3- SURPRISE

Happiness is when an unexpected reply came from a design master I've just acquainted recently.

I totally did not expect a reply. The moment when I reached home and saw an envelope on my table, and eventually saw where the stamps were from. I was like omg-ing, in total shock, surprise, elation. Never have I ever been so happy to see an unexpected letter on my table. ;_;

My idol just sent me a letter.
In his designated envelope, letterhead and his own handwriting.
And his words about happiness.

This surprise just made my day and made me feel more encouraged about my project even though the reply was short.
I guess that's the beauty of surprises. Real surprises. You get this adrenaline rush and feel super happy. Especially if it's something you hoped but didn't think would ever happen, happened.

Thank you so much.

p.s I was so happy to the point I almost mistook my body wash foam as my shampoo.

2- arigatou gozaimasu

Somehow saying "arigatou gozaimasu" seems much more sincere than just the word "thank you", due to its its number of vowels and length of the word. I thought so when I walked out of Kinokuniya, after being served by a Japanese manager. I told this to a friend, and she said, maybe the English equivalent is "thank you very much". A short while later, she received a "thank you very much" from the takoyaki seller and felt it made her day. I guess a little more effort in service does make a difference in someone's day.

1- picking up my erhu

It's strange how I've been playing this instrument for almost 10 years now, and that I'm still in the orchestra more of to be with my friends, mingling with people, getting myself involved in doing design in the orchestra rather than playing the instrument itself to be honest. Though of course I still find joy in playing certain songs if we're lucky. But generally speaking, I've lost interest in erhu.

Today I picked up my erhu voluntarily to play a song that's been playing in my head and even tried writing the score while figuring out the notes. It only took a nice different piece of music to make me suddenly realise the beauty of the sound of my instrument that I've been neglecting for a long time. This is the first time in my years of playing that I'm this keen to play a song out. It makes me wonder why other songs I've come across didn't make me feel as strongly as this.


This is the song. It's a soundtrack from a Japanese period drama I've been watching. I thought it was beautiful.

To be able to find back a long lost interest again makes me happy.

Jiayou

It's been some time since the last crit. It was an emotional week then having to cope with FYP and this project. I recalled some of the comments made by the guest crit was that "jiayou is just jiayou, the meaning doesn't change." Am I just presenting data that is available out there, and that is common knowledge that anyone knows? I was even suggested to change my whole project altogether.

I do think it's a good question to ask myself if I were to start a new project. But having come this far, I disagree. Even though I would say doing a small online survey with 80 people doesn't really tell much but it is still something new to me, tabulating different pools of thoughts regarding how encouragement words can affect people, the situations in which it is used playing an impact. I know we all probably can figure this out but could this be a reminder on the value of support?

I felt something for this word especially that week. Maybe I tend to be an open book that my face shows what I'm feeling. People ask me if I'm okay. I was touched. (Ok getting a little emotional here, get back on the topic.)

Being the last major project that marks the end of my year 3 and before I start my FYP. I thought it is a nice subject to work on to determine and identify my source of motivation. Part of it I'm sure of now comes in the form of encouragement and support from people. Having said so much I hope I deliver this well and may this book be a reminder of my motivations when facing hard times.

Inspiration8

The Power of Words

This shows exactly how words can be impactful.

Now being a visual communicator, how can I make my visuals impactful too?

The Next Step

So what's the next step now, now that I think I have compiled enough information to form it into a small book. I've also explored a Japanese-English language to pose some questions online here: Motivation Research

What kind of book can I make with all these information, how should I translate all these information into something visual that serves its topic well? But what to draw when I don't exactly have a character. Hmm. But I think first of all, I need to plan my pages well before I begin anything.

One step further

I just created a short survey to investigate the questions I have towards this topic here.
Do help!

Click here to take survey

Thank You! :)