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January 25, 2009

I doubt I could live without the internet.

Kitsune Noir
An awesome design blog; there's a daily desktop project going on, and the desktops are siiick.





The Cherry Blossom Girl
I still dream of tea parties and pink dresses with frills. And in France? That's even better.











Disgrasian
Because no amount of hours spent at the library studying, times in your professor's office spent questioning, and number of times you do the practice exam, you will never redeem yourself for making only a B+ on that last biology exam. Automatic disgrace!

But reading about other's disgrace totally makes that B+ look peachy (just don't tell my parents). You know what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!


Epicurious
I've always had a hard time relying on recipes from the internet, but this website is grade-a legit. I'm excited to try out their iced lemongrass tea once I am reunited with met mart, my one true love.


Sweet Sassafras
Reading this DIY clothing blog totally makes me want to revamp my entire wardrobe armed with nothing but cloth, thread, buttons and a singer machine.


Pike/Pine
Because I love Seattle and I love street look books.

January 19, 2009

Kudos, Disgrasian.

From here:

Y'all know how much we like to joke about how hardass our people are, and how we were disciplined as children. Yeah, we were spanked with hairbrushes, flyswatters, and belts, and sometimes we got slapped in the face (Diana's sister did for receiving a love note from a classmate...in the 2nd grade). Our moms read our diaries and punished us for our private thoughts. We were told we were failures for bringing home B's and low test scores, and our parents rarely approved of our friends, who they tended to think were dumb, ill-mannered, disrespectful, and bad influences. Minor infractions like wearing a too-short skirt or missing curfew were judged as major flaws in our character. And the threat of disownment hung over us constantly, like a thick, sullen storm cloud.

The older we get, however, the more we get it. Our Hardass Asian Parents grew up in worlds devastated by war, poverty, deprivation, displacement, and loss. They wanted us to succeed because they didn't ever want us to "go back to where we came from." There was a method to their hardass-ness, even though that method was sometimes wack and didn't easily jibe with our growing up in America. It wasn't, to paraphrase Phil Collins, a groovy kinda parental love. But it was a kind of love.

January 16, 2009

I'm getting ready...

...to drop off the face of the planet once more, or at least for the next four-or-so months.

my ipod is updating with my AIRPLANE!!!!!! playlist.

laundry is lying neatly folded on top of my luggage. i'm being lazy at the moment. it'll get inside, i promise.

my cellphone is charged, and i WILL pay attention to it for the next twenty four hours. i will pay attention to it for the next twenty four hours. i will pay attention to it for the next twenty four hours.

appointments are made with professors,
books are ready for pick up at the mailroom on tuesday morning,
my 2009 planner is fully annotated,
my boarding passes are safely tucked in-between the pages of above-mentioned planner,
and i am already feeling nostalgic for the winter vacation.

it's been a good stint, this past winter. if you look to my spiel about my new year's resolutions, one of them is to keep in touch with people (specifically, number 5). write me on here. facebook me. shoot me an e-mail. call me. i want to hear from you, and i'll do my best to facebook/ email/ call you back.

you take care!

p.s. i love scheduled posting... :)

January 14, 2009

Ah souuuuuu.






















Naaaani?

January 12, 2009

George and Martha, Rise and Shine.


When I was three and four, I lived in Adak, Alaska, which is a very small Aleutian island. It's near the end of the chain of Aleutian islands. I remember one day I didn't have school because the sun didn't come up. My mom and dad worked two jobs each. My mom would bring me home ice cream from Baskin Robbins and hamburgers from McDonald's. I remember going with my dad to my school at night, sitting up on the stage in the school auditorium while he swept the floor with a broom that looked like it came right out of Mary Poppins. The school was scary during the day, but at night, when I would be there with just my mom and dad, I ran through the hallways as if I owned the place. But there was one place I couldn't explore at night that I really wanted to-- the library.

I remember the first time my teacher took my preschool class to the library; I was really excited because I had never been to a library before. Or at least, I don't remember any library until that one. The library, as I remember it nearly 17 years later, was enormous and white, but not sterile-- it was a sort of glowing white, with rows and rows of short, dark wooden shelves stretching as far as my three year old eyes could see. And that smell. Oh, that smell... so wonderful. Woody, dusty, and something else I can't put my finger on.

We stayed for a half hour, and we were allowed to walk around on our own, but respect the books. And even better, we were allowed to check one book out.

I don't remember how I picked George and Martha, Rise and Shine. Maybe it was because the book, which had a hard, vinyl cover, was bright yellow. Maybe I had picked it because there was an illustration of a hippo in a bed on the cover-- silly! I don't know. But I remember it as the first book I had ever checked out from the library. I also remember it was the first book I had read all the way through, with lots of help from my mom. I remember stumbling over the word "uncomfortable," and my mom making me repeat it after her over and over. I remember re-reading the book for the umpteenth time at the dinner table, with a bowl of milk and filling-depleted oreo cookies by my side, laughing when George made a secret club that Martha couldn't join, making Martha upset, causing George to reveal to Martha that his secret club was a Martha Fan Club... and of course, you can't join your own fan club! Silly!

At some point, I realized that library books were meant to be returned back to the library. And that library books were supposed to be respected.

I had read that book in the bathtub too many times to count. I had gotten oreo filling on it quite frequently, and sometimes a little milk had gotten on the page, too. And at some point, I decided I didn't like the color of Martha's bow and had colored it some other color with a crayon.

I got scared. I hid the book under the couch. But because of that, I was too scared to go back to the library after that.

I still have the book. It's somewhere in a box in California. Hopefully I'll see it again this summer. And when I do, I'll save it on a shelf, not under the couch.

I'm feeling really contradictory right now, in the sense I feel really young and old at the same time. 17 years has gone by since I first checked out a library book. Since I first pronounced the word "uncomfortable" properly, and understood what it meant. I've checked out many library books since then, and have been in so many uncomfortable situations since, but none are as memorable as that book from that first library or peering underneath the couch to make sure my quarry was well-hidden.

January 11, 2009

UGHGHGHGHGHGHGHHHHHH!!





AAAAGHHHHHHHHGHGH.

GROSSSSSSSSSSS.

AHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHHHHH.

Okay, I'm done.

(it's about squirrels, if you couldn't tell)

Sewing and the such.

So, since I've been home, I've been sewing non-stop. Mostly holes in old, but far-from-ready-to-go-away sweaters and adding new buttons/reinforcing old ones on coats. But it's made me feel like a whole new me-- I want to stitch everything now!
And knit.
Knitting is good.


P.S. These are reallymybirthdayisonmarch21st awesome-looking books.



January 10, 2009

Oh! So pretty. And slightly mischievous.






















*





















Heeeeeee. Good times?
Good times.

source!

January 08, 2009

Come on, you know you did...

















Er, wow.
Well, yes, racism is unacceptable.


But I couldn't help myself. Come on. You laughed a little, too. Just a little.

Thistly
































Isn't this gorgeous?

Moby Dick: Winter-Fall 2008 Soundtrack

These are songs that have kept me sane through o-chem all-nighters, remembering dates on various Shang dynasty bronze works, tired afternoons, anxiety-riddled days, and amino acid flash cards...

songs that have been the soundtrack for cookie baking sessions with friends, kitchen hang-outs, half-awake memories, and long talks in dorms...

songs played inbetween longs bouts of Dexter, Scrubs, movie-thons, homework, and sleep...

songs to navigate my way through the ocean as I search for a whale.

x


1. Blue Ridge Mountains, The Fleet Foxes
I know it's been said over and over again, but really: they are quite something. I've heard the term "baroque rock" used to describe their style, and although I am no expert on what baroque is, it seems fitting. The sound, I feel, is lush and extremely musical, in the sense that there are just so many complex things going on all the time. And although the Fleet Foxes are from the PNW, the music is perfect for all the winter-time East coast driving I do these days. Something about the bareness of the trees and grey skies.
Well, okay, I'm not the one doing the driving... since I only have my permit. Damnit.











2. Midnight Surprise, Lightspeed Champion
A very twangy country sound to this song caught my attention, and I was even more surprised when I realized that Lightspeed Champion was from the UK. There's one bit that I always get stuck in my head-- starts at about 0:23, and repeats several times throughout the song.
Aaand that's because it's the chorus. Good job me for finally realizing that! :)
This song reminds me of studying at the lab bench, with my books strewn out over the black table.













3. Seven Swans, Sufjan Stevens
Banjos are cool. So is Sufjan. I'm down.
I remember I was listening to this song in the living room when it started to snow for the first time. I then ran outside and yelled, ITS SNOOOOOWWIIIIING!!!!

4. To Be Alone With You, Sufjan Stevens
I've already established that Sufjan + banjos = awesome. This song just further solidifies that. And so does this picture. Falcon wings? Sweet.














5. The Narwhal, Amazing Baby
I love the intro; it makes me think of Captain Ahab standing on the bow of the Pequod*, looking out fiercely and critically over the ocean for Moby Dick. Go get him, Captain Ahab.
*I totally forgot the name of the ship. That was wiki-ed.




















4. Random Firl, Late of the Pier
Whats a firl? Wiki!
Damn.
But in anycase, I'm loving the casio.



















5. Time & Space, The Cinematic Orchestra
The female vocalist on this song is amazing; I feel like I'm about to burst into a meadow of dandelions whenever I listen to it.





















6. White Winter Hymnal, The Fleet Foxes
I love rounds! Makes me think of girl scouts, which I only liked for the songs. Mmm.























7. Allemande, Keane
Keane is known for their piano rock, but this more piano-centric song is just so powerful, courtesy of the kick-ass chord progressions.























8. Be OK, Ingrid Michaelson
The soundtrack to me sitting in ochem at 8 AM, standing in the super-long coffee line after ochem, studying ochem at 8 PM, thinking about ochem at 3 AM, and yeaah. You get the idea.





















9. Blue Flower, Blue Flame, Destroyer
I love the little guitar riff. It makes me think of ivy on bricks, for some reason. Some really random reason.
















10. So Long, Lonesome, Explosions in the Sky
I love instrumentals, and Explosions in the Sky is my favorite instrumental band. I love the piano on this.



















11. A Wolf at the Door, Radiohead
This song = Caffeinated late-night library sessions.





















12. Saving Days in a Frozen Head, Kaki King
Not only can Kaki play shred guitar, but she can sing. You go girl.



















13. Sleepyhead, Passion Pit
At 4:30 AM...
"Hey K, play that song again."
"But it just played."
"AGAIN!!!"
















14. God Has a Voice She Speaks To Me, CocoRosie
I love CocoRosie. I can't stop listening to their songs, but this is the one that started it all. It's got a very shoegazey quality to it, but it somehow... isn't.

















15. The Garden That You Planted, Sea Wolf
Anything acoustic is good. Sea Wolf is good. Hence, this song = really good. I get a really vivid picture whenever I listen to the lyrics. I think of: A small-ish room, bed, drawers, mirror crammed in there; small windows on either side, but with sun pouring in; a quiet fall morning. And someone lying in said bed, which is piled with pillows and sheets, looking up at the ceiling, which is sloping and has white chipped paint.

Thursday Morning























Max.





































































Whoa.






















Enough said.

January 07, 2009

I think that my font gets smaller every post.

So, new year's resolutions: I figure I'm due to talk about it sometime soon, and sooner is better than later, which is always better than never... but never gets you nowhere. So here I am, queen of circular reasoning.

Anyhow.

1. HIP MUFFINS. Get. Rid. Of.
I really should run more. I live in a theme house on campus where I'm supposed to be out and about quite frequently... which I am not. See number 3 on list.

2. Regain guitar callouses. I'm out of practice.
I tried playing an old favorite a while ago, and it HURT. Music shouldn't have to hurt... that much. Can anybody say "awful yellow-covered warm-up piano exercise book"? Yeah. See number 3 and number 8.

3. Stop being a flake! Flake flake flake.
It may have to do with the fact that I am just downright forgetful at times. Oh, I don't know.

4. Be a better vegetarian.
Because it's good for me and good for the animals.

5. Stay in better touch with people.
Also falls into the category of number 3. I've been good about that so far, and it just feels really good to know how everybody from my past and present is doing. I feel fuller these days.
And not just fuller of meat (see number 4).

6. Stop being anxious about everything.
Who's Queen of the 3 AM Anxiety Attack About the Assignment That is Due in Two Weeks?
I'll tell you who: Me.

7. Stop cracking knuckles, or else I will get arthritis at 30.
Yeah. Arthritis. No fun if I want to keep using my hands.
But I may be doomed already. You know, keyboards and computers.

8. Be more patient.
I've been hiding behind the excuse "I'm too busy to be patient." That hasn't been fair for the people around me, and for myself, as well. I'm never too busy to give a damn about the people I care about.

9. Don't be afraid to be a bitch when necessary, a.k.a. stop passive-aggressive asian behavior NOW.
Hey you, guy behind the grill in the SUB: GIVE ME MORE GADDAMN FRIES.

10. Sleep better; sleep MORE.
And stop being a cranky college student with no patience, not enough food, too much anxiety and not enough energy to get up and run.

-

January 06, 2009

Playlist I: The Musings of a Faux East Coaster.

To entertain you (but mostly me): a playlist of sorts!

1. Cuddle Fuddle, Passion Pit.
I'm a fan of the general favorite, Sleepyhead-- thank you, November indie rock playlist. So I checked out the rest of their material after having S. stuck in my head constantly, and I was drawn to this one after I gave their record a
good listen.



2. I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked, Ida Maria.
Don't let the title throw you off... mostly because there's nothing to be thrown off about. The song is exactly what you think it's about, except Norwegian Ida Maria manages to give it a surprisingly poignant twist, lyrics-wise. Music-wise, the song is so damn catchy.








3. The Last Day of Our Love, The Bird and the Bee.
Whenever I listen to The Bird and the Bee, I marvel at their loungey, jazzy, yet poppy style. I love the organ in this song.


4. Again and Again, The Bird and the Bee.
If I was in a white dress and spinning around in a vast green field, surrounded by balloons, this would be the song I would want to be playing in the background.




5. Two Atoms in a Molecule, Noah and the Whale.
Undoubtedly, you've heard "Five Year's Time," courtesy of that one car commercial that played all the time during this past summer. Well, Two Atoms is just as catchy. And I like it because I like science. Especially molecules.





6. The Shade You Hide, Lukestar.
Your usual alt. rock angsty anthem, but I really like the intro.









7. Come Around [with Timbaland], M.I.A.
I love the beats in all the M.I.A. songs, but this one just has that extra something that makes it even better.
And the chorus is caaatchy. You WILL get it stuck in your head.







8. Flume, Bon Iver
I actually just started listening to him yesterday (thank you NPR music)-- it started off with Skinny Love, and although For Emma is the centerpiece of the album, I love Flume. Every song has a story. The entire album is a story. I just like the chapter called Flume. This guy is a story.

Picture Book: A Day of Sleet

Maximus:




































Out the window:































Inside:










































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