Christina Ionno

February 13, 2007

Christina Ionno is an Elite Model, with FMI in Taiwan.

---

Christina Ionno Sunday, February 11, 2007...
first day off work in more two weeks...
T.I.T. - This Is Taiwan:

2007 arrives and what better way to kick off the new year than being shipped over to the crazy island known as Taiwan. I landed in the city of Taipei on January 3rd at 11:30 p.m. (a speedy two days to travel here...) I approach the little old man holding a sign saying 'CHRISTINA' and he immediatly passes me a cell phone and on the other end of the line awaits one of my new bookers, Sandy, of FMI Models. Feeling a tad groggy and lost in space, I attempt my first use of words from the Mandarin Chinese language... "Ni Hao?"

"Hello Christina! This is Sandy your new manager! You have BOOKING TOMORROW! 7:00 a.m.! Are you tired?!"

Tired, me? Nah, I only haven't slept in a week out of sheer excitement, thats all.

Ever since that phone call my life has become one great big flash. A booking and no castings or any of that jazz, how psyched was I?!

One hour later I ring the doorbell to what would now be considered my new 'Home Sweet Home'. The Model Apartment. Bewildered, I walked in and counted the noggins of each girl sitting in the living room: one... two... eleven?!?! I would be sharing my new place with eleven other models, and only two speak English - oh the fun times I can imagine we'll have fighting over who gets to use the bathroom! Fortunately, a fellow Canadian model that goes by the name of Jess was also going to be sharing this experience with me and we started what would become a great friendship from the moment she greeted me at our door.

Day One of work was a completely new experience for me: Two full racks of clothing and distorting my body every which way to come up with a different pose for each outfit - I was learning new things already! Directly after work I had six request castings to attend. I didn't get home until about 8:30 that night. This would become the norm...

Taiwan in a nutshell: A GORGEOUS island filled with BREATHTAKING mountains, and it is rowdy and loud and packed with people 24/7 (it's the second most densely populated country in the world!). There are mopeds everywhere and the streets are just wild with traffic - you have to go underground to cross the street. Its such a mind-trip to be in such a different place.

I would love to describe more about this beautiful city of Taipei but it just wouldn't justify how really beautiful and unique it is! *sigh* It was a bit difficult to adjust to a few things here such as the time difference (I am 13 hours ahead of you!), being away from the comforts of home and the things you usually get too accustomed to in your own city (especially this being the first of my adventures in travelling) but I love trying new things and decided it is best to always keep an open mind, act as a sponge and just absorb all that this exciting city has to offer.

PART TWO