FINISHED

I'M GRADUATING TODAY AND IB IS OFFICIALLY OVER GOODBYE FOREVER.

Internship at Magazine

(Don't think I was really supposed to take photos, but for the sake of the reflection and memories, shh)

First photoshoot with balloon penguins and the photographer needed to test the setting.

Photoshoot crew!

Photoshoot 2 at a socialite's house.

Their 100% lap dog.

Photoshoot in the studio.

Photoshoot at abandoned school. Bugs. Bugs everywhere.

An overall reflection on my internship at a publishing firm in Singapore.

It was great. A lot of sitting around, browsing the interwebs on my part. Probably because they didn't think I had the ability or skill to do other things. But that's okay, I too would question it if I were put in their shoes.

I went to quite a few photo shoots, or otherwise, collected clothes for many photo shoots. What I take out from collecting clothes, is probably that I am just a little bit tanner, a little bit stronger, and I roughly know the offices of expensive brands in Singapore (e.g. Dior, which by the way, has the most chic, Instagram-worthy front desk area). Speaking of Dior, we went to drop off and collect clothes from them maybe about four times in one month. Same receptionist every time. But every time she still asks, "Which magazine?", and of course, there must be lots of people who go in and out every day, let alone within a month, but I judge her a little inside because we are the same two people, and really nothing has changed besides our clothes.

I was mostly with another intern, and we were assistant stylists for the stylist. Being an assistant stylist is NOT, I repeat, NOT about actually choosing clothes for models to wear, which is what I had thought in the beginning. No. The stylist chooses the clothes. We collect the clothes, steam the clothes so that there are no creases, help the models into the clothes, clip and straighten the clothes so that it fits nicely and looks clean. In this particular context, more hard work than the stylist? Yes.

In the beginning, I wanted to do this internship because it was work experience and working at a magazine is a future occupation that I would like to pursue. Naturally, I was excited for this internship. I didn't learn very much about the writing aspects, but I learnt a lot about photo shoots and stylists.

Winter clothing is always shot in the summer, and summer clothing in the winter. It makes a lot of sense when you think about it, but it never really crosses your mind. But since Singapore is summer every day, it's hot regardless.

At the end of the day, magazines are part of the media. Makeup, photoshopping and touching up photos to make them look perfectly realistic. A lot of the time, people say that it's "society and the media" that makes up these standards of beauty. But people often forget that we are society, and we are the ones making these standards. It's a never-ending cycle.

Another thing I learnt, is that a good photo comes from the photography, the modelling, the makeup/hair, and the styling. No part is bigger than the other, because they are all equally important for a good photo.

No job is easy. Unless you literally have no job, then that's not applicable. But never underestimate the complexity of it.

Shakespeare In The Port- Day 3

Today I brought a book to read while being a statue. But I have to admit that I wasn't that great of a statue today. I was feeling extremely dizzy today, especially when standing up so I had to keep moving and sitting.

My hair was also quite a mess today. It wasn't like last week, where my hair was in a side part. It was middle parted today. And no, it didn't look so good. And my wig felt like it was going to fall off any minute.

I kept moving especially while reading. I had to flip the pages. Except I finished the book even before I reached half an hour. A shame. And I was reading a book called Plague, which was definitely not suited to Viola... Nonetheless, it was something to do.

Tomorrows goal, since it is my last day, is to definitely move less. Even the little movements. Tomorrow I'm going to be prop-less, well besides a starfish. So focus is necessary. I usually focus on one spot and just stare it and try not to let my eyes go woozy. Don't know what other word to use. I feel like my eyesight is getting worse (short-sighted), so I tell myself that by looking at something far away, I'll become less short-sighted. So far to no avail, but I'm just going to go with it.

Shakespeare In The Port- Day 2

Today I was Viola from Twelfth Night. From reading Shakespeare's books, (i've read Twelfth Night) I honestly did not think that these characters would be, these.

Personally I like this outfit and wig better than the last. Still doesn't look too great, again with the Asians and white body paint, but we'll go with it.

This skirt is so tight. I have to pull it up hip by hip, same with taking it off. After I get it on it's fine, but the process is just not so fun. It's also quite restricting for leg movement.

After the first day, we realised that we didn't need that much face paint because it took absolutely ages to take off. Baby oil, face wipes, soap, tissue, didn't even cut it. There was excessive rubbing involved.

I also decided to buy my own baby oil to use. Helps a lot. Even after taking it off, my skin feels vey icky. Again, perseverance until my nice, warm shower at home.

I wasn't sure how to portray Viola, but because she has a male side, I tried to do an in between of feminine and masculine. Not sure if it worked, but no one complained of criticised so I assume it was alright. I have been sitting a lot though. I get tired easily. Still trying to stand more.

Shakespeare In The Port- Living Statues: Day 1

This was the first day and I honestly didn't know what to expect. I was Miranda from The Tempest and all I really knew about her was that she was a mermaid. This was also my first time ever being a living statue, and my impression of a living statue was one of those statues in Times Square in NYC.

I got there, changed into that outfit, and they started to paint my visible body parts white. I generally do not like face paint or sunscreen. This felt like super thick and sticky sunscreen/face paint and it was not nice but i persevered. I also realised that Asians and white face/body paint just don't mix very well.

The obvious technique to tackle the stillness and patience is to sit. And that is what I did. I was sitting for 95% of the time and it was great. It was quite relaxing actually. I only stood when my body started to get a bit numb. The cubes weren't exactly very comfortable.

One of the other living statues brought a book so that was her prop, and she was just reading it the whole time. Very smart.

Definitely could do with less moving. But it's honestly not very comfortable. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Startune- First

First time at Startune and an interesting experience.
I say interesting because kids are quite meh to me. We drew things and folded things.
There was a lot of action happening, especially because we had so many boys. At one point we made paper guns and a war literally broke out. They wouldn't sit down or be quiet and it was hard to get them to focus. They hardly listened to our commands as well. I make them sound like animals but at that age, and those boys in particular, they were like animals. The girls were okay though, they didn't talk much but they cooperated well.
It really confuses me how girls and boys at the same age can act so differently. Actually that still applies to my age group now. Do girls mature faster?

Another reason why it was interesting-
They really were just normal kids. You don't see them as kids from low income mainland Chinese families, in fact they all speak perfect cantonese. I've realised that mainland Chinese families/people who come to Hong Kong always make cantonese their kids' first language.

I'd say that it was fun overall for a first time. They all did what they were told (sort of). But there's always that one kid that tries to be the smarty poopy and be like I KNOW EVERYTHING. This said kid is the one I am talking to in the video. Enjoy.

Ski Trip- Dolomites, Kiens// Day Five

Last day of skiing!

I'm really going to miss it. It's been an amazing five days.

The weather was absolutely beautiful today. At the bottom it was foggy, but on top, blue, blue skies and a bit of snow.

We did a race today! I got second in our beginner group. Apparently I was meant to have gotten first because the other girl cheated. Oh well, not that I really mind. It was fun and I'm happy with my time! 34.04- it was an obstacle course thing. I don't know what to call it.

Fell once only today!

I got up in two seconds so it's okay.

Quite a chill day today. Still fun though! 

Some beautiful views and whatnot. More skiing.

Did more parallel stops today. Can sort of do it now, if that counts.

Goodbye skiing!
Final bruise count: ~7

Here is the final compilation video that I made!