Blog — emilyung.co

#28 – Trends.

So, today’s #thoughtpost is actually part of an application for Pulp (hello there editors), but please feel free to read on and wish me luck!

Alright. So, trends.

When I think of “trends”, I think of “trendy” – what’s fashionable, what’s mainstream and what’s popular – what the current “in-thing” is. I think the typical mindset is that in order to fit in and be accepted by peers, one must conform to these trends to some extent – and aren’t we all guilty of that? Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about you – using all the latest social media apps, adding colourful slang to your vocabulary (because saying “yolo” and “get rekt” gives you so much swag?!) (I plead guilty), wearing a Daniel Wellington watch (so guilty), and carrying a Kanken bag (guilty again).

In saying that, I actually consider myself as someone who steers away from the mainstream – a person whose interests are vastly different from most, and someone who strives to be a unique individual. But now even the so-called ‘hipster’ things are becoming mainstream, and that makes me a little edgy. Methinks there should be a classification of “mainstream hipsters” and “hipster hipsters”, don’t you?

I think underlying the trend following, fitting in and a conscious awareness of external perception and yearning for recognition is the instinctive desire to truly discover oneself. It’s so easy to be swayed by peer pressure and follow the mainstream to do what is considered to be “cool” – but don’t forget that it’s most important to do what makes you happy – trend or not. If reading a good book in the park makes you happy – you go do it. If going out with your mates for drinks makes you happy, you go have a good night out. If I like to wear a Daniel Wellington watch, or carry a Kanken bag because it suits me; if I like to write poetry and solve math equations – be damned sure that I will do it. There’s nothing wrong with following trends, or even going against the current, but don’t be afraid of being your own trendsetter.

(Trendsetting exhibit A: me (confidence is key) – so follow me on Instagram @emilyyyung for more trendsetting images and captions /hairflick/)

With love,

Emily.

Thought Post, Thoughts, Brush CalligraphyEmily Ung21 March 2016Thoughts, Thought Post, Trends, Brush CalligraphyComment

#27 – Summer Breeze.

Hayden and I met for the first time last December after connecting on Instagram.

We had an incredibly pleasant day exploring Kirribilli and Lavender Bay – apart from some dodgy Caesar salad I consumed for lunch. It was also my first time visiting Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, and I was immediately mesmerised by its beauty to say the least. We spent a long while wandering through the garden – ascending staircase after staircase; discovering old furniture and machinery; stumbling across gorgeous flora that I couldn’t help but hold in my hand. Thank you Wendy, for sculpting such a magical place – so magical it would only be right to say it came from a fairytale. Such a gem tucked away in a quiet corner of Sydney, and you should read more about Wendy and her wonderful fruit of labour right here – a magical and eye-opening day indeed.

Hayden has also released his debut single ‘Lovers in the Moonlight’, which you can listen to on Spotify or download from iTunes! (Why not listen to the track while finishing this post?) Heh.

The following images are some film photographs I took from our little adventure – hope you like them!

Like a gentle summer breeze

You let me go with ease

With love,

Emily.

Film photography, Fujifilm Superia 400, PoetryEmily Ung15 March 2016Poetry, Fujifilm Superia 400, Sydney, Film, Film PhotographyComment

#26 – White Void.

--- From another one of my lone ventures seeking out good food and good art.

White Void

And that there –

That was the void you left in me;

Nothing you couldn’t repair

But more than your eyes would ever see.

With love,

Emily.

Film photography, Fujifilm Superia 400, PoetryEmily Ung10 February 2016Fujifilm Superia 400, Film, Film Photography, Poetry, Food, ArtComment

#25 – We Were Meant To Be

We Were Meant To Be

A warmth on my face wakes me from rest.

I smell a whiff of sweet syrup and

Breathe in the aroma of roasted beans

That tempt me out of bed.

I imagine you next to me resting

Softly in sweet slumber and I

Kiss you gently on the forehead

Hoping you would sleep longer.

But do you believe in ‘meant to be’s?

I do – but what will be

Is what I make it to be –

In my hands I hold my destiny.

Do you ever lie in bed at night,

Staring into blank space and

Wondering what this life is,

Why you’re here or who’s watching you

From up there?

In those hundreds of seconds

I think thousands of thoughts

But ultimately I am lost.

But I know with all the imperfections in my soul

That I was always meant to be yours –

I was just the one you chose not to know.

With love,

Emily.

Film photography, Fujifilm Superia 400, PoetryEmily Ung3 February 2016Poetry, Fujifilm Superia 400, Film Photography, FilmComment

#24 – Sea Sculpture.

Ah, Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach – also home to the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.

It’s become a yearly affair for me to head down to Bondi for the outdoor sculpture exhibit and coastal walk – and it was even more exciting this time because I got to take my Canon EOS 500N for a spin.

My second film camera was gifted to me with a 50mm f1.8 lens as a birthday present, and these photographs are from the first rolls of film I used with it.