Over the span of 6 weeks, i've gotten to know these strangers better.
It's pretty interesting, artificial non confrontational approach that somehow managed to become real and non-judging.

let me tell you about them, and what' i've learnt from them. Using pseudonyms bcos this is suppose to be private. hahah. this is also just my opinions of them, from what i've gathered. may or may not be true (disclaimer).

There were 7 of us in total. Nancy, Julia, Ethel, Jenny, Mark and Mike. And me.

Nancy, on the surface, was a confident person.. always dressed in black. Right from the start, she was vocal and gave the feeling that she's v sure of who she is...and is i/c. She had a background in art, and was the most 'skilled'. Through the 6 weeks, we learnt that she's a mother of two kids. And she was a art educator for children. She ran an art centre, and in her own words, 'loves time' and 'cant get enough of it'. we also found out that she wasnt always this 'successful'. prior to having her own art centre, she was a 'home-maker' and was 'useless and lifeless' (according to her child). i guess what the child meant was directionless... since she had channelled energy into bringing up her children. Now, the sense i get from her is that she's become empowered, and is constantly looking for ways to upgrade herself and do her job that she loves.. while having her loving family. Can tell she has a loving r/s with her children too (: pretty inspiring... she is someone i would like to learn from, having a loving family, constantly better myself, and do a job she loves - she's a self starter.

Julia was also vocal on the surface, but in a more gentle, small talk way. 
what struck me about her was, how together she is. she knew herself and what she wanted. she knew her comfort zones, her place, and what she wanted to do. she basically gave the feeling that she was a very controlled person, and knew what to expect in her life. she knew her roles, and expect things to turn out a certain way, and is usually right. she's like a self fulfilling prophesy. 
drawing her lines and comfort zones, and sticking to it. while it gives her comfort and peace to be so sure of herself and her place, i feel that she limits herself. carefully and distinctly drawn comfort zones often suggests fear. 

I wish to not grow up to become like Julia. I would want to be sure of myself, and what i want... 'find my place in the world'. Yet i feel some curiosity and surprise and spontaneity is needed in life, which is what the rest had pointed out, i have as a 'youth'. so there's a lesson there too. i dont want life to scare me along the way, such that i feel the need to hide in a secure place and just linger there. Julia has also figured this out about herself, and i think she'll try to inject some of that in her too.

Ethel was the closest to may age, being about 6 years older. she loves nature, trees in particular. A good number of ppl in class loved nature too. From what i gather, she seems pretty sure of herself too, but is more open to things and people. she was the most friendly and chatty with me. 'looking' out for me in a way. we're also in the same line of work so that helps too. she didnt reveal that much about herself, or no distinct pattern yet anw. hahah. It seems like she's also v close to a few of her girl friends, who encourage her to go out and try new things. She also has issues like being a worrier and stressed out easily. From our after class conversations, i know she's exploring furthering her studies in her interests, which im glad of as i can relate to that. Can tell she's quite a homey idealist too, possibly more homey but less idealistic than me tho. i feel like i want to know how her endeavours turn out, and i really hope it all goes well for her.

Jenny is one of those that 'moved' me the most. i say that without all corniness. She looks quiet but she shared a lot about herself, and is very open to sharing. She quit her job sometime this year, to do what she wants. and said she'll 'take up part-time jobs if necessary' in order to do that. What she wants, is to be an artist, and to help people with her art. she said this upfront specifically right at the first lesson. I applaud her for that, it's something that i cant say it out loud yet, bcos either im afraid or im not sure yet if that is what i really want. either way, whatever. 

So yes, jenny said she feels like she's wasted her time... that she spent 10years or 20, in her old job doing admin instead of doing what she wanted to do. she felt trapped, and felt like she was 'too old' to do anything new. but with the encouragement of certain ppl ard her, she decided that 'age was just a number' and so she's making an attempt at being an artist and fulfilling her dream. she has problems, such as her back... not letting her sit for as long as she likes etc, but she's always so positive and takes things in her stride. very inspiring. and reminds me not to be afraid to act, and take things for granted.

Mark, i dont know much about.. and i doubt anyone does either. He's a very busy man, prob came for 4 times only. I know he works at some mediation job. and is a soon-to-be father. Has a wife, is from switzerland, and is traveling frequently. he doesnt have a permanent home, and is prob on EP. lol. i think he feels obligated to do a lot of things, w a baby on the way, and obligated to his job.

Lastly, Mike, who interestingly used to be a chef. He's very good with his hands, and can sculpt a perfect snail while blindfolded in the dark. He said this was from his days as a chef, learning to sculpt decorative food. lol. he loves nature a lot, and with every piece... sought to bring out a message on conservation. somehow it always led back to him telling us that we must not take the earth for granted. We found out that he grew up in a kampong, close to nature. And he has kids and a wife. He was hilarious, in an awkward way... making strange 'huh' comments that most dads would. One thing that struck me about Mike was his 'simple' kind nature. He said his job 'had to do with water', and he 'studied the movements of water'. He would also give rather insightful comments. He was the first one who told me something that surprised me, saying that the doodles i drew which i thought was a tree, looked like the patterns on those old fashioned gates. I then realised that that was the pattern on the gate of my childhood home.. the pattern that i've been tracing for years in my doodles, and traced when i stood at the gate watching people and waiting for my parents to come home.

anw, Mike also constantly talked about my 'youth' and he seemed genuinely amazed by it. he would always comment to me and the rest 'we have AGED'. as if seeing the 'world' through my view very innocent, hopeful and full of possibilities... as opposed to their serene/lethargic view. i guess i must say it could be true. my works were definitely more 'messy' and vibrant in colours... not so 'within the lines'. and i guess the things i chose to draw and see, were kinda childish and maybe idealistic. it's a little embarrassing, but in a way im glad for it. i hope to not lose that 'sense of wonder' so much, and not become so 'afraid' and 'guarded' especially like Julia.

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This group of us, what we have in common i'll say is our idealism to a certain extent. We all wanted to try and experiment with something new. We believed in helping others and finding 'peace' within and getting acquainted with ourselves. sounds lame and corny, but i really cant put it in any other way. We also wanted to improve ourselves, and i can say that all of us or almost all but one love nature. Two went to the extent of becoming vegetarians. 

As for me, i can say that this has made me more aware of myself... or rather, affirm what i knew of myself as well. It also made me realise in a way, what i wanted for myself for now. A traditional loving family, freedom to try the things i love, material comforts to look good and be comfortable with myself, doing something that helps people in a way that i love.

The last portrait is currently plastered on my wall outside, to remind myself of this.. and to help me remember what i've learnt from these people as well...who have shared themselves with me. It takes courage and motivation to take that first step to examine yourself and move towards changing yourself for the better... i respect everyone there for that. I didnt share as much i think, but hopefully they learnt something from me too.. about youth and positive perspectives.