Continued

The inside of the condo.

A part of my life

This is our beachside condo on Penang Island that we return to every year. It's so tranquil, spending the days in it. I feel cut off from the rest of the w0rld.

I can't stand people looking at me like I'm crazy, and talking to me like I'm someone dense. They don't believe me, and they don't take me seriously. Sometimes it's hard to just keep doing something different, something difficult, when people don't support you. But I know what I'm capable of, and that's the most important thing.

To most people, good grades mean the world. For me, they come so often that I've become numbed. They're simply a red mark on a piece of paper. They can't bring me happiness, or love, or peace of mind and body. I'm not any happier than others. It is only when I love what I'm doing, and I pour my heart and soul into it, and see the results, do I get a sense of immense gratification. The results actually mean something.

Maybe people think they know me. They shouldn't think that the picture they're getting is really what I'm like.

Or is this what happens when people grow up? They become a herd of nameless and faceless people. For a terrible moment, I realised I'd nearly become another one of them. The real me would never have gone against her desires, her passions. That was why I was so desperate and afraid. I felt as if I was losing my soul. So what I did, I did it to save myself.

Trip down memory lane

Nostalgia

China

These are photos taken during my trip to China a few years back. Yes, you get to see me with short hair! I think I look pretty cute.

The monster pet sewed by me that I never had the chance to give to a friend.

Fragile souls

Photoshop-ped photos of white orchids in my balcony. They rarely bloom, and when they do they don't last long, so this is a really precious sight.

Contradictions (or not)

A farewell card I made for a friend who was leaving Singapore to study in Canada. Sadly I never had the chance to give it to her. The card is inspired by the Japanese gothic lolita look (see first photo from Wikipedia). I find the various Japanese fashion styles unique and interesting.

Personalisation

A Germany-themed sketchbook I made for a friend who studies German (Jamie). Had alot of fun creating it.

Black

I kept seeing necklaces like this in fashion magazines, but they were all priced ridiculously high. Hence I decided to make my own version. I painted plain wooden beads in two sizes black and strung them on white ribbon. And there you have it. A decent imitation at a much more affordable price. I like how clean and stark it looks.

Flowers

A cheery bunch of flowers (made by me) to brighten up your day.

Universal phenomenon

Busy street

I've given the photo an aged feel, which I thought reflects the people's traditional mode of transport.

Ancient glory

A candle-holder found in a temple.

Night travels

Strangers in Japan

The rainbow connection

An amazing phenomenon occurred to me on the way home from Johor (which I'd spent the New Year weekend at, visiting relatives). Stuck in our car, waiting out the jam at the Causeway, we stared listlessly out of the window and noticed a perfect semi-circle rainbow arch in the sky. That was only the second time I'd seen a full rainbow. Passers-by stopped one by one to gape at it in wonder. For a moment, it seemed that there was a connection between us. Even though we were complete strangers, as fellow human beings, we could all bask in the beauty of nature. That fleeting moment soon passed. The spell was broken as we each turned away and went on with our mundane daily lives, probably never having our paths cross again.