The world has became like this

Phones in their hands, eyes transfixed on the screen of any sizes. Thumbs moving up and down, endless screen scrolling. Constantly liking pictures on Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr. Peeking into others' lives through Snapchat. Mouths shut up, words now cut short and conveniently expressed through the clicking of the thumbs on the phones, unfortunately accompanied with a lack of sincerity. People' real emotions are now channelled into yellow emojis. Making phone calls now mean virtual meet ups. Stupid rants flood up social media. Lame videos are just lame. Facetiming or Skyping one another on the move just means more bills to pay. Taking stupid photos and videos of other people's mistakes / actions and posting to Stomp, etc only make people a worst, silly, complaining bunch and poor victims become embarrassed as a result. Phone cameras now make everyone a photographer but with no proper standard. Google Maps make people lazier, only fetching them to right places and faster but not making them lose their way and actually slowing them down, being Dora the Explorer while finding the right places. Looking at phones every night before bedtime colour under the eyes of people black, only making people late the next day. Reading online articles replace the feeling of holding real books and having the ability to flip page after page. Buying ebooks make bookworms forget the real meaning of free libraries and the smell of pages is no longer one of the many reasons of paying a bookstore or library a visit.

In a few words, phones make the world a much lazier and quieter world.

Yet, I'm guilty for being one among the people always on the phones.

3 / 365

2016 is finally here.

The end of the year means a moment of reflection. All kind of flashbacks of all kind of happenings in 2015. I know today is already on the 3rd day out of 365 days. It took me a long while to think of where I should begin.

2015 is truly a year of gratefulness. It was a year I took up many offers to work as an events photographer. So far, I have done seven paid events, including one major event consisting of one female minister, Grace Fu and many female MPs from around the nation, one paid photoshoot and two free-of-charge events and one free-of-charge photoshoot. So much to be thankful. Firstly to the sponsor for spreading the word about my works. Secondly to my school for giving me four events to shoot and I was being paid! Soon, my works have been spreading through word of mouth. I still have one upcoming couple photoshoot on 10th Jan and I am definitely looking forward! Taking a couple photoshoot is my first so I have no reason not to be nervous.

I got to admit that the most recent event was the toughest, second to World Water Day event. I still remembered the shock that engulfed me when I asked the person in charge if there was another photographer. I was told that I was to man the two back-to-back events all by myself. I had never handled anything major before! And it was the first time I used the Nikon Speedlight SB-900. I had never got time to familiarise myself with it, especially its movements. All thanks to God for this golden opportunity to test my familiarity with my camera settings and to realise how powerful the external flash was. I am so elated that they really liked my photos.

The start of 2016 is the day I return to school, going through the hell of it once again. This time, it is just the very last semester of my whole 3-years course leading up to getting a diploma. The start on my self proposal. The battle of stress and assignments. The roll-coaster of mood swings. Countless sleepless nights. The indecisiveness trying to win over. Checking on my time management all over again. The real test of self trust and courage to do something different for my graduation project. The drive in me being once again tested. All I hope is that through the last five months to the end of the course that I will emerge a better person in terms of photography, thinking and processing as an artist and a photographer.

2016 also means that I am graduating in May. I only have five months more. The thought of graduation makes me feel that I am going to miss Lasalle very much. I know I will miss it once I start working. Speaking of working, I hope to be able to find work right after graduation. Finding a job in Singapore is already tough, let alone be a free lance photographer. I am nervous. But I know God will handle it. I have an expanding portfolio ready to show anytime. I am ready to take in any type of photography offers during school period and after graduation.

So here's to a more awesome 2016, filled with new opportunities to expand my career.

You probably are not aware that I have set up a website - www.isabellesigns.wix.com/thecaptured-moments. Go take a look! And email me if you need a photographer. I will be happy to work with you!

Bye 2015!

2015 wishlist dated as of 22 July 2014:
- Travel with my family / BFF
- Bring my camera when going overseas
- Keep a travelling diary / blog
- Get a taste of road trips 
- Improve my photography skills (ongoing)
- Get a Nikon D750
- Get another longer prime lens
- Get the photography portfolio website, name cards and logo (?) done
- Get started on my photographer freelance career (I think the right time's finally here)
- Have the best 21st birthday celebration (be it small or big gathering)
- Fill my room with all my favourite photos (ongoing)
- Better school time management (for 2015)
- Become more social 
- Own a simba puppy? 
- Find my love?

What have I achieved? I have fulfilled some of them. One of the biggest wishes is doing up a photography website and to show my photos to people, all thanks to one of the school modules requiring a website for grading.

Wanderlust

Instagram is one of my favourite social media where I get a chance to peek into other parts of the world.

I have followed a lot of instagramers from other countries (more than Singapore IGers, I think) because I really like how it looks outside Singapore. It is vast. It is eye catchy. The trees, benches, shophouses, houses, less flats, sea, beaches, flowers, wooden tables and chairs, cups, floors, walls, sunlight, golden hour, fashion, street, colours and even people, just EVERYTHING differ according to the respected countries.

Looking at their photos doesn't give me enough satisfaction except learn how they photograph and edit. They make me wonder so much whether their photos are true or it could be deceiving. Is it the real beauty out there? Because every photo comes out so nice! Well composed, well edited and all.

It makes me WANT to go all out there and experience it myself. Indeed, there are SO many things and places I want to visit. And to photograph them and people, and name them memories. I don't want to keep dreaming about it. I'm just so tired of dreaming and not experiencing it at all. I am tired of hearing from my papa that he promises to bring us overseas. Not Malaysia please. I'm still holding his word about flying to Germany since young!!!!

I get envious when my friends get to experience "flying". I get even more envious when they post gorgeous photos or showcase short video clips. The food looks amazing! I still remember myself enjoying so much in Shanghai. I swear it was an awesome experience and one of my favourites! The thrill of getting lost, the thrill of people not recognising me at all, the thrill of learning their cultures, the thrill of exploring food, even the thrill of riding the coach, the thrill of just walking around streets feeling as free as a bird. Simply put, the taste of freedom is found when travelling.

I remember crying a dozen of buckets at the airport when my mummy flew with her group of friends to Perth. It was the first trip with her friends. Indeed, their friendship was put to test. The unfamiliar feeling of having her away for a while after so so long. The jealous feeling of her enjoying new things. The feeling of worry when she told me she was planning a day of solo travelling in Perth. I almost fainted upon her announcement. But I admire her courage to do it, even in an unfamiliar country, even when my papa discouraged her to do so. Then 2nd trip, mummy agreed to go with them to BKK. Oh my heart crumpled into pieces. I told her I want to be the one travelling with her next time, not these ladies.

I just wanna be a real adventurer. Issy the Explorer with my camera instead of Dora the Explorer with the monkey.

I always believe that travelling helps make a person a better one. In my case, I learnt how to eat omelettes in Batam. I learnt to overcome my fear of height, and to continue eating omelettes and to appreciate watermelons more in Shanghai.

Like · Reply · 2 mins · Edited

Isabelle Lim I cannot wait to see what the future travels will teach me.

Another year added to my age

Yearly on 17 December is Issy day.

My parents normally celebrate my birthday by pampering me with a lot of food outside of our home. Sometimes, they secretly plan surprises.

This year, they invited my best friend to be involved as partners in crime. Usually, celebrations are held privately, just my family and my grandmother alone.

I remembered asking my mummy if there are any plans on my birthday. All I got was a head shake, indicating a no from her.

The night before, I was told I had to be ready to leave the house by 10:30am. On the day itself, I was brought to Orchard Central. I only knew I can eat Lenas there. Mummy joked, saying if we walked into Lenas, then my family would treat. But if we did not go to Lenas as I guessed, the treat would be on me.

We ended up on the eighth floor. Not the right way to Lenas. Quite suspicious! We were the first few in the queue. "Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant" spelt on the top of the restaurant was then my first surprise. Like a detector, I just had to question my mummy how she came up with this. She secretly reserved a table of four last Monday, 3 days before Thursday, she admitted. Wow! She told me, "It is a buffet meaning you have to eat a lot lot lot!".

I was seated throughout the eating time while my family went off to bring in more food and I think they ate a lot more than me. Not because they made me sit and not move. I just...wanted to be a queen for once. I only ate what was being given to me. Aunty Rene's home made cold noodles beat the restaurant's. Other than cold noodles, all food was excellent!! I especially love the chicken there. Tender and juicy. I realise I ate a lot of fish too! Salmon is exceptional!

And not forgetting the second surprise with a slice of Oreo Cheesecake with "Happi Issy Day" engraved on the plate. It was really pretty! You know I am not a huge fan of cakes. I do not even eat much of my mummy's home baked cakes. So how did my mummy predict I would try it, let alone the courage to taste it? I did not close one eye and ate in order to please my family for baking for me for the past few years. I only took small bites of her cakes, period.

I did not know how I ended up putting a small piece into my mouth. Not that I needed to fill up my half filled stomach at that time. In fact, I never had Oreo Cheesecake before! The moment I swallowed the first one, I was won over. In no time, I finished the whole slice of it! Now I know what next flavour to order from Twelve Cupcakes!

After sending my bro off, I suggested to go window shopping first. Mummy instead suggested to go for coffee first. I whined, saying they had to listen to me because it was Issy day, meaning they had to do what I wanted to do. I eventually gave in. I had no idea it was part of their plan. My parents brought me to Oriole Coffee + Bar cafe. We love coffee. Parents wanted me to keep seated, on the chair they wanted me to sit on, facing the wall and my mummy too. But in the middle of waiting, I told them I needed a leak. They actually panicked inside but maintained a good composure. Very good actors, parents! You two did not show even a slight of panic in front of me!

Once I was back, I knew coffee would be served by then. I took my camera and tried to take photos of the coffee. I grabbed the cushion behind my papa only to get chided by him. I intended to use it as a backdrop where mummy would hold the cup and lie her hands on the cushion for a photo. Smart papa scolded me in a soft way, saying cushion was too dusty for coffee to be placed above it, for the sake of preventing its plan from failing.

All they needed me to do was to remain seated for my best friend to pop behind me to give me a scare, or rather a surprise. In the first place, I was a little upset when he told me he couldn't be able to meet me today through WhatsApp. But he turned me into a fool. When I was about to stand up, heading towards the wall for a photo of the cup of coffee, Dave came right up in front of me. He sheepishly said "hi". Parents exclaimed "Surprise!!!", then throwing their heads backwards in a fit of laughter while I, a birthday fool tried figuring out why and how, thinking back to my WhatsApp conversation with my bff. I had no idea he was so near when I randomly messaged him my whereabouts, dropping a hint that he could join us. He replied in a very un-Dave-ly tone saying he couldn't make it because he was going out with friends. I was heartbroken. I also suspected that he might hold grudges against me because he could not have lunch with me. Haha, what a fool I was!

After bidding goodbye to my papa, the three of us spent the next few hours window-shopping and walking along shophouses and me posing for mummy, leaving poor Dave all bored. After dinner, I decided to spend some time with Dave alone, walking down Orchard Road taking photos and just lepaking while mummy rushed home to feed two hungry men.

17th December is always a memorable day for me. A yearly reflection of how fast I grow, or rather, wiser I become. I never seem to age. My fountain of youth is still going strong.

Please click the first image for fullscreen slideshow.