AOTW [25] : Frances Lorenzo
Another young talent, at the age of 17, Frances from Canada is another featured ‘Artist of the Week ‘ who is strumming my new favourite instrument – Ukulele.
Pretty cool cover of Keri Hilson’s ‘Knock You Down’. It happened that it was on my grooveshark playlist while looking for more Ukulele players on youtube.
In fact, I saw a couple of Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’ covers on youtube but I think Frances’s cover stood out among the rest. Being a cute girl with a sweet voice probably won the others hands down. 
For some strange reason, I really like both songs. Now I just want to learn how to play the ukulele and do my own covers too (We shall wait and see.HAH!) Ukulele makes every song sounds so cheerful and happy =) I like !
It’s Time For Me To Start Thinking ‘The Unthinkable’
Nobody can predict the future, that’s for sure. With 1.5 more years to my graduation, thinking about my future career plans now is like thinking the ‘unthinkable’ with the ever changing world. But that brings me to my point that “the world is full of possibilities” and I intend to consider them all.
There is one thing I took away from my 3 years in Temasek Design School and that is ‘Passion’. It is important to be passionate about your (future) profession instead of dragging your feet to work every morning with a grumpy face. From recent Wall Street Journal, “Doing the Math to Find the Good Jobs “, it is questionable to whether the data has anything based on ‘Job Satisfaction’ to call it ‘good jobs’. (Researcher Bias?)
As an aspiring Experiential Marketer/Wedding Planner (which I personally think that it puts my Interactive Media Design Diploma and Social Sciences Degree into a perfect match), it may not be as glamorous as others would imagined it to be but I find the job rewarding when I get satisfied feedback and smiling faces throughout the event.
Passion driven, communication and interaction with people, brainstorming for creative ideas and pulling off an event as a team at the end of the day, I think each event is a challenge that pushes my limit further each time. Nobody will teach you what to do when you’re at your job, from my internship experiences, I think it is up to an individual to live and love your job – whatever your ‘chosen path’ might be.
The world is indeed full of possibilities, I’m thankful to be able to attend events as a ‘blogger’, an experiential marketing internship at IRIS as well as networking with many others via social media platforms. I hope to reach out to more like-minded people or potential employers who share the same passion – being part of that special moment in someone’s life and creating a memorable experience for them (and myself).
I’m always looking for more new learning experiences so contact me at ingridmak (at) gmail (dot) com , leave a comment or drop me a tweet at @iammyy !
I tweet.I blog.I tell my story.
Social network being a very potent force in communication, I think the only way to continue being anoymous is not to get involved in the first place. With all the various platforms, it was certainly overwhelming when I first started. However, being on these social media platforms really allowed me to engage in (almost) real-time learning opportunities and a chance for networking. Not a single bit of regret !
There are times when my parents would ask who on earth will read my blog or follow my tweets. I asked myself the same questions and came to a conclusion. In this sea of information, people (including myself when it comes to choosing who to follow) are looking for 3 main things within the content :
Entertainment
People likes to be entertained – be it youtube videos, music, comics, funny sites that can help to keep their days easier to get by. I certainly hope and prefers to fall under this category, to be a provider of entertainment value. That probably explains why I really enjoy looking for my AOTW features and sharing them with the rest of the world. Getting positive feedback and exchanging words with the various (wonderful) artists really kept me going.
Information and Opinions
I love to follow people who can provide me with great articles that feed me with facts and trivia. I think I’m quite an information junkie, I like having data and interesting insight to keep my mind active. Twitter/Plurk, in specific, is like a social community which allows users to interact and seek for assistance when you need to do some problem-solving. It is much quicker to sift through responses and source for what you exactly need. For example, I tweet and ask my followers to recommend a dining place instead of searching all over google for various reviews. Not forgetting, that’s how I usually get my latest soccer match updates via twitter too ! (Go #MUFC!)
Personal Touch
I have read in a couple of articles that recommended online presence should be professional aka ‘no-nonsense’. I beg to differ, I think my online presence should also give people a sense that they actually know me. It is all the ‘insignificant things’ that defines me to how others view me as. Maybe it is not important to anyone whether ‘I really love Glee’ and thinks ‘Johnny Depp is the most gorgeous man on earth’ or ‘prefers my steak to be medium rare’ – But I think being myself is what draws people to listen or draws them to my ‘social circle’ because they either can identify with you or like you for being you !
At the end of the day, with each virtual update, I am sharing my life story with someone else – almost like an 140 character autobiography each time. Therfore, I take it like a step in developing a relationship or a connection with my readers/followers. Hopefully to widen my social circle with like-minded people who shares my interest or opens up the door to other exciting opportunities in the future.
AOTW [24] : NajMeTender
If you have been following me on twitter, you’ll probably notice that I’ve been talking about the Ukulele alot recently.
NajMeTender caught my eyes because she looks so adorable in the videos ! I really like her style and the best part of it all ? She’s a fellow Singaporean and just 2 years (I think) younger than I am ! Support local talents ! (Here I go again..haha)
Enjoy her Ukulele cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Pokerface’ (which for some strange reason I kept typing ‘Pokkaface’ instead -sips on Pokka Oolong Tea-)
Oh,I just have to share this as well because it used to be my favourite show.
You’ll realize there’s something else after 0:44 (seriously cuteness!)
Addam’s Family Theme song
I’ll be sharing more Ukulele-related videos for the upcoming AOTW posts, stay tuned !
Proof-reading is important
“HE’S an old Singapore hand, who spent four years here as the founding dead of Insead’s Asia campus from 1999 to 2002.“
Nicely done. I’m not sure how happy our new president, Prof De Meyer will be when he hears that he’s the ‘founding dead’ but I certainly had a good laugh at this. Another reason why I stopped reading Straits Times ? They need to do proof-reading,big time.
It’ll be a big mistake if you listened to your teachers who once told you that “You’ll learn good English by reading the newspaper more”. I’m sure it will, just probably not the local ones.
[Update : Of course it has been edited already.]
Blog-A-Trend : MYY FutureIs ?
Last Saturday, I had the privilege to attend this blogger event/panel organised by HP and Microsoft. The event theme was “Envision the Future” and 6 panelists shared their thoughts on the future. I enjoyed the event alot because it was an eye-opener to see how different individuals see the future as in different perspectives.
School is getting busy so I’ll update more about the event and my thoughts after the discussion in abit! As for now, I’m here to share some good news ! Here’s your chance to win something awesome from HP !
On a side note, it was also my first visit to Giraffe Restaurant & Bar, food isn’t too bad at all !
HP’s new campaign called “Blog A Trend“, Here’s the details !
What Is “Blog A Trend”?
It’s the simplest ideas that change the world. We believe bringing minds with various insights and ideas will certainly spark a revolution.Blog A Trend is how you get to start your very own future revolution.
How Blog A Trend works:
Pen a blog post (of at least 300 words), or create a photo story, or even produce a video clip about the most compelling vision of the future. Once it’s up on your blog, email your post to us with the permalink to futureis@ waggeneredstrom.com by 28th February 2010.Blog A Trend is eligible for bloggers residing in Singapore only.
What you should blog about:
Tell us about the future and what trends define it. Here’s a tip: think about people, think about what they like, what they don’t like and how those behaviors will be redefined in the future. Your submission can even be your opinion on a trend you see emerging. Share these ideas with your readers and generate a discussion – your first step in starting a revolution.In short, tell us what you believe will soon become part of our everyday lives and then, get people talking. If our judges think your post has generated the most interesting discussions, you’ll get to win the latest gadgets from HP’s latest line-up of computers
Official site: HP Future Is.
AOTW [23] : The Temper Trap
I’ve all along been a very ‘visual’ person. This video caught my eyes mainly because of a really simple reason – somewhere at 0:14 where the birds started flying in, it reminded me of the movie review I had to do back in polytechnic days. It gave me a nightmare to be honest. Not sure which movie I’m referring to ? Try watching Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” 5 times on one day !
That aside, I think this Aussie band is one of the upcoming ones. The song below is featured on the FIFA10 soundtrack for those of you who are gamers and might find it familiar.
By the way, check out their song “Sweet Disposition” which is the song that was featured on the teaser trailer and official soundtrack of “500 days of Summer”!
The Temper Trap “Science Of Fear”
Brakes on
Brakes on
The car is running empty
Brakes on brakes on
The car is runnin empty
Downhill
Head on
This crash is comin slowly
Downhill
Head on
This crash is comin slowly
Move
Or watch the slow death of your way of life
There’s a science to fear
It plagues my mind
And it keeps us right here
And it keeps us here
My ears
My eyes
My brain is slowly bustin
Black smoke
Red sky
The television’s sayin
Downhill
Head on another crash is comin
Move
Or watch the murder of you way of life
There’s a science to fear
It plagues my mind
And it keeps us right here
And the less we know
The more we sit still
My baby’s stuck on a road
That lead to nowhere
Nowhere, nowhere.
Being Happy in 2010
Earlier last week, Brian from Happyesque asked what would make me happy in 2010. Without much thinking, I gave the following answer. (Because if I keep on thinking, I’ll end up with a LONG list or telling Brian stuff like “If I can only have one wish, I wish all my wishes will come true” kind of nonsense..Haha!)
“Spending more time with the loved ones, getting a great internship that I can learn something from!”
As cliche as it sounds, I guess I’ve learnt that nothing is more precious than spending quality time with the family ever since my mom had her operations. With school (and work) taking up most of our time, we barely have time to care for the people we love, not to mention spending time with them. Half the time I wish I can quit school so as to spend more time with my parents who are…well, honestly getting older and needs me around to help out at home.
At the same time, there are many friends whom we are ‘well-connected’ to via the internet but slowly losing the ‘human touch’. It’s a good thing that technology allows us to keep in touch easily but I think many would agree that it is different to hang out and just chat about anything under the sun as compared to throwing pillows at eachother on facebook or @-replying on twitter. Spending time with friends (be it doing anything ‘objective’) is something that I miss dearly too.
I had a great internship experience with Iris in 2009 and hopefully this year, I’ll land myself with another exciting internship (hopefully an overseas one) with equally awesome learning opportunities. That’ll keep me happy over the holiday I guess
Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that makes you happy.
So what would make you happy in 2010 ? Read more from fellow tweeters and bloggers here !
The Designer’s Love Letter
I had such a good laugh over this so I decided to share it on my blog (after editing alil) – Thanks Chris !
Before you came,
my life was as boring as the white Locked BackGround layer,
but now that I have known you,
you have added.. many Layers to my life..
Filters to allow me to see aspects of myself that I have never seen before..
You, have Masked away my flaws, marqueed away my bad habits,
I will head to the Photoshop, to print out as many happy memories as possible..You Illustrate my life with colour,
I have been Live-Traced by your fingertips.
Vectored into completionYour body, has more sexy curves than a Sans-serif Font.
I will make a font for you, and together we will attempt every letter.
We can call it the FONTASUTRA..You are my Lorem Ipsum, the one to fill the empty spaces with words when I have none to use..
I will make our HOME(page), an epitome of perfection,
no leaky sink pipes,
no broken links!
and a comfort to navigate around, even in the dark..
We can Flash each other in this personal space,
where it can be either a fast or slow interactive process,
with your choice of streaming music in the home!You are my Dreamweaver, even though you still give me the occasional nightmare.
Our home and email inbox will be Comletely Safe and Secure(CSS) from from thieves, burglars, spammers, hackers, nigerian money scammer and the like.
My Personal Hygiene Practices(PHP) means I will shave, never have bad breath or body odur..
and my knowledge of HTML(How To Make Love) will be a cup never filled,
and no table will be spared..(dining room table, kitchen table, living room coffee table..)You are my (adobe)Bridge that calms my entire extended family(Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, rebel RAWs and Deviant Jpegs)
My diamond ring to you, will only be of the Final Cut (Pro)..
My wedding vows will be lovingly Copywrited..
Our wedding Soundtrack, will not feature anything from Garageband, only Protools and Soundtrack Pro
You are my MacbookPro, we will spend many late nights, either doing absolutely nothing or creating something beautiful and useful.
I will touch you more than I touch my iPhone..
Even when we grow old and senile,
I will make endless podcasts to myself beforehand, so that I wont forget you..
because then this Really Senile Seniorcitizen(RSS) fears nothing, except the loss of happy memories with you,
and his xbox360..My life, My love indesign for you..
AOTW [22] : Sugarland/Matt Nathanson
I love Matt Nathanson‘s “Come On Get Higher” since the first time I’ve heard it last year by chance. Meant to blog about it but keeps forgetting. So here I am today, blogging Matt Nathanson as my Artist Of The Week (AOTW) but I came across Sugarland, a Grammy Award-winning American country music duo did this brilliant cover for the Matt Nathanson’s song.
Sugarland’s music video of Stay was so emotional, felt like crying along with her. Though the song is more suitable for a girl who’s in a love-triangle situation (with the guy deciding between 2 girls of course). Depressing song but great vocal.
Anyways, here’s the 2 versions of “Come On Get Higher”. Which do you prefer ? =)
Sugarland’s Cover :
Original by Matt Nathanson :
“Come On Get Higher”
I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in
If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what’s next
Make you believe
Make you forget
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard and drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard and drown me in love
I miss the sound of your voice
The loudest thing in my head
And I ache to remember
All the violent, sweet, perfect words that you said
If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what’s next
Make you believe
And make you forget
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard and drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard and drown me in love
I miss the pull of your heart
I taste the sparks on your tongue
And I see angels and devils and God
When you come on
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Sing sha la la la
Sing sha la la la la
Come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard and drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Pull me down hard and drown me, drown me in love
(Come on get higher, loosen my lips)
It’s all wrong
(Faith and desire and the swing of your hips)
It’s all wrong
(Pull me down hard and drown me, drown me in love)
It’s so right
Come on get higher
(Come on get higher, loosen my lips)
Come on and get higher
(Faith and desire and the swing of your hips)
Because everything works love
Because everything works in your arms
