jiarhwei’s blog

Apart from carrying out whatever duties I had on that day, I was there to help Tati with her new project, KLStreetStyle. Well, she's kinda like my new boss/editor. The aim is basically to take pictures of fashionable people! So keep an eye out, we might just spot you in a really cool outfit and would want to take a style shot of you!

Anyway, Praveen told me that it's a 'brave decision' to make, what I mentioned in my previous post. And I got me thinking... really? Now I hope I'm making the right choice :)

Certain ghosts of my past has returned to haunt my thoughts, but I think I have developed a way more mature perspective. Honestly, life never turns out the way you'd imagine it to. I was just reading Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern (I know, chic lit...) But I love that the book was written all based on emails or chat logs. Or letters. And it just goes to show, how long years really are and how many things can happen to your life. And how if it's meant to be, it will work out on its own.

These past few months also have given me the chance to really think on what I'd like to do when I graduate. Apart from the fact that it's a displeasure to be affiliate with the deterioriating qualities of my education provider, I have come to terms that I would prefer living in uncertainty and in freedom. Therefore have decided that I will pursue freelancing in photography, web designing and graphic designing. I don't have much hope in this, but I have been doing photography gigs and even graphic designing assignments *cough*for York*cough*, so am hoping I can survive with this. 

Of course, there is Trendy Confessions. Which shall be my sole cash cow. 

I'm still interning at Freeform and Urbanscapes is coming up soon, so life is hectic. But as Eugene would put it, the Jiar Hwei I know is never satisfied or contented until she is busy and stressed out of her mind.

Since I'm in such a melancholic mood after finishing the book, I'm going to put up some pictures.

Ok, I'm hoping to blog more frequently now... See ya, much love.

Any stress, pain, sweat and tears that got us to the 18 - 21st of December was all worth it. It was an amazing first camp, who knew what a little determination could do with a dream. I've always wanted to do something great for our youth group, and with my amazing committee, it all came true.

Laughter and tears of joy were their way of expressing the unbelievable and indescribable sense of achievement. All these few months, I told them, on the last day of camp, you will have this feeling that you feel like you accomplished the hardest task in the world. I'm sure they were skeptical at first, but it all came true on the 21st.

I'm glad the participants had such a great time, already asking for the next camp. All our hardwork paid off, it still seems unbelievable to me that it all came true...

Just another dose of inspiration to all of you out there :) I'm sure most of you might have already heard the song, this is a reminder then. For those who have not, take the time, read the lyrics and be inspired.

Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…
I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind;
you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….
You’re not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind;
the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…
The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults;
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…
the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives,
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t,
maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t,
maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…
what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either –
your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…
Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard;
live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths,
prices will rise, politicians will philander,
you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young
prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse;
but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal,
wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

The youth gang and myself have been organizing this camp for many, many weeks... Being organizing chairperson makes me worry alot, whether things will go well. But I've the upmost faith in everyone, programs seem really fun and I owe it to Eugene and Alvin for helping me out BIG time.

Camp fee is RM 75, do let me know if you're interested in joining the camp. You can always drop me an email at jiarhwei@gmail.com :)

And yeah, I designed the poster :D

Simon's this friend I got to know from Fie and got to know him while we were drinking at Chin's party. Anyway, he studies at Legenda along with Fie & gang; and now wanted to earn some part-time cash by cooking for people! If you have an occasion, by it special or casual, and you want to treat your loved ones to a meal; but you don't want to go through the trouble by yourself - I really suggest you give him a call. He can whip up almost anything in the world! :D

Okay, I skipped dinner so I'm just getting so hungry thinking about Simon's cooking. So shoo, shoo. For more information, his site is www.one-man-chef.blogspot.com