The Looooooooooong One

The alarm went off at 5.30am. I off it unconsciously and I went back snoozing. I woke up suddenly and found the clock showing 5.45am! Shit! I was supposed to get up earlier because Mamma Mia and Ipohmali were to meet me at 6.45am.

I rushed in for a shower and got ready. Slipped on a black polo-T shirt and jeans. Yes, it was the day to be a kuli.

I drove my lil’ black car to Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The sky was still quite dark. The traffic was still kind to me. I didn’t get caught in a bad jam. The whole journey took approximately 20 minutes, with great gratitude to NPE and Smart Tunnel.

I managed to get a parking lot. Unloaded the boxes, packed breakfast and buntings off my limited-boot-space-boot. So, the 4 of us were like FedEx delivery girls and guys having boxes and bags in both hands.

The preparation for the event had begun! It was Trend Vision 09 trend release for 250 pax. Not as big as the one we did for 1000 pax last year. We have our hair trends set each year and it was time to launch it to the public – at least the hairdressers and media partners.

When I stepped my foot into the ballroom, I was really impressed! I was very happy and glad to see such a simple yet nice runway. A 48 feet long white-wash runway.

Without wasting any time, we started off with dressing up the venue. Models were coming in for their rehearsals, getting their hair and make up done. Suppliers started with their installation of the huge-giant buntings beside the framed-up projector- screen-backdrop. All of us had our own responsibilities yesterday. We were running all around, getting things done.

I had my packed lunch quite early so that I would have time for the last check and ensuring everything was A-Okay. I managed to squeeze sometime to freshen up a little and changed my clothes in the ladies. I cannot be wearing what I wore to greet my glamorous guests and media partners!

Right after that, I went through the preso slides with the AV guy. I was a lil’ worried, so I made sure I double, triple counter checked that all videos and slides were running well and in the correct order. It was my responsibility to cooperate with the presenter. *I was quite stressed up because I couldn’t afford any hiccups during the presentation.*

Guests started to come in at 2pm. The foyer was filled with yummy food and people. The registration counters were getting busy. Finally, the show started at 2.45pm. Models started to march on stage and so the preso started.

Xandria was the emcee for the day, and also one of the models for one of my 4 hair themes - InterseXion. Her dark black shiny hair was dyed with brown streaks around the crown area, which was pretty cool! It looked quite futuristic and funky. She carried the hairstyle with indescribable charisma and style.

Everything went on well and I was stressed free once the preso was done. The second section of the event started. I was freer to move around and watch the show; in between of course some socializing time with the attendees.

Of course, there was time for photo opportunities as well! How can I miss that out, right?

Xandria and I

Can you find me? Not too hard to find the plain jane. I wasn't the Mama San, don't get me wrong.

5.30pm, the event ended and it was time to change back to the ‘kuli’ clothes to work. All of us worked hand in hand to clear off the stuff and packed up. The warehouse colleagues were here to send all the big items back to the office.

Haha, this was one of the highlights of the day! I’ve never in my life have walked on the runway before – of course lar right, not like I have long skinny legs with a curvaceous body for modeling. BUT, I took the “opportunity” to walk it from the beginning till the end – after the event; after everyone had left the room and when only with the presence of the hotel crew clearing up. It was fun!

Check it out!

I stroke a pose at the end of the looooooooooooooooong runway.

G for Grace

By the time we were done, it was 7pm. It was a long day with a long runway...

It was also a tiring day but it didn’t end just there…….