Inspiration to World Domination

"If you don't take your own dreams seriously, who will?" 
- Chris Guillebeau

Did I just make such BIG words for a title huh?

But that's how greatly inspired I am when I stumbled upon Chris Guillebeau's site on The Art of Non-Conformity through a blogpost from my bestfriend Yvon.


"This is just blowing off my mind!!!', I exclaimed in thoughts after reading the free downloadble brief guide to world domination. I seriously couldn't put it down to finish reading it from my mobile phone on my way home from work the other day. And if it doesn't sound worse, it was hard to sleep after reading it. Haha. I was banging my thoughts with the two most important questions in the Universe that Chris asked in his report:

First: "What do I really want to get out of life?" 

Second: "What can you offer the world that no one else can?" 

According to Chris, "The report may not be for everyone. In short, I wrote it for people who are serious about ruling—or at least changing—the world."  


Well, Yes, I am serious. I've realized how familiar these questions were. After reading Chris' report, I've seen a whole bigger perspective on things again. And have I thought of my answers???  Again, Yes. I must have partly answered these questions (subconsciously) --- here and here.

Quoting Chris, "My mission is to help people live unconventional lives, make their own choices, and change the world."

Isn't that grand or what? Makes me grateful to the Universe that there's someone like him who inspires much, already dominating the Universe, whose goal is to visit every country in the world and living a truly remarkable life as a writer.


It might look like a really tough road to take but I can't wait to live out mine.
And if you're in the same page as I am on this, wanting to also live unconventional lives....well, I hope one way or another, this bangs your head,too. =)

p.s. Image I took above is the Uluwatu Cliff from our Bali Trip last November 2010.

Defining moments.

"Let your experiences define you, shape you, and make you the photographer you want to be." 

-Jasmine Star 

I wanted to admit to you something. When I started to learn photography in 2009, I told myself that I'm never goin' to spend a penny to attend any seminar or workshop in photography coz why spend  one when there's a big free source of information out there and just be patient to ask Mr Google, right? Hehehe But then also, I couldn't just afford it yet. However, when there's a rare opportunity of a free online workshop --- yes, unbelievably FREE! --- I wouldn't wanna miss it especially if the instructor is the person who's made mountful of influence to many aspiring photographers like I am.

I hope you've heard of Jasmine Star by now. I keep blabbing about her on my previous post and I went all star struck (you can't imagine how i jump off my chair that time haha) when she left a comment on my blog. Am I vain? Well, maybe I am and I don't care. Ahahah 

So anyway, for the past few days, I had the unimaginable and priceless experience of learning from her via CreateLive Show. My world felt like it stopped as I was following the show. It was about 5 amazing days of epic event where Jasmine covered a real time wedding photography coverage (from preparing a wedding shoot to finish!) and in between that she had all the amount of energy and courage to open herself up and although my style now is different from Jasmine's but she shared her work ethics, branding and everything else that any photographer can learn from. Just imagine how all stressful it must have been for her with all INTERNET watching her every move and listening to every word she said and she even admits that for real in the internet, goes to show she's just being true to herself and keeping it real! That's one of the many things I picked up from her --- K.I.R (Keeping it Real!)

And like her, I prefer shooting more in natural light where I am more inspired to compose my images. My weakness is low light and strobing is the last thing in my mind. I do have few favorite strobe artists (if that's what you call them) and I really have my hats off them. But given circumstances perhaps, I got a basic flash experience but to shoot entirely with flash will never be my favorite thing. Well, not really 'never' haha. You get what I mean. I thought I'd let that out in the open for everyone to know. =) 

That's a screenshot above from Day 1 of the webinar. She talks and resonates powerfully. I can even still hear her voice on my head in between my thoughts. Ahaha =)

So yeah, I'm sending off my undying THANK YOU to Jasmine Star for being such a total blessing and way beyond inspiring and I've said it over and over again how she's become my SUPERHERO. It's never enough to really describe her. One thing for sure, she's just fired me up with more courage to pushing myself in becoming a better photographer, coz seriously, there's tons tons tons of things to learn yet. 

*i'm gonna just tear up right here, right now so excuse me! haha* 

p.s. First photo above is a pile up of old minibooks I rummaged that only cost 50-freakin-cents each ahahaha and the lil camera on top is actually a pencil sharpener gift I got for my bartday from a good photographer friend Vanessa. Loveee love love! 

Be determined.

"Whatever your dream may be, don't let the fear of failure stand in your way. 

And I'm saying this to myself more than anyone else."

- Jasmine Star

I am so much empowered right now. More than ever. =)

Last night I cried heaps of joy watching Jasmine Star's Free to Succeed tour preview thru Rock n Roll Bride's site link. 

For quite sometime now, I have been following so many overwhelming and inspirational links of photographer's site that made a great deal on my road to photography. And one of them is Jasmine Star who keeps me running out of words everytime I read her blog and see her amazing works --- she's been such a SUPER HERO to me (like BIG TIME!). Watchin' the Free to Succeed video was just mind-blowing enough --- every nerve in my body felt all jolted out with some powerful positive energy and I just so much believe that ---- greater things will come when YOU ARE DETERMINED. (i hear you say AMEN loudly, yeah?!!!) 

And I just had to write to Jasmine to THANK her personally for being such an utter blessing of sharing her encouragements and thoughts....did I expect a reply? I'd be tooo lucky. Haha. But guess what? She just did!!!!!!!!!! 

I would understand if she replied like maybe few more days after or something but she replied within 24 hrs.... did I just say I'd be too lucky??? No! I am way over the moooooooon! *teary happy me doin' my best chicken dance steps everrrrr haha*

So yeah, I'm wearin' an ocean-wide grin now. =)

---

Photo above was taken during a 2km doggie-thon the husband and I joined in last Sunday. 

My heart's been all squeezed that day,too --- as this adorable puppy resembled my own pup Lil Sasuke when he was around the same age or younger but sadly gone too early. So imagine me not wanting to leave him anymore. *sniff sniff*


Well, I have yet to share more pawtraits of love soon! 

♥♥♥