They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but no one ever says how difficult it is to create one.

I still remember the first time I was in a darkroom, courtesy of my Photo I class back in high school. The teacher insisted we had to start with the basics, and so he gave us all a black-and-white film camera and told us to take pictures of whatever we enjoyed. At least the first time; the second time he took us on a trip, the same rules in place. And suddenly, I became so much more appreciative of what pictures I’ve been taking. Maybe it was because of the limit, or maybe I just simply didn’t want to go through the process of developing pictures I didn’t like (It’s a pain, plus I hate wasting the precious photo paper).

The darkroom experience in itself is quite calming. Surrounded by darkness, a red safe light guiding your every move. It boosted my concentration every time. Which I needed, considering that focusing the lens could get difficult if I was even a bit out of it. And then the counting. I’m pretty sure I slipped up every time. First the developer, then 30 seconds in the stop bath and two minutes in the fixer. 5 seconds in the running water and I could finally take the test strip out. Yup, that was just a test run. If I was lucky and I didn’t make the lens aperture too large or too small, all I’d have to do when developing a picture is just set the time right. Luck or skill – I like to call it a bit of both. And then I just have to hope that it won’t be blurry for whatever reason, or that I don’t scratch the paper with the tongs when moving it from liquid to liquid. And make sure I kept it in the developer long enough.

The darkroom was also a place for thoughts. My problems always seemed much smaller when I was in it, allowing me to solve them more quickly.

A lot of people don’t take appreciation in what pictures they take. My photography took a whole new turn when I had this limit set upon by the capacity of the film camera because suddenly I saw the world in a whole new perspective. At the same time, it also made me more aware of the things. Which can be a good thing, although my friends can get a bit annoyed when we’re at the park and they want to move on and I’m still like “But I still didn’t get the right angle” or “wait I think the shutter speed wasn’t good for the last one. Let me redo just in case”

Two days ago I’ve emailed my Photo teacher from high school (thanks to this assignment) and the first thing he asked me was “do you have some new photographs?” and saying no made me realise how lazy I’ve got with the camera. Luckily, I might be getting a new one soon. I’m looking ahead to the digital experience, but nothing replaced the good old SLR.

But now on a bit more of a sarcastic note –

http://121clicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/photography_comics2.jpg

And of course the cartoon me –

http://vecto.rs/1024/vector-of-a-cartoon-female-photographer-taking-pictures-outlined-coloring-page-by-ron-leishman-17869.jpg

Mirror Mirror on the wall.

Do you see that girl that seems to have won it all?

Smiling down the city streets,

Making new friends with every bird and bee.

Far from her tower, where she used to sit and cower

Under the weight of the beast she thought herself to be.

To hard for her to believe, that she could be among the fairest of them all,

Never dreaming that she could ever be the Belle of her own ball.

Trapped by the fear of the dragons, wolves and poison apples that were everywhere.

But one little spark set her free.

Jumping on that magic carpet and soaring high

Traveling to a new land she has be dying to see.

And for a while, everything become as magical as life could be.

Living out these days brought happy new adventures,

Even the chance at meeting her prince.

Though the biggest journey along the way,

Through each and every day,

Came in discovering who she can be.

Only too soon did new perils make their way to this land,

And she had to move to another.

But the girl began to know just what to do, to keep her happiness alive

For she had learned a great deal from the fairies and genies that she called her friends.

Finding the light was the key out of her old tower,

But darkness never stays in once place.

So while she does return to it again and again,

It’s only for a short while.

Because now she knows the secrets on how to find her way back,

To the happiness she knows is true.

With Lumiere on her side, she is much less afraid

To face the Big Apple and whatever else gets thrown in her way.

One of my friends scarred me for life. Emotionally, and almost, physically. It’s been a year since the event, and everyday, I am still very, very, affected by it.

Just a little over a year ago, I would pass around my soda with a group of 10 people and still sip on it very comfortably. Now, I do not even touch anything that someone has placed their mouth on. We live in New York, a coffee is like $99 dollars , but never again will I share a drink that has the potential of affecting the rest of my life.

One year ago, my friend with a cold sore history asked to drink my water. I gave it to her, and proceeded to drink it afterwards.

Soon after, I feel a weird bump near my mouth.

Crying on the public van, I realized: Life is over, this is it. Once cold sores KO’s you, it will forever claim you.

Good thing life is filled with second chances; because as it turns out, it was just a pimple. It went away the very next day!!!

I am Herpe-free, and really really hope to be for the rest of my life. Though we all know, it’s always the most careful ones…..

Wish me luck, xx

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