Keira Knightley - Lost Stars (Begin Again Soundtrack)

I had no idea Keira Knightley could sing.

Begin Again

Last night, the boyfriend and I went to see a movie. We were supposed to watch Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, but then we saw this movie poster beside it with Mark Ruffalo and a guitar in it (with Keira Knightley, though she was not the deal breaker for us) so we thought it must be good. Because come on - Mark Ruffalo. We had no idea what this movie was about and if it's any good. We haven't seen any trailers or reviews of it. We went in just because of Mark Ruffalo and the guitar. And. It. Was. Good. We fell in love with it. I left the cinema with all these feels in me. I felt enchanted with the story, happy, and hopeful. There are not many movies that do this to me. The most recent one was How To Train Your Dragon 2. Haha!

And the music. It's now on my playlist. On repeat. 

Skintelligence + Skinthusiasm

When the year began, I mentioned that I am resolved to take care of my health better than I did before. That included applying sunscreens everyday even when I usually stay indoors. The OR lights also cause photo aging. 😓

I used to think that using moisturizers with SPF is enough. Plus, I have really oily skin so I did not want to use additional sunscreen because they make my face shiny. Five years ago, tiny sun spots started to appear on my face and I was only in my 20's. I tried various BB creams and lightening creams, but I was not really satisfied. The sun spots remained and even started to multiply. So last month, as part of my resolution, I started to use VMV Hypoallergenics Illuminants+ Skin Regimen followed by Armada Face & Body Shield 60 which also protects against skin darkening and melasma. Just what I needed. It's only been 3 weeks, but I can already see a lightening of my old acne scars and my skin tone's more evened out. I no longer use foundation to even out my skin tone. 😉

I wasn't paid to say these things. I'm just really happy with the results I'm having. I believe it's worth sharing. 😊

I Don't Know - Med School Parody of "Let It Go" from Frozen (University ...

This is so hilarious! Reminded me of clerkship. :)

App Appreciation: Litely

I've been putting off updating this blog for a while since I was reviewing for my written diplomate examination for General Surgery. I had it last Saturday. Thank you for the prayers and support. :) So now, while waiting for the results, I'd like to finally write something about an app I've been using for a month now. Let me just clarify, this is not a review. It's been out for a month now that there are a lot of beautifully written reviews out there already (complete with an interview with the maker himself). This is more of an appreciation post. :)

This app is Litely. It's a set of presets for editing photos. "Subtle tones. Made-well." It's designed by photographer Cole Rise. At present it's only available for iOS, I don't know if a version for Android is in the works, maybe? (Before the app version, Litely's been around for Lightroom, Aperture,  Photoshop and Camera Raw. It's similar with VSCO.) 

I love how beautifully made this app is. The design and interface looks so clean. I adore the minimal design.

Here are some of my own photos edited with Litely. :)

Subtlety is longevity. ~Cole Rise

Gone Too Soon

She was a very brave, dedicated and talented young woman, only 26, gone too soon. Repose en paix, Camille. My deepest condolences for her family and friends.

Camille Lepage was a French photojournalist doing a project in Central African Republic. Her body was discovered by French peacekeepers patrolling in the Bouar Region in the west of the country driven by militia from the anti-balaka group. An investigation is ongoing to shine light on the circumstaces of this murder.

In an interview with the photographic blog PetaPixel last October, Lepage spoke about her ongoing projects, You Will Forget Me and Vanishing Youth, that capture the violence of South Sudan.

"Since I was very little, I've always wanted to go and live in a place where no one else wants to go, and cover in-depth conflict related stories … I can't accept that people's tragedies are silenced simply because no one can make money out of them."

Of her life in South Sudan, she said: "The fact that I live in South Sudan for a while really helps. I live in a local house in a local neighbourhood, with no electricity and little comfort, so I don't see myself as being very different from them [local people]."

She ends the interview: "I'm currently in the Central African Republic, working on a new photography project there for a few months before heading back to South Sudan and Sudan." ~ The Guardian

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Because they are so cute. Just look at that smile!