Smile for Oral B!

Did a photoshoot for Oral B yesterday, and if you saw my twitter/facebook status, there were so many gorgeous angmohs, both male and female!

I was quite worried that I couldn't smile much as my allergic-ed/burned lips were still tight and crusting slightly at the edges. Really thankful that when the shoot started, I managed to smile widely! Afterall, it's for Oral B, which means beautiful teeth!

The photographer was mainly on a tall ladder, shooting from a high angle down, so it didn't really matter if the taller models were in front of the shorter ones, I think the art director was more concerned about the ethnicities (caucasians vs locals), gender, dressing (if we had lab coat on or off, short or long sleeves). However, at one point, he decided to take a few steps down the ladder for a different perspective, and thus the shorter models have to find a space in front so as not to be blocked. I wore my 3.5 inch heels, which would have made me almost 177cm tall, but as I was standing at the back, I still found myself behind a sea of giants!

Anyway, I made a few (local) friends at the photoshoot, these are just 2 of them. The girl on the right is mixed, both are quite pretty too!

I saw the clock above the makeup area and I simply love it!

The numbers and hands are painted white too and blended in with the wall!

During the shoot, I was 'indignant', how can one be born SOOOOOOOOOOO good-looking! There was especially this girl who looked really exotic, a few other caucasians who had real beautiful features, tall and lanky with excellent figures! *jealous*

Ah well, actually I've come to love myself through Jesus, and though I admire their ravishing looks and all, I'm not discouraged nor will think poorly of myself. In 2007, there was a period of time when I was really sad and felt that I look horrible and lamented to God why I am not born prettier. On 2 different occasions, I prayed and whined to God about it, and both times, during the next day, 2 different girls under my charge (I was a social worker working with youths) simply walked up to me and told me "jiejie, you are very beautiful leh". Something they had never said before.

I knew God was assuring me and telling me that I am beautiful in His eyes, for:

"He has made everything beautiful in His time" - Ecclesiastes 3:11

"For God so loved the world (me), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life" - John 3:16

I slowly came to realise and truly believe in my heart that my anchor is in God, that what matters most is what He thinks of me and not what this world says of me. =)

I Believe That Dreams Can Come True

This is not just what I believe in and am pursing now, but also what 2 other girls believe with all of their hearts too.

***

"I BELIEVE THAT DREAMS CAN COME TRUE" is a community project, taken on by Tay and Val, with the intentions to:

• Spread the belief that dreams can come true
• Share stories of people's personal dreams
• Inspire dreams

As film-makers, our dream is to tell stories of love, life and hope; stories that inspire. This dream got lost amongst deadlines, budgets and expectations when we were working as full-time TV Producers/Directors. A chance encounter with Luo Papa reminded us, "Once upon a time, we all had dreams..."
We made a decision to abandon our traditional TV business, sell everything we own and go collect people's dreams all over the world, on our bicycles. Using our skills in story-telling, we want to document stories of people taking that first step towards their dreams, people en route chasing their dreams, and people already living their dreams on videos, photos and writing; and then share these stories on this website.

***

I saw one of their fundraiser email, checked out their website, and was immediately touched by what they were doing. I'm totally awed and further inspired by these brave young girls, who against all odds, are now on their pedals to ignite other people's dreams.

Do read about them and support them in any way that you feel led to, either financially, emotionally, morally, psychologically, spiritually, electronically etc etc! I believe they need all the finances, support and prayers they can get. 

Spread the love and message to all your friends too!

http://www.ibelievethatdreamscancometrue.com/

Thank God For My Voice

Stella 老师 said in yesterday's rehearsal that my 声音很漂亮 (voice is very pretty)!

Have you ever had people telling you that you're good at something but you're kinda skeptical, either because you think its just a flattery or you doubt your own abilities?

I know that my voice is not bad, above average, but I didn't have much confidence as I get nervous when I sing in front of strangers - auditions, friends' weddings, ktv with people i don't really know - I always worry if I will sing out of tune, go off pitch, break a note etc, and I will cause I was so self-conscious.

When I sung at Chijmes and heard my voice flowing out of the amplifiers so clearly, I couldn't recognise the tone nor get used to hearing myself at such high decibels.

Until these few months, various people have told me that I have a nice tone and that's when I slowly am coming to accept my own voice.

1) Boon Teck - Director (Toy Factory) / Audition for December Rains /
"You have the potential, voice is raw, but can train. You should go for professional lessons"

2) Sherlyn Chia - Vocal Coach / I took Boon Teck's advise and approached her for lessons /
"You have a very beautiful tone, and not everyone is blessed with it naturally"

3) A sound guy and in-charge when I went for a voice-over audition /
Him: "Do you sing professionally?"
Me: "No, more of an amateur for now"
Him: "Oh, you should try, you have a very nice tone of voice"

4) Stella - Vocal Coach for December Rains /
"你的声音很漂亮" / "You have a beautiful voice"

Wow, just as I was praying if I can really try to make singing my niche cause I doubted my ability, these encouragements from the industry professionals came. God is good!

Oh yes, the comments are not in their exact words, other than Stella's.

Alright, here's photos from yesterday's rehearsal! Only 2 cause not much action other than rehearsing!
Oh, Kit, Leelian and Jo were rehearsing for a song they had too, but I was so engrossed in how their voices weaved in and out so beautifully that I forgot to take a pic of them!

Qianyu and I wanted to take a picture with Kit after she was done, but Qianyu was shy and I was embarressed to be starstruck! I must must must take a pic with Kit the next time she comes for mass rehearsal!

Tenors and basses

Esther and Leelian.

More evidence that having a phone by our ear and singing to ourselves are a norm

December Rains 雨季 1st Singing Rehearsal

Going for December Rains singing rehearsal later!

We had our first one last week, all in preparation for the CD recording in May. Although my voice will not be distinctly heard since I'm in the ensemble/chorale, I do have 1 solo line and it'll be my first official song recording! I have always dreamt of being a singer/recording artiste and now its happening! Haha..

Here's some random photos I took last monday..

A few of the girls and the guys.. 

The guys were directly opposite me, thus I could only take them and not all the girls too

Leelian trying to hear her own recording of her vocal section.

I spotted a few people in this exact position, including myself. Totally comical! We had recorded our own vocal parts on our (i)phones so we can listen and practise at home.

Stella (left) our vocal coach and Elaine (right) our musical director. 

Both the talented gals seem to be deep in thoughts. Wondering how to salvage the ensemble? Haha, nah, all of us sounded really good together!

Corporate Video - mytransport.sg

A corporate video that I did for Land Transport Authority has been released! Check it out!


"Your everyday journeys have now been made even easier! MyTransport.SG (only accessible on phone) is the latest mobile channel by the Land Transport Authority that caters to the mobile urbanites of today.

Whether you are a busy executive driving to your next meeting, or an active individual zipping across town using public transport, MyTransport.SG puts "live" traffic and public transport information right on your mobile phone, and at your fingertips. Motorist and Public Transport Users will find this a useful companion for your journeys.

Designed with smartphones in mind, MyTransport.SG is accessible via the Internet through popular iPhones, Android- and Windows Mobile-based phones. With Location Based Service (LBS) technology built in, it features a range of useful mobile services that helps you plan a smoother drive or public transport journey."

- PublicTransport@SG

Final Website

Phew! Am finally done with all the alterations to my website!

The main changes are that I'm hosting on blogspot and I've customised the layout using the new draft in blogger templates and edited using some html.

I can finally launch my webbie and invite friends to visit and support me!

Not now though, it's time to go to bed and wake up at 6+ am to facilitate 2 lessons tomorrow..

Rest well and sweet dreams everyone! =)

Shifted

I have officially shifted this past tuesday on 30th march!

Moved out to stay with a buddy who is renting a house as she is a private home tutor. She specialises in mathematics, from primary all the way to JC level. She's really good and getting lots of referrals from her current students and their parents. She went private about 7 mths ago (around the time I started freelancing too), didnt even advertise but her classes are almost full. So if anyone has children, nieces or nephews who would like maths tuition, email her at jordina.ong@ gmail.com to see if there are spaces!

Anyway, I digress.. I have shifted! I'm so glad to be in this new place, I have more control over my life now and it's great to have a big room! That's 1 thing I like about old HDB flats, they're really much more spacious than new houses. I also love my white loft bed, white table with red legs, high back half-ergonomic chair and my coloured lights! I'm still unpacking, thus I'll post pictures up another day soon!