JILLIAN SHANEBROOK, A MODEL'S LIFE

JILLIAN SHANEBROOK

MODEL

Model
Life Behind the Makeup

An autobiographical account by a New-Yorker-turned-model, detailing her adrenaline-filled, near-spiritual adventures in the tropics. Her unexpected entry into the world of modeling brought her to the jungles of Southeast Asia, the beaches of the French Riviera, reggae nights in Jamaica, nudist recreation in California, and ultimately into the midst of revolution in the world’s largest Muslim nation. These are the colorful and riveting accounts of her life-changing odyssey.

MODEL includes 16 color pages.

"Gorgeous photos and a hip narrative from a saucy storyteller."
MTV Producer, Runway Fashion Show

"Jillian Shanebrook's modeling and academic career is wonder woman-like. Her intelligence and sense of adventure amaze us."
Editor, Popular Magazine

"A truly colourful depiction of Jillian’s experiences in Asia. This is a brilliant piece of work."
MediaCorp Studios

Excerpt from Chapter One of Model, Life Behind the Makeup
Indonesian Adventure

New York, April

Dazzling sunshine, electric-pink bougainvillea, and leafy palm trees, these were my first images of Indonesia, described by a friend who had lived on the island of Java. My friend had sipped on coconut and mango fruitshakes, seen smile after smile of warm people, and learned the joyful Indonesian words Apa Kabar?(How are you?) Her vivid stories and pictures inspired me to contemplate an Indonesian adventure of my own. I researched volunteer positions in Indonesia and decided to apply to Princeton University, which had a program in Southeast Asia. Some of my friends were surprised: Why didn't I just travel there? I explained to them that I didn't want to just spend a few weeks as a tourist. As I had always been fascinated with Southeast Asia, I wanted to live there long enough to capture a sense of everyday life, to live as an Indonesian.

I waited nervously for a couple of months and eventually found out that I was accepted to Princeton and assigned to teach English to Indonesian students in the city of Yogyakarta, on Java, at Gadjah Mada University. I was elated but uneasy. I had never been to this part of the globe and in truth I had little idea if I would actually enjoy the experience. I was about to leave everyone and everything I was familiar with and start a new life. I flew from New York to Los Angeles, and as I waited to board the plane to Indonesia, I called my friends and family and said my last good-byes, tearful and apprehensive to leave, but in great anticipation of the adventure that lay ahead.

Preview/Excerpt