My Year 2015

Congratulating the first day of 2016, I wonder what have I become from year 2015. So I have hand selected a few highlights below and hopefully...what I have experienced will help me and you for the coming year!

I didn't really start on the right foot. On January I have to hand in the Self-Initiated project for my Degree course. I made an exhibition but it didn't catches much eyes, and I don't want to talk about the grades I've got from it either.   

I have made quite a lot of effort into the project. But with the results, I have learnt that sometimes on an opinionated driven course(world), not everyone share the same view, and you have to find the right audience.

On the other hand tho, I'm building my reputation with my photography among the Theatre Performance group in the University. 

My first little taste of achievement having my work shown on the BIG SCREEN in Uni. Really...It did felt good. I was the Photographer for the Scratch Night Committee in Uni. The picture was taken during one of the events.

Back to my Degree course, I have to hand-in my 8000 words long Dissertation. It was the longest piece of writing I have ever done in my life. And it was in my second language too! I have to Thanks my friends and the Professors for their kind help. But the hand-in was a test of stress management. Imagine just one hour before the deadline, you've realised the referencing system was made wrong and you have to re-print the whole piece again. Yet you realise a big queue for printing, the binding machine was broken.....
Yes, it all happened and I handed-in my dissertation 69seconds before the deadline. Phew!  The result and the feedback was good tho. haha    

Out of uni I have done some driving. Driving has always been my greatest passion. I have driven the McLaren MP4-12C and the Aston Martin DBS and written a review and the link here if you are interested.

https://www.facebook.com/ccli321/posts/1663978417164556

Oh allow me to be a little showing off here. I have another picture up on the BIG SCREEN again. But this time, it meant something nice to the person in the picture too. The good feeling of making others happy is priceless. 

Boom it's the time to 'finish' up my 3-year-degree course with a proper final exhibition. I've made my most with the years in Uni and here I am I've made my point, my own style of photography and what I pursuit to photograph. Got myself a good result and people assuring my achievement in photography    

http://www.harrychili.com/project--insomnia.html 

With the Uni part finished I can finally free myself for a bit. Started my 'holiday' to myself. 

I had a Day working experience with one of my most favourite British Photographer Simon Roberts from the beautiful Brighton! A little taste of a day's of work as a photographer's assistant.  

Then I had a few weeks of time doing some road trips in UK. Went to Blackpool, Lake District and some National Trust places. Those were some eye-opening scenics. More pictures please visit my Facebook album.

Yeahhhh My Graduation Ceremony!!! What a special day. 

After the Graduation, I'm pretty much 'waiting to go back to Hong Kong to start my new job.

but before I go, I had another day out with 2 nice little convertible sport cars for a test drive and some photo-shoot! 

Then I've also been to Millbrook Proving Ground for 2 and a half day training on some advance driving! 

Closing the time leaving UK and back to Hong Kong for my new job. I made a little speech in front of 100+ audience. It was the first night of the Scratch Night 2015-16 but also the last night I can attend to one. It was such a pleasure working with such a talented team and people. Believe me or not, I didn't really prepare for the speech, I had an idea that, maybe I should do something before I leave these lovely people. So after all the performance I was invited to the stage then I started talking the second I picked up the microphone. I didn't expect laughs and applause during and after the speech. But I must say, it was a life time experience. It has also given me a chance to test myself and know what I can actually manage to do!

Then of course, I've started my first ever full time permanent job, working as an Assistant Service Advisor. The first few weeks were packed with huge amount of challenges and new things to get into my mind. New people to meet, new office culture to blend in and just the new way of living for myself. I'm not a student anymore! Yet I see myself learning everyday.  

Then this is pretty much my last highlight of the year in 2015. I attended to the GALA Dinner 2015 and spent a wonderful night meeting new people and enjoyed the performances very much. And my bonus was a handshake with Pinky Lai at the near end of the dinner. I just walked up to him and thanks him for his inspiring speech and the message I will always remember. You should not fear for failures, but you should fear for standing still. Just in case you have never heard of him, he designed the Porsche 911(996).

So Year 2015, what a year I have been through. Did a lot of 'first ever' things in my life and some life changing experiences. They all have given me clearer and clearer vision for my future. 

There were failures I have overcome, as little as a spilled drink to any kinds of huge matters. I've learned to stay calm and cure the problem efficiently. If it is a problem I cannot yet to solve, no point to keep worrying. If it is a problem that I can solve, why worry? 

My instinct tells me it is going to be a tough year to come but I believe I will get through just fine. I will let you guys know again the end of year 2016.

Here I would like to wish you all a Healthy, Safe, and smooth new year to come. And if you have been reading this blog post from the start till this end. Thanks for appreciating my humble sharing.

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Harry Chi LI