[Must Watch] To This Day Project - Shane Koyczan

This morning my sis Jenn sent me this video. I had the hardest time trying to hold back my tears as I watch the video, on how being called names really hurts. The message in this video really pierce me straight through the heart, I could feel it bleeding out to the pain many children and even adults have to go through on a daily basis.

These are just my personal thoughts from watching video repeatedly.

I believe that every individual are guilty at some point for calling people mean names, and that every individual falls victim to name calling as well at some point in their life. I have personally seen with my own eyes how someone close to me was falling apart in front of me from the mean words that have been said. Those mean words were said a long time ago, and being called that way actually made the person believe that the words were true. I know I am guilty to for having called others names in the past, but I told myself that it's not right, just because I think about it doesn't mean I should say it. It's still an occasional struggle.

Growing up as a loner back in my school years, I had my fair share of name calling which weren't too serious. Maybe it's because of my temper, that caused me to go head on with the person that called me a mean name. Or maybe it's because I was so used to being a loner that I knew how to block people out. But after going through college, then it was the beginning of working life and meeting of new people. I got to meet many different types of people, and learn how to adapt in many different situations. I guess I can say I turn out alright.

But I dare not imagine or dare to try to understand the pain of others that had to grow up with all the constant bullying and name calling. I personally know some of people who had to grow up this way, and I know I will never be able to understand how they feel or felt. But I know that everything is better now, because they survived, because they fought back, and they moved on.

I agree with the author of this poem, "They were wrong!" They have to be wrong. We are better than we think we are. It doesn't matter what others think of us. All we need to do it believe in ourselves, believe in our own inner beauty. I believe that as long as we believe in ourselves, and in the God created beauty in us, we will shine bright! I know words are easier said that brought to action, but we should never stop trying, never stop fighting and never stop believing. We are all freaks in our own way, and we have each other.



Here is the link about the To This Day Project

Everyday Is A Paramore Day

Just as I have mentioned is the previous post, here are the videos that I took with my iphone 4s. The quality is not that great, but I had to capture some of the memories, I could have taken more photos and videos but I was too preoccupied and too focused on having a great time.

I did not record the whole song by MeWithoutYou because I was concern that I may not have enough battery to last through Paramore later on. I'm not familiar with the band MeWithoutYou, so I don't know any of their song titles, but they are really good!

MeWithoutYou

Hayley surprises us and sings with MeWithoutYou

Paramore performing Renegade

Wish I recorded more videos, it was a beautiful night!

Found a photo of my sis, Jenn and I on Rockaway Festival Facebook Page :D

It still feels like it was just yesterday, the memories with Paramore are still so fresh! I have to keep reminding myself that it was not a dream, but a dream come true, all the thanks goes to God and PFC for making it possible!

The Return of Paramore 17th Feb 2013

Paramore has returned to perform in KL! Organized by Livescape and TuneTalk. Definitely not a band to be missed! Initially I was sort of undecided on whether I should go for the concert since I've been to 2 Paramore concert in Singapore back in March 2010, and then when they came to KL in October 2010. And since I'm getting married this year, I didn't want to splurge too much on concerts.

My sis, Jenn, being the huge Paramore fan she is, bought her ticket almost immediately and was planning to go on her own which got me worried. Then she offered to pay half for my ticket cause she knows that I'm trying to be careful with my spendings this year. So we are all set and waiting for the awesome day to arrive!

Before the concert

On 10th February 2013, I received an email that caused to immediately to jump up from my seat in shock! I got an invitation from Paramore Fan Club(PFC) for an opportunity to a meet and greet with Paramore! No frigging way! I thought I was dreaming, I immediately took a screenshot before reading the whole email.

The Advantages Of A Hobby.

Especially a hobby that can be done as long there is a comfortable seat and good lighting.

On the days in Singapore where I did not go house visiting with my family, I spent them practicing my amigurumi skills :)

I manage to finish a body for my little bear and started work on making him more friends.

And So The Planning Begins

JAN FEB MAR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT

Now that it is the end of January, it's about time to speed up the planning for our wedding. I still can't believe that I'm really going to get married this year! :)

A lot of some of the major parts have been sorted out so far, the venues booked, videographer booked, draft guest list prepared. Ninja Ryan has recruited his band of best-man and grooms-men, I have recruited my lovely team of MOH and bridesmaids, also the fabulous emcee.

At first we had to go through a little bit of disagreements and headaches, I mean who does when it comes to planning a major event, especially a wedding. Ninja Ryan always wanted a western garden wedding, couldn't deny that I too would love to have something outdoors. But knowing Malaysian weather and our date is around the monsoon season. However we did find a venue that he immediately fell in love with and I find is workable to accomplish close to how our dream wedding may look. The major headache was, that venue could not fit ALL OUT GUESTS!

I believe that God stepped in and planted the idea of splitting the wedding into 2 days. At first I was concern that this is going to cost most money, but Ninja Ryan assured me that it would be fine. So we sorted out which 2 dates to pick and the 2 venues to have it. A semi outdoor to create the outdoor wedding we dreamt of, and a Chinese dinner for the relatives!

And since the both of us never really thought about a theme to stick with, we decided to pick the colours that we both like. But we still have to search for a direction to head to without having the decorations and knick-knacks clashing with each other. Plus we are kind of lovers of DIY items, and my Bridal Party are the best in this field!

Then comes the part I fear the most, picking of the Bridal Gown! *whimpers*

The only time I actually wear dresses is for special occasion and dinners, so I obviously panic about this. I am not a very fun shopper to hang out with, I don't go digging for bargains and trying out every new trends. I opt to stick to my love of jeans, tshirts and converse. I don't even have the dream figure to fit into the type of dress I like. I blame it on my greedy habit when it comes to food. All my life I have a tendency to over-eat, and binge on favourite foods, imagining that I can't gain weight. And boy was I wrong........

Being born big boned with a big body structure, I believe it's not an excuse to not try to loose all these fat that I've gained since my college years. All that love for pasta, ramen, sushi has got to stop! I can't emphasize how much I love ramen and instant noodles! I love them so much I think I may kill myself just by eating too much of it. This month is the last month that I will have my weekly ramen and opt for more healthy weekend breakfast.

After my 1st round of Bridal Gown hunting, I have come to terms with myself..."Joanna, you need to loose weight! You only have 3 months to do it!" And having heard of so many types of diets out there, I think I have found the one that I am eager to hop into as I have seen the results with my own eyes. So I spent all morning reading up on it before writing this blog post, and I am getting all my reference from here and here

And I got my weight calculated here  Soon I may need to consult the sifu Nora for guidance .....

I am loving this gown design for now, I might change my mind again.

Being a bridesmaid

I was asked to be one of the bridesmaids for my schoolmate's wedding which was in the middle of January 2013. It was fun where I got to witness all the Chinese traditions and steps needed to go through to get married. Waking up before the sun to prepare for the Door Blocking games, while my responsibility was actually the decorations. So I was outside, at 6am, hanging up flower pom poms and lightbulb vases with the mosquitoes as my companions :p

One of the hanging lightbulb vase I made

Lookie I'm one of the bridesmaids, hiding in the back.

Honest to God, I was actually really clueless about being a bridesmaid. But my duties were pretty minor aside from the decorations for the front yard of the Bride's house. I just had to observe the games, run around and update the Bride on the progress of the games, and safe guard the angpows the Groom gave us. Teehee.

This framed guestbook with colourful bookmark-like tags tied on strings was made by the Groom! Love the idea!

After the long fun and tiring day of waking up before the sun and only going home at almost midnight, I'm actually not shy to say, Thank God I have decided not to have any Door Blocking games! Ninja Ryan can just cruise over with his car and pick me up. :)

The Clueless Bride-to-be

It is pretty much natural for every girl to start planning and dreaming of how their perfect wedding will be like. Well maybe it wasn't that natural for me because I spent most of my time thinking about which rock concert I wish I could go to, what movies have I not watched yet, or what food shall I eat next. What a girl I am! :D

After having the great honour to be part of my dearest friend, Kel Li's wedding. Getting involved with the preparations as part of her bridal party, it did make me wonder "When is going to be my turn? I'm like in my late 20s already!" I also did my fair share of indirect hints to him but he keeps saying that he has a plan and told me to chill.

Little did I know that just not too long after Kel Li's wedding, I got engaged! So, now what? Aside for letting the parents and close friends know, so what do I do next????? I am such a clueless bride-to-be!!!!!

So we started out with baby steps, first off was the parents and future parents-in-law to officially have a meal together. Then came the part of how many guests can or should we invite! Oh my jelly beans.....knowing that my dad, ninja Ryan and his mum have A LOT of friends....this is going to be fun.

Well it's been about 3 months now since the night he proposed, I'd say that we pretty much checked off some of the important things that require blocking the calendar for.

All of this also could not be possible or be able to settle smoothly if it weren't for the world's bestest friends that I have! You know who you are! *wink wink*

And so the journey of planning R+J's big day begins!