Hair Evolution

I use to think that long hair is my thing.

Taken on Year 2011 Chinese New Year

Side view, I used to have really really long hair.

I have very little power in making decision since I was a child. My dress, my hairstyles were all decided by my mom. I was not allowed to have fringe because I have ballet lessons, even I see some girls in the studio kept them. I got beaten once because I cut my hair off due to curiosity (I'm a teenager that time, forever a child in parent's eyes), from that you can see, I have no control over my body, I don't even dare to think of being in trend. (Pretty sad in retrospect)

Then one day in my 16, my mom suddenly agree on letting me having a fringe. "Tell the hairdresser what kind of hairstyles you want, you can decide yourself," she said. HOLY MOLLY. I'm completely dumbfounded. Then I got this hairstyle below.

Fieldtrip in the year end

WADAFARK. IT'S KINDA NOOB.

 I kept this hairstyle for about 1 year+, then I move on to a new hairstyle. 

It was a big surprise and EPIC FAIL.

(Those days without smartphone and good editing software)

Looks kinda cool from a higher angle

It looks terrible from the front.

(Attending my first and last IU DAY) Luckily my hair grew longer , in case you guys are in doubt, yes I'm wearing contact lenses xD

  THOSE DAYS WERE HORRENDOUS.This terrible hairstyle were in my high school graduation picture and still a contact picture in my dad's phone. I hated my thick, messy long hair and thought of getting it short for good, then it became worst. I realize my face were long like horse face, my cheeks are bulky, and short hair were emphasizing all these flaws. It's easy to have short hair, but I told myself NO MORE SHORT HAIR.

I grew my hair after national service, it's the first time for me to have full make up on me.
It is also my first profile picture on Facebook that get more than 100 likes.

I decided to have long hair, but not as long as I used to have ( till the hips!) So I constantly trim them, use conditioners, patiently dry my hair with hairdryers(so that it'll be in shape) . Also, I started to haul make ups and beauty products, because I want to look cute and pretty too! (partially due to working needs) It took me 1 and a half year to have obedient hair, learn fashion taste, and wearing the correct bra (thanks to my girls in form 6! You helped me a lot!)etc. I can't say I'm super good in dressing up, but at least I improved.

MY HAIR IS COMPLETELY TAMED! I could let it down like other girls! What a relieve!

Last year's Eid Mubarak (Hari Raya)

After years in government school (including pre-U), I went to dye my hair immediately.

 I want it bright and striking!

 Frankly speaking, it looks a bit LALA (hipster). I got condemned a lot from my family members, they almost skin me alive *laughs* It's actually a pretty hard time for me to break my family's prejudice on fashion and styling. Taking care of outwards doesn't equal to being superficial. Sadly everyone thought that I got hooked up on dressing up and doesn't give a shit about my future. Don't judge a book by it's cover please!

much better isn't it?

  It was fun having new hair colour at the beginning, then I start to experience hair problem such as dryness. I start to regret dying it. The hair dresser that use to take care of our hair since my teenage nagged me on doing so. "Your hair is completely spoiled!"her tone was a little annoyed,"No more hair dying next time, you know it hurts your hair a lot!" My inner self had already made countless face palm.

  After a few months dealing with dry, strangled ends, I decided to dye it back to black due to my part time job. Man, it's hard to say good bye to this bright, cheerful colour! 

 HOWEVER- my hair evolution does not stop! In fact, it's a big plot twist!

(Selfies before casting)

I received an email from a hair studio, wanting me to cast for being a hair model. I went to the casting, got it, and the next thing, BOOM-

BEFORE THE SHOW

BEFORE THE SHOW

AFTER THE SHOW

WHOOPS MY DOUBLE CHIN D:

She fetched me during rehearsal and show, easy going girl!

I've never ever ever imagined that I would be modelling, even though I'm no pro, even though it's just for one night, I'm completely satisfied!

I love the vibrant colours!!

Enjoy styling it a lot!

Unfortunately, my mom hate it. Because it's not how a student should look like. So I dyed back again, this time using a brown henna, cheaper and nicer. Frankly speaking, I was a little hesitant when Kim (The JOICO hair show hairstylist) suggested me a short hair, but it turned out great! 

unbelievably, this pic has more than 100 likes as well.

I clearly remember I took this photo after a blood donation (this explain the plaster on my left hand). It was a sudden realization-"Hey, I could look good in short hair too!" 

This time, I wanna keep my hair short, for long! I'm not afraid of horse faces anymore *plays "LET IT GO"*

my hair look terrible after the henna wears off, so I decided to touch up.
(I'm doing weird faces hahahaha NO YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE)

This time, it's purplish brown!

Note that violet radiant

                                       

It's pretty modest without sunlight.

My current look!

 I really wanna try different colour next time! Looking back at the hair evolution, every single hairstyles carry different memory and mark my growth. I've never published most of the hair modelling photos because I'm shy and didn't want to boast about it. But it was fun with all those loving hairstylist, friendly models, giggly young girls, funny outfit, fabulous music! We all had our very own "superstar" moment during the modelling. I appreciated it, and I will cherish it.

I knew I wasn't fitting enough for professional modelling, so I'm grateful to have so much fun that night, to be able to experience a different moment from my previous life.

Thank you, for that night. :)

Interesting food hunt! (The reason why I love Malaysia)

Malaysia food varieties never bores me. NEVER. 

Pose macam yes, but seriously don't fancy Latte (¬д¬。)

  To be born in a multiculture country is one of the most lucky thing in the world, not to mention Malaysian's crazy dedication of food hunting. Food is Malaysian's life, food is Malaysian's pride! We love trying out different combination, even though my ancestry is Chinese, it's impossible for me to not have Spaghetti , Rendang and Mamak food in my meals. NOT HAVING MAMAK? THAT'S JUST CRAZY.

  We're in an era of globalization, obviously new food culture come pouring in Malaysia. Coffee house were mushrooming through out these few years(YAY to coffee lovers!) For people like me who do not know the delicacy of coffee, we go to coffee house for dessert, special dishes and relaxing enviroment. I've discovered a few unique places to go, although is a little pricey for students, but hey! You need some spirit rejuvenation, once in a while! Or maybe some comfy chatting place with your friends!

(The sequence does not represent ranking!)

1st. Le Lapin (Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur)

It's a quiet space, without obvious signboards, without much decoration. I went there for studies. 

Try Ice cube coffee! It's fun!

AHHHH It has homemade feeling :)

2nd. Await cafe. (Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur) 

Nice place, happy atmosphere. They have books that I like. :)

If you like to look outside, here's a special spot for you :)

I ONLY DRINK THICK CHOCOLATE >:)

3rd. Hop Hop cafe (SS18, Selangor)

One of the cutest theme cafe! WITH FLUFFLY BUNNIES!

4th. Coffee Stain ( Publika, Kuala Lumpur)

I like the atmosphere, of course their food is not half bad. 

Share the Tiramisu with my friends, I ate the most hahaha

I like to eat Aglio because it gave me a healthy (?) vibe 

5th. Standing Theory (SS2, Selangor)

THE BBC WAFFLE IS THE BOMB!

BBC stands for banana, bacon and ice cream, with the honey-coated waffle, whoever invent this combination, you're a genius!

Of course my life is not only coffee shop, look what I've found! 

Hershey soy milk tasted incredibly good!

AH, MY LIFE IS SO CONTENTED WITH FOOD!

Language- I never get tired of learning it.

I bought them in Japan before coming back, in order to use up all the coins.

  I'm almost at the verge of tears when I realize I'm able to read them manga in Japanese, without too much pauses (of course still got a lot of word I don't know la! Its just that I understand better).

  They said all irritating things will turned out a bitter sweet memory in retrospect. Looking back at this April, I forced myself to do spelling test in order to memorize the Japanese alphabets (Hiragana and Katakana), trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach when I speak to strangers, focus on how to make my sentence natural and absorb as much vocabulary as I could, it all worth while. All though I can only understand like only  30% to 50% of sentences in Japan, I'm motivated to learn more because once my very-baby-like-beginner Japanese level teacher, Mr. Lim said: "Nobody can stop you from learning."

   Probably most of y'all had heard this story, I plan to take JLPT N5 exam this year end, so I went to a relatively cheaper class in YMCA to learn how to write(ya don't need to waste so much on beginner level, I tell you.) and found out that it was just a conversational class. Everything was written in romaji (romanize Japanese) so I was like "NOPE. Never gonna be an illiterate." Whenever my classmates drop down notes in romaji, I write in kana. That's why my classmates couldn't borrow my notes, really paiseh, is not that I wanna be bossy la. Mr. Lim is kind enough to help me in my learning, but the one week once class just couldn't satisfy my hunger of knowledge in Japanese. I bought exam modules to drill my Japanese. My slow reading speed and those unfamiliar vocabulary killed me. KAO KAO. I have no choice but to stop doing exam module for a month.The short Japanese course ended absurdly, I went back to self study Japanese mode. Time to time, I feel insecure because I don't go to a formal school, so I collect as much study materials as I could.

I'm lucky and glad to know Akira, he's my first real life Japanese language exchange partner. We were introduced by my Jap course classmate Izura (another good thing to be present in a community), he was looking for someone to teach him English too so we could actually exploit each other hahahahahaha. I choose the language exchange partner method because I could speak to natives without the need of paying, and to make new friends too! Here is the pro and con of language exchange:

PRO: 

1. Improve your ability of speaking- 

Beginning of Bible in different language I found in Japan hotel.

 I stunned for like 5 seconds when I was required to speak Japanese for the first time in real life (online speaking is already hard enough!), then I wave my shivering hands and asked Akira to "say..... something first." in choppy Japanese. It's normal to feel dumb at the beginning, but sooner and later you will realize that you're ignorant of so much more things, then you'll get used of being "dumb" and making mistakes. Just OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND TALK. You don't get much chance to talk in a foreign language, remember that.

2. Learn the other side of the culture- 

The big-ass rice bowl

Talking to a normal acquaintance is very different from talking to teacher :) I could understand Japanese culture in a more lively way, in other words, more close to reality and more details. Language partner sometimes exchange not only language, but also feelings. Observing the culture difference is also a fun thing to do, like people don't wear flip-flops, like how my friend in Japan still hold the bowl up even though its ENORMOUS (the bowl size is like the Chinese big soup bowl, I stared at him with my jaws dropped) .

CON:

1. Inconsistency, not professional- 

Watching SAO (Anime, Sword Art Online) without subtitles, big challenge

Get use to people disappearing after only one or two skype- or maybe just one or two message.  Horny men everywhere, also some people don't treat you like a friend (they make you feel like you're just a tool for them to practice language)It's not your fault, some of them just couldn't understand you well or too busy with their life. Move on and find new people.Find as much people as you can. I agree that slang words could connect people better, however being too informal or making too much grammatical mistake would be irritating and not quite handy for work. Especially Japanese.  

2. It's not always a win-win situation- 

Santa wearing yukata, nice cross over  (*≧▽≦)ﾉｼ))

Everyone's level is different. Truth is the better you're in your partner's language, the less you could learn. You became the one who teach more than learning. But still, teaching people is not a bad feeling either.

  After being mentored by Akira, I gained a lot of confident (because we meet up regularly) and was thinking of taking a higher level instead of N5 that I've mentioned earlier. You can't only rely on language partner, you gotta drill yourself in various way.

  Last and the most important one, have passion in the language that you learn. You don't learn for the sake of work, for the sake of extra credits in University, you learn because you like it. I completely understand the love towards language, this is why I still took Mandarin in my pre-U, this is why I'm still typing in English now. Language is not just a tool, it's something that represents the depth of certain culture, the spirit of certain ethnicity. Life, emotion, knowledge. To reach out, to pass down. 

I love the lighten face I see whenever I speak in someone's mother tongue.  

I'm back.

Let's escape to somewhere!

It's 6:15 am in the morning, I'm wide awake. My second sister Suanzy's horrible alarm,which is her own singing voice (that's a really brilliant idea) had make me more awake than ever. Yes my English-speaking friends, you may rejoice now, because I decided to write blogs in English.

It's been awhile since I blogged. For those who have known me for long, I'm always drawing mandarin comic blogs, it was pretty unfair to all my friend who's mediocre or don't even understand mandarin. But I just don't care back then. HUEHUEHUEHUHEUHUE. I always grow tired of drawing blogs (too much work scanning and editing) so I'm inactive. Just when I start to think of seriously doing it, blogger starts to mess with me, all my previous little comics are gone, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM THAT I'VE DRAWN SINCE 15. So I raged quit blogger and start all over at a new website.

The reason why I don't write in this way (English blog), it's because of my terrible grammar, limited vocabulary and I don't have da flow in writing (hope you get it). Secondly, I'm no models, neither beauty, cutie, sexy, cool whatsoever, I just got better in finding nice angle for photos this year, my look or photography skills will never amaze the readers. Third, LAZY. I made Youtube videos, because I can talk and express myself in English better in that way, I THOUGHT. Then I realize I don't have the courage to rewatch my videos because I sound freaking retarded. Words don't make me feel embarrassed that way. And that feeling of nobody gives a damn about what you're talking about in Youtube just sucks. I'm unable to unleash my geeky or nerd side. If I wrote everything I like in my blogs, only people who care to read will come to me and I wouldn't feel bad about it. Of course, due to aging (?) my way of expression has grew to be more reserved, I find myself scribbling my diary that Elizabeth (my pre-U close friend) gave me whenever I have thoughts flowing.I definitely enjoy writing than ever. Not to mention, I have enough time to rearrange and recollect data, then present it in a neater way then videos.


So I was thinking of giving blogger a chance by reopening it with my gmail account (I was using a hotmail account back then for blogger), hope things get smoother. I've been YOLO-ing this year, that's why I don't care about my grammar problem, no-nice-picture problem, hipster-taste problem anymore.The blog name "Find a reason to smile" was inspired by one of a passenger in my life, Jane's tattoo. I met her in my first solo backpacking, nice young lady from Norway. We didn't get to know about each other much, but I salute her job as a counselor and how she love little spontaneous things in life. (Yes you're kawaii Jane (ノ＞▽＜。)ノ, you broke my "Europeans are cold” stereotype, I miss your little screams.) 

WTF MY EYEBAGS SO BIG

Nice to meet you, I am Ong Tong, I want you to find a reason to smile. I've some really sweet memories that I hope all of my friends could share with me. So if your English tak baik wanna read mandarin, paiseh, no Mandarin for you, only Malaysian English, learn to read la hahahaha  (●´∀｀●)