Am I doing this right?
My job required me to think of another project or field for me to venture into. I couldn’t think. The reason was I don’t even know what I’m passionate about. Marine mammals? Microbiology? Botany? Plankton? Echinoderms? My mind was blank and for a moment there, I had a total memory loss of what I’ve studied during the 3 year period of my uni life. Then someone encouraged me to study on sea slugs or specifically nudibranchs.
Okay a minute of an unrelated explanation here. It’s not wrong referring sea slugs as nudibranch but it doesn’t specifically referred to nudibranch. Because sea slugs, could also mean sea hares, sapsucking slugs and headshield slugs. Some people and identification books should get their facts right. They are all in different Orders. kthxbai.
Personally, I have no interest in them at all. I ignored them at every dive. Dive guides would bang their tanks hard to get attention and I’m always disappointed to see it’s just a tiny weeny sea slug. Yes I did not appreciate them. Until recently.
I went to Mabul last year October with a friend of mine and the sites there are just beautiful. We borrowed an underwater camera from one of the DM there (I hadn’t purchased mine yet that time) and I was the photographer most of the time. They say Mabul are famous for their micro animals. So I paid attention to all dive sites. I tried to spot tiny organisms I used to ignore, including nudibranchs. After the trip, I learned the art of spotting smaller organisms and always freaked out when I found something. Like a peacock tail mantis shrimp, a group of them!! And then I would start taking pictures of them, practicing on buoyancy at the same time. I never knew nudis existed around my work area but when I found out they do I was surprisingly thrilled. I took lots of pictures of them and collected for my own research purposes. I would look up on books, classify them and learned their behaviours. It always ‘turned me on’ when I found ribbon eggs in the tank! Someone said only these kinds of marine things would turn us on. And I have to agree. Workmates now start to labeled me as a nudist. No, not that I run around town naked, but it also can be referred as a nudibranch specialist.
But I don’t consider myself truly passionate about them like how some divers would. I see these animals as art because of their striking colours. I respect them as a living animal. And no I do not know each species by heart. But I’m trying. I would prefer if they can talk to me, tell me what they need and what annoys them. Y U NO TALK BACK??
I am trying to like these animals instead of just appreciating them because admiring without action is stupid. If I can do something about them I will. And I am trying very hard now. So if everything goes well, fingers crossed, my nudibranchs, all of you shall be well known.
It’s been awhile!!
Writing something here for the sake of updating my blog and also to let you know that I’m still alive! After the big event, I felt like my life has become empty. And to fill that emptiness up, we have drowned ourselves with shameless artists’ gig events, eating sessions, groupon deals and karaoke sessions. *Looks at calendar* Yes, one activity for each week. My life is now complete.
My revamped office desk
It’s so marine now I love my desk so much! 
Let’s have a moment of silence…..
The event is finally OVER!!!!!
After months of preparation, it’s finally over!!!! But all of us had so much FUNNNN!!!!! Despite all the hard works and stress we went through, it’s finally over and we actually had fun on the last day! Not to mention that we were all star strucked meeting Ronan Keating himself!! His voice was marvelous!!! Deep down inside me, I sorta don’t want it to end but no. That will mean more work!
But like what our head said, it’s the highlight of our career! Which is true because I felt so accomplished and relieved after the event. Yes, we did everything ourselves! So much satisfaction.
When the going gets tough the tough gets going
Definitely going through a hard time right now. But I’m blessed that my family, friends and I are still here right now. All I’m asking for now is just health and happiness to everyone I know.
This shot I took in the early morning before taking the boat to work gives me faith and hope to fight through battles one after another.
Happy Lab makes me happy
Just because I work in a laboratory doesn’t mean I’m serious. I always find ways to live up the “white room” because facing a four wall room most of the time tend to drive me nuts!! I paste pictures, lab recipes, and labels to make the room more “inviting”. I don’t even know if that is the correct word.
Laboratory doesn’t just mean science and research and chemicals. Here is one GREAT example.
happylab.com.au
Before clicking the link, what do you think the site would be about? It’s nothing about selling lab products or chemicals unfortunately. They sell chocolates and candies!!!! And I was in love at first sight at their cute website! AND OH MY GOD THEIR PACKAGING ARE ADORABLE!!!!! I love their concept and it’s so original!
There are other tons of candies and chocolates they sell on the website!!! Sadly it’s based in Australia. They do shipping and delivery but have no idea if they do international. I so want to eat all those candies. Heck, even not for the candies I CRAVE for the packaging!! <3
Things that interest me
I love art. I love oil paintings, crafts, DIY projects, illustrations, designing, graphics, photography, doodles. But I did not study art. I see art as an appreciation and interest. I used to think that I should study art. That I could be taken the wrong path. I don’t think so now. But I still LOVE art. But it isn’t something I want as a job or a long term relationship.
I was wondering. What if I really took up arts. Where would I be now? Would I be happier? No. I might be stressed and pulling all my hair off rushing for deadlines. Staying up late every night finishing up designs. Competing with other established designers in the country. I shook my head off when I think about it. This is not a job that I want.
Marine, sea, ocean was a mystery to me. I did not know anything about life under the sea. Well, except maybe for the known sea animals. But other than that it was a complete mystery. And that strikes me. Sorta captivates me, pulling me into studying marine biology. Because I want to learn about ocean. And then there was scuba diving. It is an expensive hobby but I am glad I am studying about marine that I can actually find excuses to go for free dives to probably, collect samples and do surveys. And then comes underwater photography. I wanted to capture everything I see and memories aren’t enough. So I learned about underwater photography. From free online tutorials, manuals and books. I only have a compact camera. Nothing fancy, no probes, extra flash and whatnots. It’s not even a DSLR for goodness sake! I don’t want to be a professional underwater photographer so a simple camera will do. (And probably with a little help from Photoshop. 
) I love my lumix so so so much! The photos not only turned out great on land but in underwater too.
Back to the topic. Like what I said, I am glad that I am able to find my priority and chose the correct path. I am really really grateful that I chose marine biology because I really LOVE what I am doing right now but adding in with some elements of arts in it. 
So here’s an advice. Think and choose wisely before making any life decisions.
I’m bursting out
I am sick of people commenting on mistakes of other people. Tell me what is so great about you in the first place! Nobody is perfect. ALL of us make mistakes. And this tiny little mistake can lead to such a big thing like it’s end of the world?! BITCH PLEASE tell me about it!!! Tell me how perfect your life is and how you have not done any mistakes in life!! Oh yes I admit I was wrong. And yes that wasn’t the end of the world either.
If you think that I am STUPID, then you yourself is also one.
Yes I may not have my closest friend or boyfriend or anyone to confide in, I am lucky that I have my people I work together at least to talk about things like these. Because they understand. And we go through that. All of us. All the time. Just because we’re young doesn’t mean anyone should look down on us.
Sometimes I am amazed at my patience level. That I can manage to stand until today. To withstand all obstacles and people. You just don’t know when I might just break down. Nether do I.
March Favourites
Some of my favourite things.
Please ignore the unpretty face of the main singer. Fell in love with “Aim & Ignite” album.
My nudibranchs! I now have a mini aquarium filled with different species of nudis! Currently doing a nudibranch project and hoping for the best of it!
Big Bang is back!! Loving this song so much it’s set as my current ringtone!
Doodles!!
Ariel!
And finally, the fun of playing Pokemon on my phone. 
Good?
Quick blog. T-shirts I designed earlier aren’t gonna be printed during the coming MAM event. 
BUT! The poster design will be printed as an introduction and will be printed as staff t-shirts instead! Great or what!!!
Picking back up on lomography
Got films for my lomo cam. Time to point and shoot.
Coral mucus
Someone told me that the coral mucus feels and smells like guy semen.
My design on Threadless! Do support and vote!
My design for the Threadless notebook! Score/Vote my design on Threadless and if you’re not a member yet, do sign up (it’s free!) and support! They sell awesome t-shirts too!!
Score this design: “The Carousel,” to help it get printed on Threadless!
Designing and designing
Recently I have been really good friends with Adobe Illustrator and best buddy with Adobe Photoshop. Catching up on designs and also practicing skills on these programs. Many days of sleepless nights actually so I honestly salute to all designers and illustrators out there!
An exciting, stressful and important event is coming up in my work place. The theme was to spread the marine awareness. Because we wanted to stand out from the crowd and also the other crew members, we decided to come up with our own design and I volunteered to design the t-shirts! It’s simple but I felt proud of myself for doing it. And the designs got approval!!! WOOOHOOOO!!! So it’s just waiting to be printed and I cannot wait to wear it! And if feedback is good, I would love to reprint them and sell to people who want it and the same time spread awareness!
Oh by the way, my sister and I are planning to do freelancing on designing!! So it’s a good start and we are trying to gather and work on a portfolio so wish us luck!
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Authors
Wheel of Life
Ferris wheel is believed to be a symbolic of the circle of life. Same as the ferris wheel, life has its ups and downs. Life's like that. Live it to the best!
Four leaf clovers represent luck and each leaflet represents something. The first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck. I wish you have all four in you to go through your hard times in life.
Good luck! :)-
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