2nd China Image Film Festival- Closing Ceremony at the BAFTA



Left: Li Jia (Actress), not sure who he is but he some sort of executive of China Image and Jia Dongshuo (Director)

     

 10th Octber 2010 was the closing ceremony of the 2nd China Image Film Festival which took place at the British Academy of Film and Television Award (BAFTA).

Infront of the BAFTA statue!

This ceremony wasn't as hectic as the opening one, and the night finished earlier too.  I guess probably because Su You Peng (Alex Su) wasn't there so didn't need as much security to block the fans away, lol.  But director Jia Dongshuo and actress Li Jia were there.



China Image film festival

 I forgot to mention what China Image Film Festival is in my last blog; "China Image Chinese Film Festival is the largest Chinese film festival in Europe so far, aiming at spreading the Chinese film culture. It was established in Britain in 2009 and be held in London every year. This is the second one. The film festival is jointly organized by British China Image Ltd and Chinese film oversea distribution corporations."- http://www.china-image.org/ (check out their website to find out more)

We, Miss New China had to be there again to help out; greet and meet the VIPs. Jonathan Fryer (Liberal Democrat politican) was there to do a speech and presented the best film award which was won by 'The Floating Shadow’ by Jia Dongshuo. I had to take him up the stage but he got up too quick and I was almost chasing after him to link on to his arm. The audience including us were laughing, it was quite embarassing. Other awards that were awarded were best actor and actress, best screenwriter, best director and best documentary. I don't remember the others.

 





Getting my hair and make up done

 My hair and make-up were so much better than the opening night. In fact, I did half of the make up myself because we were in such a rush the makeup artist couldn't do a full on make up. But I still got to give a shout out to Gi Gi's Bride, they are the ones who did my hair at the opening ceremony and this closing ceremony. But make-up was done by someone else at the previous event. We didn't wear those traditional Chinese dresses this time because the we were criticised for our outfits; so many negative feedbacks were recieved after the organiser of Miss New China posted our pictures up on a forum. I brought my own black dress just in case Gi Gi's Bride didn't have a dress that I would like or my style. So yes, in the end I wore my own dress but the other girls wore dresses from Gi Gi Bride.



Beautiful girls lol



Stunners! lol

From these two experiences, it gave me a really good insight of what event management is about. I also realised that not everything would go according to plan, for example our roles during the ceremony were slightly different and so self initiative is extremely important. One also needs to be able to solve a problem on the spot. This does not mean this have put me off being a events manager, in fact made me even more into it and desperate to enter the events industry!

Below are some more pictures of the night and I know its time for me to get a new camera.


Left: Me, director Jia Dongshuo and Angela



The girls and I with Li Jia (Actress)





Me and Jackie - I think shes the director of China Image.



 

Girls rehearsing how to give the awards





My first red carpet experience!

I feel so honoured and grateful that I was chosen to attend the opening ceremony of China Image Film Festival on 3rd October as one of the representative of Miss New China and also as a hostess (if that's what you call them lol). Its not really a red carpet because there wasn't a red carpet at the entrance but the VIPs and celebrities did sign the poster. This night definitely gave me a really good experience of how an event is run as I attended the rehearsals and saw how the event director and other staff were operating. A real advantage for my career and this event is exactly the sort of event I want to be involved in organising. The most difficult thing was that everyone was speaking in mandarin, instructions were given in mandarin. But luckily, a few were from Hong Kong or knew Cantonese so I was able to speak to them in Cantonese. Met so many beautiful girls and some of them translated for me when they knew I didn't understand everything- thank you so much! But it definitely improved my listening with mandarin and boosted my confidence in speaking it- especially when one of the girls said to me that my pronunciation is quite good ^.^

I had so much make-up and hair spray on me that night. To be honest, I didn't really like the make-up because it was too dark (yes, I know smokey eyes are like that but there are lighter ones) and wasn't used to seeing myself looking like that. The hair was OK, if they could put my hair up a bit higher and the fringe more lower would have been better. It was my first time wearing those traditional Chinese dresses too, it was very pretty! It was also my first time wearing a black 5in high stiletto, I didn't even think I would be able to walk in them but I did! Oh yes, ladies a pair of black heels is a must have, a good investment in your wardrobe- a valuable tip from my favourite Tyra Banks.

Above: Me and Shen Yan before our make overs.



Above: Getting my hair done

I got to see Alex Su (Su You Peng), Li Jia and the film director, Jiang Wu. Me and the other Miss New China reps were told to take pictures with Alex, that was awesome! But I wasn't in the picture with the director because I walked away to get my bag (should of got it later!). I'm so glad that I wore those heels because the marketing manager was getting all the tallest girls to do most of the tasks. For those who know me know that I love to be out there and be in the limelight. I had the opportunity to be on stage and lead the guest to the lectern to do their speech. Yes, I know its something really little but to me its amazing!!

The closing ceremony is on 10th Oct at the BAFTA!! Can't wait for this opportunity! Below are some pictures that I got from the New China Times Newspaper.

Above:  Standing outside the Empire Cinema waiting for Su You Peng

Above: Other beautiful Miss New China standing on the other side of the entrance

Above: Director Jiang Wu and actress Li Jia

Above: Group pic with Su You Peng at the Screen



 

Above: Look at the left corner there 3 girls and I'm the one in the middle, lol

Above: Group pic with Su You Peng

How to get kissable lips!

Winter is on its way in no time and so many will start having the problem with crusty lips or lips peeling. Do you peel the skin or bite it off knowing that it doesn't really help? Do you use vaseline/ lip balm to stop it from peeling? No matter how much you put on it still peels...right?

This is my easy peasy solution, I usually do this in the morning after I've washed my face. 

Splash your lip with water so its moist, then damp a face cloth.  Rub the cloth against your lips in circular motions. You will start to see some skin rolled up into small balls and falling off. Yes, its basically exfoliating your lips. When there's no more of those white peeling skin, put some vaseline/ lip balm on.

There are other ways that I learnt from Tyra Banks.

First one

You will need: 

Vaseline



Old Tooth Brush

 Put a small amount of vaseline over your lips (a little bit more than what you usually need), dip the toothbrush in water- make sure you soak it. Then brush your lips, you will start to see the skin being brushed off. When you've done that wipe the excess of vaseline and put vaseline or lip balm on.

Second one

You will need:

Sugar

Just exfoliate your lips with sugar, this will give your lips a sweet taste and so will taste nice when making out, in other words more kissable!

Rock those blazers ladies!

More and more ladies are wearing blazers when they go out, if you haven't got one yet, GO GET ONE!! They are so useful that when I'm in a rush or when I don't have a clue what to wear, blazers comes to the rescue!

Blazers are becoming one of my favourites clothing because it just like jeans; goes with anything and its perfect for any occasion. They are great for smart, casual and even sexy style wear. The blazer is like magic, you put it on and it makes the whole outfit stand out and glamorous. The most simple and trendy outfit is; a pair of skinny jeans, a plain vest top, the blazer and either a pair of heels or flat shoes/pumps. See below- all clothes are from Topshop,

I tend to like blazers that our tight fitted, that emphasises the waist and just below my waist. I also love those cropped ones, especially those with extreme shoulder pads, just like the ones below.

Above: This is from Littlewoods. I would wear that with skinny jeans or leggings not with a dress like that in the picture.

Left to right: I like the pattern blazer Kim Kardashian is wearing but I absolutely LOVE the black blazer in the right. Its perfect with the dress! She looks SMOKING HOT! Lol.

Oh! And how can I forget about my favourite Tyra Banks! Smart and Sexy!

Feeling of Gratitude

I always say that I am grateful for this and that but never truly feel 100% grateful. What I mean is, I do appreciate and am happy with what I have and feel very fortunate but never close to tears. The only time I've been close to tears when feeling grateful is when I'm with my mum, my dad and my brother. Yesterday, I felt it again and it was for my brother's Godparents.

Yesterday, my brother's Godparents came over to London from Sweden for holiday and we spent the whole day with them. Its been 15 years since we seen each other and it felt great seeing them again. My parents relationship with them are still really good and close.

I had to work in the evening at my dad's business but my parents had dinner with them at our house. While I was at work I had this wierd feeling- a good feeling that is-I didn't want them to leave without me coming home to say bye to them. I actually miss them and felt like crying at work- cry because too happy. I think its a feeling of gratitude, in fact it must be. I feel so happy that we know them. I got this such warm feeling from them when we were having lunch and I just wished we were related. I wished they were my uncle and auntie. I guess its because they have the character that I always wished my relatives would have or be like. To be honest, I have never planned to go back to Sweden for holiday because its just not really a place to go for fun.  But they would be a reason for me to go on holiday to Sweden.

I only have this feeling of gratitude with my parents and my brother, no one else. Its very rare for me to have this feeling for people and they were the ones. Back in Sweden, despite we had families (mums side) there, they still really looked after us. Even my dad said that he saw my brother's Godfather as his older brother. I know the reason of this feeling is not to do with that I don't see them often because when my parents have other friends come over I don't care. They are just amazing people!

In life, people won't see the valuable of certain things when they have it, especially when they can get it easily. But when you don't have it or taken a lot of effort to obtain it, thats when you would appreciate it alot. Just like education, in UK everyone goes to school for free. 50% of us don't see the value of being educated and have schools. Some of us don't even want to go to school. But in some countries, they have lack of schools and have to pay to go school. Some wished they could go to school but can't afford it. Even if they have the money they have to walk like 2 hours to school.

Appreciate the great people around you, you don't meet great people that easy. And be GRATEFUL!

How to get soft skin?

I'm not a beautician or a pro with skin care but  I've read, heard and been told alot so would consider I have a good knowledge about skin care.

What's the secret for men and women in getting soft skin and keeping it in good condition? Have facial regularly? Have facial mask regularly? Use those steamer things? Eat less chocolate? They all make your skin better and softer but they are not the secret. Some of you probably already know this but for those who don't, washing your skin is the secret! Keeping your skin clean is the essential, that means wash your face every day AND night! When you wash your face at night, the next morning you will have really soft skin. As long as you do that, all those facials, masks and other types of treatments are not needed.

In fact if you're in your teens, early and mid 20s there's no need for those treatment at all because your skin is still young and delicate. If your skin gets too used to facial treatments, your skin won't look as good when you stop the treatments. You would need to keep doing that which is quite costly. Just like going to the gym, if you don't got for a while your muscle will go squiggy and loose etc. Even if you have lots of spots you don't need to do those facial treatment. Again, it is washing your face, keeping it clean is the essential! And you use those spot cream. Also, too much scrubbing your face is not too good either. Your pores will expand permanently, which wouldn't look very nice. If you have to scrub, use ones that has tiny sands and not big lumps of sands. Best face wash would be ones that says 'gentle cleanser'. (Beautician's tip in washing your face below)

If you're past mid 20s, then some facial treatment is cool. But I would say keeping your skin clean is still the most important step and then it would be the type of moisturizer and other type of skin products you put on your face.

Another important thing is, if you're wearing make-up, make sure you wash it off before you go to bed. DO NOT go to sleep with your make-up on. You are likely to get spots, which is not something you want to find the next morning, right? When you sleep your pores expands because your body is warm under the duvet which means if the make up is not washed off it will go into your pores and forms spots. Even if you haven't worn make-up, you have sweat and dust on your face which would also goes into your pores while your sleeping.

Of course besides washing your face, moisturizing your skin is also essential. It is always good to put toner on after washing because that will narrow your pores. Then put moisturizer, this applies to day and night. During the day, it is best to have a moisturizer that has at least SPF 15 protection against the sun, 30 would be the best. In terms of the long run, your skin would still look good when you're in your 40s, 50s, or even 60s. This is because we all know that our skin will age quicker if we are under the sun too much. Therefore, when you sunbathe limit it to 15 minutes and wearing at least SPF 15 on your body and 30 on your face.
Beauticians' tips in washing your face:
1) Using your your index and middle finger and rub the cleanser on your face in circular motions. Wash your face from chin to forehead and from forehead to chin.
2) Using coldish but with a hint of warmth water to rinse your face
3) After use cold water to rinse your wash again- this is to narrow the pores.
4) Use a cloth to dry your face- pat your face to dry
5) Gently put toner all over your face using a cotton pad- this is also to narrow the pores.
6) Put moisturizer on- wipe the cream upward motions on your cheeks (prevents/minimize wrinkles), do a T motion on your forehead and nose.

Back to School Project

Back To School Project (BTSP) is a charity organised by Hong Kong Christian Council, their aim is to find people to support a student or more than one student's education for a year which is worth around $300; approx £30. But of course if they want to carry on supporting them the following year they can and they can support as many students as they want.

I was tidying my room today and found about 10 envelopes from Back to School Project. Yes! I was one of the supporters and I supported two students back in 2003. Inside the envelopes were the students' progress report and some drawing that they did. Looking at them made me feel very happy and proud of myself, I helped some children to get educated when I get free education here in UK. It also reminded me how fortunate I am to be educated. I didn't even realise that I supported for four years and that I had quite a few drawings and reports from them, back then it felt like it was only a year thing. I looked at their exam results, they did incredibly well. I can even tell that one of the student is artistic by the look of her drawings. They look sooo cute!!

By 2007, the BTSP sent a letter saying that they finished primary school. I was quite surprised because I only sponsored them for 4 years, and I'm pretty sure primary school is longer than that. Or maybe they were previously sponsored by someone else and they stopped. Thinking about it now, I was only about 14 when I supported them. I would say it is something I can be proud of. Another thing about the photos they sent is that, they never smiled in them. Used to think they were forced to take a picture lol. 

Below are two pictures of the two students and their drawings. These are just part of the pile I got.