Sunday, 27 April 2014

Shakespeare In The Port- Day 3


Today I brought a book to read while being a statue. But I have to admit that I wasn't that great of a statue today. I was feeling extremely dizzy today, especially when standing up so I had to keep moving and sitting.

My hair was also quite a mess today. It wasn't like last week, where my hair was in a side part. It was middle parted today. And no, it didn't look so good. And my wig felt like it was going to fall off any minute.

I kept moving especially while reading. I had to flip the pages. Except I finished the book even before I reached half an hour. A shame. And I was reading a book called Plague, which was definitely not suited to Viola... Nonetheless, it was something to do.

Tomorrows goal, since it is my last day, is to definitely move less. Even the little movements. Tomorrow I'm going to be prop-less, well besides a starfish. So focus is necessary. I usually focus on one spot and just stare it and try not to let my eyes go woozy. Don't know what other word to use. I feel like my eyesight is getting worse (short-sighted), so I tell myself that by looking at something far away, I'll become less short-sighted. So far to no avail, but I'm just going to go with it.

Saturday, 26 April 2014

Shakespeare In The Port- Day 2


Today I was Viola from Twelfth Night. From reading Shakespeare's books, (i've read Twelfth Night) I honestly did not think that these characters would be, these.

Personally I like this outfit and wig better than the last. Still doesn't look too great, again with the Asians and white body paint, but we'll go with it.

This skirt is so tight. I have to pull it up hip by hip, same with taking it off. After I get it on it's fine, but the process is just not so fun. It's also quite restricting for leg movement.

After the first day, we realised that we didn't need that much face paint because it took absolutely ages to take off. Baby oil, face wipes, soap, tissue, didn't even cut it. There was excessive rubbing involved.
I also decided to buy my own baby oil to use. Helps a lot. Even after taking it off, my skin feels vey icky. Again, perseverance until my nice, warm shower at home.

I wasn't sure how to portray Viola, but because she has a male side, I tried to do an in between of feminine and masculine. Not sure if it worked, but no one complained of criticised so I assume it was alright. I have been sitting a lot though. I get tired easily. Still trying to stand more.

Shakespeare In The Port- Living Statues: Day 1






This was the first day and I honestly didn't know what to expect. I was Miranda from The Tempest and all I really knew about her was that she was a mermaid. This was also my first time ever being a living statue, and my impression of a living statue was one of those statues in Times Square in NYC.

I got there, changed into that outfit, and they started to paint my visible body parts white. I generally do not like face paint or sunscreen. This felt like super thick and sticky sunscreen/face paint and it was not nice but i persevered. I also realised that Asians and white face/body paint just don't mix very well.

The obvious technique to tackle the stillness and patience is to sit. And that is what I did. I was sitting for 95% of the time and it was great. It was quite relaxing actually. I only stood when my body started to get a bit numb. The cubes weren't exactly very comfortable.

One of the other living statues brought a book so that was her prop, and she was just reading it the whole time. Very smart.

Definitely could do with less moving. But it's honestly not very comfortable. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Startune- First


First time at Startune and an interesting experience.
I say interesting because kids are quite meh to me. We drew things and folded things.
There was a lot of action happening, especially because we had so many boys. At one point we made paper guns and a war literally broke out. They wouldn't sit down or be quiet and it was hard to get them to focus. They hardly listened to our commands as well. I make them sound like animals but at that age, and those boys in particular, they were like animals. The girls were okay though, they didn't talk much but they cooperated well.
It really confuses me how girls and boys at the same age can act so differently. Actually that still applies to my age group now. Do girls mature faster?

Another reason why it was interesting-
They really were just normal kids. You don't see them as kids from low income mainland Chinese families, in fact they all speak perfect cantonese. I've realised that mainland Chinese families/people who come to Hong Kong always make cantonese their kids' first language.

I'd say that it was fun overall for a first time. They all did what they were told (sort of). But there's always that one kid that tries to be the smarty poopy and be like I KNOW EVERYTHING. This said kid is the one I am talking to in the video. Enjoy.

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Ski Trip- Dolomites, Kiens// Day Five









Last day of skiing!
I'm really going to miss it. It's been an amazing five days.
The weather was absolutely beautiful today. At the bottom it was foggy, but on top, blue, blue skies and a bit of snow.
We did a race today! I got second in our beginner group. Apparently I was meant to have gotten first because the other girl cheated. Oh well, not that I really mind. It was fun and I'm happy with my time! 34.04- it was an obstacle course thing. I don't know what to call it.
Fell once only today!
I got up in two seconds so it's okay.
Quite a chill day today. Still fun though! 
Some beautiful views and whatnot. More skiing.
Did more parallel stops today. Can sort of do it now, if that counts.
Goodbye skiing!
Final bruise count: ~7

Here is the final compilation video that I made!

Ski Trip- Dolomites, Kiens// Day Four





We skied for three hours today. Went up to the mountain again, fell twice in the first couple of minutes. Ha ha. After that I didn’t fall though which is great. I think I have more control now. Still no control, but more control. I hope I’m getting better. I feel like I am getting better, but slowly. Sadly tomorrow is the last day skiing! Benny has been a really good instructor though, he’s so patient and leads us through everything and gives us good advice.
After skiing we took a one hour bus ride to a biathlon place. Not sure what it’s called. There were special skis- very thin and light and poles that were sharp at the bottom. It’s easier to move with those skis compared to normal skis, but you are more prone to falling. This was cross country skiing I think. We had to go up and down hill as well which was not very good. My first uphill went crazy. I kept slipping because I couldn’t get my skis into the right position. I got it in the end though. The key is to dig the insides into the snow and walk up in reverse snowblau. Going down though, I could not go down without falling at the end. I did it twice, both times I fell. He said lean forward, so I did! Still nope.
My favourite part was definitely shooting though. We had proper rifles and they taught us how to get down with the skis on. First time I did it, I got 4/5 targets, seconds time 5/5 targets. Not bad I think for a first time! It was easier than I thought it was going to be.
We had a race at the end. Five people in a group. We went one lap around and then got down to shoot. If you missed a shot you had to do a penalty round. Again, got 5/5 targets! No penalty rounds done J
Not going to lie, it was tiring. Especially with skiing and the biathlon both in one day.

Tomorrow is the last day of skiing! Hoping it will be a good one. We got back late tonight from watching a ‘ski show’ yet I am still up. Yay. We’ve been sleeping so early every night from exhaustion, there is literally no time to do my coursework. Ugh.

Ski Trip- Dolomites, Kiens// Day Three






Another good day!
Went up to the top of the mountain today. Wasnt as bad as i thought. It was sunny and foggy at first, then it just became extremelt foggy and heavy snow with no sun. I still cant do the stopping woth parallel skis, and i cant really control my speed very well, therefore i fall. I also keep leaning backwards. I dont know how to lean forwards!! Its so hard and it just makes me go even faster. And so my thighs burn every day. I think im going to go behind Benny more, i just copy whatever he does and i somehow have more control. Tomorrow we're going skiing and biathaloning!