Jessica Hoang

Hi everyone

2011-04-05T17:29:00.000-04:00

If you've managed to reach this far to my blog through my website.. I'm sorry to say that I'm experiencing some extreme technical difficulties with my website.

I'm working on getting it back as soon as possible! Please visit again... as this issue will be wrinkled out shortly!

Thank you :)

A Great Find - Any Bag Camera Bag Insert

2011-04-05T14:57:00.005-04:00

As I'm planning my upcoming New Orleans + NYC trip this spring, I've been looking really hard to find a nice (but compact!) camera bag to house my DSLR. I already have a Lowepro camera backpack that fits all my gear nicely but when travelling, I would prefer to not carry a bag that screams "DSLR + lens in here!"

I stumbled across the Photojojo's Any Bag Camera Bag Insert and I'm convinced this bag will fit my needs!

This bag easily turns your existing purse, tote bag, messenger bag into a camera bag. Slip it in and you're done! :) The Any Bag Camera Insert also contains five exterior pockets to hold other various goodies, soft padded lining to protect your precious, and doesn't add extra weight/bulk to your existing bag.

This is such a great idea that solves numerous problems... at least for me. I can now bring my MEC backpack and a purse to this trip... and best of all, I don't have to wrap my DSLR in a tshirt!

Photo credit: Photojojo

Ralph Lauren - Fall 2011 Collection

2011-03-30T14:20:00.003-04:00

Ralph Lauren recently unveiled his Fall 2011 collection and it is gorgeous! Like his other collections, this line is sophisticated and timeless.

This collection is heavily influenced by 1930s, Art Deco and Chinese glamour. The common elements for this collection are sophistication and intricate detailing. Although many of his designs are black, they are complemented with a beautiful accent piece - be it red lacquer heels, silky fabric, dramatic fabric cuts or intricate jeweling on a belt.

How dramatic and beautiful.

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Google Art Project

2011-02-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

The Google Art Project is a wonderful collection showcasing some of the best art museums such as MoMa in New York City. Using the Street View technology, the Art Project enables users to explore these spaces and works of art in the comfort of their home.

With an easy-to-use interface, the Google Art Project is an invaluable tool for those seeking information on the selected pieces. Users are able to select a piece, zoom up and pan the artwork. The detail and quality is incredible! (I love Edgar Degas and I was excited to see "Swaying Dancer" a featured piece!)

Although an online experience doesn't compare to a real visit, I think it's a wonderful alternative for those seeking to explore the treasures in these galleries. And for some, it can serve as a reminder to visit their local art gallery and museums...

Psst, I'm looking forward to spending an afternoon at the AGO :)

*Images from Google Art Project

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY - Birthday Party

2011-02-02T12:48:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I photographed a large birthday celebration in Richmond Hill. The food was delicious and the people were wonderful. The restaurant lighting was questionable and I really prefer photographing without flash, so I had to have a reliable, fast set of lens. I used the Canon 50mm Prime lens, which helped me capture some really great photographs despite the low-lighting.

Posed portraits didn't seem very fitting for this birthday party, so I opted to photograph the event with a documentary style. There were lots of candids but I felt this was the best way to capture a large, enthusiastic crowd. It was truly a great experience to be there!

Saja Bridal Dresses

2011-01-20T23:42:00.002-05:00

There are 3 words to describe Saja's bridal dresses: light, feminine and charming. Designed by Yoo Lee in New York, this bridal collection contains simple yet endearing dresses.

Personally, I'm swooning over this dress! I love the coupled fabrics, layering and empire waist.

*Images from www.sajawedding.com

2010-12-07T00:20:00.000-05:00

I'm designing a cute, fun piece for myself.

I just started it and I really can't wait to finish it! I wonder why I never thought about doing this before...

:)

Neural Networks + Data

2010-11-25T23:38:00.002-05:00

For my workshop course at YSDN, I chose to focus my coursework on Neural Networks + Data. Before I could design anything, I had to research a topic that was hugely new and beyond the design field. I presented to my professor, the wonderfully talented Paul Sych, my research book + project proposal on Neural Networks + Data. It was one of the few pieces I designed in university where I felt I had full creative control.

Although my topic was a bit dense at times and have few visualizations, I really enjoyed researching, learning and exploring neural networks.

My final project was a fun, innovative drawing tool called gnr8. The user would draw using the tablet interface, and the computer would translate the drawing into its own language. It was a touch away from neural networks but heavily involved user-based data. I couldn't have done it without a talented University of Toronto Engineering Masters student, Daniel Ly. Without his programming abilities, I would have had just a concept instead of a full working piece.

2010-11-23T15:07:00.001-05:00

Update coming soon!

(I'm terrible at this)

Owl Painting - Nursery

2010-10-28T14:29:00.001-04:00

In collaboration with my sister, Brenda, we designed and painted this set of paintings for my sister's owl-theme nursery. She actually gave birth two days ago to a healthy girl named Sophie.

I have yet to deliver these paintings to her and she still hasn't seen the paintings yet. I doubt she'll check my blog because she's busy learning and caring for her little one. :)

I had such a great time painting. I miss being able to pick up a brush and painting freely. That being said, I'm definitely going to do some paintings and giving them away as Christmas gifts this year. :)

Illustrative Thursdays

2010-10-28T11:40:00.000-04:00

For this week's Illustrative Thursdays, here is L♥VE BUNNY!

I thought this was a cute idea and I will now be designing a series of L♥VE animals.

I'll be getting in contact with local vendors to see where I can take this. Stay tuned!

2010-10-25T15:26:00.000-04:00

I have some wonderful news that I can't wait to share!

But I won't tell just yet. :)
I'm going to prepare a nice little post and when the time is ready, I will publish it to the blog. And that should be very very soon!

I've also been contemplating a lot of what I want to do and I think I'm ready to change gears...
I'll have to start by revamping my website.

Eeek! There's lots to do, and lots to work with. I hope to work quickly and efficiently to get it all done!

Yummy Homemade Granola

2010-09-28T12:41:00.005-04:00

I am definitely not a baker but a few weeks ago, I found a recipe for homemade granola. I figured I could make my own healthy snack for work, and this past Sunday, I baked chocolate brownies and homemade granola!

As usual, whenever I'm in the kitchen cooking, I seem to make a HUGE mess. My sisters say that I am all over the place; running back and forth for supplies all while creating a mess and a lot of dishes to wash. :)

I packed the granola into a cute Ikea jar for work, and have been snacking when I find myself a little hungry.

For anyone interested in making their own yummy homemade granola, here's the recipe:

2 1/2 cups of oats
2/3 cups of flour
1/2 cup of nuts*
1/2 cup of melted butter
1/3 cup of maple sugar
6 tablespoon of molasses OR honey (I will try honey next time!)

1 Preheat oven to 350°F.
2 Butter and line pan with parchment paper.
3 In a large bowl, mix ingredients.
4 Distribute evenly onto pan and bake for 15 minutes.
5 Turn over and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
6 Remove from oven. Allow granola to set and harden for 1 hour.
7 Munch, munch! (The granola should be good for about a week)

*For the nuts, I used sliced almonds, walnut, peanuts, sunflower seeds and cranberries... and I used 1 cup instead of the suggested half.

A Renewal

2010-09-24T23:46:00.003-04:00

Illustrative Thursdays did not happen this past Thursday. :(

I was really busy working on a mini-project (that I hope gets selected!) Regardless of the outcome, I will soon post the process of this mini-project. I had so much fun creating it that I'm now doing side projects for fun. I just can't wait to share these projects!

This entire experience was overwhelming for me. I haven't done anything creative for my own sake for a while. It feels so good to have been able to even participate! This was a true breath of fresh air; something I needed for a while now to renew my belief in my skills and creativity.

Cottage Spider

2010-09-21T14:48:00.001-04:00

When I went to the cottage this summer, we found this peculiar spider hanging about on the patio.

I'm usually afraid of spiders but I found this one to be so fascinating and beautiful. Although the patterns on the body are so ornate, I still find this spider to be a little creepy!

Illustrative Thursdays

2010-09-16T15:02:00.003-04:00

Now I know this is not an amazing piece and I don't normally track what I eat on a daily basis. But I figured I could start Illustrative Thursdays with something small like this.

These days, I tend to stick to pencil for any sort of drawings I need to do. I haven't used pencil crayons since my YSDN years and everything about it seems nostalgic... the feel, the smells and of course, the results.

And yes, I did have 2 hard boiled eggs, a bowl of kimchi ramen, and I will eat my 1 cup of cherry tomatoes later in the day :)

2010-09-16T14:33:00.000-04:00

For the next little while, I will be overhauling this blog. There will be some minor changes in the visuals that were overlooked during the initial design.

I want this blog to be a little more creative, with more amazing art and design from other creative people, as well as some of my own. I've been working on my photography, and I'm quite excited with my results. I will soon start sharing them with the rest of the world.

To refine my illustrative skills, I will try to post 1 or 2 drawings every Thursdays. These won't be some crazy illustrations but it will give me a chance to explore and rediscover what I loved about art.

2010-09-10T10:14:00.004-04:00

Just a while ago, I was feeling such a creative drain. I felt uninspired and very unmotivated. I questioned design and my role as a designer.

That little glitch was a wakeup call and I'm finding new inspirations in my environment and everyday life.

I'm looking to start something new... and I'm kind of excited.

2010-08-27T23:16:00.000-04:00

I think I will finally start editing the 1,000+ photos I have on my family computer this weekend.

That being said, I am seriously considering replacing my iMac Zombie.

A quick blurb

2010-08-09T14:44:00.001-04:00

Summer has been such a busy busy time for me.

I've been here and there, taking some time to enjoy myself and the ones I care about.

I have many photographs (say, over 1000+ now, ha!) that I need to sit down and process... and for the very few that I have processed, I have updated my website with 2 of them: http://fouroverseven.ca/photos.html

I also updated my portfolio a few weeks ago with 5 new pieces. Check them out at http://fouroverseven.ca/design.html

Summer is almost over, and I can't wait to get back out and do something enjoyable and memorable.

In 2 words:

2010-04-13T11:09:00.000-04:00

...
this sucks.

2010-04-01T14:24:00.000-04:00

Long weekend is coming up and I plan on going out and taking photos! I'll be using a 35mm SLR and a DSLR, so I can't wait to go out and have some fun.

I was going to post some photos from my last trip to Ithaca but I'm looking into doing something new with my photos, so I might hold off on that for a while.

And for the past few weeks, I've been having bouts of aspiration... of so many things I want to do and pursue, I don't know if I can actually do it. I'm going to have to sit down and really think.

I'm back! (sort of)

2010-03-05T10:10:00.001-05:00

My last post was back in December and well, that makes me wonder where the heck I've been for the last few months...

So, I've been practicing my photography a little more than usual as I have full access to a nice Canon XTi DSLR with Tamron SP AF Aspherical 28-75mm lens. I usually do all my photographs with a 35mm Canon AL-1 and I have yet to make the full switch to digital photography. There's something about film that I just can't give up yet... I don't know if it's capturing a moment without knowing its result or the quality or the waiting game as film develops or the excitement I experience when I flip through my printed photos (even if it's a bad roll).

I've been photographing my wonderful niece (who grows up SO fast and fascinates me in every way with her explorations), random AYCE sushi lunches with my sisters, Chinese New Year celebrations and jumping/barking dogs.

For the first time, I was asked to do a portrait session. I don't normally do sessions but it was for my bf so I didn't want to pass up the chance. Daniel told me he needed portraits of himself to submit for an IEEE paper (!). He's studying at Cornell (Ithaca, NY) and I'm in Toronto but lucky me, I got a ride with my sister and did a quick but fun trip to NY! I wanted to go with film but he needed the pictures asap, so I took the Canon XTi DSLR. He was really easy to work with and I'm quite impressed with the results. I have yet to finish processing them all since my iMac has turned into a Zombie (again) but I will try to process some photos and post them on my lunch break.

On a finishing note, I passed probation! I am officially working full-time with many perks and it's sooo close to home, I love it. I got to see AND hold the first box I designed. The product should be in supermarkets near you ;)

2009-12-25T14:31:00.001-05:00

My iMac is up and running (thanks Dan!)
Wii games are free to play :)
The presents have been opened!
My mom's wonderful turkey is on its way to being cooked!

Most importantly, I get to spend valuable time with my favourite people in the world...

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

2009-12-24T23:02:00.000-05:00

Nothing special but here's Clark :)

I borrowed the Canon DSLR from work and I am going to be playing with it all weekend long!

2009-12-23T20:08:00.001-05:00

Lindt Lindor chocolates = sure sign of Christmas
Yummy!

Taken with a Canon DSLR :)

2009-12-22T21:59:00.000-05:00

Taken in NYC of this year, this is one of the few photos where I started to play with shutter speed. The hard thing about experimenting with film is the you never know your results until it's been processed... and to get a "perfect" photo can sometimes take more than one shot... or more than one roll. And a lot of the times that can add up.

And with this photo, I'm glad it came out quite nice :)
I have this same shot but with different shutter speed. I love comparing them against each other.

2009-12-21T22:46:00.001-05:00

Dan had some work to do before we went on our camping trip in October... so this is a photo of him and the equations he was working on. I still have no idea what they are or what they mean. :)

2009-12-20T23:59:00.000-05:00

AHHH, as my computer sits in its zombie state, I find myself worrying that it is stuck in its half alive/half-dead state. If it can recover, I'll be grateful... otherwise, I will seriously have to consider buying a new computer.

So... here is the photo for today. Taken in Ithaca with my Dad's 35mm SLR, it is of an unknown building at Cornell University. Dan isn't sure what building it is but it was quite cool seeing people working in it... I just love the numbers they have up and the huge photo of Victoria Beckham.... or someone who looks an awful lot like her. Does anyone really know?

2009-12-19T20:03:00.001-05:00

I am still without my iMac... I'm afraid to even turn it on.

Today's photo was taken in NYC back in May. This is the inside of the MET. The architecture is so beautiful, intricate and light. I'd love to go back and see the rest of the exhibits.

2009-12-18T23:40:00.001-05:00

I was actually expecting my iMac to fail sometime this week. It has been intermittently shutting off this week... starting on Tuesday. It happened again on Wednesday, so I quickly backed up everything on my external hard drive. It happened on Thursday too... and it happened today (3 times!). The screen shuts off but I can still feel the computer running and I'm starting to think it's not just a screen issue, since my music shuts off. Dan will be helping me when he comes home to Toronto. I hope my iMac can still go on otherwise, I'll have to look for a new computer.

Since I don't have access to my iMac and I don't want to dig into my external hard drive, I'm going to take my images I posted from Facebook. So this picture was taken in Ithaca with my dad's SLR. Dan made pho the first night. Looks yummy!

2009-12-17T22:01:00.002-05:00

This was another photo taken during my trip to Ithaca with my dad's 35mm SLR. One word: YUMMY. Dan made this really really good noodle dish on my last night there. I also took photos of him making it but decided to put up the final result because it was just so delectable. Btw, that's Dan's Corona... not mine! I had LEMONADE!

Oh yeah, and yesterday was just so bittersweet. I got to see some lovely Printing Services people at YorkU (my visit was too short!) and I finally picked up my diploma! :)

AND... the Olympic Torch came by Toronto today. I wanted to go downtown to see it but I decided too late and I knew it was going to be jam-packed.

2009-12-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

This was taken during my trip to Ithaca in October. Dan and I were walking around Cornell's campus when we came to a bridge that overlooks the town and the waterfall that passes through. I noticed this gigantic spider in its web on this bridge and was desperate to take a photograph.

The light meter in my dad's SLR kept indicating the lighting was too low and that I needed a tripod. Lucky me, the photo came out PERFECT. I love love love love love it.

2009-12-15T19:41:00.000-05:00

That's my niece back in Feburary. I took this photo with my dad's camera. There are more shots but I thought this photo showed much more emotion.

My niece is absolutely wonderful. She has grown so much and she's always learning something new so quickly. I mean during Halloween, she barely could walk... and now she's zipping by chasing the dogs and running to see my parents.

She makes me remember what being a child is like and how much I love my family.

2009-12-14T20:50:00.000-05:00

This photo was taken wayyy back in January. My mom was making these Chinese desserts that are commonly eaten during Chinese New Year and I thought it would be a great opportunity to photograph her doing it. Unfortunately for me, my dad's SLR was jammed and wouldn't work properly so I missed the chance to photograph my mom's amazing handiwork. I was very disappointed actually...

After she made these and set them out on the side, I grabbed the Canon Rebel 2000 and shot them.

2009-12-13T22:50:00.001-05:00

This is another photo taken from my NYC trip in May with my dad's camera. Created by Tom Otterness, "Life Underground"can be found at two MTA subway stations in NYC. This is a wonderful set of whimsical sculptures that are SO playful and made me smile every time I travelled at those stations. It's a nice change of your typical drab subway scenery, and I wish that TTC would invest in something like this. I simply love it.

I have more photographs of the other sculptures but I might not be posting them. Please visit NYC-Subway Art to see the other sculptures.

2009-12-12T20:10:00.000-05:00

For the first time ever, I went to Caribana. It was very colourful, electric and upbeat. I thought the costumes were so elaborate and finely made. My beef about Caribana was that the space between the floats were terribly organized and then people would hop over the fence to join in the parade themselves/keep themselves occupied until the next float came. =\

2009-12-11T13:28:00.002-05:00

Last February, Dan went to the FPGA Conference in Monterey, California. I was suppose to go with him but because of the YorkU strike, it messed up my schedule and I stayed.

So while I was in cold, snowy Toronto (don't get me wrong, I LOVE WINTER), Dan was over in warm sunny California!

He sent me this bouquet because he couldn't make it home in time to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. It was so beautiful!

2009-12-10T21:17:00.000-05:00

There's nothing visually stunning about this photo and I used a point/shoot Canon camera for this... but this dog, is WILD. The veterinarian told us he'd be a puppy for life, and she wasn't lying.

I actually lifted him up onto my sister's bunk bed and started shooting from below. Let's just say he had WAYYY too much fun up that high.

2009-12-09T23:16:00.000-05:00

Sometime in March 2009, my youngest sister decorated my bed with these army figurines. She also wrote out full conversations between each soldier.

This all started with the poor army figurine whose head snapped off.... and those crazy telemarketing phone calls about winning a cruise.

Super fun!

2009-12-08T22:31:00.000-05:00

I love NYC. It's such a bustling city full of life and noise. I've been to NYC twice and I'd really like to visit again. I found that there was SO much to see and do that I couldn't do it all. I want to go back!

This photo is from my second trip to NYC with my sister Julie and May. We went in May and we stayed with my awesome cousin. It's so much better going to a city where you have someone who lives and knows the area - we were able to avoid the tourist traps and get to places quickly.... and jaywalk like a true New Yorker, lol.

Unfortunately, I didn't take note of this particular piece from the Met... but I can tell you that it is a chess board with some very intricate pieces. It was absolutely gorgeous.

2009-12-07T13:17:00.000-05:00

A photo of my beautiful niece playing with a lollipop for Day 7!

2009-12-06T21:04:00.002-05:00

This photo of my sister was taken for my Fall Lookbook 2009 piece. I don't normally do portraits like this but it was an interesting experience!

2009-12-05T23:53:00.001-05:00

This photo was taken during halloween 2009 using my Dad's Canon AL-1 SLR. My sister normally does not have cats but she and her husband found 4 orphan kittens in a bush in her neighbourhood. She's been a foster parent to them ever since... and 3 of them have found loving homes. :) They are SO adorable.

2009-12-04T23:56:00.001-05:00

This was taken on a Canon Rebel DSLR at our Christmas lunch - which was pretty good! Although I was the only one who did not eat the sashimi (and people seemed shocked?)

On a different note... I finally got a fish tank for my koi! But now I'm feeling uneasy... I'm scared the sealant will break through, and we will have a waterfall flowing in my home... again.

2009-12-03T22:14:00.002-05:00

This photograph of Boe Boe was taken two years ago. That was Boe Boe's last winter with us and the photos I took of him were some of his last. I wanted this photo up because he loved winter and he was a part of my family for a good 12 years. I do miss him...

2009-12-02T23:17:00.003-05:00

So kind of like an advent calendar, this photo-a-day is my countdown to Christmas! I might put something special up for my birthday, since it's along the way ;) All photos posted are original photographs taken by me.

This photo is of my Christmas tree this year. See the hearts? :) That wasn't created with Photoshop. I attempted this effect last year but it didn't work out the way I planned (but I still got some great shots!) I took this photograph in the middle of the night (as a filler to finish my film) using my dad's wonderful Canon AL-1.

I can't decide if I want to keep the numbers on the photos though...

2009-12-02T14:17:00.002-05:00

A little late but...
I'm going to do a photo-a-day until Christmas!

2009-12-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

I find that I learn something new everyday at work... which is good. My education was beneficial but sometimes I wish we learned some of these things in school.

2009-11-26T22:28:00.001-05:00

My 100 gallon fish tank exploded last week. It's been SO hard to find a used replacement tank. From all I've seen, people are asking for wayyy too much or their fish tank is missing a crucial part - like it comes with a stand but no lid ... or vice versa.

I'm now willing to invest in a new fish tank because this is getting ridiculous. It kills me to see my koi stuck in his quarantine tank. That may mean I have to look really hard for a stand but really, I wouldn't have to deal with the idea of hygiene/cleanliness of a used tank or worry about its sealant (now or later).

=\

2009-11-26T15:24:00.001-05:00

I think at the end of all this, I'll have a better grasp of French and Chinese.

2009-11-16T23:34:00.000-05:00

I've started something new.

It's been exciting and exhilarating.

Sometimes it's kind of scary too.

I want to do well and I want to do my best.

Wish me luck!

2009-11-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

DAN DOES JUST THAT.

2009-11-05T22:30:00.000-05:00

I've been with Dan for about 5 years now... and in addition to being nice, funny and generous, he's also very intelligent (and ambitious!) He's been following the webcomic xkcd for the past few years and lately I've been reading it.

It's hilarious because this is how Dan is. His intelligence just plays a huge role in his everyday life / humour and when I read the comics, I think "this is EXACTLY what Dan would say and do!"

Yes, that's EXACTLY what Dan would say. And that's EXACTLY how my reaction would be too.

I see this situation so many times... and it's so true. The Non-Nerd + Nerd is totally how my shopping trips with Dan is.

2009-10-31T00:54:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I've been around... but mainly because I was away from Toronto for 5 days. I went to Ithaca to visit Daniel and before I indulge on too much, I'm just going to make a separate post for that entire trip. I'm just waiting on finishing a roll of film before I send them all off to get developed. So that'll be sometime next week.

However...

I attended my sister's commencement Friday night and it brought back a lot of memories for me of my own commencement. My family didn't attend mine, so there aren't any photos of me on stage (unless my high school friends took them). But it also made me think of high school and the motion of being carefree - rather, being young with less responsibilities.

Oh, and then I thought about Convocation this past June, and how I didn't attend. Ha.

And just to note: I will be going to Daniel's Convocation. Ha.

2009-10-16T22:40:00.009-04:00

While interning at UofT last summer, I bought a really nice notebook from Chapters. I was immediately drawn to the cover and the price was pretty awesome as well. I think it's quite obvious why I love the cover so much :)

I thought about making a clear slip cover to preserve the images and the notebook in all its glory... but I decided not to. I'm glad I didn't because the cover has aged quite nicely.

Inside are random notes... like lecture notes from my packaging class, information on neural networks, my New York City trip scribbles and prepress notes from York. I've drawn a bit in it as well, experimented with type and even stuck in a few mailing labels.

2009-10-08T23:20:00.003-04:00

I'm preparing for my camping trip in Ithaca, NY and I'm so excited. There's still the issue of equipment. I need to make sure my current sleeping bags are fit for sub-zero temperatures. And I still need to plan the meals! I've never been camping during the fall season and I really can't wait. As crazy as this sounds, I'll eventually do full winter camping.

Oh, and the nice thing about this entire trip, is that I get to spend some time in Ithaca and see my boyfriend's place of study: Cornell University!

I think this will be a nice mini-vacation.

2009-10-02T10:53:00.004-04:00

I love this idea of having a multi-purpose bag for chips.

http://www.packagingoftheworld.com/2009/09/doritos-packaging-concept.html

I think the functionality works so well because I do find resealing is a problem at times. The aesthetics could be use a change (and I believe he is calling for entries) and I do find the size slightly awkward but overall, I do appreciate the form and function.

I wonder if my Prof Albert Ng has seen this... His packaging classes are nothing but stellar and his students always come out with amazing ideas.

2009-09-30T22:33:00.007-04:00

I have more respect and appreciation for my parents more than ever. After having a heart-to-heart conversation with my supervisor, I truly respect and love them for the things they sacrificed, their huge life change (as a result of the Vietnam War) and for their bravery and courage.

I learned some new things about my parents but I also learned something about myself.

Thanks to my supervisor for opening my mind. Even as I think about my parents, I can't help but think of my supervisor too. As laid back as he is, he's a thinker and has been through many life experiences - and I respect him very highly for these and many other reasons as well.

Thank you to all those who have been involved in my life. I can't say enough thanks.

2009-09-29T23:09:00.001-04:00

Brrr!

It's cold.

And it's even colder when the buses are still running AC.

My roll of film came back... and I'm really happy!

2009-09-25T17:32:00.003-04:00

Whew! I updated my online portfolio - please take a look!

Thanks to my hand model, Brenda, for assisting me with the photographs. I know it was a bit chilly but your chipped nail polish and bracelets added charm to the photographs :P

2009-09-15T01:46:00.003-04:00

I'm happy to say that my website has been relaunched!

I'm still in the process of reworking this blog but I hope to have this done REALLY soon.

I sent 4 rolls of film to Black's and I cannot wait to see the prints. I'm quite sure that some photos came out dark but sometimes those become happy mistakes :) I can't even remember what I took photos of but all I know is that I'm excited! Eep.

2009-09-10T00:26:00.003-04:00

I have started to revamp my website. I can proudly say that I am 85% done. There are a few things I need to work out but nothing that will cause any major headaches! Yes, my website has elements from my last one but design-wise, it is refreshing to look at, especially when compared to the first version.

As soon as my website is fully revamped, I will move onto the redevelopment of my blog. I was going to host the blog entirely on my website but I think it's easier if it's maintained and managed on blogspot.

Website Updates

2009-09-02T22:09:00.002-04:00

I'm in the process of redesigning my website AND customizing my blog :)

I hope to get this all up and running really soon!

2009-08-26T22:35:00.000-04:00

Last week, my koi slowly became sick for reasons I still can't find. It was absolutely horrible and the only real chance they got was when we put them into quarantine tanks with non-iodized salt treatments. Unfortunately, two of my fish were smaller and were showing signs of illness before our biggest one did; so the salt treatments couldn't help them at the stage they were at and passed.

I spent a full day emptying the fish tank, then cleaning it thoroughly. I've had the 100 gallon tank fall onto my toes and onto my fingers when placing it back on its stand. But it's well worth it to know that my koi is now okay and frolicking back in his home.

So yeah, out of 3, only 1 survived... and this one is such a trooper. He's outlived all the other koi we have had and I think it's because he's such a big, hearty one. We've had him for many years now and I'm sad that our other koi couldn't survive.

I also saved a dog.
He was running around the neighbourhood with no owner, so I took him back to my house and waited for the owners after calling them. The poor thing was thirsty and shaking but extremely friendly. He reminded me of a miniature version of my German Shepherd.

2009-08-21T00:48:00.000-04:00

It's been a while... but I've been extraordinarily busy. My boyfriend has moved onto greater, bigger things and I did my part in being with him before his big move to Cornell University. I'm really happy for him as he'll be starting his PhD there and working with some of the best in the robotics/engineering fields. :)

Remember that freelance project I've been working on? Well the first bit has been printed, cut, assembled and handed out! The results are below:

My client was really happy, which well, made me very happy as well! I will be working on the gift tags, food cards and poster shortly.

2009-08-12T23:19:00.000-04:00

The new project that I've been working on has come along pretty well! I was able to finalize the design last night with my client, and have it ready for print today.

The print shop was absolutely wonderful and I'm so happy with the results! There's one more piece to assemble with this sub-project and as soon as that's done, I will be posting a few photographs.

This project is far from complete, as the event date is early September, and there are several more sub-projects to design.

Très exciting.

2009-08-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

As a further extension of my portfolio site, this blog will be a way for me to document the work I create and well, some of my daily life!

I'd love to start a photo-a-day blog, but realistically, that won't happen. I still use a Canon AL-1 manual SLR, so it takes time for me to finish a roll of film, develop it and scan it to CD. I do plan on upgrading to a DSLR but I'm shopping around as it's a huge investment for me.

Thanks for coming by! :)