Goals for 2012

Started 2012 with a Bang! by setting off fireworks (and chinese fire crackers) with some local friends! :)

For 2012,

I want to be a little bit more realistic with my resolutions. I figured short term goals could eventually achieve long term goals. But, Yes, I’d give the healthy lifestyle a third chance this year, hopefully third time lucky!

In no order of importance ( i Think)

01. Healthy eating; Lunching out is one of my weaknesses, instead I should make lunches at home (most of the time)!
02. Fitness; Buy a bike / Get into cycling or go for weekly jogs
03. Relationship; Reach our 5 year anniversary! (Just 10 months away :)) )
04. Graduate; from Masters in PR/Advertising
05. Get a Job; preferably in the Creative advertising/Media industry, begin Job search by March!
06. Save, Save, Save! Must deposit monies into my goalsaver account each month :) Can’t decide whether to save money for a holiday in 2012 or for an investment (in 2013!)
07. Go on a Holiday -if lucky-, (yeah I know it contradicts the above resolution) did not expect Singapore to happen in 2011, but it did! So I’d give traveling another shot this year! HK/Japan tops my list :) Or travel around Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia etc.
08. Book 20 weddings for 2012; I’m up to 11 so hopefully another 9 won’t be too hard…. *dreams*
09. Concentrate on Photography; take more candid photos! street photography?
10. Improve; Clarzzique Photography business & branding
11. Blog more; Be a more consistent blogger; once a week!
12. Kitchen skills; Learn how to cook Laksa, Pho and Chicken Rice from scratch – yup no premixes!
13. Get back into an old hobby; either Art or Craft or both!
14. Scribble and fill in my new (since 2009) Moleskin pocket notebook
15. Complete a 365 project, for once. Need to finally use my 365 days diary from Kikki K.

Stopping before the list becomes too unachievable! I’m hoping to be able to tick off at least.. 10 of the above resolutions and I’ll be a very happy girl at the end of 2012!

I hope to catch up with you all this year and also meet some new faces!

Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

x Clarissa

Signing off 2011

End of 2011 is fast approaching! It didn’t feel too long ago when I was in Vanuatu last year typing up my highlights of 2010 & new year resolutions.

2011 has gone by so quickly and has been an amazing journey; my wedding photography business had kicked off much earlier than I predicted (2012). Shot my first solo wedding in March 2011, and have gotten several enquiries (booked most of them!) throughout the year for end of 2011 and early 2012, while still working as a second shooter for Bailie Photography! Shot 11 weddings in total this year! Was published twice in 2 Modern Wedding magazine issues and was also featured on their blog. So it has definitely been a busy last few months. My photography gigs have allowed me to meet so many amazing people; fellow photographers/photoclubbers, wedding vendors, clients etc. I feel so fortunate they have all been so kind and supportive of what I do! which I am forever grateful for :)

The other awesome happenings of 2011 included traveling! HK, China, Singapore, Vanuatu – covers my Shopping, Eating, Relaxation holiday and of course lots of Photographic opportunities.

Anyway! Quick Highlights of 2011!

Highlights of 2011

#01 January – Began the year with family in  Vanuatu (only happens once a year!)
#02 February - Masters in Pr/Advertising began; Officially kicked off my role as President of UNSW PhotoClub
#03 March - I graduated from B/Media & Communications!
#04 April – My birthday month!, with ‘red’ surprises all round; boyfriend got me my favourite red velvet cupcakes all the way from Melbourne! and homemade red macarons from my sister! Another friend(s) got engaged!
#05 May - Photographed the beautiful Tangled shoot which is stil trending to date!
#06 June - 3 Days, 2 Nights Blue Mountains Road trip with PhotoClub! Freezing few days.
#07 July - Went to China with Dad for a few weeks (and a very short stopover in HK :( )
#08 August - Did pre-wedding photos for our first friend to get married
#09 September - Friend’s Hens’/Pamper Weekend in Blue Mountains and Hen’s Night with the Girls!
#10 October - Official Photographer at Friend’s Wedding! Celebrated our 4yr anniversary! Shot a Wedding in Coffs Harbour, 2012 Wedding Photography enquiries started flowing in! Busiest month all round! Also got iPhone 4S!
#11 November – 1 week in Singapore with the boyfriend!
#12 December - sweet My Girl shoot! and Christmas in Vanuatu with family & boyfriend

Photography Highlights

Weddings, Pre-Weddings, Styled shoots

*3-4 weddings missing on this collage! Have not had time to pick out photos for the blog yettt, but will be on the blog in the new year! (just a few days away!)

Checking off New Years Resolutions of 2011 -

01. Continue being a loving, supporting sister, daughter, girlfriend, friend.
02. Try maintain a healthy diet while being able to enjoy the good food- Still failing in this area
03. Loose that “spare tyre” that is hiding my “waist” // erm EXERCISE? - Sydney lifestyle seems to support this :(
04. Taking better care of my hair and skin. – given very short attention span to them :(
05. Continue passion in Photography and Design
06. GRADUATE from B/Media Communications on 11th March 2011!
07. Hoping to survive Masters in PR/Advertising at UNSW - Loved it! 10x better than my undergrad course!
08. FIND A JOB in a Media or Creative Agency/company! – Yeah… when will this happen…
09. or else be a freelance… designer/photographer for the time being -
10. Supporting my team of executives for UNSW PhotoClub – lets aim for 500 members by the end of the year! (We had about 330 in 2010!) Biggest achievement! ended with 565! and I initially thought 500 was a bit farfetched..
11. Hoping to go overseas with the boyfriend – Singapore? *pleads savings to grow*- O.M.G it actually came true! Thanks to Jetstar’s buy 1 get 1 free deal! but 1 Week in Singapore was not enough though :(
12. Dine at Quay (again). - Did not happen :( Price seems to go up with every season of Masterchef…
13. Photograph my friend’s wedding in October 2011. - Best wedding!

Thank you to all who have been part of my life in 2011, it wouldn’t be the same without you all and hope to see you in 2012!

Now taking some time to think about my 2012 resolutions, be on the blog on new years!

x Clarissa

Merry Christmas 2011!

Hope you all had/will have a festive Christmas with your loved ones!

I sure did… despite the wet/stormy weather here in Vanuatu! We did have a few sunny breaks hence we managed to get some photos!

Gotta prove that we went to a tropical island for holidays by taking photos with Coconut trees :P

We have not gone  beach hopping yet as we’ve been busy helping out at my parent’s business before Christmas! Hopefully we’ll be able to go to a beach on Boxing day tomorrow so we can’t wait to get some beach snaps! Boxing Day is all about relaxing (after all the partying)/beaches/family time in Vanuatu! Has nothing to do with sales! Considering myself lucky for missing out on the sales… I get to save money this year :)

Looking forward to the New Year Fireworks at home!

again, Merry Christmas!

x Clarissa