visions of clarity...do as infinity

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Transitioning to Days with No Agenda

Hello

Finally, a moment in a quiet place (the library) where I can sit down and use the internet in peace. The only reason I haven't been able to do this is because the internet at home is history and there's been just way too many things happening around me. X__X

*deep breath* It's nice to just sit in the library, with barely a soul around, and use the internet to my heart's content. =) And with DVDs to watch tonight from the media library, I am all set for an agenda-less existence.

That is to say, until I er start packing. Which will occur. Soon. Of course. Ahem.

Graduation weekend was insane but it was pretty fun! I'm sad though, that GL and XW have graduated. ;_; But I'm sure I'll see them again. Yay.

But basically, life is good now that everything is quietening down. Time to post pictures!!! This is everything from April till Graduation... Haha... Obviously I need to catch up.=P

Daffodils up north!

Post-Exam-Arb-Stroll! Beautiful sun-dappled leaves~

Tulips in full bloom at medical campus!

Seaweed chicken version 2 that I made for our rehearsal picnic at the arb!! =) [Version 1 was in Spring of Freshman year =P]

Strawberry Champagne Chocolate Cupcake from Cake Nouveau in Kerrytown~ It was actually one of the nicest cupcakes I've eaten here!

At Argo Park!!! Pre-Sam surgery look =P
What were we doing at Argo Park...? Look below~

Enjoying the weather and...

Shooting photos of earrings! ^_^

And after we were done at Argo Park, off we went to Izakaya Sampei in Canton to indulge (once again) in 鴨鍋 (Kamonabe; duck hotpot)!! SO GOOD. I want to go there again...

This weekend was graduation weekend!!!

Blurry shot of us in line at the big house, waiting to get our seats for the commencement ceremony~

I think I'm really good at capturing the right moment when the subtitle captions appear on screen. HAHA.

Great background!!! This is after the whole commencement thing.=)

*many many negative infinity*
I'll miss being in Michigan with them: my first 2 friends in eastquad. ^_^

It's kind of a sad moment to realize that my first 2 friends in east quad everrr have graduated and now we're left in school but at the same time, I'm happy that they're now "Adults" and are going on to their next stages in life. ^_^

Bittersweet moments galore.

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Love So Sweet Arashi]
[mood : ~_^]
[food : mmm. Cai?]

Labels: Ann Arbor, edibles, flora, graduation, photoshoot, umich

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Death Cab for Cutie

Hello!

I'm finally getting through the stack of readings that has been languishing in various places of my existence [the shadow of them in my mind... the stack on the floor... the random pieces on my desk... the bundles of them in my bag...] and I've realized that some of them are actually rather interesting! *shock*

But anyway...

I've been hooked on listening to Death Cab for Cutie on repeat recently.. X__X And this is after creating my Japanese study playlist! (T_T) Don't worry, I'm not abandoning Gackt just yet... But Death Cab for Cutie has such calming songs that's great to study to. Haha.=P And somehow they remind me of Coldplay in the quiet, yet nice song kind of way. I don't even know if that makes sense..^_^"

I like them so much, I bought their CD on Amazon! Waiting for it to arrive~ Along with my dessert book!!! On reintepreting Asian desserts.=D Can't wait! [I can experiment after exams~ YAY!]

Another thing I've been drooling over [actually, I've been drooling over her photography for ages, but I just never posted them..] are these photos by this professional photographer from Singapore who is our age and is a friend of a friend!

Isn't that cool?

Anyway:

Snagged from her website zemotion.

I adore the way she can capture motion, emotions, and detail all at the same time.=)

She's done high fashion shoots, advertising shoots, runway shoots, and goodness knows what else. I guess if you've got talent, you really should go all out to pursue your passion while you can! ^_^

It's kind of hard to imagine that she's the same age as we are.=)

And today we were talking about what classes we're taking next semester and everything.. I realized that while it's important to fulfill all the requirements for my majors.. I should go do some B-school classes and other random classes that I think I'll like! Because despite academics being very important, I think learning and growing is important too.^_^ But GL and I are doing dance together next semester!! I'm very excited~

Next winter though, it'll be time to look through the b-school list and see what marketing, organizational behavior/psychology classes they might offer.=)

It'll soon be my turn to find that niche in life. It's probably not going to lie in schoolwork or academics.. [hence the stacks of readings that I'm still going through.. And undone papers.. Ahh..] And probably not the kitchen either [not talented enough..], although I realized that I really must either find a lot of technical books or just go to baking school because I have so many questions and no answers! =( Hmm. I guess everyone has a niche somewhere, even if they don't, there's a compromise you can make or find. And so to seek out that place in life is something that most people aim for...

I wonder where it'll be?

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Transatlanticism + The Sound of Settling + Photobooth + Passenger Seat + Tiny Vessels Death Cab for Cutie]
[mood : contemplative]
[food : bubble tea!~]

Sam: But today's weather was beautiful!

Zeelei: Don't worry, I won't defect and go to the dark[ish] side called K-Fandom! Haha. I plan to stay loyal to Gackt and Hyde and... xD We can squeal together!! [Even if everyone else has defected..]

Labels: Death Cab for Cutie, photoshoot, thoughts, umich

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Photography by YOU

Hello..

After once again appreciating the beauty that is having friends who willingly translate long and difficult Japanese blogs, I have to share these beautiful photos by YOU, the guitarist from GacktJOB.=)

And no. I'm not going to fangirl in this post. He's really talented, and I don't think fangirling about it will cement the point more than his photos:

Isn't this pretty? It's of the post-Matsuri festivities..

It's summer after all, and natsu matsuri are what summers are all about ne? =) I wish we could have one here.. It'd be so fun!!!

This is my favourite photo in the series.^_^ Somehow, I always love looking and taking photos of these pathways.. They seem to indicate something somehow.. =S But anyway..

The last photo in the series.=)

All copyright of the photos belongs to YOU and thanks for posting it pixiezdust! ^_^ Hee.

Isn't it strange? Despite the lonely feel of the empty venue, and the closed-up stalls are all that remain of a bustling matsuri, the photos don't seem to convey a sense of solitary emptiness at all. Instead, they seem to evoke some other emotions..

I want to try taking such photos!!! Although all these beautiful photos are always taken with DSLRs [and thus convey that particular feel that professional cameras can bring to a photo], I believe that a good angle and a good shot is a good angle and good shot no matter what camera is used.^_^ So I will continute to try my darndest to get good pictures with my little Ixus! =D

It'd be nice to have a DSLR though.=) Too bad I'm too poor.. and too lazy to carry all that equipment around..=P I will continue trying to take yummilicious food pictures.^_^ YEA!

Speaking of food, I just found this dorama about traditional Japanese food that incorporates the process of production within the dorama!!! *_*!!

The Japanese are masterful at food presentation and food photography/videography... Just look at that.. *drools* It reminds me of those absolutely gorgeous anime close-ups of food in Ouran Koukou Hostobu and xxxHOLiC [1st and 2nd season]. xD xD xD

Except of course, this is way better because it's REAL food!!! =D

Ahh. Such inspirations.=D Look at this. It's.. beautiful! It's so pristine, yet the food looks so good!

I am OFFICIALLY inspired.

My new checklist of improvements: [a partial checklist of course, for I really need to improve myself in far too many areas]
- Food Presentation
- Taste of food
- Originality/Creativity
- Food Photography

GANBARIMASU!!!

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Say it Right Nelly Furtado]
[mood : inspired]
[food : chicken pie! And YTF Vegetables.=D]

Labels: dorama, Japan, Japanese Food, photoshoot, thoughts

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Disney Dream Portraits by Annie Leibovitz

Hello!

I suppose I should first subject myself to commercialism and wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! ^_^

Now for the actual post.=P Here's a fabulous photoshoot I saw on livejournal - my resource for such happy matters! =D

Disney Dream Portraits by Annie Leibovitz
I have no idea which magazine/publication this is from but it's really nice! Captions are by the original poster.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as Jasmine and Aladdin

Whoopi Goldberg as the Genie

Beyonce Knowles as Alice, Oliver Platt as the Mad Hatter, and Lyle Lovett as the March Hare

Julie Andrews as the Blue Fairy and Abigail Breslin as her apprentice fairy

Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella [I REALLY like this particular shot!!! =D]

Roger Federer as King Arthur [I think Vivienne would like this one...?]

Gisele Bundchen as Wendy, Tina Fey as Tinkerbell, and Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan [Gisele Bundchen is one hot Wendy!]

Jessica Biel as Pocahontas

David Beckham as Prince Phillip

Rachel Weisz as Snow White [Another one that I like.=)]

Aren't they creative?? =D =D =D Very cool! Haha. There is a Wizard of Oz photoshoot of Keira Knightley in Vogue as well.. I wonder what's up with the fantasy theme of late..?

Next Friday we're having a SSA-organised Yuan Xiao Jie party with Tang Yuan!! ^_^ I'm very excited. Haha. And then on Saturday, we're off to New York Ciy!!! xD xD xD I cannot wait!

Today I went to Borders and I was drooling over Gourmet and so many cookbooks.(T_T) I really want to eat some good food..

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Marionette Hamasaki Ayumi]
[mood : tired]
[food : RIBS]

Jiamin: Ahaha. They weren't even like, the proper crackers! So I'm quite happy that the yusheng turned out much better than expected.=) And anyone could come to the CNY dinner! Haha.=P Oh. There were gloves but when we realised, it was too late.(T_T) My hands are still recovering..

cch: I don't actually like milk tea. Haha.=X I think it's usually too sweet. I want Yeo's Chrysanthemum Tea!! ^_^ Can buy from Hua Xing!! Hahaha. =D =D =D Omg! Liyu said that?? But then.. I didn't even cook at all for her.O__o

Labels: misc, photoshoot, Valentine's Day

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Happy Chinese New Year Eve!

Hi everyone!!

Happy Chinese New Year Eve!

Happy Birthday Zeelei!

Happy Birthday Rachel! I hope you liked the cookie cake we made for you!!! ^_^ There's actually an onigiri at the bottom left corner but it got cut off.. *stares at Ted* And a heart on the top right corner! *stares again*

^_^ Looks like you did!

=D =D =D So many things to celebrate, so little time!!! xP I have absolutely no time these days.. So here I am. With only one thing to post about. Haha.

This is a picture that Ted took while he was working on his assignment for his photography class [which I wanted to take until I found out I have to provide my own equipment. Horrors!]. ^_^ He took it in the studio in East Quad and developed it right after.. It was like a photoshoot! Ahaha. Okay no.. Guo Lu and I kept going: NEOPRINT!!! xD

Hmm. What do you think of the picture?

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : FREE ERIKA]
[mood : --]
[food : DRIED BLUEBERRIES!]

Jiamin: I THINK it's the third song.. I wouldn't know since I don't have the album? Hahaha.=P But it's a nice song!!! =D =D =D

kee: Haha.. I don't think the lemon is meant for making lemonade, it's actually for eating because the pith [the white part] is not bitter, it's sweet!!! And very very delicious.=D I can't quite remember how much it cost..=X

Labels: birthday, Chinese New Year, photoshoot

Thursday, March 15, 2007

alice nine. All in a Box

Hello

I saw this series on the foto_decadent community today! =D It's from the magazine "flair":

The first picture! It really caught my attention..=P

I love the setting here.^_^

This one is my favourite.=D

Gorgeous no? There are 7 images in this series so I didn't post them all or it would have completely FLOODED this blog [which is already overflowing with random words from me..]. I think it's an interesting concept! But my favourite series is still the one where the model looked EXACTLY like a mannequin. That one was ingenious.=D

Anyway! I can't wait to COWBOY with Gackt [and Jiamin!] and proceed through WONDERLAND with alice nine. [and Jiamin again!].=D =D =D Beams. While they are currently inaccessible, I will stave off all sadness by:

alice nine.!!!! =D =D =D These are the latest scans from the jrock_scans community from Neo Genesis Vol. 11.=D Must milk all these jrock magazines while alice nine. remains indie.. Haha. Their mainstream sound is bound to propel them into Gackt-like magazines soon.

Shou! =D

SAGA!!! Omygosh. He looks SO GOOD here. *dies* His hair looks better than expected. Haha.

Nao! =D He's cool here.. But I think his smile is really cute! ^_^

alice nine.! =D =D =D Is there something wrong with Saga's mouth? Why does he keep covering it? He has a perfect face. He doesn't have to cover ANYTHING.-_-" Shou looks good though. HMM. *peers* And Nao too!!! =D *ignores the other two*

And I'm very inspired by the food shots by the guy who runs mattbites.com [as seen from the image above].=) They are GORGEOUS. His style actually reminds me a little of Donna Hay, what with the use of bright backgrounds and gorgeously styled food.=) I'm still trying to think of food styling for anything I bake, however, it's not QUITE working out as planned. Ahem. [I've never been known as "creative" anyway..]

Chocolate & Zucchini is a great place for funny writing, beautiful pictures, good recipes and wonderful food recommendations.^_^ [I learnt all about the wonders of Pierre Herme, Sadaharu Aoki and Mariage Freres from her and what joy they bring! ^_^]

I would love to attempt to style food but... HMM. It's a bit of a dubious comment when it comes from me, the one-with-no-artistic-presence-at-all. Still. I must persevere so I can create the food blog that I want. Maybe I'll make a make-shift template of some kind and slowly but surely work towards my goal [though that goal involves photoshop and great phototaking skills, neither of which I possess].

^_^v Optimism is a marvellous thing.

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : 無限の花 alice nine. + Le Ciel Malice Mizer]
[mood : ^_^]
[food : honey!]

wendaye: HAIYAR. I know it's a cop-out but its so hard to answer!!!! Haha.=P

cch: Must find a roommate who will watch loads of TV but won't fight with me over Food Network! Haha.=D And watch House with me!!! ^_^ And what's with your stupid "sparta" comments? Don't tell me you just watched yet another ridiculous movie.. And of course we can take the SQ direct!!! Omygosh. MORE LEG ROOM.=D =D =D But... Mom won't get to do her "stop-over-in-Japan-on-the-way-back" thing! O.o

Jiamin: On your request, here's the birthday omelette!!! =D

Thank you for serving me your very first omelette.=D And thank you again for part 2 of the present!!! ^_^v *beams* And those are ORANGES! *bish* How can you not tell!!! xP

smelly: hi! Urm. Why are you called smelly? Haha. I realised that no one has that poem up online... I hope it isn't copyrighted.O.o

Labels: alice nine, birthday, edibles, food blog, photoshoot

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