99th Revels

It's hard to explain Revels to anyone who hasn't experienced it before, but basically it's the most important tradition at my school where the senior class put up the show in a week with all parts kept secret, and on the very night of it, continuous cheering of the underclasswomen deafens you for days. I loved my eccentric role of the Alchemist (a surprise to everyone, I believe)- the feeling of being crazy and letting everything go on stage, plus harassing the audience. Though quite different from the normal theatre productions I've done, Revels is one of the best things I've experienced at my school, and it put me right into the Christmas Spirit. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Artist Inspiration x Kyle Thompson

© http://www.kylethompsonphotography.com

At the first glance, I would have categorized Kyle Thompson's artwork as surrealism, but he instead described it as "organic surrealism, since it is much more real and existent than surrealism is". In most of his work, Kyle creates art with people (a lot of times, himself) by placing them in a way that interacts or even corresponds to the given surroundings. He captures the essence and concepts of human activity in abandoned houses and nature, which is what makes his art stand out. 

Eurydice

I have to admit that I was emotionally, mentally, and physically challenged in playing the role of Orpheus in Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. Playing a guy's role was nothing new to me (our director has yet to cast me as a female character… Or maybe she will never), but Orpheus, as the god of music, loved his wife Eurydice dearly, had so much hope in finding her, and even became slightly too crazy from planning his trip to the underworld (aka hell), finally broke down in realizing that Eurydice and him would never be together again. This play shows how powerful passion is. It was incredibly beautiful and I had fun singing for the first time on stage. I learned and loved my role as Orpheus more and more every rehearsal. It taught me the pride and burden of being the lead (not to mention how to find the spotlight and interact with the space around me), and am really thankful for getting casted as it. It was  very rewarding to hear from the audience how they were so moved that they teared up. Hopefully, this will not be my performance at my high school. I am debating whether to audition for or do stage sets in the spring production as it's a musical (still uncertain about my singing though everyone seemed to have enjoyed it); but if I do audition, can I be casted as a girl? Please? 

Just Keep Swimming

Featured above a video I made that wraps up the last swimming season of my life (watch in HD). 

I started swimming when I was four. At the beginning, I was so scared of the water that I would nag my parents not to bring me to practices. When I finally overcame my fear and started to enjoy swimming, I was told by my doctor that my skin was allergic to the chlorine and that I should stop swimming. He told me that I was not a fish, so I didn't have to swim. 

With those obstacles, not to mention the abnormal constant cramps I have (I always think my body was never built for sports), I'm actually pretty proud of how far I've come. This season was the peak of my swimming career, with a bounded team, my 50 free time (26.59 yay!) and two school relay records broken.

Swimming has taught me persistence and given me the unique swimmer spirit.  It's a part of me that I know I'll never lose. As much as I still want to go through the sometimes painful trainings and the pumped up meets again, all good things must come to an end. And in the words of my super poetic friend, "it has been a journey, creating broad shoulders, large thighs, and bulky muscles, but it is time to go."

The People Project

Library

Dining Hall 

I've started The People Project for about two weeks now, and the result turned out much different that I thought what it would be. For one, my person, made with tape, is extremely fragile, keeps falling apart, and needs constant attention and care. On a better note, people in my community are noticing its interactions with various architectures. In turn, they start to interact with my person at the dining hall, talking to her and dressing her up with a bib. I guess, in a way, she is a symbolistic company and can make people feel less alone.

Currently on a hunt for her next location!

Mini Maker Faire

Yesterday's sunny fall weather was perfect for the Mini Maker Faire held at my school. We had about 50 booths that featured their innovations ranging from slow motion cameras,  Tesla Coil, to glowing duct tape wallets, jewelries, hand-made violins, and soaps (plus a bunny!). I enjoyed taking pictures and seeing how every single booth is unique in its own way. The people were inspiring in a way that they showed me how I can basically create art out of any material and form. One of my favorites was the 3D printer. It could make solid objects of virtually any structure and did so by using an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. It's weird thinking how the 3D printer might start an industrial revolution and that in a couple of decades, Architecture students no longer have to build their own models. 

Architecture vs. Theatre

Romeo and Juliet Stage Set © Mom

Tribabies © http://www.xmarkjenkinsx.com

During the past summer, I tried to find the ultimate link between architecture and theatre, the two forms of art that I love. The link between sounds rather nonexistence and abstract at first, and not that I have found my perfect answer already, but I'm glad to say that Tisch somehow helped me connect them together. For one, the technique of "viewpoints" in theatre made me realize that  actors don't exist on their own; the audience is seeing the interaction with and within the space, and together they narrate the story. With my passion for both structural precision and emotional expression,  I decided to be involved in the Advanced Arts Project at school so that I can create art in my own way. A few of my ideas now are building stage sets that emphasizes on the relationship between actors and the architecture surrounding them and making life-size taped human figures to place around my campus (The People Project). These figures will do specific actions that suit the function of the architecture. My goal for TPP is that people at my school will look at the figures and be more aware of how they, too, can interact with what is around them. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for my final presentation, but hopefully this whole art project will make an impact on my community. Excited to see how this year will turn out! 

Summer 13' x One Thirty One

Caviar
Potato Hot & Cold

Monkfish
Cauliflower 3 Ways x Truffle x Sherry Vinegar 

Wagyu
Corn x Black Garlic x Broccolini
Puffed Rice

Mint Pot
 Guanaja Cremeux x Mint Sherbet x Hazelnut Soil

My family and I had dinner at One Thirty One to celebrate my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. Located in Sai Kung, this French restaurant is secluded and peaceful. It only serves 16 people per night, and this attention to every single costumer could explain why the food was so delicate and delicious. 

Happy Silver Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad! 

Summer 13' x Tisch

 © My Roomie Olga Ushakova 

My past month spent at Tisch NYU was rewarding and life-changing. The people I had encountered were so passionate about arts, in particular theatre, that they inspired me to work, play, and live to the fullest. Not to mention, New York was so vibrant and cultural, that no wonder people always described it as a city where "anything could happen". Hopefully, now a little clearer of what I love and a little bolder in living, I'll be able to enjoy senior year and get to university (yay)! 

365 Days at Hogwarts

It's been a while since I last blogged; the last quarter of junior year was (indescribable). Junior year was tough, lots of fun, crazy, etc. I started the year with this grand plan in action that I would take a photo of the view outside my window every single day. Of course, I slacked some days and I regret that I did not take any photos of the spring Cherry Blossoms (amazing!). I decided at last to compile 10 photos that showed the extreme weathers at my school (that is often mistaken as Hogwarts). 

P.S.: The photos are in chronological order!