THOUGHTS | On Having Abundant Inspiration

Let's be honest. I'm tired. A friend of mine once said that if you have bothering things on your mind, it will be way better to pour it in writing than to keep it to yourself. So here it goes...

It has been a few weeks I am in such un-inspired, lost place. Greatness does not come without a price but I am still wondering myself what causes it. Am I simply physically tired? Am I running out of inspirations? The first one would make the most sense, because inspirations are always abundant for me. Credits to internet for enabling me to do so. Yet, I feel upset for not creating something OUT OF those inspiring pieces. Plans are piling up and they are torturing. I feel like I am creatively dried up with my "real" job and it is definitely bothering me. I feel like a real shame when it comes to VOCIFEROUS, for not bringing the whole vision together. For not putting what is supposed to be running there. I love what I do with it, and I am honestly tired to blame lack of time and energy for my lacking. Some say that if you love it, you will do anything unconditionally. But I guess, I simply need some kind of break. Right? :)

STORY | Lost in Translation

I'm back! Been away for a work-slash-leisure getaway to Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macau without the companion of my laptop and now I feel happily obliged to share little stories and some photos. Miss me already? :p Truth to be told, my mood has been up and down during the whole trip and I somehow lost my appetite to take pictures due to the gloomy weather and poor quality of the cam (still). My happiest moment was definitely in the Disneyland--wish that I could live there forever (though I would prefer the Paris one :p).

Edited the photos in one blue tone because yes, I am feeling rather blue. LOL. Been through days in a country where you can barely understand what the people say (and sometimes they say things to me assuming that I am also a Chinese) is frustrating. This is not my first time to China but during my trip before I joined a tour and they took care of everything. While now I have got to handle almost everything by my(our)self though I could relax for some days because my sister, who is currently studying in China, came to the rescue.

These photos are all taken in Hong Kong. Too tired to edit the Guangzhou and Macau ones but the photos aren't too smitten so they probably won't end up here.

Actually the deal was to take pictures of the fashion scenes in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, yet I was too excited to shop and left the camera safely in my bag. Snapping street style also seemed like an impossible thing to do since my camera does a poor job of capturing moving things.

Gotta stop my whining here and catch up with all the blogs and TV shows. Until then pals!

FAVOURITES | I Can Read

Spanned from magazines to novels to non fiction, jumbles (not literally) of words are definitely my perks. This 1000+ pages anniversary edition from Elle Indonesia, for instance, is one freaking ambitious project of the team, makes the end result is totally worthy to be adored. Too bad that it is so heavy I cannot take it with me on my journey. This "Saman" novel from Ayu Utami, instead, is the one I take to my ten days work-slash-stress release getaway to China (GZ and HK to be exact). Which means posts both here and in VOCIFEROUS will be kinda very slow. This freaks me out (blogspot is banned there, hopefully wordpress isn't). I need to blog T___T

See ya soon-ish!

Story: Last Weekend

I was pretty exhausted due to my inability to sleep before 12 every night, thus this Saturday when I have to wake up early in the morning for my German course, later went back for the Fasching, some kind of Germany's carnival thingy, except that this one is simpler, my energy was drained. The costume party had overall a nice ambience although there was not much to do besides taking photos of some interesting costumes. Guess that you know who/which I ensembled rather poorly...

Still, I think if there is such an event again, I will definitely put a better effort for my costume. And here are a couple photos snapped...

Story: Blissfully Haunted Stage

These past few days I have been pretty much occupied with a little project of mine--theatre. If you read my past posts, I spent an up-and-down six months living in Germany, did my internship there and struggled my ass around the corners of tantalizing cities of Germany. So yes, I spoke just enough amount of German for me to survive and when I got back to Indonesia, I continue learning the language, so it would not simply vanish. An institution where I take my Saturday morning class (it really is früh) gave me and my friends in class a chance to perform a simple play for the internal closing party (I am not sure how they call the event in English :p). 

Long story short, I came up with an idea for a drama, wrote the story, and ended up directing the play. I did not do all by myself, of course, a lot of members of the team really are really supportive during the process, they tweaked the story and made it even lively as I am a mere amateur who has not performed in any theatre play for the past seven years. During my junior high school years I involved in a lot of school plays and wrote a short script for a comedy drama, but after those fun times in drama club, my life took another turn and kind of put acting aside. So when my German teacher asked us to do a play, my heart was thrilled and despite all the constraints--time, energy, creativity, commitment, etc etc, our performance last Saturday was definitely not a disappointing one. We practiced only around one and a half months before the show, and to be honest, it was hard since none of us have solid theatre background (me neither). Credits goes to the whole class who have put enormous efforts during the rehearsal and especially, our German teacher who has given a great opportunity for us to perform and delivered constant support as well as inspired us to go beyond our limits.

photos are from Monik and Hanna

If you see horrific faces, it is because the play is about ghosts who lose identity :p I cannot wait to see the recording and yes, the make up and costume are made by us as well. No, not me, but there are numbers of talented and determined persons who were kind and devoted to create the whole costume and make up for the ghosts :) Really wish I can do similar things regularly, it was really a blast and my heart is really longing for some stage time :) It is really like a sanctuary, where I can be free to express myself and enjoy the moment... Until another great day, folks! 

Story : Between the Breaks

With way too many plans and thoughts gather in mind, I am in the state of unable to really produce a nice post and being cheerful as always (if you thought me so :p).  With weeks that will be filled with writing and managing, I think a good reading and song list for a quick break during the work are (not) guilty pleasure.  I would love to create extended bookmarks on website I love, as well as "proper" compilation of songs I cannot stop listening later (procrastination alert), but hopefully this can be a good start..

Read/stare
1. The legacy of McQueen continues the intricate detailing beyond dresses, it expands to scissors now (here)
2. Five selected Indonesian designers who have showcased their latest creations in Jakarta Fashion Week 2012, each with their own signature design and stories.. *for those who do not speak Indonesian, the pictures should tell you more than enough :) (here)
3. Curated Indonesian online magazine that focuses on product design, FOLD magazine (here)
4. Family means saved and loved, heartwarming yet heartbreaking (me) article about family (here)
5. Mint green, one of my favourite colours, makes it to T Magazine (here)

Listen








Nite everyone! Kindly share your list in comment/mail if you feel like doing so ;)

Fashion Scene: Splash of Jakarta Fashion Week 2012

(WARNING: LONG TEXT POST)

Jakarta Fashion Week is a yearly event where Indonesian designers, both the "established" and upcoming ones showcase their newest collections to buyers, editors, socialites, celebrities, and "commoners." As I have mentioned in some posts earlier, I happen to take part in this yearly event as part of Oscar Lawalata x Justin Smith's team, assisting most of the marketing and PR materials needed. Running from backstage to press conference to fashion tent was tiring albeit the experience shows the side of fashion I have never seen before. The downside and "unglorious" tasks are part of the obligation, yet I am pretty much excited handling such big event.

I have been meaning to take lots of pictures to share the "inside" part of JFW yet my camera wouldn't allow me. It may sound like I'm whining, but the reality really hurts. I took tons of pictures of the runways and NONE turns out post-worthy :( So I decided to grab some pictures from the Jakarta Fashion Week 2012 gallery, and found some minimalism and pastels that stood out from the overly-embellished dresses and night gowns. 

Alekeunike, Hien Le, Jill by Gloria Agatha

From my super quick browsing I found that these three white-pastels combination are what I love the most. Alekeunike and Jill by Gloria Agatha are two brands that are still new to my ears, I swore I tried to google them and looked for these two in the schedule list but couldn't find any :( Am I that tired or is the information so limited? Hien Le, on the other hand, is a designer from Berlin who came to Jakarta along with other "Berlin Fashion Week" designers to showcase their collections, I am not quite sure how JFW Committee or Goethe Institut as the organizer pick those designers nor did I watch Hien Le's show. I simply post it because I like it ;)

*just edited two backstage photo ;)

Oscar and the team :) *not full team unfortunately..

The humble-extraordinaire milliner, Justin Smith and his assistant, Hanu at backstage. He is definitely a nice and super talented person!

This is the best picture I took despite the blur :( it is the finale of Boessert-Schorn collection, another Berlin designer that I have talked about. As soon as I have time (and ultra willingness) I would try my best to compile other looks, sadly though the JFW website does not provide complete pictures of each designer's collection, which makes it hard for me to gain complete professional pictures for reviewing purpose. I do not really understand the policy so I assume that the pictures are actually aimed for commercial purpose? (that the media will purchase it from them?) *if any of the committees reads this, they will perhaps be offended (sorry!) yet I find it rather disappointing that even the international fashion world has limited access to the photographs. Even to backstage (perhaps they do not want some perverts take pictures of the models while they are changing the clothes), but I really hope that there are more coverage of this yearly event besides the social media bombs that spread words and snapshots of the collections. Thoughts?

Story: Sneak Peek

One photo taken by me during a random project I did last Sunday. Lately I feel like my head is so full of ideas so I've got to pour it into something real, no further thoughts whether it will be good or bad, I just do it. Will edit and retouch the rest, hopefully soon I can share the result here! :) I am currently pretty much occupied too as I am working for an Indonesian fashion designer for the upcoming Jakarta Fashion Week! The excitement and thrill as well as the tiredness whirl me, yet I have decided to be committed to this one project. Anyone of you will attend the event? 


And some inspiration for your eye feasts (random, I know, perhaps I should change the title of this post to random peek? :p). 

Vanessa Jackman

The lips and the shirts keep the style effortlessly chic. Nice inspiration for working outfit (if you are in such laid-back-dressing-office like me..)

The Shiny Squirrel

Officially OBSESSED with minerals! They will make good accessories--necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, you name it. Sadly, I haven't found one I really like and can really afford (heheheh). There's something magical and mysterious, dark and rough, but versatile that lies in those layers of minerals...

Favourites: mumbling and karen walker

Despite being torn between choices (to do office-work thingy which sucks but I kinda need the money or to do my own thing (like being contributor? ayayay),  plus being super sleepy even though it is still 7 p.m. --here, I spare some energy to share these lovely Karen Walker sunglasses. Aren’t they rad?

Karen Walker

The pink and orange (or tangerine? or else? please excuse the colour-ignorant girl) frames give the sunglasses playful touch plus its not-so-round shape is ubercute and quirky. It's not that I am lazy to check the price but knowing how much they cost will probably tear my heart (makes me think whether to really go out there working for the sake of salary, which sounds umm.. not quite right for me, or stick with some "ideal" way of life). Anyhow, hope you enjoy whatever you decide to do there, because you are the one who make the choice, aren't you? 

take me back to europe

here I am, back in Indonesia! :) after a series of amazing Eurotrip which I would totally LOVE to do again, especially with the significant others hehehe.. I went to Florence, Pisa, Rome, and Venice in Italy then moved to Paris. I then continued the journey to Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, closed the whole trip with a quiet week in Amsterdam :) It is an experience I won't forget and here are photos, just a little peek at my superb trip!

Cheers!

G

packing for berlin

I'm doing a quick packing (and quick post!) before I spend my weekend in Berlin. Hope it'll be great! :) I'm gonna meet some friends and have fun! I wish for a nice weather and nice shopping :p hope u all hav a great weekend too!

Cheers!

G

Thoughts: words of the day

tumblr

there's a light that never goes out

So I haven't blogged in a while. I keep doing blogwalking and continuously read different blogs, yet I do not leave any comments whatsoever or even do my own post. *sigh

But then I purchased a new camera (my old one broke down *thank God since that I did really want a new camera yet clueless of what excuses I should give to my dad. LOL), and here are some of the so-called-testing shots :p

Postcode: D-01 a.k.a Dresden, Germany. Same old same place yet this is undeniably the most beautiful city in Germany and I'm f#*king love it. 

Cheers!

G

bye camera T.T

Hallo! It's been a while since the last time I post here. I'm quite busy these days with the internship and travelling thingy so here I am! So a couple days ago I have just visited Frankfurt and it's so.. well, city. Nothing is really typical, but I still enjoyed the Main River view. I did sun-bathing and sleeping beside the river. LOL. Too bad my camera was broken so I couldn't take any pictures ): Here are some last picts it managed to take. Enjoy!

Cheers!

G

The beauty of Dresden: part 2

Well, here are some more picts of Dresden since for me, 1 part is not enough! I went around again with my other friend and find some breathtaking picts. And here I am sharing you some of its beauty ;p

This city is really2 worth your time to visit! Uh, and last Easter holiday I went to Praha with some of my friends, and Praha is one of the most amazingly beautiful city I've ever visited! Please be patient for some Praha picts in the next post :)

Cheers!

G

ready to start another chapter of my life

I finally have an internship place in Dresden! Many people said it is a beautiful city and I can't wait to explore the city myself (: But the fact that I have to really live by myself in a foreign country which language I haven't mastered yet is another thing. I am very excited yet very worried. Things are so much better when you have friends and families by your side but the situation is completely different now. It is only 5-month period, yet I still feel sad T.T However, tomorrow I'll go there by MYSELF, and work things out ALONE. One thing I still keep in mind; that I have all this support from my families and friends, and most importantly I know that God is by my side. I know that days and months ahead I'll be not only fine, but superb. And so I open another chapter in my life with plenty hopes, prayers, and abundant thanks for this amazing opportunity^^

Cheers!

G

the rest is history

Last Saturday I went to a beautiful, historical Church in Kӧln, Germany. I went there with some of my friends and did a lil picts inside and outside the Church. The big church here is called Dom (: The weather was nice that day so I get the chance to put on a more interesting outfit rather than my boring thick coat ;p. Hope u all also had a wonderful weekend!

Cheers!

G