Just-in-me

Exitlude

2011-10-21T16:58:00.005+01:00

Regrettably, time has come to send me on my way. It's been a good 5 years here on blogger and I'm glad to have you with me. I hope you enjoyed it, don't worry about what it's all about. Who knows, one day I may start this one up again. But for now, let me please direct you to:

JUST-IN-ME.TUMBLR.COM

I bid you a fair day.

Direction

2011-09-05T12:33:00.003+01:00

Let me re-direct you to this site while I'm taking some time off from blogging.

Just-in-me at tumblr

Thinking

2011-07-28T08:03:00.003+01:00

I'm thinking whether I should stop this blog.

Watch This

2011-07-24T04:15:00.001+01:00

Love is a Losing Game (live)
by Amy Winehouse

...you will be sorely missed. Not only are 3 of your songs in my top 5 most played songs ever, the last song I was playing in my iPod before I heard the unfortunate news happened to be one of yours. It's still paused midway. Requiescat in pace.

A little update

2011-07-15T07:03:00.000+01:00

This hiatus might last a month or two. It depends on how diligent I am at sorting through, selecting and photoshop-ing upwards of 4GBs worth of photos from my trip to Italy as well as some of the shots I took in my last weeks in the UK before coming back to Penang. It's been about three weeks since I've arrived home. Loving the food, some of the people, the humidity. NOT loving the haze and heat. And I'm getting a leg back into cycling around.

So, stay around, and hope that I get back to my regular updates.

Of packing and moving

2011-06-23T19:11:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the unannounced hiatus. I didn't intend to leave it at that last post before going off the radar for a while. It's been a hectic three weeks for me. I moved out from the halls in the first week of June. Not only was it physically taxing, but emotionally as well. After having lived with my hall mates for this significant amount of time, they grow on you. Sure, I'll probably still see some of them in campus or in the streets of Oxford, but its just not the same not being able to walk two steps out from your room and find someone to talk to when you're feeling lonely. Anna, Jimmy and Amanda. I will surely miss them to bits.

Moving out has made me realized that I'm a collector of things. Random pieces of junk, sheets of papers and articles and books (apart from all the clothes, of course). Sure, I'd love to have these worldly possessions with me in the following term, but moving them into storage was a feat which gave me backaches and sore muscles for the better part of my vacation. Needless to day, I got rid of quite a few things.

Packing the remaining stuff was no picnic either. I was pretty much required to sort things into 4 categories: for Storage, for Italy, Self-Care Package while I crash over at a friends' before I return to Malaysia and for Malaysia. It was a sorting nightmare. And couple that with storage woes due to my forgetfulness, transport and financial problems, tight schedule and lethargy, makes for one hellaciously brain damaging experience I want to forget. But I thank all my gods that almost everything fell into place at the very last crucial nerve wrecking second. Otherwise I would have been rendered homeless, with boxes of my stuff on the street curb, plane tickets in hand with no way of going to the airport.

But almost as soon as I left for my vacation, everything turned around for the better and my worries started to melt away in the Venetian waters. More on that later. And now, I'm crashing over at a friend's, looking forward to the concert tomorrow and then back to Malaysia in due time. :)

And by the way, these are previously unpublished photos of my room in Crescent Hall. The room I called home for 38 weeks. It too will be missed.

Mapping Dumpsters and Scents in Brick Lane

2011-05-31T01:34:00.016+01:00

One thought that came to me when I was compiling my portfolio at the end of the semester was how much I enjoyed the mapping exercise that I had to do sometime during the first semester here at Brookes. Previously at Taylor's college, my mapping and analysis of the site was merely limited to the gathering of raw data of the environment and circulation and other observed aspects which was then slapped on an A3 layout and presented and often forgotten afterwards. I never really understood what my tutor, Mr. Alvin, wanted when he kept saying to us to digest the information. Everytime we finished presenting our site analysis, he always went "So what does that mean?" And I was constantly rendered speechless.

Here, my tutors encouraged each of us to make use of the site mapping task creatively. Sure, there were still the usual observations like the ones I mentioned, but we were also required to produce our own 'personal mapping' to communicate and interpret our observations of the site. And it was this exercise that gave me a new outlook and perhaps understanding of this whole effort in mapping and site analysis.

Walking along Brick Lane, I was struck by the contrast in the atmosphere. Brick Lane was a place famed for the vintage clothing stores which littered the street. It was a place to go to hang out and take a break at the many alfresco cafes and dining venues especially around the Truman Brewery area. It's where the whole indie-chic scene is at. Just taking a stroll down the lane on a Saturday afternoon in summer, one can't help but notice the vibrant crowd hanging out around the area. Yet, all of that was located in a place which was dotted with trashcans and those large dumpster bins which were sometimes brimming with trash and situated just alongside notable eateries. And all of that made a distinctive gritty neighbourhood like no other with a more than subtle hint of stench which conflicted with the aromas from the curry houses.

It was then and there that I came to the realization that I wanted to map out the scents and smells along Brick Lane. After a little bit of discussion with my tutors, and a couple more trips back to the site during the bitter cold of November to record some data and literally sniffing out the area, I managed to churn out two maps. These maps were quite well-received by my tutors and eventually led me on to my design project. Apparently when they saw these maps, they were quite convinced of my observational methods. Do click on them to enlarge.

| The Dumpster Catalogue of Brick Lane

| The Scent Analysis of Brick Lane

I'm already looking forward to do some mapping and even catalogue-ing for my own record. Maybe in Oxford, maybe in Penang when I get back, who knows. But one thing's for sure, I'll have fun doing it.

Spot On: Colour

2011-05-29T23:53:00.000+01:00

For summer, colour is in big time. The flashier, the better. The world is already a depressing place, so let's liven it up with a healthy splash of kaleidoscopic hues. If you're like me, the notion of donning technicolour outfits can make me cringe a little. But considering how flattering the following pictures are, I'm ready to champion the look.

If you're just starting to embrace the hues, start slow by wearing one item of a striking colour at a time along with your daily outfits. And if you've got the bravado to take it up a notch, then layer it up and consider everything from complimentary colours to striking contrasts. The key is to throw it all together and make it seem not too calculated. Then add a healthy dose of confidence and walk out that door.

*images of Cam Gigandet from GQ.com

I made...

2011-05-26T23:55:00.000+01:00

...cupcakes with strawberry icing

Watch & Listen to This

2011-05-24T23:36:00.002+01:00

British model and wife of the White Stripes' Jack White, Karen Elson sings this haunting-yet-melodic bluesy piece which features a slight folksy twist. I love this song, I think it's got a certain sense of nonchalance to the tone and lyrics that I find appealing. But I must say it does certainly sound more like a song produced by a band than a solo artist. Nevertheless, take a listen:

Pretty Babies
by Karen Elson
from the album The Ghost Who Walks

Also, this song was featured in Tom Ford's Spring/Summer 2011 show. Karen Elson herself is one of the models at 0:38. And if you watch the entire video, you will find that amongst the models are actresses, Rita Wilson, Julianne Moore, Rinko Kikuchi and singer, Beyonce.

London | More of Borough Market

2011-05-22T23:05:00.001+01:00

More shots from Borough Market. These were some of the shots that I took from my first few times to the market using my phone. Lately, it's like everytime I visit London in between Thursdays and Sundays, I tend to find myself somehow drawn back to this place to grab a bite. And the food, vegetables and meats are just so tempting. Visiting this market almost makes me feel a little healthier just by looking at the fresh produce.

Five Hundreth

2011-05-20T22:54:00.002+01:00

5 days ago on the 15th of May would have marked the 5th Anniversary of this blog. I'm pleasantly surprised at that, as I wouldn't have guessed I would still be blogging after half a decade. And in fact, have been consistently doing so month after month with only the occasional absence during periods of heavy workloads. But even then, I sometimes schedule posts ahead when anticipating hectic times.

This post marks the 500th post. For that I'm actually surprised that it took such a long while to reach this amount of posts. I've a new found respect for people who have made it to this number with quality posts, because everyone knows that a lot of my posts are quite short. But to be completely honest, 500 is just a number. Sure I do look back every now and then to recall where I was at during this very moment one or two or three years ago. But I never try to revert myself to that person. Instead I have a tendency to be slightly horrified by the way I blogged, the language used, the pictures and the occasional cheesy phrases.

I like to look forward, trying to subtly tweak the way I present myself to the world. The style of writing. The way I present my pictures. The change of headers... I'd like to say all that is calculated and thought of beforehand. Because a blog, after all, is not a direct representation of who you are; It's a carefully selected, condensed and often modified version in which the blogger plays the role of the editor of his own life. So I guess that's what I'm doing here: Editing my life...

East End | Beyond Retro

2011-05-19T18:54:00.000+01:00

So I found the place I've been meaning to hit in London for quite sometime. And during my last trip to London a week ago, I just figured out that it was actually really close to the site for my assignment; which is in Cheshire Street, just off Brick Lane. That's the thing about the Whitechapel/Shoreditch area: you never quite know what you may find during each visit.

Being one of the most famous vintage shops in London, it's no surprise that Beyond Retro has an extensive amount of vintage clothing. Racks after racks of mens and womens clothing and accessories which, compared to some other vintage shops in the area, have been neatly categorized. But hunting through shops like these take plenty of time if you want to score something you actually like in your size and in keeping to your budget.

So, naturally, I left empty handed. I really love these shops with their massive inventory of seemingly random pieces of clothing, each unique and different from the other. But for the most part, I go there just for browsing and perhaps to get some inspiration. For a second-hand item, it's surprisingly not cheap.

...and watch this video which was filmed just outside Beyond Retro and in the surrounding area.

F*ck Me Pumps
by Amy Winehouse
from the album Frank

London | Borough Market

2011-05-18T01:08:00.002+01:00

I have a thing for markets, whether it's Pike Place market in Seattle, the Wednesday market in Oxford city center, or even back home in Malaysia like the SS2 night market on Mondays or good old Pulau Tikus market which is just a short walk from home. It's a fantastic place to go to for an insight into the real life and culture of any city. They feature the freshest local goods, the commerce and interaction between people of different cultures and the sights, and sounds and smells of great food.

Borough Market in London is one of my favourite places to visit in London at the moment. It's right by London Bridge and the river Thames and is open from Thursdays to Sundays. It's a gorgeous area with stalls upon stalls of vendors selling everything from freshly prepared meals to locally produced cheeses, fresh seafood, and vegetables. The fact that it's tucked in between buildings with paths winding around the nooks and crannies where the vendors set up stall makes it all the better. And being tucked under railway viaducts also contribute to its urban, gritty fabric.

And the food? Delicious. So far I've only managed to try the Caribbean chicken with rice dish, the free-range chicken wrap and the duck confit ciabbata bread sandwich. And also cubes and cubes of samples of cheeses. I am already looking forward to my next trip there.

Seven

2011-05-14T14:50:00.001+01:00

gingham shirt | Seed
chinos | Topman

PS: tomorrow would mark the date when I first started blogging 5 years ago. Half a decade has gone by and I'm still amazed I'm still keeping this up whereas others have fell by the wayside. Let's give this a couple more years shall we?

Spot On: Espadrille Brogues

2011-05-11T19:47:00.001+01:00

Who would have thought perfection would arise from a Frankenstein experiment involving a pair or brogues, a pair of espadrilles and a pair of sneakers. These Prada espadrille brogues from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection are pretty much of the moment shoes ever since they hit the runway and eventually went into production. I hear they're totally sold out.

One word:

2011-05-10T18:11:00.002+01:00

Listen to This

2011-05-08T12:42:00.001+01:00

This is the Life (live session)
by Two Door Cinema Club
from the album Tourist History

Nearing the end...

2011-05-07T14:30:00.002+01:00

| model of chain mail

| sketch of chain mail linkage
the Wallace Collection, London

I've just finished cleaning my room, and I've yet to sort through the mountain of scraps of papers, random models, printouts, folders and files. The final studio submission has gone through and that's a large load off my shoulders.

It's been quite a hellish ride here, but at the same time, the intensity and pressure the tutors put you through usually results in you pushing yourself a little more then you're used to. I'm not saying I am doing better than ever, but I'm just happy to be doing certain things I've never thought I could do. Like for instance: portfolio layouts. Oxford Brookes seems to have a different style preference for their portfolio submissions which I'm obviously not accustomed to, but I've tried to adopt some of the presentation techniques and I hope it's come through a little in my work. And the amount of work we have to pour into compared to when I was in Taylors is appalling. Back in Taylors, I had to print about 4 A1 sheets for my final crit. Over here, they expect you to do a maximum of either 30 A1s or 60 A2s. I managed a total of 35 mixed sheets of A1s and A2s. And don't get me started on the printing, but I will ballpark it around £100.

It's been a hellish week that I've gone through, spent several nights in the studio and only had a maximum of 2 meals a day. And they mostly consisted of cookies and water. While I look forward to the holiday, I can't help but to look back at the things I've submitted and regret some of them. The phrase 'there is room for improvement' is a huge understatement.

But for now, it's back to work mode as I try to whack out a couple thousand words for an essay I've to hand in in a few days. And after that, well...who knows...

| Ornament Against Crime: Pollution mask

| Ornament Construction

You...

2011-04-30T21:00:00.000+01:00

...you know who you are

Blooms in Season 3

2011-04-30T01:31:00.000+01:00

They just keep coming, after the daffodils and cherry blossoms have faded off, other plants take their place and start blooming. None of the photos below have been edited, just fyi. Including that freakish ultramarine coloured blooms in the third picture. It looks even more surreal in life.

Snapshot: Oxford

2011-04-27T21:47:00.000+01:00

| at The Eagle and Child

Listen to This

2011-04-22T21:12:00.002+01:00

This song from Danish band The Asteroids Galaxy Tour is a bit old, but if you haven't heard it, it's worth a listen I gotta say. It's got a slightly extraterrestrial 70s psychedelic pop thing going on which locks in perfectly well with the lead vocals' unique raw voice. Perfect for day dreaming in the summer.

Around the Bend
by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
from the single Around the Bend

Picnic

2011-04-20T23:05:00.003+01:00

We went to the Southfield Park last week for a little picnic. Interestingly enough, I didn't manage to take any pictures at all, save for the ones posted here which were taken as we were leaving the park and are obviously posed for the sake of it. I guess I was too absorbed in the food.

And furthermore, there were chilly winds which frequently swept through the park. We spent most of the day lying on the grass, gazing up at the sky and clouds, taking in the views of Oxford and not forgetting to mention the insane game of ultimate Frisbee we played; which was about the time when most of us realized how unfit we are after months of inactivity. The next day was pretty much met with sore legs and backs, but it's worth it.

Listen to This

2011-04-18T17:01:00.001+01:00

The City Lights
by Umbrellas
from the album Umbrellas

It's Monday and i'm truly feeling the Monday blues. Well, partly because I'm room-ridden since I'm a little under the weather today and making trips to the bathroom. But worry not as I'm self-medicating. The only thing one should worry for me is for my work as I've still go a tonne of things to do. This panic attack I'm having right now would seem like a nice mild headache compared to the insane emotional turmoil I'm about to have in less than a week.

Say It Again

2011-04-16T23:10:00.000+01:00

"When life gives you lemons, just say 'Fuck the lemons,' and bail."

Chuck played by Paul Rudd
Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Foureyes: London

2011-04-15T21:43:00.000+01:00

Just a couple images from my recent trip to the city through the eyes of a supersampler, as I wondered around from street to street, tube station to tube station. It's at the end of this trip when I realized that I need to do this more often.

| view from the London bridge

| the monument

| a random street

| All Souls Church

Spot On: Dries Van Noten Spring|Summer 2011

2011-04-14T15:00:00.001+01:00

The spring/summer collection of Dries van Noten sees a careful play of haphazard Rorschach-test-inspired ink blotches on pristine white shirts which rendered unique pieces, each different from the other. And on top of that, a parade of acid washed denim jackets and jeans and working class garb which hung very nicely on skinheads, harking images of an English punk rock era. This would definitely be a fun DIY project.

I'm

2011-04-13T23:08:00.002+01:00

Six

2011-04-11T23:17:00.003+01:00

...let's go cycling...

knitted sweater | Mango

Hysteria

2011-04-09T21:49:00.000+01:00

Just about a week ago, I was on the verge of having one of those psychotic hysterical meltdowns, ala:

But now that crit is over, I'm reclaiming pieces of normalcy. But since this is the last stretch before the two big submissions, normal may not be an achievable state. But I will look on the bright side of things and take full advantage of whatever comes my way because...hey! I'm in the UK. Might as well make the best out of life here!

Blooms in Season 2

2011-04-07T23:09:00.001+01:00

It's like an orgy of colours. Everywhere you look, it's flowers galore. I finally understand the cheery atmosphere spring brings to people. But along with all the sprouting of new vegetation brings those little pesky insects which seem to be multiplying at a rate I can't comprehend. Just cycling down a short dirt path saw my face having encounters with bugs. But I'll ignore it as long as the sun stays a little longer.

| potted plants at the market

| cherry blossoms about a week and a half ago

| plants for sale at a florist shop

Listen to This

2011-04-03T14:10:00.000+01:00

Forget You
by Cee Lo Green
from the album The Lady Killer

Blooms in Season

2011-04-01T11:10:00.000+01:00

Spring time is really bringing some colour into the otherwise dreary city of Oxford. As the mercury rises and the sun reveals itself in bouts of lovely sunshine, I can't help but to smile and admire the wonder of the blooms. And each day brings new flowers to look at.

Say It Again

2011-03-29T17:53:00.001+01:00

"...I'm on this new diet. Well, I don't eat anything and when I feel like I'm about to faint I eat a cube of cheese. I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight."

Emily played by Emily Blunt

The Devil Wears Prada

Five

2011-03-27T13:20:00.001+01:00

denim shirt | Topman
skinny jeans | All Saints
boots | River Island

GIF-ing About

2011-03-26T14:59:00.000Z

Just playing about with .gif images. This is my idea of a much deserved break from studio work. I need a new hobby.

Watch & Listen to This

2011-03-26T10:18:00.003Z

Shut Up and Let Me Go
by the Ting Tings
from the album We Started Nothing

Shut up and let me go
This hurts what I can't show
For the last time you have me in bits
Now shut up and let me go

For fear of living in regret
I've changed since from when we first met

Now oh so easily you're over me
Gone is love, it's me that ought to be moving on
You're not adorable
I want something un-ignorable

I ain't freakin', I ain't fakin' this
I ain't freakin', I ain't fakin' this
I ain't freakin', I ain't fakin' this
Shut up and let me go, hey!

Listen to This

2011-03-24T19:30:00.000Z

Wild Young Hearts
by The Noisettes
from the album Wild Young Hearts

I'm not what I was last summer, not who I was in the spring.

Wham

2011-03-23T18:11:00.000Z

Sod off.

Four

2011-03-20T12:35:00.001Z

fairisle shawl-collar sweater | H&M
skinny jeans | Monkee Genes

...and introducing my bicycle the Mr. Balmont. He's an olive green Hercules road bicycle which I bought in October last year, but have only lately begun to fully utilize it since it's finally getting a little warmer. It's a decent slightly rusty vintage bicycle with a very basic 3 gear change. Nothing fancy and definitely not polished in hopes I don't fall victim to bicycle theft.

Do something

2011-03-18T07:29:00.002Z

Some solutions just seems so obvious...

Listen to This

2011-03-17T14:09:00.002Z

Get to know the Swedish indie artist Lykke Li and her sinewy vocals mixed perfectly with the gritty beats and lyrics which view the world with an alarming stark honesty. And do check out her other songs while you're at it. You'll be able to recognize the consistent haunting echoes of ghosts accompanied by primal drum beats.

I Follow Rivers
by Lykke Li
from the album Wounded Rhymes

Or am I?

2011-03-15T22:36:00.001Z

The dust has settled once again in the aftermath of Studio interim and my technology review. The past week saw my life in a flustered chaotic lifestyle swinging from the highs of contentment from just reading a novel to the utterly bitter moments of what my friend calls 'zombie-ing out', the act of emotional disassociation from oneself to wholly concentrate on the academic task at hand in order to make datelines.

You may be wondering why am I reading a novel in the midst of all this calamity. But it's just one of the many little things I do to keep myself seemingly normal. But also, it could be viewed by many as just another way of me procrastinating said academic task at hand. God I hate it when my mom is right. She's been calling me out on that for quite a while. But I seem to have a talent in self-denial.

I'm not trying to alarm anybody here. I'm surviving, academically. I'm consistent in my diet. The only thing that bothers me is when my emotional levels take a hit especially after watching some sappy movie or completing a book which tugs at your heart strings, both of which I happen to do on the same day which would probably explain Sunday's wallowing in self-misery.

But seriously. I'm alright. Not great, but alright. My feedback from the interim may have been quite confusing, but I think i'll be able to straighten myself out and start afresh. My technology review may have been a bit of a disaster, but then again, whose wasn't. Everyone else in the unit seems to have produced a somewhat similar amount of work. But on the bright side I got a decent grade for my part in the primer work I did last semester with the essay I wrote regarding the act of running down Oxford Street in London (I'm thinking of posting this essay here).

I guess I just wanted to assert some kind of confidence back into being through this post and telling myself that I'm on the right path and that I'm fine. But at the same time, this constant attempt at self re-assurance is beginning to make me wonder 'Am I really?'

Three

2011-03-12T01:37:00.001Z

knitted cardigan | Bershka
jersey scarf | COS
oxfords | Zara

Sloth

2011-03-07T23:14:00.000Z

Oxford has been seeing nice bright and sunny afternoons in these past days. I do hope they continue. I've been here for like what? Five months? And I must say I am longing for days when I only have to don a t-shirt to walk out the front door and not worry that I'll freeze to death.

Sure, I've always wanted to layer clothing back in hot and humid Malaysia, but now that I've been constantly wrapped up in bundles of fabric everytime I step out of the house, I find that i'm getting paler, slightly sluggish, and possibly deprived of D. The thought of myself layering in Malaysia seems a little pathetic at this point. But doesn't mean I'm going to stop doing it.

If you're wondering what is up with me at this point in time, you're reading the right post. Just a quick update before I go back to my time and thought consuming work. I'm currently preparing alot of drawings, designing, what-have-you for the interim I'm having later this week. It's a mid-point review if you will. A short evaluation just to make sure I and the other unit-mates are steering towards the right course. But the work load seems to never end.

I must admit that I'm progressing rather slowly. But making comparisons to the others in my unit and I find that I'm not that far behind at all. Ahead of everyone? Definitely not. Lagging behind? Not that has been indicated to me. Somewhere in the middle? Possibly.

I have to place blame on these couple past week or so when I've been unceremoniously neglected my most, and feeling like I'm falling into a habit of sloth-like nature. Sleeping and eating, eating and sleeping. Eating well, no doubt, but very rarely I produced work.

It was just a down time for me. No need to worry too much. I've come out from that and have been beginning to do some serious crunch time again. Nevertheless, my health comes first and my stomach, so it will not be neglected, I assure you.

Stay tuned.

Two

2011-03-01T18:08:00.001Z

tweed blazer | B Store
jeans | Uniqlo
boots | River Island

Say It Again

2011-02-28T17:46:00.001Z

Elizabeth Swann: There will come a time when you have a chance to do the right thing.
Jack Sparrow: I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by.

Elizabeth Swann played by Keira Knightley
Jack Sparrow played by Johnny Depp
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Listen to This

2011-02-26T12:23:00.001Z

If You Tolerate This
by Eric Chase
single

Listen, not watch. The video is kinda blah.

Germany | 24.01.11

2011-02-23T20:05:00.000Z

Day 5 | Essen - Cologne - Brussels - London

We've come to an end of the Germany Trip. Waking up in the morning after a night of eating schnitzels and drinking German bier, proved quite difficult to do. Although this was a relatively short trip, I was completely drained. It was probably all the walking we did. And not forgetting to mention the running we had to sometimes do to catch the train/tram.

So in the morning we immediately caught the early train back to Cologne where we spent an hour or two whilst waiting for the next train back to London via Brussels. Seeing as I had sometime to spare, I decided to partake in the Cologne Cathedral tower climb where I had to just pay 1 euro to gain access to the climb all the way up one of the spires for a view of the city. The way up was probably one of those claustrophobia inducing moments with their tight narrow spiral staircase which almost doesn't seem to end. But at the top, you get to take in some nice views of the ornamentation on the cathedral and the surrounding city. Not bad for an euro I guess.

And from there, it was time spent on the train staring aimlessly out the window as we traveled back to London via Brussels.

And that wraps up my short by eventful trip. Cheers.

One

2011-02-21T21:42:00.001Z

anchor-patterned jumper | Topman
knitted cardigan | Zara
cotton chinos | Uniqlo

Germany | 23.01.11

2011-02-20T17:26:00.001Z

Day 4 | Duisburg - Krefeld

Day four still saw us exploring in the Ruhr region, this time to Duisburg and Krefeld. I thought that this day was significantly less of a rush and was at slightly nicer, more relaxed pace since not only was it our last day of the trip, but it also we only had three main areas we had to visit on the itinerary.

On that cold, foggy morning, we headed off to the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord otherwise known as the Duisburg Nord Landscape Park which is another abandoned mining facility left over from the the region's coal and steel industrial mining past. To say that it's interesting would be an understatement. What struck me the most would be how the mining structures and immense industrial built form seem to be left intact and not demolished. Instead, the structures seem to be 'healing' the landscape. Contributing to cleanse the area and getting rid of it's toxicity and pollution which is apparently still present in the soils. Instead of rejecting it's past, the park seemingly embraces it and treats it as part of a wound in the landscape.

The derelict structures were most mesmerizing. There, you hear the silence around you, with the occasional clinking and clanking of the footsteps of visitors as they stomp on the cold steel surfaces. The best thing above all is the ability to explore these structures through these public staircases which wind their way up through heavy mechanical remnants to different platforms each higher than the other, each with vistas out towards the landscape. The smell of rust is ever present in the air as if a reminder that these structures are still eroding with time, responding to the soil, the air, the mist. It's impossible to imagine what it must have been like as a worker in this place.

After spending a good day at the landscape park, we walked over to the Küppersmühle Museum. Mainly just to have a quick peek at the extension of the building by Herzog and de Meuron. The artwork on display itself was alright, but truly the stairwell of the extension block was the pièce de résistance. A gorgeous block of red-coloured concrete housing a beautifully crafted brick red stairwell winding its way up with such grace and almost-organic flow. Featuring woodgrain shuttered brick-red concrete ballusters and rough textural steps, the staircase emanates a certain warmth to the user.

Last building of the day was Haus Lange and Haus Esters in Krefeld by famed architect Mies van der Rohe. A fine example of his early works on domestic residential houses. An impressive modernist piece of art especially when seen in the context of its setting and time. I especially loved the relationship between the interior and exterior of the building. The thoughtful placement of windows and the materials used all reflect the idealogies of Mies.

Photos from now on:

Stay tuned for the last entry of the trip.

Germany | 22.01.11

2011-02-16T19:37:00.001Z

Day 3 | Neviges-Cologne

So, the next day, we more or less got settled into our routine of waking up early to ensure we actually had some breakfast before leaving the hostel for our day long trips. We took the train and the tram into the town called Neviges to visit the Mariendom Neviges by Gottfried Böhm, a pilgrim church majestically nestled into a site surrounded by what I think are residential and a few other religious buildings. The journey to the church saw a brisk climb up an incline through a maze-like stairs until you finally reach the courtyard with the facade of the building which fully expresses its tectonic qualities through the massive jagged and furrowed form which itself almost humbles anyone who intends to step in. Almost like a crystalline structure perched amongst other buildings.

As soon as one steps inside and through the vestibule, one arrives at the main hall which temporarily is engulfed in darkness. I try to look upwards towards the ceiling only to be disappointed by nothingness. But as I ventured deeper into the space, through the rows of seating past the piers, the chapels and the little niches, my eyes slowly begin to adjust to the lack of light and that's when the ceiling and the entire interior structure reveals itself and all its glory. Immense slabs of folded concrete fanning out from the top, highlighted by small roof lights. Just enough to evoke a sense of awe.

Next we took the train to have a short visit to a mosque currently under construction and was given a nice little tour by the architect himself. I really like venturing into construction sites. There's something that interests me in the ethereal qualities of the scaffolding and construction equipment and mess that seems to be in an ever changing state.

Then, off we were back to Cologne, where we stopped by the Kolumba Museum, a spectacularly well-thought out building by Peter Zumthor. The amount of thought that goes into planning a building such as this one must have been insane. The perfectly scaled details, the well planned circulation spaces and the perfect marriage of materiality is hard to miss. A must visit for anyone with an interest in architecture during a visit to Cologne.

The last building on the itinerary was to an architect's office. A rather simplistic, yet striking office, I must say and such a incredible site situated on a tiny piece of gap land just off the road. And after that, we took a pretty long walk, back to the train station, rode our way to Essen and had dinner at a German pub where I had my first schnitzel. Nevermind the fact that it wasn't that good.

And the photos commence from here on:

| entrance to the Mariendom Neviges

| shots of the roof from the inside

| the main hall with street-lamp like lights which illuminate the seating area

| I had to use a pretty slow shutter speed to achieve these shots since it was pretty dim inside. A steady hand doesn't hurt either

| These shots are not an accurate representation of the lighting conditions of the interior

| foggy view whilst waiting for the train

| at the mosque construction side looking up from the prayer hall through the dome

| a space featuring loads of steel column supports. Look properly and you'll notice that the place was flooded with water so it's actually a reflection on the water

| sitting outside the Kolumba Museum

| beautifully chosen materials translated through the entire building

| exhibition spaces

| the most ergonomic handrail I've ever held on to

| standing at the edge of the window

| gorgeous picture windows

| thoughtful placement of fenestration at the far top of the wall

| apparently you're not supposed to touch that

| exhibit pieces

| more artwork on exhibit

| The Kranhauser Rheinauhafen Architekten building on the gap site

| the interior spiral concrete stairwell

| before leaving Cologne at the shopping district

Stay tuned for more.

Listen to This

2011-02-15T18:11:00.000Z

Islands
by The XX
from the album XX

Happy Valentine's

2011-02-14T12:49:00.000Z

Shall we sing this song together?

Inspiration | Sheer at Mugler

2011-02-13T07:36:00.000Z

More images from Mugler Fall/Winter 2011 with draped sheer fabrics over the models creating amorphous shapes as they walked down the runway.

Images from Jak & Jil

Zero

2011-02-12T09:01:00.002Z

denim jacket | Uniqlo
pants | WE
brogues | All Saints

Say It Again

2011-02-11T19:06:00.003Z

"I had this guy leave me a voice mail at work so I called him at home and then he e-mailed me to my Blackberry and so I texted to his cell and then he e-mailed me to my home account and the whole thing just got out of control. And I miss the days when you had one phone number and one answering machine and that one answering machine has one cassette tape and that one cassette tape either had a message from a guy or it didn't. And now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting."

Mary played by Drew Barrymore

He's Just Not That Into You

Oh no you didn't

2011-02-11T08:19:00.002Z

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Germany | 21.01.11

2011-02-08T23:34:00.001Z

Day 2 | Essen

We stayed in Essen the following day and hit the buildings around the city via tram, train and lots of walking. Every morning was pretty refreshing since after a decent breakfast of fresh rolls with butter, ham and cheese, a delicious bowl of yoghurt and a hot cup of coffee, we would take a brisk walk down the hill to the train station.

First up, the Zeche Zollverein, an old coal mine industrial complex which has been awarded the UNESCO world heritage site status. This insanely massive industrial complex took up a huge chunk of our day. This has to be the most stunning coal mining complex ever. A conglomeration of brick and red iron buildings dominate the area with large cylindrical pipes and rectangular shafts zig-zagging their way through the complex, spanning long distances at a time. I can only imagine what it must have been like when it was in operation back in the early 20th century.

On the way out from the Zollverein, we stopped by the SANAA Building, which fell a little below expectation but it did manage to get me some stunning images through the play of geometry.

Then, off we were to the Aalto Theater, one of the most famous theaters in Europe as we took a guided tour of the very carefully thought circulation spaces from the entrances, to the ticketing booth, coat check, balcony, seating, and even a nice insight into the backstage areas. And into an impressive 3 storey high freight elevator.

The last building we took our interest to was the Folkwang Museum by David Chipperfield which features a nice balance of courtyard spaces punctuating the building in different areas. A design feature I truly appreciate but I only wished those courtyards were accessible. As time was limited, we only managed a quick scan of the art on display and after that, some of us decided to return to the Aalto Theater and watch the ballet perform to soak in some culture.

Fair warning dear gentles, this post features about 30 photos which would make it the post with the most pictures up until now. So, I hope you enjoy them:

More to come.

Happy Year Ahead

2011-02-02T12:13:00.002Z

Love,
Justin

Watch This

2011-01-31T22:03:00.004Z

Mugler
Fall/Winter 2011
Paris Fashion Week

The monochromatic representation of Thierry Mugler's new collection for Fall/Winter 2011 renders clothing merely as a second skin; clearly seen through the play of sheer fabrics on models with disturbingly beautiful tatoos. That and the use of what looks like plastic, neoprene and latex which exuded textural but spine-chilling qualities that created a snug silhouette which contrasted with the voluminous billowy bits. I'm obsessing a little over sheer fabrics as of late. The careful thought of layering translucent items that give a hint of what's underneath, creating a visual depth to an otherwise mundane ensemble. And the music playing in the video? A remix of an upcoming Lady Gaga single from her new album.

Germany | 20.01.11

2011-01-30T10:34:00.002Z

Yes. Last week. Germany. The post on this trip is probably going to take me a long time to publish since I've got over a thousand photos to sort through and choose and edit them for your viewing pleasure. I'm breaking the post up into days since it would definitely be easier for me to account the events and places we partook. Just think of these coming posts as one of those slow-releasing capsules which instead of wasting all the nutrients at one go, it does so in batches.

Day 1 | London - Brussels - Cologne - Essen

Our main aim was to experience the main area of the Ruhr region in Germany which is in the North Western part of the country. 21 of us took part in this expedition accompanied by 2 tutors. And we toured the area via public transport. Trains, Rail, Trams, Buses, on foot...all of that. The price tag: £300 (appx.RM1500) inclusive of accommodation and travel to Germany and back. Food and entrance fees to the buildings were under our own expense.

Getting to Germany was quite a breeze, if you leave out the sore shoulders I got from lugging my backpack. I had to get up on the before at 4am, get breakfast, take the bus to London, meet up with the group, take the Eurostar to Cologne, Germany via a short stop-over in Brussels and then to Essen where we spent the nights in a hostel.

On that first day, after a long day of travelling, we only managed to squeeze a couple of buildings into the itinerary the most significant of which was the Cologne Cathedral. This ominous looming Gothic cathedral with towers and spires that pose such a stark contrast to the surrounding plaza. After walking inside the cathedral and through the buildings and shops in the area, we headed to Essen. After a short dinner, we did cardio all the way up this steep hill to our hostel and I slumped onto the bed like a bag of dirty laundry. And night.

...Stay tuned for more.

Listen to This

2011-01-28T00:13:00.002Z

Stuck in my head right now, is this song.

Destroy Everything You Touch
by Ladytron
from the album Witching Hour

Inspiration | Bottega Veneta Fall/Winter 2011

2011-01-26T23:35:00.001Z

Now, this is how layering should be done. Impeccable complimentary monochrome hues with the occasional punch of a singular colour in some of the looks. And although monochromatic outfits tend to border on being boring, the added textural qualities through prints and material give it that much depth to the look. So, go on, layer it up!

On those snowy days

2011-01-18T19:52:00.000Z

On a cold December night at the Radcliffe Square, we played in the snow and made snow angels. That right there was about 20cm of powdery snow. Snow so soft it's like walking on flour. The frosty snow mounds seem to create a surreal landscape where every horizontal surface is highlighted with these soft marshmallow pads of white. Like how a simple stroke of white paint seems to give a painting depth, snow gives 3-Dimensional forms an added layer textural quality.

*Note to self: wear more layers when making snow angels.

Stay for more.

Spot On: Tote Bags

2011-01-14T13:51:00.000Z

Why guys should also carry bags. Tote bags. Nice tote bags. I would say appropriately sized, streamlined, minimally decorated ones. Because sometimes stuffing too many things into your pockets just makes things bulge in the most unflattering way.

The build of the bag is pretty much up to your preference and styling. Leather, canvas, waxed-canvas, felt, brown, navy, black, grey, etc. etc. There are so many choices out there. And not all are that pricey.

*photos from various sources

Thx for the Haircut

2011-01-13T13:40:00.002Z

PhotoLog | Week Eighteen

2011-01-12T22:06:00.000Z

Just another typical overcast day at along St. Aldates. Sure, I do love the cloudy skies but some sunshine wouldn't hurt right now. I think I'm underexposed to the sun here. Now I know why people go for fake tans. Not that I'm going to get one.

Watch & Listen to This

2011-01-09T23:11:00.002Z

I love it when Rihanna reinvents herself every time a new album of hers gets released. And I admire the image she's projecting right now, fiery red hair, floral prints and all. She's loosening up and is definitely less severe than her previous image for the Rated R album and slightly turning back to her Caribbean roots. Her video tells it all: not taking things too seriously. Maybe I should take that as a life lesson.

Only Girl (In the World)
by Rihanna
from the album Loud

Stay tuned.

I'm Not Here.

2011-01-08T00:28:00.000Z

I'm not here anymore.

What day is it?

Is it too late for New Year's resolutions? I'll make them anyway. It has taken me sometime and a few unfortunate incidences to help me fathom my current situation. Things are not well. I'm not talking about my health or my academic performance or the stuff that I constantly ramble about here. It's got to do with me being myself, from just the act of merely existing to leading a complex but ritualized lifestyle.

Who am I?

Ask me to fill in a form with my information and I would write it with little hesitation or thought as it has almost become an automated response. Name. Date of Birth. Sex. Identification Number. Address. Qualifications. Etc. Etc. But can my whole life and identity be simply condensed into one and a half pages of point-form notation? Am I just another entry into some data system with little definition from the other entries? Who am I? What does my life amount to in this world? Am I living my life the way I should? I've always imagined my life to be very different from who I am now. I see all these people around me, my friends, family who have their own identities, their personalities, what makes them...THEM. Their Selling Point. It seems as though I've lost mine or it's gotten misplaced or it's just that the time is up for me to change.

What am I doing?

Back to the resolutions. Sure, there are the usual resolutions that I've set out for myself in the coming year. The usual being, procrastinate less, spend wisely, shop less but shop better. Things like that which are probably in most people's books already. But I've thought it through and I'm declaring this year:

THE YEAR OF GETTING TO KNOW ME.

To deal with this identity crisis, I need to re-discover myself. I've denied certain aspects of myself all this while and convinced my own mind with fabrications of the real me that it seems I've lost my essence. As I've journeyed through life, it's as though I picked up so much on the way from the people around me, the environment, popular culture, the media, that I now view myself as more of a collection of bits and pieces of other people's ideas and thoughts. I'm like a completed puzzle, but the pieces are from different puzzles that have been altered to fit. But there is no discernible picture.

Before the year is up, I intend to encounter new experiences, go to new places, eat things I've never tried, buy things I wouldn't ordinarily buy, do things I'm not used to. I don't want to adopt a life that I think suits me. I just want to be me. Whoever that is. And that my friends, is my new year's resolution. Getting to know me. And I hope you're on board with it.

See you when I'm here.

New Year's Pt. 2 | London

2011-01-06T01:48:00.000Z

From One New Change, we zipped down the Strand in the seemingly swelling crowd which were already starting to head to the fireworks viewing areas along the Thames. We decided to have dinner at some random Italian restaurant where I had the ravioli. The prices weren't too high considering it was a sit in meal in the city of London. I have to know more places to eat cheap food in London.

After dinner, we took a brisk walk, used the tube and got ourselves pretty close to the Thames where we could just make out the London Eye from afar. And a few minutes later, 2010 ended.

As you would imagine, the fireworks were pretty spectacular and I would imagine it to be so much more if we were to see it upclose. But from where we were, we had the advantage of not being crushed in a crowd and managed to quickly leave after the show was over.

London at 1am on New Year's day was insane. You wouldn't have thought it was post midnight with the amount of people shuffling along the streets some drunk, some losing it, some being festive and others, like us, completely sober with aching feet. Alcohol would have helped my aching feet.

With the streets still blocked and the tube free from 12am to 4am, I got to walk in the middle of the roads in London, took a stroll down Saville Row and look at the ritzy stores. Just things I wouldn't ordinarily do on a normal day. After all, New Year's not really a normal day is it?

With that, my New Year's eve experience in the city of London concluded. We managed to drag out aching feet, sore backs and stone cold fingers to the bus stop and headed back at about 3am. I ventured out to London the day before without a single plan, but ended up doing a list of random expeditions and pretty much took our own detour throughout the journey. It's one for the memories. And that was how I ended my 2010. How was yours? And remember:

| dare to dream

More next time.

New Year's Pt. 1 | London

2011-01-03T17:46:00.001Z

London was plagued with a surge of people on New Year's Eve. The crowd along Oxford Circus was a tidal wave of bodies filtering through the sidewalk in and out of stores each toting 3, 4, 5 bags of goods on sale. Consumerism is scary when it's like that. And what's more scary, stroller parents who take their babies out on such cold wintry days in downtown London and practically bowl through the crowd with their strollers.

Then, we journeyed via tube through London's East End to my new favourite little bagel shop in Brick Lane for a quick bite at the old establishment which dates back to 1885. I'm still attempting to try one of everything from the shop. But there is just too many. And many of them are just so sweet.

From the graffiti-ed walls of Whitechapel, we went all the way back into the city to stroll in the vicinity of St. Paul's Cathedral. The sheer scale of the cathedral is astonishing in itself without even considering the detailed ornamentation of the facade. And the looming dome of St. Paul's doesn't fail to impress as does the strong axial presence running through the cathedral to Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern and even Jean Nouvel's new mall, One New Change.

More pictures to come.

2011

2011-01-02T14:19:00.000Z

With Love from London,
Happy 2011.

2010 | A Year in Warhol-esque Pictures

2010-12-31T09:48:00.000Z

It seems this is the third time I'm presenting a picture from every month of the past year. Sort of a review in pictures. I like it. It forces me to sift through files of pictures allowing me to recollect all the good times I've had.

But just to add that smidgen of wonkyness to the collection of pictures this year, I've edited them into slightly Warhol-esque pictures by playing with the colours.

January | We were together after such a long time. We need another meet-up

February | We drank the night away, by the beach.

March | We all wore green that day.

April | We took a group picture but in reverse.

May | We finished our crit! And started to part ways.

June | We took to Redang Island, and had the best time together!

July | We went crazy taking pictures.

August | We gave two people a tart.

September | I went abroad, a change of scenery.

October | We had our first few dinner gatherings.

November | I saw some Warhol

December | It snowed and snowed and snowed.

2010 was an interesting year. I'm not all that sure how I could sum it up. It was a mix of ups and downs. Bits I will keep in my mind forever and events I wish to purge from memory. Certain incidences may have messed me up but fuck it, that's just life. Things won't miraculously change for the better, there's a process that we all have to go through.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that just because the year is ending doesn't mean everything will change for the better. We're still in this continuum which at anytime, anything can happen. But it's the effort and the actions we take that can alter the course of our future. So, take charge of your future. Take a chance. And if it doesn't come out favourable, there's always alcohol.

Happy 2011 everybody,
see you next year!

Stewing

2010-12-30T12:10:00.000Z

I've been stewing in my room for the past three days. I've rarely been out let alone travel in these past two weeks. I'd like to think of this as my reward for the insane amount of time and energy I put into my work in the last semester, then again, to think of the fact that I'm rewarding myself by being idle is utterly pathetic. I think I should be feeling some sort of guilt remaining in this state of inactivity seeing as I've actually got quite a bit of work to be done over this so-called 'holiday'. I should be working harder than ever, with my back bent over the desk hard at work. But interestingly enough, I'm not. And I'm not feeling any remorse or guilt over it. I'm merely.....existing.

It's moments like these when i take a step back to evaluate myself. And it just so happens these moments tend to occur at the end of the year or during some significant event on my calendar. It's like wriggling out of my skin to just take a broad perspective on the things that I've done, people who's life I've crossed, places I've been, things I've read, sights I've seen. It's reading my diary in reverse.

My views on the semester that had just ended several weeks back: I'm beginning to take more chances. And I think I need to push myself to the boundary and take more bold choices and risks. I've yet to find my stride but I'm feeling my way. I need much much better time management. I'm disappointed in myself for procrastinating at times and not setting my priorities straight, but at the same time I'm glad I handed all my work in on time. The studio design work is a very interesting topic and I'm very glad I chose this unit. I need to cherish and take advantage of it as I've only got one semester left to spend in that unit.

I've lost some part of me in the design, but can I find myself back again? Will I change? Someone once told me that you have to lose yourself before you can really discover your true nature. I hope he was right.

Don't worry about me, I'm just having alot of thoughts in my head right now that I need to vent out to someone. But funnily enough, I don't want you to tell me everything will be alright. Because you probably don't know what is really going on in my head and in my life. Just say "It sucks to be you right now" and give me a pat on the back.

Stay tuned.

Christmas Dinner

2010-12-27T23:49:00.000Z

Well, technically, pre-pre-Christmas Eve dinner makan-makan. We had a little gathering about a week ago before Christmas for some good food, good music and good company time. But I swear I will never make a chicken pie for 10 people ever again. Not only was it stressful to prepare all the filling, stuffing it into a huuuge pyrex dish and then rolling out the pastry to top it all off, then I have to stuff the thing into a teeny tiny oven which could just barely accommodate the thing.

| Chicken pie on the far right.

| Feasting

It was one helluva dinner. We had chicken pie, potato salad, yorkshire pudding, brussels sprouts with cream and cheese, sausages wrapped in bacon, temaki made from an actual Japanese and to top it all off, ice-cream for dessert and tong yuen...since it coincided the winter solstice.

Eat well and be merry!

Merry Christmas.

2010-12-25T12:48:00.001Z

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Season's Greetings

2010-12-25T01:52:00.001Z

Season's best to all and Merry Christmas.

Stay tuned.

Freezing White Christmas

2010-12-22T12:28:00.000Z

Christmas is just around the corner along with it, New Year's, Valentines and before you know it, they light up the damn Christmas tree again and 2011 is over. Before I get all bitter and talk about the time flying by at an amazingly loathsome pace, I shall just remind myself to just narrate what is going on with me right now in the present.

This week was a little bit crazy. First of all, it's been snowing and there is about 20cms of snow on the ground. Yes, yes, it's lovely and everything but I have to tell you, it's only lovely when you see it from the window inside the house next to a heater or fireplace. Outside, the temperatures are freezing, a couple of days ago, it hit -16°C. Yes, you read that right. The UK is going into a deep freeze. It's apparently one of the worst winters in history. For the first few days, the snow was fun, but it kinda gets annoying after awhile, but i'll try to keep myself amused with it.

When I go out these few days, I have to practically wear 5 layers and wear boots or some kind footwear which is suitable to walk in ankle deep snow on the pavements. And when I'm outside, it's freezing, it's windy, the snow on the pavements can get slushy, so it feels like you're walking on slurpee. I'm actually considering getting wellies.

So when you look at the following depictions of a winter wonderland, keep in mind that it's windy, wet, slippery and freezing.

Stay tuned.

Warwick Avenue

2010-12-17T23:45:00.002Z

When I got to Warwick Avenue. You were nowhere to be seen.

First End

2010-12-17T15:37:00.000Z

Well, the semester has come to a screeching halt as Christmas looms ever so near. People are getting in the holiday mood, doing shopping and lots of it, stocking up on presents and loading up their cars and heading home. While I'm stuck here with 3 weeks of total peaceful bliss. I'm going to spend Christmas and the holidays exploring London and Oxford a bit more. Get to know the area. I wasn't exactly able to do that since I've been here because I plunged headfirst into classes, projects and assignments. I barely had time to adjust to the weather. But as I continue to settle into this place, occasionally buying items to make myself feel better (sweater, pate, shoes, ice cream, what-have-you), I have found that being here with people you know from hope certainly does immensely help in cushioning your fall into a foreign country.

I'm not returning to Malaysia for the holidays. Will probably do so at the end of next semester. But that has yet to be confirmed since I've got to get next year's accommodation sorted out first. I do miss home in the little moments I have with my family and friends. Whether it's having dim sum on a Sunday morning with my parents or Bak Kut Teh with dad, or even my random outings with friends around Penang Island and KL exploring not only the shopping complexes but places to eat and hang out. The hours we spend talking just about anything into the wee hour of the morning in Sega's or having my almost ritual Indian Thursdays.

But I assure you, I'm having a fantastic time here. Yes, the cold does occasionally get to me, but then again, it just takes a little of getting used to.

Brutal Oxford

2010-12-08T23:01:00.000Z

A week ago, I went on a studio walking trip around Oxford, near Marston. We briskly walked through the streets stopping at four different sites with the intention to garner inspiration from 1950s to 1970s brutalist and modernist architecture with their heavy use of concrete as the 'material of the future.'

It was an insightful tour of a part of Oxford I'd never thought I'd go. We shuffled along the streets, gazing at the monumental qualities of these buildings with our hands thrust into our pockets except for the occasional photo-op, whilst constantly swearing at the -8°C temperature making it the coldest morning yet since I've been here. But I guess it was practically complimentary to the harshness and rigidity of Brutalism, as my cross-processed pictures hopefully are. Enjoy:

Stay tuned for more.

Listen to This

2010-12-07T11:55:00.001Z

Something Good Can Work
by Two Door Cinema Club
in the album Tourist History

This is definitely one of the songs in my playlist when I'm pulling an all-nighter on an assignment. It's got something to it doesn't it? Something good that makes it work.

Stay tuned for more.

More work

2010-12-06T23:21:00.001Z

I was tied to the swivel chair in the studio for the past 3 days and 2 nights, working my brains out on this one Technology report of the building depicted above that just would not finish itself. It was a real pain in the ass from the very beginning of the semester. I spent the last two nights in the studio, far away from the seductive lure of my bed and duck-down duvet. It was certainly rough, but i'm glad I did it. Had I not been in the studio and stayed a wake for almost 48 hours with only a brief nap of 4 hours in the wee hours of today, had I not only survived on hot chocolate and fruits and deprived myself of a proper sit down meal, AND had I not sacrificed a good chunk of my sanity, I probably would have handed in the report late and potentially, single-handedly destroyed all that i had poured into this module in the semester.

Before my mother or other concerned family member finishes reading this post and start ranting to me to eat a proper meal and stop procrastinating and concentrate, I must reassure them that being here in this somewhat foreign land with the added workload WILL cause these effects. There is not really one person I know who has not gone through these sleepless nights. It's just part and parcel of being an architecture student.

But anyway, now the bed beckons. And I must get sufficient sleep tonight if i even want to be able to wake up tomorrow and continue working on my studio project of this semester which will be assessed in a week's time. In other words, the gates of hell are creaking open inch by inch.

I will see you on the other side.

Stay tuned.

PhotoLog | Beigel Shop

2010-12-02T21:49:00.000Z

| I absolutely love this pastry shop along Brick Lane in London's notorious East End. Est. 1885.

Stay tuned.

Update

2010-11-30T23:59:00.001Z

It snowed a little this morning, but I couldn't care less because it's another one of those weeks I'm having right now. Those divinely hellacious weeks of plenty of work stacked up before me and i'm trying to attack it with all I've got but it just seems that that bitch won't go down. I've got studio work that needs designing, and a report and text presentation to get cracking at. And mind you, it's all going down in the next week. And these assignments account for alot of marks and I'm already secretly freaking out.

Somewhere in my head, a little version of me is already banging his head against a wall, bottle of vodka in one hand and a pocket knife in the other. A nice mother-of-pearl inlay-ed knife. Hey, if I were to die from a stab wound at least let the knife I'm stabbed with be pretty damn nice okay. Diamond-encrusted nice.

Yes, my mind wanders when I'm doing assignments. And the presence of the internet does little to help. The only thing I'm glad in a weird way is the cold weather that has been keeping me indoors mostly. Which should be keeping me glued on the computer or desk working out my designs and report but I end up straying from what i'm supposed to do and end up with a whole lot of "Where did the time go?" questions at the end of the day.

Damn it.

Stay tuned.

PS: And it also doesn't help that the sun sets so bloody early. It just makes one feel like turning in earlier than one is supposed to. WORK DAMN IT. WORK!

Portobello

2010-11-28T16:54:00.002Z

Just as I'm about to warm up to London, the temperatures spiraling down, as if racing against time towards freezing point. Oh wait, it already hit -1 a week ago. Oh well. Amidst this bitter cold, I still have the urge to explore more of this widespread city that like just an hour away. It's diversity in not only culture but spatial qualities have seemed to capture my heart.

I must admit before leaving Penang, I was very much looking forward to gallivanting around London doing only what the crazy youngsters will be up to. But when I got here, I started to dread going into the city. Perhaps it was the culture shock? Perhaps the weather? Financial woes? Who knows. I just know that I didn't really want to go there that often. But now, as the semester draws nearer and nearer to the end, I'm starting to harbour strong feelings of excitement and anticipation for the coming holidays when I hope to take in more of this city I'm just beginning to get to know.

One of the places that has captivated me: Portobello market. A gorgeous long stretch of vendors and stalls that seem to pour out from the shops into the streets during the weekends. A short walk down the road and I was already itching to but a couple of things. But I'll wait till the next trip when I will probably have more time to browse and make careful purchases.

Stay tuned.

PS: Yes, we'll have slightly bigger pictures from now on! Yay!

Hold on

2010-11-10T21:22:00.000Z

Please Please Please stay tuned while I try to juice this puppy up! I've been insanely busy lately, and I'll try my best to update more soon-ish. I guarantee it.

Did I tell you it's fall by the way!

Mask

2010-10-30T21:31:00.002+01:00

Sewing this was a b*tch.

Stay tuned.

Watch This

2010-10-17T13:14:00.003+01:00

What if all bank robberies were like this?

Stay tuned for more.

PhotoLog | Week One

2010-10-14T21:32:00.001+01:00

Pictures are not always what they seem to convey.

Stay tuned.

PhotoLog | The Jean Nouvel Serpentine Pavilion

2010-10-03T16:21:00.004+01:00

Serpentine Gallery, London

Stay tuned.

Goodnight, Travel Well.

2010-09-17T11:24:00.000+01:00

Please note that my 012 mobile number will no longer be active. Please refrain from calling. Thank all, and see you in a bit.

Watch This: Upcoming

2010-09-15T10:58:00.000+01:00

Upcoming movies to watch!

What?
The Adjustment Bureau.

Why?
Because I love Emily Blunt. Of course that is besides the fact that the plot itself sounds rather fetching.

What?
Easy A

Why?
Because I love Emma Stone, Lisa Kudrow is in there somewhere and snarky comments make my day.

Movie popularity sure is driven by star power.

Stay tuned.

Change

2010-09-12T15:09:00.000+01:00

Change is imminent.

Beach Street | Georgetown

2010-09-06T23:48:00.001+01:00

A midnight stroll along Georgetown's financial stretch: Beach Street. Otherwise bustling with vehicles and office workers under the scorching sun, Beach St. reveals it's sombre side during the dead of night. Set against the jet-black tarmac, colonial buildings are bathed in the orange-y street lights. And the pavements still present a hint or warmth from the day's activities.

Stay tuned for more.

Lanvin X H&M

2010-09-04T17:54:00.000+01:00

Holy-mother-of-all-that-is-good-and-pure-beat-me-over-the-head-with-a-garlic-breadstick-and-stab-me-with-a-fork-in-the-back-OMFG-WTF-rolling-on-the-floor-foaming-at-the-mouth. IS THIS FOR REAL? FO' REAL, FO' REAL?

Can somebody help me locate my jaw? It just dropped onto the floor.

KL-eaving

2010-09-03T16:06:00.001+01:00

Three years has gone by. Three. 3. Three years ago, if someone were to ask me where I spent my life, I would say "Penang!" with excitement. Now, I almost feel an obligation to include KL, PJ, Subang, what have you into the list.

Three whole years has gone by. And in those three years, I know I have grown. My tastes, changed; My perceptions, altered; My ideals, rebooted. Old routines abandoned and new habits adopted. There isn't a specific point in time when this change occurred. It was a gradual process that went unnoticed day-to-day, only apparent when reviewed after a year or two.
.
.
.
.
.
Yesterday morning I awoke at 6:15am in my aunt and uncle's home in SS23. My aunt diligently leaves for work at 6:30am. From the room I've been inhabiting for 2 years, I could just make out the noises suggesting my aunt is already awake and leaving soon. As my eyes adjust to the lack of light, I could barely make out the room I've grown to call home. It's the largest room I've had all to myself. Ever. The room seems different now. Boxes piled up next to the bed. My usually cluttered desk on the other side now spotlessly clean. It's just like the day I moved in.

I emerge from my room with a chill creeping down my spine and head downstairs. With the front door already opened, I peeked out at the porch and see that my uncle is backing the car out into the street which was still eerily silent in the pre-dawn sky, waiting for his wife. She comes down, all ready, work case in hand and wonders why I am up so early.

It's my last day in KL. I just wanted to see her off before I leave in a couple hours' time. We both exchanged well wishes and gave each other a hug and bid farewell. In just two years, I have gone from barely recognizing who they were to knowing that my uncle likes his cola and which brand of laundry detergent my aunt buys. I've grown to love them and their lives.

One last hug and my aunt leaves for work. My uncle shuts the door and we climb the stairs up to the bedrooms. I would sleep for another 3 hours before I clean up, load all of my stuff in boxes into the Corolla, bid farewell to my uncle and drive 400 kilometers North to Penang.
.
.
.
.
.
Three years in KL can do alot to you. I'm so happy that I made the decision to study there. There is nothing I would change. The awesome fun times, the mishaps and everything in between are part and parcel of who I am at this point in writing. I want to think I've changed for the better. That my thinking has matured and my ways somehow improved. But what I appreciate most about the experience would be how KL has made me take a good hard look at myself. And I'm beginning to accept my virtues and flaws. I'm a work in progress, so bear with me here.

Stay tuned.

PhotoLog | Just

2010-08-31T15:58:00.001+01:00

tee hee

Stay tuned.