ingridmak.net

Life,in general.

From How I Met Your Mother (awesomest show ever)

I guess no one can predict how our lives would turn out to be though I believe  we can decide what we want to be. Things won’t always run as how you’ve planned. We can hang on to our dreams or just let it go. If it’s meant for us, there’s always a way that will lead us to there. Else, just carry on with life and take the leap.

Afterall, the world is constantly changing and you won’t know what will knock on your door next.

Tags: How I Met Your Mother, life, quote

Blog A Trend: Forging Our Future Friendship

I forgot where I’ve heard this being questioned : ” Who on earth still receives mails in their mailbox from friends anyways ?”

I still do ! But that’s beside the point – it’s just so amazing to see the ‘revolution’ of friendship with the help of technology. I still remember writing letters and notes to keep in touch with friends, say 10 years back. It was a regular thing to do with my overseas friends and funny enough, I still keep most of them since I’m pretty sentimental. But with the introduction of emails, IM and mIRC in those days, writing and snail mails are long forgotten.

One thing that really allowed me to make more friends was those mIRC days in secondary school. Who can possibly forget the numerous nights you spent infront of the computer at various #, ‘fighting’ to become @op/+v  randomly having people asking you “a/s/l?” Surprisingly, I’ve met several friends on mIRC and we’re still friends even though mIRC is like, dinosaur era for us.

Not forgetting social networking sites like friendster and facebook ! Many ‘old friends’ are found when everyone starts using facebook and looking up for eachother via the internet. I’m happy to have found most of my friends back in primary school and of course those who are overseas, facebook really made everything more convenient for us to keep in touch.

Having friends overseas is a huge problem back then, because it takes weeks to exchange letters ! Now we can just skype or call directly from computer-to-landlines to keep in touch. I really survive on skype with my friends on exchange although my current dinosaur laptop doesn’t have a webcam *coughs* (haha). But it’s almost like we’re at the same place when we do get to ’see’ eachother…perhaps next time it’ll be a 3D-call ! Who knows, that might just be the new trend in years to come.

Moving on, now we have Foursquare which is a mobile app to ‘follow’ your friends when they are out. I don’t know if I want to let my friends know whether I’m a few blocks away from them or ’stalk’ me virtually. But I see the advantages for those who are around the area and wants to meet up for a short gathering. In fact, if you’re adventurous, you can probably meet new friends if they happen to be on Foursquare too ! Mobile is like the next important thing now, I definitely think we will be relying on the mobile platform to keep in touch – and not just via calls and smses.

It’s probably a good thing that we have so many various platforms to keep in touch with our friends and technology has indeed make things alot easier. However, I think having such ‘virtual relationships’ still can’t be compared to a ‘real friendship’. Worst of all, now we have robotic friends/pets that keep the next generation company. Will our future generation forget how to interact with a real human being and just maintain such virtual/digital relationships in the future ?

It’s rather sad to see couples or friends sitting at the same table with their faces plastered to their mobiles/laptops. As much as I appreciate the technology, I truly agree with this quote I’ve found off the net,

“True friendship isn’t about being there when it’s convenient; it’s about being there when it’s not.”

So spend time with your loved ones, not because it’s ‘convenient’ but because you love them and want to be with them. Technology can only help you that much, it takes your individual effort to keep in touch afterall !

Tags: 3D, blog a trend, email, facebook, foursquare, friendship, friendster, futureis, HP, hp mini, laptop, mirc, netbook, skype

[Giveaway] Tickets To Egg Story Digital Arts School Seminar Series Two worth $480(X5) !

2 days back I had the opportunity to visit Egg Story Digital Arts School (ESDA) and it was really cool to learn more about 3D stereoscopic film-making as well as getting a chance to see some of the students’ showcase.

I really enjoyed the chat with Chris (the Acting GM of ESDA) and I have to conclude the same thing that I’ve concluded after 3 years in Design School – Passion really keeps you going in the creative industry.

If you enjoyed movies such as Coraline, Monsters VS Aliens and Avatar…or simply because you are interested in the industry itself, this is not to be missed !

ESDA is organizing a 3-day seminar along with master classes for industry experts to share their knowledge and enhance the profile of the local media industry. This is a great networking opportunity for those who are currently students interested in film making or the whole 3D animation field.

There will be well-known speakers such as Peter Hillman from Weta Digital (he worked on Avatar!) and Jim Heji from Electronic Arts (who developed popular games such as Godfather II and Need for Speed Undercover) and John Dillion who was the animator and storyboard artist of Imagi’s Astro Boy…and many other well known names in the industry.

Pardon me if I’m already gushing ! Egg Story Digital Arts School is really generous to offer me not just one but FIVE tickets for the 3 day seminar to give out. The usual price of the ticket is $480.00 (50% discount for Singaporeans/PRs/Students). As a student, I have to admit that it is alil pricey for us, so if you’re interested, do try your luck ! (see below for instructions)

Event: Egg Story Digital Arts School Seminar Series TWO

Date: 3 to 5 March 2010

Venue: Red Dot Traffic Museum, Gallery 1 and 2

Time: 10am to 4pm (daily)

For more information, visit the official gatecrash site ! (You can purchase your own ticket here too)

How to win:
Simply drop me an email at ingridmak [at] gmail [dot] come with the title: “ Egg Story Digital Arts School Seminar Series Two Giveaway” with your name and contact information. Winners will be randomly picked and contacted via email.

Closing date : 01 March 2010, 2359.

Thank You Egg Story Digital Arts School for making this giveaway possible ! =)

Tags: 3D stereoscopic film making, astro boy, avatar, coraline, creative industry, Design, egg story digital arts school, egg story digital arts school seminar series TWO, electronic arts, esda, gatecrash, godfather II, jim heji, john dillion, master classes, monsters vs aliens, need for speed undercover, peter hillman, red dot traffic museum, seminar, weta digital

AOTW [29] : Ace Enders and a Million Different People

Short and sweet for this week AOTW again.

Ace Enders and a Million Different People is a solo project by Ace Enders. The following song is from his new album that was released a year ago on 17th March. Pretty cool song and nice lyrics to it.

Enjoy !

Ace Enders and a Million Different People – When I Hit The Ground

I tried my best to leave
The broken parts of me
In the hallway where I wait
To watch you walk away

I wonder if I run
If I chase you, would you come?
I just know that something’s wrong.

So if you leave this town, I would follow you right out
The dark of every road to hold you afloat

Cut me deep so you can see
Everything’s not what it seems
On my knees, I’m breaking down
Just know I loved you when I hit the ground.

I wander through these streets, a drifter no one sees
Collecting memories, of you and me

I never meant to lose control
I know I hurt you, I was wrong
I should’ve never let you go

So if you leave this town, I would follow you right out
The dark of every road to hold you afloat

Cut me deep so you can see
Everything’s not what it seems
On my knees, I’m breaking down
Just know I loved you when I hit the ground.

Come down, I’m always around
So if you fall down, I’m always around
Just come down, I’m always around
So if you fall down, I’m always around

So if you leave this town, I would follow you right out
The dark of every road to hold you afloat

Cut me deep so you can see
Everything’s not what it seems
On my knees, I’m breaking down
Just know I loved you when I hit the ground.

Tags: Ace ender, Ace Enders and a Million Different People, aotw, when i hit the ground

RIP

26 years of love. 18 years of fighting with cancer.

I truly admire their love for eachother and understood the true meaning behind the marriage vow ” to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health” from their relationship.

I hope the media will give Michelle and his loved ones some space. They are humans afterall, just like any of us.

“永远在我们心中, Rest In Peace 尹志強叔叔”

AOTW [28] : Kina Grannis

Keeping this short since I’m having midterms and just recently came back from my Batam trip (will blog about it soon!)

Enjoyed the video and the sweet lyrics of  ”Valentine’ by Kina Grannis ! Such a cute voice and lovely lyrics.

Although Valentine’s Day is wayyy over but hope you had a great one and remember, love is always in the air =)

Valentine - Kina Grannis

Love, it's a special day
We should celebrate and appreciate
That you and me found something pretty neat
And I know some say this day is arbitrary

But it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
Baby, I...
I will love you
I'll love you, I'll love you

Love, I don't need those things
I don't need no ring
I don't need anything
But you with me
'Cause in your company
I feel happy, oh so happy and complete

And it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
Baby, I...
I will love you
I'll love you, I'll love you

Yeah, it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
Baby, I...
I will love you
I'll love you, I'll love you

So won't you be my honey bee?
Giving me kisses all the time
Be mine, be my Valentine

So won't you be my honey bee?
Giving sweet kisses all the time
Be mine, be my Valentine

Oh, be my Valentine

Tags: batam, kina grannis, Love, midterms, valentine, valentine's day, vday

Have a ROARing Valentine !

Happy (overrated) Valentine’s Day ! Oops, I forgot the year of Tiger (my year!) kinda took away the fun for all the hallmark greeting cards and big bouquets of roses most girls are expecting. Come on, Vday shouldn’t be just for this ONE day when you’re in love.

This day is just totally over-hyped ! What’s the point of being sweet for just one day and being ‘normal’ again for the rest of the year ? It should be spontaneous and just surprise your loved ones every other time you feel like it !

If you want to give me a Valentine’s Day present, give me a gift of love that will last my lifetime !

Not forgetting, Happy Chinese New Year ! I hope couples out there made the ‘right’ decision to spend the special day with family as well. ‘Luckily’ for the boyfriend, my family decides to escape from Singapore for CNY (since we don’t have relatives here) for a short Batam getaway (my first time too! Will blog about it when I’m back!) so he doesn’t have to face that dilemma. Hur.

Have yourselves a happy holiday nonetheless =)

Tags: batam, chinese new year, cny, cupid, getaway, hallmark greeting cards, Love, roses, singapore, valentine's day, vday, year of tiger

AOTW [27] : Gorillaz

I think Gorillaz is probably the only band which remains  ‘unknown’ and their members have this ‘mysterious persona’ behind their cartoon characters.

I like how the band goes viral to reveal their new album Plastic Beach. This trailer is  set to an orchestral soundtrack that tours the album’s cover ! Way different from their usual music but very visually intriguing, can’t wait to see what they have in store for this new album. Though I have to admit that I have no idea what the whole video is suppose to mean !

So here’s the official HD Orchestral Trailer for Gorillaz’s fantastic new album ” Plastic Beach” out March 8th!

Tags: album, aotw, band, cartoon, Gorillaz, HD, mysterious persona, official, orchestral, plastic beach, soundtrack, viral, visually intriguing, watchmojo

Good Enough Is Not Good Enough

A friend replied to my earlier tweet :

“Why go for good enough when you have a better option before you?”

His reply ?

“@iammyy cos life is simple like that. good enough is really enough.”

Let me clarify something, I don’t disagree with his statement that sometimes (or rather, most of the time) – good enough is really enough.

However, let us all remember that just good enough does not equate to

• Low quality – this is not an excuse to produce low quality work
• Poor effort – it’s about efficiency and not having a ‘heck care’ attitude

I believe that you don’t begin planning with a ‘good enough’ mindset but instead, set realistic benchmarks and identify those unrealistic ones so that you will know when ‘good enough is enough’. What sets it apart is “tried-my-best-good-enough job” and “half-assed work”.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes if that’s what stopping you, it’s just part of the growth and process. Nothing is flawless in my opinion, so embrace your mistakes and learn.

Don’t be mistaken. I’m not a perfectionist.

If I strive for perfection, I don’t think I’ll get any blog posts out anyways ! (HAHA)

Tags: attitude, benchmarks, good enough, half-assed work, iammyy, just barely good enough, low quality, mindset, mistakes, perfection, perfectionist, poor effort, process, tweet, twitter

Overheard On The Bus : Money Over Love ?

Earlier this week, I overheard this bunch of secondary school boys chatting among themselves on the bus.

The conversation as followed :

Boy A : 我长大以后，我要有多多的钱咯！(When I grow up, I want to be really rich!)

Boy B : 我要 chio bu 老婆！(I want a pretty wife!)

Boy A : 不用啦，有钱 then 你要几个老婆都可以咯 (No need, you can have as many wives as you want if you have the money.)

Boy C : 可以买 meh ? (Can I buy them?)

Boy A : 你有钱 then 她们就会来咯！(If you have money then they’ll come to you)

I’m appalled to hear such comments from the boys, especially when they are just secondary school boys (say 13-16 years old?) With that kind of mindset, I really doubt the ‘bright future’ of our society. So are you trying to say that with money, you can ‘buy’ girls ? Is money really everything ?

Another point worth mentioning is – why are girls being viewed this way ? Is it the way we behave or stereotypes of how most girls simply just dream to marry into a rich family and be ‘Tai Tai’s ?

‘When you’re in charge of money, you’re in charge of your life’. Money is certainly important and most parents would agree that you should marry someone who shares similar social class background. Rather than ‘gold-digging’, I’ll advice girls to be financially independent and pursue love instead.

At the same time, don”t be duped by romantic unrealistic dreams and regret later on in life. Smart individuals earn their own money and find your own happy love story ending at the same time…and gain that respect from the opposite gender.

Would you choose to marry ‘Money’ over ‘Love’ ?

Tags: boys, bus, gold-digging, independent, Love, marriage, money, overheard, relationship, secondary school, society, stereotypes, tai tai