A Model's Life

ifs - School of Finance

2009-01-11T18:33:00.004+02:00

Since i am studying Financial Services in UK, i was thinking about giving some details to potential future students or graduates that need to take the CFP(Certificate in Financial Planning)/CeFA(Certificate in Financial Advice), a few details about the package, the costs and time needed to pass successfully(minimum 70%).

My university has given me this package for free as they have agreements with ifs-School of Finance London. It is incorporated by Royal Charter and provides financial education to financial services professionals throughout the world. They work closely with the best-known financial services providers from all around the world.

The CeFA certificate is obtained through 4 different exams (steps), which includes UK Financial Regulation, Investments and Risks, Retirement Planning and Protection and Assesment of Investment Advice Knowledge. Each package costs 135£ with the exam costing about 200£. So expect paying 350£ for each step. After registration a package will arrive in about 1 month which contains a file with all the documents you need.

Advice is given on how many hours one should spend studying in order to avoid having difficulties. A minimum of 60 hours is "prescribed" but more is recommended. I plan on studying 100 hours for it, revising and doing tests. The gradings are as follows: 70% - pass, 80% - merit, 90% - Distinction. I am aiming for the distinction but any way you choose, a minimum of 70 is required. Booking the exam is easy, they have test centers all over the world, an online application form should do it.

I recommend visiting their website for further info: http://www.ifslearning.ac.uk/
They have a video as well on the home page and you can view and browse the different certificates that are put at your disposal.

I have also added photos of the package itself so that you get a sense of its size and looks :P .. that's all for now. Cheers!

"If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it." - Socrates

Fresh start

2008-10-24T21:35:00.008+03:00

Well well well it has been a long time, hasn't it ?

So much has happened since my last post. For one, i'm not in Thailand any more, i'm not a model any more, i'm in UK, grasping a new stage in my life as a fresh business student.

As you all now by now, i worked with Patrick Ribbsaeter, organizing events of all kinds. As time went by things got more complicated, work started building up, fatigue started to strike me, enthusiasm decreased as events just didn't turn up as we both expected. I tried mingleing event organizing with modeling but it was far from possible. As a result of continuous shuddering, i had come to a conclusion. I had to give up being an organizer and focus more on my future as a model, my health and eventually my studies.
As my indecisive personality kept roaming the streets of Bangkok, seeking a rational decision, a waft of fresh air came my way through a message. It was one of my good friends Nathan. I had met him through our parties, as he was one of Patrick's long time friends. He invited me to his house in Phuket for a couple of weeks to relax, get a breath of fresh air and help my mind reach a decision about my future.
I had heard many things of Phuket during my stay in the City of Angels, but what i got to see, was out of this world, it was simply paradise. Complete bliss, nature, wild remote beaches. The 20 days of relaxation and meditation relating my conundrum, were the happiest days of my life. I could then understand why Nathan always carried a broad smile on his face. You would just wake up every single morning with a big smile on your face. Paradise indeed. During my stay i rented a motorbike and just roamed the "S" shaped, narrow, freshly built roads the island had to offer. I got a glimpse of the locals, the food, the beaches, the two-digit million dollar homes, the fantastic sunsets and best of all, of what true friendship really means. You are just overwhelmed with the amount of inner peace and love, a place like this has to offer. I got to see Nathan's amazing cooking skills and finally reached a decision about my future.
How i reached my decision was pretty straight-forward. I only had to listen to one of Nate's wise words: "In order to build yourself a future, you need to study. You need to go to an university and work hard. After you do that, you will have skills. You will get a job with those skills. After 3-4 years those skills turn into experience. Further on, experience turns into instinct. By the time you have instincts, you should earn a lot of money mate. Work hard and you should be fine. Look at me! hahaha" .... well that did it for me. That was the starting point. I had to do something, i needn't disappoint my parents. Went online and after 2 weeks of intensive research and weighing options, i chose a university and applied for it. Came back in Romania to spend some time with my parents and my friends and here i am in the UK a couple of months after that.
I would like to thank Patrick for his kindness and cooperation, dedication and "brotherhood". We were like brothers, inseparable. Thailand has been a wonderful experience, i got the opportunity to meet fantastic people, see amazing places and became a better person in the process. Good luck my brother!
I would also like to thank Nathan with all my heart for the vacation he has given me, the places he took me to, the amazing food and the life-long friendship which has emerged from all of that. Hadn't it been for you mate, i wouldn't have probably been here, studying, building a proper future, making my parents proud. Thank you and can hardly wait for you arrival in the UK. I wish you all the best!
As for me, i met new people, i see new places and work my ass off to be the best of my ability. All of my UK experience, photos and more in my next post.

Wish everyone a fantastic day!

"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits" - Thomas Jefferson

IAmGuy Magazine Hom Swimwear Shooting

2008-05-28T05:32:00.005+03:00

Hello hello. I just received my pictures yesterday from a past shooting and i thought i should share them with you. I also did a small video for the fun of it. Did not have much material so tried to work it out of what i had. Enjoy! :D

The crew i worked with...

Fundraising Event

2008-05-26T15:43:00.005+03:00

RIBBSAETER FOUNDATION is featuring its first fundraising event in Bangkok(thailand) in order to help "Home For Disabled Babies (Baan Fuengfah)" Pak Kret..
For more information, please visit this link.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=26540106488

-------------------------------------------------------
This fundraising event will be held at WIne Loft, Sukhumvit 31.

Concept: Italian

Ticket sale: 400 THB including 2 glasses of Italian wine and a selection of apperitives.

Snacks:

- Croissant ham cheese

- Sandwich roasted chicken

- Sandwich tuna

- Mushroom & ricotta puff
- Chicken curry puff

- Quiche loirance bacon & onion

- Quiche spinach & ricotta

- Foccacia mozzarella & tomato caprese

Wines:

White Wine

Region Marche

Verdicchio Sartarelli 06

Region Abruzzo

Trebbiano Spinelli 06

Red Wine

Region Sicilia

Sedara Donna Fugata 05

Angheli Donna Fugata 04

Almanera Fatascia 03

Out of each ticket sold, RIBBSAETER FOUNDATION will be donating 150 THB to support, buy food and toys to the children of "Home For Disabled Babies (Baan Fuengfah)".
On Sunday, June 29, 2008. We will visit the orphanage and hand out all the proceedings, toys etc to the kids.

With this event we would also like to get in touch with more people who would like to help and support our non-profit organization.

For those of you who would like to help in other terms, can also donate toys, clothes and anything that u think could be valuable to these children of (Baan Fuengfah).

Please come and support our cause.

Some information about the venue "WIne Loft".
-----------------------------------
New Concept WIne shop & Tasting.

TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY.
The first in Bangkok with Italy's latest wine serving technology, you get the pleasure of selecting and discovering new wine.

EXPERIENCE LUXURY AT RETAIL PRICES.
Unwind to the contemporary ambience while savoring your favorite wine at retail prices with bistro style Italian specialties.

MOST COMPREHENSIVE WINE SELECTION
Choose from the most extensive range of fine wines leading international wine houses with assistance from the professionally trained staff.

Private meetings & Cigar zone.
The private room amidst Bangkok bustle is ideal both business meetings and social gatherings, equipped with lcd screens and complete cigar collection.
-----------------------------------

This event is for maximum 60 people!

PETA Ad-Campaign

2008-05-25T12:24:00.006+03:00

Hello. I wanted to give you an update on the PETA Ad-Campaign. Everything went off smoothly.

I would like to thank all the models for coming and joining our cause to save the elephants off the streets of Thailand.

The news broke off as expected. We have had media coverage across the world in the next 2 days after the campaign was over.

Below are some photos and the feature video from the event.

Thank you so much everyone.

Here are some of the diplomas RIBBSAETER FOUNDATION offered to the models who volunteered and supported our cause, in raising awareness across Bangkok and getting the elephants of the streets.

And here are some of the photos with the crew....

Patrick & P. Amat Nimit Park
Peter, Patrick and Dennis

THANK YOU ALL!

Update

2008-05-19T19:47:00.008+03:00

Hello hello everyone. It's been a while since my last post except the party announcement. Things have been working really well. Been making a lot of progress these last couple of weeks. Parties are starting to emerge, clients are starting to look us up and contact us even more then before so all for the best.

The rainy season is starting to settle in Thailand. For now just some showers, but as i've heard july is impossible to get around. Since i have been very busy lately i am going to post some selected pictures from parties i have attended since there has been a request for them ;)

Our next party is The Ladies Night the day after tomorrow and Crystalized which will take place on the 30th of May inside Landmark hotel at Rendez-Vous Bar. I will make sure to post pictures from this upcoming events as well.

Regarding feelings, i cannot say i miss my country. I miss my parents, i miss them a lot, i miss some friends, but that's about it....if i had the opportunity to come back to romania for 3-4 days, i would have been happy just to see my parents mostly. Don't miss the country :D

So my readers, here are my photos from the past month. I will write you soon i promise this time :D

Have a great week!

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on."
Henry Ellis

   Gazebo Lounge
   Me and Suzanne

   Me and Patrick trying to lose some weight eating fat pork
The view from Longtable Bar at 27th Floor

With some friends...
Thana me and Suzanne
Me, Miss Thailand, Denis from Greece, Philipe from Greece and Patrick
Cartier Party, photo with friends amongs them Anthon(center) from the Phillipine Tatler
Flow Cocktail Guys
Good times....
Me and Pk enjoying the moment
Homie from India, Pk and me

Patrick, Anthon and me

The Ultimate Girls Night Out in Bangkok

2008-05-15T17:39:00.000+03:00

Host:
UNIVERSAL PLAYER GROUP

Type:
Party - Mixer

Time and Place
Start Time:
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 9:00pm

End Time:
Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 2:00am

Location:
New Club "Intimate Derivation" (same building as JET CLUB).

Street:
Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai) next to soi 10.
City/Town:
Bangkok, Thailand

Description
Dear Ladies, I know its a bit short of notice to tell you this !!!!!.. ... But I also think its never to late to tell a woman how much appreciated she is, and therefore bringing you

“THE ULTIMATE GIRLS NIGHT OUT IN BANGKOK” organized by UNIVERSAL PLAYER.

As the expression goes “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”.

Same goes for this PARTY !

Wednesday 21 Th of May. Between 9 Pm to 11 Pm - 2 hours Ladies only, will be the start of the hottest ladies night that has ever taken place in the city of Angels(Bangkok), I’ll promise you that.

This event will be going on at least 4 weeks in a row, every wednesday evening with new fresh content each time at the new night club (INTIMATE DERIVATION) Sukhumvit 63 (Ekkamai). Same building as ”JET CLUB” next to ekkamai soi 10.

Ladies who are seeking more privacy to start of their night and have a hole lot of fun without any guys bothering you.
Except what this PARTY OFFERS!
Then this is the perfect place to go wether u are a group of women, single, looking for another woman, or your best friend birthday party.
Not only will you ladies be welcomed at the entrance by our Hunky Male Model “Alex” from the UNIVERSAL PLAYER. There will also be a chance for photo-opt with Alex in his most comfortable costume for that special night. After photo-opt, you will be escorted inside for an array of other fun Entertainment, Games and Treats. Or why not get get your drink served in the bar by the UNIVERSAL PLAYER himself. In a way, only we can offer you in Bangkok ;)

Music for the first 2 hours by our resident (Dj Charly) http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=625052072

Mixed contemporary tunes with Retro selections.

• Madonna
• Cyndi Lauper
• The Bangles
• Fiona Apple
• Hole
• Sarah Harmer
• Kathleen Edwards
• Dixie Chicks
• Jewel
• The Pretenders and many others...

Dress Code: Femininely Sexy

Mc: UNIVERSAL PLAYER & DJ Charly

Ticket: 600 THB Per Lady, Including 2 free drinks.

Special Ladies Package.
-----------------------------
5.000 THB.
Entry 10 LADY FRIENDS, 1 Bottle Absolute or Chivas Regal, 1 Round of Mixers,
++ Special VIP treatment!
Every VIP Table will receive 3 California Wow Fitness” VIP Pass (Worth of 5,600THB Each).
-----------------------------

ONLY 5 VIP TABLES TO GO and these are the best seats in the house.

........AT 11 PM, WE WILL LET THE GUYS ENTER THE CLUB...

Our exclusive sponsors for this event are:

*Playboy Lingerie.
*Oasis Spa.
*California Fitness
*www.Bangkokrecorder.com
*www.Thaicatwalk.com
*www.Celebdirtylaundry.com
*Video coverage RIBBSAETER PRODUCTION

For reservations,
Please call or email:
Patrick +66 85057 0347
patrick@ribbsaeter.com

Alex +66 8 9668 9144
dumalexandru@gmail.com

EXCLUSIVE SPONSORS.

PETA Update

2008-04-23T02:28:00.002+03:00

Hello everyone. I’m writing an update of my recent work.

Been really busy with Patrick closing several deals with major hotel lines in Bangkok. In May we will be running on a really really tight schedule as all the parties will take place then, we also have our PETA Ad-Campaign to shoot which will take enormous amount of planning, but we’re putting all our heart into it.

We have a lot of ideas and concepts that we want to put into motion, promoting both our brand and foundation. Work is as usual 24/7, drinking gallons of coffee(mine is no sugar of course :D), paperwork, telephones, dozens and dozens of e-mails. I love it.

Me and Patrick set our own paper wall where we write all of our planning ideas, reminders, to do’s, link everything in between, just as the Google brothers did long long time ago. As he always likes to quote “Rome wasn’t built in one day” and my personal best “Every major company has a story to tell...so will you and I Alex”. How could you not work 24/7 with a guy like that?

Getting back to PETA, we received an e-mail this morning which warmed our hearts. It came from SCAD, Soi Cats and Dogs, an organization that’s fighting to get stray cats and dogs of the streets of Asia, mainly acting in Bangkok as we do. The e-mail is of great significance to us as this means our organization is starting to get known. We have requested a meeting for next week, to talk about future projects together, hopefully we get a tour of the shelter they have put together for the rescued animals. As i always like to say “What you think about, you bring about.” Wanted to be an international model, here i am, wanted to do business, here i am, wanted to help animals in any kind, here i am doing that. Remember your like is what your thought make of it. Think negative, misery, doubt, that’s what you will get, think positive, vision yourself doing something and loving what you do and it will eventually come to you. Here is the e-mail:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Patrick and Alex

The work you are about to attempt with PETA on behalf of the deserving elephants of Thailand warms my heart.

As a member of an animal welfare group in Bangkok, I share your hopes for a better deal for all animals in Thailand. Along with the elephants, 300,000 dogs and many thousands more cats live a pitiful existence on the busy streets of Bangkok and I hope that as a spin off, a greater awareness will be brought to their plight during your campaign. Anyone visiting Thailand cannot fail to notice their sad life.

We're known as SCAD, meaning "Soi Cats and Dogs" www.scadbangkok.org
In our experience, it is not always our successes that spur us on to do more to help the animals. More often it is our failure to save an injured animal that lives on in our memories and leaves us wondering whether we could have done more.

On behalf of the cats and dogs in Thailand who we have helped, and who still need our help, I am wondering whether the Ribbsaeter Foundation can assist our cause. We'd be pleased to show you around, introduce you to our projects and the animals we care so passionately about.

Apologies for my unsolicited approach but I never miss an opportunity to speak up for the animals! Good luck with everything you're doing for the elephants here in Thailand.

With best wishes and hoping to hear from you.
Sherry & the team in Bangkok

--
Sherry Conisbee
Founder & President - SCAD
www.SCADbangkok.org
Tel: +65 9452 3146

OPT TO ADOPT A SOI DOG!
Email adoptions@scadbangkok.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for supporting us Sherry and looking forward to our collaboration together, saving the animals.

I have also posted a video update of me and Patrick at work. Please don’t take in consideration my hilarious laughing :))))) as i had been awake for almost 30 hours and work got me tripping a little bit.

This is all for today, i will keep you updated as soon as i can, and post photos from our parties in May. Everything is starting to emerge for us, so we are really content and happy, we’re searching for a palacial villa where we can hire more people and do more work, have pool parties, play some tennis etc. I’m hoping of bringing my parents here as soon as possible.

Ok my friends, i’ll leave you now as i have more work to do.

Cheers.

"Allow me to be a blessing to you and allow yourself to be a blessing to others."
John Coonley Cancer Survivor

PETA Campaign

2008-04-17T19:11:00.008+03:00

Hello world. Got some news for you. Me and my new partner Patrick are doing really well together. It seems we are a great team complementing each other every time. My calm personality matches his fired up and active character. He handles contacts and ideas while i concentrate on faster productivity, material, design-wise part. Soon i will also start editing videos for Ribbsaeter Productions.

I have redesigned our company logo. As a logo tells a lot about a company and its features, i wanted our Ribbsaeter Productions logo to be vibrant, to show we are serious but modern, open minded, event planners. Here it is:
I am really content with it. It took lots of work, but i put a lot of passion into it. As i always say, when you work passionately on something, you never ever get tired, you just want to see the finished product. It’s always worth the long hours, after you see the product of your labour.

Now for some serious stuff. Me and Patrick have just created a foundation called Ribbsaeter Foundation. It is a non-profit organization, which is trying to stop animal abuse and testing. We are especially focused right now on getting the elephants out of Bangkok’s streets. We have organized a new PETA Ad-Campaign in the middle of May intending to shoot nude as many celebrities that are fighting against animal abuse, have done. 8 models are going to pose, in chains, locked in cages, whipped, full of blood trying to show what animals are going through. Here are the details:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

WORLDWIDE MEDIA EXPOSURE.(REUTERS ETC)

1. Main press shot: group of models behind a banner reading 'The Naked
Truth: Elephants Should Be Free. Possibly outdoor or in Studio (To be
finalized).

2. Shoot someone naked in a Bamboo cage like the ones they use for breaking
elephants.

3. Shoot another 'Beaten, Shackled, Abused' ad with a woman crouched on the
ground in shackles with whip marks on her back.

4. Whips and Chains Are For The Bedroom, Not For Elephants, ad with
Patrick and maybe 2 female models posing in a bed.

5. Shoot someone in a cage for an image that could be used for our campaign
against the Pata Zoo.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have planned a massive media attack against the bastards that are abusing the elephants. For more detailed information of what PETA is really about, please check out: www.peta.org and www.petaasiapacific.com. Also check out www.furisdead.com.The videos on the sites are not for the faint hearted. I have the strength to watch many things but the site offers real insight from the animal camps where they are tested and where their fur is taken off of them, while they are awake. It’s outrageous!!!
We also needed a logo for the organization so i gladly got back to the drawing board. I wanted the logo to reflect friendliness, earthly warmth, peace, the power of nature and to show what we are fighting for. I put a lot of heart into it and i think you can see that. I am glad i can help by any means possible.

If any of you would has some words to share with us, please do not hesitate to contact me or my partner at the following e-mail addresses.

Alex Dumitriu: dumalexandru@gmail.com
Patrick Ribbsaeter: patrick@ribbsaeter.com

As a personal side note now: I have always wanted to help in wildlife preservations. As a kid i grew up watching Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. I always felt the need to give a hand to organizations around the world, to volunteer to help. It didn’t matter, i could have gone in the jungle eating rice and leaves for 6 months, i just wanted to help. That’s how i am.

Everything revolves so much around money these days. I don’t have any attraction for it. Life has so many things to offer except money. I could not do much at home though. Now i feel so content and happy that i can be part of a campaign that tries to fight animal abuse. I am really enthusiastic about the shoot and the future plans we are going to put into motion in the years to come.

I know things are slow nature-wise, though i’ve seen some progress, world organizations starting to put some leg into saving this planet from destruction. Progress is slow but we should be thankful for every step we take to make this world a better place.

Maybe a shoot won’t save the elephants, but at least we hope it will make people more aware of what’s going on in the world.

Unbound yourself from monotony, stop wasting time on the internet, doing nothing, spending money on things you really don’t need, open your eyes and see that we are destroying this planet, the equilibrium that it was created with. T

here are many networks on the internet, people exchanging opinions, trying to help or be part of the process of planet preservation. Why don’t you just join some of them? I am sure you will find shocking information that you would have otherwise never come across.

For any feedback, opinions, help, simple words you may want to address, please feel free to e-mail me -- > dumalexandru@gmail.com. We also have a group on facebook you can join if you may wish.

That’s about it my readers, i have to continue my work now. Hope you are well and always remember to live you day as it is you last. Enjoy life, it is truly a miracle!

Partying like crazy!!!

2008-04-09T17:49:00.003+03:00

Hey there. Thought it would be nice of me to let you in on some news eh? I made some great friends last week, partied a lot, had lots of fun. Parties are fabulous in Bangkok. Nobody is cocky, everybody just has fun, pure fun. I've also had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my brother and mentor, Patrick. He's showing me what Bangkok is all about. I met one of Patrick's best friends, Nathan who is a great guy, crazy party animal. He manages construction projects in Phuket. Great guy, great character. At last i come across people that are worth it. Got really sick in Romania meeting so many fake people, liers and that are not worth hanging out with. Thank God i got out!

Anyway I have some good news. It seems Patrick, the one and only Universal Player, made me his new business partner. I was shocked when i heard it but i cannot wait to start working with him and proving to him that this was one of the most beneficial decisions he has made. He will never regret it. I will put every bit of effort and energy in my work and passionately start organizing parties. If you are a possible client, please remember this: I will make your parties unforgetable. Coming from Romania(a country that tries really hard to copy all luxury parties from across Europe), i know all about parties and how to make everything ROCK!

Letting the business aside, i want to recommend a really good book for you readers. It's been out for a while and there's also a movie inspired from it. The book is called “The Secret” written by Rhonda Byrne. It is a great book, inspiring. It is a really peaceful book that talks about a law, the only law existent on this Earth. It is the law of the Universe. The law of attraction. Let's quote: “What you think about, you bring about.” How true. Think of disaster, you bring disaster, think about roses, you receive roses. It's kind of hard to explain the book to you. You should really check it out, buy it, go somewhere quiet and read it. Don't just read it, think about what you're reading, feel the book. I always try to get what the author wants from me, what he felt when he wrote the book, i don't just finish a book and start a new one. It's waste of time. Visualize what you're reading. Ok my friends that's about it for this post. I'll let you in on some pictures. Videos are coming soon.

Cheers.

“All life is an experiment.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Patrick's Birthday

2008-04-04T09:40:00.007+03:00

Hello my friends. I apologize for the lack of posting but my internet is bad as usual. Have been busy with fashion shows and castings as usual. Parties are not excluded. I will post some photos for you to enjoy. Other than that same old same old, nothing new. Starting to get really used to Bangkok, people, even the terrible traffic. Came to Thailand to make money, but it seems i'm spending more than i'm earning...clothes, beauty products, parties and books. I don't know how I'm gonna manage everything when i leave Bangkok. My luggage is supposed to weigh 20kg. Ahhh model problems :D.

Anywaaaaaay, for those of you that are not aware, we celebrated patrick ribbsaeter's birthday on wednesday, that right. Universal Player for you!!! Happy Birthday Patrick!!! May all your wishes come true and all your businesses rise to the surface. You're a great man with great character and wonderful sould, you inspire the people you meet and bring joy to others' lives. You made it all happen for me and for many others i am sure. Happy Birthday my brother!

Check out the pics...

I'll post some videos next time, first they have to go through the editing process...cheers!!!

News

2008-03-23T18:37:00.010+02:00

So as i promised here i am writing. I'm alone in my room, it's quiet, the atmosphere is really nice, good enough for writing.

Experiencing Bangkok for me opened my eyes. I remeber the days i used to stay in my college bench, thinking about my future and taking a general picture of it. Studying to be a manager was not my goal. Unfortunately diplomas can be bought really easily in Romania if you have money and companies care more about diplomas rather than knowledge. Maybe that's why we can't just climb the coconut tree as other countries do. We want to be rich and famous but we don't want to put any effort into it. Travel has given me the opportunity to know myself better, to take life in my own hands. I have had the luck to be taken care of by two wonderful parents. They have given me the right education every single step of the way. They have invested time and money and after this i was on my own. After graduating high school, i was intensely preparing for my college exam. I remember my father saying after so many months of hard work: "Son i don't want you to do this college(which he picked in the first place), i don't want you to live like me, everyday with your nose caught up in papers, having great responsability over every move you make and over every signature your pen draws on papers. I want you to travel, to see the world, live you life, you only have one. I am sure i have raised a son which i can fully trust and know he will be responsabile every step of the way." Of course i was in shock hearing this. After so many months of mathematics and other stuff, he came about with this speech. He gave me some great books that day and so this is how it all started.

I struggled as much as i could getting out of the country. As i previously said, none of the agencies in Romania gave me a chance to live. Now as it seems, the wheel has turned, they found out i was gone and started to contact me.

This beginning path is for me the beginning of a wonderful life, a wonderful career in which i am fully aware i will bump into lots of obstacles i am ready to overcome. People are my thing i noticed. I've been here for two weeks and have 20 new contacts already. It's not so hard being nice. I wonder why everyone in Romania and Europe are so offensive all the time. Everybody is so nice in Asia, especially Thailand. They smile because they want to smile and are pleased to see and meet you, they don't smile for a reason in particular.

Parties are great here. The thing i have to get used to is ending them at 1am. It seems that until new year all clubs will close at 1 am. That doesn't stop thai people from partying though. There are after parties everytime at someone's place. I will post some pictures from one, two actually. One of them is a pool party at our model house and another one at a new friend's house.

What can i say more? I am truly enjoying life and you should too. Take 5 minutes of your time and think about what you really want to do in life. You may be doing something you hate but brings you good money. Raise enough money, continue working there and start you dream business. We should celebrate life at its fullest. I really did not see myself wearing a shirt and going to a 9 to 5 job. Don't get me wrong i love shirt, cool shirt V-ups but would not see myself doing something i don't like every day so i struggled and now i am living my dream.

As much as i know that i cannot bring the full beauty of thailand to you, i will post some pictures so you can have an idea. It's a country under development, but has a unique beauty. Everybody cherishes the king. Even poorly paid citizens can afford supporting their families. Everything is so cheap. Everything from food to clothes to daily needs. Health is good, Bangkok owning the 3rd best hospitalisation system and health management. Thai people love exercises. The gym i'm going to is full all the time and there are lots of elderly people taking over weights or attending yoga and spinning classes. They snack on fresh fruit which is cheap and found on the street, not chocolate and chips like other peoples do. Fast food isn't a big industry here. You see conversions of thai and italian, thai and american cuisines, but thai, japanese and korean cuisines are the most popular. McDonalds and KFCs are pretty empty here not to say Burger King. Good for them.

Any way here are some pictures from Bangkok and some parties.

Cheers my friends.

"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."
- Josh Billings

Subway in BKK...

Icecream is not good for you models :)))

Party party party!!!

Go Jack go!

UNIVERSAL PLAYER for all of you!

Me&Patrick!!!

Yes we know Alex, you are a ladies man :D

Nice party i guess :))!

Me and some friends at a columbian restaurant...

Pool party..

Me, jack and patrick...

The king taking himself a picture looking back at the city scape of course..

Thomas...he's from the Czeh Republic

Me and Jack...very good friend...lawyer

FOOOOOOOOOD ! :D

Getting around the big city...

Me and Patrick before the party...

Famous street in Bangkok, full of tourists and food....

My first day offfffff.....

2008-03-22T20:58:00.003+02:00

Hey hey hey my friends. I have great news. Found a good internet connection, well actually not good, but better so now i can post more often and keep you updated. Nothing new, just work, gym, chillin and hoping for a huge job to come up. Met a lot of people, made some good friends. It's all good. Take care and i'll write as soon as possible.

Cheers.

Here's a video for you. Bangkok adventureeeeeee :D

Fresh post :D

2008-03-17T10:00:00.004+02:00

Hello friends. Haven’t been able to write to you because the internet is really sluggish at the model apartment. So I’m in a casting right now and can write, hopefully uploading later.
Bangkok, maaaan. The more you stay here, the more you love it. It’s fantastic. The city is so alive. Every corner is a profit machine. Everybody is moving, everybody is soooooo friendly. Started to make some good friends here in Thailand. I’m so happy. Made some photos and videos which I’ll post. Haven’t been able to do more because of the amount of work but hopefully in the future I will be able to do that. Everything is so good here. Food, life, everything. If you have some money, not a ot, but some money, you can really have fun in Bangkok and live like a king. I love Thailand.
Finally I found a good gym, with yoga and steam room, I can chill out after castings and stuff.

Ok i'm called at casting. See you later my friends.

The trip

2008-03-09T14:40:00.001+02:00

I'm testing the internet connection. We're experiencing some problems. I'll post when everything is ok. A video for now.... Have a nice week my friends!

Last post until arrival

2008-03-04T19:13:00.003+02:00

Hey there. Things are going pretty good. Started packing the essentials today, making lists of everything as i'll be leaving tomorrow at about 4pm. Due to the hectic traffic, it will take me 2 hours to get to the airport, so patience is a must in Bucharest. Until i get there and start posting my own videos, here are some good videos about Bangkok and Thai history i found on the Internet. Enjoy!

Bangkok

Thailand's History

Part I:

Part II:

Waiting to take off

2008-03-01T16:13:00.003+02:00

Hey there. I FINALLY managed to get my visa done. Nothing goes fast in this freakin country. Anyway i've been announced that Tuesday i should go and pick it up. My flight is Wednesday, i take off at 2100 arrive in Vienna at 2230, leave at about midnight and arrive in Bangkok at about 1500 the next day, Thursday. Started packing essentials. Tomorrow i'm going to go an buy myself some stuff. Not much though because there are infinite places for shopping in Thailand raging from poor quality fake stuff to very expensive genuine stuff.

Hope you found my Dale Carnegie book suggestion useful. I still read daily quotes from that book. Also noted down the essential on a little carry-on notebook.

Time has gone buy and my post got thinner. I promise this won't be the case as soon as i'm there. I'll start posting and showing you all what modeling comes down to. Traveling, people, lots of work and lots of parties. Now don't think it's all alcohol and women. For guys at least, especially guys like me that can't eat shit and look ripped in the same time, control is everything. Balancing, moderating everything. Of course my life isn't all full of rules but to quote Dale "life should not be lived, it should be celebrated". Don't wanna have fun 5 years and moan and go through hospitals my whole life. Party, have fun, have sex, just don't abuse alcohol. Have sex instead of alcohol :D.

Now for this weeks book recommendation. Received my all time nutrition, healthy lifestyle book from Amazon. World's Healthiest Foods by George Mateljan. It's been awarded the title of Best National Book of 2007.
It's a fantastic book. It's practically the whole website put in here. All the details, all the questions that were selected are just fantastic. There are questions i know i put myself but forgot about them. It's the bible for all the healthy foods on earth. It tells you their composition, why they are healthy, studies related to the statements, how to cook, store, select, recipes etc. Go buy it. There are a lot of great books on the world, a lot of must-haves. This is a definite Must-HAVE!!!! Enjoy my readers, i will get back to you as soon as i arrive in Bangkok, i'll start posting videos and everything. Thanks for reading.

Have a fantastic weekend and choose to be happy. "There aren't good and bad things on this world", Shakespear said, "...it's just the way we see them".

My visa has arrived

2008-02-20T18:21:00.002+02:00

HEHEHE! My visa has arrived from Bangkok. I'm gonna go tomorrow and process the rest of the necessary paperwork and by myself an airplane ticket with a minimum stay of 12 months. It seems i'm not coming back soon. Thank you God. Hope i can return to see my parents every once in a while, but never return to live in Romania. Keep you updated.

Cheers

Aperture 2 vs. Lightroom

2008-02-20T16:08:00.003+02:00

As you probably know Apple has launched Aperture version 2. It has improved fairly much compared to 1.5. As you can trial download it from apple.com, i tested the software myself. I'm a Lightroom user, but open to change. So i uploaded a couple of hundred images in aperture and starting playing with it. Indeed it does perform a lot faster than the earlier version, due to its engine redesign. Quickpreview let's you preview photos blazing fast. It does not render each image as you select it, it just shows you the jpeg that's been stored in the raw file during shooting. This makes things move really fast.
Now, i remember when i started using lightroom. Installed it and immediately i could find my way through the various dialogs and settings. It was very easy to get accustomed to.
Not so easy with Aoerture 2. You open the software, see buttons that you recognize but overall workflow is sluggish and hard to get accustomed to. I started editing some RAW files, and it moves fast until you reach the RAW 2.0 dialog and Sharpening dialog. For some reason(bug?) my macbook starts freezing and i must force quit.
Although i'm used to the lightroom keyboar shortcuts, aperture's ones felt rather strange. Luckily you have the capability to edit them. Maybe that's why they came up with this in the first place. Lightroom has the same letter shortcuts depending on the module you're working with.
Ratings work the same way for both applications. I do prefer color labeling my photos(green for editing, yellow for finished, blue for export and so on). Unfortunately Aperture does not have color labeling. Don't get me wrong, Aperture is a great piece of software, it's just that my workflow, at least, when using aperture is slow, and my opinion is it still munches down your RAM. Although i am willing to upgrade my RAM to 4gb, Lightroom is a speed jet on 1gb.
To conclude, it's better that you download both trials, and try for youself, see which matches your workflow and computer configuration. I find Lightroom a little easier, a cleaner interface, while Aperture Raw processor is a little better but lacks some speed and interface tidiness.

Check them out:

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1.3

Apple Aperture 2

Don't let yourself fooled with the photographer profiles. It's just marketing. Try them!

Have a great day!!!

Leaving to Asia

2008-02-17T16:29:00.008+02:00

Hey there. Sorry for the incredible pause. I have been really busy working out and preparing to leave the country. Yup. I’m going to Thaaaaaailand. I’m expecting my visa at the beginning of this week. Takes about 2-3 days to finish paper work here and off I go. I’m heading for Bangkok the kingdom’s capital. I have read a lot about Thailand these days, preparing myself for the big city. Always do that before you leave, especially to a remote place like that(by remote I mean 12-16 hour plane trip). Check out the currency, habits, general city life and of course tourist hot spots. Always be aware of what the airline and country allow you to carry, bring in and out of the place. We don’t want to get into trouble. Luckily, internet is the way to go these days, and looking up for info is just 2 clicks away.
Of course, documenting myself tops my priority list but training shortly follows. I started going on my “abs blast” diet :D. Actually I just run a little more and eat somewhat fewer carbs. I still eat a bout 6-7 meals a day, small ones, but packed with nutrient dense foods so I never go hungry. Complex carbs, high-quality protein and good fats are a must besides working out. Actually food intake is 95% of your look. There is a special saying that says “You are what you eat”. Making sure I never go hungry is really important.
Why us that? Well because going hungry means your brain starts working on “low voltage”. It’s running out of carbs. After running out of carbs, most people think it will just take the fat, “dissolve” it and use it to keep alive. False. It takes an amino-acid called ALANINE to produce energy. It starts eating our muscles. Well that’s not really nice, if you’re working 5 times a week to build muscle and burn fat. You need to keep a constant supply of quality carbs so that the body does not munch up your muscles. Now that doesn’t mean you’re gonna eat 3 breads and 4 cups of pasta before working out. Too much carb intake at once, may lead you with a growing gut. After the body takes its carb needs out of the food, it doesn’t know what to do with the rest so it turns it into fat. That’s why small amounts of carbs distributed evenly across the day is much more efficient, boosting your metabolism and burning much more fat that eating 2-3 large meals a day. As a general note, try eating 3 meals a day and snacking between them either some fruit, or yoghurt or maybe a handful of almonds or nuts. Most people eat when they’re hungry. Here’s the deal…TRY TO NEVER GO HUNGRY. Eating small of course.
I’ll start posting after my arrival, gym workouts for all kind of body types, thin, middle sized and for you big guys. I’m NOT going to tell you what you shouldn’t eat, but what you should. Moderation is the key.
Here are some pics from Bangkok!!!

Cheers!

Great Browser, Fantastic Plugins

2008-02-07T11:12:00.000+02:00

How are you readers? Having a great day? Today I decided to write about a recent experience I’ve had using a great piece of software. I’ve been using firefox since its first release. Even then I found it better than Internet explorer (just an opinion, there are lots of reviews on the internet bringing head to head the two browsers). The thing that mozilla has and other browsers don’t is…PLUGINS. Lots of plugins. You can customize your browser any way you want without slowing it down. After testing about 100 pieces of software on my mac, I decided upon some of them and, as a dedicated PC user that I have been till my macbook purchase, I started installing a fresh copy of Leopard (though not necessary, of course). I http-ed firefox’s site and there I saw the Campus Edition. It’s practically the same browser but with preinstalled plugins. AND WHAT PLUGINS my friends. One is called foxytunes. I had this on my PC and it’s extremely useful. It lets you control virtually any media player from the browser’s interface. It integrates a non-disturbing toolbar at the bottom. Cool! Next one. Zotero. This is used to take notes while you browse, it’s really good when you’re researching stuff and want to save some sites, take some notes supporting video and photo attachments too. It’s really useful. And now, the bomb. StumbleUpon. The last of this plug-in trio brings us a toolbar, which is a definite must-have. StumbleUpon is a site that you must register to, select your domains of interest and that’s about it. Now when you hit, the Stumble button on the toolbar, it randomly takes you to a site from your domain of interest. This has helped me find lots of websites that could not be found on Google. You just stumble on them. One click takes me to an art gallery, another one to a photographer’s profile, another click and I’m off reading New York Times. It’s just incredible. You can also stumble videos, photos, and articles from selected sites, facebook members and so on. The power in this little toolbar is just flabbergasting. The reason it has such a large database is that, when a user finds an interesting article or site, it just adds it to stumble’s database through the click of a button. This is very powerful considering the Internet traffic these days.
Well that’s about it for today. Talk to you tomorrow. Have lots of work to do.
Cheers.

Firefox Campus Website

Am nevoie de un fotograf/Photographer needed

2008-02-06T12:48:00.000+02:00

This post is exclusively intended for Romanian readers and will be written only in Romanian.(If you're dieing to now, i need a photographer to shoot some photos).

Salutare tuturor. Am nevoie de un fotograf amator, pasionat, care doreste sa-si imbunatateasca portofoliul. Am nevoie de cateva poze noi pentru book, pentru a fi trimise in Asia unor agentii de modeling. Sunt din Bucuresti. Am la dispozitie si un Canon 30d + 28-135mm daca vreti sa testati asa ceva. Voi veni cu haine si laptop pentru a analiza si comenta pozele. Vom incerca diferite locatii din bucuresti, vom cauta locuri cu lumina si umbre bune, poate si un loc unde sa fac cateva poze in blugi si bustu gol. Amandoi avem de castigat, tu iti faci sau iti imbunatatesti portofoliul, castigi experienta(iti voi mai da sfaturi ce faceau si alti fotografi de la shootingurile care le-am facut) iar eu ma aleg cu poze noi. Astept propuneri pe mail: dumalexandru@gmail.com

This Week's Book

2008-01-29T22:52:00.001+02:00

Hi there. Sorry i haven't written in a while because i've been busy with all kinds of work and projects. As i love reading and accumulating new information daily, I got engaged in all kinds of stuff and started searching the internet, documenting myself about certain topics I'm studying about. I love "knowing". No, i will not spend my whole day(or life for that matter) reading and studying various topics, but as a good friend of mine said, time management is everything. If i have a free window, when i can relax, i don't just sit and waist my time, i manage it. How do i do that? I read, from daily news to health, fashion, art, anything that will keep me interested and of course is worth reading. I always carry a book with me, especially social psychology ones. During the day i catch up on whatever i can, and before going to bed i allocate myself two hours of art study.
Now then, enough about myself. I want to delight you, my readers, with new an interesting info and not write about myself, because one's main interest is his own self. As hard as we can admit it, everything revolves around one's self. To give you a clear perspective about what society is and how we can - pay attention, WE - can become better people, how everyone judges us and why, sometimes, things don't work out as we would want them to, i recommend you a GOLDEN BOOK. It's called: How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie.
No, it's not a guide how to fool someone in order to get what you want. It's a book that emphasizes the role of respect, truth and how we can surpass life's challenges. It's a book that changed the life of many people in its 70 years. The author starts his book by saying:"If you can't see any change in yourself after reading the first chapter, don't bother reading any further". Indeed, the book captivates you, from its first chapter. I have read it many times(7 i think). It has been given to me by my father when i was 14. Even then i loved it. I keep a notebook with quotes from it which i read weekly. So readers, i apologize again for my late post and hope this amazing book will open many doors for you, in the relationships with your family, friends, work colleagues and daily abouts. Cheers!

--Take a look at it and its reviews on Amazon--

Fat is good. What kind?

2008-01-27T18:34:00.000+02:00

Ok kids, I’ll take you today through a biology lesson. All we hear about these days is how bad fat is, how we should stick to low fat or nonfat diets or how fat and obesity cause cancer. Actually fat plays a crucial role in your body. If you want to lose weight and have abs, read carefully the following paragraphs. There are three types of fat in this world: trans fat, saturated fat and unsaturated fat.

TRANS FAT: This is one of the fats you should really stay away from. I MEAN REALLY AVOID. This is the type of fat that is man made, not found in nature. It was invented around 1970. Scientists added hydrogen to regular oil and saw that its peak point (the point that it starts to smoke) is way higher than in regular oil. Fast foods and restaurants alike loved it. It was cheap and you could buy large quantities of it at a very low price. We all know that fat melts when heated. Well if you put a block of hydrogenated fat at room temperature, it’s rock solid. There is a strong fight going on at the moment between large companies and the health boards worldwide. Companies refuse to write on their products' labels, the quantity of trans fat they contain, knowing that people may not wish to buy them anymore. Which products have trans fatty acids? Well, nowadays most of them do, it’s really hard to avoid them, put we can manage our intake by checking the label. Here’s a general rule. On you label you might see, carbs, protein and fat. At the fat column, you will see saturated fat. Subtract the saturated amount (grams or whatever unit) of fat from the total amount of fat. Thus you’ll end up with the quantity of trans fat that is not listed. Most of the products that have it are sweets, cakes, chocolate, fast foods of any kind, merely everything you crave for. Even some cans of vegetables or even fish, have it. Even your “crispy cereals”(if you have natural muesli, oats, barley, unsweetened, unflavored, then you’re safe). Trans fats are the no.1 cause of obesity (and one of the most cancer causing ones). They won’t do you any good so please avoid them.

SATURATED FAT: Although this is considered a “bad” fat, it’s found in most of the animal products: meat, eggs, milk etc. This is not as harmful as trans fat as it can be found in nature and the body’s ability to deal with it is pretty good. You should keep the intake pretty low though. Try eating lean meats (lean beef, chicken breast, lean turkey) and low fat or nonfat dairy products, as some tend to have a lot of this kind of fat.

MONOUNSATURATED AND POLYUNSATURATED FATS: These are the champions of health. They promote good blood circulation, prevent cloths and inflammations. They also keep your heart, liver and digestive system healthy. They cut your bad cholesterol (which you get from trans and saturated fat) and boost your good cholesterol. Foods? Olive oil, nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, flax seeds etc), fish and some fruit. Good fats are omega-3 and omega-6 fats. Omega 3 keeps your brain cells healthy, repairs injuries, makes your blood thinner preventing cloths, makes your skin look better and much more.

This omega-3 fat has been considered a lifesaver by a lot of scientists. Nowadays most medics recommend getting up to 3-4g of this fat daily, either through supplements or through food (though it is recommended through food). Omega 3 is mainly found in salmon, tuna, shrimp and some other fish, walnuts and flax seeds. If salmon is too expensive for you, get walnuts. You should get 1-2 handfuls a day to reach your body’s requirement. Toss all kinds of nuts and seeds (unroasted, unsalted) in your morning cereal or on a mid day salad. They can be easily integrated in your meals. Don’t fry the fish in deep oil. Roast it to keep its nutritional value. I remember how skeptical I was when I first read about “good” fat. Now a proudly own a 6 pack and eat about 30% of fat in my daily intake. Knowing what foods to eat and in what quantities makes the difference in your health. Well, hope this helped and got you started reading more from books or online resources. For more on this topic, checkout the World’s Healthiest Foods Website.

Come back soon as I’ll be taking on the subject of protein and carbohydrates, trying to dismount some myths. I’ll be posting smoothie recepies and juicy, tasteful, healthy meals to help you get going on a healthy lifestyle and beautiful abs. As a side note: Try reading the book I recommended.

Have yourself a great day!

This week's book

2008-01-25T23:02:00.000+02:00

Ok readers this is my book recommendation for this week. It's packed with all you need, to look and feel better. Abs, lean muscle, healthy eating, it's all present in this New York Times BestSeller. You may be saying right now: Damn, another model recommending yet another diet book. It's not a book that restricts you from eating, it's a book that tells you to eat 6 times a day, only good food, healthy foods with rich nutritional value. I'm not saying only broccoli and yogurt, i mean stakes, powerful smoothies, healthy, juicy fruit salads, nuts, almonds, walnuts, peanut butter etc. These Power Foods, combined in certain quantities and distributed throughout your entire day, can make you shed those pounds in just six weeks. It's written by the editor-in-chief of Men's Health Magazine. It's an amazing book for models, businessmen, mothers, fathers, people that are undergoing treatments and so on. The food combinations are amazingly tasty and packed with nutrients and vitamins to keep you both energetic and healthy. I STRONGLY recommend it. The difference between this book and other diet books, is that this one tells you what to eat, not what not to and it's not a short-term eating plan. It's a life long eating plan. Fantastic book, very well written, structured and packed with extremely useful information. Get your hands on it now!!! --- Check it out, read the hundreds of reviews and even browse a few pages on Amazon.com. Have a great day!