This blog entry is slightly overdue as you can see. I shot the cover of Mobile World back in early December (wearing Syomir Izwa) for the February 2010 Issue. I think we all know that I’m a huge Blackberry fan but more importantly, how I always have to stay connected. Although, I must say, roaming fees are the worst.

Despite the fact that I look 10 pounds overweight, I must say it was fun doing the interview and working with everyone!

I’ve got a few days off and it looks like I’ll be running around as usual. I’ve had a very hectic schedule working in HK and crossing my fingers that I’ll be confirmed for another fun job too! I think it might be interesting to see how many more countries I’ll hit by the end of this month!! (I’ve been flying waaay too much!!)

It’s great to be working with Maxis again (they were a sponsor on my last show Simply Fabulous) and this time, I was in KL to do an interview for Maxis Broadband’s new online campaign “Something For Everyone”.

I was interviewed by Soph for this quick little video talking about online social networking. Although I’m a true geek at heart, I think being web-savvy has probably been one of the skills which has helped push my career further than I have imagined. We did all sorts of things in the interview and had such a blast – I know they couldn’t put everything in there so here’s the edited version:

You can check out the rest of the Fun Interviews on their Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/mylifemymaxis

To win some awesome prizes, they’ve got an amazing Facebook game - the first-ever created by Malaysia by Maxis!

Play a secret agent in the Maxis Mission Possible game and win a holiday for 2 to Gold Coast + up to RM5,000, iPhone 3GS, Blackberry®, and Cash Prizes. Simply click here: http://www.facebook.com/maxis?v=app_17037175766

Holy, is it March already?

I’ve been ridiculously exhausted shooting my lastest project and one that is super top secret at the moment. Let’s just say, after these two weeks are done, I’ll probably be the most well-informed person when it comes to facts about HK. (Thanks to the crew patiently waiting while I spend hours and hours saying the same line!)

Thought I’d let u all know I’m still alive, just saving all my energy for this show. I’m waiting to post up pictures from my latest magazine cover but I’m still waiting for my manager to scan pics…. waiting waiting waiting… always waiting.

Who knew eating salad all the time would prepare me for my next job! After a huge city-wide casting call in Toronto, I managed to book a Kraft Salad Dressing commercial! I guess the tricks and tips from Simon Longmore’s VADA class helped instantaneously! This was one of those cattle calls where you go into the casting house, take a look around and just never expect to be the few selected.

But I booked it!!!!

Meet the Represented Colours of Canada (Paulina, Emily, Rachel, me)

(Paulina was telling me about being in Leon Lai’s music video over 10 years ago!!)

I met a lot of great people at the shoot including the director, Irv Blitz who was extremely nice and so fun to work with. The rest of the team was fantastic and we even finished on time just after lunch! I forget how wonderful it is to work in Canada (especially when ACTRA gets involved)….not to mention craft services!!! Lox on a Bagel for brekkie was simply delightful!

(Look at the wonderful salads prepared by the food stylists… I just ate raspberries all day!!)

I can’t wait to see it when the commercial goes to air…so all you Canadian folk – remember to PVR and tell me if you see it!!

-props again goes out to my agent Oronde for scoring this gig – 2 for 2!

I spent a good whole month in Toronto early this year and I finally made amends with the city. A big part of it was also enjoying a reunion dinner with my fellow Ryerson Fashion Alumni. Between the four of us, we probably won most of the competitions and worked together to win the big one – McGregor (yes, the folks who make socks in Canada). Although we all worked hard for our Fashion degrees, we weren’t the ones that ended up in the fashion industry. From Wedding Conceptual Print Design to running a design studio, marketing music popstars to working as a host in Asia, we all really channeled into different areas of our careers. It was great to see them and I’m rooting for them as much as they’re rooting for me.

We scoured for a great menu and found a little restaurant in Little Italy called Sidecar. Tucked in the back corner, our laughing and non-stop reminsicing reminded me of the days we’d spend at the labs trying to figure out how the heck we’d be able to finish on time. Tams, Sapna, Michie… u girls rock!

The number of business plans and private labels we designed only made me wonder… hmm maybe I’m ready for a business of my own! Spending my last night in KL and I’ve been mediatating on business ideas with Gump. We’re definitely excited to embark on a new secret project that I hope I can share with the rest of the world soon.

For now, I’m uber excited about my next project in HK. I’ve got 8 scripts in tow and I’m hoping to lock down the first 4 scripts for now…. can’t wait to be back in HK! I’m so ready to work!

(with Michie)

(Sapna and Tams)

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!

After spending my last few days of my trip to Toronto > Vancouver > Hong Kong , I am now in Kuala Lumpur enjoying the open houses and wonderful gatherings of friends and family. The Year of the Tiger symbolizes a year of power and authority. It will prove to be a very good year for those who have that same ferocious outlook.

New Motto

My new motto for this year is Command and Conquer. There are many admirable qualities in a tiger and reading about this animal inspires me to use its perspective and apply it to my life. Quite like the White Tiger, I want:

• To challenge myself by being bolder and fearless when it comes to overcoming obstacles.
• To steer my life into a positive direction to give as much as I receive.
• To understand my environment(s) and adapt with independance and bravery.
• To balance between passion and steadfastness, the love of others and a healthy love of self

New Look

I’ve been working on my new website to launch it during Chinese New Year to mark a new beginning and a new year. I’m a major geek when it comes to web design and challenging myself to include applications/widgets that I’ve never used before was a real task. Anyhow, with the help of friends and family giving sound advice, this is a good start to emcompass much of my work in the past 2 years. (Has it already been that long?) No webmaster except for lil-ol me and finding a good template to work off. I hope you guys enjoy it!

www.sarah-lian.com

Things Fall Apart – edited/directed by Dennis Chan

Theres too many things on my mind as I think about my trip back to HK/KL.  I get anxiety and I freak out. I stress and I worry. I think I really need to just hold my breath and jump in. Let things happen the way they ought to happen!

Reminds me of Frou Frou’s song Let Go.

So, let go, let go
Jump in
Oh well, what you waiting for?
It’s all right
‘Cause there’s beauty in the breakdown
So, let go, let go
Just get in
Oh, it’s so amazing here
It’s all right
’cause there’s beauty in the breakdown

It gains the more it gives
And then it rises with the fall
So hand me that remote
Can’t you see that all that stuff’s a sideshow?
Such boundless pleasure
We’ve no time for later
Now you can’t await
your own arrival
you’ve twenty seconds to comply

I’ll be back in HK – just in time for CNY celebrations!

After keeping busy with classes, my wonderful agent sent me out for a few more auditions while I was still in Toronto. It was just my luck that I managed to book a print campaign with Budweiser’s Bud Camp! There were a lotta hotties and a lotta fun for one entire day of shooting!

I totally loved our photographer Matt Barnes’ get-up who is notorious for dressing up as well. (Check out his cool Budweiser jacket!) I’ve blurred the background since the big Camp bus is part of the print campaign -and i’m not too sure if I’m really allowed to post.

Definitely worth posting when the campaign kicks off in Spring 2010!

I got together again with my photographer Sai at his place in a quaint little neighbourhood just nearby Trinity Bell Park. We talked for hours about our lives, our careers and our motivations in life. We’ve become motivated by challenges and the development of our “craft”. The money comes and goes and we go through so many roller coasters in our lives just to live and breathe the work we do.

I always joke around about how he’s my favourite photographer (but he really is). After 6 years, we’ve developed a great creative relationship where I’m often dumbfounded by our collaborative work. Sai is a storyteller and he’s told so many stories through the pictures he’s taken of me. He reminds me to caputure the essence for myself, not for my readers or for other boys.

Thanks again Sai, you never cease to amaze me!

(Next Entry: Budweiser’s BUD CAMP Shoot!!)