Melina Querel is a Dubai-based model who is competing in the Elite Model Look competition in Marrakech, Morocco.
Her words:
As a child, I always made faces at the camera ... like crinkling my nose or sticking my tongue out.
If you look at my baby pictures, you will find them so funny. I look like I am about to kill someone. And right next to me is my brother, Philippe, looking all innocent and happy.
I look the same in all my school photos and I don't think I can ever like any of them.
You can call me Mel
I have scores of nicknames given by different friends. I am Canadian and was born in Quebec. In 2000, my father, Louis Paul, landed a job in Al Ain and so we came here. I was 8 at the time.
People think we are a family of just four - my mother, Linda Lazure, father, elder brother, Louis Philippe, and me. But actually, my happy family also includes my cat, two rabbits, a duck, turtle and cockatoo.
I didn't grow up in a city ...
… we lived in a small village by a river in Quebec during the year and in the summer if we were not in Florida we had a chalet by a lake called Roxton Pond. It is a really beautiful place.
Next to my chalet was a forest full of raspberry bushes. There was a place where there were frog nests and we used to catch them. I remember running around in the forest with my cousin pretending (that we were in a) fairy tale.
It is so sad that deforestation and development have made that place devoid of the natural beauty I enjoyed as a kid. I feel sad about why those beautiful things cannot be passed on to the next generation! Well, life is still beautiful, but it is not the same.
I miss my grandparents.
I still remember my grandmother's sad eyes and the smiling face when she came to see us off at the airport in Canada. It never occurred to me that we were relocating. I guess I was too young and naive to understand.
Al Ain was an amazing experience.
As a kid, I never realised that there was a world beyond Canada, the US, Europe, Africa and Mexico. So for me, shifting to Al Ain was not at all normal. It was weird.
When I first started off in Al Ain English Speaking School, all I knew was French and some Spanish - that was my second language in Canada. I remember how difficult it was for me to read a simple book in English.
I probably sat there the whole afternoon trying to read the first page, crying because it was just too tough. By the end of the fourth grade, however, I had managed to talk quite well. But I still have some problems with the language.
I have to admit, I love school …
… except for the homework. When we moved to Dubai (a few years ago), I was admitted to my present school, Dubai American Academy, which has the American module. I find it very different and much tougher (than my previous school).
But I guess sometimes it is better to learn through harder ways. Now I am in the ninth grade and enjoy geometry, writing workshops, English, French, concert choirs, physical education and science, which is my favourite subject.
I have never had such close friends before - such as George, Pablo, Charly, Marya and Jamila, my best friend.
I am only 15 …
… and find it tough to juggle studies and modelling, but I manage. I think it is important to be highly motivated at all times. I think it is this that has inspired me to continue at regular school, instead of finishing my last year through correspondence. I want to give my final year my best shot.
February 10 is D-Day ...
… I am really looking forward to the Elite contest in Marrakech. It could be a life-changing experience. I am so excited because I will be able to meet so many other models. It will also add to my portfolio and I just can't wait to meet all those lovely people.
I have done so much preparation for this contest! I stopped eating junk food and sugar. I ate only fruits, vegetables, fish and chicken. I had to stop eating bread, rice and so many things to keep my skin clear but at 15, it really is not easy! I try to look healthy and full of energy.
If I win the contest ...
… I will try to take modelling as far as I can and hope for the best. I believe a contest cannot judge as to who is beautiful because everyone is beautiful in his or her own way. I don't really think anyone can call one girl pretty and another prettier because everybody is different. You can't judge someone by just looking at her.
My parents are very supportive ...
… they let me take the call (on how seriously I want to pursue modelling). Of course, it would be amazing for me to be in the top 10 in the contest - but, honestly, if I don't win, it still will be fun to just be there.
I'm really happy and already count myself a lucky girl because at least I have a chance! This is a good start to my career.
My favourite photographer is Francisco ...
… he is an amazing photographer based in Toronto and I love working with him. Last summer, I did a test shoot with him when I was in Montreal.
A couple of weeks later, I got a phone call asking me to come back to Toronto. A new designer was in town and when she had approached Francisco to shoot her portfolio, he declared he wanted me to be specially flown in for it.
Modelling is fun ...
… it is an amazing experience. It has opened new avenues for me. That is because I am a T-shirt kind of person. Modelling has taught me so much about fashion, style and photography.
Even before I won the Face of BurJuman competition last year, I had done a couple of assignments. But it was only after the contest that I understood how serious the fashion business is.
I will not go to any extreme for the sake of modelling. There are a million jobs out there waiting. If someone does not like me and the way I am, I will wait. Anyway, I have my whole life ahead of me. If it does not work out, it's not a problem. There will be another adventure out there for me.
I've always dreamt of becoming a pilot ...
… I still want to fly a plane. It's my dream and I won't give up on it, even if I do become a successful model.
