Thursday, March 02, 2006
It was such a relief to have submitted the visual mindmap that was supposedly handed in yesterday, but majority of my classmates had fallen behind and I ended up being the only one handing in my visual mindmap. I'm feeling good about it because I'm one burden less compared to everyone else in class :P (yes, I'm so rubbing it in, but all the time I spent on completing it paid off!)
This was the completed visual mindmap - I'm supposed to be creating a comic, based on either one of four themes - Comedy, Adventure, Romance and Horror. I chose romance (hohoho!), and the storyline, well... it's here. :) Read it if you wish, it's rather... long. ^^; (Terry had the nerves to point at me during class and go, "FREAK" since he was struggling with one page! BLUEEEK!
A girl named Payton, lying on the bed in her room, looks worn out, tired, motionless but awake, even though it was a beautiful day. Her room was dark, as the windows were shut, and the curtains were drawn. The door was ajar, and little light was allowed in her room. We can see that she was in pain, not physically – the sadness was expressed in her eyes. As we focus into her eyes, we see what she was visualising at that very moment.
Her memories goes back to her schooling days, where she had first met this guy, Brendan, who seemed very lively, energetic, and full of enthusiasm whenever a class was being held. He had characteristics that she liked, and furthermore, as time passed, she grew fond of him, as he showed that he was protective, caring, and forever full of happiness and always had the right things to say to make rough moments seem a lot better than they really are. So, after a few months, she couldn’t keep her feelings bottled up – through short messaging, she used the cellphone to tell him her feelings towards him. Through the text conversation, they made it clear that their studies were a priority, and that the most they can do is reserve a special place in their hearts for each other.
Throughout the flashback, we see memories of her doing school activities together with Brendan. She was pinning up decorations to the dining hall for a special dinner to bid farewell to the outgoing prefects when she tripped on her way down the ladder, but she was saved when the guy helped her steady herself. During the dinner she sang a song, to which after the performance, he escorted her off the stage, and handed her a rose. On school trips, like hiking the mountain to look for some plant specimens, instead of taking photos of the surrounding, Brendan would take photos of the girl instead. During break, they would sit together and eat whatever they have packed and shared it with each other. On Valentine’s Day, they exchanged gifts, and from him she received a white rose, a bracelet, a selection of skincare products, chocolate and a card. She treasured those gifts very much, and smiled herself to sleep that very day.
A few months had passed by. The Payton looks weary and worn out, and it was obvious that she was getting thinner, but she seems to be the only one not noticing. She started to develop a case of gastritis, where she would wind up in hospital a few times in the time span of a few months. Yet, among all the visitors she gets at the hospital, none happen to be Brendan. She would send short messages to him once she recovered, but rarely would she get any response, and when she did, his excuse was that his phone credit was low so he could not say much.
Everyday she would get remarks of concern from friends to eat more, or eat carefully. She felt hurt, as there was nothing she could do about it, as she was already careful of what she ate and yet she couldn’t exactly identify which foods would trigger gastritis. She confided in Brendan what she heard and felt about it, but instead, he replies, “Why should they care? I mean, have they seen Libby? She’s as thin as a stick! I haven’t got a problem with that!” From then on, she felt sad that she was being compared and there was no tone of alarm in his voice that assured her that he had any care for her. Her grades started slipping as her concentration during classes began to deteriorate, in addition to being absent for classes most of the time. She had become frightened of eating, as it would hurt her. She was lethargic almost all the time, and she knew that she was pressured as the major exams drew nearer. She had received letters of encouragement from friends overseas, visits from school friends, and extra care from her family. Even though everything seemed complete, there was always someone missing in every picture – where was the person that she had reserved the special place in her heart for?
Never once during her absence in school did he ask her how she was doing, or what work is there to be done, or how much he would have missed her. As the days passed, she began to wonder if he was avoiding her. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she sent a short message to him, asking him straight whether he knew what she was going through.
His reply shocked her. He said he would not talk to her until the next time he saw her in front of his own two eyes. She knew it wasn’t possible at the moment, and even when she did had the chance he barely said anything to her, or even show a little concern in what happened to her. She cried as she read the message, and asked him if he had any concern or knowledge of what she was going through, but his reply had hurt her more. He wrote, ‘Look, leave me alone. You were the one who wanted all this. I told you, studies first. And right now I have no time for you.’
We return to the present day, where she still lies on her bed, but this time crying. She would wail, that she failed at everything, and all the sweet times, the person she thought she knew, were all fake, and at that instant her eyes focused on a penknife, and she scratched out the word ‘useless’ on one of her arms. It bled, and it stained her bed sheets. She asked herself, “Will I be able to fall in love again? Will I be alright?” as she cried a little more.
Luckily I didn't work on a storyboard, which was supposedly due yesterday too, because our lecturer, Rose, said it wasn't required any longer as they received a new list of requirements towards the completion of our modules. For Creative Studies, storyboards for the comics are no longer involved.
My first artwork submission was in Design studies, where we were supposed to draw out anything that connected with communication or the ways we interact with each other (without the aid of language) by using graphic pens and pencil (which is erased after the image is formed of the variety of lines). I did a treasure map, hehe...
And again in Design studies, my second assignment was to promote a certain item via ads - posters. I came up with two, promoting some drink called 'Lighten Up' (I don't want to get sued for using copyrighted or trademarked items :P).
That's pretty much it so far, I still have one more artwork due for Design studies (haven't completed it yet and it's due tomorrow - AARGH!) and a lot of photographs to be taken. Here's a few photos that I'm quite pleased with:
There are loads more - but I don't think anyone would want to see the whole thing (the total photos I took all add up to 900+ - thank goodness for SLR digitals!). Uploading them on the net is a hassle too - due to the 8 mega pixels and highest resolution, it takes me about 10 minutes to upload 5 photos (and all being re-sized anyway).
Okay, so there's a lot of work to be completed - I've cut myself off from TV (although Kong did let me indulge on good anime - Rozen Maiden) and I'm not too easily found online (even if I was I'd be partially doing my research work ahaha). STPM results are coming out soon - BAH.
Last night, I went adventuring, tagging along the big procession that was going on around the city center hoping that I can test out my skills at photography at night. Stupidly I focused on moving subjects, and... well... lets just say the outcome of it all was not my idea of 'good work'. Thanks to Hzz for accompanying me last night (my classmates abandoned me :( I was all alone!). Panning is a lot tougher than it sounds, and moving subjects are definitely a no-no. Well, it's good that I experimented, or I would be caught off-guard if we're having a trip down to Lundu this Saturday (Allen or Terry have yet to inform me on this! You guys are leaving me out - so MEAN!).
Anyway, I'd better get a move on, I've class this morning. Nikki won't be pleased if I were late, and further more... we might be having a trip down to a bead making factory (that's gonna tick Nikki off even more =____= It's always her class that gets interrupted for trips!)
Oh just before I go - couldn't resist trying out some blogthings! XP
| You Should Weigh 135 |
 If you weigh less than this, you either have a fast metabolism or are about to gain weight. If you weigh more than this, you may be losing a few pounds soon! |
| You Passed 8th Grade Math |
 Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct! |
| You are Milk Chocolate |
 A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds. You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life. Also nostelgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago. |
| Your Element is Earth |
 Your power color: yellow Your energy: balancing Your season: changing of seasons Dedicated and responsible, you are a rock to your friends. You are skilled at working out even the most difficult problems. Low key and calm, you are happiest when you are around loved ones. Ambitious and goal oriented, you have long term plans to be successful. |
6:32 AM Azzie's got style
