Happy new year everyone! It's a new year and I can update with new stuff. Came back from Melbourne. Didn't really relax much until the last two days where we decided to drive on the Great Ocean Road. We went horse riding at Blazing Saddles on one day and a sudden decision to try surfing on the next day. Horse riding is fun. Last time I've been on a horse was 14 years ago. Still as fun. It was Zeren's first time. I have to avoid watching him and his horse throttle because not only was it hilarious, I was worried I might fall off the horse of laughter. No offence, Zeren.

Surfing at Torquay was a whole other experience. Waves and conditions were completely new to us. Bigger waves. Stronger wind. More people. Zeren decided to try the bigger waves but he did not succeed. I stayed abit closer as the waves were still big for me. Little did I know the waves were dragging me further out. I looked around and was wondering what the hell am I doing with the professional surfers. Better catch a wave back in. But the waves were just too big so I let them pass. Being on my own, I had my own rollarcoaster experience. The waves that passed, brought me up so high that I was looking down at maybe 7-8 feet off sea level. I've even illustrated it.






























We did get to stand up a few times and then I realised that our boards were slippery cos most of the wax got wiped off at the edges of the car while we were trying to fit two boards into a small car.






























Fun and good times. Didn't get to drive up to Lorne as there was a huge traffic jam. I finally found out what caused the traffic jam. It was the Falls Festival (outdoor concert) at Lorne. I had to find out through my friend's facebook photos. 12 Apostles will always be there. Will post the other photos in later entries.

I think 2009 is going to be a clumpsy or bad luck year for me. Beginning of the year, I broke my own mug, had things flying off my plate, spilled a drink on myself in public, have to deal with that A-hole dude who wanted me to do his painting. Bleah. At least Zeren and I had a successful dinner party. Managed to squeeze 10 of us into the house. Here are the pics. Now I need to go through 26 pages of forms.

Yup I got to shoot my first gun. A .22 calibre rifle and it's not an air rifle for the blokes out there who's wondering. It was freaking awesome. Dad brought me to some dude's farm and the farmer was like 'hey claire, wanna shoot a gun?' Boo yeah! He put a white bottle with some lettering about a good 50-60m away and I shot the bottle. Little did I know when I fetch the bottle, I 'dot' the letter I on the bottle. Too bad the bottle got taken away before I could grab a picture. How many singaporean girls get to shoot a rifle? Hella experience!!

Words cannot describe how mentally tired I am. I've got insomnia for a few weeks now and I'm craving for a break. I've not stop since uni has ended. I've been doing this painting for an A-hole. Hate his tone of voice with me. He may be bigger than me but he don't scare me one bit. I reckon I could knock him out if I have to. That's how pissed I am with him. Next time I see him in person, I'll be making the rules. If I still have that gun, he better be running.

I'm really looking forward to my trip to Melbourne. I really need a vacation. I deserve a break. Nobody is going to tell me what I have to do or whatever. Immigration, changes to a sucky painting, job hunting, promotional stuff, favors... etc. Everything can wait after the new year. 2008 has been the toughest year of my life so far. The bumpiest road I've travelled. I'm tired, I'm depressed, I'm frustrated. I'm stressed to the max. So whatever or anything, AFTER new year. Just let me go on my vacation. Even my brain cries out by giving me bad migranes is the clear signal I need to stop and breathe.

I'll be spending christmas with Zeren in Melbourne. We've got a road trip planned, I think. I'll have to be the navigator. Don't get it why I always get that job. I'll get to breathe Ocean Road air. I'll be doing a little promoting in Melbourne, leaving some cards at places. I don't think I'll have time to meet people. It's only a week. After which, I'll come back and plan a dinner party with my mates.

So here are the opening night exhibition photos. The last few photos were at Elysium where we had some cocktails with our cocktail dresses for the ladies. The blokes were fooling around and sharing iphones. *shrugs* Ladies were complaining about heels. Oh I put blister protectors and cushions in my shoe and it still kills.

If I don't get to blog before christmas, have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Stay safe this holiday season!

One more show to set up. Hopefully the bruises on my leg heals fast. It'll look terrible with my dress. Meantime, feel free to check out my website:
clairewee.com

The past few days were seriously crazy. Woke up at 5.30 yesterday to finish my last painting and it finished at 11. I had to spend one hour fixing up the files for postcard printing and banner. After that, I had to rush out to hand up the cd to Anna at uni and head to Campus Color to do my scanning. Worse part was, I forgot to put in the postcard file which meant I had to go home.

Did more adjustments to the postcard file with new images and had to take the bus again all the way to Campus Color. The guy charged me lesser than he originally quoted. Helpful guy. Popped over to uni to print my narratives. Seriously hectic that I couldn't sleep. I'm so highly strung and my brain has never stopped to rest.

All in all, I managed to sleep in a bit this morning and got to class at 10. Thanks to Paul, I've got a great name for my series of paintings. It's called 'My Boyfriend's Back'. Haha. Start singing if you like. :D

Note: Zeren pointed this out and if you guys scroll to the end of the blog/page, there's a photo of the train tracks in which i painted from in one of my last few entries.

Click on image for more details

Illustrators rock! Two more paintings to go. Paint, paint, paint!

Listening: 'Don't Confess' by Tegan & Sara

Tegan and Sara do have contagious songs that stick in the head. My portfolio box is done and heaps happy with it though I still want to attempt to make the original design when I have the money. Those are not my postcards. Mine will be made on the 3rd week of November. Business cards are done and promo stuff is almost done. Just pulling a poll with some of my mates. Still shopping around for cheapest prices.

Have a good weekend.

Listening: 'Rock n Roll Train' by AC/DC

So much to do but for the first time this whole year, I feel like I'm right on track. It's gonna be busy and expensive in the next two months. Took my portfolio design to the book binders at Henley Beach and the quote for my design was over $300. Heck, had to choose a simpler box design from Mario which only cost $140. I'm still gonna go ahead and try make my design myself. Just need to go to Bunnings to get some timber and try out their hire shop. Zeren is telling me to wait for him cos he wants to do hire shop too. If only I had a workshop....

Things to do this weekend:
- Check Finsbury out and email them (they're giving us 250 free namecards when we print)
- Start on David's painting
- Burn flash for Zeren
- Website design
- Two more narrative scenes
- Research items I need for nov

* - cross out my fingers that i'll be wise enough with my money to afford a lightbox and easel by next year.

Told Zeren that it'll be better if he skips a trip to Adelaide in Nov and go for December. I'll be pretty tied up until after first week of December. It's scary once all of it is over because I'll be in the land of uncertainty. I don't even know if I can go back to Singapore. I do want to get a headstart in getting a part time job and lighten abit of burden off my parents. Would like to get my portfolio going at the same time. If I could get freelance jobs soon, it'll be sweet. I have to see whatever comes my way. Can't wait for Zeren to move back in too. Things would be so different next year. I'll be working and he'll be studying. Surreal hey? But I'm pretty sure I want to do a dinner party for my mates outdoors at my place in Jan. I've got a special reason for them. Finally, after 10 months, I remembered to get permission from couple of people in which I used their photos for my drawing practice and these sketches will be in my portfolio.

And everyday, I am fighting a daily battle for the past 10 years.

Kiwi blokes talk too much when they're drunk.