Sakura

Mood:

Yes I'm changing, yes I'm gone

Yes I'm older, yes I'm moving on

And if you don't think it's a crime you can come along, with me

Life is moving, can't you see

They say people never change, but that's bullshit, they do

Yes I'm changing, can't stop it now

And even if I wanted I wouldn't know how

Another version of myself I think I found, at last

There's a world out there and it's calling my name

And it's calling yours, girl it's calling yours too

How many times have you heard Singaporeans say, "if only Singapore wasn't so hot, it'll be perfect"? If perfect existed, I think the Flower Dome at Gardens by The Bay comes close. The odd-shaped glass dome, which might be mistaken as a really sophisticated green house, offers the comfort of the A.C. so you could be 'outdoorsy' (how ironic) without actually getting a heatstroke. 

Nigel and I recently went to see the temporary Sakura displays at the Flower Dome. It was quite an experince for me as it was the very first time I saw cherry blossoms in real life. It's fascinating how the 'Sakura' is just so overused – mainly in marketing – I mean, I've prolly tried 'Sakura' flavoured snacks prior to seeing the actual plant. 

When I finally saw them, wow, I get it. I see why it's a big deal. Besides the species being a rarity and exclusive seasonally, I saw hope, life, and beauty. I was mesmerized. I'm not saying Sakura is the most beautiful flower, but it's been a long time since I last admired a flower in detail. I am so caught up with technology and work everyday that the most natural things in life has become foreign. Diversity, faith, beauty  balance and perfection — all these a natural occurence of life, yet, these are the things we human beings try to hard to pursue. Or have we become blind to God's creations?

I'm wearing Sweet Drug top, Pull & Bear denim jeggings and YSL lip tint in no. 2.

Salvatore

Mood:

There's a sense of wonder when discovering new, foreign places. For over two decades of living in Singapore, I hate to admit that I have never and will never see the old supreme court. What a shame. The building had undergone years of restoration and reopened as the National Gallery of Singapore earlier this month. It's unmistakably mesmerising with its contemporary design elements that breathe new life to the historic landmark – for example, water-filled glass ceilings that bounce light naturally and glossy flooring that recreate the old world charm. It's a big ol maze within, something like Harrods, with endless corridors linking to chambers within chambers. It must have taken a lot of thought to preserve our national treasure, but it hurts me a little knowing I'd never be able to time travel and see the old supreme court back in the days because time waits for no one and the only constant of time is change. Some days, I wonder why is the world so obsessed with the new, and less reminiscent of the past. The past becomes a fantasy, rechurned into something completely foreign to keep up with the times, expressed as fragments in artistic disciplines like movies and literature. Oh, hold still my fragile, melancholic soul. If time could rewind...if only.

Wearing New Look blouse, Love Bonito Davonna dress, H&M chandelier earrings, Taobao lace-up flats and Revlon lipstick in Rose Velvet.

Photography by Yun Jing.

Bernice & Leroy

When Leroy and Bernice asked me to produce a photo series of them together, of course I'd say yes. I have known the pair close to a decade, and which they have been dating for five..six years. See, I've lost count. I rarely get to go behind the lens for purposes beyond school and work, so like an amateur holding a sophisticated DSLR for the first time, I was brimming with ideas on how to photograph my friends. Creative freedom feels great. I dislike overly romanticised photographs. Romance is boring but enduring, it is genuine, not something you create out of bouquets and flower crowns. Not only they take too much effort, I think often the couple ends up so worried about the photos such that it's no longer fun. Besides, I should mention that this is not even close to an engagement shoot << disclaimer here. Pasarbella is a fun indoor place for unconventional pictures. Not many people have photographed there yet. Its out-of-town location feels like an adventure and the vibe was great too. Just be subtle about it because it's likely the manager will question you. There's a fine line between Instagram and commercial shoot so be calm should you get into trouble.

Pasarbella and Riders' Cafe are geographically close yet annoyingly inaccessible. A car will make this mini road trip a breeze. While I really preferred an outdoor environment, I hate to break the news to you that the cafe's famous botak tree is now claimed private property a.k.a. no access. No wonder everyone's found an alternative at Punggol. Oh what a big fat disappointment. More beautiful things are becoming exclusive everyday, God knows when you're no longer allowed to photograph a street lamp. Hence, we settled for the open road and it turned out not as bad as I'd imagined.

Featuring: Bernice Leong and Leroy Lim

Photography: me