The Evolution of Jumping Shots

Dear friends, 

I am quite certain that everyone has their shining moments of jumping shots. Whether it is stupid, silly, ugly, epic, or unforgettable. Each of us has experienced the ecstasy from that familiar adrenaline rush from reaching the sky. Not all of them ends well, yet at the end of each leap, you found yourself grinning and hoping that the moment captured lacks of your shameful double chins or that awkward weak knees upon your landing. Don't bother trying to hide it. Rather, better just to embrace moments of youth, and remember it well. 

"King of Silly Melon" and his epic clumsiness - by M.L.

The idea of "evolution of jumping shots" pop up the other day while I was thinking about the fun I had running across the beach islands, taking that leap off the edge, doing the craziest poses, falling into the refreshing pool of seawater. Thinking back to when I started to do jumping shots. To be honest, I have never been that person, the outshining ones that are EPIC-ly good at 'looking just right' or even downright amazing mid-air. Me? I prefer those shutter sounds, clicking away, trying to capture all the emotions of those leapers. Regardless, I also occasionally take the opportunity to enjoy those adrenaline rush myself as well.

After some careful analysis, I have come up two different ways to categories these shots. How about going through them together? Sounds like a good idea? Sure, it is. Here we go...

I.   Years:

• Highschool (or prior) Jumping.
  Definition: These shots, they are certainly silly and dramatic. Due to its explorative nature, they are expressive, spontaneous and certainly shameless. It may even tell stories. These are your first times. Here are some examples for me to prove my points. 

Left: Epic mid-air hairdo; Right: Is she boxing? - what are they wearing anyway!? (Lol, it was vintage day.)

Left: Jumping with all her might; Right: Silly person not even trying to jump.

Downright crazy.

          Good examples for Highschool jumping shots? You guys tell me.

• College Jumping.
  Definition: These.. these are the shy shots (meeting new people and all that.. you gotta hold your cool for a while you know?), these are a bit less shameful, more elegant, and often are more meaningful and meant to be remembered. Taken in places that are amazing, somewhere memorable. Here goes come example:

Aftermath, yes still shy there. People don't know my true nature just yet. 

Epic moment. Maehongsorn, Thailand. 

• Post-college Jumping.
  Definition: And.. Lastly the Post-College Jumping Shots. These are either (i) awkward jumping shots for those who had less experience, or (ii) they are sillier and crazier than ever, and you know why? Because we miss the feeling of being young again. These are rare as you're running a different crowds. It's a lot about the moment. Rolling out some examples as we speak..

      To the point? These are ridiculously hilarious.

II.   Purposes:

• Epic Location and Experience Gaining.
  Definition: the name kinda spell the definition out already. Epic moments, epic places. 

Uh huh, yeah right. Big Air Experience at the Victoria Falls (mid-way through Zimbabwe and Zambia), baby!
Those kinds of Leap of Faith.

Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town, South Africa) moments, you need a jumping shot. 

• Just to feel like those Cool Kids.
  Definition: Or at least try to look like those cool kids. 

Amateurs, and a bit of stories telling. 

That is about it for me, I'm out of stories and pictures to tell.

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Love you all, 

Emily A. 

Project Sean's Birthday

Dear friends, 

My latest project... 

Best, 

Emily

#sept19th2006

Hi friends,

To many people, September 19th might hold no significance. It might be a friend or loved one's birthday(s); it might be the day that he/she starts a new job or new school year; or it could be the day that you have lost someone. For me personally, September 19th 2006 has quite a big impact on my life. I once again was hit by vulnerability. Now I have learned to admit that we can be vulnerable every now and then and it will be okay. But I can never forgot the emotional distress that I went through that night.

September 19th 2006. That was the night that the latest coup d'etat in Thailand took place. I remember getting a call from my mom, telling me that a military coup d'etat will take place tonight. Dad won't be coming home tonight. He is on the way to my uncle's. One could imagine how shocked a seventeen years old can be in a situation like that. Back then my dad held in a position in the government, and of course that means if this situation turns bad.. it might potentially be bad for him as well.

I rushed to watch the news on the tv in my parent's bedroom. The waiting was painful, really. Then when the situation rolled out, it was too fast to even comprehend. First our former PM announced a emergency decree through skype from NY since he was there to participate in UN General Assembly. All of the sudden it was cut off half way, and all I can hear was "Beeeeeepppppp....". This is probably most of how all of the other people felt. Confused. I was very much confused, and what was worse was that we were informed that dad didn't go to my uncle's but chose to go back to the gov't house instead. Panic, confusion, fear, as much as a seventeen years old could feel.

I really hates politics.


There was no news.. everyone media was cut off. My imagination ran wild. Will my dad be put to prison? What will happened? Nobody can tell me anything. I cried.. and my brother cried.. (which our parents made fun of us later on.. grr such meanies!). How are we supposed to react in this situation. I know I felt vulnerable, I was so scared and I was helpless.

Next morning, we were told that our dad was held on a house arrest at one of the military base nearby. Only families are allowed to visit. Grandma was there at our place in the morning. She, also, was in distress. I think not knowing what was going to happen was the scariest part. She thought she has lost her son(s) once, and now.. who knew what was going to happen. We went and visit dad. Everything was so controlled. Mom told dad about us crying. Dad laughed (mehh!!! I still pouted about it). Anyhow, seeing him in safe and sound condition was assuring me.

The aftermath was somewhat of a blur. A military was running the government for a while. Dad was home everyday for a next few weeks (yes, that is not so common). Phones tapped (OH YES, this is not a conspiracy theory, it was proven. Mid way through the conversation when it started to be more serious about politics, it was cut off.. Yes, we are not overthinking it). Discussion of relocation pops up in our family dinner. Visiting Hong Kong, Australia, and all that. Luckily, none of that really ever happens. Though I always remembers what dad always says, "What am I going to do elsewhere and retired? Working in McDonald for minimum wages?" Yes, I think it would be hilarious to see him work in a McDonald.


I would never forgot that night and how it has shaped me. The decision that dad took to head back to the govt house rather than to run away. The ignorance of other people in my generation about this political changes. Oh, how it shook me. Oh, how it inspired me.

Seven years passed. Every now and then what I think about I can still feel those emotions running through me, tears and fear.

Best,
Emily