Summarizing In Pictures

It has been a crazily fun period lately, and I am putting up a blog entry just to summarize my life in pictures!

My apologies as  there are no high resolution images since all of the pics below were taken using my Samsung S3.

You know, having a smart phone means that I am getting lazier to bring an actual camera out due to its bulkiness - unless I am attending events, which goes without saying as I wouldn't want to deliver shitty pictures to my sponsors and clients.

Anyway.. Here goes:

Firstly, I went to Hong Kong with my BFFs.

(Yeah... Right.. Dream on. This was actually an advertisement backdrop at a local MRT station =_=)

In fact, this photo below deserves a special mention as it was taken by a passerby who probably thought that we were looking pathetic since we were found squatting down and trying to do a self-shot. Oh damn.

It has been a looong while since the 3 of us hung out together as a trio. Talk about a Girls' Day Out! :)

Lo' and behold' - I was a 7-11 mascot for the day.

NOOOO - I was not paid in any way for this. I was just dressing up for fun - much to the amusement of many onlookers.

(In case you are wondering where I got that tee from... YES, I got it during my Bangkok trip!)

It seemed like I had to stop and take a photograph for every 7-11 that I came across.

Seriously, how about hiring me to be your actual mascot, 7-11? 

LOL.

We had a walkabout at Watsons; and I stopped short in my tracks when I noticed the store was having SALES!

Yes, you save $0.10!! Lai ah~ Lai ah~ Huge discount!

We ended up taking night scenery shots:

(Yes, we were really walking around aimlessly!)

No, we did not spend much money- but it was a happy trip. You know, the activities do not really matter when you are with your close friends.

Thank you for being a huge part of my life!

This may seem like a pointless entry, but having blogged it here is like part of my life journal.

And ohhh.. Before I end this entry on a happy note...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL READERS OUT THERE! :)

P/S: And oh, oh... I have gotten myself a new bag from my latest online shopping spree! Danny Bear bag! Cute, huh?!

Just in case you are wondering, I got it from Taobao. (Who says China goods are bad?!)

#randomness

Random Thoughts of 2013

So... 2012 was here... 

And now it's gone!

Still, the memories remain. Seriously, I am kinda anticipating and dreading 2013 at the same time. (*praying hard that 2013 will be a better year.)

But I do have a resolution though! 

Dream big as it may be, but I am actually thinking of writing my own book. 

Lol, this isn't the first time that I am saying this - But my plans always fell short halfway.

Oh well.

All of you will be the first to know if my book will ever see the daylight someday. Haha.

Gonna update happier thoughts!

Was invited to a group photoshoot by Datsumo Labo a few weeks back ~ 

It was  fun shoot ; and I was telling one of the girls how it felt so much like a girl group debut shoot. LOL.

New Girls Generation... ... NOT. Hahaha.

Picture credits to Datsumo Labo's Facebook Page

It was actually supposed to be a shoot for Datsumo Labo's website banner or other miscellaneous designs for their online campaigns.

And... this was one of the designs they came up with!

(Gosh, seriously I don't look very flattering in the shot. My jaw was dropping from smiling too much the entire time! Haha. This was actually one of the many shots that was taken..)

Picture credits to Datsumo Labo's Facebook Page

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On a random note, my Facebook page, CJ Cartoons, has finally passed the 800 mark by 2013! Whee~ It's considered a small achievement for me, judging by the fact that I didn't really expect much when I started out on the page.

I hope that it will still continue to grow with your support! :) It won't be possible without you.. So here's a thank-you and hug from me to you! (Now why does this sound like a Barney song? LOL)

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So how did you spend your last day of 2012?

For me, I ended with my lovelies - Pitrra and Ben.

(Wow, time flies! Cheers to our friendship!)

Special thanks to Pitrras's parents for hosting us. It sure was a heartwarming celebration - together with turkey, ham, ice-cream and wine! ;) Haha. 

*Glad I am not drunk*

Pitrra made this for us! It tasted really great- something like what you would expect from a retail store. Haha, and I am not exaggerating!

Thanks, Pit! 

(Sorry that this was taken from my handphone camera so the resolution kinda sucks.)

But still... I am glad I captured the moment! 

Haha.

Guess that's it for today's update.

Cheers, and Happy 2013 to all who are reading this! ;)

A H2H blogpost

I have never really talked about my personal life on my blog, which kinda' defeats the purpose of having a blog in the first place.

I understand some of my friends have commented and thought how much I've changed throughout the years - whether or not they meant it in a good or bad way, I don't really know.

 I admit- My appearance and the way I carry myself has changed in a tremendous way. 

From an innocent young nerd who didn't give a damn about appearance to someone who is so vain and pile on makeup on my face (it's inevitable since I got into freelance photography modelling) - I can see why some people think I've changed.

But don't everyone grow up eventually?

Ask anyone close to me and they will tell you I am not who I portray in my photos.

Yes, so what if I was a freelance model?

It was only clothes and makeup that makes all the difference after all.

I don't pile on lots of makeup in my daily life, not even for work UNLESS I have something important to attend to.

In fact, I don't really care about my daily image. I want others to see me as who I really am.

I am still me. The ME from 10 years ago, the ME since the day I was born.

I lead a simple life - I go to work from Mondays to Fridays, eat, sleep and wait for weekends to arrive.

And weekends will be the day I sing karaoke at home, hang out with my besties or attend events, if any.

I am, afterall, a girl who is trying to make my life as exciting as it can be.

It was not until recently misunderstandings surfaced that my friendships with my besties are on the rocks.

I am not sure how many people out there actually think the same way - but I was seen as a bad influence on my friends, (and no, I do not blame my friends because they claimed they do not think that way)  which I had NEVER expected myself to be.

Is it the way I portray myself?

I am only being myself afterall. The girl who loves to bring laughter to her friends and cheer up their day, if it is within her abilities.

I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't club..

And most importantly...

I don't break the law.

But somehow I was misjudged based on the type of people I "mix" with.

I know I am a person who has always been on a high profile and not afraid to show who I really am despite the flaws I have - but I myself do know what is right and what's not.

Judging from the few photos of me with another person don't mean that I hang out with the person as often as you think.

I don't go out with just ANYONE from the streets, nor do I attend one-on-one dates with just any guy. (I am not desperate for a boyfriend, mind you. I am happily single.)

I have as much self-respect as any righteous people.

BUT when someone actually attempts to be my friend, I have no control over his/her behavior.

I only have the control to accept or decline his goodwill.

I admit I am a People-Pleaser, someone who wants everyone around them to be happy and are always on the obliging side.

I don't wish to hurt anyone's feelings, be it Side A or Side B. I just want everything to start and end in a nice manner - without anyone being hurt. 

I know it's impossible.

And that is the reason why I have always lived my life being the middle person, not knowing which direction to go to.

As much as how I may dislike a particular person, I can't bring myself to hurt him/her emotionally at once. 

This has always give me a disadvantage as it is a weak point of mine. 

That's just me.

I know I am being irresponsible by dropping everything and running away when everything fall on me - but I guess that is the only way I can be fair to everyone.

My presence has been bringing so much unhappiness these days that I thought I should just take a step back.

Sometimes I wonder if I deserve any friends at all. Why does it seem like I am the only one in this world getting involved in all kinds of unwanted shit and dragging my friends into it as well?

I shouldn't even have gotten them involved.

Now I really hate myself for being so open about my life.

I have never intended to cause any trouble to my besties. I really hope they understand, although it is difficult since they are not me.

I know my friends care for me and am worried about my current situation, but please be rest assured I'll be fine.

I'm sorry, I really am.

P/S: I know there are things that my friends regretted telling me as they have never expected me to become like this, BUT somehow I am glad as they were just telling me the truth. In fact, knowing the truth is better than hiding it. Sometimes it's good to know how others think of me. If someone has to be blamed, I would blame it on myself for being too much of a People-Pleaser that I ended up spilling the water in all directions.

Shoo! MLM Companies~

I have enough of MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) companies. Seriously. (And I am sure most people who have encountered them will agree with me on this one.)

Firstly, stop MISLEADING people into thinking that this is a profitable business. It's always interesting how many MLM employers have the SAME, or similar, speech. They would sound so convincing and boast about the rewards in this business (such as the company giving you a car, etc). You are just trying to target at what a normal human desires and "lure" them into joining you.

Secondly, stop being such a brainwasher hypocrite. I have friends who work in MLM companies and they are all putting on such a fake "nice" front. They would go on and on about how much they wanted to share this "great opportunity" with me, etc. OH, save it. I can clearly see what lies beneath your speech.
YOU ARE JUST BEING NICE TO YOUR FRIENDS BECAUSE YOU WANT THEM TO FORK OUT THEIR MONEY AND BE "UNDER" YOU, WHICH YOU WILL EARN COMMISSION FROM THEM.

If not for the sake of $$$$, will you even bother putting in so much effort in persuading your friends to join you?!

Let's face it. What's your main motive? Search for your own conscience and you will know if you are SINCERELY "sharing" this "great opportunity" with your friends. Furthermore, why would a friend whom I have lost contact for years suddenly got all close to me? (Yes, I have had "friends" whom would try to ask me out for dinner and sounding all innocent. But it was only in the later part of dinner that I was "introduced" this "great opportunity". Let's face it - This is a very practical world.

Thirdly, YOU just want more people to join because you will then earn back what you've invested in. (Come on, you are a victim yourself and now you are seeking for more victims?) Why are you trying to make use of your friends in earning moolah for yourself?

Of course, if you are a MLM employee and are reading this, you will feel the sense of injustice after reading this. BUT there is no deny that what I've mentioned above are true to an extent, isn't it?

 Although I would not say that MLMs are scams (because there are indeed SUCCESSFUL people who are in this business), but it is definitely MISLEADING.
Everything is made to sound so innocent, but yet what lies behind are motives, motives and motives. The process is ALWAYS like this:

- Coming across a job offer from websites which promises good pay (eg: earn up to 3-5K per month) just by "helping out with manager presentations" and "assistant".

- So you see a number and contacted the person-in-charge, whom sounded VERY thrilled to hear from you. He/she will then make an appointment with you for an "interview", and even offers to bring you to the location.

- After agreeing to meet with the person-in-charge, he/she will then bring you to a legit-looking company and make you meet some "colleagues" to share their success stories with you. Well, everyone is being VERY nice to you, and makes you feel so welcome that you are starting to see them as your family. (Duh)

- Here comes the brainwashing session whereby you will be psycho-ed into thinking everything is a profitable business. You will be convinced that you will be able to earn back what you invested in. They will give you such a firm assurance that you will feel its a regret not to take up this opportunity.

- After seeing that you are convinced but in a dilemma state, they will lure you into taking the first step. For some MLM companies, they will get you to pay the initial "membership" fee. As for the others, they will persuade you to take up their packages (which range from $100 - $1000 plus.), which you will then become their "official employee" and start selling their products. For each product sold, the friend whom had introduced you into this business earlier would earn a commission from your sales. To start earning your OWN commissions, you have to look for people to invest in the same business as you did, just so you can EARN after every sales they made. (Do you see the pattern now??)

-You will be told stories about how everyone is a family there who shares the same goal - earning money together. (Actually, all of you are just FEEDING on each other's $$$!)

- AND you are finally convinced and see them as your real friend. That's the time when you fork out your money, invest in this #(*&$# business, and that's it. You will probably have to start selling the things to your OWN family and friends (Pathetic much?). Of course, having a wide social circle helps, but you will be able to see all of your friends avoiding you in no time.

- It will then be the same cycle all over again. Soon, you will find yourself persuading people to join you in this business while bearing the motive at the back of your head that you can earn from them.


FACE IT. True friends will NEVER do this to you.
If every MLM business is so flawless, will there still be poor people in this world?

And I hate the fact that some MLM employees will deny the fact that they are working for an MLM company. It's so apparent that the strategy is working in the same way... Who are you kidding?

I noticed that most MLM employees are youngsters (some who are still in secondary schools, etc), and there are a few that boasted they are "managers". Well, ANYTHING YOU SAY. If you choose to believe that you are REALLY a manager, then so be it. *rolls eyes*

P/S: People from Venture Era, Premium Pure or whatever MLM companies will definitely hate me for this post. But I am just speaking the truth from my mind. I've seen and heard alot throughout the years. AND I HAVE ENOUGH.