Unearthed

CONTENTS

01 / CONTENTS

the perks of being a wallflower ………………………...………………………............

argo ………………………...………………………............

skyfall

words to live by for a chronic procrastinator ………………………...………………………............

keeping silence ………………………...………………………............

resolutions talk

intimate moments

LITTLE NOTES

PHOTOGRAPHY

FILM

summer playlist

MUSIC

2

4

6

8

22

23

23

24

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE WONG

WORDS TO LIVE BY For the chronic procrastinator

You know when you’re getting nothing done, say, ever, and this has been going on for far

For some time now, I tell people that I procrastinate as

though I do it for a living. I throw the phrase 'oh, I

procrastinate all the time' around so casually, as though

it's a widely accepted thing and that it's just part of who I

am. I never saw it as a problem, until recently.

Let me walk you through the week before my Year 12

Literature exam. I had not finished reading most of the

books, barely done any revision for it, so naturally,

nerves kicked in. I worked my butt off for the next week,

but quickly realised how tiring it was - not because I was

doing that much work, but because I've never done so

much work, ever. I was exhausted, tired and sleepy all

the time. A big part of me knew that this was a result of

my chronic sense of denial throughout the year, revelling

in continual brashness typically resembling the excuses

'Oh, I'll get it done' and 'it's a long way away'.

After my exam, I made up my mind: I am going to stop

procrastinating.

This was, admittedly, not the first time I've made this

promise to myself. It was, however, the first time I

actually decided to walk myself through why I

procrastinate and do something about it. (Now why didn't

I think of that before?)

OBSTACLE 1: PERFECTIONISM

I fear making anything less than perfect, so I don't try at

all. I will actually sit there, knowing that I have to get task

A done, but don't even start it because, well, it won't turn

out good. I get too focused on it being perfect, that I

forget that to actually get there, I have to do the work.

Solution: Don't think about the end result.

For me, this was really hard to overcome, when I've built

a habit of it for far too long than I'd like to admit to

myself. However, instead of thinking about what the end

result will be and all the pressures that come with it, just

start the project and work from there. It's as simple as

that. Don't attach expectations with it - just start, and

only match your expectations when you are finished.

OBSTACLE 2: APPEAL

We've all been here and always will go through that lack

of motivation for a task because it just doesn't appeal. At

all. You know what's appealing? Hours of browsing Ellen

DeGeneres videos like it's my job. You know what's not

so appealing though? No, not the task, but that night

before it's due and you have no idea what to do and

where to start and your head is a big mush of jelly.

Solution: Honestly? You have to do it anyway.

It took me a while to realise this in all my self-inflicted

chronic procrastination. I have to get it done anyway. It's

not like if I ignore it, it'll just go away like those pretty

little pimples dotted across my face during puberty. So

why not now? For me, a huge motivator was eliminating

the dread of having to do the task three weeks later,

because guess what? You just whooped that task into

the 'finished, never gonna bother you again' faraway

place deserving of a double high five.

And just between you and me, it is extremely liberating.

Kind of like that time you managed to sneak into the

train just before it closes its doors. Except this is way,

way better.

OBSTACLE 3: STICKING WITH IT

Occasionally I will find myself going back to Youtube

even before I finish my tasks, and I'm all, 'You should be

ashamed of yourself girlfriend!' No, not really. The fact is,

too long than you’d like to admit? Well, this is for you.

02 / LITTLE NOTES

I'm still the same person and I'm not ashamed of that.

This is different, though. It's not so much as

procrastination, but a momentary withdrawal moment

from years of chronic procrastination. Fancy that!

However, as soon as you find yourself doing it, stop

yourself for fifteen seconds and think, 'do I really benefit

from this? No, really. Do I?’

Solution: Find a balance

Amidst all this, I truly believe that there needs to be a

balance between work and play. The thing is, if you get

too caught up with work, the moment you delve yourself

into the world of what-you-used-to-do-to-procrastinate,

you won't stop at just sixty videos, because you're

absolutely burned out and you may just head back to

procrastination again. So allocate time to work, but also

allocate time to play. Don't expect to finish it at all at

once just because you're suddenly now so productive.

You need to give yourself a break.

It's looking good from here though, so power on. You'll be

amazed at how much you can get done!

You control the moment, so seize it.

03 / LITTLE NOTES

KEEPING SILENCE

For all my life, I've been guilty of this, but it's only through

this past year that it's come to light.

I'm very good at keeping silent.

Almost too good.

And it's most definitely not healthy. Part of the reason for

this is because I've always valued others' opinions more

than mine, and the other part is a bad habit of mine,

which is assuming that people know what I'm thinking, or

understand my silence somehow. Of course, it's totally

logical to think that people have inner psychic

channelling within them, right?

To some extent, we all think people can understand us,

and know exactly what we're thinking and feeling. Maybe

not all the time, but especially when they're our close

friends or family. I don’t think we necessarily do it

consciously, but it’s just almost part of our nature to

expect others, especially our loved ones, to share our

thoughts because come on, they know us. So we get

angry and super defensive when they make assumptions

about us. We feel betrayed and pull the whole, 'no one

understands me!' and 'you don't know what I'm going

through!' act. And we fail to realise that, sometimes, it is

our own fault that others make assumptions.

How can they know that you're roughing it at home if you

don't tell them? How can they know that you're having a

bad day? How can they know that you've been frustrated

with them for the past three months and giving them the

cold shoulder because of what they did? 'Well they

should know!' Ah ha, but they don't.

I'm not saying, knock on every door of the people that

have pointed fingers at you and spend twenty minutes

on each giving them your life story. Just know this: I can't

think what you're thinking right now. So if I make an

assumption, please don’t lay it all on me. Even though

the assumptions that I make may be wrong, you've given

me nothing else to work with but make those judgments.

If you're willing to accept them, then stay quiet.

Sometimes staying quiet is the best thing when the

situation calls for it. It really is. However, silence can

come back and bite you in the arse when you least

expect it with a laundry list of assumptions. It’s

important to let others know how we feel, what we’re

thinking and just come clean.

It’s time for the honest truth: we’re no psychics and we can’t expect others to be.

04 / LITTLE NOTES

And we fail to realise

that, sometimes, it is our

own fault that others

make assumptions.

0

New Year's Resolutions and I have a pretty strained

relationship.

For the first week or so, Res (oh yes, we're on nickname

terms) and I would have a pretty good thing going on.

We'd look to each other and say, 'we totally get each

other', 'you make me a better person' or 'you're a keeper,

I'm never going to ditch you'. All is good, until we come to

week two, and, well, let's just say Res and I go on a

break and reunite only on January 1st the next year. And

I'm back to my unhealthy routines and habits that Res

would not approve of.

Breaking habits is hard, guys. Self-restraint and

persistence don't just magically appear on January the

1st, it takes time. I've always looked at new year's

resolutions as a concept that I would take upon on the

first day of the year, but I've realised, this rarely ever

works. The novelty of the relationship wears off.

So I thought, 'why not start on my resolutions this

month? Why wait?' I went for runs every day, tried to go

to sleep at a respectable time (still working on that one)

and did more of the things I love. I didn't have a huge list

of resolutions, just a few things I wanted to work on.

Starting a month earlier means you give yourself time to

adjust the resolutions, be realistic about it and really

work towards it. It gives me time to rethink these

resolutions and whether they're too idealistic. It helped

me plan time for it and actually use that time. It's

essentially a test drive.

And I've got to say, it's working.

Of course, there are moments of the day where it's hard

to stick with it, but I push myself because I know that by

the time I start next year, these resolutions are a reality,

rather than something I write about and forget weeks

later. Resolutions are possible, as long as you're realistic

but also know what you can be capable of if you put your

mind to it. And it's all about building habits - that's all

there is. Make consistency your best friend and you'll be

good to go.

So go on, start a month earlier, get ahead and work

towards your resolutions - now!

Resolutions talk You know the drill. New Year’s resolutions have an expiry date of about a

week if you’re lucky. The rest is pretty much history, isn’t it?

PLAN ACT REVISE Routine

It is absolutely crucial to

plan your resolutions out.

This means mapping out

the little steps. E.g. I

wanted to be healthier, so

I incorporated fruits into

my breakfast, and to run

three times a week.

Start putting your resolutions

to practice – yes it’s that

simple! Don’t be too hard on

yourself if you sometimes “tip-

toe” around your resolutions,

although be aware when

you’ve tip-toed too much.

It’s time to make some

adjustments! Don’t stick to the

same regime if it’s not working

for you. Revise your

resolutions; make them better

and more practical.

Make your resolutions a habit,

keep doing it, and you’re going

to wonder why it was a

resolution after all. The more

you do it, the more you persist,

the easier it is.

07 / LITTLE NOTES

Intimate moments

08/ PHOTO

A moment comes and goes, but once experienced, never lost. And there it within stays –

within our fluttering heart and ever warm soul.

THE PERKS OF

BEING Being a Wallflower

As Stephen Chbowsky’s name followed the words

‘directed by’ during the opening credits, a part of me just

lit up. I had no idea! This was the same guy who wrote

the novel. The same novel that I had picked up one day,

couldn’t stop putting down for the rest of the day, and

tried to restrain myself from reading because I simply

didn’t want it to end, but of course failed in doing so.

And it was perfect. It was just like the novel, if not more,

but definitely not any less. Chbowsky captured the spirit

of the book and his characters so brilliantly. Logan

Lerman embodied every aspect of Charlie perfectly – his

expressions, actions, movements in his shy, unsure,

emotional self. His performance here really impressed

me and just shows what a versatile actor he is, for this

was not an easy part to play at all. Logan captured every

nuance of Charlie in all his thoughtfulness, awkwardness

and uncertainty, as well as the raging emotions within

him from his tortured memories, as well as his aching

crush on Sam.

Although Emma Watson’s American accent wasn’t quite

convincing at times, it was nothing but a small detail, for

she captured Sam beautifully. I no longer saw her as

Hermione. Ezra was brilliant as Patrick, a character of

absolute hilarity that delivers just at the right moments,

in spite of his deep, unresolved hurt. These characters

come from a dark, wrecked and broken place, but

somehow their journey manages to inspire and give

hope to the audience. You could tell that these amazing

actors really understood their characters and their

struggles – it truly shines through their incredible

performances.

Parts of Charlie resonated with me throughout. I felt his

deep awkwardness, his inner frustration, his fears, his

emotions. Every second of the film felt real and true.

There was love, yes, but it steered clear from the clichéd

notion of young love. It felt real, more than anything. The

film explored many different levels of high school, as well

as darker, universal themes which we all can relate to –

trying to fit in, dealing with death and loneliness. The

soundtrack was magnificent too, and fit right in with the

story. It really all came together.

Needless to say, Perks lingered in mind even days after

watching it. I feel that people of all ages, adults included,

can take away the same message, and that is the

beautiful notion of acceptance through the experience of

finding ourselves and who we truly are, and most of all,

being comfortable in your own skin.

22 / FILM

Based on the true event of the 1980s CIA-Canadian

secret operation to pull out six fugitive American

diplomatic personnel out of Iran, Argo is an exceptionally

moving and emotional film which really showcases Ben

Affleck as a class and worthy director. However, not only

did he direct the movie, he also delivers an incredibly

engaging and believable performance as Tony Mendez –

a CIA technician who devises a far-fetched escape plan

to pull out the six Americans. Moreover, the overall feel

of the film stayed true to the context of the seventies

through the deliberate decision to make the entire film

grainy and use cinematic colours reminiscent of the

seventies. Although the viewer must be aware that some

liberties have been taken in making this film, Affleck

does a truly brilliant job in presenting the story in a way

that is believable and will have your stomach in knots to

the very end. Overall, Argo is a truly fantastic and

satisfying film.

In celebration of James Bond’s 50th anniversary, Skyfall

proves that there is still more to Bond. In many ways,

this instalment of Bond is very much a character piece,

while still maintaining the rich action that we all love. We

see a more human side to Bond, which is something

rarely seen from the other predecessors of Bond. Bond

is portrayed as slightly older, having lost his edge and

physically weakened due to gunshot wounds retained

from earlier in the film. However, he doesn’t shy away

from his mission and ultimately proves that it is neither

age nor methods that define one’s ability, but

commitment above all.

Javier Bardem puts on a masterful performance as Silva,

a Bond villain unlike any we have seen in Bond history –

unflinching, cruel, flamboyant and full of charisma; who

often outmatches Bond throughout the film. Daniel

Craig, as always, proves that he is more and more

capable as Bond. His performance, along with Bardem’s

and Judi Dench’s as M, creates a thrilling and

unforgettable experience for the viewer. Unlike any other

Bond films, Mendes utilises the experiences and

repercussions of these characters’ history in light of

Bond’s 50th year anniversary to shape its narrative and

action. Skyfall is personal, exciting, tense, incredibly

smart and surprisingly emotional. Quite simply, it’s

absolutely brilliant and you should go see it.

ARGO

Skyfall

23 / FILM

SUMMER 1. HOME - EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS

2. BELOW MY FEET – MUMFORD & SONS

3. FEATHERSTONE – THE PAPER KITES

4. CANDLES – DAUGHTER

5. THE UNDERDOG – SPOON

6. MAKE A NOISE – KATIE HERZIG

7. COULD IT BE ANOTHER CHANGE – THE SAMPLES

8. HO HEY – THE LUMINEERS

9. THE DAYLIGHT – ANDREW BELLE

10. BLOOD – MIDDLE EAST

24 / MUSIC

PLAYLIST

25 / MUSIC

11. I’M A CUCKOO – BELLE & SEBASTIAN

12. BEACH COMBER – REAL ESTATE

13. EILEEN – TIN SPARROW

14. IT’S TIME – IMAGINE DRAGONS

15. GOLD ON THE CEILING – THE BLACK KEYS

16. NOTHING LIKE YOU AND I – THE PERISHERS

17. MAGDALENA – THE KILLERS

18. SIMPLE GIRL – DALE EARNHARDT JR JR

19. COME ON EILEEN – DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS

20. HOW TO LOVE – KEVIN MICHAEL

U N E A R T H E D M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2012