Tuesday, March 8, 2011

falling in love all over again

I'm not sure if "kids these days" (can't believe i'm uttering these words myself) still learn about Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 in highschool for SPM but I really hope they do and I hope they appreciate it and have the ability to understand it and fully appreciate it as much as I didn't then. Back then I thought, "Oh yeah it's be Shakespeare I like it because it's by him and he's a famous English writer and I want to sound smart and cultured."

After reading it again tonight in my set of Shakespeare collection (which i only got for $40 from Borders with my dearest Edward Couper) I am ashamed of my immature behaviour in high school. I did not fully understand the beauty of this piece nor did i appreciate it for the right reason.

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee.

Read it out loud softly and slowly to yourself, as if you were reading it to someone you love. REad it as if you're not just reading a sonnet written by a 16th century writer but as yourself delivering sweet compliments and subtle love messages to your beloved. Notice how smooth and easy it is to read. it just flows from one sentence to the other and when all these sentences are pulled together you get a sonnet.

A sonnet is generally a fixed poem form consisting of 14 lines. Sonnet means "little song" and are short lyrical poems. The original form of sonnets are 14 lines with the first 8 lines arranged to the rhyme scheme of abba abba and then the final sextet with a rhyme of cdecde or simply cdcdcd. What Shakespeare has done was maintained the 14 line limit but introduced the simple yet satin-like rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef and gg the last two are called the closing rhymed heroic couplet. The final two lines makes a final statement and has to rhyme with each other. Overall not an easy task to write a sonnet let alone a captivating one that really hits home and as they say, home is where the heart is.

Conclusion: my thoughts on Shakespeare as a literature genius has never faltered but now I fully understand why he is a genius.

"So long lives this and this gives life to thee"- as long as your work continues to exist, you shall live forever


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

you're wrong

"I'm afraid that you'll never find someone who can take care of you like I do, emotionally, your emotional outburst no one but me can handle that." Was what he said to me more than a year ago. I believed him but I didn't care. I knew that if no one could take care of me better than he did, then it's better to never have anyone. I knew I wouldn't regret it.

A year later I found out he was wrong. I found someone who's been so amazingly sweet to me. Who doesn't manipulate me, but lets me make up my own mind. Someone who still gives me hugs and kisses when I'm wrong. Someone who comes to find me at uni at 5am in the morning because he's been thinking about me throughout the entire night he just has to see me. Who would change not just for me but for 'us'.

Who always makes me feel all right because he makes it all right again. I feel safest in his arms. Like no one and nothing can hurt me when his arms are holding me close to his chest so I can hear his heartbeat and know that he is real and alive and it makes me feel alive too. Someone who I can't get angry at when I see his face because I can see how sorry he really is and I know he really loves me. Someone I can't stop thinking about even when I try to because it makes me miss him more. Someone I trust so much with myself and my emotions. He makes me confident all the time and gets disappointed in me when I don't do things that's good for me. And I don't want to disappoint him either because I just care.

Someone that I make my priority sometimes even though I shouldn't because I can't help it. He brings out the best in me and points out my qualities that I never noticed. He's my boyfriend and I love him and best of all he proved the previous wrong.

Monday, August 2, 2010

just when you thought you lost it

Having a lunch conversation with Jun Yeu we mentioned how we lost inspiration to write songs and we only did covers so far I actually did feel sad about it. I felt like I lost something I thought I had and will forever have with me. I took it for granted that it will always come when i need it so when I did have a thought I was too lazy to pen it down.

Well after dinner and after listening to a bit of Michelle Branch and I thought of the guy who can make me smile so wide and hold it for so long that my face would hurt, I had it. Well i only got to 2 lines, then I was about to just close the notepad and then I told myself "NO! sit down and continue this, if it sucks that's natural you can just edit it later." 2 minutes later it was done, I knew how I wanted it to sound. I got my guitar (who is still nameless) out of the closet and I had it. I could hear Tzer showering outside my room but I still had it done and I was soo happy I felt like accomplished something great :D

Video might be up soon.

Friday, May 28, 2010

making the eye look bigger and brighter

Before closeup

So here was where we left off after making her hair silver/white. I had already coloured the eye blue in there. I'm using Photoshop CS2.
Now firstly for the eye I used the dodge tool, set it to 17% exposure and range to Highlight. Then I used a brush the same size as the Iris and highlighted it a few times till it became light enough for thee blue to cover it. Then I chose a nice blur, set the colour opacity to 36% and the blending options to darken and I coloured the eye in. Now zooming in youcan see the blue tinge and that looks ery unnatural. We're gonna cover that darker part up with black.

Use a brush size that covers only the darker area and paint it black. Use a 20% opacity to gradually cover it up. It's always safer to put on light layers first. This part is optionl but I also then used bit of yellow to go around the colored part of the eye to bring out the green some more. Now we've got a sky and ocean combined colour. The eyes already look slightly bigger and brighter however if you want to make it bigger you can always use the liquify tool under Filter. Select the bloat tool, adjust brush size to slightly bigger than the eye and bloat it to as big as you want it to be.
So next we are going to get rid of the puffyness underneath the eye. This is the most fun. Use the spot heling tool and set it to replace and just go over the part you want to hide. You may find that someties the skincoloour doesn't blend but that's ok justgo over it again until you do, or you can use the clone stamp tool to select the area you would like to literally "clone". Then use it over the un even skin colour to blend it in. Also you can use the spot healing tool an adjust the mode to darken or lighten parts.
This is my result after a combination of "replace" and "darken" spot healing tool and the clone stamp tool.


So here's the befores and after results









Thursday, May 27, 2010

How to photoshop black/brown hair to white/silver


So here's the original. Her hair is black at the top and sort of brown at the bottom from previous colouring. She gave me a challenge to make her hair pink with white polka dots. Stupid me said I'd do it white with pink polka dots which was even harder and I wasn't sure if it will work.

So as usual we first get the photo on photoshop I'm using CS2 and we make a background copy by right clicking the image on the bottom right corner and selecting Duplicate Layer. Then we follow the same step as the previous tutorial where I coloured her hair orange and red. Now because white against black is weak you will have to make several layers over and over. Set your brush to 100% opacity and normal blending and just paint white all over the hair.


In the photo below her hair already looks grey because I've gone through 3 layers and combined them. you don't have to combine them. Then after you finished painting the parts you want. in the right hand corner change your blending options to "Soft Light" to create a more natural look. Use your eraser or history brush to touch up parts. Set the opacity to 68% to be more gentle on the photo. Repeat the entire process until you get the right shade you want. Don't worry about it not looking realistic yet. I'll go through that later.

Now after achieving the shade you want get your dodge tool and set exposure to 17% and your range to "Highlights". It's good if your original picture captures the light reflected off the hair because then you can use tht as your guideline. Use your dodge tool to go over the entire hair area first, then once you're done concentrate on those light reflecting parts only. This gives the illusion that the hair is part of the image.
Next post I'll go through something funky like adding polka dots to the hair and changing her eye colour. In the original she's wearing green/brown contacts, here I've changed it to blue.







How to photoshop black hair to orange/red

Started out with me chatting to my bestie Lizzie and we somehow got this point where she sent me two photos and asked me to make her hair red/ bright. Then she went off for dinner. Here's the original photo. Isn't she just so cute?!






Firstly we start of by getting the photo onto photoshop. I'm using CS2. Make a copy of the background layer by right clicking "Background" and selecting "duplicate Layer". This is the layer you will be working on. (I'm really suppose to be sleeping/studying). Set your brush to "normal" and opacity to 100%. Then choose the brush tool and select your colour. It's better to choose a brush with a softer circumference. The size depends on you, larger brush would cover the larger parts quicker. Smaller sizes for those few strands of hair covering the eyes.







This part may seem intimidating but don't be afraid. Use your brush and cover the entire hair area or parts of it if you want to do streaks. There's no need to change your colours. Once you've finished with that on the right bottom corner where it says "Layers" you will see a white bar, that's your "Blending options". Choose "soft light" and your result should be as the picture after this.
You can play with the blending options to alter the results you get. Soft Light gives a more natural result while "Color" would give a more vibrant rockstar poster effect. Reminds you of Hayley Williams, no?


Play with colours as well! Here's a red because she requested, and a green just for laughs.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Pieces


He said to me, "they can take us apart, but they can never take away our memories."


I realised I always spend too much time worrying about the future, thinking too far ahead and getting upset over something that hasn't happened and might not happen. Instead of worrying about the future I should concentrate more on my present and enjoy it. Because these are going to be the memories that will stay with me all my life. I need to make the most of it and make sure it's the best it will ever be.


Someday I'm going to look back and whether I think of this with a tear or a smile, nothing's gonna change it. It happened and hey, no regrets :)


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

jump then fall

omg I've to seriously stop being nocturnal! Either that or find more people that are nocturnal like me besides Syasya and find a uni that has night classes instead of day time ones. Maybe I need to take night time jobs as well and by night time jobs I meant ones that allows me to remain in my clothes still.

3 hours till calculus exam and at first I was hyperventilating and now I'm just giving up hope. I'm seriously so gonna fail this anyways but then again I'm going to apply for a change of course so I'll be behind a year still anyways. But then apart of me is telling me not to. I hate giving in and I also hate losing which leaves me stuck to one option and that's to perservere and don't lose!

hmm 4 cans of red bull and I feel like throwing up or dancing. Preferably the latter. I keep thinking of my freedom after this paper and all the stuff I want to and NEED to do and at the same time i'd rahter the exam to be miraculously pushed to Friday so I'll have more time, I'd sing Hallelujah in the chapel if that happens.

I've also been having thoughts of getting run over by a car along the way so I won't have to sit for the exam. But that also means no clubbing on Thursday and Sunday. Again stuck in a bad situation.

On another note I'm in love all over again! With Red Jumpsuit Apparatus again. emo post-hardcore music gets me everytime!

"Step Right Up shoot an arrow on the target, my heart is an easy thing for you to win, don't worry if you miss I'll let you shoot again, my heart is an easy thing for you to win"

OMG Elias Reidy why did you have to leave the band!!! rarrr you and Ronnie Winters were like brothers not to mention yr the most perfect backup vocalist and guitarist for the band! Now it's all Ronnie alone :(

step right up


pretty heart shaped and teardrop raised beads on buckle (won't fall off)


black tiered dress used once at my formal



close up of details and bow




belt might be sold together with yellow dress

yellow's not really my colour and trapeze dresses aren't really my style

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I'm an Auntie!!!! wooo

Finally!!

My cousin's baby boy just came into the world on the 18th October. Aww I can't wait to see him! and cuddle him, hold his lil hand and pinch his lil nose. omg so excited!! I want pictures of him scat! Can't wait till December man!

omg omg i get to go baby clothes shopping!!!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Beautiful

A call,

You're waiting outside for me

A walk,

In the rain around the cemetary

You talk,

But what were we talking really?

A drive,

And you're still staring at me,

A kiss,

To end the night and leave me happy...

Not perfect, but beautiful.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

heaven bend to take my hand

"you're depressed.. listening to Sarah McLachlan..." House M.D.



my fave photo from today's photoshoot. And just a quick recap. it was awkward. Not just for you but for me too. Maybe it wasn't for you but it was for me. It showed in you but didn't show in me. She and she said it's obvious. Why am I denying? Is it because you don't or I don't?.. Just be straight up but take your time too.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

for the sake of an update

I just had a shower. I smell fresh! =D

Monday, September 28, 2009

last night was a good, good night

AA after party!! not that I had many photos anyways. I always forget I have a camera with me and for shame my guy friend was more of (and a better) camwhore than me. He ended up taking the photos which I deleted most of them because I just look so blehhhh in them. Actually I look bad in all of the so I just picked the best. Imagine what 4 shots in a row can do. Thank you I take after my dad and sober up pretty quickly which sucked towards the end :(




What rocked the most was Rene's appearance with her friends who got Sya and I in! That girl is absolutely awesome! Cuz if we didn't go to the ball to get an orange tag we weren't able to go in. Advantages of being a photographer in a club ;)
The lights, the atmosphere, the song selection, the DJ was awesome!
Sadly I didn't take photos with Sya or Rene :( but the night was amazing! I was so surprised I knew so many people there! I would've regretted not going seriously. Thanks Syasya for coming with me otherwise I wouldn't know where to go. Thanks Sean for telling me to come, helping me cut the line, keeping me company, and looking after me.
P.S. should've logged out of yr fb account!

Friday, September 25, 2009

procrastinating and because it's the holidays!

Yesterday was just totally awesome I'm still not over it. Met a whole new batch of people who are just totally awesome!! Sadly not many group photos :(











haha these are my personal faves and for Sean's sake I won't upload anymore.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

emo again...

I used to think that achievements make me happy. I thought that it is when I am at my happiest. I guess I was right. It is the happiest I can be at the moment. It never lasts long though. I know what will really make me the happiest. Movies don't affect my emotions. I've watched shows with my mother and friends and seen them cry. I found out something about me. I can only cry when I see unrequitted love. Because I know how it is like. One time too many.

Right now I feel like "I've ignored all that's real and true, all I need is you, when night falls on me, I'll not close my eyes." becuase I know I don't derserve... I'm sorry. But was there even anything to begin with. How could this happen yet again. I can't be happy for no one until I myself find happiness. And by happiness I mean true, real, everlasting...

What the started all this? I've been emo all night eversince I watched Tuck Everlasting. I swear it is the most beautiful movie I've ever watched. It's perfect. Set in the early 20th century, where gentlemen existed, where there were woods and white dresses. Where innocence was still in a young girl and boy. I repeat it was beautiful and just so sad. I would've waited for true love. I would've waited becuase I know that's when I'll receive happiness. And isn't happiness what everyone wants most? It jsut comes in different forms.

They jsut don't make good Disney Movies like they used to.

Does true love even exist anymore? If it does, I'll hold it out and wait. Even if it doesn't, "life is to be lived".

I'm sorry...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

kiss the stars with me

Cemetary
calm and peaceful
I feel warmth enveloping me

I think
I thought again of you
Why won't you go away

We only
Just met so briefly
But you've left an impression on me

I wish
I had let what almost
happened to happen

I can still
Hear your voice
And remember how it's soothed
this aching heart for just a few brief minutes
I'll treasure them

How you
quickly looked back at me
when you said something
you knew would've hurt me

Were you
Being tactful or a flirt
Either way in the end it hurt

Really badly
When I didn't let
what could've happened, not happen

Would it have been different?
Why would it have?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Yes, I am here

No, I don't want to be

Yes, I am single

No, I don't want to be

Yes, I am shy

No, I don't want to be

Yes, I am

No, I am not

Yes, I would love to
sit next to you and watch you smile

No, I will not say that to
you

Yes, I did love watching that movie

No, I didn't like the ending

Yes, you are still unaware

No, I am not over it

Yes, I still have

No, I won't say

Maybe, someday,
eventually, finally.

when i'm ready

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Father's Day...

is over in Msia but I believe it's kinda soon in Australia. I don't know why we cant all have a standard date.

To my daddy who totally made my day today in his own cute, special way. I lvoe you so much. Thank you for making me feel so much better and bringing me back on my feet. Thank you for the laugh today and for being the bearer of great news with kong kong.

Filial daughter I shall try to be =D <3