*Find me in Kanazawa - Canon AE-1 Programme
“You have your own pace… everyone has their own pace…”
- Matsuda S.
Happy New Year everyone! I hope all of you have had a lovely start to 2020.
Currently sitting here with my trusty pen and paper (this has been typed up!), I have already learned a few new things about myself, and I hope that after the exciting countdown, the fireworks and festivities, we have found some kind of light at the end of our own tunnels.
2019 has been a hectic year, and being a grumpy 23 year old has made the journey quite memorable despite the highs and lows. Regardless, I am still very grateful for the experiences and conversations encountered - and there are a few phrases has encouraged me to carry them with me to the new decade.
Towards the end of last year, I escaped to Japan for isolation and peace. It was my first time travelling solo and impulsively also. Being in a country always given me solitude and with the language that never fails to make me smile alone has always been a goal of mine - and I was finally able to accomplish it after dreaming it for several years. Throughout the trip, I laughed, cried and fell in love several times. There is something enticing about being on the other side of the world, you are able to leave your thoughts behind, wander around before heading home to rebuild them again. Although I was hoping to escape architectural thoughts, I still couldn’t help but find myself drawn to architectural conversations - whether it’d be from people occupying space or the history of what came to be. Somehow, one of the subjects that occasionally haunts me still was the remedy to daunting thoughts.
So where am I getting at after all this ramble?
“Sometimes, it is not asking who you are, but asking who you will become”
- Paul Venet
During my stay in Osaka, I met an incredible artist. Our conversations explored variations of mapping, architecture’s beauty and demise in the hands of nature and identity crisis. The most reassuring and motivating topics were from being challenged about our personalities through our ambitions. Coupled with words of comfort from one of my good friends during a hectic night at a Yakitori Bar on approaching our goals at our own pace - I feel that constantly we need to be reminded to live for ourselves. Too often, I find myself criticising myself because of my work and the constant habit of comparing myself to others. And this is a mentality that I look forward to improving as of now.
New Years Resolution I’ve heard that phrase many times however I could never bring myself to use it. Rather, at the top of my own calendar, I’ve replaced the entire phrase with Things I will accomplish and will do - I’d rather grasp each moment with determination and passion. It can start on any day, any time - so long as I put my mind to it, I’ll be fine.
So who would you like to become as of now? I look forward to reaching our goals, and to take the time to appreciate what we have accomplished.
Happy New Year everyone - here’s to staying curious!
K.