A found soul in New York City

Cooking for Two.

2009-09-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

I've come down to a conclusion that cooking, no matter how tired I am, can be rather peaceful and soothing to the mind. (Only wished the kitchen is a little bit bigger so I don't get real estate constrain and freak out when the vegetables and meat are getting contaminated due to close proximity.) I've just started on a detox program that will continue for the next 5 weeks where I'm slowly eliminating wheat and dairy products and introducing foods that are foreign to my palate. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner plus 2 mini snacks per day. It isn't a lot of work, just have to be more mindful of what I have in the pantry, and make sure everything is accounted for before I start.

So far, the new things I've made/tried are tofu nut butter (tofu, miso, almond butter blended together to become a paste-like hummus concoction), a walnut-infused pesto, and broccoli rabe. Each meal is like a journey of discovery and I'm most of the time proud of what I am capable of, because before I thought I cannot follow recipe/rules and screw up the taste. I'm quite laissez faire when it comes to cooking.....hmmm..on second thoughts, I'm free and easy to everything. :)

Though it took up 1/2 of my weekend last week to get all the ingredients for this week, it is worth it. My ability to cook has improved since 5 years ago in that unfortunate event with instant noodles at U of Iowa dormitory - Mayflower, where I had no idea how much water to put in the pot. If I can cook this much better today, why should I pay someone else for something that I can humbly prepare? If I have to pay for my meals, it must be something I admire and made of the freshest ingredients and come from the most talented minds.

I look forward to out of town friends visiting or the occasional dining out where indulging in 4 star Mexican cuisine, French Bistro, or mouth-watering Greek food makes me feel extremely bless for being born. As long as it is made well, I'll pay for it, even if it means going broke. Because when it comes to things that I put into my body, it must be nothing else but the best.

Oh, and being on this island where Grandpa's son, Alex, told me last weekend....."It will take one 4 years eating out every night at a new restaurant to try everything in NYC." I think I might be at the right place. I just need to have more dough.

Aloe Vera treatment.

2009-09-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

I've always been a big aloe vera fan. Love drinking it and know it is an essential ingredient in few of my beauty products like lotion and bath gel. It wasn't till I started hanging out at Jeff's apartment and saw his roommate's aloe vera plant that I realized this elixir to great skin can be grown so close to one's comfort zone. I saw Vikki apply a piece of aloe vera on her face while I was cooking bitter gourd with shrimp in the kitchen and I thought that was an awesome homemade facial. Could save me tons of $$ on chemically induced skin care and facial treatment (which I get probably once a year when I go back home.)

So on Monday, after getting my DVD rentals from the library, I passed by a grocery store that we selling leaves of Aloe at $2.49/pd. I paid about $2.20 for this piece and tried it on last night. I thought it might taste good, like the drinks I usually indulge in, but NO!! Raw aloe vera is tasteless, and the sap is so...."blocking all your senses sensation" that I had to spit it out after 5 seconds. yuck!

But the texture rubbed on my face was absolutely FABULOUS!! It left my skin supple and soft. I got to go to a nursery this weekend and start cultivating my own pot.

Dinner tonight.

2009-09-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight's dinner was a simple affair. I made my favorite boy choy with shrimp and garlic plus a little bit of the more expensive oyster sauce that we got at the Hong Kong Supermarket in Chinatown. I'm not usually a big fan of oyster sauce, but my sister insisted on purchasing the more expensive one, and realized that the grade does make a difference to the whole outcome. This time, I made sure that I sauteed the garlic till it was brownish before adding the shrimp. I thought by letting it turn golden, it will bring out the flavor of the garlic and immerse more with my other ingredients. I wonder if this is a correct formula.

So I cook and she does the dishes. Great partnership, great company. Teamwork rules.

Ice cream craving satisfied, or not?

2009-09-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Passed by this ice cream parlor couple of times and my brother's friend Xiao Tong told me they have really good ice cream.
So we planned for dessert there after our curry chicken meal to treat ourselves.

I read reviews on yelp and the general public suggested honey melon or lychee. I didn't get the hype as I usually do when I enter a ice cream store where I'll start asking for different samples. I didn't feel that way last night, so I ordered honey melon on a sugar cone. My sister got lychee.

It was creamy and extremely flavorful. But I thought it was a little bit too sweet. NOT too sweet, but not to my liking sweetness.
Nothing beats Bi-rite in SF or Bombay Ice Creamery on Valencia and 17th Street.

Curry Chicken

2009-09-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

After experiencing culinary constrains in Burning Man, I figured that if sumptuous meals can be prepared in that conditions - with dust and strong wind, I'm pretty sure decent dishes can be whip in the comfort zone of my tiny apartment in Manhattan.

So my sister and I decided to make curry chicken for dinner tonight. I begin cooking at 5:41pm while she sat by the window with her laptop trying to crack Maya.

In a Singapore style curry chicken dish, it is very important to have potatoes. I choose 4 red potatoes and thought that I could get away without peeling the skin, but YT said "We peel it back home, ask Meng if you don't believe!" so.... De-skin, chop to 1/2 than 1/4, then fry them to golden brown.

Next, I chopped up the chicken and some garlic. Following the instructions to the packet of spices that Mom packed for us was very easy. So after everything and including a can of coconut milk, WALA~ Curry chicken! :)

2009-01-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

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Wanted to paint the dried flowers after class on Friday. But was too exhausted. Did it this morning. I slept for 12 hours last night. And this is only the 1st week of school.

Never painted dried orchids before. I think it has its own beauty too. Final touch up in Noon light.

Chinese Idiom: A journey of a thousand miles began with a single step.

Capoeira

2009-01-29T22:45:00.000-08:00

Nothing is FreE?

2009-01-28T10:04:00.000-08:00

using visual elements to blog is a great way for me to keep up with my drawing + observation + language + discipline + expressing skills.

Things to remind myself as I live my days....

2008-09-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

I've admit I haven't been a good blogger. Only write an entry whenever I feel like it. But hey, there are no rules to blogging, so forgive me to those who were patient to wait for my entries and do take the time to read it. And thank you for your concern to check by once a while. :)

I just started my Fall semester. It is my last 2 semesters as an undergraduate. I need to treasure my time in school while I can before I face the question of, WHAT NOW?

Just a few things that I realized I have to focus in life:

1) Be careful with my expenditure and always know where my money is and where they are going. 2 trips to DBS in Singapore and reading a book on investing made me more aware of the importance of $$$$$$.

2) Read editorials - newspapers, magazines, online blogs on a regular basis in order to be well informed. Sometimes, it is a bless to be living as an ignorant, but other times.....NOT!

3) Hand write letters if possible and develop the habit of pinning down thoughts....it will help me grow as an articulate and confident writer.

4) Never procrastinate. Plan things ahead of time. Procrastinating waste energy and time. and I have limited resources on both of them...

5) Be present. I live once and it will be well-lived if I lived it in the moment. It helps me to be appreciative of the things and people around me.

6) Always view consequences ahead of actions. A great example would be me wiping out my sister's hard-drive when she told me specifically not to click on "that button". both her and I had to go through emotional turmoil. Finally, we spent a bomb, technically, I am going to spend the bomb ($$$$$$$) and managed to retrieve 100%. I want to thank Kiran and Dean for their input in getting information on places and software that could help. Therefore, before i do anything..."press that button" i need to reconsider the consequences.

7) Eat healthly and exercise 3-4 times, 1-1/2 hours each per week.

8) Be humble and talk less. Listen more. I'll gain more that way.

Penny of your thoughts?

long awaited entry.....

2008-08-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

I was prompted by Peter to start blogging again. Blogging requires discipline, just like everything else - managing my accounts/finance, starting projects, educating myself.....touching base with friends...:)

I just finish my final exam - Mythology class. One of the final lectures was talking about conquering one's inner shadow. All of us have bad habits that we disown and hide it deep within us. It takes courage and strength to tap into it and challenge it. I have a pile of such on my dark side. I can't do this journey on my own, i need somebody to be with me, just in case i go too deep into the abyss and can't get out. Who will help?

I was at the chiropractor yesterday and was reading an article on how to handle stress. The number 1 way to cope with stress is to EXERCISE. I've been swimming 1-2 times a week, spinning classes once a week (though i miss this week due to final exam)...and hardly work out at the gym at all. I need to be more strict about getting an hour worth of adrenaline every day.
Number 2, journaling. The physical action of writing down one's emotions and thoughts helps to drain the bad "qi" out of one's body. I thought it made sense, i prefer writing than "talking to somebody". But i'm not about elevating my mood by blogging it here in public. I can be quite private with my own feelings.

2007-10-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Thursday - 11th Oct 2007

After a day's of errand, since it is my off day from school, I treated myself to a conversation/lecture session at the Asian Art Museum. It was held one day before the "Stylized Sculpture" exhibtion is due to open. We had Hiroshi Sugimoto, Akiko Fukai, and the Associate director for Japanese Art, who acted as the main speaker. Sugimoto is a well-known artist who specializes in photography. Fukai is the chief curator of Kyoto Costume Institute. They discussed about the emerging avant-guade designers in Japan during the early 1980s. Mainly Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo. They went on to interprete how Japanese cultures inspired the grown of such designs which initially were perceived by the international fashion community as radical, questionable beauty. It gradually became the "new aesthetic" of European Fashion. It was interesting to hear how Sugimoto, part of the curator for this exhibition, his concept behind the display of the mannequins. There will not be any panels to explain each garment, he wants the people to have their own response and feel the artworks by themselves. He followed the Sanjusangendo temple in Kyoto, where there are 2 entrances and 1001 Budhha displayed in a row. Similarly, the exhibition is minimal, with black walls, black platforms with subtle lighting. I can't wait to visit the museum again.

After the lecture, I watched a movie at home. A classic cult movie, Harold and Maude. The movie had a weird plot at the beginning and it didn't make much sense about the characters. But slowly, i realised that cult movies's themes are non-mainstream. In the end, I appreciate the randomness and the humor. By the way, thanks Olga for the recommendation. :P

Friday - 12th Oct 2007

I bought a pair of rollerblades for $20! Cheap brand, just in case my interest fade after 3 weeks. haha I just did 45 minutes of blading around the neighbourhood. Almost gave up after 1 round, but i continued. It was fun! and un expectantly tiring. :P
I want to work out my thighs and add more variety into my "an hour a day exercise" routine.

Saturday - 13th Oct 2007

The kitchen is so dirty, basin full of gross dishes and cups. The table is full of take-out boxes, the living room is full of empty drinks bottles and more cups and dishes. The room is full if dirty clothes, clean and dirty all jumbled together.........:(

i'M in SF

2007-09-16T00:58:00.001-07:00

I haven't blog anything for quite some time. Some people might know, I went back to Singapore for the last 2 weeks before school starts. It was mummy's birthday and I want to be home with her and everybody else. I had some FIRST experiences. I made tiramisu (by myself) for the first time, and it tasted goood. hehe Kiran complimented that I should sell it for $5 at some coffee club. Also I went to ZOUK for the 1st time! I am not a big clubbing girl, but i wanted to check out the night life scene in Singapore, and promised Zhen that I'll definitely go with her at least once, and since i've been very flaky with her, i had to go. I also met up with a childhood sweetheart that I haven't met for 11 years!! It was quite awakard but eventually, i managed to pull my guts together and said things. :P anyways, Peter said whenever i meet someone for the 1st time, i'm always quiet. is it true?

i went to watch an indie movie, My Best Friend (french movie) this evening. It takes a lifetime to understand what true friendship is, and the main character, Francis had to realise it within 10 days. Linda told me the day before that we have alot of friends, and they are called good friends. But those who see us through a long period of time, through thick and thin, are true friends. Cheers to all my true friends out there! :)

Bye bye New York...

2007-09-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

It is 5 minutes to 6am on 27^th August. I’m in the airport terminal waiting very patiently for my flight home, back to Singapore. I haven’t slept at all. Been on the go non-stop since Sunday morning (26^th August).

I met up with Carol for brunch all the way on the upper west side, near Columbia University. I had an important errand to run, an errand that I have to complete with her in order to leave New York. But, I took the wrong train on the way there, thus, was in a rush couple of blocks, climb through steep stairs of a park to get to where she was waiting. Very unfortunately start of the day, but fortunately, the Tuscan Omelette, thick cheese, spinach, topped with prochuittos made the tedious walk worth while. It wasn’t such a bad work, but I hurt my right knee after jogging on Friday morning.

I heard a lot about Kee’s Chocolate in Soho district. The owner is a Chinese lady, who used to be in the corporate world. She quit her job and started her own cacao store. My housemates said the shop is unique in their flavors, including Thai Chilli and Black Sesame chocolates. I went there after brunch to buy some for my folks at home. Also got a smaller bunch for Kei, this Japanese guy I met through the internship. He has been very very kind to me since I arrived and sharing the sweetness of chocolate with him is the least I can do. Hope he enjoys it. I haven’t even indulge in it yet.

Rushed home to continue my ever-procrastinating job of packing my baggage. Had only 1 ½ hours to pack before I head over to Queens for a feast at Kei’s apartment. He made fabulous homemade vegetable tempura, cold soba, edamame, squid with wasabi, cheese dipped with avocados, and sake. It is simple Japanese food, filling, yet not STUFFED like Italian food. As usual, Kei, you are such a good cook. What I really love about his apartment is that his kitchen window leads to the roof top. Camera around my neck, I sneaked up there to capture the stunning sunset of Manhattan skyline. It always make me so happy when I’m immerse in a breathtaking environment. I can’t bare to leave this city.

After dinner, Kei played a Japanese movie : Ping Pong. A comedy/drama about high school Japanese boys obsessed with Ping Pong. It goes into friendship, rivalry and seeking one’s natural talent. One really has to believe in themselves to bring out their true self. Left his place at 11:25pm, got home around 12:10pm. Then begun my last phrase of packing…..

I am very stubborn. Peter went to the airport (LGA) via super shuttle, which cost him $16. He suggested me to do the same. I’ve made up my mind long ago that if I fly JFK, I’ll take the ultra convenient subway which will cost me $5 compared to $21 (shuttle) or $60-$75 (Taxi). Such difference! Peter was afraid that I might not have the strength to carry my luggage and what if I hurt myself, the cost will be much more. I thought he might be right. (well, he’s almost always right all the time, which I have to admit) The more I thought about it, the more I KANJIONG à singlish, English term = panic. Then I rang Super shuttle to make a reservation….THEY ARE FULL! HAVE TO CALL 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE! Phuc told me that New York Subway is 24 hours. But…..really meh? Then I went to search for the schedule online. It was already 2am…and I just finished packing. I can’t care less, I don’t want to spend so much on taxi fare, and since there is no more shuttle option, I’ll brave the “weight” and go for the efficient and reliable New York Subway.

The reason why I want to take the subway is because I felt that I’ve spent too much money in this city. Since I like to visit places, I should start learning to travel on a low budget.

Fortunately, at 3am in the morning, there were still people roaming the streets in my area. As I approach the subway entrance, a 20 over flight stairs under ground, a gentleman was walking in front of me. He saw I was dragging such a heavy luggage and offered to help me carry it down. He even offered me the exact route to get to JFK, as on weekends, some trains down run in certain direction. I got to the airport within 45 mins. Too early. I had to wait 4 hours for my flight. However, it was a smooth check-in process as there was already a long line by the time I arrived.

I want to thank the man who helped me. He just knocked off work as a bartender that was why he was still on the streets at 3am in the morning. I felt that it was planned that somebody will eventually help me along the way. That was why I trusted my gut feeling that I should take the subway.

P.S. I should have published this blog long ago. However, I couldn't find the international adapter for my laptop charger. hehe had to wait for mummy to come back and find it for me. haha

New England

2007-08-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

BOSTON! Yes! We arrived in Boston this afternoon around 2pm. It was a 4 hours long ride from New York City Chinatown. I did a last minute, yet extensive research on the internet last night so that I will be more oriented when I arrive. The time spent proved to be successful, I had an easy time navigating around, considering I don't have a map of Boston. Just a T subway map. A smooth start.

1st stop was the USS Constitution. It is the oldest commissioned ship by the US Navy. It started construction in 1797 in a shipyard in Boston. This frigate (2nd in line to the battle ship) is one of the 1st six ships of the new US navy. This ship is most famous for its victory battle against Great Britain in June 18, 1812. More than 200 years old, this ship still sail down to Boston Harbor 8-10 times a year. Peter and I were just in time for their last tour by US Navy sailors. It was a good historical lesson
experience.

Thereafter, we checked into our hotel in central Boston, the Radisson, got the room via priceline, it cost us US$100 per night. A very good deal, considering it is Boston City and during this time of the year, many visitors are in town for their children's orientation. Boston is literally a tertiary education city. Renown colleges includes Harvard, MIT and Boston Uni. There are also many smaller colleges surrounding it.

After chilling and leaving our "stone-heavy" backpacks, we headed out to Faneuil Hall, getting off at the Government Center Station. I got information from my elder brother that Union Osyter House is not to be missed if you are craving for Oysters and Lobsters. We were truly famish by the time we reach there as we missed our lunch. We put our names down on the 30-45 minutes waiting list. During the wait, we bought clam chowder at their mini bar. I put 2 packets of crackers into the chowder and gobbled down the creamy liquid. It felt heavenly! :P

The bivalves were great. However, it made it not very much enjoyable because Peter and I ended up arguing over dinner. It is so hard when we are on hiatus and trying to un-tie the tight knot. Kate told me it is hard at the beginning to try to solve relationship problems. It felt like we are so clinging onto each other and don't want to have a clean cut. I have no idea where this is leading us to.

So he ended up heading back to the hotel while I cool it off at Harvard Sq. I didn't want to go back to the hotel so early because time is limited and I am just someone who cannot sit still. I called up my friend Kunaal and we went to Finale, a well-known desert place in MA.

We had molten chocolate. Their classic. It was a thin moist chocolate cake with thick gooey chocolate inside. It came with coffee ice cream and toasted almonds. Along with a glass of desert wine, it was amazingly satisfying. Thanks Kunaal!

I really enjoyed Boston. Not as busy as New York City, in fact, it felt smaller than San Francisco. The whole academic environment made me want to improve myself and learn. If only I'm more academically inclined.

2007-08-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

Peter arrived yesterday at Noon. He just finished his finals and was very deprived from sleep. Slept a lot yesterday and today. And he is still sleeping right now. I hope he will get back on track with his body clock, he can't be sleeping when there is a city to be discover! haha

On Saturday, we went to the Chelsea Art Museum to check out an exhibition that ends today. Was recommended by Carol (a friend I met through another friend here). Titled: Human Nature by Federico Uribe. He did a big installation of sculptures depicting safari jungle animals using puma shoes and shoelaces. Quoted from the website, this exhibition "focused on the environment, artificial and natural, longevity and ideas about the human impact on the planet." It is fascinating to see how he transformed simple objects into works of art, giving them a different meaning and function. He sculpted huge scale by dismantling the chosen material (shoes) and used every single part of it to make these animals look so life-like. It made me wonder how much advances in human history is slowly eliminating these animals the chance to live in their natural habitat.

After the musuem, we went to Don Giovanni's Pizza. It was recommended in the guide book. The oven baked, thin crust pizza is quite a good treat if you top it up with some sangria. :)

Cosi Cosi!

2007-08-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Olga, Lilla and me are at Cosi Cafe. It is around 7:07pm and we are here after work exchanging music and photos on our computer.We are sitting in a roll and occupying 3 tables in this small 2nd level cafe. I'm so glad I purchased my newly owned Western Digital 120GB hard disk. It made the process so much easier. :) I will have 4000+ new songs on my ipod and great pics that will leave great memories with me. :)

Eating out is expensive, no matter where you are. I spent so much today on food. Lunch=Panini and Iced Chai ($10.24), Tea Break=Yogurt w fruits ($3.50), Dinner=Sandwich ($8.01) ALMOST $23!!! Either I am really hungry and can't stop eating, or my brain is just too hungry and crave for food all the time. Whatever the reason is, New York has certainly made me put on some weight. I'll do something about it, when I go back to SF, as for now, I'll just enjoy myself to the fullest. :P

I thought of going home. To see my family before Fall semester starts. This means missing the fashion show. :P The show might not be as important compared to seeing my folks, but I've never experienced a fashion week before and have tickets to see the show of one of my favorite designer.
And also, the plane ride ticket is pricey, I'll suffer great jet lag when I start school, so...........I've decided to go back end of the year instead.

2007-08-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

Random acts of kindness aren't that rare actually. We just need to observe a little more than usual. I was on my way home after dinner with a friend and entered a subway entrance. It was one of those entrance without the vending machines to buy tickets, just the gates. There was this Asian guy who didn't have a ticket (a ride is US$2). So he took out $2 and asked some guys whether they could offer him a ticket. 2 young dude said they didnt have extra tickets and went through the gate. However, another older Hispanic guy, who just got out of the gate offered to slide his card and let him through. I guess he got an unlimited pass (US$76 for 30 days). He didn't even take advantage of the $2 the dude was holding in his hands. Such simple acts do put a smile on my face. :)

It rained heavily last night. SO HEAVY that it is nice to be in bed sleeping. :) There were lightning and thunder, felt like Singapore. However, not a very good sign in New York. Things get messed up over here whenever it rains. The subway got flooded in some parts of town and most lines stopped working. I managed to barely squeeze into my 1st train which was just 2 stops to my transfer station. When i got to West 4th Street, the number of people waiting for the blue line train was massive! I figured out that something fishy and decided to walk to my work place which was on W. 39th Street instead of waiting in that sauna-like platform. There were many people on the streets waiting for the bus and taxi. I haven't been in that part of town during morning hours, so I didn't suspect anything. But as I approached midtown, there were just unusually too many people on the streets. And I overhead many people on their cellphone complaining about the subway delays. I was fully convinced that it was the aging infrastructure of New York City that couldn't withstand harsh weather. Remember the steam pipe explosion few weeks ago in midtown, it happened due to rainwater seeping through the ground and got in contact with the pipes. Well, all these problem can't be compared to the devastating flooding in India right now.

I'm heading up to Boston next weekend with Peter! I can't wait. It is going to be a relaxing trip and hopefully it will help us rekindle our wounds. :)

I am in YingYing n Chris's room now. The twin-window fan thing isn't cooling me down in this humid heat, even after a COLD COLD COLD shower (Boiler in the building stopped working today.) I don't know when they will fix it, system here isn't as efficient. But I need to shower tomorrow morning before I go into office....how???

yakusouku?

2007-08-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

Just like how I was addicted to Bleach, the Japanese Anime, and all the other lame YET entertaining Taiwanese Drama, I am once again hooked onto some long winded love drama by the Koreans. I don't do that often, just once in a rare moon, and since I have some time right now, why not. yeah? :) I'm watching Stairway to Heaven. It is an old drama series. I feel they cheated my time when they drag so long!!!

I finally received my English version of the long-awaited Harry Potter and the Deadly Hollow~ Julie said that it is better to read the Book 5 to refresh memory, but there are so many books I need to read this lifetime, I guess I might just indulge in this juicy book. :P

I learnt how to make Udon Salad from Kei (Japanese Intern). Very simple!
all you need:
1) A packet of Udon
2) Japanese Mayo (with a cute semi-naked boy logo, red cap)
3) Tomatoes
4) Cabbage
5) Cucumber
6) Some-kind of Soba sauce (have to get confirmation with Kei again)

Boil the udon, chop the vegetables to bit sizes for easy chewing.
Place udon in a bowl (bottom layer), cabbage (second layer), tomatoes + cucumber and put as much mayo to add flavour. (remember, extremely high calories for this!) Then pour the soba sauce little by little to make sure your taste bugs get adapted to this Asian salada. Enjoyyy~~

I'm hitting the hay, will continue the marathon tomorrow.

2007-08-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

I just finished cooking a massive amount of food that will last me for 10 days!!!! But the delicious peanut broccoli pasta isn't really for me to indulge alone, it is for Kate's farewell party tomorrow! She is one of the intern that works at production department. Gradually, the great friends that I've come to make are leaving for their hometown to continue their studies and life. It is very saddening, because that means my summer holidays are ending soon and I'll be back for Fall semester too. :( I'm going to miss every single one of you gals. and guys too! :)

I went to visit the exhibition, "Luxury", at the Fashion Institute of Technology museum. It is free admission (good for everybody) and opens late (till 8pm). This exhibit is a chronology of fashion from the 18th Century till today. It is a good starting point for anyone interested in learning a brief history lesson on western fashion. Great designers such as Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, YSL, Dior, Balenciaga master pieces are displayed on mannequins. They also have recent designer works such as Rodarte, Victor and Rolf, John Galliano, etc. What I really like about this exhibit is the "somewhat" big collection of period costume, before Paul Poiret's time. Curves and volume were the main fashion statement. Most pieces were tiny top and huge bottom. There wasn't any reflective glass panels between me and those pieces of history, thus I could observe at a close range the detailing used by lavish individuals during those times. There was massive usage of brocade silk, velvet, lace (lots of lace!!), feathers, embroideries, ribbon, tassels and golds. To come to think of it, modern designers use these materials too. I am not sure if it is constant exposure to the inner operations of the company I'm working for, but recently, everything I see in the market, I could relate it so well to the brand. I hope it will influence the way I design in a positive way. :)
-----------------extra extra : Do you know that Purple is an expensive color to manufacture? Thus those who were able to dress in Purple before the Industrial Revolution are really loaded! :P

I'm planning to visit Niagara Falls when Peter comes to visit. But a few people told me that the view from Canada side is much better than US side. However, Peter holds an Indonesian passport, might need extra visa.....wonder if he willing to go that extra mile. :)

Where should I visit next?

I finally had Taco Shits this evening..........very "shiok" (feels good in Singlish)

multiple multiple

2007-07-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Friday 27th July 2007

It was Julie's 21st birthday dinner. She is also an intern at the same company. An Indo-Singapore girl, a pleasant and sweet character. She did her restaurant research and brought 5 of her friends to a Thai place near Union Square. The interior design is very Anna Sui-like. Purple wallpapers and doors, crystal chandelier and a space like atmosphere. The food is sort of "French cuisine" prepared, paying details to beautifying the plate. The Espresso Duck was my favourite dish. The duck was tender and dripped with rich dark coffee sauce.

We also opened a bottle. The 1st time my friends and I opened a bottle was at an Indian bar in Clarke Quay (Singapore), was a Jack Daniel's. But it is only over here that the people I've encountered open bottles at dinner. Also, many friends I've met here love alcohol very much. So drinking has become a common norm in this period. Reminds me of the days in Tokyo,living a very decadent lifestyle. :)

Head home early, because I had an appointment with myself and the Cooper Hewitt-National Design Museum.

Saturday 28th July 2007

Got up early, did my 30 minutes jog and head out to the museum.

My main goal was to visit the Design Life Now: Emerging Ideas from 21st Century designers in fields including animation, new media, architecture, graphic, interior, fashion, furniture and technology. I would consider this the best museum experience I ever had. The exhibits are modern, innovative and inspiring. Also, I had one of those moments that I'm grateful to be in the art world industry. :) Very creative intriguing learning experience. An exhibition that I'll consider getting the catalog.

Head to Soho to meet Julie for shopping therapy after. Soho is an all-crowd thing everywhere on weekends. I can't do the therapy. But I love seeing the crowd enjoying their weekend and I am part of them, very stress-free.

I brought her to The Market NYC. A school-gym-but-weekend-turn-to-shopping-haven place. It is similar to a flea market, but the booths sellers are independent young designers selling their crafts. Comprises of accessories and clothes. I LOVE IT~ i love supporting younger designers and of course innovation and talent can be felt everywhere. I got a crochet choker that I simply have to have very very much.
I need to learn how to crochet one day. :P

Do you agree that shopping is one of the best exercise? It does burn lots of calories after all the walking and bags carrying. :) Had Soba for dinner at a "Chinese Revolutionary" interior design noodle bar in Greenwich Village. I remembered going to an expensive Sushi bar in San Francisco (my previous boss's treat) and the interior was furnished with a variety of sake bottles, very modern and sleek. Whereas for this noodle bar, they used the same concept, but instead of alcohol bottles, they used soy sauce and chilli sauce bottles. It certainly added a twist.

Wanted to try the famous Magnolia Cupcake, but the line was going around the corner. So, no cupcakes for desert. :P

Sunday 29th July 2007

Through someone's tutorial http://www.metacafe.com/watch/740736/watch_latest_streaming_movies_tv_over_the_internet/
and hungry for some movies, I watched Super Size Me by Morgan Spurlock. A documentary featuring him trying to prove that eating fast food(mainly Macdonald's) is not good for one's health.(duh!) I hardly eat fast food, I know the harmful effects. However, occasionally, if the desperation/urge to settle my tummy, I'll go for a fish or chicken burger. But after the movie, it dawned me that fast food is a NO-NO! Coke/Sugar Drinks are a NO-NO! Fried food absolutely NO! Eating fast food will lead to multiple health problems, the heart, the liver, the fats floating, depression, most importantly lowers the sex drive.

After the movie, I explored the website www.goveg.com A vegan website with many information to become one and the cruel methods of killing animals video. There are also interesting vegetarian receipts if you don't know how to start. I made a vegetarian wrap last night (with salmon though)!! It is amazingly full and not that stuffed. Gosh, I think my culinary skills are getting better compared to the 1st meal I made in Iowa City. (I cooked instant noodles and it wasn't quite edible, and had to discard it :P )

soy nuts!

Stop Motion Art

2007-07-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Quoc, my animation friend from school/online recommended a stop motion animated film - Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride. I've always like this genre of animation but didn't know it was called stop motion. The School of Visual Arts (animation department) tour last week - college shopping for my baby sister - opened my eyes to the wonders of this form of art. Since it was a rainy/gloomy monday, I borrowed the film, brought my Dell and went to a randomly searched (on www.yelp.com) bookstore con cafe place to watch it.

Before I dive into the film...............

I bought a cup of ginger ale and a slice of raspberry crumbler bar. Happily, I brought it to the table and another lady came up and we shared the same table. I offered to plug in her Mac's battery power plug, since the outlet was at my side, and as I straighten my clumsy self, my elbow hit my full brim ginger ale and spilled all over the floor. :( *well, nothing unusual about that. She felt bad and bought me another cup. I don't know if she is from here, but I guess my human interaction experience in New York has been a bless so far. :)

Back to the film, since I borrowed the DVD, there were many special features to explore. I really got to understand how stop motion animation are directed. It is such a tedious process of making 200 over puppets, filming each movement or frame one at a time. Imagine, moving the puppets, capturing the shot, shift the puppet, and get the shot again, and doing it 1 step at a time. Such a painstaking routine. It is really a pity that CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) has taken over
most animation, resulting in stop motion a dying art.

I also realized that being in the Art world, artists are constantly being challenged by the times and technology advancement in their generation. Facing the fast pace of lifestyle with the endless hungry demands of today's consumers, I applaud at artists who continues to be convicted to their passions and stay true to their art. I am glad that I've been given the chance to be immersed in an art education. I'm very lucky.

Almost 7pm, the raspberry bar is almost digested and ginger ale is occupying my bladder. hehehe Maybe I'll get a falafel somewhere in the East Village before heading home.

2007-07-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

It rained like cats n doggies this whole morning, and it dashed my plans of going to the Copper-Hewitt Design Museum in Upper East Side. There is an exhibit "Design Live Now" which ends this Sunday, so I'll definitely go there this Saturday, rain, shin or snow. :)

I kayaked on the Houston River Sunday afternoon. It was a great day to be out on the waters not too hot or windy. It was a free kayaking service by volunteers, you just have to sign a form of consent and you are on your way to a 20 minutes kayaking experience. They even have free lockers with locks to put your belongings. I enjoyed it, but not very crazy about it. Maybe water sports isn't my thing, just like how.....snowboarding isn't really fancy. But will do it again if I can. :)

Having nearly escaped from being knocked down by a car late last year, witnessing someone trapped in an elevator with sewage pipe bursting in the roof and water seeping rapidly into the lift, and 5 blocks away from the recent explosion of the steam pipe in Manhattan last week, I definitely thank the special people "up there" looking out for me. And today, with the terrible weather and stomach diarrhea , i happen to have my day off. Such great timings. :P

I'm going to borrow couple of movies later and watch to my heart's content. And i promise i'll start blogging down my amazing episodes in NYC more often. hehe

I can't wait for my cousin Peisong to send the final harry potter book from UK for me! I refuse to buy/read the American Version :P

can't eat you anymore...

2007-06-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

My family should remember very clearly what happened to me the last time I had Durian when I was in Singapore in January. It was a Tuesday, and I packed myself with food from dawn to dusk. And even after that, I topped it off with pieces of Durian. Bloating like an explosive balloon, I suggested that my mom, younger brother and me to go Yishun driving range for some golf practice to digest the food. And then the drama begin..............i had to stop my mom halfway on the highway and even before the car could come to a halt, i push the door open and puke everything out! :( hellllla nostalgic. haha

today, i had some good Vietnamese food, and i topped it off with the fruit again. Just 1 piece, yet, that familiar sensation returned. That acidic saliva was nasty. i had to eat po chi waun. luckily, nothing drastic happened, i end up sleeping for 4 hours. and right now, i'm just getting really tired. I think i need to hit the hay......tomorrow is Sunday, i'll go jog my bridge. :P

Yes! Fresh clothes!!

2007-06-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

Today, i finally did my laundry. My New York experience with a laundromat. I have been dreading to do my laundry because I didn't think I have the capabilities to operate a washing machine, other than the ones in San Francisco. HAHA I even thought of doing the drop off service where you pay more and have someone else do your chore. Nahz, i don't have that kind of extra money. Desperate for fresh clothes and towels, i conquered my fears and haul my bags down 1 1/2 blocks. Guess what? I spent $7 in the end (Wash +Dry) argh! I didn't check for the smaller machines and put all the dirty clothes into a $4.50 machine! When the clothes were spinning, then i realise...there is actually a $3 machine. But anyways, i had to clean my bedsheets too, so it wasn't that bad. i knew i'm going to mess up somewhere....like i always do whenever i go somewhere new. I really encountered some embarrassing moments since i arrived, quite inconvenient to share it in public. :P

Almost 3 weeks into working life. LOVE IT! no stress or homework. Then again, i'm just interning, so there aren't huge responsibilities on my inexperience shoulders. :)

It is going to be weekend. I am looking forward to the weekends. Time to relax, hangout with friends and just be lazy. :)I'll be checking out the MOMA here, some boutique, maybe watch an independent film and choose another bridge to run across. one of my aims here is to run across all the bridges that connects Manhattan Island. I've done Williamsburg, maybe i'll do Manhattan or George Washington or Brooklyn. lets see what adventures this weekend will bring.

after 1st week of work....

2007-06-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't get the chance to blog as I started my internship, know why? working life is seriously tiring! haha i didn't realise it, i guess school is much preferred, at least we can choose our schedule and maybe register for afternoon classes to get more sleep.

I got transferred after the 1st day from showroom to production. Showroom internship was a disaster, not only did i not get to do anything, i didn't learn alot either! I'm glad for the transfer. Production is fun, i get to run errands to different contractors and cutting places and observe the inside-out of making clothings. It felt like living in a live soap opera, the tension between different departments and the phone calls. I might end up liking production more than design, who knows?

Today, I went to Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace in Union Square in New York. He is the 26th president of USA. Not many people know that his birthplace is here. It was an intense 2 hours history lesson. I really need to read A people's history of USA. so much to learn!!

My brother Yong Ming is coming to visit me next week! I've already got many places in mind to bring him. It is going to be exciting!! A tourist bring a tourist around. :)

I am in New York City!

2007-06-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

When i was on my flight from Denver to LaGuardia Airport, I felt that this was it! I'm finally going to New York City and start my internship.............and explore one exciting/happening city~

I've settle down in my new place. Weather here is as humid and hot as Singapore. I knew it is going to be like that....at least it wasn't that bad compared to Milen or Shanghai. hehehe

I'm quite tired and HOT and can't breathe very well now. too stuffy. Think i'm off to bed soon. Will blog more tomorrow.

I MOVED!

2007-06-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

YES!!! I moved out of my apartment that i've been staying ever since i got here. New environment, new surroundings, new neighbours, can't wait!!!! BUT! i haven't found a place to stay yet. Will do that when i come back from my internship. :) Moving house is such a hassle. It wasn't that bad when i moved from Iowa City to San Francisco. I didn't have much stuff. But this time, i feel like i'm moving a whole house! Luckily Peter, being the kind hearted person he is, helped me a lot. I'm so grateful to him, especially allowing me to treat his garage like public storage. :) Thanks!

I'm flying off tomorrow at 7:40am. I still need to weigh my luggage.....make sure i don't over-bring things. I also need a shower badly. been moving things from 7:30am-9pm. I don't know why, be suddenly when i stopped moving my things and relaxing, my whole body starts to itch so bad.........:P

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!! New York City!! here i come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WeeeWweeeee~~

New York..New YoRK....

2007-05-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm blogging again. I finished my Spring semester not too long ago and have been spending a big amount of time slacking off, and packing up my stuff. I am finally moving out of my place in Sargent street after 2 1/2 years. Couple of reasons. But mainly, I'm off to New York City for an internship and won't be in San Francisco for 3 months. I've grown smarter, I will not pay for 3 months of rent and not be here, like I did before. Another reason, I've been in this place for too long, I want to have a change of environment. Probably somewhere more convenient - closer to the train station and shops. Also, I'm tired of putting up with my unfriendly and money-minded landladies. They have been lying a lot about changes for the house and to my fellow housemates. I feel they are somewhat....unreliable. Better get out before it is too late. haha

I'm flying off this Saturday to the Big Apple. I can't wait....i'm so scare...and excited at the same time! It is such a emphasized city and almost everywhere I know who have been there loved it. And furthermore, i'm going to be working...not in an art gallery, as a dish washer, ice cream shop or a japanese restaurant waitress BUT!! in a fashion designer's studio!! wish me luck guys!!

I should go back to my packing. I still have a full closet of clothes to pack, and the small small things laying around my room. Be Blog Back~

I lOvE U

2007-03-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging for the longest time. The first week of semester was not too bad, i was still able to come faithfully to this site and blogged twice, but after that, it became a continuous running of projects, homework and due dates to meet. Luckily, today, i had the mood and some time to drop a few updates.

Last Sunday was the end of daylight saving = which means that the time was moved forward by 1 hour. 1 hour might not seem a big deal. but it means, LESS 1 hour of sleep and that affects alot! :( and also, i felt that i am rushing through time and trying to do more things to gain back that 1 hour.

I am starting on a new sewing project. We are assigned to do 2 pieces of garments that we find on the runway and sew it up. I am going to do 1 dress and 1 coat. I just finished sewing my dress sample and it looks somewhat like the image, but i think there are lots more alterations to be done. I have 5 weeks including a week of "spring break" to do 2 pieces. It is alot of work, considering this is my 1st time making my own pattern without teacher's demonstration. My senior, Winnie, she did 4-5 times of sample for 1 piece of garment for her final collection fashion show. Clothes making is really time-consuming.

Other than school work, I am also helping out Winnie with her final collection. Running errands and doing random things. Learning quite a bit from her. It really benefits to see how other students are working and learn the good things and put it in my own working habits.

I've been reading this book called "Insights" by Gordon Onslow Ford. This is an image book displaying his drawings that he sees when he is in deep sleep. The paintings are child-like drawings and he wrote different quotes with it. I find his quotes very inspiring and i'm going to share it with you. Overcoming demons or seeing through them offers an opportunity for a growth of consciousness. Face the demon and see what happens. Have faith in the mysterious functioning of the Universe. Miracles happen through acting according to intuitive certainty about hidden laws. They are all my favorites. :)

2007-02-14T07:28:00.000-08:00

I've been waking up at 6am-6:15am for 2 weeks already. This is to avoid the "bathroom" congestion as i'm sharing 1 with 2 other housemates. One of them seems to go in and takes forever to come out. That is why i rather sacrifice at least an hour of sleep just to get ready. I'm also taking good breakfast in the morning and able to prepare myself promptly before my 8:30am classes.

Today will be the beginning of my 1st sewing project. After being traumatized by an OBASAN last semester, I am very determined to learn as much as possible and take it slow for this project. Recently i received a birthday card and this person wrote lots of quotes on it as a form of encouragement. And out of the many, I particularly like this "It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you don't stop".

My muni is coming in 8 mins. GTG!!!!!!!!!! RUN~~~~~~~~~

Wonderful Birthday

2007-02-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

I had an awesome 22nd birthday. I woke up in the morning, and breakfast is being made as i replied the numerous SMS birthday greetings i've received. After, I took a warm shower and dolled myself up. And as usual, Peter starts to complain about my sense of "style". He commented that my eyeliner was too thick and it made me look fierce. My skirt didn't match with my top, and wanted me to change into jeans. He didn't like my matching belt and wanted me to tie up my hair. Argh! On my birthday! and he needs to complain so much. I don't know why he just can't get along with my new approach to looking and feeling good. I think he just needs to brighten up his own wardrobe.

We caught a movie. The Pursuit of Happyness. Note: Happyness is spelt with a "Y". Played by Will Smith and his own son. Very touching and motivational movie. My favourite part was when Will Smith told his son that nobody can tell him what to do and what not to do. If you have a dream, you have to do whatever it takes to protect it and pursue it. It is a rag to riches movie and even though some parts are exaggerated for box office sake, I really admired Christopher Gardner's strength to pick himself up when nobody believed in him. Makes me want to train myself to be stronger emotionally and face my fear.

This year, i had 3 birthday cakes to celebrate with. 1st was cut before I left for San Francisco at home with my family. 2nd, I bought a Japanese Cheesecake to celebrate with my housemates and 3rd, 3 of my housemates baked a cake for me! Lots of cake eating. I had a taste of ShiSha (Watermelon flavor) again. I had the apple one in Singapore. They call it Huuka over here. I'll definitely post some photos. :)

This week is the 2nd week of semester. Today's consultation went well with my design teacher. I'm glad. I'm still catching up with some friends for lunch or dinner. I wanna meet up with them before i get too overwhelm with school work and won't have such luxury.

2007-02-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, i was working on my design project. Doing some research for my inspiration. I was using watercolor and colorpencils. Peter came into the room and felt thirsty. AND Guess what? He drank the water from the cup that i was using to wash my brushes!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA i cracked up till i can't stop. Luckily he got the message fast enough and spit the water out. :)

My new theme will be focusing on the word RAW. It is another attempt on something more conceptual instead of literal. I feel that doing something this conceptual involves a level of risk. With risk, I can experiment more and get a different approach in the process of designing a collection. I am in Level 4 - which is the start of my 3rd year. My instructor said this level is more experimental and breaking the rules. It is going to be exciting. :)

Tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be going out for brunch with Peter and his aunt. She is bringing us somewhere. At night, i think i'll get a cake and celebrate with my housemates. Tomorrow is the big ball game in US. Football - Colts vs Bears. I am not into it, can never understand the game.

it is 10:23pm now, i wanna return some emails, take a warm shower and start my designs. I'll sleep by 12am...i hope. :)
YuTing, I will go out with you lor..............:P

The Sweetness of Home

2007-01-27T19:55:00.000-08:00

I just returned to San Francisco 36 hours ago. Surprisingly, when i told my body not to get too jet lag, it didn't get that screwed up as before. I woke up today at 5:48am and couldn't sleep till 9:15am. And the next time i see the clock it was 2pm. I had a good nap. and had a strange dream. I dreamt of my flute seniors ZhengGuo and Fathir playing the violin. My primary school friend Zi Cong was also playing the instrument behind them. It was a huge size orchastra, but lots of empty seats. I was with Peter's Aunt Anas and we were watching the performances on a skyscaper roof top. It was a magnificent sight. And guess what i was doing, i was holding pieces of music scores and chopping it with a kitchen knife. interprete this dream, anyone?

I went jogging around 3:45pm. Had a great workout. However, my knee joins begin to hurt so much. but it was bearable. i was told my a trainer not to go jogging, i should instead do the elliptical machine in the gym. But it was quite a nice day to be outdoors than sweating with other people in that odor filled space. :) I decided to venture up to this hill top park with Peter halfway during th jog. I saw an unleashed dog coming downhill with its owners. Failing to recognise that this is a park specially for dogs to be unleash and mingle around with other dogs and humans. When we were almost at the top, i could see countless dogs running freely, my immediate instinct told me to get out of this place asap. My fear of dogs has never cease to establish its power wherever and whenever i see them. ****Another resolution for 2007, read up more about dogs and understand better. So that i can slowly overcome my fear soon. :) Luckily I ventured uphill with Peter, Or else, i won't know how to handle it being alone. arghhhh....

This trip back home had been fun, fun and more fun. I met up with people i haven't seen for sooo long. They are Esther, Thandar, Alwin, Yiling, Yunting, Alvin, Samuel, Dean, Kiran, Kuok Ren, Jia Hao, Cheryl, Alan, Wei Bing, Wei Xiong, Zhenzhen, Adam, Mimi, Yingdan Rachel, Wen Feng, Rajeev, Arthur, Paula, Justina, Wei Yi, Shui Sheng, Janice, Darius.....blah blah......Very nice. :) The food that i had the most back home :PRATA! Most proud of myself, lead a temporary owl life, managed to stay awake till 4am w/o showing that i'm sleepy. heehhee :) I had a good rest this holiday and meeting up with old friends made me realise that i still do have a solid group of friends whom i can always depend on despite rarely seeing them. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to those guys who came all the way east to Changi to send me off. :)

I want to subscribe to Mobtv soon. S$10.93/month. Worth it or not?

a long waited blog entry...

2007-01-14T07:09:00.000-08:00

I am in Singapore now. Today is Sunday, 14th January. Sitting in the living room, watching a Charlie = Helicopter rescue on National Geographic. My sister is beside me right now and she is also typing her blog. Guess who is copying who? :) U need to find out yourself. HAHA
I went for car hunting today. Hunted from Bukit Timah, to Queenstown, to Ubi. Had a long day. but A good day. because it wasn't raining hard and sunny hot. We were hunting for a Hyundai and my brother is very interested in the Hyundai Getz. I thought of the QQ Chery car. After sitting in a friend's QQ, i thought it was cute and something unusual. However, it is too small and the engine is like "Ka Na Ji" = Olive Seed's Seed = ultra small. But too bad, i won't e driving this car yet. coz it will be out on the road, when i'm already back in the States.

I think by now, you will know who is copying who...hahahahaha

PS. my new year's resolution = reduce consumption = food & $$$

I just had a sip of my dad's XO. Superb. He is excited about his emails. HAHAHA
He is talking...talking..talking....he is returning his sms. High-tech old buddy. Love him

I'm going home.

2006-12-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

After these 2 months of non-stop working, finally it is time to have a good break. I stopped blogging when all the final projects set in and also when my cousins and sister came to visit. I am glad they did, because i managed to plan my time quite well between school work and travelling both weekends with them around the bay area. I felt like i was a tourist myself too. I went to places that I haven't been before. The eerie, often misunderstood Alcatraz Island, the world's curvest street-Lombard Street, eating fresh crabs,clam chowder and sweet prawns at fisherman's wharf, shopping till i "drop" at Gilroy outlet mall and many many many more!!! These were the happiest days out of the many working-like-a-bull 24/7 project days. On the contrary, it wasn't as bad. You see, after 10 or more weeks into a semester, your fuel will be way low...and the motivation steam isn't running at its optimum performance. So i didn't put it the kind of effort that i had at the beginning. :P But i'm glad I managed to finish this semester well, because i can still remember the SUPER "SWAY" (bad-luck) start i had. HAHAHHhahAH

I have been quite a Taiwanese Idol Series Addict recently. My good friend I-Wen introduced Scissor,Paper,Stone to me and I also just finished watching Wei Xiao Pasta. Both series not only helped me to relieve stress, it made me think alot about LOVE... YummMMMMYYYYyyyy.~~~~~ I like both very much....because they had great perfect endings. Does such love only exist on TV?? Sooo envious of the main female characters. But i know, fairy tales also do happen in real life. I believe such love can be felt if we live our lives observing more clearly. Don't demand too much. Because an innocent carefree heart can feel the most. :)........................ haha

Christmas Eve was quiet for me. We went out to Olive Garden for pasta(influenced by the show i just completed) and also went to twin peaks. He wanted to give me a surprise....but i caught him in the act~ so no suprise, but i'm still very happy. I was watching episode 9 while waiting for him to get me in the evening. Being alone as all my housemates went home, I'm very sensitive to the sound going on outside of my house. Hyper-sensitive!! I'll always peep out of my curtain to see who slam their car doors, be it my neighbours or just some random people. He tried to give me a surprise by parking further, and since he has a set of my house keys, he wanted to sneak in quietly and hang that Santa Claus stocking by the fire place in the living room. But, too bad, with my
alert mode on, i saw him. and the stocking. and that shocked and cheeky face. He saw me too. and he was so disappointed. because his master plan got ruin. HAHAHA He wanted to surprise me on Christmas day morning....:) well, if u are reading this, try harder next time, okay? don't give up...i'll wait for u. :)

It is going to be 8pm. I feel like eating pancake breakfast for dinner. Ihop is 24 hours. and they serve breakfast anytime. :) I need to go home soon to vacuum my room, tidy up abit, and maybe wash my bed sheets. you all know why? Because i'm coming back home.......

I had my taste of death...so close...

2006-12-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

I went over to Berkeley today after class to get fabrics. I was super tired, so i slept during the train ride back which was 30-40 minutes. When I arrived at my stop, I had to transfer again for another tram to reach my house. Usually the wait for that tram is 5 minutes in the day to 30-never coming minutes at night. Luckily, it was coming out of its station which mean I don't have to wait at all. BUT! i have to rush. However, i was at the other side of a big road. Lots of cars because it was after school hours so many students and school buses around. I managed to J-Walk one side of the road, but the other side, I didn't look, and almost got hit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!! that pick-up truck had to shriek to its stop. But what saved me was this African American guy who was also trying to rush for that tram too. He was crossing the road with me and he saw what was going on and quickly grabbed my arm. I was so shocked, my legs felt so jelly. I couldn't think. I almost died. Can you imagine if not for that guy, and if the pick-up truck didn't stop in time, I won't be here typing my blog. Linda called me, when i was on the tram, she told me I was given a 2nd chance to live.......a 2nd chance....

Many things went through my mind. If it did happen, the fabrics that i just got to make my skirt will be wasted. The things that i got when i was shopping in Gilroy will be wasted. My excitement of starting my finals project will never be fulfilled. My sister and cousin will not see me when they come back SF from their road trip. I will never go to the gym again to get fit. EVERYTHING WILL BE GONE IN THAT MINUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called my mom, I needed to talk to someone...she is always the 1st in my mind. I cried, I had to, it was tears of shock, tears of how life is so fragile and tears of joy that I'm still alive. She told me to get some Jing Feng San to calm me down. I cannot be so "blur blur" anymore. If i miss this tram there is always another tram after 10 minutes. If i get killed, i'll miss everything. I'm so grateful. Thank God! :)

Extreme Busy-ness

2006-12-04T19:44:00.001-08:00

I have been truly occupied for the past two weeks with lots of things happening. My brother visited 2 weeks ago, was trying to complete a design project, sewing a tailored jacket etc. However, I can feel that a strong fighting flame is growing ever more brightly because it is the final 3 weeks of my Fall semester!!! I am so going to complete this semester with a huge positive BANG! and enjoy my short winter break~ :)

My sister is here to visit too! Along with my cousin Peisong and his wife PeiYu, they flew in from Manchester. Despite the jet lag and bad start while transiting in Chicago, we had an awesome time shopping at Gilroy Premium Outlet mall. There was this adrenaline rush the moment we set forth South. We started at 11:30am and was only satisfied and tired by 6:45pm. Solid shopping experience. I guess the biggest winner might be my sister. she was loaded. :) I wonder why i didn't go shopping with her in Singapore when i was there in Summer. Maybe it was the heat. :P just wanted to rot at home.

They are on their way now to Las Vegas, then Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Hoover Dam.....Even though i can't join them, its okay, i'm happy because I know they are going to enjoy themselves and bring back lots of snap shots. :)

I remember the very 1st time I experienced separation anxiety in Iowa City, when my brother had to go back to Boston, and I'm all alone in "corn land". I headed to philosophy class and felt so lost and lonely. And dinner that night, was Korean instant noodles = Xin Ramen, i couldn't eat even though i was hungry. It was hard to even feel because i felt so numb. Those were the tough times when i realised I'm really on my own.

As time past, separation anxiety isn't as bad anymore. It had affected me from 3-4 months, to 3-4 days to now...maybe 3-4 hours. What is most important is that i enjoy every single moment when friends are visiting and truly, sincerely have fun. Fun times flies, that's proven by many people. So why bother to worry about this and that when everything will past. Don't take life too hard on yourself, it is too short to waste it.

Today, i walked past this walk way where some men just paved some fresh cement. Guess what, when i went home today, it was tattooed with words. Hmmm.....maybe humans lack a space to express themselves.....

Extreme Busy-ness

2006-12-04T19:44:00.000-08:00

worked out~

2006-11-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

Finallllly!!!!!!!!!!! After almost 3 months of idling, i head to the gym this morning. it was raining real lightly, but the promised i made with myself have to be fulfilled somehow. very determined. was a good work out, 25 minutes on the cardio machine and other 30 minutes resistance training. It was hard to get the momentum going. right now, (3 hours later) my whole body is aching. very very tired. I thought after working out, my body should release serotonin which helps lift my mood and gives me more energy. But honestly, i just woke up from my 2 hours nap!!! can u believe it?? haha
I felt that way before when i started going to the gym in April. but there after, i was alright. :)

I am going to start my design project research. I think it is going to be fun. Today's weather is so gloomy, very very depressing.
Can't wait for tomorrow to come!!! Its Friday and Korkor is coming in from LA~~

focuss!!

2006-11-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

I missed sewing lesson last week. because i had to rush for a project due last Friday, and today, i don't know what to expect for class. I can't wait for this semester to be over, because i can't "tahan" this sewing teacher. She's a Japanese O-BA San! very irritating old bitch. seriously. I wish she gets fired by the end of this semester. She's new, doesn't have teaching experience and really quite bAD at what she is employed to do. this is me just trashing her! argh!!

The Four Agreements:

1) Be impeccable with your word.
2) Don't take anything personally.
3) Never make assumptions.
4) Always do your best!!!

Do not be concerned about the future. Keep your attention on today, and stay in the present moment. Just live one day at a time. Always do your best to keep these agreements.

I want to improve my emotional health, take away all the negative evils in my mind. Jealousy, anger and fear. I want to improve my physical health. Down with slight cold. but been drinking lots of cold season tea and Vitamin C water. should be fine in few more hours. I want to start my gym routine. I will go tomorrow morning! this is a promise i make with myself. :)

An aesthetic experience out of this world...

2006-11-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

I went to watch an Indian theatre production last night with Linda. Nine Hills One Valley, at Zellerbach Hall over at UC Berkeley. It was something i've never seen before. Even for film/theatre major Linda, she hasn't seen anything like that till last night. It was about how traditions in India are gradually losing its roots due to violence and unstable social situations. I was overwhelmed by the Mothers crying and how they pour their emotions out to the audience. It was amazing how it captured my mood too. They didn't have microphones, so they had to project their voices out towards us. and even though we sat at the back, we could feel that strong and agonizing pain felt by them. it was really an eye opener for me. I truly enjoyed it and i want to start exploring these shows that are showing around here. There are really alot to see!!!!!!!!! i can't believed i've been living in my own hermit world without realising international production are brought so close to me. I just have to tap on it!

I've scanned the "ABOUT" from the program written by the director of this projection. :) enjoy~!

I was being lazy, put 2 of my nice clothes into the dryer!!! and it shrank!! :( quite a bit, now it looks funny wearing it. it looks okay, but it is shorter now. Usually i'll just take it out from the washer and air dry it in my room, i guess i wasn't thinking yesterday when i was doing my laundry. now i know. ONLY DRY MY PANITES AND HOME CLOTHES IN THE MACHINE!!!!!!!!!! :P

its getting colder in SF. my hands are and feet are freezing this moment. burrrr..r....

lalalallaa

2006-11-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

I am so tired. taking a short break. watching bleach episode 91. The part where Ichigo confronting Bountos. :P
Finished 5 croquis(fashion quick sketch). have another 5 more to render. The very 1st semester, i needed 1 hour to render 1 sketch. Now, maybe 30 mins or so. Guess it is letting my mind free. Allowing my creativity do whatever it wants, instead of restricting it and guiding it to a specific outcome. Learning to let go is really important in art. Don't hope too much for the result, have to enjoy the process. That is when creative juices really flow. Presentation tomorrow. I think tonight i can sleep. Coz i skipped class yesterday just to finish alot. haha also korkor was in town, so it was great to have him around. :P
back to bleach....

Guess what?

2006-10-31T23:35:00.000-08:00

I messed up my sewing project AGAIN! Out of the 3 sewing projects since the beginning of this semester, i screwed up twice and have to RESTART from scratch. The 1st time was a skirt project, i was so sad, frustrated, disappointed and CRIED so HARD when i know i had to redo. All ALONE. BUT i called my mom to tell her and she encouraged me, and i felt so much better. This time round, i am frustrated, but not as intense as the last time. Sad, but not very sad. Disappointed?? Not anymore. I am taking this as a learning process. I'm in school, i'm supposed to fail and failing is what you can do in school. I've given my best and maybe, one has to give her best TWICE or even THRICE before the right result will be achieved. Agree? In the near future, as we all enter the adult world, we are bound to meet failure and tough circumstances. By then, we shouldn't be crying anymore.(like me) We should be figuring out where the problem is and do trial and error. School is the time to polish this skill of "never giving up". I might be slower in terms of getting the grasp of sewing. But, I can feel my confidence is building up slowly with each failure. I've been figuring out difficult parts by myself and have learned much more than previous sewing classes.

Remember, Shi Pai Nai Chen Gong Zhi Mu. :) I used to have to cry, before i could stand up. Now, I can stand up. :)

Open Up

2006-10-29T13:10:00.000-08:00

Everyone lives in their own world. They have they own goals in life and constantly, they will do lots of things to achieve their wishes. One can be selfish and work as a hermit and don't let people know what they are doing. That's alright, but if they were to enclose themselves even from their loved ones, that's dangerous. Their loved ones care about them much and want to witness their growing success. They themselves won't be involved directly with your goals but they want to feel being part of it. It isn't asking you to go around telling people your dreams, but just to your loved ones, because they are the only one who will look out for you when you can't see clearly. :)

I'm going to the doc's later. wish me luckk~~

updated photos for my personal podiatrist. hehehe :)

2006-10-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

I am so tired now. I don't know why i've been so lethargic and lazy since the beginning of this semester. I take naps, sleep early, wake up late, rarely go gym, stay home and do homework. :( I've got to do something. I will definitely start the gym routine once i get my callus/corn/wart checked by the podiatrist on monday. But it is getting better, it isn't as hard, but, still can feel it when i walk.

Btw, sorry about the photos guys, might be disturbing, but, it is a record of what i'm going through now, it is important to me to blog it down too.

My brother sent me a short article.

After reading it, it made me reflect a little. Treating the human brain as an inbox, filled with information of that day, for instance 50 over emails per day for a working adult, deadlines, projects and tests for a student, and the endless worrisome future that is ahead of all of us. It can be quite stressful for our soul to handle. Shouldn't we too empty these strenuous thoughts and go to bed with a piece of calm mind? I wish life is so simple...like an email account.

Thank you Carol! :) Your help is so appreciated here. :)

Big Head Prawn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-10-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

I just realise the reason why my callus hasn't gotten any better despite using the callus remover plaster!!!!!!!!! I've been sticking the plaster (left side) THINKING that it will attack my callus because of the medicated salicylic acid, right? But to hell with it!!!!!!!!! I just realised the salicylic acid is in a different package (right side) Who in the world can get as BLUR, DUMB AND TOOOTTT as me? WHO?!?! tell me?? i can't believe this!!!!! so frustrating. And Xiu Hua's friend, a podiatrist in the making, gave me a great consultation last night and i didn't even realise that i haven't been applying it properly. *boo hoo hoo* i feel like taking out my brain and slamp it onto the wall. and see it being squashed! :(

enough, enough. at least i realised it. so, it is NEVER too late. Just applied it the correct way. If not, come thursday, i will go to the podiatrist near my place and get the thick callus removed. argh!!

Today, i woke up with sharp pain of "gastricism". Had Po Chai Yin. rested for a while and went to school. This 2 months, i broke the record of eating 1 whole box of Po Chai Yin. I hope i won't get immuned to it, it is such a wonderful remedy. :P

Okay...sian balls (A term I got influence from my sister, apparently she learnt it from Shui Sheng) It means, being frustrated with something despite trying so many times and still fail. This is what i'm feeling right now. Anyways, i will polish up the balls so that it won't be so dull anymore.

Off to draft my patterns. Btw, Big Head Prawns in Canton means....being blur.

One of the good nights alone

2006-10-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Being very determined to cook the chicken which i took it out of the freezer since Saturday, I went straight to make my dinner once i got home. Luckily, it was still fresh. Quite proud of myself because i resisted the temptation of having it easy by Peter's "Want to go Stones?" Stonestown is a shopping mall near my place. but, nah...

And, my housemate made soup, i "cope" (took in Singlish) 1 big bowl!!! It was some Mexican noodle soup with chicken. It was good. This dinner is considered a good meal, according to my "live alone meals" standards.

The callus under my left foot is getting worse. It has thicken so much that it hurts to put little pressure when i walk. I bought more callus remover pads with salicylic acid. Xiu Hua-my long time friend who is pursuing nursing in Mel is helping me get advice from her friend, a podiatry. :) I'm going to give it 1 more month, or else i'm going under the knife.

Today one of the founders of "Enyce" http://www.enyce.com/ came to my school to give a talk about his clothing company. But surprisingly, he didn't present much stuff on his business. Instead, he was talking about his life, how his personality and values helped him in surviving in the throat cutting industry. His keys to success.
1) Have leadership
2) Know what you don't know
3) Endings are beginnings
4) Love what you do!!!
5) You have to produce results
6) Don't be afraid to think big, take risks and make commitments
7) Have a belief
8) Trust others, Trust yourself
9) Seek help from others when you don't know
10) Generology = Give back to the world
11) Don't take things personally. 10% is what you do, AND 90% is your reaction to the situation.
12) Be the gardener to your garden. Have pure seeds, so that you can cultivate pure thoughts.

and finally, he left us with this poem which i think is inspiring..

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

By Portia Nelson

Chapter I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost . . . I am helpless
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III

I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in . . . it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

Simple, yet beautiful....:)

Goood day!

2006-10-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning feeling great. I haven't felt like that in a long time. Maybe the sangria did a good job. I don't know? We went to catch a movie last night.Me and Jo at the Century. We watched "The Departed". I didn't get the chance to see "Wu Jian Dao" so it was hard to get into the movie at the beginning, with their accent and speaking thick slang. and lots of "Mother Fucker"...haha. but I sort of caught on and my heart was racing so quick for Leonardo-the good guy when he was up at the roof top with Damon. It is amazing how movies can make you feel what they want you to feel just by sitting on that chair. Jack did his role so well. I love his acting!! :) can't wait to catch Marie Antionette next week.

to do list on a Sunday:
1) Get Zheng Gu Water from Pacific Supermarket. think i sprained my calf muscles somehow..
2) Thank god, i did my laundry already.
3) Clean the stain infested stove. really disgusting
4) Finish reading Aesthetics and the Renaissance.
5) 2 more garments to be drawn on Illustrator.
6) Study for buying classs midterm on Tuesday.
......
....
...
...
....... and the list goes on and on...

YiYi

2006-10-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching this simple yet beautiful film by Edward Yang, YiYi. Set in the 90s, based in Taiwan on a family of 4. It tells us different stories. How each member takes on their own routes in life which will mold them individually. They aren't as connected as a family physically very much, but emotionally, they seem to be strong and always there for each other. The movie is quite long, might be due to the detailing work the director went into for each character.

Power of your mind...

2006-10-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

The vent behind the skirt wasn't so bad after all. (thought to be the hardest part) I told my subconcious mind that I will be able to figure it out after studying the sample and sure enough, it was a breeze, i was so proud of myself! it didn't take so long to get it out either. The Power of your Subconcious mind. Very powerful. U reap what you sow. A positive seed will result in amazing conditions. and the feeling of being surrounded with such positive energy is immensely wonderful. It is quite weak at the moment, but i want to see it grow. :)

Today, my design class went for a mini field trip to Nordstrom-a departmental store near school. Victor & Rolf, Dutch designers are in town for the launch of their perfume "Flowerboom". It caused quite a hype with the girls in my class. To me, i'm neutral. If it was Tanya Chua or j.j., it might be a different story. :P My design teacher Sara Kowloski had to purchase the perfume, in order for us to line up and meet them. $100+++ My classmate asked them a question "what can us, young students, do to survive in this throat cutting industry?" "BE original!, everybody is copying other designers and everything look so the same, be original and create something of your own. Be Yourself." Think this is the most worth while thing to be there. :)

it is 6pm on a Friday night. I've got nothing planned tonight. I'm waiting for something exciting to happen. It won't be as great as last week but i'm still excited. Maybe being alone is exciting. I wish i can have something Chinese tonight for dinner. The bok choy I got from the groceries is hard to cook. What should i have then? Udon ? I feel like going Aunt's.....

i am feeling so much better....

2006-10-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

I took out the jade bangle yesterday. Last night, when i took my late night shower. superstitiously, i felt that it is this piece of jade that has cast a bad spell for me over the past 2 months. Sorry mom. i don't mean anything bad, just superstitiouly. i had to be rushed to hospital 1 monday night, due to some bladder infection problem, and couldn't move on the next tuesday morning due to bad period cramps. What's more? I missed 2 days of school, missed pattern drafting demos and felt so left behind in school work. Have you all experience the excitement of completing a project but at the last min, found out you screw up something very badly and have to re-do the whole thing? yes, i mean RE-DO. I went through that on Monday too. i just feel that this semester is not going towards the light. the brighter light.

But, today, i feel that good things are coming my way. I re did my skirt, and is satisfied with the results. I finally felt in control during Computers for Fashion class. And lastly, to end this night with a fantastic note, i met this girl. She's French, an exchange student from my school, a senior, who lives 10 mins away from me. was working late today in the lab, and didn't want to go home alone. so i approached her, and asked her if she wants to go home together with me. and yes..blah blah..chat chat...nice girl. really. she offered me to stay over her house whenever i am so late. i reached hom at 11:45pm. its not so bad, but my neighbourhood is really nasty at night. not suitable to walk alone. :( but......

i'll cross my fingers. and hope positive things will come my way....i deserve a break. really.

A found soul in San Francisco

2006-10-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to explore this blogger's features and also how to "zng" (modify) it to make it more personal. however, i'm too cyber-space illiterate that i'll push it to later. Maybe i'll consult Gary's help later part of the month when he won't be facing more Monster Weeks. Maybe, if i still motivated to update my blog. been having an affair with my beloved Illustrator. Been practicing vector drawing whole week and i'm really getting the hang of it. From frustration, to getting front-back flats in less that an hour. :) still pathetic, but the amount of confidence i've achieve is great. i'm amazed that the kind of art work illustrator can produce. I just wish to develop the same kind of confidence for drafting patterns and sewing garments.

Peter's dad is in town yesterday. I think he's going to stay for at least 1 month. :) hopefully they will spend quality time together as a family together since they sort of missed each other during the Summer break. :) and as for me, i going to read this book "The Power of your Subconcious Mind". Will pick it up at the library before i head to school. I need to get my mind going towards the postive direction. :) Start gyming.~

the very 1st entry

2006-10-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. A Chinese peasant family, started off simple, poor yet happy. And ended with the realities of life when one becomes rich. Unfilial, petty arguments and unsatisfied with life. It disgusted me, especially reading how wasteful humans become when they have more than what they need. A good book to go through, you can still learn much from their experiences. :)