Long-distance relationships are already hard enough, but when you throw in COVID and social distancing, it only makes them all that more difficult. Countless couples have been separated for weeks and months at a time, as governments from all around the world race to contain what has become known as COVID-19. With limited movement of citizens allowed and travel restrictions placed on certain countries, it almost eliminates the possibility of traveling. Heck, for some individuals, it is hard to travel in their own countries. In fact, they may only be allowed out to collect essentials.
Nonetheless, these circumstances would put a strain on any relationship. Here’s how you can handle the sudden split and keep your relationship on the path to success.
Unique Communicating
As a long-distance couple, you and your significant other are probably used to communicating over the Internet, the phone, or some kind of connected device. There is nothing wrong with this, as communication is key to any relationship. That being said, the same old methods can be worn out, regardless of how much you enjoy them or need them. This is where thinking outside the box can come in handy while also spicing things up at the same time. Unique communication might mean anything from voice recording to music. Yes, you might not be the best singer or even the best communicator, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t get creative.
Use various websites and online resources to create music and voice recordings that you can send to your mate. Shipping is stalled, but your package will eventually get there. Sometimes the waiting makes the receiving all that much more meaningful. Regardless of how good your recording or how professional it sounds, just the tone of your voice in a different manner can be enough to soothe and comfort in a time of need.
Make Future Plans
There is nothing like anticipation. The anticipation for something makes it all that more meaningful when it actually happens. It’s just like that voice recording that was mentioned above. The longer you wait on it, the more it’ll mean when it does arrive. This is why you can your mate should plan. Plan as much as possible for the future. Plan how you are going to meet, where you are going to meet, and what you are going to do when you meet.
While a lot of places are already shut down with no idea as to when they’ll open back up, you can still plan and make appointments for future visits. Just make sure that you’ll be able to get a refund in the event that the date of the trip falls through.
Enjoy Adult Entertainment Together
One of the hardest parts about long-distance relationships is the lack of intimacy. Any couple will tell you this much, but that doesn’t mean there also aren’t ways to combat. Just like you setup voice and face interactions online, you can also check out adult content online together and foreplay. Sites like XXXBios provides users with tons of content and niches of all varieties. With all the available content on this site, you and your mate won’t have a problem culling your wild side or even experiencing new things together.
Participate In Online Activities
Just like you can watch adult content online together, there are plenty of other things that you can do online together as well. Everything from solving crossword puzzles together to steaming movies and working out together is available online through video services. Even though you may want to communicate on a daily basis, make sure that you are setting aside at least one day of the week for a date night where you can participate in online activities together.
Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly easy to become an online influencer. Having a presence on the internet became a matter of choice. It’s all about whether you want to do it or not. There are hardly any barriers to growing an audience that would be more than happy to partake in your adventures. Also, things become immensely easier if you’re a girl who is looking to become an Instagram model. You don’t have to be a top tier hottie scouted by the world’s most famous magazines and photographers. All you need is some knowledge and a bit of persistence. After all, Instagram is a major platform where many businesses thrive and, with a bit of effort, you can create a brand out of yourself and do the Instagram modeling thing as a full-time job. Who wouldn’t want to simply fool around, play JerkDolls sex games, and post pics on the internet while having a steady flow of cash coming into their bank account?
Well, as you would’ve guessed it, there are pros and cons to becoming an online persona. On the bright side, all the tools that you need are more accessible than ever. If you have a decent smartphone you’re pretty much good to go. The technology is so advanced now that even the cheapest devices produce decent photos and, from there on out, it’s all about posting and engaging with others online. That is also solved with fast and affordable internet worldwide. Provided you’re not already connected to the web through your service provider, every decent public bar, coffee shop, or similar offers a wireless connection that you can use to do your thing. If your goal is to create a name for yourself in the vast world of the internet, there are virtually no excuses. Pause those foot fetish games and start putting yourself out there.
The other side of the coin, however, is not that bright. As with everything in life, the easier a certain thing is, the more people are willing to try it. That makes it particularly difficult to stand out in the sea of other wannabe influencers who follow one, two, or hundreds of those and figured out they’d give it a shot. Those who started a long time ago, when Instagram was only becoming a thing, surely reap rewards now. On the other hand, if you plan on playing that game now, you can expect things to be much more difficult. However, even that has an upside. As becoming an Instagram model is not an easy task, many will give up within the first month, or even a week. That makes those who are persistent much more likely to stand out.
The most important thing to know regarding the whole idea is that the beginning will be extremely hard. That is precisely what the majority doesn’t know and why all of them quit. The most likely scenario is that you won’t see any major growth in quite some time. And don’t even consider making a substantial amount of money if you’re only starting out. Instead of burning yourself out by focusing on growing on Instagram 24/7 take it slowly. Kick back, relax with some extreme porn games, and be consistent about your progress. Instead of posting ten photos a day and then giving up within a week, post once or twice a day but stay at it. it takes a lot of time to get the ball rolling but once it’s going, there’s no stopping it. From there on out, the sky is the limit.
I have always been artsy and creative since at a young age and I’m all for the arts in all forms – whether it be in creative/design, performing arts, literature, and in science too as there’s art in every aspect of life. Like any other young ‘un i just drew on papers with pencils, markers, crayons and my family noticed and encouraged me to do more of them. I started taking it seriously when my mom suggested I take a diploma in illustration when the time has arrived for me to choose my career path in college.
Photo: Azizi Musa (https://www.instagram.com/azizimusa_)
Challenges Of Being An Illustrator
Illustration comes in many forms, styles and directions in terms of technicality and medium so it was never difficult. Anything can be an illustration piece when you just start letting your creativity flow and translate that to any canvas! The challenges I personally face on a day to day basis is honestly just staying true to my style and sticking to it mostly as I can get very detailed oriented in my pieces, and I am very particular on making sure the focus is apparent to every aspect of an artwork that can take up quite some time to complete.
But that also is finding the style that suits you most (which took me a while to obtain, master and execute) and also being confident about it and using it as a medium to sell yourself as an artist. But overall, anyone can be an illustrator just like how anyone can be an artist.
3 Of My Favorite Art Pieces!
1.(Drowned In Envy, Digital, 2019)
This piece is the first to really kick off my vision of the style I have long envisioned but I had no idea nor clue on how to execute, it’s actually based off a reference from an online zine called Dark Beauty and that’s when I know the direction I’m headed for all my future illustration pieces. This meant a lot to me as it’s a piece that got sold the most when I debuted at Comic Fiesta 2019 as a vendor, and I had people appreciating my art in real life. Not going to lie, after I had it rendered I was a little scared at how dark it looked in the end especially on the sharp expression. But it was different, and it holds a special place in my heart.
2. (Lost in Lust, Digital, 2019)
This was actually done with by ‘recycling’ one of my old concept design artworks from my final year project during college. I completely stripped the character where I made her look more ethereal and have her shown her body more. It was one of the quickest to render and I’m impressed at the overall tone, emotion and simplicity in the end.
3. (Broken Beyond Repair, Pencils, 2020)
One of my most recent traditional pieces I’ve drawn in my sketchbook where I mindlessly just draw without much of a direction. All I did was cleaned up the lines, planned a little bit more on what else to strategically add, and that’s about it. It’s somewhat an unfinished piece, too. It’s probably a habit for most artists to have many incomplete works. I might just complete it and add more dead flowers in the future.
Misconceptions About Illustrators & Artists
Usually I don’t hear much on my behalf but I would hear things like artists can’t do other things like graphic design and also that we aren’t worth much for one skill set. But that’s why versatility is extremely important and me as an artist, I would want to learn as much as I can to expand my repertoire and be more than just one title.
To be able to master art is one thing but what drives it to fatality is letting that be the only attribute for you to make a name for yourself. An artist can do and be so much more and that’s the beauty of it.
One of my personal favourite traditional sketches.
Tips One Should Know Before Being An Illustrator
Never give up on discovering yourself as a person and the things you do as an artist/illustrator/designer/creative. And it’s okay to rediscover yourself again and again. Art is in humanity itself and to be human is extremely vital to translate that into our canvases.
Always push yourself out of your comfort zone and that’s how people will notice you and take your creative direction into their liking. We go into phases and being comfortable will only deter us from reaching into our fullest potentials. Always paint, draw or design with a purpose – whether as practice or to experiment with different styles/techniques.
Always stay as active as you can be, never stop researching and never be afraid of criticism. We might be completely different in our own ways but we still have so much more to learn and it’s always a great feeling to be able to put the new found knowledge into good use. Never stop learning. It is never too late nor never too much to continue expanding your skills.
Keep going, keep pushing, but never be too hard on yourself. Art is extremely subjective. You’ll never know how much you’ll inspire others until you keep on going and realise how far you’ve come- as an artist, as a student, and as a human being.
Digital Reference study/practice of Actor Cole Sprouse. The actor himself noticed and it’s my first artwork to garner 500++ likes (https://www.instagram.com/p/BT2SS2olhR5/)
The Inspiration Behind My Existing Style
I would say my art aesthetic is raw, intense, vulnerable, and more on the dirty, sexy side in terms of my current direction. I love drawing faces and details matter to me. I love to translate the person that I am to my artworks.
I love the anti-pretty movement in my style where I love dark beauty, conceptual designs and where people usually go “whoa, that’s dark,” but people can still be gravitated to it – and those are the things that brought joy to my heart as there is beauty and reasoning even in unorthodox things, dead botanica, and unfinished, unforgotten debris.
I get inspiration from mangas, animes, other talented artists online, and photography. I love incorporating poetry and writing into it too so that there’s a story to tell.
Digital Reference study/practice of singer/songwriter SZA.
My Future Plans To Expand As An Illustrator
I plan to participate in more art conventions and to visualise and execute my artworks in products like sketchbooks and/or notebooks, tote bags and other stationeries. I have already done stickers and prints so far and I would love to see my vision coming true of compiling my original artworks, poetry and writing into a visual book someday.
Hey there! My name is Adele, and I am currently a creative designer while freelancing as an illustrator by profession. I’ve been drawing since I was a kind, and professionally for companies and clients since 2012 whilst still completing my diploma in my college, The One Academy. Aside from Illustration, I also do concept art, visual development and also storyboarding. Even graphic design. I love music, photography, literature such as poetry and non-fictional stories, and other things like makeup, fashion + food styling and baking as well. I love all things unorthodox and I strive for uniqueness and meaning in everything I do, yet I would want to remain kind, humble and empathetic as much as possible no matter where I am today.
If it wasn’t for the global pandemic, I will be participating in more art conventions such as Comic Art Fiesta and return once more to Comic Fiesta for the second time. By then, I hope to do more artworks and release an artbook for the first time, while also continuously updating my art profiles/websites.
Traveling is one of greatest things that you should do in your life. It gives me such a true happiness because during travelling, I get the total freedom of myself and continue living without any pressure or stress. I gain new experiences, insights and challenge my boundaries. It helps me to get know myself. I appreciate my time even more and be grateful for this.
Most Memorable Travel Experience
The most memorable travel experience was when I got lost in the mountains (It sounds silly). I had been climbing up and down alone for almost an hour just to find a way out from this place which I thought I was on the right path as I followed the signs. There was nobody and I was not panicked in that moment, probably because I enjoyed the weather and nature’s air until the more that I climbed, I got frustrated and worried.
Luckily, I saw someone a few steps in front of me. I was thinking, “oh man, at least there is somebody there“. Actually he also got lost. On the way when we were looking for a way out together, we discovered a number of beautiful views although we were tired. It was a great experience and I didn’t regret that I got lost. Otherwise, I would not be able to enjoy the beautiful views.
Learning From An Unfortunate Experience
There was once when me and my friends were crossing the road to buy some bread, when suddenly there were two people running towards us and snatched my friends’ phone. We tried our best to get back my friends’ phone and protect our own belongings. We shouted but nobody was helping, and we fought with them.
This incident happened in Europe, and as we know Europe has a lot of pick pockets and there was no use for making a police report. From there, I learnt to be more careful with my belongings, carrying them close to me. Don’t use a backpack if possible, but if needed, then carry it in front of you. Keep close to your belongings and hold your bag when you are taking the lift with a bunch of people.
Must Have Items For Any Traveler
If you ask me what items are a must have in any traveler, I will have a long list to list out. HAHAHA. As a girl, I have quite a lot of items to bring. It’s not that I overpack but I think that it is quite essential to have and it’s there when you need it urgently. Here is the list:
Skin care, sunscreen, make up (for girl, YES)
Sunglasses, hat, eye drop
Toiletry
Inflatable neck pillow, power bank, headphone (especially in the plane)
Tripod, Camera
Phone Charger
Water Bottles
Day Bag / Carry on Bag
Tissue, Wet Tissue
Packing Cubes
Universal Travel Adaptor
Medicine
Comfortable shoes and essential clothes
Travel Must Do’s For Myself
Yes, it’s I definitely have some must do’s. You must try their local food. If there are certain food that you are picky on, at least try a bit and get the experience. Eat like a local and enjoy the food.
Go to restaurant that you like and research on the recommended food to eat.
Do not miss out on the sightseeing part and attractions especially those must visit and iconic places. Spend some time in nature. Record the memories and take photos of it.
Hop on to local markets and shops. It is the opportunity to scoop up special items that will serve as a memento for your journey. Buy something that you like and cherish for years.
Last but not least, check out their night life!
Tips For First Time Travelers
The first thing is, please be careful with your belongings regardless of where you go, and even in the hotel as well. Lock your luggage if you feel uncomfortable. There are pick pockets and scammers are anywhere.
Don’t be afraid to be an adventurer, explore as much as you can. The world is beautiful.
Always check the weather before you travel and download offline maps. Be polite and respect their culture even if they don’t understand you due to the communication barrier.
Be smart and flexible on your itinerary, it’s the best way to adapt.
Celeste Chua – As an influencer, I manage my own personal blog and Instagram. I enjoy travelling and passionate in acting. Instagram (IG) is just like my personal journal, be it on IG story or IG feed. Hence, it makes me more active on Instagram. I have worked with various brands to share their products on my social media which not limited to beauty, food, and travel. There is also a time where I will take my time off to involve on filming project as well.
We all know that food and sex are two of the things that we most enjoy in our lives. Therefore, if you are planning to make dinner and you are going for delicious tortillas because you love food so much, you might also be interested in knowing how this space of your home can be used in creative ways in your sex life.
Dining is also a very important part of the whole dating process, so it’s not difficult to think about bringing food to the next level from an intimate point of view. If you have not tried it before, it can certainly spice things up in the bedroom. After all, both food and sex are comforting activities that we usually share with the ones we love, and they both tend to get messy.
If you are intimidated by the idea, you really shouldn’t, since these are both areas in which you can explore as much as you want, and doing so can really build up trust as well in a relationship. However, before we go into details about how you can approach this matter, let’s take a look at the connection between the two from a psychological point of view.
Why Do They Work so Well Together?
Ever since people have been around, food, love, and sex have been in a close relationship. It’s rather difficult to feel romantic if you are hungry, but it’s also true that when we meet someone new, we tend to forget about food. Our brains and bodies work in interesting ways, and the chemicals that they produce in various situations can definitely impact the way we physically feel.
However, the close connection between love and food is important, especially in a relationship, as it can deepen the bond between two individuals. On the other hand, it’s also a definitely fun idea, even if you are in a committed relationship or not. There’s a basic human need for both food and sex, so they are part of our nature, which is why they work together so well.
No matter if we’re eating or having sex, we are using our senses. Taste, touch, smell, they all come together in each of these activities, so it’s only natural to enjoy heightened sensations if you combine the two.
Food Ideas
Now that we covered the essentials, let’s see how you can use various types of food in the bedroom, to bring your experience to the next level. The first idea used by many is sushi. There’s something inherently appealing about sushi, and you can definitely think about eating it off your partner’s naked body.
If you have skills and can prepare the rolls yourself, then that’s even better, but there’s no worry if you rely on take-out for this one. The important part is to have fun together and explore this aspect further.
Since we’re more in the main course area, it’s a good moment to mention spaghetti and tomato sauce. This is one of the all-time comfort-food favorites, associated with great taste and relaxation. Therefore, you can safely take it to the next level and prepare a great dinner together with your partner for a night of fun.
You can also try the classical spaghetti kiss if you haven’t done so already, and make sure you have napkins around, as the situation can easily get messy.
Desserts
Of course, if you are into sweets, you can definitely give them a try as well. In fact, they do tend to be the more popular option, with whipped cream being among the top choices. Of course, you can and should get creative, depending on what you like to eat. Many people also go for chocolate syrup.
It’s good to keep in mind that it tends to be a little messier than its whipped cream counterpart, and it drips a lot, so you and your partner might have to be on top of the situation from this point of view. If you have calligraphy skills as well, you can use the chocolate syrup to write things on your partner’s body, using the larger areas, such as the back or stomach.
No matter where your imagination takes you, food and sex work great together, so don’t hesitate to explore everything that these two can offer together.
Like everything in life, modelling also has its pros and cons but for myself, it’s had an extremely positive impact on my life, helping me with self-confidence, self-love and the ability to show people who I really am online. But, I also feel like I have to be more conscious of the information that I share with people, and be mindful of the people who don’t have my best interests at heart. Despite all of that, I wouldn’t change this life for any other.
I honestly never wanted to model, but here I am! When I was sixteen, I started getting really active in the gym and I wanted to share my progress with others so I started posting photos of myself on Instagram in hopes to inspire others. When I was eighteen, I moved to Vancouver, Canada to pursue a degree in Communications. I was completely swept off my feet with the new lifestyle that I stopped going to the gym completely, but I knew I still wanted to inspire others.
Initially, I wanted to be a social media influencer primarily through YouTube but I found that after I bought my first camera that I lacked the self-confidence to actually post what I had to share with others online. By fluke, a friend from high school contacted me and asked if I wanted to do a photoshoot with her boyfriend and on a whim, I gave it a shot and the rest is basically history!
I’ve been modelling non-stop since then, having been featured in several publications, the VOGUE Italia website, and the Vancouver International Fashion Gala.
Every time I shoot a new genre I find myself learning too much about the industry and about my own style but I think modelling in front of urban landscapes with alternative clothes and makeup is the most exciting to me, since I grew up in a small town and the vibe is completely different.
I also love shooting swimwear, as I find it extremely empowering and I think that it inspires other women to feel confident in their own bodies at the beach.
Posing in front of a camera takes a lot of practice, but I think that the most important skill to have in front of a camera and in life is self-confidence. When I first started modelling, I had other models and photographers directing me around because I didn’t really know who I was behind the lens, I didn’t have a specific style or image I wanted to portray and I also cared about what others thought of me.
It was until I was working in the industry for 6-8 months that I started growing into my own style and stopped caring about what others thought of me. With a lot of practice and self-confidence, posing in front of the camera will come naturally. It’s your show, so steal it!
I often hear that models are stuck up and rude within the industry, but from my own personal experience, not all of us are like that. I find that a lot of my followers on Instagram are surprised that I answer their DMs which shocks me. I make sure to reply to every single one of my followers, it might not be a quick reply but I always reply!
The other misconception about models I often hear is that we’re always late, which definitely varies depending on the model. I find that those who are late don’t take their job very seriously, and expect others to wait on them which isn’t fair to the entire team.
Photographer: https://www.instagram.com/izakarts
How The Modelling Industry Can Improve
Overall, I think the modelling industry as a whole needs to be more accepting of race, size, shapes and flaws! It’s really sad when I hear from people that they don’t feel fully represented in the industry or just in general. Although there has been a lot of positive changes in the last few years, I still think the industry has a long way to go.
Tyler Krueger – I’m a 20 year-old Canadian model born and raised in Tofino, BC. I’m half Chinese and half German, currently living in Vancouver, BC. I’m a third year Communications student, hoping to pursue a job in advertising or post-production in the creative industry!
I started doing small shoots on the local beaches with my friends for my fitness Instagram, but I realized I really enjoyed creating content in front of and behind the lens. I had always wanted to pursue a career on YouTube, but I wasn’t confident enough in myself to speak in front of a camera and post it to the internet. After I moved to Vancouver, I started modelling for local swim companies, and I started building up my confidence in front of others and online- and here I am now! I absolutely love that I get to create everyday and work with so many talented people!
A good date for me personally requires that magnetic pull and drive towards one another. The wanting of more… Mentally, or physically but having to I guess “restrict” yourself. It’s that magic spark as corny as it sounds where you have this excited feeling in your gut before, during, and after the date.
I also like for the date to be planned and organized by the person asking me out… I hate the “Well what do YOU wanna do?” type of person. I gravitate towards the ,”Hey, get ready in an hour – wear something fancy/not fancy I’ll call you when I’m outside.” THAT is so attractive to me.
That, and punctuality. Punctuality is actually a turn on for me, I swear it!
The Importance Of First Impressions
Through school I learned that within the first 3-5 seconds of meeting a person, you will know if you like them or not. Although I do somewhat agree with this statement, I try very hard to push myself away from it. Simply because there have been many occasions where my first impression was not great.
For example, I dated someone for five years actually who thought I hated him. And I used to go home and cry wondering why he isn’t asking me out (really – I cried, LOL). Come to find out it was because when I first met him, he offered me a coffee and I said no, thank you. He took that as a “rejection” when in fact I was just super shy to even look him in the eye, let alone allow him to purchase a cup of coffee for me.
So in short… I think you should explore a person before judging them. First impressions can be awkward, but doesn’t mean you won’t end up dating for five years!
Expectations For A Guy On Dates
Well I’m a bit old fashioned in the sense that I appreciate a true gentleman. I like him opening the door, calling to make sure I got in safely, being courteous to the waiter. I don’t ‘expect” anything per se as expectations lead to broken hearts but I do like certain things in a certain way which include the gentleman type…opening car doors, restaurant doors, offering to pay, pulling out my chair.
I’m old fashioned in that way and I’m very observant and I like the little things. I went on a date once and when the guy picked me up as we were driving, someone turned right in front of us and cut us off and he had to press the brake really hard and fast and his first reaction was to pull his arm out in front of me to make sure I don’t fly forward and that my seatbelt holds me back. I really really liked that.
Common Mistakes Men Make On Dates
Oh I have stories for days! I’m going to write a book one day. My life is like a soap opera. In terms of common mistakes I would say for myself, personally. Because of my outer appearance, usually men think I don’t have much of a brain. When in fact I’m very well educated (studying for my masters), and I’m pretty street smart as well since I raised myself from a fairly young age. That’s one of my biggest pet peeves. The assumption that because I take care of myself physically, that that is all I have to offer.
Or the idea that I’m “just a girl” who does “girly things” and doesn’t know about “boy stuff”. So I have a huge obsession with cars, motorcycles and speed in general. My first car was an M3 and I had it so tinted that I would get pulled over left and right. I can’t tell you the amount of times some guy tried to race me and I kicked his ass or threw him in a ditch, rolled down my window and blew him a kiss and the complete utter shock of me being a female behind the wheel almost blew their mind LOL. Not just a female as I was told.. but, “Are you serious?! A god damn Barbie look alike just took you out bro!”
Can There Be Too Much Flirting On A Date?
I don’t think there can be too much! I’m a huge flirt I’m told. There’s no harm in flirting if you’re not bothering the person! I consider “too much” when it’s just blatantly obvious non-stop compliments… Or planning way into the future while “flirting” on a first date… That stuff can be a bit excessive and can turn me off.
Should There Be Sex On The First Date?
Depends on the date! I’m not against it. I’m not 100% for it. I do believe that there is some sexiness when you delay the intercourse…the mystery of the first encounter…day dreaming about it or “sexting” about all the stuff you’re going to do to them when you see them…That in itself can be extremely fun.
You can be in class and soaking wet from daydreaming about an encounter that hasn’t even happened yet. But then again, if the chemistry is there, and you both want it, why not?? If you’re both adults, and both choosing to consensually engage in intercourse then I mean…why not? Just because it’s the “first date”?!
Have fun, stay safe and go with your gut! (Sometimes your gut is in your heart)
Nadia Eve – Upscale, exotic, fun, bubbly brunette with natural HHH boobs, big bum and flat tummy who loves what she does!
I have loved the arts ever since I was a little girl. I would always have drawing sessions with my older sibling, and sometimes my mom would take us to ceramics studios. In addition to visual art, music has also played a huge part in my life. I’ve been playing piano since the age of seven – I grew up learning to read music like it was my ABC’s. Music has been a constant, unwavering force in my life. Music has always been there as a source of comfort, motivation, encouragement, and of course, enjoyment. Music has never let me down.
Loving music naturally led me to dance at the same time that visual art led me to pursue modeling and graphic design. For this reason, I strongly believe that all the arts are interconnected in some way. Art is about so much more than just capturing the eye; it can tell a story, convey an emotion, raise awareness, and engender change. Art has played such a pivotal role in advancing social movements, as art has the power to educate the masses and galvanize people to rally for a cause. Art is not only enjoyable to make and consume, but plays a huge role in shaping minds, culture, and society.
Why I Love Dancing
Because I have always loved music, I also loved to watch people dance. When I was young, I would constantly watch music and dance videos in my free time, but I never believed that I was capable of dancing. I would always hold myself back from dancing for fear of being judged, even when my body could barely resist the urge to move. Getting over this fear was a slow, arduous process that took years to move past.
I first started dancing at parties as a way to connect with other people and share energy. Embracing the social aspect of dancing helped me break out of my shell and begin pursuing dance more seriously. I love dance because it helps me feel more connected with others and more confident. Sometimes, if I’m really feeling the music, dancing makes me feel like I’m in my own world, where I’m the one in charge.
Dance Genres I’m Into
I like to dance jazz funk. I’ve trained through taking classes both at UCLA and at dance studios in LA and joining dance teams. I dance with a UCLA organization called Bruin Burlesque, which specializes in burlesque, a type of sensual, provocative dance that is mainly done in heels. I love to dance jazz funk because it makes me feel powerful and keeps me in touch with my sexuality.
I also dance with Taste the Rainbow, an all LGBTQ+ exhibition dance team. Taste the Rainbow’s pieces cover a variety of styles, including jazz funk, hip hop, vogueing, and waacking. Joining Taste the Rainbow has helped me explore more styles, become even more confident in my sexuality, and grow both as a dancer and as a person.
Dancing Tips For Those Who Are Shy
This was me not too long ago! I truly believe that everyone can be a dancer, just as everyone can be a model. Scientifically, dancing provided an evolutionary advantage, since it allowed humans to bond and communicate. Humans are built to process music and move to the beat. I encourage everyone to jump out of their comfort zone, let loose, and dance.
I get stuck in my own head all the time, worrying about what my dancing looks like and how others are perceiving it. When that happens, I just try to remind myself that it’s not that deep, and that it’s natural to make mistakes. If you’re just starting out, next time you have some alone time, put on a song you love and just groove it out. No mirrors, nothing. Feeling the music flow through your body is possibly one of the most liberating feelings ever.
My Role As A Dancer At Taste the Rainbow
Taste the Rainbow is an all LGBTQ+ dance team that aims to empower queer dancers by providing them with a safe, inclusive, and supportive space. The majority of couples’ pieces in mainstream dance showcases are straight couples. It is something that I have always taken issue with, as it erases the existence of queer couples. It lacks inclusivity, and quite frankly, it’s boring.
Taste the Rainbow subverts that by celebrating the intersection of performance and resistance and carving out space for ourselves in a society that often puts us down. We perform at school events, showcases, and sometimes nightclubs. My favorite performance by far was at Rage, a gay club in West Hollywood. Getting to dance up on stage in front of a huge crowd in a queer space was beyond exhilarating. Joining Taste the Rainbow has definitely been one of the highlights of my college experience; it’s introduced me to such a supportive community and helped me grow so much.
Does Being A Dancer Make Modeling Easier?
Yes, absolutely! I have grown so much through dancing. I have become so much more comfortable and confident taking up space. The camera easily picks up on even the smallest bit of fear or insecurity, which definitely translates into the photos. Dancing has made me more aware of my body, which has definitely helped with my posing. That’s why so many professional dancers eventually become models during their career; they have amazing body control and awareness, plus confidence.
Advice For Aspiring Dancers
Prepare to make mistakes. Try not to let ego get in the way — your dancing won’t look amazing right off the bat, and that’s just fine. Nobody starts out good (life just doesn’t work like that).
Also, prepare to be pushed to your physical limit. Dancing is an intense workout; it requires both mental and physical fortitude. And try not to take it too seriously — it should always be fun.
Hey! I’m Azure, and I’m a second-generation Chinese American from New York City studying sociology and Asian American Studies at UCLA. Some causes that I care about include the empowerment of people of color in media, educational equality, womxnism, and decolonization. I am a freelance model, dancer, pianist, and graphic designer. I love to listen to music, draw, and journal about my life.
I really like cosplay, I consider myself to still be relatively new. I got introduced to it by a coworker I’d become friends with (Thanks Alice!). I’ve always enjoyed films and writing and generally escaping from the real world but this was a whole new level – and also put my clothes making b-tech to good use.
Challenges Of Being A Cosplayer
I wouldn’t say it was difficult per se but it definitely has it’s challenges! One being money, to buy them or to make your own can cost a pretty penny but I try to look at ways of bringing the costs down. For example, I get most of my pieces from charity shops and the accessories from cheap sites like Wish or Ebay. I have even bought a decent wig from wish but also bought a few bad ones too. Most of it is down to trial and error.
At the same time there are a lot of simple cosplays like Wednesday from the Adams family… all you really need is a white blouse collar and a black dress and maybe a wig if you don’t have long brown/black hair. But if you’re going easy and cheap then you would probably go with one that has your hair colour.
Process Of Choosing A Character To Cosplay
I decide my cosplays depending on my situation. I’m a student so I don’t have the money to go around buying loads of fabric for a Cinderella dress. I would also suggest, if you’re making it from scratch make sure you have some sort of passion for the character! Also reference pictures!! Front, back, side, any accessories and makeup.
Misconceptions About Cosplayers
I often hear that you’re not a good cosplayer if it’s not accurate to the actual character…. This is not true! I’ve seen female versions of male characters and vice versa and they look amazing, or those casual princess ones I’ve heard people say they’re a cop out etc. But I’ve actually got some planned so I don’t care! Do whatever you want to do! (within reason, don’t do blackface… stay classy).
Tips To Know Before Being A Cosplayer
It’s not about likes on Instagram or Facebook! I went to a cosplay day at my work as Ciri from the Witcher (I work in a board game library and it was an event, I’m not that weird) and I was the only one the whole day… did I get embarrassed or self-conscious? A little but ultimately the amount of people who came up to me and complimented me or helped me out when my corset split and even tipped me… It made it all worth it and you walk away beaming!
Cosgemma – I help people make cheap, easy and accurate cosplays – sometimes – other times I’m kinda goofing off and doing photo shoots with my boyfriend. I don’t take myself seriously.
This circle called ‘fashion and beauty’ always develops, including how we put our clothes and put our makeup on, how we dress ourselves. People’s views about beauty and fashion are always shifting over time. In the past, they have many or certain standards to be declared beautiful or fashionable. As time goes by, people’s perspectives are changing (the beauty and fashion world evolved very fast). Therefore many new ideas are born, so they begin to accept that beauty and fashion are unique in many ways.
I believe that beauty and fashion trends will continue to expand themselves to be more amazing than then and now.
I think a more expansive world has arrived where ‘we are all beautiful‘ in our own style (if we can rock it well).
What Got Me Started As A Nail Artist
I’m obsessed with nails, nail arts and all things nails from senior high, but not the ‘gel’ nail polish , it’s the basic nail polish. I got my first ‘nail gel’ done during the last semester of college (I took faculty of interior design). I think ‘nail gel’ is amazing, they are really durable, very shiny and beautiful, even just the basic one color gel, or just glitter gel (they are already perfect).
After three times of doing the nail gel, I decided to learn how to make it because it’s hard to achieve the design that I want it to be, because I majored in design and I love art from elementary school, so it’s easier for me when I am studying about nail art or nail design. After learning and studying nail gel for four months, (and finished my college) I started working in an interior design office as an interior designer, at the same time I also started the profession as a nail artist (August 2018).
What I Love About Being A Nail Artist
I love doing nails, exploring many nail designs, and how to make nails to become more beautiful in any shape, even the short ones. I don’t want people to think that short nails are ugly, I want people to know that all forms of nails can be beautiful. I love to treat my customers’ nails, I love seeing them happy to have their nails done. I have joy when I’m doing nails, and I also got lots of friends from being a nail artist.
I learned that small things matter in many ways (in life, even when I decorate my customer nails) , and if you care about your nails, I think you are the people who have high consideration for anything, because you care about nails, even though they are small.
I also can meet a lot of new people. I’ve also made nails for Miss Earth Indonesia 2019 and Putri Pariwisata Indonesia 2019.
Is It Difficult To Be A Nail Artist?
It all depends. You have to be diligent, every time you make nails you need to study their nails, each customer’s nails have their own challenge. You need to practice, so you will get better over time , don’t forget that practice makes you perfect .
Take a few nail classes, so you can upgrade your skills. Look for references too.
Keeping In Touch With Latest Fashion Trends
It’s really important to search for new trends in nails.
In magazines (there are so many nail magazines that teach about nails and discuss the latest trends) or in other alternatives like Pinterest, Instagram, the internet. The change of seasons also influences nail trends. If winter comes, they want their nails to have hand painted snowflakes, or a Christmas vibe on their nails. If spring comes they want flowers, or sakura nails. it all depends. But as a nail artist we can give them ideas, choices or options and which design that suits their nails.
Advice For Aspiring Nail Artists
Don’t be afraid to start new things, just do it 🙂
Do it with heart, it will be reflected in the nails you made. Our work is work that sells a service, so we must have a sincere heart to serve. So we can see the smile of our client and customers.
Do it with joy, and learn from mistakes, keep learning everyday, and learn to always follow the latest trends.
Hi…My name is Sindy Wijaya, a Nail Artist, an Interior Design from Indonesia, my design is about detail in complexity and abstraction in harmony (in nail design and interior too). I was born on July 7, 1996. I really love design and art (in music, ballet, and drawing / design). I like to read and travel 🙂 .
