Reflections......

Spent about a few hours each night over the past few days (a majority of the time is deciding on what photos to pick), and here's the result! Not finalized yet, as I'll do a bit of editing to make it look more professional. Here's the collage of my 5 month exchange in Marseille, France!

EDIT: The second one is added, with more spacing to emphasize the photos, which I thought were too scrambled. Good? Bad? I'm actually not a fan of the lines in the back (liked the idea, not the execution).

EDIT #2: Another one, after I found some fantastic new brushes!

Anywho, off to Hong Kong tomorrow.......posts will be from there for the next trois semaines!

Energy Lines

I couldn't think of a better title......so here we go haha.













Started off with this tutorial: http://www.tutorial9.net/photoshop/energize-your-graphics-with-abstract-energy-lines/, then went off a bit in my own direction with elements I previously learned. Need an opinion though, do the curvy white lines look too tacky?

My first real attempt at anything artistic.....

and based on a tutorial, of course! That's what I've been spending most of my summer doing.















It's based on a tutorial from Veerle's blog: http://veerle.duoh.com/blog/comments/creating_light_motion_trails_glowing_spark/

A great site for all aspiring graphic designers! The title in the work "Starálfur" is a song by the Icelandic Band, Sigur Ros, and the feeling of the music is like.......practically eternal bliss. If you haven't heard of them, give it a try!

Oh this could be magic, after all, after all.

To call Praha (Prague) my favourite city in Europe would be an understatement! Last week me and Jeff (from back in the days at Chinese school), as well as two of his friends from Schulich went to Praha. The first day, I arrived around noon. Since my phone is virtually useless outside France (can only receive text messages, thanks, Orange!), I just went straight to the Korean hostel that my friends have booked. The rest of the day I spent it exploring Prague (ie. a lot of walking around). To my delight, everything is cheap! Postcards are 5 koruny (or korunies?) usually, the equivalent of about 20 cents euro. A hotdog is equivalent to 1 euro! Definitely splurged on postcards.

The next day, with the others we went to the Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), where it was filled with tourists. It's the most French I've heard in Europe outside of France! We weren't able to see that much of the castle (time and too many people), and we headed for buying tickets at the National Theatre. Unfortunately, tickets were sold out.....and we ended watching "Cats" at one of the Black Light Theatres!

Next day Jeff headed back for Canada, while Celine and Anita went to Budapest, and I spent the rest of the day wandering around (also I didn't want to spend much). There, I found the Lennon Wall, and I signed all of our names on it!

More Photos of Lennon Wall

More Photos of Praha on Flickr

Cirque du Soleil in Toronto!

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/saltimbanco/Tickets/Tickets.htm

Saltimbanco returns! In August 2008. Colour me excited! Kooza wasn't as great as Mystere, but I hope the Italian flavor of Saltimbanco will add an extra touch. I also plan to go to Las Vegas again this year, so I can see ALL the Cirque shows!

"I've got your letter, You've got my song"

Recap of Spain......

Me and two girls from Greece (as well as one person from Mexico) caught the plane to Madrid, to meet up with everyone from the residence who was arriving from Portugal.  They chose to not stay at a hostel the whole time in Portugal, and opting for the bus station!  

As for Madrid, it's a beautiful city.

  

The large size reminded me at times of North America!  The architecture's beautiful!  Though I hear Barcelona's even more beautiful, and that would be for the next time I'm going to Spain (possibly April).

 

The food is fantastic as well, our first meal being at the Museo del Jamon (which means a LOT of ham)!

 

The second day  I took the train to Valencia to meet up with Mandy (from ACI). Walking the streets at night in Valencia was kinda shady, but I got there nonetheless. We spent the rest of the day walking, at the beach with people from the hostel, dinner (the best paella ever), and the night at a club!

"If I could do just one near perfect thing I'd be happy..."

A month and a half later.....

I just returned from a week of travelling, starting off along the coast of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur to Nice!
















Nice was absolutely beautiful! Sunny (well partially sunny) beaches, the Battle of the Flowers at the annual carnival, a truely relaxed atmosphere. We (me, Szymon from Poland, Rita from Italy) stayed at Nice for 3 nights.



























































We also travelled to Monaco/Monte Carlo on the 2nd day. Weather in Monte Carlo was overcast, and there weren't that many people, which killed the mood.......but it's a beautiful place nonetheless. I'm in awe when I see the many yachts on sale! I lost 40 Euros at the casino on slot machines, but hey, i'm in Monaco once in my life, may as well try it out!




























The rest of the photos @: http://www.flickr.com/photos/timosphotos/
Spain next!

"Come with me, my love, to the sea, the sea of love."

Bonjour!

It's 4:26am as I'm writing this, and I should be heading to sleep (going to Aix-En-Provence in the morning!). But as per my New Years Resolution (that I decided on recently), I plan to do something creatively constructive everyday, whether it's blogging, learning a language, or learning something new on Photoshop. Shouldn't be as hard as previous years' resolutions that went by unexpected (such as going to the gym more often haha)!

So to continue about Marseille.....

The 4th day I was in Marseille, I went to an orientation at my school, where I met the people that I spend everyday now! There were many people from Canada, US, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Hong Kong, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Finland, India, and more...




















On the 2nd day of orientation, we took a tour around the city, and visited many of the famous places. Unfortunately, the weather was horrible and the photos didn't turn out that nice (I will upload to Picasaweb later).

On the day after orientation ended, we visit the Calanques, which was beautiful! (wiki on calanques: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calanque) There we had a local cake where there are pieces of crown-related thing inside, and those who got the pieces get the crown and be king for.....a short while. Better than nothing I guess! haha

































This is it for now, more pictures/information to come later!

"I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl."

Hey all!

Haven't posted in a long long time, but thought I should keep a running log of my time here in Southern France. The first few days, admittedly were tough, as I was all alone for real for the first time in Europe. I left on January 5th (Saturday), and departed first to Paris for a stopover to Marseille.

My first impression of Marseille was admittedly, a little unimpressed, as the northern side of the city is quite filled with graffiti everywhere, and some houses were old and run-down. However, the further I got into the city, the nicer the surroundings were. After waiting at the train station for a few hours to go to my hostel, I was way too tired and passed out for the rest of the day (stayed awake for about 24 hours!).




The next day, I met with INTERACT, the group that greets all the international students to Euromed Marseille (no the "med" in the name doesn't mean medical, but mediterranean! for the people that gave me confused looks when I said Euromed). I arrived at my residence a few hours later.

With that said......I'll leave the entry here for now, sleep is more important!

Best little things in the world....continued.

Next we have....smell of garlic. popcorn. lavender. oranges. perfumes/cologne (yes, I thought of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer). Nothing turns heads more than a unique, beautiful, salivating, "words can't describe", type of smell. Even for a photography nut like me, I still can't deny that smell has a staying power stronger than any image. Think of that girl/guy you had a crush on back in elementary/high school who might've had a distinct smell. Even to this day you can probably recognize it, but forget the face, no? Or maybe I'm just crazy haha.

Best Little Things in the World

I was thinking of Amelie the other day (in particular the scene where Amelie reaches into a sack of beans just for the comfort), made me realize the importance of the little things in everyday life, as compared to the big accomplishments. I'm not saying big accomplishments (good grades, getting a good job, etc.) is unimportant, but it's the tiny things that make me wake up everyday and want to live life. Whether it's a particular passage in a song, a particular whiff of smell you catch on the street, or anything else like that, it's what makes me appreciate life the most. Here are some I can think of:

• Rufus Wainwright, "Going on a Town" app.2:06

"I may just never see you again or might as well
You took advantage of a world that loved you well
I'm going to a town that has already been burnt down
I'm so tired of you America"

One of my favourite bridges in a song.

• cobblestone roads

I just imagine myself one day, living in Europe, driving on a Vespa, and enjoying life!

More to come soon!

Favourite Songs of All Time

Actually thought about ordering it 1-10ish...but my tastes in music change all the time, and it's nearly impossible to choose.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
Damien Rice - Cold Water
The New Pornographers - Jackie, Dressed in Cobras
Antony and the Johnsons - Spiralling
The Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
The Raveonettes - Ode to LA
Pulp - Something Changed
Rufus Wainwright - A Bit of You
k.d.lang - Crying
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dudley
Travis - Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Radiohead - Black Star
Weezer - Pink Triangle
Travis - More Than Us
Travis - Luv
The Beatles - Yesterday
Eels - I Need Some Sleep
Aimee Mann - Momentum

Goals for the new year....

Hmm, haven't posted here since June, about time to put something up. =)

New Years/Christmas Resolutions:
1. learn Flash finally
2. improve Photoshop skills!
3. learn how to cook
4. find a job
5. save up for Fujifilm S5200
6. learn darkroom stuff for photography

Las Vegas!

For the last four days I was in the sin city, the city of lights, the list goes on and on.....














Because I wasn't 21 yet (and looking nowhere near it either), I've been asked several times what my age was when I was watching my parents play black jack. No worries, I'll go back in a couple years! Despite all that, the trip was still memorable becuase of two reasons: Cirque du Soleil and David Copperfield.
















The grace! the energy! Mystere totally rocked my socks. Hard to describe, but the best part was when the two performers were balancing each other just by the strength of their arms for probably 10-15 minutes.

















On top of that, there was high bars, taikos, incredible pole acrobatics, and gorgeous music, which I'm listening to right now (thats right, I bought the soundtrack and poster!). If only I could watch the other four Cirque du Soleil shows (Ka, Zumanity, Love, and O) during my time there.















Let's not forget Copperfield, which above standard, but slightly disappointing fare. The one and a half hour show included about 20-25 minutes of just videos, but he did pull some pretty crazy tricks outta his ass. My favourite was the uncanny ability to travel halfway across the world to Perth, Australia during the show and come back into the theatre at the MGM Grand in a flash. Great illusions indeed. Not to mention he made a car appear on stage. And move through steel. All in all, it was worth it!

And the best hotel on the strip belongs to: The Venetian

followed by:
2. MGM Grand
3. Wynn Resort
4. Paris
5. Belllagio
6. Caeser's Palace
7. The Mirage
8. New York-New York
9. Luxor
10. Treasure Island
11. Mandalay Bay
12. Monte Carlo

"I know a cool place in the desert." - Leaving Las Vegas