavering ever since. Perhaps this is because of the influence of watching too much Christmas holiday seasons Western movies. Wanting to drink a big mug of hot chocolate, seating beside the fire place reading a book, throwing snow balls, making snow angels, skiing, wearing knits, the list is unending. But this is just wishful thinking. Knowing well that this won't happen any time soon or ever.

Of course, living in a tropical country isn't all bad. I heard that those living in the subtropics like tropical regions. Besides the intense humidity and insane unexpected weather changes sometimes, we do not have to bother with the clothes we wear in Winter (though I love knits). Also tropical fruits are much better, with a wide range of varieties, colors, and tastes. Another reason not to be so bumped about it. 

The Sound of Music

My all-time timeless favorite movie. Everyone for sure knows this movie. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Before made into a motion picture, it was actually a musical which songs have become standards of what we know today; Edelweiss, DoReMi, Climb Every Mountain, My favorite things and also title song The Sound of Music.

In the movie, the story were acted by none other than Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer and they even sung all the songs. Their acting skills are without a doubt amazing. Watching as a kid, I couldn't get enough of it; I kept re-watching the movie as the songs are very catchy to the ears, especially 'My Favorite Things'. Eventually I got tired of it, and moved on. But recently, out of nowhere, I missed it and am planning to watch it again when assessment week has ended. 

Dear Friend

"I have been missing this buddy for months. Her decision to join the acceleration class made us separated. I am still in high school while she has continued her studies at NAFA. She's adorable in my eyes yeah bcs of her kindness and talents. I think she's kind of a perfect friend to me. Having a 6 year of friendship feels like a grateful thing for me. We're so far yet we still keep in touch. Hope that she never stray from the true path as she continue her dreams."

A friend back home wrote this to me. Words couldn't explain how surprised I am by what she thinks of me. A dear friend she is. I miss her silliness and caring for others. I can't wait to see her again in December. It's still a long time to go but still the thought of seeing her again makes it worth the wait (:

Sounds gay-ish? Cheesy? That's the kind of friends we are. LOL

yep this is her, the petite friend of mine.

Gallery View

This is a piece by Joey Soh, who is a full-time lecturer at NAFA and also our 2d fundamentals lecturer. She finished her Bachelor in Fine Arts in Australia and won several awards for her works before.

This was displayed at NAFA's gallery a few weeks ago.

梦系列 II : 城市梦

(MÈNG XÌ LIÈ II : CHÉNG SHÌ MÈNG)

Translation : series of dreams II : city's dream

Above is the title of it. The swing kind of reminds me of my childhood, reminiscing the past where we as kids used to play it always. Dreaming high as we reach the peak, becoming oblivion to the world together with our friends.

Noticed there are several swings there? I think they are telling us to interact with the others. The three swings are connected to the LED lights on the back. By swinging them together, the lights will lit up and read ITS NOT THAT COMPLICATED.

With this, it can be concluded that the installation alludes to the notion of interconnectivity and interaction with nature for a better influence.

READS #1

Laurie halse anderson is one of the many authors that I love. She is someone who we youngsters can relate to. She writes novels about tough issues specifically those dealing with teenagers without any doubt in mind. This side of her makes young adults able to confide in her. Her way of writing is also great in a way that makes readers able to understand easily. I have read two of her books, one of which is Speak and the other Winter Girls. Both of these books coincidentally are her first and last book she has written. 

Being her first book, Speak became a hit (still is) and won several awards for its outstanding story. It was Anderson's big break. Speak was adapted into a movie in 2004 starring Kristen Stewart. This book is about a thirteen-year-old girl named Melinda Sordino who was sexually assaulted and becomes mute. It basically talks about how the young girl overcome her problems.

Whereas Winter Girls portrays two girls, one of whom is dead in the beginning, suffering from anorexia and bulimia. This book talks about the other girl's struggles and delusional mind, whom eventually realized her way of living is wrong.
These two problems are often found within the society. And it is recommended to read these two books to know more about the problems and how to slowly solve them.

Rather than reading fantasy books, I like reading these kinds. I don't know why. Maybe because it is more realistic and extremely relatable and sad in some sort of way. Other book which similar to this is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Another good read

Brunch All Day

This is a place called wild honey, opened at Mandarin Gallery on the third floor. It serves all kinds of breakfast, from english breakfast to sweet breakfast for a whole day. It is basically a all-day breakfast restaurant. Its interior is very classic and timeless. The colors are neutral with wooden plus rustic furniture all over and wooden tile flooring which give off a homely and warm vibe found at home. It also has a mix of modernity with the lights in the shape of a sliced UFO. The arts hanging are garish which complement with the whole neutral look. This place is not surprisingly popular amongst the youngsters. With the great homy atmosphere filling up the place, it is undoubtedly an awesome place to hang out and chill with friends.

Going there the other day, I was stunned by all of it; the interior and the food. I ordered the english breakfast, the good old full breakfast

and Belgian breakfast from the sweet menu. This dish consists of waffles, roasted mango, coconut crust , some blueberries and syrup. The taste was exquisite that I could eat it all myself. 

My experience being here was great and it is a place I can see myself go back to.

Drift

This is an artpiece hung on the ceiling of Marina Bay Sands. It is one of the most enormous sculpture I have seen yet. This artwork was created by Antony Gromley who is renowned for his sculptures that patterned off of a human body. One of which is called 'Angel on the North', as seen below. 'Drift' is only one of them 

Through his work titled 'drift' (above, first picture), you might think he disarrayed from his famous concept. But the fact is, if you have to look for it. Amidst the amorphous matrix of angles , there stands a body-shaped space in the middle. I have found the shape. Can you? Here are some pictures taken from different angles.