One day, One Picture

Photo taken by author

This is a scene set in the busy street in Bugis. Many people crossed this road everyday, be it students of NAFA, the vendor workers at Bugis Streets, Singaporean finding the cheapest deals here or tourist that have come here to sightsee. Put simply, people from all walks of life have treaded on this path. Busy as some pesdestrian may be, or some as carefree as the birds who fly in the sky. At this period of time, where people are rushing. They fail to see the beauty of surrondings, the beauty of life. It has to slow down. Stop and look around you. Do something different. Walk a different route to your destination. Talk to strangers. They just need to chill out, relax and take a break from this busy and hectic life we all live in. Take a little simple pleasure or maybe a cheap thrill some would say.

One day, One Picture.

Photo taken by Desmond Chew

Everyone have a different experience when they go through Basic Military Training(BMT). Well, this is my story to tell. BMT has it tough moment and also moments of rejoicing. BMT is designed in such a way that they will break you, remove all sense of individuality and incalcate a sense of uniformity. And once broken with nothing left, they will build you. They will transform you from a mere civilian enjoying the carefree life to a warfighter soldier in a matter of weeks.

Indeed, I have learnt a lot through the different trainings that BMT that has catered for their recruits. I also learnt more about how different people response to different situations. But most importantly, I learnt about myself. While there are some areas in my life I need to iron it out. Such as in high stress situation, I will began to panick. But over the months of tough and arduous trainings, the insane amount of pressure my sergeant have gave me. The relentless shouting and countless physical punishments I have to go through. I came out victorious. I'm able to better control my thoughts and emotions. I've successfully completed my BMT and officially passed out.

In the weeks ahead, it's going to be so much more tougher for I am called out to be a Guardsman. Who is unfailing in toughness and must be valiant in our actions.

Reflection on Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative genius

 This is my reflection on Elizabeth Gilbert speech on your elusive creative genius.

When she talked about the poet and the musician, Ruth Stone and Tom waits. When how inspiration or creative impulses hit but sometimes the creatives missed it. I can't help but wonder why? Why not have a pen and paper ready when inspirations hit you. Why not have it always with you? When you are out driving along the freeway, when you are working on an assignment, when you are travelling on a train. Have a piece of pen and paper ready is always essential for all people who work in a creative industry. Because you  never know when an inspiration, an idea, a song melody or a solution to a problem may hit you. It comes at any where and at any time. And when that hits you, you better be ready to record it down or at least jot it down somewhere for future references.

One thing that I do agree with what she had said. I am afraid I will never be successful in what I choose to do. I am afraid I'm going to slog myself to work my whole entire life without having a taste of success. I am afraid I can never make it in life. Earning big bucks and have all the pleasures in the world. We will all have some kind of designer block or artist block at some point of our life. But what are we going to do about it? Sit back and weep because you're inadequate and clueless on what to do? No, we rise above our situation and we go beyond the call of duty, to give more than we are expected to. 

NAFA WEEK SATU

My first week in NAFA went very quickly as I only have to go to school for only three days namely Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. If you have figured out fast enough, you will realised that I do have a very long weekend. Some of my non NAFA friends have commented and felt envious that I only have three days of school and my weekends are much longer than my weekdays. But having said that, students in NAFA especially the foreign students are paying so much on our school fees and yet we only had to go to school for three days? It just doesn't add up. But on the side note, we do have more time to complete each assignment though. So fair enough.

So on to my first day of school, my first class of the week is 3D fundamentals. We had a great time there learning about the different Elements of Design and Principles of Design. Learning about how every different lines conveyed different moods and suggest different meanings. Our first exercise is named Lines in Space. It is the classic Wire Frame project whereby we need to create a sculpture that made up of wires only. It is a fun project to embark on and I am looking forward to see the end product.

Beside academic issues, I also have really great friends in class who can be seen helping each other out. Figuring out how the ins and outs of the school. We ate lunch together, finding out more on where they come from and a little bit of their personal life.

For myself personally, I tried to open up myself to the people around me, making new friends as they come along, being friendly and the likes. I just do want to be found in a group of friends as quickly as possible because I do not want to be left alone in school and with without friends. Life would so miserable without friends right? I have certainly enjoyed their accompany and would continue to look forward for more.