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Journey to Weight Gain and Body Positivity

Body image issues have reached new heights these past several years especially with the advent of social media, a platform to advertise ideal body types and seemingly perfect lives. While the struggle to lose weight is far more common especially in the Western world, I know from personal experience that weight gain is just as much of a battle for many. Before you expect to read a post entirely about fitness and "diet," I might as well note that this is also closely tied to mental health, self-care, and acceptance. So, with that minor disclaimer out of the way, read on and let's get vulnerable.

Time Flies

I created this series a couple of years ago for my final photography project, and I gotta say that it was honestly a struggle. Choosing this particular subject matter came to mind last minute, which I find rather funny because my inspiration for this set was essentially the fact that I was running out of time, but hey, it all worked out! If anything, this is probably my most favorite art project I've done and certainly one that I'm most proud of among all the artistic tasks I've ever engaged in. It may look like complete amateur work to a real photographer's eyes, but I thoroughly enjoyed taking these photos because it was the first time that I've ever felt like a true artist.

Infinity Mirrored Room - The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away

By Yayoi Kusama

You have 45 seconds in a mirrored room of infinite lights. What do you do?
Reflect. Embrace and reflect on breathtaking but fleeting experiences like this and quiet moments by yourself.
This exhibit is easily one of the most beautiful I’ve seen by far - not only because of its mesmerizing aesthetic appeal but also for the fascinating story behind it. Supposedly, each light bulb represents a human soul from millions of lightyears away and the mirrors are meant to evoke a sense of "self-obliteration in the light of another world." Ultimately, it's meant to leave you pondering about life, death, and whatever the universe holds. To me, it almost felt like stepping into nothing but at the same time an endless sight of undiscovered beauty that lies beyond our scope of knowledge on the world we live in.
The scene was visually calming but also mentally overwhelming in a way. Perhaps it's because of the sea of thoughts and emotions flooding within a very limited amount of time in a confined space that’s actually as small as a telephone booth. Whatever interpretation that Kusama's immersive work may elicit, I personally view it as a reminder to perceive the world in ways that you don't usually do especially in the face of personal struggles and negativity - much like how van Gogh, despite having gone through the lowest point in his life, still saw the beauty in a plain blue sky and depicted it as a celestial, surreal constellation in the masterpiece that we all know as The Starry Night.
This installation is so much more than a pitch black room lit up by thousands of dazzling lights - and certainly a lot more than a site for perfect selfies; it’s an ephemeral experience that inspires you to detach from reality and reflect on what you could be missing out on if you don’t look up once in a while.
If you’re only given 45 seconds to be in a place like this, maybe take the first five to capture the moment then spend the rest of the time to simply look around and live through the fleeting experience. Beauty doesn’t last, but it can always leave a lasting impression if you appreciate it enough.
Definitely check out this ethereal display at The Broad before it closes this March! Trust me, it's well worth the wait especially if you're inclined towards existential contemplation.

Defining Your Style

Fashion has the incredible ability to make you feel like a whole different person every time. It's a great outlet to express your personal taste while experimenting with various looks. While some people might argue that it's a superficial way to mask your identity, I believe that what you wear always shapes at least part of who you are.

Post-Christmas Kickback

I know I've been M.I.A. lately because I haven't had time for myself to shoot some outfits-of-the-days or any holiday DIYs, but hopefully I'll get back to it in the next few weeks. For now, here's a non-fashion or beauty-related update on my life.

Unique Gift Ideas For Friends

Everyone knows of a friend who simply doesn't say anything when you ask what he or she wants for Christmas, so the best thing to do is to give something unconventional yet thoughtful. While DIYs are the most considerate presents, not everyone has time to put that much effort especially on such a busy holiday. With that said, here are some cool presents to consider!