helloorangelight

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Inspired from Lerna's Piece

What are borders?

How do they come to, within, around you?

Are they there to unite - or to split?

Through the lens of one, or the eyes of many

Geological plates moved, and so did people

Lands conquered, systems formed

To move is a resistance in itself

To root is to give love for yourself

All ways of being come to your centre

All ways of building give home to your edges

The world spins in you and around you

A dot in the dust, an effect rippled through eternity

You are already, home

By Elizabeth Tan Lazan

Written - Engaged Ecology @SchumacherCollege

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Who said working with children and animals are hard? (just keep a good distance). That time I did a photo shoot with a peacock. #esquiresg #peacocksighting #capella #photoshoot

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This was such an amazing event to host for. Thank you #626NightMarket for having me over the weekend and trusting me with that microphone! The energy on stage and in the crowd is so infectious!!! 

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We own the sky🌅 Sunset shoots with @jaredvandoorn #messyhairdontcare #helloorangelight #lazaninla

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LA Food Trucks... The deliciousness begins!

This will be my first summer in the City Of Angels. I’m seeing this place for the 1st time in another way and boy am I excited. 

Living in a foreign town has spotlight certain things that make the city synonymous with these traits. So when you think of that particular tangible or intangible entity - you immediately go “Oh yeah! That’s so... [insert city]”

[Los Angeles]. Besides the glorious, oh, glorious Palm Trees... The next big characteristic I’m discovering is - Food Trucks. 

Food on wheels. Amazing, and so rare in my motherland, Singapore. That’s why I have made them my personal summer mission. To uncover these mobile kitchens whenever I stumble upon them. ‘Cos the fun part about food trucks is you never know where/when/what you might find (alas, there are schedule updates on twitter & websites, but most discoveries are by accidental walking or food events)... So most of these videos are on the fly!

From the bottom of my stomach, I hope you enjoy and find something delicious through these nomnomnom mini vignettes. Here is my first video!!!  

TOKYO DOGGIE STYLE

Named by CBSLocal in 2014 as “One of the best food trucks in LA”. Besides the signature hot dogs, I love the mix of east/west flavors on the menu. For e.g what I was trying to say in the video was “Yakiniku” Philly Cheese Steak - Italian Roll Bread with Yakiniku Sliced Beef. Fusion!

Stumbled upon the truck in downtown LA, Little Tokyo. These octopus were just the right amount of mayo and texture. $3.50 for 3, pretty good value and though small, they are filling. 

...Till the next burp!

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A moment in Fashion Philosophy

There’s a book that I read when I was 17 - William Blake’s ‘Songs of Innocence & Experience’. The comparison, as the title states, between youth vs adult, wide-eyed vs jaded, always struck a chord with me as a young adult grasping this rite of passage we all go through - growing up.

A couple weeks ago (feels like forever in this instant digital time), I was invited by a friend to join in the festivities at the LOUIS VUITTON Cruise Collection ‘15 events in Palm Springs. So many pictures, so little time (there’s a relevance to all of this I promise). But a fashion prop I discovered at the after party brought me back to Blake’s wise words. (see video below)

Brilliant concept, right? I used to love this game as a kid, and replacing the $3 fluff is now $300 leather. 

In that moment playing with this magnificent machine, it hit me. No matter what our number is, we will always seek out our thrills. Instead of simple sweets and toys, we now want “adult candy” aka clothes, cars, women, sex, bags, drugs, men, alcohol, the list goes on. We all look for that entity that plants the same satisfying smile in our souls as children. The peter pan syndrome never really leaves us, it just turns into ‘Experience’. Or what we call life.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to run from it. I believe it takes courage to grow up. I just don’t want to lose the innocence that comes along with these new adult games we all play. And the trouble (or saving grace) is, I still have kid rules when it comes to it - To find simple happiness. 

As Casey Stengel says and a mantra I hold close to my heart - “The trick is growing up, without growing old”. 

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They work, they toil, they survive, workers all around the world build the cities we live in. Respect to them and respect to the city that I fall in love again with almost everyday, #NYC. #grateful #nyclife #eldiaries #existinginart #streetart #lunchatopaskyscraper #constructionworkers #cityliving

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Insatiable Vanities...opens

Insatiable Vanities 

Artist Ivan Lee Mora collaborates with Launch of Design Hub Singapore for his new series.

As printed on the white walls of the gallery in black font - 

"The image that concerns most people is the reflection they see in other's people minds" - Edward de Bono

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Trying to Throw Her Arms Around The World

  Shot by photographer, Callum Aldrin Smith

Make up/ Hair: Marie J Soh

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"We live in a disposable society. It's easier to throw things out than to fix them." - Neil Labute

A post - Better late than never!

And so I've been busy in the Theater, working on what I think is a written masterpiece, Neil Labute's 'Fat Pig' by Pangdemonium Theatre Company. From the script, to the director, to the cast and the crew, it's been nothing short of inspiring and a journey filled with uncensored creativity.

We've got 4 more shows left this weekend, so if you're on this neck of the woods aka Singapore, you don't want to miss this. 

And I play 'Jeannie' -

Tom (right) - Gavin Yap

And yes, this scene is one of tensions building in the office... oh the arguments are so delicious, I don't want them to stop. Labute has this magical way with his words, to his characters, he makes them reek of error that is so human, so relatable. And sometimes, too painful to watch.

On that note, see you in the theatre folks - DBS Arts Centre.

Starring: Frances Lee, Zachary Ibrahim, Gavin Yap, myself

Director: Tracie Pang (Pangdemonium)

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To all you gamers (and non gamers) out there, I did a Voice over Trailer this year for Raven Mark Mercenaries; a sequel from the critically acclaimed gaming franchise (www.ravenmark-saga.com). Here is the product with awesome visuals and sound to boot! Character: Adrasta Tsepha Narrated by: Elizabeth Lazan Produced by : Witching Hour Studios - www.witching-hour.net

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The magic of Italy, re surfaced.

I attended my first Venice Biennale in May 2013. And besides being there for the obvious espressos and cicheti in the late afternoons, I was there to act.

With the eye that is of director Tara Subkoff, the whole live performance/installation was shot and edited into a 16min film, which has now been selected to screen at the Venice Film Festival '13 this past week. Amazing.

As a guest performer with the beautiful Milla Jovovich and directed by Subkoff, hearing this great news and being part of Future\Perfect brought me back to my childhood wish list. This shot pretty much sums it all -

Where I remember wanting to play dress up with other characters akin to a carnevale, in between the magic of an old European city, in a country that defines my ancestry and of course a brief moment with my muse, the woman who was part inspiration to my becoming an Actress (thanks Milla in Joan Of Arc).

“Children see magic because they look for it.” And being part of this performance was like a little bit of that. Grazie Venice!... Arrivederci.

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Stoops, shopping, sun. The streets of summer. #brooklyn #fortgreene #summer #nylove #girls #postcardvibes @shamayn @mcredazzi

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Hey ya ma ma ma. Life in a Bali Town.

When I finally touched down the airport in Bali, I felt like I had made it. Perhaps an odd way to describe commencing a vacation; but having lived in Singapore for a chunk of my life, it was always a shocker in conversations when I tell people, "No, I've never been to this island. (beat) Yes, I know it's crazy."

Even more exciting, I was heading to Ubud, the 'heart of art' in Bali. So when the opportunity and generosity came to stay at Furama Villa & Spa, I booked that jet plane ticket. And a go-to on my bucket list was inevitably checked.

Right off the plane (you'll probably read this all over in your research), there are no shortage of money changers when you exit immigration. I notice many signboards with 'Mr & Mrs Smith', or something like that, held up by drivers called either from hotels or car services. If you didn't plan for that, not to fret, there's a taxi counter outside (turn right from exiting airport) and tell them your route. The fee to Ubud as of Jul/Aug 2013 was 225,000 Rp.

Hour and a half later, we reach the villa. It's a little further from Ubud city, but exactly the kind of vacation I was craving more. Tranquility, peace and a kick ass private villa. Perfecto!

The pictures are self-explanatory re the beauty of the villa, but I do have to point out a trivial, but oh so important luxury. I'm a sucker for bath tubs, and this one was a cut above the rest. Huge, ceramic tiled and fits two very comfortably. So yes, I am stealing it for my dream apartment some day. 

A short 3 day stay, we (my fiance Ivan & I) left casual sight-seeing for the 2nd full day and took the first night to enjoy a nice dinner and walk in the city center. Dinner was absolutely delicious, though a little touristy based on the demographic. I guess Bali is a tourist town anyway? We were recommended Bebek Bengil Dirty Duck Diner, which is a delicacy in Bali. Discovered another must-have there, Thai Grilled Chicken Wings. I know we're in Bali not Bangkok, but the sauce was divine. Probably some of the best I've had.

TRAVEL TIP: A taxi back to the hotel was quoted 100,000. The hotel told us one can bargain all the way to 30,000, so try for that.

Day 2

A private taxi is worth the moolah if you want your own itinerary. We booked through the hotel and paid about $35usd/person for our personal full-day van (10am-8pm). The concierge was very helpful in planning the route and making the most of our hours. Here are some suggestions from the locals and our own quick research.

Ivan is a Glass Artist, so 1st stop was Horizon Glass Works! Check them out online, what a great studio space.

With our man behind the wheel, we then set out to Tegallalang Rice Terrace.  An amazing way to start the day.

Decked in flip flops & a white top (yes, dirt will fly if you try to climb the fields), we were determined to conquer the squelchy green muddy 'stairs'. 

Worth every step...

Next up, Obyek Wisata Gunung Kawi. Indecent exposure on a hot island day? Don't worry, they provide sarongs to cover 'em legs in the temple!

An hour drive north, we then headed to the breath taking view of Mount Batur for lunch. You might get pushed heavily to buy fruits and souvenirs whilst walking around, but if it doesn't interest you, our guide told us a very simple but repetitive "No, thank you. Enough" will do the trick.

Unless you do proper research (we were kinda just winging it), most of the restaurants are a set price, buffet style. Either way, this is the view you get to eat with... What can I say?

Next up, not on my bucket list but as seen on the movie of the same name, we tried the famous Luwak Coffee. Crap coffee. Literally. Native to Bali, the Luwak animal carefully picks the coffee seeds, eats them, poops them out and the beans are then washed and brewed to give you...tadah! Luwak Coffee. A brew of yumminess.

above: Other cuppa delights that come from their plantation

before... after

We were going to give this a miss but our trusted driver/ guide convinced us to put this as part of our travel day plan - Kecak Dance.

Based on an old Balinese folk lore, you get to experience a story of love and revenge through chants (no musical instruments here), song and a performer stepping out and on a burning fire. Impressive for someone barefoot. Definite respect.

TRAVEL TIP: Exploring Ubud takes time based on distance where everything is. We missed a few key spots, like the Monkey Forest... But if you only have a day, having a private van is worth every minute.

Well-planned to go right after a full day of sight seeing, my invitation to Furama included a private in-villa dining experience (thank you again!) and spa treatment. Voted one of the best spas in Ubud, it was Bali Bliss...

We headed back for our private dinner of soup and steak. Food was delicious, wine not included. Candles were lit and petals were shaped to a heart for a full romantic candlelight effect. Talk about presentation!

Day 3

Last day was short but we experienced the most unexpected gem of a surprise. Sari Organik; a hut like restaurant situated amidst a path of rice padi fields. We walked (very worth it) 20 mins from the main road, passing other little shops and artists studios on the way... as below...

It seemed never-ending especially with the heavy drizzle, but just follow the path and you'll be led to a haven of fresh juices, smoothies and organic love. Bali Bliss 2...

I felt like we discovered a secret sanctuary and had only tasted a touch of Ubud.

And so through the rice and the rain, we walked back down the same path, thanking Bali for this short and sweet experience and craving for the next adventure on the Island of Gods.

Till the next ride, Liz Lazan

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Ubud, Bali you were exactly what I needed.

Teaser! Lying between the water and the rocks, this is Bali bliss....(if you can't tell from this picture).

My travel review and story coming up soon!!! Watch out for it!

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Before/After... As seen on MyPaper, Singapore. For those not in Singapore, like Black Friday in New York, there's a huge mid year sale ever year in my sunny city. It's called the GSS - Great Singapore Sale. Pretty much says it all. I had the fun chance of being interviewed about my new shows and my favorite brands, all for the buzz of this time of the year! Check it out... If you're in this neck of the woods, pick up a paper!

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Hello, Aloha, Welcome, Ciao, Bonjour, Ni Hao... To June 2013!

It's been a long time since I posted, and I PROMISE (giving a pinky to myself now) to be diligent about my writings. One way to prove this to the www is giving my blog a re vamp!

Those of you who are new, Welcome... those of you who are following, hope this post reignites your faith in helloorangelight :)

I also posted a couple of pictures of my latest shoot in Esquire Magazine, Singapore, below. Titled 'The Comeback Kid', what an apt heading to signify mid year reflections and bucket lists. The article chronicles my journey from Singapore to New York City... Absolute joy, honor and so much fun working on this June issue. 

Many wonderful (& unpredictable) things have come into my life these past 6 months (you're a roller-coaster one, 2013) and I'm going with the flow, riding the wave and keeping myself afloat, and swimming, in the flood of adventures. 

So get ready for more exciting updates in this space, boys and girls.