Flames to dust

Everyday isn't going to be your day. But so long as you remember to leave it all with the setting sun, there's no reason that you shouldn't wake up with the belief that today very well may be the greatest yet. 

There's always tomorrow.

Mantra

Advice From a Tree:

- Stand tall and proud

- Go out on a limb

- Drink plenty of water

- Remember your roots

- Be content in your natural beauty

- Enjoy the view

Ky.xo

What doesn't kill you.

Alright, lets talk about that "double whammy" I mentioned in my last post. So I did the show from 1-6, it was easy and pretty well the exact same thing we had done the day before. Right after the client took Regina and I (another Russian model) to the studio. We grabbed a few snacks and hung out for about an hour until they started hair and make-up. 

This was at 7 PM.

After 2 hours maybe 2 and a half we were finally ready.

And then they told us to wait...

It was now 10 PM

Regina would shoot, then I would shoot. At first I thought ok, this will be quick we'll be done by mid-night.

Then I asked "Do we have to shoot all these racks... tonight?"

"Yes." Umi replied, "Fuck my life"

There was over 15 racks of clothes with over 20 outfits on each rack. 

12 AM.... we had finished 2 racks.

That's when I finally admitted to myself "We'll probably be here till 4 AM."

Regina and I tried to move quickly, but randomly for no reason they would say "Okay rest" or "we're having a smoke". I started to get incredibly frustrated at their lack of speed towards the job. I did not want to be there all night, but clearly they were more than content with taking their time. 

People would leave, get snacks, hang out. While the only thing available for us to keep our energy up was these cheesy corn bar snacks and donuts.

Lovely. Just what you want a 2 AM. Especially since we had ate dinner at 6:30.

I had no choice, I ate a donut.

I don't even like donuts.

By the time we finally finished. It was 6 AM

11 hours later and the sun was up.

Thankfully I had that day off so I was able to sleep a bit. 

But regardless having no sleep all night caused me to get sick.

In the end, all I can say is I made it through, and I hope the photos are worth it.

I successfully endured my first model marathon.

And hopefully my last of that kind.

Ky.xo

Time keeps on ticking..

Yesterday marked one month in Shanghai.

The words don't feel right coming out of my mouth.  There's no way it's been a month already. 

But regardless of my bewilderedness the facts are true. 

Time sure does fly when you're having fun. 

I worked quite a bit this week. I had two days of shows on the weekend, then a show Wednesday and a catalog on Thursday. And tomorrow I get a double whammy of a show in the afternoon and a catalog in the evening. 

I think one of the best parts about my job are the people I meet. I have met and learnt from some of the most incredible and diverse people. I am always so thankful when I walk away from a show with new friends or from a shoot with new make-up tips or a hair stylist. 

At my shows on the weekend I met girls from Lithuania, Hungary and Kazakhstan and guys from Russia, Barcelona and London. It's crazy the mix of cultures of people here. It excites me to learn about their cities and languages. It's just fascinating. And knowing if I ever end up in any of the random places I meet people from possibly visit someone there is exciting. It just makes me want to see and learn more about this wonderful planet we live on. 

There's just so much to discover. 

It makes me never want to sit in one city for a long time again. I mean, how can I if I plan on seeing everything?

We've only got one life. And I'd rather have incredible stories of my adventures to show for it than a collection of things. 

For we are remembered for what we accomplish, not what we have.

Ky.xo