tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73659502665986950552024-03-13T10:14:06.626+08:00the happy candleDianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-43955904229060977282019-08-31T23:00:00.004+08:002021-01-18T08:28:15.170+08:00Blessed<!--JSON-LD markup generated by Google Structured Data Markup Helper.-->
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been meaning to write this for some time now, and I often thought how I should apologise for not being around, or for leaving this space empty. But at the end of uni I figured I got sick of apologising, I apologised, apologised and apologised for everything, even the smallest darnest things, things that perhaps were out of my control. I realise now I shouldn't be apologising for just living my life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
I started this blog when I was 18, and as I look back at some of my posts, it caught me emotionally off-guard. It was like a book that almost hurt to read, the way it hurts to read the journal you kept when you were 15, something that reminds you of who you used to be and who you thought you would become.</div>
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This place has taught me many things, things that developed my love-hate relationship with it. I intended it to be a creative escape, where I could express myself, to share snippets of my life, and what I learnt, to be 'inspiring' and authentic.</div>
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I've since outgrown the 'words of wisdom'. Reading some older posts here made me want to crumple up inside. I realise now how it was a place where a naive girl in her late teens and early 20s believed she had so much power to inspire the world and dreamed about where she could make the biggest difference. It was an idealistic, feigned optimism that deserves its dose of reality.</div>
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It kills me how I didn't forsee it - how starting a venture to find myself also led to a rabbit hole of losing me. It started all innocent, clean and dandy, doing it for a cause, something I found meaning in. Maybe it was fueled by my desire to be independent, to earn some side money, to see where it would go. I didn't realise how this decision had led to compromising and betraying my principles, prostituting my blessings in the service of commerce.</div>
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A lot has happened in the last couple of years. I've been severely thrown into the depths of harsh reality of adulthood and endless rejection for the past couple of months, and I've questioned my own identity and who I am. This blog, for one, is named <i>happy</i>, as if demanding positivity and neglecting suffering. I don't believe that was my intention. As I've once said, <i>happy </i>was a tribute to my twin's name which means <i>happiness</i> in Arabic (though I'm now questioning this as I've found nothing online of its proof). I've been too disappointed with myself to be called 'happy', I've been too content to be called 'sad', right now, at least, it feels like I'm somewhere in between.</div>
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Yet I leave this place feeling blessed: what began as a passion project led to an inspiring community, of which I met such encouraging and genuine people from around the world. As I embark on the next phase of my life, I've decided to close this chapter here to rediscover myself and focus on my journey, while keeping that element of self-expression to the ones closest. </div>
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I think there's still value in happiness, joy. It's really easy to say how happiness isn't an emotion or a state, or a destination - yet I find myself constantly falling back on this, trying to find who, or what's missing that could possibly make me..a little happier. A good friend once reminded me happiness isn't about landing the next job, the next partner, the next anything. Coincidentally, I came across one of my old posts that reminded me of what it is: happiness isn't about having that constantly plastered smile, it's taking stock of your blessings and learning how to embrace who you are. </div>
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Dear readers, thank you so much for being part of this journey. It's been such an amazing adventure for the last 5 years, and I'm truly grateful for everything, <i>alhamdulillah</i> (thank God). And while I leave here with bittersweet memories, in some ways this has become a time capsule of 18 year old me, and on days I felt discouraged, it felt like letters to myself to remind me of what I was capable of believing. I hope, at least, in one way or another, it would do the same for you too.</div>
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♥, Dian
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-74097512166733675822016-03-01T00:00:00.000+08:002016-03-15T22:46:37.948+08:00Freebie: Patience & Appreciation (Printable + Phone Wallpaper)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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They were gone - everything - past lettering work, future lettering and illustrations I had intended to showcase, logos and headers from upcoming collaborations, styled photographs, family vacation photographs, school assignments.</div>
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In the last couple of months of 2015, the portable hard disk containing all my design and personal files had become faulty, and the price for its repair and file recovery was far too costly - more than ten times the original price of the hard disk itself. As a college student who was still studying, I was had no means to afford the four-digit repair cost.</div>
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The loss of my diligently-organised folders in the hard disk (which I had previously committed much of my time to construct) had upset me so much then that it came to a point where I wanted to throw in the towel.<br />
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I subsequently subjected myself to the deplorable state of remorse, lamenting how I should've opted for cloud storage, or used other methods. Returning to the one therapeutic activity that could take my mind off things, however, inevitably called for the labourious task of put the remaining, salvageable files back in order.</div>
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So during the last semester break, I had undertaken the arduous challenge of rebuilding the library of all my lettering and design work. Re-organising, re-editing, re-scanning any physical copies that were left. It was time-consuming and labourious, but without any reason, the only way to circumvent the problem. </div>
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<i>'Two things define you: your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything.' - Imam Ali </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY0cU-fhmAefJCrz2cXJdIr-6-cQcLBmgt5CyQI8j75XFDhW42kzJtVU3bixRVIjvGtY5SpRq9wE93NjiWgrmumCyeoVBsg8Zbzzsk2uRv7YSclLYY7fboDKc82ohhd9_oplrK9jS_SY/s1600/THC_Patience_promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patience Quote Printable and Phone Wallpaper / Lettering and Photo by The Happy Candle @thehappycandle" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY0cU-fhmAefJCrz2cXJdIr-6-cQcLBmgt5CyQI8j75XFDhW42kzJtVU3bixRVIjvGtY5SpRq9wE93NjiWgrmumCyeoVBsg8Zbzzsk2uRv7YSclLYY7fboDKc82ohhd9_oplrK9jS_SY/s1600/THC_Patience_promo.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<b>Version 1 // White </b>
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<u>Printable</u>
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Simple <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZONUdMT1diR0swVlk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a>
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Floral <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOVVNfN3RDQTRKRlU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a><br />
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<u>Phone (Andriod/iPhone)</u>
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Simple <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX2rnbWw2_H4UGkbzHiGEHgcKAWsLyab88Fd7J3kUcDFqkKPRQUHzQioWDaOdxuWFKRGA2xzYPNhc5JfC9DJAaQH-iwkKT4y-9yNYBcRTGPP7bRDfnaoEPB-RLksY_RTW6JRGfBmNjIY/s1600/THC_Patience_Simple_White.jpg" target="_blank">1080 X 1920</a>
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Floral <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEAw-lp05_4QSe8sao63-fB_EwHsILzUHVt5xCSwquuWjhncqST325MGpxals-u5KNanPAcMpoQLL3jk_Y0ttlCCv_BgR71VZw5c9wwuapqB9eHRJtgp5pTt1jbok17ldIG7BOjabCgc/s1600/THC_Patience_Floral_White.jpg" target="_blank">1080 X 1920</a><br />
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<b>Version 2 // Black </b>
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Simple <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOcWcwNW5OWlZVV0E/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a>
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Floral <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOMVAzc0E1RlBoQ1E/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a><br />
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The freebie for this post is just a little reflective reminder I'd like to share after my much-needed test. I've been practicing more each weekend, experimenting with new brushes and brush pens to create a neater lettering piece each time. I acknowledge that it is not the best, and there are improvements to make. Documenting my lettering progress has made this space such a beneficial learning journey and I am ever so grateful to have family, friends and readers to share it with.</div>
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As for losing family vacation photographs in the hard disk, it finally occurred to me that living in the moment is far more important than possessing those scenic images. Captured moments in physical form are doubtlessly beautiful, but being present and mindful as each new experience sweeps in supersedes this. The fleeting nature of each irreplaceable second makes it even more breathtaking than we can imagine.<br />
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It's difficult to imagine, but losing everything was the best thing that has ever happened in the recent months. Having some patience and a sense of appreciation will certainly shape resilience, and our seemingly innate ability to survive the worst life can hurl towards us.<br />
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Until next time ♥ </div>
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<i>Lettering and photo by me</i></div>
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<i>Printables created by Dian from The Happy Candle. For personal use only. Not for distribution or resale. Please link back to original post if shared. Thank you.</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-45161939498643390112016-02-11T01:57:00.000+08:002018-10-29T23:54:15.503+08:00Growing The Garden (+ Reader Survey)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It seemed unimaginable that I just spent the last couple of months in university - the institute of 'thriving talent, desire and opportunity'. I suppose time flies while we're bustling through the avid, networking community and endless friends-of-friends introductions. While orientating myself in the fresh atmosphere and joining the pursuit of self-exploration with thousands of others, it was no surprise that some anxiety was involved.</div>
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We find ourselves clinging on to the safety of our comfort zones as we commence the year with new beginnings, whether moving to different neighbourhoods, starting in a new school or a new job. It's natural to be intimidated; everyone has reservations to new experiences. It's only important that this doesn't prolong, for each time we turn down the audacity to make new decisions and overcome challenges, we evade the tugging at our sleeves to grow as a person.<br />
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The beauty of a garden lies in its cultivation. This especially rings true in self development while experiencing new challenges. There are gardens are in our hearts, filled with various botanical elements, depending on how we develop as a person. It only takes some water and heart to nurture it.<br />
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Never mind weeds and setbacks. Adversities build character. Procrastinating to subdue them or avoiding them completely harbours apathy. One should be able to tell the difference between hanging in there, and constantly asking time to hang on. And as much as I'd like to take heart from what is mentioned, admittedly, I've yet to instill this upon myself, so this has been dutifully placed as one of the resolutions for this year. </div>
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What then, would be the grand plan to achieve this? For a start, know and acknowledge that we're not alone - soak ourselves in the relief that these challenges are not only unique to us, then, go through them together. The world is a much brighter with family and friends. I can never be more grateful to God for giving me such supportive and encouraging people who care; we're all given so much to be thankful for.<br />
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Hopefully by understanding this, instead of chastising ourselves or surrendering to these challenges, we'll not only have compassion for others who are struggling, but also learn how resilient we really are.</div>
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Until next time ♥<br />
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<i>+ </i><i>It's refreshing to be finally back from my near-three-month break. </i><i>I'd love to hear updates from readers of how things have been and catch up with everyone. Some might have also noticed that I've put up a little link to a short <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jf6Wpm6sCaWXtAbDjp-wyAW6DhFJ24tH6mnsv7UaT9Q/viewform" target="_blank">reader survey</a>. I've received some feedback since - all of which bear the sweetest and most helpful responses. If you haven't attempted it, feel free to do so. All feedback mentioned will undoubtedly be taken into consideration to make The Happy Candle a more creative and inspiring place for all. Your response and time taken to review is greatly appreciated.</i><br />
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<i>This semester is going to be much busier, but several posts have already been planned out for the future, in which we can all look forward to. There are several projects I've been busy with last winter which have yet to debut, so it's going to be a very exciting year. I do realise it's been more than three months since I last posted in this space - winter break was more packed than I'd expected - so much so that I took no notice that The Happy Candle blog actually <b>turned one</b> back last December. (This calls for a short belated celebratory applause!) Here's a jog down memory lane with it's <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.com/2014/12/every-breaking-wave.html" target="_blank">first post</a>. </i><br />
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-73338569424524016872015-10-11T15:09:00.001+08:002015-12-04T23:30:26.658+08:00The Spirit of Giving (Project Cereal Fundraising)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There is much happiness in giving. We often forget this in the process, but when we give, a certain sense of fulfillment takes its place within, and it helps us be grateful of what we have.<br />
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It's been a long time since this little space has had an update, and I truly apologise. University life is certainly overwhelming with assignments, projects and readings. Despite all the frenzied mess, this October, I do have some wonderful news to share<span style="font-weight: 600;">,</span> and I cannot be more excited about it because it's all for a good cause.<br />
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Next week, The Happy Candle will be selling its <span style="font-weight: 600;">first ever line of products</span> - brush lettered Bookmarks and Greeting Cards - as part of a fundraising event for an Overseas Community Service Project (OCSP) called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smuprojectcereal/" target="_blank">Project Cereal</a>. Here are some details about the project:</div>
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<i>"Project Cereal is a pioneer student-initiated OSCP to Cambodia. The first of its kind, Project Cereal has tied up with Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Faculty of Social Sciences to launch a two-week project in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu. Project Cereal aims to advance social mobility through poverty alleviation missions. Its first mission primarily aims to equip Cambodian children with English as well as basic computing skills."</i></div>
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The fundraising will be held from <span style="font-weight: 600;"> 12 to 16 October </span> at my very own university, SMU, and the bookmarks and cards can be purchased there at the <span style="font-weight: 600;"> SMU Basement, opposite of Pastamania</span>. If you're an international reader, and you'd like to show your support, don't hesitate to like Project Cereal's page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smuprojectcereal/timeline" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or follow them on <a href="https://instagram.com/projectcereal/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for updates. :)<br />
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Each Bookmark costs S$2, and three of them are sold at S$5. For the Greeting Cards, each costs S$3, and two are sold at S$5. The Bookmarks come with a ribbon, and the Greeting Cards are one-sided. Both of them are printed on 250gsm white paper and come in various designs, and among them includes my first digital illustration, so it'll definitely be fresh and interesting. :) </div>
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A significant percentage of the proceeds from the fundraising will go to helping the children in Cambodia, Kampong Speu. I'd also like to thank one of my seniors, Alina (Ali), who helped out with some of the designs and gave helpful pointers for this entire launch, I honestly couldn't have completed this without her. :) </div>
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A lot of time and effort has been put into to making this happen with The Happy Candle's new brand stickers, packaging and designs, to make sure that there'll be a fulfilling outcome from the project, the fundraising and the cause, so your support is greatly appreciated. </div>
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Giving is living. Let's stay compassionate, and live with meaning. </div>
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Until next time ♥ </div>
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<i>+ Do check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smuprojectcereal/" target="_blank">Project Cereal</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smuprojectcereal/timeline" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/projectcereal/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to find out more details about the project. :)</i><br />
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<i>+ As with my last break from this space, I suppose it'd be courteous to inform readers about the future reduction in frequencies of posts as well. I'd just like to mention this concisely, just to ensure that readers are informed and (hopefully) look forward for future posts. </i><br />
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<i>I might not have the time to write, but if you'd like more updates from The Happy Candle, you may follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/thehappycandle" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, where I'll post some additional lettering work and some behind the scenes that are not featured on the blog as well. :)</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-19628797701567211242015-08-29T23:27:00.001+08:002015-09-04T01:01:26.492+08:00The Creative Minds: Happy Girls <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Beauty, in itself, is a wonderful entity. Yet, most never have the audacity to remind its value in themselves. What is most unfortunate is how people are often inclined to ascribe it to physical appeal instead of what lies beneath. </div>
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I've teamed up once again with the very talented Elsa from <a href="http://totallyelsa.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Totally Elsa</a>, and we have created a piece with her sketch of a portrait of Audrey Hepburn and my lettering. Audrey Hepburn is indeed a inspiration to many young girls due to her poise and down-to earth demeanor, and Elsa has certainly made a wonderful illustration of her. The detail in her sketch is incredibly intricate and it takes such patience and conviction to produce a very delicate piece like the one she's created.<br />
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It was Elsa who had picked out this beautiful quote, and suggested it to lettered. I agreed to it almost immediately because the message that it carried was no doubt genuine and captivating. Of course, it must be noted that this message isn't applicable to just women as well. When people are happy and grateful with their lives, beauty and grace are also reflected in their souls as we inevitably find ourselves enduring adversities with quiet fortitude.<br />
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The misrepresentation of 'perfect' physical traits such as waistlines and makeup on television and social media has distorted the once staggering image that beauty possessed before these influences ever existed. While its definition is ostentatiously molded by these pervasive bodies, producing unrealistic expectations, we must take heart that true beauty lies within, and one of the ways we can reflect it is through happiness.<br />
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Happiness doesn't necessarily mean to be the less-than-realistic, constantly cheerful character with a plastered smile. Having that kindred-animated spirit, taking stock of our blessings or doing something that induces the warm fuzzies in another can depict happiness as well. Only in keeping this joy, we emerge as beautiful individuals - young and spry regardless of age, for this is also what manifests a meaningful life.<br />
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Until next time ♥<br />
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<i>Illustration by Elsa from <a href="http://totallyelsa.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Totally Elsa</a>, Lettering by Dian from <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Happy Candle</a></i><br />
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<i>+ <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/creative%20minds%20series" target="_blank">The Creative Minds Series</a> is a collaborative collection where a contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together, featuring the original works from contributor about art or any other form of design, including photography, and anything creative. </i><br />
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<i>+ In view of the busy times ahead, if you'd like more updates and inspirational lettered quotes, you may also find me on <a href="http://instagram.com/thehappycandle" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, where some new content that isn't featured on the blog will be posted as well. :)</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-77173342703650892152015-07-31T23:59:00.000+08:002015-12-04T16:29:49.753+08:00Completed Project: Lynde Avenue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Uncertainty may intimidate some, but if embraced, it gives more room to trust and have faith. We can never anticipate how things will turn out while working with someone new. Admittedly, there were moments in various projects where I didn't give credence to my own work and refused to believe they were good enough, but we certainly have to learn to trust the process and keep the faith.
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Some time ago, Emily from <a href="http://lyndeavenue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lynde Avenue</a> had approached me to help create a new header and style for her blog after she saw <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/2015/03/completed-project-sophie-smith.html" target="_blank">the project</a> I worked on with Sophie from <a href="http://www.sophie-smith.com.au/" target="_blank">Sophie Smith</a>. She wanted to give her blog a more creative boost and mentioned that a fresh design would be very helpful for her.
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Lynde Avenue is a blog about wellness, beauty and lifestyle, where Emily shares advice about keeping healthy, tips and tricks on wellness and beauty, and occasionally some blogging and lifestyle tips as well. The posts on the blog are always concise, to the point and summarises things in a nutshell. I especially enjoy reading posts on <a href="http://lyndeavenue.blogspot.com/search/label/wellness" target="_blank">wellness and health</a>. They are certainly beneficial to keep ourselves in the pink of health and in good shape. Emily also has pretty impressive coding skills and has designed blogs before, so her blogging tips are helpful too. If you enjoy reading about beauty and fashion, the blog also shares information and tips about those topics, so feel free to check them out. :)
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Emily was very forthcoming with her ideas and she was also open to what we both had in mind. She had an idea of the colour palette she loved - purple, pink and a pale shade of blue. She also loved a minimal, elegant and feminine style. Here's a moodboard that inspired the project.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mA20WP_0vFit3_5S9aTG0czW9BUWK05QonbRoi36Vp31DDKqTNlAqCc4NNFJUWyzMH2vTejUEiCdZ14QiaBGBrUnhl8Pxsuo7u94kQlNhwEbqli9pppr9aj67GSVoBuPFeCxwbslWmw/s1600/THC_Lynde_Avenue_MoodBoard_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mA20WP_0vFit3_5S9aTG0czW9BUWK05QonbRoi36Vp31DDKqTNlAqCc4NNFJUWyzMH2vTejUEiCdZ14QiaBGBrUnhl8Pxsuo7u94kQlNhwEbqli9pppr9aj67GSVoBuPFeCxwbslWmw/s1600/THC_Lynde_Avenue_MoodBoard_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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(Clockwise from top-left) <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/1074238/" target="_blank">Orlando Florida Wedding</a> (Photo by <a href="http://www.amalieorrangephotography.com/" target="_blank">Amalie Orrange Photography</a>) / Brush Stroke + Lettering + Heart by myself / <a href="http://www.weddingchicks.com/gallery/classic-and-elegant-russian-wedding/?pid=128759" target="_blank">Classic & Elegant Russian Wedding</a> (Photo by <a href="http://www.sonyakhegay.com/" target="_blank">Sonya Khegay</a>) / <a href="http://www.couleurlocale.eu/furniture/zila-lila-nest-bean-bag.html" target="_blank">Zila Lila Nest Bean Bag</a> / <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/1348935/" target="_blank">Figs & Gold Wedding Inspiration</a> (Photo by <a href="http://onelove-photo.com/" target="_blank">Onelove Photography</a>) </div>
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We explored the purple, pink and neutral colour palette, leaving the complementary colours for some accents, and because Emily loved the idea of minimal, clean sans serif fonts, I also managed to implement them into the headers by lettering and drawing them out. All the headers were hand lettered, and most header options also included a watercolour pink heart, to accentuate the minimal style Emily was fond of.
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We also discussed about different design elements that would be really unique to her blog. Since coding is also something Emily enjoyed doing, it would be very special to include this interest into the blog style as well. The additional illustrations include a running shoe and a jump rope to depict wellness, which is one of the main topics discussed on the blog. These illustrations were hand drawn to give the design a more authentic style too.
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(Inspiration: From left) <a href="http://www.weddingchicks.com/gallery/classic-and-elegant-russian-wedding/?pid=128759" target="_blank">Classic & Elegant Russian Wedding</a> (Photo by <a href="http://www.sonyakhegay.com/" target="_blank">Sonya Khegay</a>) / <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/1074238/" target="_blank">Orlando Florida Wedding</a> (Photo by <a href="http://www.amalieorrangephotography.com/" target="_blank">Amalie Orrange Photography</a>) / <a href="http://www.couleurlocale.eu/furniture/zila-lila-nest-bean-bag.html" target="_blank">Zila Lila Nest Bean Bag</a> / <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/1348935/" target="_blank">Figs & Gold Wedding Inspiration</a> (Photo by <a href="http://onelove-photo.com/" target="_blank">Onelove Photography</a>) </div>
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This is still, one of my first few attempts at creating a moodboard, and I am very aware that it's not the best, so I'll gladly welcome any criticisms and comments. I'd love to hear any suggestions and improvements that we can all learn from together.
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This project was pretty enjoyable to work on, as with all other projects are, because each one of them undoubtedly possess a certain form of uniqueness and specialty. :) Furthermore, it's always an eye-opening experience to be able to work with someone from another part of the world. I had such a wonderful time working with Emily who was always so courteous and kind. She was extremely gracious and polite with suggestions and this certainly made the project easy to work on. It could never have been possible with her ideas as well, so I really appreciate that. :)
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Finally, collaborations are perhaps one of the most interesting type of projects to work on because working with new people undeniably has unexpected paths and turns, but eventually, the results produced are relatively pleasant and satisfying. Apart from successfully completing the project together, genuine partnerships are formed as well. :) They also provide the much needed affirmation for both parties, and allow us to just believe in ourselves, a little more.
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Until next time ♥
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<i style="text-align: justify;">Lettering + Design elements by me, Photos as stated in links</i><br />
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<i style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;">Check out the other projects I worked on with <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/2015/03/completed-project-sophie-smith.html" target="_blank">Sophie</a> from <a href="http://www.sophie-smith.com.au/" target="_blank">Sophie Smith</a> and <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/2015/06/completed-project-little-yarn-blossom.html" target="_blank">Bryleigh</a> from <a href="http://alittleyarnblossom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Little Yarn Blossom</a>. </i></i>
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<i>+ If you're keen on featuring your original, creative creations on The Happy Candle, check out the new post series, <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/creative%20minds%20series" target="_blank">The Creative Minds</a></i></div>
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<i><complete id="goog_1409681648">+ </complete>I have been incredibly busy this month and will continue to be in the coming month, with college administration and camps, but I do hope to continue contributing to this as much as I can. To make up for the reduction in the frequency of posts, I will be posting more updates on social networks. You may check out what inspires me <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thehappycandle" target="_blank">on Pinterest</a> and follow me <a href="https://instagram.com/thehappycandle/" target="_blank">on Instagram</a> for new lettering work and extras that are not featured here on the blog as well.</i><i> :)</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-30038058348328666842015-07-07T23:16:00.003+08:002016-03-05T22:05:02.350+08:00The Creative Minds Series: Listen (+ Freebie)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last June, a blogger from France, Elsa, from <a href="http://totallyelsa.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Totally Elsa</a>, came forward and wanted to collaborate on a project together. Totally Elsa is a place where Elsa shares her very delicate and detailed nail art as well as some of her pretty impressive drawings and portraits. She was unsure of what exactly we should work on, but proposed that since both of us had a common interest of art and creative things, we could create an art piece that featured her illustration and my lettering.<br />
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The downloadable wallpaper for this July is something that both of us had created together, with Elsa's intricate and delicate illustration of a beautiful crown and jewels, coupled with my lettering. I also decided to try out something new, and created my own gold foil to use with the crown that Elsa had illustrated.<br />
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The late Princess Diana had mentioned this beautiful quote worth a reminder to all. She would have turned 54 recently on 1 July, and will be remembered for being kind and down-to-earth, and indisputably, an inspiration to many.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmR86aaAvcQjvzjC8zUqDlrFEiuoq1tvf3lzjhBi2RqLOqWhKMFp5G4Ehs9pW1e_i9W0S8BPig3LwVOd-xz4ODHWPPB8taeNO3rdmAGRwagU-2bunypwMC77Bht8AayMqPot9xk0M2zA/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_Promo_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="free downloadable desktop, phone wallpaper, quote by Princess Diana, Lady Diana Spencer, follow your heart, black, gold" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmR86aaAvcQjvzjC8zUqDlrFEiuoq1tvf3lzjhBi2RqLOqWhKMFp5G4Ehs9pW1e_i9W0S8BPig3LwVOd-xz4ODHWPPB8taeNO3rdmAGRwagU-2bunypwMC77Bht8AayMqPot9xk0M2zA/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_Promo_1.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 100%;" title="" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMB532Pib6bTB4EwhAbdew6JLk_HfN3Tyjzg0feqt8iRZ-AIZDjtipSQbKcEPvB8VELN7Wlay2xISETucXH4AT8XQqcD7fz8_u1GbGSziQpD5riLEFnxdOeyfaEQSjxX6xNew_XEIFRw/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_desktop_2560_black_promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Downloadable Desktop, Phone Wallpaper / Quote by Princess Diana / Also comes in white. / Created by The Happy Candle and Totally Elsa / Lady Diana Spencer, follow your heart, black, gold" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMB532Pib6bTB4EwhAbdew6JLk_HfN3Tyjzg0feqt8iRZ-AIZDjtipSQbKcEPvB8VELN7Wlay2xISETucXH4AT8XQqcD7fz8_u1GbGSziQpD5riLEFnxdOeyfaEQSjxX6xNew_XEIFRw/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_desktop_2560_black_promo.jpg" title="" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKRCWrhl3TZdmCqDKkjowhkQb8tEhnMPTl5qJVYU8cslT23IeXKkVq0-LFEOYQyfeHXdpgLzfGX1UF-t3dxcIaOYQA_DNsMDjnGY-FKtIqBtrHRdwLrylIEj7F7KOMsw9El_wvZylOUE/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_Promo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="free downloadable desktop, phone wallpaper, quote by Princess Diana, Lady Diana Spencer, follow your heart, white, gold" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKRCWrhl3TZdmCqDKkjowhkQb8tEhnMPTl5qJVYU8cslT23IeXKkVq0-LFEOYQyfeHXdpgLzfGX1UF-t3dxcIaOYQA_DNsMDjnGY-FKtIqBtrHRdwLrylIEj7F7KOMsw9El_wvZylOUE/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_Promo_2.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 100%;" title="" /></a></div>
<a data-pin-color="white" data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehappycandle.blogspot.sg%2F2015%2F07%2Fthe-creative-minds-series-listen-freebie.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-_2PLoKHake0%2FVZuaE6ktZDI%2FAAAAAAAADL0%2FTdIEjW-E0dM%2Fs1600%2FTElsa_THC_CM_Promo_1.jpg&description=%20"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_white_20.png" /></a>
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<i style="text-align: justify;"><b>Version 1 // Black Background</b></i></center>
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Phone (Android/iPhone) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-y1gCeYjn-zCQUWquvwegCy9Ufjefttij-6ORud1FYUXL-JVDOXSGAZeapiyJRN_8hHkkt2seLj7KseFztEAny5st3dp-uq_UcnMtdVH5hp44aHVhqmtvcEIb70n7o5W5E38KUdbuWs/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_phone_black.jpg" target="_blank">1080 x 1920</a></div>
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Laptop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pVuVEKeQTUZuyDRuj2NrGFVp8TdQlWLxsHiUBkY8pJlVxZyrgXWLXtXR0CvBt2EXI3vFRroXd5VZ93PtMDPPEbWqBf3scM6Xha16_43IN8vWwr0plONwZmxZulOzcNKAUh6Cu3VWNYI/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_laptop_black.jpg" target="_blank">2880 x 1800</a></div>
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Desktop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmilBCN_x0rFXkLQNzTMkNtOvvJlulI1R4TXdlIUPJTCdLcGBEMvPZfx34Z-2xCHYpxjOZIs2Fi4nUtW2K1KtBEVr45MdvHiZeuOowjZ5rC_NAwq_-yMRonf-bxUiucZy4TmqMdRvoebg/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_desktop_2560_black.jpg" target="_blank">2560 x 1600</a> / <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAY48TCF0QRU75FNriyJfSi6mS7N7SzVqsKjajNQsDUeE9G3MlJhUn4JnQO8nlycrReElUP_YLxoBQ_FY5QrRQ9tCBmD2PgaTJ5JIoiz3xPR95kCV69BH_YubSpOBpDSoiABfDQpnbQXA/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_desktop_1280_black.jpg" target="_blank">1280 x 1024</a></div>
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<i><b>Version 2 // White Background</b></i></center>
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Phone (Android/iPhone) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hHvR18p_ccWQr9aHYIx80dO68D5ajekkdlshJfdWaYuccLxWdXEdwrUBUJFQTvnIybOd8_8A_EcQg70iqM9xjYAFg0sGQN38cblx1N6uiHVD67L9vXMMcvQ2xFqqavWPPL3OPhN04XA/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_phone_white.jpg" target="_blank">1080 x 1920</a></div>
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Laptop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FDrp7DHEHqA2R9D4hJIEwLgJhRJ_2emxfuq37c9BgrZj2-ocIJlT8hXvPZb1ckkUv5zlmEHqNXrx_grasv9MKrcpBAhqVE2qyd9tl_qHxtDljZCk63YZeRWVlHJZUFEJ5VoNeWdrO9w/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_laptop_white.jpg" target="_blank">2880 x 1800</a></div>
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Desktop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc-Tc1WJqHQbgfS5IlOLgfNdLG_F1q0A0Z8vGgyKSFFCN3qj3PJjSerRBvhe3nRsmAA8ctFdyca7zcBY2OxHREN8VfjCW2KeDk5xdrJ_xh0vI8x-atqPU01aUjZA14p9G4XgKxAf9oHI/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_desktop_2560_white.jpg" target="_blank">2560 x 1600</a> / <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iNyJ_ptcF33ICs_JNqLioOA-76vTh0Ybnk3qWb6MiGbipy3QnecRd7N_vvaTmvBw_ZK8ji7AjtH8fluZa8Wf9an4e0kZ1SaAix1F-HgI9Cw8oOYp9ItmAo5hjtvTLgZYNH_tsRxTql8/s1600/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_desktop_1280_white.jpg" target="_blank">1280 x 1024</a> </div>
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<img alt="Free Desktop and Phone Wallpaper - The Happy Candle & Totally Elsa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe57ucP4WNm2cND8LlLC-Qm5mlYRWJwgMIlsl5EqGHcc4IZMQFpMTSXvF2EiqbbzaR4Gc-LghFloTBasK0ne0lT1IHJXU_4zlUCQs1eMzNBMSJAFRhwyaW0OyftmCY6T4jmBlFltRZeY/s320/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_phone_black_promo.jpg" /><img alt="Free Desktop and Phone Wallpaper - The Happy Candle & Totally ELsa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZCSLOkPBIng3knlSvkn8MHVzj2KXhcT1M6S0EfPY48cp0oit2Ou1JJGBxWdDDOglmmMX9DLlBFzElGdexoyWBCOwCf12l7IPwAB_zn-NZc7dmdQpDlR5k02hMVERJZQ8zlC3-1Q_OVI/s320/TElsa_THC_CM_heart_phone_white_promo.jpg" />
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From this collaboration initiated by Elsa, I also decided to introduce a new collection/post series called '<a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/creative%20minds%20series" target="_blank">The Creative Minds Series</a>'. After the introduction of <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/loopy%20doodles%20series" target="_blank">the Loopy Doodles</a>, it seemed appropriate to also include another series in this little getaway to go on wilder creative adventures. The series will be a type of collaboration where it will feature the wonderful work from the contributor, and where the contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together. :)<br />
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I'm very grateful for Elsa for her initiative to start this collaboration that sparked the idea of this series. It was very kind of her and she didn't mind if this idea was used with others. She was very accepting, open-minded and happy that she gave the idea of the series as well, so I'm very much appreciative of her support. :) It was wonderful working with Elsa, she had great ideas and it was such an amazing experience to be able to work with someone from across the globe once again.<br />
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Finally, we often listen to the voice of reality of our heads, rather than listening to our hearts that harbour the growing list of dreams we constantly wish for. Let's remember that choices lead to destiny as well. We have the ability to cross off those items on our bucket list and find solace in even the smallest of things, if we just keep a close ear and listen to the whispers of our hearts.<br />
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Until next time ♥
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<i>Illustration by Elsa, lettering by me. Wallpapers created by Elsa from <a href="http://totallyelsa.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Totally Elsa</a> and Dian from <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">The Happy Candle</a>. For personal use only. Not for sale or distribution. If shared, please link back to original post.</i><br />
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<i>+ <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/creative%20minds%20series" target="_blank">The Creative Minds Series</a> is a collaborative collection where a contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together, featuring the original works from contributor about art or any other form of design, including photography, and anything creative. </i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-18253215734498495462015-06-27T01:39:00.001+08:002015-08-29T13:35:24.348+08:00Corridor (+ IBR)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There's the familiar savoury aroma of curry from the neighbour a few floors downstairs, the indistinct tune of Hokkien karaoke music from the elderly couple across the building, the colourful blinking lights on the window pane of the family in the apartment opposite to celebrate the upcoming Eid - a variety of cultures that ignite senses.<br />
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People are moving in and out of their homes either to dry the laundry, buy their groceries or water their plants in their 'gardens'. The serenity doesn't get any more flawless than hearing children's laughter from the playground downstairs. It's a typical weekend in the heartlands of this island city-state.
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Since we're a relatively tiny island/city with about 6 million people, we have high population density (as most cities do). This means we have a large number of people living in a particular area. As a result, most of us live in apartment buildings and high rise flats with no backyards.
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Corridors are the common spaces that we have - spaces where we see our neighbours and their homes (about five to ten metres away from our very own front door), where children ride on bicycles from one end to the other, and even where people start their own little 'garden' at its sides. Most of these 'gardens' are healthy but they clearly weren't large - usually they were five potted plants lined along the concrete floor against the low walls of the corridor to reach over for sunlight. It seemed to enjoy the sunlight from the highest storeys in the building.
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You must think that the corridor seems awfully narrow, but there's indeed a wide area for people to walk and reach the lift lobby from their apartment. Nonetheless, what perhaps is the most important aspect of this common corridor is its role to bring a particular entity together - the people.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1VWbbDWRayg/VY2P73mRqkI/AAAAAAAAD_w/HX3P6oR7ZN8/s1600/THC_Neighbours_Quote_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1VWbbDWRayg/VY2P73mRqkI/AAAAAAAAD_w/HX3P6oR7ZN8/s1600/THC_Neighbours_Quote_13.jpg" /></a></div>
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It is certainly a different atmosphere in other parts of the world, but what remains most similar is the community that lives in neighbourhoods. There's no doubt that neighbours can come in various forms. Some are reeked in envy, others are as polished as gold. Yet it's important to realise that though there are some who might be putting us off a little, we stay courteous and considerate.
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Wherever we are in the world, despite any troubles we might experience, there is indeed a little 'corridor' in each neighbourhood - something that brings people together, something that allows them to live with comfort in the knowledge that there are people who care. It doesn't have to be a place or a tangible item. We can be that little 'corridor' ourselves - the person who just remains as kind and courteous to everyone and makes that little first step towards building relationships regardless of how difficult or awkward they might start off.
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Neighbours are people we need, let's aspire to be good ones, for if we love our neighbours as ourselves, we gain nothing more than home sweet home.</div>
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Until next time ♥ <br />
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<i>Lettering and photo by me</i><br />
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<u>______________________</u><br />
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<i>+ The notebook with the beautiful watercolour print featured in the photograph is created by Nancy Tichborne, a talented watercolour artist from New Zealand. I bought the notebook a couple of years back at a local stationary shop, and it is part of the Nancy Floral Series Journal. </i><br />
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<i>+ This post was also written for the linkup <a href="http://thatdeletebutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/inspired-by-random-book-titles.html" target="_blank">'Inspired By Random'</a> (IBR), hosted by Fatima from <a href="http://thatdeletebutton.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">That Delete Button</a>. The linkup includes a writing a post based on a random book title chosen without it being related to the book. </i></div>
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<i>+ <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/326370.Corridor" target="_blank">'Corridor'</a> is the title of a book written by a local Singaporean author <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfian_Sa'at" target="_blank">Alfian Sa'at</a>, and I picked out the book at random from my to-read list. I've always wanted to read his books because of all the positive reviews I've heard about them, but needless to say, I never took the chance. Here's me taking that opportunity - I'm making it a point to read the random book I've chosen for the linkup after this post. :)</i><br />
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<i>You can also find me on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/thehappycandle" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>.</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-78893226964355466802015-06-11T23:41:00.000+08:002015-06-18T11:03:38.593+08:00Completed Project: A Little Yarn Blossom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I first started off this journey, it was never my intention to offer any design 'services'. The main reason to it was that the thought of disappointing others or not living up to their expectations was frightening. I didn't think I was capable of coming up with something that people liked, and didn't believe in myself. Then, during the <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/2015/03/completed-project-sophie-smith.html" target="_blank">project back in February</a>, I realised that it wasn't very much of a service at all - it was a collaboration - we help and learn from one another. I loved working with people because sharing ideas would lead to learning, which is one of my favourite things to do. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">In May, Bryleigh from </span><a href="http://alittleyarnblossom.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">A Little Yarn Blossom</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> approached me after she saw <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/2015/03/completed-project-sophie-smith.html" target="_blank">the project</a> I worked on with Sophie from </span><a href="http://www.sophie-smith.com.au/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Sophie Smith</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, and I was excited to help her out. This would be my third time working with someone and it was going to be another adventure. :) A Little Yarn Blossom is a knit and crochet lifestyle blog, and one of the topics on the blog includes </span><a href="http://alittleyarnblossom.blogspot.sg/search/label/Life%20Learning" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">life learning</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> where Bryleigh shares her experiences and lessons she's learnt from them. There are also honest book and music reviews, and if you're a Panic! At The Disco fan, you can give Bryleigh a hi-five. :) Ultimately, I admired Bryleigh's passion for her hobby. She has a knit and crochet shop called </span><a href="http://alittleyarnblossom.blogspot.com/p/business.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Yarn Blossom</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, offering various services and products including iPhone and iPad cases. This was a unique hobby and was perhaps the niche of the blog that made the project interesting to work on. :)</span></div>
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It was a pretty fruitful collaboration, with brainstorming and exchange of ideas. We explored an indigo/midnight blue and goldish yellow palette, as well as other options that Bryleigh also liked, including blush pink and black. Finally, we narrowed down the colour palette and worked from there. The indigo/midnight blue and goldish yellow palette was interesting to work with because they were contrasting trinary colours and complementary. Here's a moodboard with some images and colours that inspired the project. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcVReNbzv6KJgtm96ZrXkcSDr93i6-VSRrrYebuGPEnbyYqYhp3p85RxhQ1-W2O3FkFuJG4lA2rXC8Xl2w0LFMDHzMBhDYb1ARhOoEbg4QdFUNR-eiy2WLdUIQvAggfaLALU3-88tpvg/s1600/THC_ALYB_MoodBoard_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcVReNbzv6KJgtm96ZrXkcSDr93i6-VSRrrYebuGPEnbyYqYhp3p85RxhQ1-W2O3FkFuJG4lA2rXC8Xl2w0LFMDHzMBhDYb1ARhOoEbg4QdFUNR-eiy2WLdUIQvAggfaLALU3-88tpvg/s1600/THC_ALYB_MoodBoard_10.jpg" /></a></div>
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(Clockwise from top-left) <a href="http://www.sycamorestreetpress.com/products/a-friend-is-someone-who-knows-all-about-you-friendship-art-card#1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eva J Art Print</a> / <a href="http://www.jotun.com/tr/tr/b2c/products/fenomastic/kesisim-sehrin-yansimalari.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jotun St Paul's Blue Paint</a> / Watercolour Flower + Lettering by myself / <a href="http://konabay.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=c&Product_Code=EMPR-17-CHARCOAL&Category_Code=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ginkgo Fabric Print</a> / <a href="http://pinpina.com/shop/metallic-marble/wabi-sabi-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Calico Wallpapers Gold Foil</a> </div>
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The word 'blossom' in the header was special, especially because 'blossoms' was also the name given to Bryleigh's readers, so the element of a watercolour flower was added to give it a personal and inclusive touch. Here's just some of the headers that were explored during the process, along with some submark options. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIu-FNXGlyx9Ed3wI6k6MnDBo7AwmDQxoT1gKjcsjPaM9HFSWYem-QuC52n8Dzr-51qYddlT5Gcm79ILsOUXqvaoqqkPcOhNMM57HsIEVgC_qTZ5dPKisEjz1FEsBRFuZwaR4AtaCfEQ/s1600/THC_ALYB_Header_Promo_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIu-FNXGlyx9Ed3wI6k6MnDBo7AwmDQxoT1gKjcsjPaM9HFSWYem-QuC52n8Dzr-51qYddlT5Gcm79ILsOUXqvaoqqkPcOhNMM57HsIEVgC_qTZ5dPKisEjz1FEsBRFuZwaR4AtaCfEQ/s1600/THC_ALYB_Header_Promo_3.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since A Little Yarn Blossom was based on Bryleigh's interest of knit and crochet, we decided to use this to add a more unique feel to the header variations, including the thread-like flourish. I also added some of my hand-drawn watercolour graphics of sewing and knitting in the design elements to give more character to the design. It was created with watercolour to give a made-from-scratch feel, just like her hobby.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz6NVrHg6PpRYtxaOyYMpMPIaqibMKPmSepSJ3DbyZl87YWCDYB3nSA3oK_ji8EdR9UDS4jIp250LO0NSyc1ivUDHIxz6ujpdU0v4CWbSDFY_bk1KtDgvdaQQs9zrpKp-7f2dOJtI8hE/s1600/THC_ALYB_Design_Board_V1_R2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz6NVrHg6PpRYtxaOyYMpMPIaqibMKPmSepSJ3DbyZl87YWCDYB3nSA3oK_ji8EdR9UDS4jIp250LO0NSyc1ivUDHIxz6ujpdU0v4CWbSDFY_bk1KtDgvdaQQs9zrpKp-7f2dOJtI8hE/s1600/THC_ALYB_Design_Board_V1_R2.jpg" /></a></div>
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(Inspiration: From left) <a href="http://konabay.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=c&Product_Code=EMPR-17-CHARCOAL&Category_Code=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ginkgo Fabric Print</a> / <a href="http://www.jotun.com/tr/tr/b2c/products/fenomastic/kesisim-sehrin-yansimalari.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jotun St Paul's Blue Paint</a> / <a href="http://pinpina.com/shop/metallic-marble/wabi-sabi-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Calico Wallpapers Gold Foil</a> / <a href="http://www.sycamorestreetpress.com/products/a-friend-is-someone-who-knows-all-about-you-friendship-art-card#1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eva J Art Print</a> </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">As mentioned in the previous project, I'm no professional, just a self-taught young adult keen to learn more. This is just a hobby I enjoy and love doing, </span><span style="text-align: center;">it was completely non-profit, </span><span style="text-align: center;">and </span><span style="text-align: center;">I'd love to hear suggestions and </span><span style="text-align: center;">make improvements</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">about anything. </span><span style="text-align: center;">It's an interest that I'm exploring everyday and </span><span style="text-align: center;">I'm still learning</span><span style="text-align: center;">. Bryleigh was very open to ideas, easy-going and enthusiastic, it was enjoyable working with her. It couldn't have been possible with her feedback and ideas as well, so it made the collaboration a very pleasant one. :)</span></div>
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I was almost fully booked with projects for the month of May, and I've been extremely busy. There's so much more to come such that there's a limited space left for collaboration opportunities in June. It's been a hectic month, which is possibly a good thing. I'd like to thank everyone, readers, for their continuous support and I am ever so grateful for every single one. This has been such an incredible journey and I can never be thankful enough for it.</div>
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Until next time ♥</div>
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<i>Lettering + Design elements by me, Photos as stated in links</i><br />
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<i>Check out the project I worked on with Sophie from Sophie Smith <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.com/2015/03/completed-project-sophie-smith.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </i><br />
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<i>On another note, if you're following me on Instagram, you might have learnt about the <a href="https://instagram.com/p/3q9SpoIGeE/" target="_blank">devastating news</a> I shared that occurred last week. To give a little insight, here's a link to a <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20150607/sjvictims0706152.jpg" target="_blank">photograph from one of the news reports</a>, and you may read more details and updates about it on other reports about the tragedy. Innocent, promising lives have been lost, and the country is shaken and mourning. May the souls of those who perished rest in peace. </i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-2200419332282172762015-05-24T01:01:00.000+08:002015-07-12T00:10:18.936+08:00The Loopy Doodles: Eyes On You (+ IBR)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Have you ever had perhaps two tabs opened on your browser, and you're conscientiously attempting to complete a task, but decide to open several other tabs instead? You've made the decision to complete that single task, and think to yourself - <i>yes, this is what I'm going to stick to and do for the next hour</i>. Minutes later, you find yourself on another task picked out from your endless to-do list and attempt to do several things at once clumsily.<br />
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In our hurried lives, we always want to get things done all at once, and multitasking seems like the best way to check off the boxes of the never-ending list. It often ends with not completing the tasks at all, or even if we do, they aren't of the best quality. Most might think that they've been multitasking well, but if we already find difficulty in focusing on a single task, multitasking is in fact an even more difficult skill to cultivate. </div>
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After what felt like the hundredth time my sister expressed her constant annoyance at the numerous tabs opened in my browser, I found myself returning to the first task and saying to it, "This is it. I'm keeping my eyes on you. Come on, <i>focus</i>."<br />
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The notion occurred to me that perhaps before we can multitask, it's important to find focus. There's just too many things to look at that we fail to keep focus at each of them one at a time. There's nothing inherently wrong with multitasking, but one has to be extremely skilled at it to not just complete all of the tasks, but complete it well.<br />
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As part of my very own collection called <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/loopy%20doodles%20series" target="_blank">The Loopy Doodles Series</a> (a series of GIFs and animated illustrations with lettering), I've created a lettering with this uplifting quote that has become a state of mind, or perhaps a disposition, that I'd like to work towards.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>This image is an animation. Click to play; image will play in an infinite loop without stopping. </i></span></div>
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<img alt="Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. Sarah Williams. The Old Astronomer. Quote Brush Lettering Print." onclick="javascript:(this.src=="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM4z2SDpNNKQP02BRIx98bqjS3bX8iYbdhWe8u1Ol9sa0LcGQLm2t3F_ZdQgaUe5GDoDRdy_-QNT2Wn2xqW-TWBOOfc9fQl_rgR2p0uEg8gKWCz8UPtCNKEnYgByQIPCumkoZ1fVxzjQ/s1600/THC_Stars_Quote_LDS2_-00.jpg"?this.src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4ngABin39dPqWaXAxlWKpUnntKqLkeKPEj5Ae0zd0l_oiV5Xs9G42VZL_O64eAv3IkYnwhbLVeWMGkryHVUqqxm9d_A56rInDYuIPqPCwILYyQA-9SVgCV0A1aBaEOO2BRXgD3ycDfg/s1600/THC_Stars_quote_LDS2_infiniteloop.gif":"")" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM4z2SDpNNKQP02BRIx98bqjS3bX8iYbdhWe8u1Ol9sa0LcGQLm2t3F_ZdQgaUe5GDoDRdy_-QNT2Wn2xqW-TWBOOfc9fQl_rgR2p0uEg8gKWCz8UPtCNKEnYgByQIPCumkoZ1fVxzjQ/s1600/THC_Stars_Quote_LDS2_-00.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The Happy Candle Loopy Doodles Series #2: Click to play." /></div>
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These lines were taken from a poem written by Sarah Williams called <a href="http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/post/49415133926/from-the-old-astronomer-to-his-pupil-by-sarah" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Old Astronomer to his Pupil</a>. They are no doubt the reason to the poem's outstanding recognition. Though the lines works well on its own, it becomes even more enchanting when read with the poem itself, and I'd certainly recommend anyone to read it if they're interested. The poem explored the humbling aspirations of a mentor to his student and the themes of death, knowledge and love.</div>
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For the interest of this post, if we take a look at the line on its own, being so fond of the stars is what makes the line so poignant. It's magical to fondly gaze upon the universe and the stars and eventually determine the dark night to be negligible. It's liberating to be so concentrated on a task and eventually become immune to the small petty issues - to keep so focused on a specific task, that we do not notice the darkness or challenges enveloping it. This is the level of focus that perhaps we should aspire to work towards in order to achieve our goals. </div>
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I do realise that this <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/loopy%20doodles%20series" target="_blank">Loopy Doodles Series</a> was supposed to be done monthly, and I truly apologise for not keeping to my word about it. There's been so many new projects and things to deal with lately that it's been pushed back since March. So I've made a decision that it's best if this series is made in to a bi-monthly or tri-monthly (once in two/three months) series instead of a monthly one. I've been quite busy these few weeks and probably will continue to be for the coming weeks because I've been working on these new projects and collaborations that I'm really excited to showcase soon here as well. :)</div>
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In completing these projects, I did find myself toggling from one task to the next. I wasn't a splendid multitasker, so I attempted to focus on one task at a time, and I'd like to think that completing this post without becoming too distracted is a legitimately first successful attempt.<br />
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Most of us are always looking for ways to kill two birds with one stone - we've been given numerous opportunities to do so - from the option of opening tabs in browsers to using floating widgets on mobile phones. However perhaps what we need to learn first, is to kill a bird well and effectively, before we attempt the slightly more arduous task of killing both at once, only to merely injure both of them instead.</div>
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Until next time ♥ </div>
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<i>Lettering + illustration + animated gif by me </i><br />
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<i>For more lettering work from the Loopy Doodles Series, click <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/loopy%20doodles%20series" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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<i>The <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/loopy%20doodles%20series" target="_blank">Loopy Doodles Series</a> a bi/tri-monthly series of moving drawings + animations with lettering. They'll mostly be in the form of GIFs, and the drawings + lettering will be shown in an animated loop, just like the one above. </i></div>
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<i>+ This post was also written for the linkup '<a href="http://thatdeletebutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/inspired-by-random-book-titles.html" target="_blank">Inspired By Random</a>' (IBR), hosted by Fatima from That Delete Button. The linkup includes a writing a post based on a random book title chosen without it being related to the book. (The linkup was hosted back in March, but I haven't gotten the chance to do it, not sure if it's too late or if it's still working. But I've always wanted to do a linkup, and this is my first time participating in one, hope I'm doing this right.) </i></div>
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<i>+ '<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18634982-eyes-on-you" target="_blank">Eyes on You</a>' is the title of a book written by Kate White. I picked out the book at random from my to-read list. It's a psychological thriller, and I'm making it a point to read the random book I've chosen for the linkup after this post. :) </i></div>
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<i>You can also find me on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thehappycandle/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/thehappycandle" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>. </i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-13213239186744048532015-05-15T21:37:00.001+08:002015-05-16T15:29:35.001+08:00Crossroads (Guest Post)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>This is a <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/guest%20post" target="_blank">guest post</a> written by Kathie from <a href="http://climbingthroughtomorrow.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">A Sea Change</a>. Kathie had proposed to write a guest post and we decided to write guest posts on our respective blogs based on the theme of inspiring messages. Kathie will explore the ways to make decisions in difficult situations. Coming to a proper resolution has always been something that resonated with everyone, and in this post, Kathie will share her insights in decision-making and her experience in making tough choices. </i><i>In exchange, I've written a post on A Sea Change, and you may check out <a href="http://climbingthroughtomorrow.blogspot.com/2015/05/guest-postbefriending-doubts.html" target="_blank">my post</a> on Kathie’s blog about befriending self-doubts, utilising fears and gaining self-esteem.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgmIiydqX1VYllFJ7v_t4VigW7Gl6Q98UJ1rws2h_BtbdDxSD4f0dGqWjM5euLdf0mNMI7qP7PZT80azT-75TCpXvAqWYf5fvVYV80U0OSh9oM7vKObRS0v_jDwFLjBarqsE6alISMY4/s1600/THC_ASC_Crossroads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgmIiydqX1VYllFJ7v_t4VigW7Gl6Q98UJ1rws2h_BtbdDxSD4f0dGqWjM5euLdf0mNMI7qP7PZT80azT-75TCpXvAqWYf5fvVYV80U0OSh9oM7vKObRS0v_jDwFLjBarqsE6alISMY4/s1600/THC_ASC_Crossroads.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4ozBa3aD_jOnAMAmhlPTH_oy_7It7sp9BeSx2W97ZnzU4K09UoksIiqOGw5CXWey9cvzitCZAFtnVgSmzKldBk9JpJmvLhN-agrMD71DvO8520VxWSGp719OAFGn1vBDLEge0T95W6M/s1600/Crossroad+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4ozBa3aD_jOnAMAmhlPTH_oy_7It7sp9BeSx2W97ZnzU4K09UoksIiqOGw5CXWey9cvzitCZAFtnVgSmzKldBk9JpJmvLhN-agrMD71DvO8520VxWSGp719OAFGn1vBDLEge0T95W6M/s1600/Crossroad+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are so many times that we come to a point when we say or feel that <span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>‘we are at a crossroad.’</i></span> Basically it means we are stuck between taking a decision when we have so many options to choose from. When we are at this point we feel scared, afraid, stressed out and perplexed because the choice you make at this point can determine your future course. </div>
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Decisions made could either be big or small but it could have an impact on you for the rest of your life. For example, choosing which course you’re planning to do. Most of us contemplate when we are required to choose a course for college, whether we want to go into arts, science or commerce. I had to make my choice too and I chose commerce and it has turned out to be great so far. I enjoy and love what I’m doing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMVe3C4NTWzF4zYzdSwOosQpbuEvWFX0h9mf3c6JLuc_A2GrMvQbHAtxiuIsaK_hazB2SLxhbiWTKWnovtnGTUSAyht_KiRIDyT_Yepte2AJzRYcyaCFZw92mGbNsN7nYb5ZepcdSbXQ/s1600/crossroad+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMVe3C4NTWzF4zYzdSwOosQpbuEvWFX0h9mf3c6JLuc_A2GrMvQbHAtxiuIsaK_hazB2SLxhbiWTKWnovtnGTUSAyht_KiRIDyT_Yepte2AJzRYcyaCFZw92mGbNsN7nYb5ZepcdSbXQ/s640/crossroad+2.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 100%;" /></a></div>
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This though is just a small example of what it’s like to be at a crossroad.</div>
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When one is at a crossroad it is important for them to keep in mind that it is not necessary to do what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to choose the way that everybody else does. It could be that a road which is travelled frequently by everyone can work for you and it could also be that it does not. Just because that particular road works for them doesn’t mean it will work for you. It’s okay if you want to do something different and it’s okay if it isn’t what everyone else wants you to do. Whatever you opt for it should make you feel happy and content. Yes, the road whichever you desire to pick might be rocky, there might be hardships, you might have to put in a lot of effort and struggle but ultimately it’s worth it. Want to know why? <span style="font-weight: 600;">Because even if it didn't fetch you what you wanted it to, at least it taught you something.</span> You know the mistakes you committed, you know what went wrong and it is these faults that you could work on again. Don’t take it as defeat though, let it strengthen you and make you stronger so that you can face it the next time.</div>
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Coming to a crossroad means that there have been so many events that lead to this point. When you are taking a decision it’s better to keep in mind why and how you got here, what occurrences have lead you to this place, who you want to be and where do you want to go, what blunders have you done previously and what are your strong points. You could also take the advice and help of loved ones at a time of indecision. A lot of people when they reach this end tend to give up if they can’t take the pressure. If you do feel so at this juncture, then remember why you started in the first place. It could help you get through the hard time with much more ease.</div>
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Ultimately the worst thing that could happen is not taking a decision and traversing into an unknown area but it is not taking a decision at all and remaining in the same place while you watch everyone else move ahead of you. <br />
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I’m Kathie and I blog over at<a href="http://climbingthroughtomorrow.blogspot.in/"> A Sea Change</a>. I’m a 19-year-old student in college pursuing Business Administration. I love to spend time with my family which includes two dogs, read, write, and once in awhile do something extremely creative. I also am a HUGE lover of tea. I hope to travel the world someday and as clichéd as it might sound, it is true. My blog is basically where I express my thoughts and views on certain matters. I try to make it as interesting as possible and I write in the hope that maybe I could just inspire a few people out there. Come on over and look around. Hopefully you’ll find something that you like and can maybe connect with!<br />
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<i>This is the first time I'm working with another blogger for an exchange guest post, and I had some initial reservations, but </i><i>I'd like to give my appreciation and thanks to Kathie for writing this post and her amazing cooperation. I hope readers learn something and have something to take away from this at the end of it as well. </i><br />
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<i>Until next time ♥</i><i> </i><br />
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<i>Introductory photo by me, Photos in guest post courtesy of Kathie from A Sea Change</i><br />
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<i>+ You may check out <a href="http://climbingthroughtomorrow.blogspot.com/2015/05/guest-postbefriending-doubts.html" target="_blank">my post</a> on Kathie’s blog about befriending self-doubts, utilising fears and gaining self-esteem.</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-17617926102101039372015-05-09T08:52:00.000+08:002015-08-30T22:04:24.055+08:00Freebie: Love Her Tender (Mothers' Day Special)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It wasn't an extraordinary day for the family. By this, I mean it was treated as any other good day. Once in a few years, we might have had a little dinner out, but most years, Mothers' Day wasn't a big deal, yet it didn't creep over the weekend inconspicuously either. </div>
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I didn't realise why this was until I had a relatively fruitful discussion with my sister about it. She pointed it out that we regarded Mother's Day as a reminder, not a celebration. And this was something that was more significant than having a mere celebration of the occasion itself. </div>
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The Internet is filled with ideas and ways to celebrate Mothers' Day and things to do with our mothers but it is underlying purpose of Mothers' Day that is often overlooked. This doesn't mean we give the day depleted attention to entertainment either. Though unnecessary, a party or a day out is still acceptable because it allows us to spend time with our loved ones and eventually, it may serve as an alternative course to express our appreciation. </div>
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Inevitably, Mothers' Day is a time of reflection. It is in human nature for people to forget. This day allows people to realise the importance of mothers and their innumerable contributions. What can we do to improve ourselves to be more understanding to them? What can we do to be better sons or daughters? </div>
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Depending on the country we live in Mothers' Day is just a day or two away, (it falls on <span style="font-weight: 600;">10 May</span>). Cards are great simple ways to write a short letter of gratitude and apology instead of a big day out. They are also more heartfelt and genuine. For anyone who hasn't made any preparations to give thanks, here's some printable cards I've made that you can use and print easily if you decide to give something to your mother at the last minute. :) </div>
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There are 2 versions of the cards, one that says, "Happy Mum's Day" and another that says, "Love You Mum." The cards have a touch of watercolour with floral details, but I've also created plain cards without the floral details available for download. They also come in various sizes. If you'd like a mini card (that's half of an A4-sized paper), the links to those have been included below as well. There's lots of choices you can make to suit your individual preferences. :)
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_AW97QmM2k/VZ0rZVXmQ-I/AAAAAAAAD_w/2et4FMaBr7s/s1600/THC_Freebie_Mothers_Day_2_Promo_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_AW97QmM2k/VZ0rZVXmQ-I/AAAAAAAAD_w/2et4FMaBr7s/s1600/THC_Freebie_Mothers_Day_2_Promo_4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lCI1QnQujc/VU1VDRchMmI/AAAAAAAACOY/CBpju2oJgj8/s1600/THC_Freebie_Mothers_Day%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lCI1QnQujc/VU1VDRchMmI/AAAAAAAACOY/CBpju2oJgj8/s640/THC_Freebie_Mothers_Day%2BCollage.jpg" width="100%" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iwd8SGsBLY/VUzZ6rkqMjI/AAAAAAAACNQ/FdIN2UIqQLw/s1600/THC_Freebie_Mothers_Day_Preview_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Download Mothers Day Brush Lettered Cards" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iwd8SGsBLY/VUzZ6rkqMjI/AAAAAAAACNQ/FdIN2UIqQLw/s1600/THC_Freebie_Mothers_Day_Preview_1.jpg" title="THC Mothers Day 2015 Printable " /></a></div>
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<i><b>Version 1 // Happy Mums' Day</b></i></center>
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Floral <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOMkRzRkFqOWZLUzA/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a></div>
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Floral (Small) <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOMEVXclNsMFp2SG8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a></div>
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Simple <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOTUZ0RW41S0JtRTA/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a></div>
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Simple (Small) <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOZ0tDWWI0RkV1MG8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a></div>
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<i><b>Version 2 // Love You Mum</b></i></center>
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Floral <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOcVdZQlUwLTlnUHc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a> </div>
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Floral (Small) <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZORGdTSVB4N2xzUzA/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a></div>
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Simple <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOelVZWTI1aHhHLVE/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a> </div>
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Simple (Small) <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw1H5s0R5XZOZVNNVlRBckZPV1E/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download</a></div>
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I started learning more methods to watercolour in the past week and the flowers on the card are just a little detail I added to apply what I learnt. I am fully aware that it's not the best, and there's a lot more to improve on, but I'd just like to take this as an experience and see how it goes. :)</div>
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People are often misguided that mothers only need to rest and take time to relax on this day. Yet in truth, she deserves a break whenever she wants and whenever she needs it, not just on this day itself. When the chips are down, she's been there for us and if she experiences something similar, she deserves timeouts as well.<br />
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It may also suffice to adopt an alternative perspective where if any day should ever be celebrated as and deserving enough to be a "mothers' day", it should be our birthdays - the celebration of our birth that has made the woman who took care of us mothers. These are the days that actually celebrate their new adventure into motherhood, and have made them stronger, happier and more blessed.</div>
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This Mothers' Day, let's remember to be thankful of these dedicated women. Run a detailed inventory and take stock of all the things she has sacrificed and done for us. After all, we are indeed indebted to her.</div>
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Happy Mothers' Day. ♥ <br />
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<i>+ All cards are for<b> personal use only</b>. Not for distribution or resale. Please give credit if reshared. Thank you.</i><br />
<i>Photo + Lettering + Illustrations by me
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-68567202870736140662015-05-01T23:53:00.001+08:002015-11-28T22:59:29.882+08:00Tagged: Liebster Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There's a phenomenon called '<i>tagging</i>' in this online world. It's a form of virtual, social round robin. Most people are already familiar with this, but I suppose a brief explanation is appropriate for anyone new here who are unfamiliar. A tag usually comes in a set of questions. These questions are set by a person who created the tag or receives a tag. When someone is tagged by another, they are expected to answer the questions given and tag another group of people by setting new questions for them (depending on the rules of the tag). Eventually, the tag is repeated and passed on to an infinite network of bloggers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk92PHCuxtXKRLoYMv64CxOZJ9JnvtxWYG1evtSAEEx74TSqkHs9cVvXLzRyRFSLVSMfPQYIGV1kIn7fggvL9O2o6tAjIdJNZlc1Fbu1R-izTXfhwD6UNUj9rWq_XDkJGTISGuoW20No/s1600/THC_tagged_Liebster_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk92PHCuxtXKRLoYMv64CxOZJ9JnvtxWYG1evtSAEEx74TSqkHs9cVvXLzRyRFSLVSMfPQYIGV1kIn7fggvL9O2o6tAjIdJNZlc1Fbu1R-izTXfhwD6UNUj9rWq_XDkJGTISGuoW20No/s1600/THC_tagged_Liebster_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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A month ago, I was tagged by Elsa who was previously from <a href="http://craftyhandsandnails.blogspot.fr/2015/02/the-liebster-award.html" target="_blank">Crafty Hands and Pretty Nails</a> for the <i>Liebster Award</i>, and over the past month, Elsa has since changed her blog to <a href="http://totallyelsa.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Totally Elsa</a>. I really appreciate her nomination. At the same time, I had been busy with personal matters so I didn't manage to complete it. In this tag, I was given eleven questions to answer. :) The word 'liebster' was completely indistinguishable to me. And being curious to know what it meant, I did a little research, eventually finding that it's actually a German word for 'dearest'. Usually used in the beginning of letters, '<a href="http://www.dict.cc/german-english/Liebster.html" target="_blank">liebster</a>' is a way to address to a very intimate person. :)<br />
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To be honest, I've expressed my reluctance previously when responding to 'tags'. As a reserved person, I tend to avoid discussing topics of my pesonal life online. This might explain why I haven't been active on other social networks. I do realise that this sounds silly because being open and gregarious is in fact some of the attributes or functions of bloggers. Refraining from being this might be a setback, since blogging is undeniably a form of social networking - personal blogs are created so people will know who bloggers are, what their lives are about. Yet this wasn't my agenda in my initial venture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWcOcd59y5O1iiUSeQn1JZu4iia_QZNIPt_bdcQttBl5RUUPLxdKjuVoWhLBsUM-zXBkIp4iz6Juon4RD5StGREj6RWIg2dsMXig3CZYpNoaOaLhYvN-B2fbkjegGmKveFyQceuAd4_4/s1600/THC_inspire_others_quote3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWcOcd59y5O1iiUSeQn1JZu4iia_QZNIPt_bdcQttBl5RUUPLxdKjuVoWhLBsUM-zXBkIp4iz6Juon4RD5StGREj6RWIg2dsMXig3CZYpNoaOaLhYvN-B2fbkjegGmKveFyQceuAd4_4/s1600/THC_inspire_others_quote3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I wanted this space to inspire others. A large amount of readership would just be a plus point because the more readers, the greater number of people my lettering work manages to reach, and the greater number of people it will eventually inspire. As long as people felt motivated with the lettering quotes, pinning them or sharing them, the message has been understood, and there was already a triumphant sense of achievement. :)<br />
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<b>The Challenge</b><br />
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I made a decision that instead of the usual way of answering questions from these tags directly, I'd explore a different way to approach it. I've taken some photographs displaying all the answers to the questions given by Elsa in her nomination/tag with hand lettering + illustrations. It's a neat new game I'd like to propose and give as a challenge. The answers shown are not direct, some are just doodles, and it's up to the reader to interpret it. It'll be an interesting to see if you can <i>match the answers to the questions in the photographs</i> and test your deductive/visual skills. Some are pretty straight forward and relatively easy. Remember, every clue in the photograph counts - whether it was the person who said the quote or the content of the lettering. It's all in the details. :)<br />
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<b>Questions from Elsa</b><br />
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01. Where would you like to travel to most?<br />
02. What is your favourite food?<br />
03. What is your favourite colour?<br />
04. Do you like your first name or would you like to change it if you could?<br />
05. What is your dream pet? (It can be anything.)<br />
06. Do you have siblings and how well do you get along with them?<br />
07. What are your favourite blogs/<br />
08. What is your favourite TV series?<br />
09. Talking or texting?<br />
10. What is your worst fear?<br />
11. What is your favourite activity?<br />
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<b>Answers </b><br />
<i>You may match the answers in the lettering + illustrations to the questions. (The photographs can be enlarged for zooming in with a click.) </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE7k7vjAh8R2Llp5_e0VBF9bkwUNk42znchh6Nsk7ON7s0RAKzHtlU4qOGDygdUJ3iISS8MGzmuWv2CI-xRHynhPSBGiS-ajIbi5JE7Jy0AT7qfUkmEZ6MxSstU4yqpr09Bjrvj2E-2Q/s1600/THC_Liebster_Answers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE7k7vjAh8R2Llp5_e0VBF9bkwUNk42znchh6Nsk7ON7s0RAKzHtlU4qOGDygdUJ3iISS8MGzmuWv2CI-xRHynhPSBGiS-ajIbi5JE7Jy0AT7qfUkmEZ6MxSstU4yqpr09Bjrvj2E-2Q/s1600/THC_Liebster_Answers2.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you do try this challenge out and you'd like to see the individual lettering work from the photographs and the answers<i>, </i>the <i>individual lettering work + their </i><i>descriptions</i> can be found <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/p/tagged-liebster-award-collection.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <i>(How many right answers did you manage to match?) </i>This was made in the hope that people can put their deductive skills to the test instead of reading this tags in the usual manner, and be inspired by these quotes too. :)<br />
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And, as part of the rules of this tag, another eleven bloggers are meant to be tagged too. :)</div>
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Neal // <a href="http://diaryforneal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daily Diaries</a><br />
Kanra // <a href="http://the-emo-wolverine-writes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Lunar Descent</a><br />
Bryleigh // <a href="http://alittleyarnblossom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Little Yarn Blossom</a><br />
Envy // <a href="http://pickingupthepiecesoflife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Picking Up The Pieces</a><br />
Fatima // <a href="http://thatdeletebutton.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">That Delete Button</a><br />
Gina // <a href="http://www.lifeandlights.com/" target="_blank">Life and Lights</a><br />
Kathie // <a href="http://climbingthroughtomorrow.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">A Sea Change</a><br />
Imogen // <a href="http://imogenelvis.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Gossiping with Dragons</a><br />
Amy // <a href="http://littlemoonelephant.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Little Moon Elephant</a><br />
Olivia // <a href="http://lifeasyounglady.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Life As A Young Lady</a><br />
Eve // <a href="http://eveofwomanhood.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Eve of Womanhood</a><br />
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The questions required to be answered for this tag are as follows. <i>(The photograph can be enlarged for zooming in with a click.) </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYYvSeYYABF9lTGx32psJjR5R166J_c4ad9clmILkts-n4phd_ycHUALlcUCtc4xOaAfr7Hd9A5aFm6CJmYSn7Jh33Hi-QyqV0Fv1jT2IoiGZIn-CJu4TVOUtURNsalrob2WltV0DptA/s1600/THC_Liebster_Award_Quesetions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYYvSeYYABF9lTGx32psJjR5R166J_c4ad9clmILkts-n4phd_ycHUALlcUCtc4xOaAfr7Hd9A5aFm6CJmYSn7Jh33Hi-QyqV0Fv1jT2IoiGZIn-CJu4TVOUtURNsalrob2WltV0DptA/s1600/THC_Liebster_Award_Quesetions.jpg" /></a></div>
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I do realise that some of these bloggers have already completed this tag, but I have an exhaustive list of bloggers I am acquainted with, so it's completely optional if you intend to repeat the tag. Besides, these tags are just meant to be a virtual round robin, so if you don't wish to complete it, it's understandable because you can choose not to. :) I also intended to tag a few other bloggers I know of because I'm appreciative of their support, but the number of followers they have exceeds 200, and unfortunately, they didn't qualify to be nominated. </div>
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My sister taught me this once - someone's personality can be sieved into their work and ultimately be inferred by others, whether it was their writing or any other form of expression, like lettering. It doesn't need to be explicitly shown. I'd also like to think it helps a person stay genuine - his work and life open to interpretation, and I do very much prefer being elusive.<br />
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This is not to say that I despise these 'tags' either, it's a great way to get to know others, and others to know myself. :) I'm also very much sincerely appreciative of the nomination from Elsa. I'd just like to make a confession that I'm not very good at these things. I prefer to be a little like a mystery, not the one that teases and leads people on, but one that isn't so vulnerable with private things. Someone whose motives are pure and obvious, but everything-else is something to discover. Apologies for this extremely long post. </div>
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Until next time ♥<br />
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<i>Lettering + Photos by me</i><br />
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<i>Click <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/p/tagged-liebster-award-collection.html" target="_blank">here</a> for the direct answers to the tag. </i><i>+ Update: I've created a new collection called <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/p/the-minimalist-collection.html" target="_blank">The Minimalist Collection</a> where I've round up some of the best minimal and simple lettering pieces including some from this post. You may also find it in the Work tab on the menu. Will update the collection occasionally with more lettering work based on simplicity and minimal graphics. :)</i><br />
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<i>I'm finally back from my break, it's so refreshing just to dust off this little space and do a little spring cleaning. Glad to be back and hear + catch up with everyone. + Let me know what you think of this way of completing tags as well by leaving a comment, I'd love to hear any constructive feedback. Thank you. :)</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-18496406658539284852015-03-31T19:04:00.000+08:002015-04-01T15:09:38.862+08:00Completed Project: Sophie Smith <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Working together with a person from another part of the world is an interesting experience. Mutual respect and understanding is extremely important when we work on projects because it ensures that the process runs smoothly and the outcome is well-received and satisfied by both parties. I'd hoped to maintain a healthy relationship with everyone, and taking any collaborations with anyone new was a bold step for myself. </div>
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Last January, I had the privilege to work with a blogger from Australia, <a href="http://www.sophie-smith.com.au/p/about_31.html" target="_blank">Sophie</a>, who originally owned Catcus Blog (some might have heard of this interesting blog). This being my first collaboration, I was pretty excited. </div>
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Sophie had contacted me and asked to help in creating a blog header with my hand lettering for her new self-titled blog, <a href="http://www.sophie-smith.com.au/" target="_blank">Sophie Smith</a>. This wonderful lifestyle blog shares beautiful photos with content like the DIY, fashion and travel videos. I must say that the highlight of her blog (for myself at least), is her photography and travel posts with videos. I have difficulties compiling the best scenes from my own travel videos because there's too many scenes to pick out, but Sophie makes these really beautiful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQWVptZQfVhnFwtWm-x_Z5A" target="_blank">travel video montages</a> that summarises her entire trip. </div>
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If you would look at <a href="https://instagram.com/sophiesmithblog/" target="_blank">Sophie's Instagram</a>, you'll find she has a clean, bright, simple style, so we aimed to incorporate similar elements in the header. I loved the pastel orange and yellow colour palette she fancied, and made a little moodboard with my lettering and some of her favourite colours and photos from her Instagram.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VsFoRqYeCMeh23yfIyrYVisihWOiSPl9YsN6oJFdNLau13a2R0WNA2pqAF40Q3F-chOvTRnWG5x4FfitIKr18V3LNvIbWtn09V4ThtaaD03zjbJR6lh7srHm-w6vjzq4wlk-N21Dfvo/s1600/THC_SophieSmith_MoodBoard_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VsFoRqYeCMeh23yfIyrYVisihWOiSPl9YsN6oJFdNLau13a2R0WNA2pqAF40Q3F-chOvTRnWG5x4FfitIKr18V3LNvIbWtn09V4ThtaaD03zjbJR6lh7srHm-w6vjzq4wlk-N21Dfvo/s1600/THC_SophieSmith_MoodBoard_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i><a href="https://instagram.com/p/u6z6SsKFYB/?taken-by=catcusblog" target="_blank">yellow flower in hand</a> / <a href="https://instagram.com/p/vA10obKFVb/?taken-by=catcusblog" target="_blank">sunset</a> / <a href="https://instagram.com/p/ybbKXzqFah/?taken-by=catcusblog" target="_blank">picnic</a> / <a href="https://instagram.com/p/rgRsSfKFWZ/?taken-by=catcusblog" target="_blank">orange potted plant</a> / (Sophie's Instagram)</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i>picnic lettering / sun doodle / watercolour / done by myself</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">With a bubbly and bright lifestyle blog, the hand lettering for the header had to have an edgy, unique personal touch too. So I chose to use a brush with a drier and rougher texture and offered a simple contrasting addition to the lettering, a stroke of orange watercolour. Here's some of the headers explored during the process, where afterwards, some of them were shortlisted.</span></div>
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This is also my first attempt at creating an inspiration/design board, (I wouldn't call it a brand board because this is a really small project). The board below depicts a finalised version of the project, including design elements. I made the simple orange water colour splashes and strokes for design elements like her Favicon or submark to add a homely and personal feel to the whole style. I'd like to stress that I'm no professional, and I'm still learning. I do realise that it is not the best, so I'm happy to receive any blows and criticisms gladly. :)</div>
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<i>Inspiration photos on design board from <a href="https://instagram.com/sophiesmithblog/" target="_blank">Sophie's Instagram</a></i></div>
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Sophie has amazing photography skills, and I'll definitely recommend following her on Instagram because her feed is really consistent and beautiful. :)</div>
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During the process, I also gave Sophie suggestions and ideas to the design elements of the blog that would fit with the header I created. She also gave her ideas and I honestly couldn't have completed this project without her ideas too. Sophie was really sweet and polite, and I think these factors made our collaboration a really pleasant one. :)</div>
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I must profess I didn't actually offer services like designing blog headers or graphics. In fact, I had some initial reservations on taking up this project. But when Sophie approached me, I decided working with someone new was an adventure in itself, and I love adventures. Besides, it would be a great way to get my work out there as well. I looked up if I should make a contract, think about the whole design process. Then l realised that I was just starting, and it was nothing too serious, so it wasn't necessary, although we did lay out some simple regulations on both our parts. </div>
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I just treat hand lettering this as a hobby, something I do for leisure time, so it's completely non-profit and I enjoyed myself creating it. Sophie's enthusiasm and amiability made working with her a fruitful journey. Her openness to ideas and constructive feedback had made the collaboration end on a happy note as well, and it was such a pleasure to work with her. </div>
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This project made me realise the importance of cooperation and keeping healthy rapport through collaborations or any other relationships for that matter. They didn't just need mutual respect, they need honest, direct communication. When both people feel comfortable expressing their needs and concerns, trust and bonds are strengthened. :)</div>
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Until next time! ♥ </div>
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<i>Design elements + lettering by me, inspiration photos from <a href="https://instagram.com/sophiesmithblog/" target="_blank">Sophie Smith's Instagram</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On another note, just to clarify, I'm not exactly back from <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/2015/03/breaking-away.html" target="_blank">my break</a> yet, this is just a temporary return to showcase my completed project back in January. I will return posting regularly somewhere in April. Happy Tuesday. :)</i></span></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-72115586983770037412015-03-09T17:54:00.002+08:002015-03-10T06:59:47.832+08:00Breaking Away<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some might have realised my absence in this space for several weeks. I've mentioned previously on my <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">about</a> page that I started this little space to fill up my three-month hiatus while waiting for my results. Last week, that day had finally come, and everything had returned to the busy state as it were three months ago. </div>
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Admittedly, I was fearful and worried of what was to become of this space.
Would readers stick around? I didn't want to lose the beat this was building. I do realise that letting this space sit idle for a month can be brutal on readers and traffic. It's bounce rate was already increasing slightly after two weeks, and while traffic mostly came from Pinterest, it was still losing it's momentum. Yet, it was time to step away from the screen, and set new priorities.<br />
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The more important realisation was that I needed a break (as much as everyone has to sometimes) to focus on crucial university applications and other administrative matters. I'm going to embark on a new phase in my life. There isn't time for everything, and I didn't want to abandon this space completely. A poet, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7145613.Nayyirah_Waheed" target="_blank">Nayyirah Waheed</a>, had mentioned this quote above, reminding us that sometimes we just need to take a breath, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start over when we're ready again.<br />
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I suppose it'd be courteous to explain my future disappearances or infrequencies in posting something as well. It'll probably be a month or so before I finally manage to get back up on my feet again. I'd just like to state the reason to this temporary pause concisely, and give a time frame for my expected return. I want to ensure that readers are informed and (hopefully) look forward for future posts. </div>
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Apologies for the long wait and this short post. I may check in once in a while, and I'll be looking forward to your updates as well. Finally, a blog is nothing without its readers. I'm grateful for all. I'm so appreciative of all the support that has been given, and I'd like to thank God and everyone for having this creative part of my life. </div>
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Until next time ♥<br />
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<i>Lettering + Photo by me</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-39253841003761073602015-02-19T01:02:00.001+08:002016-07-17T00:53:31.917+08:00Five Reasons Why Superheroes Are Superb (Guest Post)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>This is a <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/guest%20post" target="_blank">guest post</a> written by <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/apostropheA" target="_blank">'Amira</a>. She'll be writing about the reasons to why people love superheroes and despite the fact that they're fictional, they're still important to us. I've always admired superheroes and their fellow counterparts, whether it's from DC or Marvel, and 'Amira, who is also an avid <a href="http://marvel.wikia.com/Kamala_Khan_%28Earth-616%29" target="_blank">Ms Marvel (Kamala Khan)</a> fan, will explore the reasons to the hype in this new, trending league of superheroes in the media today. </i><i>This post can also be found on <a href="https://medium.com/@apostropheA/5-reasons-why-superheroes-are-superb-df79fc415afc" target="_blank">Medium</a>.</i></div>
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The stories of Superman, Batman and well, all those other people with extraordinary abilities in tight-suits have been told and retold through generations. So it’s no question that they were a part of our lives once (or still are, for that matter). But have we ever stopped to think why these heroes and their stories have resonated so much with us?</div>
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Just the other day I was watching a <a href="http://tedxteen.com/talks/tedxteen-2014/217-sana-amanat-myths-misfits-masks" target="_blank">TEDxTeen talk</a> by an editor of Marvel Entertainment, <a href="http://tedxteen.com/speakers-performers/tedxteen-2014/190-sana-amanat" target="_blank">Sana Amanat</a>, and she was sharing why she loved the X-Men. Growing up, she never felt like she could fit in. But soon she learned about the X-Men and how they had mutated and enhanced genes that gave them superpowers, which was “the coolest thing in the world.” She could relate to these mutants because they were different. They were just like her. And this brings me to the first reason why superheroes are superb:</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;">1. They are human.</span></div>
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Okay, I know some superhero fans out there are going to start screaming, “What about Barrions? Asgardians (alien species in the DC and Marvel universe respectively)?” and so on, but what I’m referring to is their humanity – that altruism that never fails to shine through. That is the fundamental virtue about being human. We look out for one another. We form healthy relationships as the basis of social intelligence. We show love. We show kindness and all values in nature that make us human. What superheroes do encompasses all these acts of humanitarianism – they protect the innocent and they save the world. And as cliché as this sounds, they are our role models.</div>
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This is not to say they are perfect either. As the saying goes, “To err is human.” So there’s a second reason:</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;">2. They make mistakes.</span></div>
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In the comics and their stories, I’ve noticed a necessary element in their characterization: flaws. And how is this superb, you may ask?</div>
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These little hiccups in their personality make them effortlessly human. And they embrace these imperfections and learn from their mistakes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGpQZKzBY4FH10eWNeSI0d9tDqulAKJXBMxVWyShwR4I1X1mpjETLBZVGXIOUOuBR6UinEaISKB8ro-z2nrt0U6J1rx7Pv72EesODzgh4uW4p_0rKC3VBEEFG9KbW65rdasn2sRoAI5Y/s1600/THC_Kamala_Khan_Quote_Marvel_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Five Reasons Why Superheroes Are Superb, Kamala Khan, Ms Marvel Quote" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGpQZKzBY4FH10eWNeSI0d9tDqulAKJXBMxVWyShwR4I1X1mpjETLBZVGXIOUOuBR6UinEaISKB8ro-z2nrt0U6J1rx7Pv72EesODzgh4uW4p_0rKC3VBEEFG9KbW65rdasn2sRoAI5Y/s1600/THC_Kamala_Khan_Quote_Marvel_9.jpg" title="The Happy Candle: Ms Marvel Kamala Khan Quote" /></a></div>
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Even more so, these superheroes exist in an imperfect world. There is never a balance of war and peace. But when they do bring peace, they also present hope on the other side of the spectrum.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;">3. They represent hope.</span></div>
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A classic example of this is Captain America. He was created in a time where people had much to lose – their loved ones, their home. What Captain America did was give them a form escapism as well as unity and hope amidst the World War.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQfuVn4KC-LziLXMUdpvzr_ZNtqOITVs7SMdpMDbk43cN-oz-TAJgq0lW4-302FoC2po5C2yqSf7_SrmPp0IzgzEpJ6xc7IJE4HpSfPamEIt2KwZZz9sWHni9J8FAghOMSjEufteNqkc/s1600/THC_Peggy_Carter_Quote_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Happy Candle: Five Reasons why Superheroes Are Superb, Marvel's Agent Peggy Carter Quote" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQfuVn4KC-LziLXMUdpvzr_ZNtqOITVs7SMdpMDbk43cN-oz-TAJgq0lW4-302FoC2po5C2yqSf7_SrmPp0IzgzEpJ6xc7IJE4HpSfPamEIt2KwZZz9sWHni9J8FAghOMSjEufteNqkc/s1600/THC_Peggy_Carter_Quote_3.jpg" title="Agent Carter Quote / Lettering by The Happy Candle" /></a></div>
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And it is difficult to recognize that when we were young and watched superheroes like Spiderman every Saturday morning. All we cared about was how good beats evil and how these extraordinary people save the day. But there is still so much about superheroes that we’ve missed as kids, including the fact that,</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;">4. They have an alter ego.</span></div>
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An alter ego makes them more appealing to children because it is a primary need in one’s early development. In self-psychology, it is defined as ‘the desire to feel alikeness to other human beings.’ Of course, we couldn’t have pointed this out when we were kids. Psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan provides a common example of this desire to mirror: ‘The child who strikes another says that he has been struck; the child who sees another falls, cries.’</div>
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So it’s almost as if these double lives of our favourite superheroes have influenced us subconsciously, but positively. They succumbed to that primary narcissism we had as a child.</div>
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And the fact that we grew up with these characters makes them all the more superb. The same answer to this lies in: Why are decade-long franchises like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars so successful?</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;">5. They have a compelling journey.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a0ToVbWJfqIPRWy2t8Kux475Q-9XRqfa8hc6M6cyHcLWk8sAh3wWumUeaDQwvJn49Rgo9GKCEqN1OMcgoWriB0i05dzJ8ZP4odFcKxx5oE6DMRmQC2lPzSFrzX4j9fBZP8luAP-bq7s/s1600/THC_Iron_Man_quote_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Happy Candle: 5 Reasons Why Superheroes Are Superb, Iron Man Quote" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a0ToVbWJfqIPRWy2t8Kux475Q-9XRqfa8hc6M6cyHcLWk8sAh3wWumUeaDQwvJn49Rgo9GKCEqN1OMcgoWriB0i05dzJ8ZP4odFcKxx5oE6DMRmQC2lPzSFrzX4j9fBZP8luAP-bq7s/s1600/THC_Iron_Man_quote_2.jpg" title="Iron Man 3 Quote / Lettering by The Happy Candle" /></a></div>
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American scholar Joseph Campbell defined the narrative pattern ‘Hero’s Journey’ as the backbone of modern literature. It is a recurring theme of ordinary people being called upon extraordinary circumstances. We subscribe to a character’s inspiring adventures on a personal level, but as superb as they are, these are not our stories.</div>
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One of my favourite poets, Rumi once said: 'Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. <i>Unfold your own myth.</i>'</div>
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Have a great week everyone,</div>
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‘A.<br />
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<i>Photo + Lettering + Illustration by Dian</i><br />
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<u>____________________________________________________</u></div>
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<i><br /></i><i>'Amira is a contributor to Wattpad, where she publishes her books '<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/20366508-storms-and-other-short-poems" target="_blank">Storms and Other Short Poems</a>', </i><i>'<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/10067278-speculum" target="_blank">Speculum</a>' and '<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/31776092-the-avocation-a-20-facts-special" target="_blank">The Avocation</a>' </i><i>online, with over <span style="font-weight: 600;">10k reads</span> since October 2014 and more than <span style="font-weight: 600;">1000 votes</span>. She enjoys reading, writing and videography.</i><br />
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<i>Wattpad is a world of free stories - a writing community which users are able to post articles, stories and poems about anything. The content includes work by undiscovered and published writers. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Check out a snippet of 'A's second and third book '<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/10067278-speculum" target="_blank">Speculum</a>' and '<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/31776092-the-avocation-a-20-facts-special" target="_blank">The Avocation</a>'. </i><br />
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<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/apostropheA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IAyeRHH0P7c2-fngFmCah9dHXp3FJeGEIdhlRH1F0ha5pfHoXukBT_xVMbbT6Muy7rgSFw2ueqEymEspizYiLSJH931Mssgvvp6D5EHW0WGCu2c8jT5ylOc79nYMyGpKla42Vdk8e1Y/s1600/THC_Covers_Promo.jpg" /></a></div>
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apostropheAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16294052098534008915noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-87114999070014506252015-02-09T00:41:00.001+08:002015-07-11T16:11:07.515+08:00The Loopy Doodles Series: Creativity <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"I'm not creative," a friend had said. Some classmates and I were in the midst of a school project, and this had happened a few years ago. We had been discussing how else to approach a particular problem in the project. "Sorry, I'm just not that good in these kind of things."<br />
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It was merely a claim disguised as an apology that she had put upon herself, and I paid no substantial attention to it. However, further down the road of experiencing relationships and interactions with others, patterns emerged and I began to recognise that more people had begun to say the same thing. "I'm just not creative."<br />
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Admittedly, it could be just an excuse for refusing to give a significant contribution, but it was also a confession of a destitute soul. These people were actually underestimating themselves. Being creative is the natural order of life. We are all born creative. You are. Everyone is.<br />
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We're never uncreative just because we don't come up with the best ideas. We look at things from different vantage points. We always have ideas to suffice, regardless how intricate or elaborate. The most important thing to realise about creativity though, is that it takes a lot of courage.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: 600;">This image is an animation. Click to play; image will play in three loops before stopping. Reload page to repeat animation.</span></i></div>
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<img alt="Created byThe Happy Candle / Creativity Quote Animation" onclick="javascript:(this.src=="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4sbaYP9ATnYr7gIK_04jOR1LfJ_l8namK4T0mZlsobQHqVBKNtsfaMlsEhFOFaeSjnPJiI4P1h6TSZOckOiW8qgTiPE2VKC_pZ0oC2zWEweZnNp5IoHIo8MfrSNhEFEWzn3mrTtToRE/s1600/cloudsgif9.jpg"?this.src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHy4uFOJkxKthMBTSbAg65eIST1oMhk35FWEayM2krectBq-EEdPXD_vBq0y-HUqPprsJWo2ySX-pPcomrqLJIxrpbSXik7TBZlHq8oKy9rpQfd1JMPhDpJ4FQ4XRed3bRpZJF2rWX2U/s1600/THC_creativity_quote_3.gif":"")" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4sbaYP9ATnYr7gIK_04jOR1LfJ_l8namK4T0mZlsobQHqVBKNtsfaMlsEhFOFaeSjnPJiI4P1h6TSZOckOiW8qgTiPE2VKC_pZ0oC2zWEweZnNp5IoHIo8MfrSNhEFEWzn3mrTtToRE/s1600/cloudsgif9.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The Loopy Doodles #1: Creativity - Click to play" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuz1I3atCpptHdlo6z67nIjGsnWGHDitkgjGEcpKzyp080oLeJgh8cvOmWW4YqGI4YvffGNEaZa82noU_67UJSuos8tOXxf_REACECyq5tzkyF5qvfX3XidG-q5JFTqnMiDyMQPwH5A0/s1600/THC_Creativity_Quote_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuz1I3atCpptHdlo6z67nIjGsnWGHDitkgjGEcpKzyp080oLeJgh8cvOmWW4YqGI4YvffGNEaZa82noU_67UJSuos8tOXxf_REACECyq5tzkyF5qvfX3XidG-q5JFTqnMiDyMQPwH5A0/s1600/THC_Creativity_Quote_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;" /></a></div>
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Don't we ever feel assuring to be in a place of stillness each time we take a familiar path? Don't we just love where we are, where our feet is planted steadily on the ground? But imagine the possibilities if we just took another step forward and think out of our deep, dim box. This isn't about risks. This isn't about being dauntless. It's just about having faith in ourselves.<br />
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I decided to commence digging for ideas beyond the boundaries of my comfort zone and explore new ways of this form of expression. It did take a little more audacity to decide on coming up with a new series, to change things a little bit from the usual.<br />
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With this, I'd like to introduce a new lettering collection, called <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/loopy%20doodles%20series" target="_blank">The Loopy Doodles Series</a>. It's a monthly series of moving drawings with lettering. They'll mostly be in the form of GIFs, and the drawings + lettering will be shown in an animated loop, just like the one above. I also appreciate the help from <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/apostropheA" target="_blank">my twin</a> for helping me in coming up with its catchy name. I'd love to hear thoughts about this series as well, so improvements can be made and I can learn along the way.<br />
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In hindsight, we all have the ability to generate potent innovations. Let's not let fears rob us of the most valuable entity that makes up who we are - our ideas.<br />
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Until next time ♥<br />
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<i>Lettering by me, Photo by me</i><br />
<i>Find me on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thehappycandle/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> for more lettering work.</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-46539274431270896732015-01-29T00:34:00.000+08:002015-09-13T22:49:58.387+08:00Freebie: The Route to Imperfection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I took days to figure out what to write about. I wanted it to be perfect. Flawless. It'd be a staggering feat - one that can take this from teetering on the brink of mere steady progress to its breakout success. </div>
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By the end of the week, stacks of drafts had filled my desk, and I haven't come to a resolution. It's just not perfect, I thought. Perfection. We'll be damned if we can't figure out its magic formula. </div>
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I had sprawled out my brushes to hand letter various pieces over and over, only to make more mistakes, and setting me back in a fray. And after more unsuccessful attempts to create an impeccable piece, I reluctantly accepted the hard truth - perfection was clearly insurmountable. </div>
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The reason to why the formula to perfection is so 'magical' is because it doesn't exist. We strive so hard for something that's clearly unattainable.
I'd set out to create perfection, cracking my head before realising the only way to be perfect is to be imperfect. And the only way to be imperfect is, quite frankly, to be <i>fearlessly authentic</i>. </div>
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After much thought, I made a wallpaper for myself that I'd like to share to remind all of us not to be afraid to just be ourselves. It's the yellow brick road to flawless imperfection. </div>
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<i>download in three colours</i></div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>Version 1 // Baby Blue</i></span></div>
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Phone (Android/iPhone) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbRSTReTPF4nt2g8Y4PTbOo-D7Yu8XeLa0YbdZmt20wdrWDzgDStMfKOeMXEC7zQ8XyGJNQAv7K-uGxxULl2ebRMz576ob_InGEGZ0jcRzhsjk95hsLHBrlR3kbPhc3K0b9tWM1Dgrmc/s1600/THC_babyblue_authentic_phone.jpg" target="_blank">1080 x 1920</a><br />
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Laptop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht4MxjCYX3Ra4JkahyZBkEsBYfoQA5ClTH3I7aj8IpySkiFmeAqyORh2r1mXZ1RSg6Y1Ks0EcyjEEzStChk0pyOr-ngjTrMqXLl6KKWV1Ullj-AZizDTJr33H9Zu0pPof2xkJI8CSWKQ/s1600/THC_babyblue_authentic_laptop.jpg" target="_blank">2880 x 1800</a></div>
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Desktop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYRwncWtinCi0ZsWa84wSknrQDVktq8TqbNhC-e3JDMyWrK2jC2sHP9I_KG4wve7uirUaiHkc85cKH99pY2gdEs1QXWOOUvFad_GgiK0SJQxlPHJrn_ERx4qfipth3O-v3l7s9rLxRoI/s1600/THC_babyblue_authentic_desktop_2560.jpg" target="_blank">2560 x 1600</a> / <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUn-KljCwX8VaQc5Iqz5CmGrsPO1msFOctgh51aWYJ-y6IBvhyphenhyphenW3Ih4hwC0-CDA-fyeWYBOtuM3Z0g3AqUyldjOz2hqbvLeAdyYaNUwP4px8Eda_UUM2oyH9ydpt7EiLxGcVnW3GGsYs/s1600/THC_babyblue_authentic_desktop_1280.jpg" target="_blank">1280 x 1024</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>Version 2 // Navy</i></span><br />
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Phone (Android/iPhone) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-w_cvADxFA6xLbp9bQG1NsmZSAAXr2S8xfERPdiX3wzHJW4GSM9gAQRwBjHfZWdjQgaCtYrBInoqFTFsKctMFEXE4w9WMfWu579BJezuNr2PemBWllT1cQL3upGy1YtxKNdbOVjCxSg/s1600/THC_navy_authentic_phone.jpg" target="_blank">1080 x 1920</a><br />
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Laptop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHP5FkKzG7X7ajR9CenYwFAFHNLqzDGnMEzqjJCXskbfcm6kikEYNFlkCh5VbqFocF_R-MkDrp15nKreJDuyOy2XkiX4N37z3PpmTyUDumRl82kpQPIuBBfwVP7qJilEyi0bDz5RL-58s/s1600/THC_navy_authentic_laptop.jpg" target="_blank">2880 x 1800</a></div>
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Desktop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGW_k__3c2ipI1KsQKYIfuPh-L3ELxEdfQQIvfx-EzXH6DST2caLdV6bv6AOCBHaH-m-ZpTZY9LWNF3PRyOZaQziqjVz12_Rag-BbLayafZ6JOT3zFLbUzuPWaKQ622u3UbRRY8FLcPk/s1600/THC_navy_authentic_desktop_2560.jpg" target="_blank">2560 x 1600</a> / <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5ewmOsJiPwMa6OxAPEnSrn-ApWMzSvIeuTl8PxXSxfVoWIU9h1s2KyeqasNGqmUVuICdmbaIuXLEQquIztmSpUK3JgXy5xz91i5wpmVk4-7_bvxvnaWGUckh1i40Yf2TgOCZoLT5Zrc/s1600/THC_navy_authentic_desktop_1280.jpg" target="_blank">1280 x 1024</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>Version 3 // Black</i></span><br />
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Phone (Android/iPhone) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsQI32RWSb5Py_P1qNA2_lfELPmsZagpFKbHnPohV5DknJ7NYbeTtsoUi8xKrFGcuDuM0Q7ocbCefrPXzKAmtSShLJS8I0fX6Ng3YQum-CQtkUeSxaYd_reBDQf6mLnPtjUbgBJsncj8/s1600/THC_black_authentic_phone.jpg" target="_blank">1080 x 1920</a><br />
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Laptop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihifkAPKor9cbCP6lgw_Uz8s6YUjErAJtp95Bq7dF-6kqwRrrZ8_MwLP1E0SpTLILhK1HfLJSEAAvSNPFfUNHQCGRA_wUR2xCU33s5yoiNoYAUGWyHpds_kYwTFuZ2BSRfcDjIbVeRF0Q/s1600/THC_black_authentic_laptop.jpg" target="_blank">2880 x 1800</a></div>
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Desktop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EhHKTiGqNLOQPj2OBxIZkqRY3_J4VrzV0EHif1UYanSJ6bMyzr5kqranTbNNfXVYBQnd15Ksg2VzR5NeKrdq7sdc8W5SlJ5d3iVFcdF3r6oVwtMo0ZXHmzs0OomNu3Py5Hgyk4SC4us/s1600/THC_black_authentic_desktop_2560.jpg" target="_blank">2560 x 1600</a> / <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLOZBOgsXMy65edzO0hCJ7hszK6UOel6HOJRSNBgJ7pK42nwJ4HM_QGuvYXln4pqPYLoNnP-MROvlYvzOJHluMqVvHyirbO3ilFzyTYh_dHZZxdVNrpKxz674TvbQEGqpcVafl-QnJdc/s1600/THC_black_authentic_desktop_1280.jpg" target="_blank">1280 x 1024</a><br />
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Everyone is seemingly, shamelessly, attempting to appear perfect, especially in this digital era. In social media or even being around others - we swallow our sour concoction of pain, weakness and fear, peddled on the promise of appearing just completely defectless to the universe. However, it is these flaws that makes us unique. </div>
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Authenticity is a human attribute. To be authentic is to accept our little flaws. <a href="https://www.startwithwhy.com/" target="_blank">Simon Sinek</a>, a trained and inspiring ethnographer, mentions: </div>
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"Great leaders are not the strongest, they are the ones who are honest about their weaknesses. Great leaders are not the smartest; they are the ones who admit how much they don't know. Great leaders can't do everything; they are the ones who look to others to help them. Great leaders don't see themselves as great; they see themselves as human. <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></blockquote>
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Great leaders don't try to be perfect, they try to be themselves. And that's what makes them great." </blockquote>
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I profess I'm not the best at creating lettering work, and regardless of any blows and criticisms, it's the best way to learn and try. People connect with humanness, authenticity, imperfection, and transparency. It's time we gather some courage to be authentic and show our imperfections. </div>
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Until next time ♥ </div>
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<i>Imperfect lettering by me </i><br />
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<i>Wallpapers created by Dian from The Happy Candle. For personal use only. Not for distribution or resale. Please link back to original post if shared. Thank you.</i><br />
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<i>Check out more freebies <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/freebies" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-20520326347955566342015-01-16T00:54:00.003+08:002015-08-29T13:39:24.491+08:00Blackbirds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A few days ago, while I was in the train, I overheard a conversation of a man on his phone grumbling about how he despised this situation he was in. His thoughts were cold, and he saw the everything as raw and scorched. He kept talking about how worse it'd get in time to come. But before he hung up, he did say something interesting - "It's not going to get better. But I'll work on it."</div>
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From just that conversation, I discovered a few things. For one, he's clearly not an optimist. But he had an attribute that most people perceive they do - hope. I was adamant to find out more about this new understanding I was just grasping - there's a stark difference between optimism and hope. But what is it?</div>
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"Optimism is the way you think," my sister explained casually at the end of our ride. "It's thinking positive." She intended to explain more before I brought up the word 'hope', but she was busy responding to something important in her phone.</div>
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The notion occurred to me that perhaps optimism is an attitude. Hope on the other hand, is a belief, and it comes with a plan to do something about it. We think our future will be better than today. But hope is the belief in a better future and taking action towards achieving it.</div>
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We can be a pessimist and still be hopeful at the same time. We can be painfully annoying bleak thinkers, piqued by everything we see, but we can also take action to improve what's important to us, just like the man on the train.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96eW-Vkcjvc/VZObcTn-d-I/AAAAAAAAD_w/wl0MsELuzwY/s1600/The_Happy_Candle_Blackbird_Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96eW-Vkcjvc/VZObcTn-d-I/AAAAAAAAD_w/wl0MsELuzwY/s1600/The_Happy_Candle_Blackbird_Quote.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugViEfIlfWB3uPyz4H6NQfYc3sC8BA3Nswppyc3FB_T6GAGE4btr7aT2pFVLQrUPcsQBBnk-omkBvASHyI8vkosmKz93RmJ-aa77KoOOGBwvO0eNzkyLfVj7D2_6zMii2C7Bu1a3kPvw/s1600/Blackbirdwsigngrey4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugViEfIlfWB3uPyz4H6NQfYc3sC8BA3Nswppyc3FB_T6GAGE4btr7aT2pFVLQrUPcsQBBnk-omkBvASHyI8vkosmKz93RmJ-aa77KoOOGBwvO0eNzkyLfVj7D2_6zMii2C7Bu1a3kPvw/s1600/Blackbirdwsigngrey4.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sir Paul McCartney wrote <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrxZhWCAuQw" target="_blank">this </a>beautiful song as a reaction to racial tensions escalating in the United States in the spring of 1968. Blackbirds were a symbol of hope and freedom meant for the black people's struggle in the southern states. </div>
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The world has it's own new blackbirds, whether due to discrimination against another religion or mere refugees finding a place to flee. Many civil rights issues have been overcome last decade, but more have been cropping up, and all these people need is a little more than just optimistic onlookers for the world to have a sliver of hope.</div>
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Nothing's wrong with being optimistic. But when wishing on a star outweighs making a difference, when building pretty castles in the air surpasses making an effort towards our goals, and when "It'll get better" trumps "I'm doing something about it", we're simply not being true to ourselves at all.</div>
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I've been caught up a lot this week, chipping away at chores and being bombarded with an overwhelming quantity of to-do lists, having some slight issues with the scanner as well, but I'd like to continue writing one to two posts weekly about some observations and share some of my recent lettering work to inspire others. Sometimes, it's the littlest things that makes us realise the huge ones that we never really take to heart, and nothing is more liberating than to just write about it. </div>
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The blackbird probably sees nothing but it's broken wings but she has hope, because she's well capable of flying. She should very well take her first plunge, because her ability to fly - the action of working towards her brighter future - comes when she least expects it.</div>
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Until next time <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.701961); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: Helvetica, arial, freesans, clean, sans-serif;">♥</span><br />
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<i style="text-align: justify;">Lettering by me, Photo by me</i><br />
<i>Find me on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thehappycandle/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> for more lettering work.</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-87442182321995366902015-01-05T23:02:00.002+08:002018-12-04T17:51:51.374+08:00Tagged: 'Sisterhood of The World Blogger' Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I appreciate the nomination/tag for the Sisterhood of The World Blogger Award by Neal from <a href="http://diaryforneal.blogspot.in/2015/01/sisterhood-of-world-blogger-award.html" target="_blank">Daily Diaries</a>. I was given 10 questions to answer, mostly about books.<br />
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Attempting not to be a wet blanket, I used to believe awards nominations / tags like these with questions put up illusions. I don't suppose many will be interested in my answers, but it'll make one believe so. I never anticipated I'd ever get involved in it but it's definitely a beneficial method to connect with one another in the blogosphere. I'll probably just approach this as a compilation of mini book reviews and make this quick.☺<br />
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>(What is) your guilty pleasure? </i></span></div>
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I feel completely rested when sleeping for long hours but it leads to such an unproductive day. I'm working towards obtaining a regular sleep cycle and having healthier sleep. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>(What is) one book you wish you could read all over again for the first time? </i></span></div>
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I'd like to experience the thrill of reading Joyce Maynard's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349250-after-her?from_search=true" target="_blank">After Her</a> again. It'll be fascinating to delve into the suspense of the book, while learning the identity of the murderer. Putting pieces of the crime and its suspects together as the protaganist approaches the answer she seeks all over again is indeed engaging. It will be more apt for one to feel exhausted after reading as if they've chased the perpetrator itself and followed the investigation.
Having to read it once again to experience just the sudden excitement would be pleasant. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>(What is) the worst book you've ever read? The one which disappointed you the most. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/469956.Ice_Cream?from_search=true" target="_blank">Ice Cream</a> by Helen Dunmore is a book that consists of various plots and characters that I was confused with initially. First impressions are important when it comes to reading a book and Ice Cream had made the otherwise when it introduced it's mundane characters. Perhaps it depends on each reader. The reviews given on Goodreads were fairly acceptable, but I was disappointed when it wasn't as satisfying as expected. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>If books could talk, like actually talk, which book would you like to talk to? </i></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEu6pdtRkW8/VZuB5y0YXTI/AAAAAAAAD_w/sC6s5wvZsPs/s1600/THC_Uglies_Quote_Beautiful2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEu6pdtRkW8/VZuB5y0YXTI/AAAAAAAAD_w/sC6s5wvZsPs/s1600/THC_Uglies_Quote_Beautiful2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Some might have heard of this book. Scott Westerfield's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24770.Uglies?from_search=true" target="_blank">Uglies</a> is a science fiction novel set in a future dystopian world in which everyone is turned "Pretty" by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching age 16 (even males). Before they undergo the operation at 16, they are known as Uglies. It tells the story of teenager Tally Youngblood who rebels against the society's enforced conformity, after her newfound friends show her the downsides to becoming a "Pretty". They show her how being a "Pretty" can change not only your look but your personality. </div>
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This book was up for the big screens but production was halted, so it's a shame, but it would be wonderful to be able to ask the characters about their feelings living in such a world that is in fact similar to ours, where beauty is venerated in our image-obsessed society. I'd like to hear the voices of those who remained an Ugly and escaped the operation and learn more about how they managed to navigate the challenges.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>(What is) your favourite character from any book you've ever read? </i></span></div>
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Najwa in Leila Aboulela's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206227.Minaret?from_search=true" target="_blank">Minaret</a> is one of my favourite characters in a book.<br />
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Minaret tells the story of the spiritual exploration of a young woman, Najwa when she is forced to leave her country, Sudan, with her family. Najwa is a determined girl whose family was initially privileged, but becomes exiled when her father is involved with the coup forces. Her family is taken into political exile in London, impoverished, where she finds herself in a quiet fortitude learning to improve on her faith. At the same time, she becomes a maid to a wealthy Sudanese family and meets Tamer, her employer's son. The two forge a friendship and a common bond in faith that will eventually blossom to something more. The book is also an insightful novel about a wink of the Islamic faith that the Western world are only beginning to understand. </div>
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I find Najwa's experiences in learning more about her faith compelling. I admire her optimism despite the dishonour that had fallen upon her family, and look up to her strength and nobility after her father had passed. She is a great example of resilience in her spiritual beliefs in this multifaceted world. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>(What is) your favourite song, artist and band? </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTKioMvW4U0" target="_blank">We're Not Alone</a> by Echosmith is the most played song on my playlist and my favourite song, <a href="http://www.echosmith.com/" target="_blank">Echosmith</a> is my favourite band at the moment, but I get pretty interested in new bands quickly, so that might change.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIGHiKEhM-t0I7HG4zjDYFDW5WssgwFRZyiJyzYYsqnbbYt86x9ws4_rTPuOqH_LbxCV7zxC-BNosVP8SH6hikzKRyLyvoO6Rz-ZeSMCw0WprcN0khqFNvv8KPdcdvCn5NC_LVMpXR1Q/s1600/echosmith3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIGHiKEhM-t0I7HG4zjDYFDW5WssgwFRZyiJyzYYsqnbbYt86x9ws4_rTPuOqH_LbxCV7zxC-BNosVP8SH6hikzKRyLyvoO6Rz-ZeSMCw0WprcN0khqFNvv8KPdcdvCn5NC_LVMpXR1Q/s1600/echosmith3.jpg" /></a>
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Echosmith is an alternative + indie pop band composed of four siblings. Their album Talking Dreams brought a fresh, original vibe to the indie pop scene. We're Not Alone is an anthemic song that focuses on positivity and reminds us that we should always give a hand and support one another, finding strength through goodwill. It allows us to glean some morsel about life and reminds us to focus on our dreams regardless of any constant barrage that negates what we have done.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>If you are writing a novel and you want to include someone you know, who would you choose? </i></span></div>
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I would include two people I know - my twin and a good friend, who I've known since we were in secondary school when we were in Girl Guides. She has a unique personality that would make a rather likable character for the novel. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>What genre do you usually go for? Which is your favourite book outside that genre? </i></span></div>
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Mystery and Crime has always been a genre I enjoy. A book that sits well with me in another genre, Fantasy, is perhaps J.K Rowling's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5.Harry_Potter_and_the_Prisoner_of_Azkaban?from_search=true" target="_blank">Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban</a>. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>(What is) a book that made you cry after/while reading?</i></span><br />
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Khaled Hosseini's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77203.The_Kite_Runner?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Kite Runner </a>is a perfect book to cry over, and although with much disgrace, I profess I didn't shed a tear while reading it, it did make me feel extremely sorry for the characters. However, I did tear up a little while watching the film.
Hosseini is a brilliant writer who never fails to tug on the heartstrings of his readers. The Kite Runner is a beautiful novel exploring love and loss and its unfortunate turn of events is the most liberating feature of the novel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vQnR4owMIkQjbAVwYo9AbcuxnSuuyMCK0_5L_Hi5PSDQxs6qpvPh1cU87cpewgfmosz-yyk8km2PJjZkbJc22M64btTNoUFnFbA8r3EoXO0YBQP7bpNFon_Iw3rJR7LoWdNaZYA5hL8/s1600/KHKR5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vQnR4owMIkQjbAVwYo9AbcuxnSuuyMCK0_5L_Hi5PSDQxs6qpvPh1cU87cpewgfmosz-yyk8km2PJjZkbJc22M64btTNoUFnFbA8r3EoXO0YBQP7bpNFon_Iw3rJR7LoWdNaZYA5hL8/s1600/KHKR5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: 600;"><i>(What are) your views on the Twilight movie or book? </i></span><br />
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I believe every author has a different approach to writing their novel, and as much as a I'm not interested in books that are mainly based on romance, I respect Stephanie Meyer's decisions into making the book something that explores the desires, fears and frustrations of young adults, that in fact many can deeply relate to, and eventually become a fan of.<br />
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<b><u>__________________________</u></b><b><u>______</u></b><br />
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Until next time! ♥<br />
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<i>Lettering by me, photos by me. </i><br />
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<i>I don't usually update my books here, but you can find me on <a href="http://goodreads.com/thehappycandle" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>. </i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-87616838115121081812015-01-01T00:13:00.001+08:002015-12-30T00:12:44.727+08:00Passengers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The truths in the world may be undermined because of me. Because of us. The world is so full of self-proclaimed professionals, yet here we are - bloggers or tiny voices in social media - giving away our most valuable 'insights'. Why do we intend to appear as experts? Who are we? </div>
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After my apprehensive forays into this visual diary this holiday, I was attempting to figure out the reason to why I started it in the first place. It's the beginning of 2015, and before I step forward to continue this venture afresh, I wanted to contemplate on it's purpose and the repercussions I'm bound to inflict on others. Then, somehow by coincidence, I encountered a trigger that led to my explanation.<br />
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I was clearing up some of my old assignments and came across an excerpt of a book by Andrew Keen, an indie author. The book, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/498285.The_Cult_of_the_Amateur" target="_blank">The Cult of The Amateur</a>, is about our liberal, user-generated, digital world. At risk of sounding like a mundane non-fiction psychological writer, this might actually resonate with everyone, bloggers or not. I discovered a few points in the excerpt that was appropriate to ponder over about the consequences of blogging in the world.<br />
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"What the Web 2.0 revolution is really delivering is superficial observations of the world around us rather than deep analysis." </blockquote>
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"As former British Prime Minister James Callaghan said, 'A lie can make it's way around the world before the truth has the chance to put it's boots on.' That has never been more true than with speeding, freewheeling, unchecked culture of today's blogosphere."</blockquote>
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In short, Keen was explaining how truths are being undermined and professional work are undervalued by user-generated information like blogs. In that assignment, I had to decide if I agreed with him, and at that point in time, I carelessly did. I was too narrow-minded to realise that there were people who were frustrated with Keen for mocking the human race and being a luddite. Keen assumes the entire world is foolish, when even the most shallow of us can judge the validity of the facts on '<i>.org</i>' and '<i>.blogspot.com</i>'.<br />
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Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor who lived long before the birth of our virtual network, but he did mention a quote that seemingly describes this infinite cyberspace.<br />
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Perhaps truths are not entirely being undermined because of blogs. Perhaps as much as there are countless of user-generated information out there, people know what to trust. They are their own appointed arbiters of content and they make the decisions on what to believe. They decide whether they intend to shield themselves from the cacophonous media environment. </div>
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It's really crowded and noisy in here, but let's think for ourselves and continue to keep an open mind. We have the ability to make our own decisions on what to trust.</div>
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Besides, the unmapped network of blogs or YouTube videos play a string of discordant voices. All gets lost in this virtual insanity. But it's vital for identity development. </div>
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Sites with user-generated information like blogs, allow us to 'perform' for others and take us on a journey of self-discovery. This was explained by a psychologist, Danah Boyd. Facing a mirror to reflect on our own performance, we 'perform' to attain the reactions of others, while making an audacious move to expose ourselves shamelessly in the process. Maybe this answers the question to who we actually are. </div>
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We're passengers of a plane to that distant island of Approval, clad with just a shifty passport. We're in an airport passing a series of counters, checkpoints after checkpoints, to garner that mere ticket of Acceptance. We're living in the digital age of egotism and the search for recognition, parading itself as mere socialisation. </div>
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Some might agree, but you know, you can't trust me either. </div>
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<i>Lettering by me, Photo by me. </i><br />
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<i style="font-size: 9px; text-align: center;">This post is about the consequences of blogging and why we still do.</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-41226283010534868002014-12-30T23:10:00.001+08:002018-12-04T17:47:49.141+08:00Mixtape 02: The Glow of Nostalgia (Guest Post)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>This is a guest post written by my twin sister, 'Amira. She will be compiling a <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.sg/search/label/mixtape" target="_blank">mixtape</a> that features the best songs of 2014, ranging from indie, alternative to the amusingly fun bubble-gum pop.</i></div>
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It doesn't hurt to look back. There's a funny thing about nostalgia - as much as we think it's a sense of longing for whatever's in the past, it ends off a strong note of gratification. And that's what makes it so...endearing.<br />
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This 2014
we have seen history being made time and again in music, with U2 releasing
their latest cut Songs of Innocence to all iTunes users for free, Taylor
Swift’s pop package 1989 selling more than a million in its opening week and
the boys of One Direction making their fourth number one album on the
Billboard. But these are just the headliners – we mustn't forget the some fresh
faces in the industry as well as some gems in the trending indie music scene.
After all, it’s the diversity that makes music a universal instrument. Let’s
dive into our best 2014 list of songs.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">25. The
Hanging Tree – James Newton Howard ft. Jennifer Lawrence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">24. News –
Freddie Dickson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">23. Let It
Go – James Bay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">22. The
Mother We Share – CHVRCHES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">21. The Heart Wants What It Wants – Selena Gomez</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">20. Fool’s
Gold – One Direction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">19. Yours – Ella Henderson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">18. King of
the World – Young Rising Sons<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">17. All
About That Bass – Meghan Trainor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">16. I Won’t
Let You Down – OK Go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">15. Compass
– Zella Day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">14. You Are
In Love – Taylor Swift<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">13. Medicine
– The 1975<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">12. We’re
Not Alone – Echosmith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">11. In Time
– Kris Allen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">10. Broken
Frame – Alex & Sierra <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">09. Budapest
– George Ezra <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">08. The
People – Nina Nesbitt <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">07. Rollercoaster
– Bleachers <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">06. Thinking
Out Loud – Ed Sheeran<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">05. Bridges
– Broods <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">04. Geronimo
– Sheppard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">03. Yellow
Flicker Beat – Lorde<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">02. Iris
(Hold Me Close) – U2</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">01. Ink –
Coldplay</span></div>
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<br />
♪ <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/thehappycandle/playlist/2hDAFsCV5DstGWm786RWv1" target="_blank">Spotify</a> ♪ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14H8OzTzne4&list=PLHtFikJXg-1Qxd6sOEpLOei95mqBadDHF" target="_blank">YT</a><br />
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So there you have it - the best of 2014. We seem to be engineered to move forward all the time. Now hopefully some music will change that because in the blur of everything, we can't deny that there'll always be that looming glow of nostalgia. Just embrace it, before it evansces with the climb of the sun.<br />
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Peace out,<br />
'A<br />
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<i>Photo by 'A</i><br />
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<u>____________________________________________________</u></div>
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<a class="nopin" href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/20366508-storms-and-other-short-poems" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" class="nopin" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitF6I-42xgV9Fj6hKTXI1IE1VUDr47dImrqJLo_2gg828ow4H_9T3UtfN6hcMW9HP5tH9WpWHaMl3FOZj6UNwC6L14lpv2kHD1K3-3k_xyHuJVbQ_Cg-wLv1RHwnHxZ4kMiHURIrCV30/s1600/Storms+Cover1.jpg" width="128" /></a><i>'A is a contributor to Wattpad, where she publishes her books '<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/20366508-storms-and-other-short-poems" target="_blank">Storms and Other Short Poems</a>' and '<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/10067278-speculum" target="_blank">Speculum</a>' online, with over 4000 reads since October 2014 and more than 500 votes. She enjoys reading, writing and videography.</i><br />
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<i>Wattpad is a world of free stories - a writing community which users are able to post articles, stories and poems about anything. The content includes work by undiscovered and published writers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Check out a snippet of her first book 'Storms and Other Short Poems' <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/20366508-storms-and-other-short-poems" target="_blank">here</a>.</i> </div>
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apostropheAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16294052098534008915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-37391544637126645762014-12-22T11:23:00.001+08:002015-09-13T22:49:23.852+08:00Freebie: Collecting Moments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Our hurried lives in the competitive world has painted what seems to be a mundane portrait of the universe. It appears to be an unpleasant piece, but in fact it's beauty lies in the acknowledgement that it is exquisitely abstract. Some see graceful light rays on the little corners of the canvas, carefully splayed, others see a mere stroke of paint. It's just like the little details in our lives.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="text-align: left;">People tend to think of life as nothing more than calendars after calendars - days, months, years. We fail to see that life is pleasantly punctuated with instances of joy. </span><span style="text-align: left;">It's liberating to be in the realm of the setting sun, chirping birds in the morning or just being around smiles of loved ones. These are the little things in life meant to be relished. Let's appreciate that l</span><span style="text-align: left;">ife consists of moments. </span><span style="text-align: left;">For if we fail to see them, the daily struggles is what's left in our eyes. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Perhaps this should be a mental note for writing the upcoming new year's resolutions. </span><br />
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I wanted to make something special to motivate myself to commit more resiliently to any new resolutions. Since I had my eyes plastered to the computer screen more frequently to edit photographs and lettering this holiday, I decided to make a personal wallpaper with a reminder. I scrawled up some water colours and pens to the drawing board and set my mind to inspired-mode.<br />
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So, here's a little gift I'd like to share - a wallpaper for our gadgets to remind ourselves to enjoy the little things in life. I profess that my work may not be completely pleasant-looking because I'm really still learning lettering, but I'd just like to share it with others so that we can improve on ourselves together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeU3JrnUnP1RT-RMFnvQeQLQ85Y9mShy9ALna5DR80yzlZHWuVSZ8cNubLTyfLj1mAX9q7FaONkUxoAMdtKtBXnRJSZ-WXRwEYxsnsdBFo2N9BKzFTR87-pWZXCbr-jJwwZ4jK6N3048/s1600/THC_little_things_laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeU3JrnUnP1RT-RMFnvQeQLQ85Y9mShy9ALna5DR80yzlZHWuVSZ8cNubLTyfLj1mAX9q7FaONkUxoAMdtKtBXnRJSZ-WXRwEYxsnsdBFo2N9BKzFTR87-pWZXCbr-jJwwZ4jK6N3048/s1600/THC_little_things_laptop.jpg" /></a></div>
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Phone (Android/iPhone) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZz63pVOztTSlda7r4QCgse0JBw04ly4GHJEJq7nqlRdJvhXEo0-d-xyVIV1LoEphFFScPbctf5Gb8tEwpQlpt0YdqjxDoAYmx-k4DG87qBxPrlLICIbt7fQSmfMmOwH6Quh0_Tx2FN8/s1600/THC_little_things_phone.jpg" target="_blank">1080 x 1920</a><br />
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Laptop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBhROUIPdb2GdqhF87CtHBwV23pcGWTZBlxNxTGxX6_4FSOhLhdn_hdJ0t46FmeLFkJP060AOlEEmLr7H9TZrhoeROzPORwcW9dS6eoiSfN2Z5sV0cYO9dhBWSAFvF8nXBMop14eF_GQ/s1600/THC_little_things_laptop.jpg" target="_blank">2880 x 1800</a></div>
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Desktop <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf5xoLRIWCON4OESsDrG4_yazHAz2lJGjViDXOe2FlZlDY4LL9_IM-kiDLCHRNXE6xF_KZzwUzJjj8ffIIiMolpaKEOjJ-J-dCB70W8PV9Ead94McsxLVMMGSbn-LTEi6ez0UsnuVWe4/s1600/THC_little_things_desktop_2560.jpg" target="_blank">2560 x 1600</a> / <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaEleXe47MTKmdM-9iRlk1bSGkf-xjLLODkH5vp4GSJdGJ8PAxWsT-zjFxipEwo_9OT_9dPPWsfd6wgPga32ebK_yPo2FVnCkoGV9NgkIrTAnXQ9wAo5XIezSL6bdH9q-T97ZnJ_ap-o/s1600/THC_little_things_desktop_1280.jpg" target="_blank">1280 x 1024</a><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Let's also note that enjoying the little things doesn't mean to sweep our slip ups under the rug either. We remember the good things that matter but that doesn't excuse us from forgetting our trying times, because it is these disasters and disappointments that admonish the pessimistic thoughts that lurk at the back of our minds and allow us to think - if we can make it through then, we can make it through now.</span></div>
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Until next time! <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.701961); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: Helvetica, arial, freesans, clean, sans-serif; text-align: center;">♥</span><br />
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<i>Lettering by me, Watercolour Illustration by me</i><br />
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<i>Wallpapers created by Dian from The Happy Candle. For personal use only. Not for distribution or resale. Please link back to original post if shared. Thank you.</i>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-68576875247349768932014-12-16T09:17:00.000+08:002018-12-04T17:45:01.712+08:00Awaiting The Aftertaste<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.498039); text-align: center;">Have you ever tasted the best candy ever, or maybe just any of your favourite foods, and you love it so much that you chew it, so slowly, sucking the little bits of it, so that it takes just a little longer to be digested in your mouth - just because you want the taste to last forever? And it just gives you such sorrow that regardless of</span> how slow you intend to digest it to let the moment last, t<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.498039); text-align: center;">hat tasty treat will inevitably dissolve into millions of tiny bits that enter your digestive tract, gone. Just after a few seconds, the zest dissipated almost delibrately, and what</span>'s left is just your empty mouth. It was merely a temporary sapidity.<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.498039); text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.498039); text-align: center;">Nothing lasts forever, not even the strongest taste, and t</span>his December seems to be just like that. Perhaps a little like the ampersand - "&".<br />
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After my unproductive post-prandial lament with my twin about finishing the last spoonful of ice cream, I scoured <a href="http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/" target="_blank">The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows</a> to identify the perfect description of this feeling - the feeling of enjoying the last essence of a taste, something like savouring the small bit of ice cream but finally losing it again.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">So after scrolling and browsing through countless of words and descriptions of irrelevant desires and moments, I finally found the perfect word.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/post/22019547629/kairosclerosis" target="_blank">kairosclerosis</a> n. the moment you realise that you're currently happy - consciously trying to savour the feeling - which prompts your intellect to identify it, pick it apart and put it in context, where it will slowly dissolve until it's a little more than an after taste.</span></blockquote>
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I was doubtful that I could ever find a word, and in fact the word I found puts my situation in a more complex manner than I initially thought. It's not just about savouring the last bit of food/drink - it's about the savouring the satisfaction/happiness that comes with it.<br />
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December is a month celebration, whether it is due to the ever-so comforting abatement of examinations or just looking forward to the year-end holidays to spend with loved ones. It's a month of reflection and deliberate self-blandishment - to comfort the soul that what you did this year was right and that everything happened for a reason. We look past regrets because we accept that it is too late to return and we move on to celebrate the good times left.<br />
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Apologies for this lengthy post. I just wanted to say that the <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.com/2014/12/mixtape-01-savour-hour.html" target="_blank">mixtape</a> was actually about savouring the last (hundred) hours of the year.<br />
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Until next time! <span style="font-size: x-small;">♥</span><br />
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<i>Lettering by me, Photo by me<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365950266598695055.post-80390223566306040312014-12-15T16:16:00.003+08:002018-12-04T17:43:27.401+08:00Mixtape 01: Savour The Hour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhTwpKXzmxxecKcwOz2z8gD_5oJ4HQgKiOUWSdI37EQSqllHdI2fBwly3QEgN2VnQypqJsrHTvbVglOiUD8D9C3PO4vAMYrXfaYCO59GBjlXY-JREgK_x3FY9yRYTKX54WRS7pIWFH8o/s1600/Mixtape01Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhTwpKXzmxxecKcwOz2z8gD_5oJ4HQgKiOUWSdI37EQSqllHdI2fBwly3QEgN2VnQypqJsrHTvbVglOiUD8D9C3PO4vAMYrXfaYCO59GBjlXY-JREgK_x3FY9yRYTKX54WRS7pIWFH8o/s1600/Mixtape01Rose.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.498039); color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.8); text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.498039); text-align: center;">I finally decided to come up with a <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.com/search/label/music%20mondays" target="_blank">mixtape</a> just for fun for the last few days of December. It's just a compilation of hearty songs, because the mix is all about taking the time to enjoy the remnants and the last sweet delights of the year. It consists of upbeat tunes and pleasant warbles to take a journey through the festive month that will come to an end swiftly. Ranging from happy tunes to solemn vibes, this mixtape is perfect for a ruminative + festive December. </span></div>
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01. Must Land Running - Stepdad<br />
02. A New Feeling - Alphabet Botanical<br />
03. All of the People - Panama Wedding<br />
04. Say It Just Say It - The Mowgli's<br />
05. Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root<br />
06. Last Forever - Fenech-Soner <br />
07. Paris - Magic Man<br />
08. O - Coldplay<br />
09. To Build A Home - The Cinematic Orchestra<br />
10. Every Breaking Wave - U2<br />
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♪ <a href="spotify:user:thehappycandle:playlist:7vtB6aqJyqirojIQAPvjVZ" target="_blank">Spotify</a> ♪ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXbd7Ox9HjM&list=PLHtFikJXg-1TUeoO9MmnwXUrQtnHWdmv3" target="_blank">YT</a><br />
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And before each petal finds its way floating to the ground, let's enjoy the beauty of this rose while it lasts. 15 days of 2014 left, 16 more to go. I'll probably keep more of the <a href="http://thehappycandle.blogspot.com/2014/12/awaiting-aftertaste.html" target="_blank">mixtape details</a> in the next post to keep this more concise.<br />
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Until next time! <span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.701961); color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.8); font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , "freesans" , "clean" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">♥</span><br />
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<i>Photo by me</i></div>
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Dianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02600937314345374019noreply@blogger.com2