Lui Lui in Amelica

Day out on the beach

2011-05-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting for so long.

Finally today I got the chance to go to the beach for the first time of this summer~ It's called Wu
Kai Sha beach near Ma On Shan in Hong Kong.

It's nice but a little too humid for me. I am still trying to adapt the humidity here in Hong Kong.

Here's some photos~

The Girl & The Guy

2011-03-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Two of my drawings are featured in the blog "The Girl & the Guy".

It's a blog about love, relationship from the point of view of both a girl and a guy.

Please check it out!

Peace!

World Vision 2011 "30 Hour Famine"

2011-01-26T22:57:00.000-08:00

Please support me to participate in the World Vision 2011 "30 Hour Famine"

For those of you who didn't know about the 30 Hour Famine, it's an event that every year thousands of people around the world unite to fast 30 hours and they learn about hunger. They raise funds to participate in this event and experience huger for themselves.

Click the below link to see more info.

http://30hourfamine.org/about

You can make your donation directly to World Vision through this website to sponsor me to fast for 30 hours straight!

http://www.worldvision.org.hk/oss/index.asp?f=d&h=0100c1286817aedcce1a0276dc5c6326&l=e

THANK YOU! LET'S SAVE LIFE TOGETHER~

Lui Lui in Milan

2010-11-13T03:16:00.000-08:00

The Milan Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world. It's really huge! Especially, when we climbed up the stairs and hit the roof top! You can catch a nice view.

Right next to the cathedral, it's this infamous indoor shopping street of Milan. But, fashion is not what I was after. It was FOOD~~ TIRAMISU~~There's a cafe with lots of nice desert displaying in the window. It's around the center of the corridor. We ordered a tiramisu and to be honest, it's the best tiramisu I have had. Yumo~~

Lui Lui in Paris - Sacre Coeur Mont Martre

2010-11-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

The big white church up in the mountain. I forgot the name of it...sorry but it's sure is a place for tourist. While we walked up the hill to the church, all the streets were selling the mini eiffel towers, I heart Paris T-shirt and gypsy asking you to play cards So if you are not into this kind of tourist stuffs then you can skip all that and go straight uphill like we did. Plus super cautious of your purse and wallet.

Okay we went uphill and stopped at the steps of the church. Picco then asked me would I marry him if he carried me up to the door of the church. And I said yes ofcourse. So I didn't need to walk up those millions of steps and also get a finacee. (this is just a trial proposal).

We walked around the interior of the church a bit and went to get food at a local restaurant on a street that is behind the church. When I said "local", I meant really "local" with no English menu or English speaking person what so ever. Without known what's on the menu, but with our adventurous guts, we waited 20 mins for a table for two and entered this French restaurant.

After millions of body language dominated conversation and saying QUI QUI QUI later, we finally got our food on the table!
The food is not excellent but it's good. With a three course menu that ends with a nice pudding for desert, I think I accomplished a lot with the handicap of my french.

Yeah for French Cuisine!

Lui Lui in Paris - something artsy

2010-11-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

We meet at last! The toilet. Duchamp's toilet. How nice! The piece of art that changes how people think of arts. For those of you who don't know him. He is the one who signed a toilet and called it art. In my opinion, it's arts cause it represents the artist's attitude. Isn't that what arts is about? Expressing yourself on different subject matter with the medium that suits you? So I think that's arts. What do you think?

Click the picture to enlarge if you wanna check out the details.

This is a very interesting art exhibition. It's a poster sticker to the wall in the museum explaining the advantage of being a female artist. It's already hard to be a female. And being a female artist, it's even harder and fall more into the minority field. For those of you out there moaning about the disadvantage of a female artist, here's the advantage.

Last but not least, a surreal installation. I forgot the artist name and name of he piece. But, it's a room installed with furnitures that form the shapes of different parts of human body. It's quite interesting to see this Dali like surrealism coming into a 3D form. Instead of just looking at a 2D surface, this installation draws you in and make you experience the surrealist mind.

Sorry if my grammar and spelling is wrong. I am typing all this from iPhone.

Lui Lui in Paris - Eiffel tower

2010-11-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

Eiffel Tower. The icon of Paris. You can see it on poster and T-shirt. You can see it on the street as souvenir. Never would I think I would be sitting underneath it and admiring it's shining beauty. But here I am looking at it, staring at it and loving it. Although it was rainig cats and dogs, it's worth the walking when I saw it shunning at 9 o'clock.

I always wonder how does it feel walking by it everyday and living right next to t everyday? It's like living right next to the forbidden city or the pyramids right? So surreal to me. But here are people living this as a everyday life. How does that feel?

Is any of my readers from Paris? Tell me how you feel?

Lui Lui in Paris - Angelica

2010-11-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

The Angelica Cafe. Yum yum yum! Perfect place for a desert after a long day of walking in the Louvre.

It is best known for it's hot coco and chestnut cup cake. I don't remember how exactly they call it but you will recognize what the chestnut cup cakes if you see it there.

Usually you will need to wait in line no matter when you go. It's famous among tourists. It's famous among locals. I got to wait 15 mins for a seat but other people behind me got to wait for longer. So try to go before lunch time. You will have a better chance of getting a seat faster.

Lui Lui in Paris - Notre Dame

2010-11-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

The Hedge back of Notre Dame yeah I'm sure everyone should have heard of this story sometime in their life. I know this as a Disney film but didn't know it was a famous novel.

Today I finally have a chance to see the tower where the Hedge Back lives (well at least in the novel). After 20 mins of waiting in line, we climbed hundreds of steps and finally I mean finally finally we got to the top. Oh my god, I was breathing so hard when arrived. The steps were very slippery and shinny because of all the walking people have been doing on them for ages. But the view is worth all the sweat!

Anyway, while I was in line to go up the tower, I noticed something very interesting. Even though European and America are both basically white, you can still tell their difference. It's not their accent. It's their attitude. And how they react when they make eye contact with you. When Americans are here, they make sure you know hat they are here with their voice and reaction toward different subject matters. But European are more laid back and I would say quiet. And when you make eye contact wig the Europeans, they will just stare at you instead of putting up a smile like the Americans.

I once had a classmate smiling at me during a circle group discussion. As soon as he finished his smile, he just returned to his I hate this class face. To be honest, I think it's kinda fake to put on a smile like that. But unfortunately, I adapted to that and I do the same thing now. I don't know if it's a good thing or not because if someone do not smile back now, I will think that they are impolite. Well, what can I say, I got the American passport and I guess it's part of the deal.

Lui Lui in Paris - The Lourve

2010-11-11T02:14:00.000-08:00

Morning Paris!! We arrived in Paris early in the morning around 6am. We saw the sky turning from dark to bright while riding the train to Paris. The stop we made was to the Lourve! as you may know, I went to arts school. In our freshman year, we had to take arts history classes which I don't mind very much because I m always a big fan of arts and history. They inspires my works and changes the way I see arts. Anyway, we headed to the infamous LOUVRE!!!!!

Once I got out of the metro it leads right to the upside down pyramids!!! My jaw just dropped and my whole self fell in silence. I had only seen that on books, magazine, tv or in movie such as Da Vinci Code but not in person!!

In there ofcourse I saw Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Some people suspect the originality of this master piece however I think that it's real simply because of how three dimensional Ms Mona Lisa's face is compare to most of the copy I saw or prints of the original.

Its truly a dream come true when all the pictures you see in art history book actually stands in front of you. And the painting are actually as big as a wall rather than the tiny picture on the book.

All in all, the Lourve undoubtably is the greatest museum that I have ever seen.

Lui Lui in Singapore

2010-11-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

After a four hours flight from Hong Kong, we arrive in Singapore to wait for the exchange flight to Paris. Since we have two hours during the transfer, we explored the airport a little bit.

You will be surprised how well the Singapore airport is equipped for the need of passengers who gave to wait for their transfer.

First of all, they have lots of computer through out almost every corner of the airport. Not just one area has them but you can find groups of computers placed through out the terminals. And occluded they are free. If that's not enough they even got wifi. All you need to do is ask at the information desk for the username and password.

Then there is this free foot massager you can use after a long sitting on the plane. If that's not enough, they even have a sleeping area with good quality sleeping chairs for you to take a good rest before your next flight.

Besides that, they got musicians playing live music in next to a sitting area for your enjoyment.

Or even if sleeping or music is not your cup of tea, there's something you or I should say I didn't expect to see from an airport laying ahead for you. It is Butterfly Garden built in the terminal!!! How awesome could this get! I don't know about you but I was pretty when I saw that feature in an airport.

While they also offer a free 2hours bus tour in downtown Singapore if you have a at least 5 hours break between your transfer.

All in all Singapore Airport is not just an airport. It's like a playground for people with different ages. Its a great flight transfer stop for business men, young couples, elderly and even families (they make sure your children are entertained with playgrounds and such).

Lui Lui signing off now. Peace

Lui Lui in Europe

2010-11-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

So as I told you before I am going Trinidad and Tobago on Nov 24th to attend the animation festival along side with Chu Chu. But before I go there I took on a 2 weeks journey in Europe to explore this continent that I always dream of and fantasize. Although this Europe trip is coming toward the end, I am here to share this exciting and romantic trip that Lui Lui takes on and all the interesting things she saw!

Europe, I am coming!

2010-11-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

Europe. It's a place that I dreamed of going ever since I was born. Europe....I love Europe even though I have never been there yet.

But, on November 10th, Lui Lui is heading to Europe. I am going to update my stories in Europe in this blog whenever I could. In fact, it is not just Europe that I am going to, but also Trinidad and Tobago. Remember I won the Best Student Animation Award from the Animae Caribe Animation Festival in Trinidad and Tobago 2009. So, here I am going to Trinidad to redeem my prize which is free ticket and hotel for 7 days. I am very very excited to see what's waiting for me there!

Construction Worker vs Coal Miner

2010-11-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Remember last year I dressed up as a Chinese Zombie and joined the New York Halloween Parade? And, everyone thought that I was a Geisha?........

There's two things that I always want to be for Halloween.

1) Chinese Zombie - checked

2) Hot Dog

But, these years since I didn't know where I could find a hot dog costume, I decided to be a construction worker. First of all, for some reason I always have a crush on construction workers....yes I admitted it...I have a fantasy about them..

After gathering all the tools, we went to the infamous Ocean Park Halloween Ghost House. I was my first time going to a ghost house cause I don't like to scare myself that much. Well, it was fun actually. First, I was very scared and kept on squeezing the arms of the person right next to me. But, after going to the 3rd and 4th one I started to think that they are not real and the set is fake. So, it was fun fun fun.

Then, we hit Lan Kwai Fong (a hot spot for nightlife in Hong Kong). It's sort of like New York. They got a Halloween parade but not as a big scale. And, I took lots of photos with a Wii remote control, some Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson...etc.

HOWEVER, this year people mistaken me for something else AGAIN! Last year, I was a Chinese zombie and people thought I was a Geisha. This year, I am just a construction workers and every one thought I was a Chile coal miner......WHAT THE HECK! Am I really that bad with Halloween costumes??

60's Mini Cooper Party

2010-11-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

One day, Chu Chu and I went to the Mini Cooper Annual Dinner Party. And, the dress code is 60's or 70's clothing. After doing some research on google, we decided to dress up in 60's Hong Kong style. Here's the photo.

Dead in the Art Scene

2010-11-03T02:28:00.001-07:00

I was walking around in Wan Tsai, Hong Kong the other day and discovered the Hong Kong Arts Centre. They were having some exhibition in the art gallery at the top floor of the building. And, one of it is the work of Tsang Kin- Wah here's a much more detailed blog about his work.

I think his work is very unique and special. To me, it reflects the condition of China right now. You see the beautiful wall paper pattern as a whole until you get so close to the wall then you figure out what were truly forming the pattern. It's kind of like China right now. It looks all pretty and nice outside due to the 2008 Olympic and the World Expo and such. But, deep down inside of China, they still have lots of social problems to work on. They only have the hardware to be a world leading country but not yet the software, aka the quality of people. And, how did they create this world class Olympic and Expo event? They forced the local residents, who had resided in the Olympic and Expo site for generations to move out of their home and just give them nothing but a so called house in the worst condition. And, that's how the form the beautiful elaborated world event you saw on television.

Don't get me wrong. I am proud to be Chinese. It's my race and it's in my blood.

But, I am just not a big fan of the government. However, I have never been any fans of any government...

WORLD PEACE!

中秋節 - Mid Autumn Festival

2010-09-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

Lanterns Street

中秋節 - Mid Autumn Festival, I would say it's the second most important festival of the year in Chinese culture. It's not as big as the Chinese New Year. If Christmas is the most important festival of the year in Amelica, then, Mid Autumn Festival will be the thanksgiving here.

One of the decorations by the entrance

Let's have a little brief about this festival.

It's a festival to celebrate the full moon. It's held on the 15th of the eighth month in the Chinese Calendar. It's a day for the whole family to gather around enjoy the harvest, the fresh fruit, the moon cake and the full moon. We play with lanterns and solve the Chinese riddles.

A Dragon Lantern

So therefore, after the feast with my family, Chu Chu, two of my little cousins and I went to the Mid Autumn Carnival in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. It's held every year at the victoria park. So, if you get a chance to come to Hong Kong at this time of the year, definitely check it out.

A wall to put up your message

Last night, they had HUGE lanterns and decorations every where in the park. Got a huge line queuing to play the riddles game. It was crowded and children held their lanterns as they walked around the park.

Me and Rabbit

I happened to bought a rabbit lantern from the "lanterns street" last week. See, I am well prepared! And, this rabbit lantern is one of the most traditional of its kind because it's made out of pure bamboo sticks and tissue papers rather wire and weird material they put on lanterns now. When it lights up, it's cute. They have it in different sizes. So, if you get a very big one, you can actually pull it and it will roll on the ground with the four wheels at the bottom. You can walk your little rabbit in the park to show it off!

Starbucks Power Off

2010-09-21T01:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever got a starbucks black out?

I was sitting at Starbuck today n reading a book called "Graphic design: A User's Manual". It's a vey good book by the way.

So while I was enjoying the powerful writing by the author Adrian Shaughnessy, all of a sudden the whole Starbucks went all black.
Quite a unique experience I must say. Instead of running out or leaving elegantly from their seats, people here remained in their seats and carried on with their own business after a five seconds quietness. some of hem were having some formal business chats wig their clients. Some of them were just chit chatting with their friends. A couple of them were truly there to enjoy the cup of hot coffee or latte in their hands. And, during the blackout, some dim of lights pop out within the seats. They were iPhone. I guess people were twitting or facebookinf about this unexpected event at Starbuck. Oh well it's a nice light thing to have to make a usual mundam life interesting.

Something to share

2010-09-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Making Future Magic: iPad light painting from Dentsu London on Vimeo.

View outside of my window

2010-09-13T21:31:00.001-07:00

Lui Lui in Turkey

2010-09-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

Lui Lui in Turkey....hehe just kidding. It's Lui Lui Trying Turkish Food for the first time.

The restaurant that I went to is called...Merhaba in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

Chu Chu, who is having his 30th birthday this coming Monday (my boyfriend, in case anyone asked) got some coupons for this restaurant so we decided to go. We both have never tried Turkish food before therefore, it was an exciting experience for us.

The decoration was turkishes.....

The food was turkishes....

But let's skip all that to the funny part.

The table next to us was also celebrating a birthday too. The waiter brought out a very nice birthday cake and everyone started singing happy birthday...and as crazy as I was, once the finish singing and about to cut the cake, I said, "Wow, that cake is so pretty and looks delicious too! I want a piece of that!" Maybe the birthday lady heard what I said, once she finished cutting up the cake, she offered us a piece.....And, the cake was so so so so so good! SUPER DELICIOUS...so HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAKE LADY!

Oh, and every wednesday there is a belly dancer entertaining the guests in the restaurant. Chu Chu was invited to dance with her that night too...they were both shaking their belly in front of other customers. As for me, I was laughing so hard and clapping my hands all night long!

And, after dinner, we were leaving and it was pouring like cats and dogs....and pandas...

But, we still ran straight to the parking lot and I turned out like this.

LUI LUI LOVES TURKISH RESTAURANT!

Lui Lui Go Italiano!

2010-09-09T04:42:00.001-07:00

So, this afternoon, I was checking out TLC..and Oliver's Twist was on. Jamie Oliver, one of my favorite television cook was teaching the great way to make "MEAT SAUCE WITH SPAGHETTI"! The all time comfort food! I love spaghetti. As weird as it sounds, I love spaghetti as much as I love rice. In fact, I think I might like spaghetti a little more than rice..haha..
Beside spaghetti, I also chopped up some romaine and mixed it with japanese sesame sauce. The sauce went incredibly well as a salad dressing. Japanese always has their own way to interpret western dishes.

I am lui lui japanese italiano tonight.....hehe

2010-06-23T17:01:00.001-07:00

As Lui Lui went back to Hong Kong, Mui Mui is staying in Amelica but in less than 2 weeks!!!I am going to ITALY for a study aboard program. I will be there for 7 weeks and you can all follow my new blog:

http://joannlui.wordpress.com/

There will be lots of drawings and pictures of Italy ofcourse!

And I miss you Lui :)

Love,
Mui Mui

My friend Sigmund

2010-06-03T09:58:00.001-07:00

Sigmund Lambrento is a friend I met from my internship at the Little Airplane Productions.

He is a very nice person. He is one of the closest intern I had some close chatting with during my stay there.

And, now he is living the life he dreamed of, as a concept designer at Nathan Love.

I am very happy for him.

Back in the days when we were both buying lunch and coffee for the producers and directors of Little Airplane, Sigmund would draw at the dinner table by the kitchen during his breaks. I guess his hard works truly pay off and now he is a concept artist!

This is the link to a sample of his work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK-PRsAcTs0

He designed the dog and always did some rough storyboarding.

His story is very inspiring because a lot of my collage friends moved on...they are either working in the retail industry or being a cashier....that's very understandable cause we got student loan to pay and life to live. But, Sigmund, he was so hard working. He took on a few internship at the same time while he was part timing for money.

You know I almost....almost gave up on my dream...but his story made me believe that it is possible. He told me on facebook that, "its really hard to decide what you want to do and can do in the end i think you just have to play your strenghts and see where that can lead/take you"

Thank you so much for inspiring me.

Even though I am still kinda lost right now (I am struggling to see what I wanna do or what I can do), you made me feel that anything is possible and all I needa to is work harder and harder and sooner or later, I may land something.

SHOOT FOR THE MOON EVEN IF YOU MISS IT, YOU WILL LAND ON SOME STARS!

Oh by the way...

2010-05-14T10:33:00.001-07:00

The result from the Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival is

http://www.gpsff.com/blog/

Lui Lui got 2nd place in the Animation Category~

Look what I found

2010-05-14T10:29:00.001-07:00

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/20100402_Do_This_.html

Lui Lui leaving Amelica

2010-05-12T00:10:00.000-07:00

Yeah...I am leaving..Lui Lui is leaving Amelica....tomorrow

I am heading back there to search for jobs and greater opportunities and the best of all...love.

However, I am very very concerned and worried since I have been living in NJ for the past 7 years. This is where I developed my values, communication skills, perspective in life and this is a place made me who I am right now. Making the decision to leave Amelica is even harder than moving to Amelica, like 7 years ago. Hmm........it's tough and there are so much in my mind right now. I don't know if I will be able to adapt there. I don't know how things will turn out. As adventurous as I can be, I am still worried about the excitement sitting right in front of me cause I don't know what it is and how to deal with it. It's like walking into an unknown forest.

But, then again, if I don't move forward, I will never be able to find out how the view looks further down the road.

These concerns have been running in my mind since I booked the tickets....and now that they are still here makes me very nervous about the flight tomorrow......

But, no matter how things turn out. I will definitely keep you guys posted.

I will keep writing this blog and share my life with you.

Love you all...

Lui Lui

(writing this blog in Amelica)

An Elephant Tattoo

2010-05-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

Have I ever said that I want an elephant tattoo?

Yeah, I always want an elephant tattoo for some reason. I got a thing with elephants. They are very bold and cute and the same time. It's like you never know what they are thinking but at the same time, they are calm and so big that you will not miss them.

And, for my elephant tattoo....I don't want a cool serious realistic looking elephant...I want a silly looking doodle elephant...lol..I know...I am crazy....

So, I may get the tattoo the night before I die so I won't regret getting it for the rest of my life if I get it now...lol

Nevermind...

Just wanna share my silly thoughts with you.

2010-05-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

Chu Chu & Lui Lui

2010-05-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Little Cloud & Milky

A Bear Film

2010-04-30T00:21:00.000-07:00

I would like to share this with you guys.

a bear film from kris anka on Vimeo.

Lui Lui in love - continued

2010-04-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Love love love.....Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you~ in time ~ it's easy~~

All you need is love!

All you need is love!!

All you need is love!

Love, love is all you need!!!

I am in love. I have been in love before but never know i could feel like this, like I have never seen the sky before.

The person that I am in love with is called, "Chu Chu", which sounds like Pig Pig in Cantonese, my mother language.

Chu Chu is the most romantic man I have ever met. He is smart with a 130 score in IQ test. He is a dreamer. He is funny with a great sense of humor and the best of all, he is taller than Lui Lui, who was once compared to the five great mountains in China. Hmm...yeah, I have never had a boyfriend that is taller than me.

When Lui Lui was sick, Chu Chu visited her with a bunch of champagne white roses. Before Lui Lui flied away, he gave her a box of surprising gifts to represent their love. When he had some delicious chocolate, he sent it all the way to Amelica to share with Lui Lui. When Lui Lui is alone, he sings songs to show Lui Lui how much he cares and loves her. When Lui Lui is happy, he is happy. When Lui Lui is upset, he will be upset too but try to make her laugh.

Before I met him, I had never thought I would meet my dream guy. I thought romantic guys only exist in fairy tale or I will never be able to meet one. However, he proved to me that romantic man truly exists in this world and there's one by my side. He has also shown me that everything is possible and dream is not just dream, they may come true someday.

So, keep dreaming and keep loving, people! And, please say Hi to Chu Chu!

When you wish upon a star...
Makes no difference who you are...
Anything your heart desires...
Will come to you...

Lui Lui is in love?

2010-04-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

Do you guys believe in love? Like what Christian said in Moulin Rouge...

"Above all things I believe in love.

Love is like oxygen.

Love is a many-splendored thing.

Love lifts us up where we belong.

All you need is love!"

Well, I am a true believer in pure love. I always believe that there's this one guy in the world that will make me think love is the biggest thing in my life. Even though I had a couple bad and "didn't work out" relationship, I still have faith. Even though I always say, no girls should rely on or trust a guy fully, I still think that there should be one pure heart in this world who I can truly fall in love without any over thinking and regrets.

I believe in fairy tale, and hope that one day Peter Pan will come pick me up and take me to Neverland. I keep hoping and wish upon a star. And, maybe the star has heard my praying and granted my wish. A good romantic guy who a pure heart truly exists in this world. It maybe not a lie about the "happily ever after" after all....

will let you guys know more...once the flower is mature enough to blossom.

Result of the GPSFF

2010-04-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

So, got the result from the GPSFF (Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival).

I was there last friday with my co-writer, Mui Mui (my sister). And, Lui Lui got 2nd place in the Animation category. I am happy and satisfied. Even though first price would have been the best result, i might say the one who won the first price is really good! I am glad Lui Lui was lost to that film. It is my honor.

Here's some pictures.

Mui Mui and the Philly cheese steak

Me and Rusty, an animator from Uarts

The GPSFF Crew...i guess

Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival

2010-03-24T01:39:00.001-07:00

Hi my dear viewers,

LUI LUI got into the Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival as the top five finalist in the Animation Category.

FYI:

Tickets are now on sale. Reduced prices: only $7 online, and $10 at the door.

Friday, April 2nd, 201, 7-9:30pm
Levitt Auditorium at the University of the Arts
401 S. Broad Street (Center City, corner of Broad & Pine)
Philadelphia, PA
Doors open at 6:15pm and event starts at 7pm sharp.

So, come and show your support! They have a audience choice award done by text messaging! I guess that will be my first try voting via text message. Well, it is getting more and more high-tech.

Here's the website.

http://www.gpsff.com/

Lui Lui in Beijing - the Great Wall of China

2010-03-08T23:00:00.000-08:00

Lui Lui in Beijing - Walking on the Great Wall of China from Vera Wing Lui on Vimeo.

Lui Lui in Beijing - the Great Wall of China

2010-03-07T20:35:00.001-08:00

So guess where I went to?? Beijing, the capital of China, where the 5000 years of Chinese History lies! And, Lui Lui was there! How amazing! Finally got a chance to fly to Beijing and see all the historical sites that I studied from my Chinese History class. Have anyone of you been to Beijing?

During this 5 days Beijing Trip, I went to the Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the best of all the Great Wall of China!

The Summer Palace was extraordinarily beautiful. The ancient emperors sure knew how to enjoy their lives.

The Forbidden City was huge and surrounded with the extreme tall walls. It gave me a feeling that I am such a tiny little person compare to the emperor. Finally got an understanding that why the ancient common people would think that the emperor was the son of god and scared of his supreme power.

Temple of Heaven was an interesting place because it was a temple for the emperors of China to greet the God of Heaven and hoped for their wish to be granted. So, they were giving the honor to God rather than taking all the credits and glory to themselves. And, this concept was sure shown through the architecture and color of Temple of Heaven.

And last but not least, the Great Wall of China. Chinese people have a saying that"He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man. " So, every Chinese needs to put their foot on the Great Wall of China once in a life time. So, did I! Now, I can proudly say that Lui Lui is a true man or woman....hehe.

To conclude, Beijing is a place where everyone, no matter what your skin color is, has to visit once in a life time! It has lots to see and it is a place where traditions and modernism intersects.

So, here I am, showing you a picture of my vandalizing the Great Wall of China.

Hope one day you climb up there and find it on a piece of rock that you passed by!

Lui Lui in Hong Kong - Day Three 12/30/09

2010-01-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

Lui Lui got a perm. Have you seen a panda with curly hair? Here it is! This is the first time Lui Lui got a perm ever since she was born. It was a strange experience because I kept on asking questions while the hair stylist and his assistants were putting stuff on my hair and doing all kinds of strange things.

"What is that?"

"Oh...what is that for?"

"What is it so heavy?"

"Oh man, I can't feel my neck."

"Is it going to be this curly?"

"How do I maintain it?"

"Why is it so girly?"

...etc.

So, I guessed they were very annoyed by my curiosity. Curiosity doesn't only kill a cat. It also almost kills a panda. Cause I was distracting them in a way....So, I almost got burned with the little ceramics barrels that they wrapped my hair around with...it was so hot hot hot.

Look like I am in a Sci-Fi movie

The Back

Lui Lui in Hong Kong - Day Two 12/29/09

2010-01-14T08:58:00.001-08:00

Day Two, we woke up very early and went to this Chinese Dim Sum Restaurant. It is the last dim sum restaurant remaining that still has the most traditional dim sum and the most traditional way to drink tea. But, if you go, make sure you get there early so you will find space since it is very crowded with both locals and tourists.

The most traditional Dim Sum Restaurant in Hong Kong

Decorations inside

A waiter pouring the hot water into the cup which the tea is in

Then, what you do is after the tea brews in the hot water for a while, you pour it into a small cup to drink it.

And, it looks like this.

Dim Sum

Lui Lui in Hong Kong - Day One

2010-01-13T08:31:00.001-08:00

Hi Hi!

I haven't updated this blog for so long and what I have been doing? Here's what happened:

My internship with Little Airplane ended on Dec 18th. It was a great experience! Love working with everyone there!

So, right after that, I went on a long trip to HONG KONG on Dec 28th. Some of you may know I was born and raised in Hong Kong, China. And, I moved to Amelica 6 years ago and I haven't been back to Hong Kong for 3-4 years. So I came back because my cousin Gary got married on Jan 8th. Not just only me but my whole family including all my cousins came back fromAmelicato attend his wedding! Chinese wedding a little bit different from the Amelican one. I will explain later. Oh and since I don't have a job yet, I decided to stay in Hong Kong for 3 months to see if I could land a job here.

Therefore, I would like to share every food I eat, every people I meet and every place I go in this Hong Kong trip with you all.

And, here is Day One which is 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Scenery outside of the plane

Flora, Me & Kingman

Entertainment on the plane. I love Family Guy!

On my way back to my Hong Kong home

The very first thing I eat in Hong Kong. Meat Congee.

It is a very local and traditional food from my home town home town in China.

PRINCESS AND THE FROG

2009-12-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

Princess and the Frog. I was waiting for this movie to come out for so so long. And, finally I got a chance to watch it yesterday night at a preview screening.

The animation was amazing. Especially secondary action on the character's hair. I love the animation of the Shadow Man. He has lots of great silhouette. And, when it goes to the Princess' surreal imagination, the style was nicely designed and the color palette is very well developed so when you see it from far far behind you can still tell who is who and what is what. But, to me, I think the Frogs look kinda funky. The way the mouth was designed makes the lip sync looks weird. And, it is a shame because the Frogs dominated major parts of the movie.

Other than that, maybe I am not 10 years old anymore. It doesn't fascinate as other Disney movies used to before... It's too bad to grow up. Now, what I see is no longer fantasy or fairy tale but frame by frame animation and analyzing the drawings throughout the movie.....

Our First Home Made Thanksgiving Dinner

2009-11-28T15:59:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving. The most Amelican Holiday.

This is our first homemade thanksgiving dinner. We had thanksgiving dinner before but we never made one. So, this year my family and I decided to make thanksgiving the Amelican way. Since I just got my Amelican citizenship in July, this is my first year celebrating thanksgiving as a true AMELICAN!

We made Green Bean Cassarole, Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkin Roll, which I named Stacey. What a good name for her.

My cousin, Jack bought George, the turkey from Flushing China Town, NY. George was made in a Chinese restaurant but he was so tasty. We ate it with soy sauce and cranberry sauce...A Amelican and Chinese combo.

We ended thanksgiving the Amelican way. BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING. We shopped from 11pm till 6am in an outlet. Never done it before but it felt good and tiring. Haha. What a day!

Me & Mr. George

Green Bean Casserole & Mashed Potatoes

Stacey

My 23rd Happy Banana Party

2009-11-28T15:20:00.001-08:00

A Gift from Jose

Don Hertzfeldt

Shish Kabanana

Favors

It was my 23rd birthday on Nov 17th. One day, an idea came across to me. I am going to have a birthday party and the theme would be BANANA! Since, I am yellow on the outside and white inside. If you get the joke, you get the joke. If you don't, you will some day. Haha...

Anyway, so everyone who came had to dress up as a Banana. I also make some dishes that were banana related. So, here are the photos.

What about you? How would you celebrate your birthday? Or what's the funniest or coolest theme party you have ever held or have ever been invited?I thought Banana was a pretty good theme for an Asian. Actually, I always wonder...does anyone read my blog? or I am just talking to myself...

ENJOY! HAPPY BANANA!

PAAFF 2009

2009-11-22T18:38:00.000-08:00

Finally find the time to upload the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival 2009 photos.

By the way, I went to see "Precious" today. Highly recommend it to everyone.

Me & Jason Chen (Director of "Subconscious")

Tommy & Me

The Crowd

Next I will show you my birthday party which was held on 11/14. But, my birthday is 11/17. The theme is "BANANA". Because we are yellow outside and white inside.

Halloweenies

2009-11-08T20:01:00.001-08:00

Thank you Bmartilo for your reply. Here're some of my halloween photos.

I found this Chinese zombies' photo online. They did a much better job than me.

My cousin, Jack & Me

From the left: Tommy, Flora, Henry, Jack, Alice (Jack;s girlfriend)

A very packed New York Penn Station

A group of medical staff in the parade with their patients on the hospital bed.

Enjoy guys! Hope you like my halloweenies!

Next time I am going to upload some photos from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival!

My Halloweeny

2009-11-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

Wow, I haven't blogged for a while.
Why? Well, I have been going to work (my internship at Little Airplane) everyday. I used to go just two days a week, Wednesday and Friday and only 6 hours a day. But, one day the producer, Tone Thyne asked me to take a clean up test for their new show called, "Tobi" because they are on a very tight schedule and trying to match the deadline for 11/13. So, I did and he brought me onto the team. That was two to three weeks ago. Therefore, I have been drawing on everyday, 10 hours a day, sometimes even over time. But, I think it is a good experience even though my thumb hurts a lot due to keeping it the same pose for so many hours straight. I am learning a lot about animation production and how a studio actually works.

Anyway, let's talk about my Halloween. What were you for your Halloween?

I always always...it is my dream to dress up as a Chinese Zombie or a HOTDOG for Halloween since I grew up in Hong Kong and I never really dress up for Halloween....

So, this year...I thought about dressing up but then, I don't have any party to go to.
And, my cousins called in the afternoon that day and asked me to go to the New York Halloween Parade. Since I got nothing to do and truly wanna dress up, I said I would go. But the problem is we didn't prepare any costumes. So, I rushed to the Halloween Costumes shop and tried to find something I could put on or they could put on.

Then, I found a nurse hat for my cousin, Flora, a doctor uniform for my cousin's boyfriend, Henry and a native Indian hat for my boyfriend. But, for me, I couldn't find anything..........

So, I rushed back home and took out my face painting gear (I sometimes do face painting for kids in craft shows). Then, started putting white paint on my face. After a couple minutes....there I was! A CHINESE ZOMBIE! I went through my mom's closet and found these traditional Chinese looking purple top. I looked at myself in the mirror...and I was scared...HAHA

Anyway, so Flora, Henry, Tommy and I took the NJ Transit to New York Penn Station to join my other cousin, Jack who lives in Queen, New York.

We got there and standing in the middle of Penn Station wondering which way to go. Then, a large dressed up crowd walked passed us and one of the guys, I think he was an IRON MAN or something pointed at me and shouted, "HEY GEISHA! WHAT'S UP! "

....I fell in silence...

all...the hard works that I put into being a Chinese Zombie....are.....gone........

So, I shouted, "I AM NOT A GEISHA! I AM A CHINESE ZOMBIE!"

I shouted that more than one time that night because...no one noticed that I was a Chinese Zombie...they all thought I was a Japanese Geisha....

Oh man...

Mui Mui's First Blog

2009-10-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I am Mui Mui (aka Joann). Mui Mui actually means sister in Cantonese. As a little sister in our family, I have been called Mui Mui for so many years. So we figured that it would be the perfect name for Lui Lui's sister!

Most of you might not know, I have written the scripts for previous episodes and now I am writing the script for Lui Lui's 3rd episode this weekend! I am really excited to begin a new episode with so many ideas flowing through our minds. Me and my sister are the perfect partners to work together when it comes to funny ideas. We always bounce ideas back and forth to each other and that's how the 1st and 2nd episodes were created. I hope that we can keep working together to create more new episodes!

I am still in school and surprisingly I am actually an architecture major. (usually I will hear so many WOWs when I say this) But being an archie for three years, I don't think there is anything special about architects. They are just normal human beings that have a say about space. Let's hope I won't talk about architecture here...fyi, we as archieslike to complain about school a lot..:P

Love,

Mui Mui

THE FUN THEORY

2009-10-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Maybe we could all change our behaviors with a little fun!

A GOOK and A GOOSE

2009-10-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I learned a new word today. It is "gook". I have never heard of it until today.

So, the story goes...

I was driving to the train station to pick up my sister, Joann (Co-writer of Lui Lui). So, I had to make a u-turn in order to get on the road that leads me to the train station. There was three lanes at that u-turn. The middle lane is shared by two lanes. One is the one that I am on. And, the other one is the other woman, who happened to be White was on. She and I both have the right to get on that lane. But, it is usually her side of the lane has to yield. How do I know? Well, I go there everyday for the train station.

Anyway, so the green light was up and I was ready to go. I went onto the middle lane at the same time she was about to reach the middle lane. I noticed. I stopped and honked. She stopped. My car and her car were so close. We almost hit each other but we didn't. So, after I honked, she stopped and I went on the lane first. Then, she followed me. And, I thought, "oh this close to be traffic accident is over" When I turned into the train station, she followed me to make the turn. I thought, "Well, she might just need to be at the train station too." I approached to the train station, found a spot and patiently waiting for my sis.

Suddenly, she parked right next to me. And, her gesture suggested she needs to talk to me. In my mind, I thought "What does she want?" So, I rolled down the window. So did she.

Then, she yelled "WHEN DO YOU GOOKS LEARN HOW TO DRIVE?" "YOU ALMOST COST A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT BACK THERE" "YOU WERE ON THE FAR LEFT LANE AND TURNED INTO MY LANE!!!"

And, I said calmly, "I was in the middle lane."

Then, she yelled again, "WHEN DO YOU GOOKS LEARN HOW TO FUCKING DRIVE?"

Suddenly, a question pops into my mind. A GOOSE? I am not a goose...in case she doesn't know...I AM A HUMAN...A GOOSE? Is it really a goose that I heard? Is she having an illusion and thinking she almost hit a goose? A goose can never learn how to drive.

Well then, I rolled up the window. Instead of yelling back and ask her why she is calling me a GOOSE, I looked away from her because I knew that she wanted me to yell back and argue with me. So, I figured not arguing with her and not letting her to yell at me will be the best way to fight back.

So, there was nothing she could do except for calling me a goose...she left.

My sis arrived. We drove back home. I went online immediately to research what kind of word can pronounce closely to GOOSE. And, found out it was GOOK that the white lady was yelling to, not a goose.

And, here is the definition.

Gook: A person from East or Southeast Asia, in particular a Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean person.

And, here is where gook came from.

In the US, gook refers particularly to a Vietnamese person in the context of the Vietnam War, and particularly to the Viet Cong. It is generally considered highly offensive, on a par with nigger. In a highly charged and nuanced incident, Senator John McCain famously used the word publicly to refer specifically to his former captors, then apologized in deference to the Vietnamese community at large.

Folk etymology suggests that during the Korean War, young Korean children would point at U.S. soldiers and shout "미국" (mee-gook), the Korean word for "America". Soldiers heard the word as "Me Gook", as if the children were defining themselves as "Gooks." The soldiers proceeded to use that term to refer to the Koreans. The word 국 (國, gook) itself simply means "country". This explanation ignores the fact that there are many examples of the word's use that pre-date the Korean War.

Hmm...in case she hasn't noticed...I am not Korean even though we look all the same to her.

And, When will we the GOOK learn how to drive?

My answer to that is. "When she learn that the world is not all white." or "When a real GOOSE learn how to drive?"

Thanks to her. I learn what a gook is.

A new word a day keeps the discrimination away.

Little Airplane

2009-10-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

Little Airplane. Have anyone heard of it?

It is an pre-school animation production company in New York City. Their famous show is called the Wonder Pets which is broadcasting on Nick Jr.

And, that's the place I am working right now.

I am an intern there. This is my third internship. HaHa...yeah the third one. But, still I am learning a lot. For the last couple days, I was brought onto the Tobi production team. It is another pre-school animation that they are developing and it is called Tobi. I am doing clean up animation in Toon Boom. I like it. It is fun and I can learn a lot more about animating since I can look through the rough animation frame by frame while I do the clean up.

TRINIDAD??

2009-10-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

Lui Lui in Amelica won the Best Student Award at Animae Caribe Animation Festival in Trinidad and Tobago.

It surprised me because I submitted but didn't even know the film was accepted to the festival.

So, the prize is they will provide Airfare, Accommodation Transfers and in exchange I would be required to do a 3 day workshop with their students.

And, to be honest, I have heard of the name of Trinidad because when my mom was young, before she married my dad and had me and my sis, there was this guy who fell in love with her and propose to her. But, when she asked him, "Where do you live?" He said, "TRINIDAD" Of course, this conversation was in Chinese. Anyway, after hearing his answer, She said...NO...cause she doesn't know where Trinidad is. That was 35 years ago and there was no google back then....haha So, that is my story of Trinidad. And, I never knew where Trinidad is until I google today and found out it is south America.

So, has anyone been to Trinidad? heard stories about Trinidad? Is it nice? Is it safe? Or any funny cultural stories about Trinidad?? Any good area to see when I am there?

Share it with me! I want to hear everything about it!!

PROJECT TWENTY 1

2009-10-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

Dear viewers,

Lui Lui in Amelica is playing in Animathon Shorts Program at Project Twenty 1 today at 1pm at the International House in Philadelphia.

So, if you are around Philly sometimes this afternoon. Come join Project Twenty 1 to watch Lui Lui in the big big screen.

Love,

Lui Lui

ALL BY HAND?

2009-10-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

Look at this all by hand Chinese Animation....

Literally all by HAND!

CARTOON BREW

2009-10-02T12:04:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Fran Krause. Lui Lui in Amelica is on Cartoon Brew.

I didn't know until my friend Igor Coric told me.

Well, big thanks to Fran Krause!

Before it was on Cartoon Brew or Fran Krause talked about it on his blog, there was only 90 people watching Lui Lui on vimeo. Most of them are my friends and myself... But, now, as of today, there are 371 views on Episode 1 "Crush Me" and more than 800 views on "Tattoo". I am very thrilled. Never thought anyone would find out about it.

Also, thank you to ASIFA-East Opening Screening too. It gave Lui Lui a very good exposure.

From now on, I will keep working on Lui Lui and share more personal stories with you.

WORLD PEES!

PROJECT TWENTY 1 OPENING NIGHT SCREENING

2009-10-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

Just come back from the Project Twenty 1 Opening Night Screening.

The opening film is called "You Might as Well Live".

It was a comedy with some funny moments here and there.

In the summary, it was compared with the "The Hangover". And, I personally think that "The Hangover" is done much more delicately and much more detailed, planned and funnier.

However, it reminded me of "Borat" and "Bruno".

If you like that genre, it may be the movie for you.

Lui Lui in Amelica - Episode Two: Tattoo

2009-06-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here it is. Episode Two, Tattoo is up. Enjoy everyone!

Lui Lui in Amelica - Episode Two: Tattoo from Vera Wing Lui on Vimeo.

Lui Lui in Amelica - Episode One: Crush Me

2009-06-02T10:46:00.001-07:00

Episode One: Crush Me is finally on the web!
Enjoy! And leave me some comments if you feel like it!

Lui Lui in Amelica - Episode One: Crush Me from Vera Wing Lui on Vimeo.

Vera Wing Lui's Demo Reel

2009-04-20T19:31:00.001-07:00

Here is my demo reel. Enjoy!

Vera Wing Lui Demo Reel from Vera Lui on Vimeo.

Compositing

2009-03-01T13:06:00.001-08:00

Compositing - A shot from Episode 2

Almost done!

2009-02-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

Episode 2 is close to be done. Everything is composited. Coloring is almost done. Thanks to my amazing art assistants, especially Val.

Episode 1 is still in progress. I am going to fix everything this weekend. And, hopefully finish it before the big critique on the coming Wednesday, 3/4.

Peace!

Production Still

2009-02-12T20:53:00.000-08:00

2009-02-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

NEW MEMBERS ON BOARD.
TOTAL ART ASSISTANT: 8
THEY ARE: FRANK GEOFF CHRIS KEVIN MARC ALEX VAL MARLYN

A Production Still from Episode 2: Tattoo

WELCOME 5 INTERNS ON BOARD !

2009-02-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS !
MAY I INTRODUCE YOU'ALL TO

MARLYN
MARC
ALEX
CHRIS
VAL

APPLAUSE EVERYONE !

A production still in process.

Character design

2009-01-31T10:03:00.000-08:00

This is my original design for Lui Lui.

Episode 1: Broccoli

2009-01-29T21:02:00.000-08:00

I am coloring right now. Hope I will finish it tonight !