I have a request:

Please let me go home.

Food is a remedy.

I arrived back in Seattle after an uncomfortable flight. Feeling grumpy, disoriented and lonely, with various aches and pains, I found that the food I consumed when I came home helped tremendeously.

I ate chocolate for my mood, which quickly brightened.
I drank ginger brew to soothe my tummy ache.
I ate top ramen for comfort and a full stomach.
And took advil for my strange shoulder ache.

I still miss my family very much. But I am happily surprised at the small comforts that made my evening much more tolerable.

Twenty eleven

I know everyone thinks that New Year's Resolutions are unrealistic, and, "whack," but I really do like the opportunity to turn over a new leaf, refresh my life, and get on the right path. (Even if it only lasts for a couple months).

Last year, my resolution was to send each of my close friends and family a birthday or anniversary card on time, along with a small gift or token. I love recieving cards and letters on my birthday, or special occasion, but whenever my friends' special occasions come along, my cloudy mind seems to forget to even text message. I was doing very well with this new habit when I went through the incident that caused the rebellion, and my life was turned upside down. Now that I'm a little more stable/sane, I want to consider trying to adopt good habits again.

Here are some of my resolution ideas:

-Start cooking and eating (and buying) real food. Real food consists of actual planned meals, with protein and vegetables present, large enough to facilitate leftovers. No more top ramen, bean burrito, lame excuses for meals! If I make a pan of brownies, that does not mean I can eat them in one sitting! Ice cream and popcorn does not constitute a balanced dinner. (This is why I need your simple-ish, balanced meal recipes dear readers. Help me grow up.)

-Take vitamins and perscription medicines on time, every day! I have some perscriptions that I often forget to take for weeks on end, and I don't really notice until I begin feeling the effects of my neglect. No more! In addition to these I would like to consistently take a multi-vitamin, vitamin D, hair/skin/nails formula, and maybe a B-complex.

-Running. I live across the street from a track, why don't I use it? I know I'd have a slammin body/be generally healthier/more glow-y if I exercised even once a week.

-Same resolution as last year: be consistent with my card-sending!

I think I can do these things. They would not only benefit me personally, but others around me, and my schooling. What are your resolutions? Or your dream resolutions that you can't possibly keep, but would genuinely like to?

(My dream resolution: draw every day. I know this would benefit me immensely. But it also seems daunting and impossible to me. But I should attempt it. Time to claim a sketchbook.)

Merry Christmas!

Tradition talk

I have a lot of questions on this Christmas Eve...wait...Christmas day. I wonder, what makes someone's tradition better than another's?

Is this even possible? I selfishly think yes but Christmas, and family traditions in general, are very personal and hard to judge. But I think, like good art, the value of an act can be judged, or weighed against another.

As I experience my third Christmas with a mixed family, I see my traditions falling away as new ones take precidence. This is uncomfortable to me. I want my Christmas to be my Christmas, and not belonging to someone else. This is selfish, I know. But again, can some traditions be judged as better? Or can they co-exist?

Honestly, I do see the value of bringing in new traditions and habits to my beloved holiday. For example, my mom and I used to change the theme of our Christmas tree every year (Gold and silver went to Red and Gold, then to Barbie Pink.) Or, we'll introduce a new recipe to our classic dinner setup. It is not unusual to consume loads of tamales with spicy mole, or crispy lumpia with sweet and sour sauce. (The tamales come from my white grandma's amazing ability to make authentic Mexican food, and the lumpia my aunt teaching my grandma traditional Philippino recipes).

Is it better to watch regular TV on Christmas eve as opposed to classic Christmas movies? Let me tell you, I need my It's a Wonderful Life fix, and I know for a flipping fact that watching a Franz Kafka written classic with Jimmy Stewart is better than flipping through Telemundo. So, in this point, I know that my tradition is better. Ahem.

Is not cooking any Christmas (Slash New Year's) Tamales or New Year's Lumpia at all because someone wants a traditional dinner, even though we already are having a traditional dinner, okay? Um, what about my traditions? At least for New Years? No. On New Year's we have another traditional turkey dinner. WHO DOES THAT. My tradition wins.

Charlie Brown Christmas > Crude humor of Christmas Vacation. ALWAYS.

Okay maybe I am biased. Maybe this isn't the most scientific, or thoughtful analysis but I kind of like asking questions like this. This is ultimately my Christmas tradition wish: that I feel nostalgic, with close family, maybe a present or two...as long as I'm not forgotten.

hum

I want to revamp my blog. It needs a better design. This week's site meter says that the average user stays on my blog for 28 seconds.
I CAN DO BETTER.

My photoshop/illustratior skills are remedial, however. Not to mention that I don't even own these programs...or a decent camera...huuuuum.

How did you guys customize your blogs? (no shabbyblogs, por favor)

Really?

I missed my flight? Really?
Wait...Flights are given away if you don't show up before 10 minutes prior to departure time? Really?
I only have $4 in my account and an empty stomach? Really?
I have to wait 4 hours to catch a flight that has no guaranteed seat for me? Really? (I made it though...yesss. Anyway...)
My phone died and there are no outlets at Sacramento Airport? Really?
The only available outlet is in front of delicious and hunger inducing Cinnabon? Reeeeally?
My family is still 1 hour away from picking me up? REALLY?

Mom, please buy me In N Out when you pick me up :( I think that would patch up an otherwise frustrating day.

Thoughts & a Song

Oh blog, it's been too long. I have many little thoughts floating around in my head, let's get them out of there.

-I kind of want to start a snack/cooking blog. I eat so many snacks, both savory and sweet, all of the time. Maybe I should start documenting this. Additionally, my new year's resolution is to cook regular, more completely balanced meals. (Recipes are appreciated).
-I had my last day of work today. So long, Cost Plus! I think I'm going to do a Cost Plus detox, then return so I can shop without feeling like an employee. Do you ever think that working for a company takes away the charm of shopping there? Since the quarter ended, I have been working non-stop. 8 1/2 hour, 9 hour shifts. I feel like I live at work. No more!
-Sad thing about this: I am now unemployed.
-Oh yeah, school is over. Time to read, blog, paint, and REST.
-Caroline gave me one of her family's Dell computers :). So now, no matter what, I have an operating computer!
-Tomorrow I'm going to California for 2 weeks. As always, seeing my family and friends is going to be refreshing. But now that I am about to leave, I realize that I am going to miss Seattle, and my friends here.
-I have been making crazy amounts of paper snowflakes lately. They currently decorate most of the surfaces of my apartment. I'd take a picture and show you but...
-I can't find my camera's memory card! I think I left it in a friend's computer. This makes me sad. I don't really wish to purchase a new one.
-I've been very interested in a South African band called Die Antwoord. They satisfy my need for trashy excess (perhaps I will blog about this later). And...some of their beats are catchy. (No I am not breaking my Christmas Rule #1, Only Listen to Christmas Music from November 25th to December 25th, this was not listening for recreation's sake!)
-I miss the radio station V 101.9, the R&B and Old Skool station that played constant Rick James and Earth, Wind, and Fire.
-I have just realized...I am really clumsy.

Sigh. I need more rest. I will leave you with another one of my favorite Christmas songs, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah Mclachlan. This version of the classic Christmas carol is upbeat with jaunty guitar playing. (P.S. I'm not a huge Sarah Mclachlan fan...that ASPCA commercial has permanantly embittered me against her). But this song is great. It encompasses the Christmas message and keeps the mood light.

Finals Week: Fall 2010

I CAN DO THIS.

-3 page paper
-Take home final
-In class final
-Still life
-Improve upon every single piece in Oil Painting for a better grade.

Step one: Clean. Your. Room.
Step two: Prepare tea, dinner, a good spot to sit, and an appropriate (Christmas) music mix.
Step three: Get the most out of your $28,000.

edit:

This is how I really feel.

not now, please.

Do you ever feel like you are falling short of so many expectations?

Right now, I am reflecting on how many people are most likely annoyed, upset, or disappointed with me. I can think of at least three situations that I have dropped the ball on, not including my school work.

How am I going to catch up? Finals are coming up, I have many projects due, demands from my work, and yet these people that I rely on have demands of me, and won't be a support until I come through for them.

It seems that when I do stand up for myself, or make a choice that is in my interest, I get flack for it.

Sorry guys. It's not going to happen. I can't meet everyone's demands, and I can't please everyone. At least not right now.

It's just so hard to catch up though, when the people who matter won't be behind you.

One month of Christmas music.

I am of the crowd that believes that Christmastime begins on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. On this day, I officially begin decorating, gathering presents, writing Christmas cards, and baking. (I usually try not to drink holiday flavored coffee drinks until this time, but I succumed this year and have drank everything from an eggnog latte to the classic pumpkin spice.) One more holiday rule that I strictly follow is the Christmas music rule: nothing but Christmas music until December 26th. Nothing. Else.

I love Christmas music. There really is an amazing variety of holiday themed music out there, so I never really get tired of it. To start off this year's session, I thought I'd introduce my loyal audience to one of my favorite, and undoubtedly the most cheesy, Christmas song that I love.



Yes. All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. No, I do not like Mariah Carey. But I love this song. And yes, for a couple years this was kind of  the secret anthem of my long-distance relationship. Even if you don't particularly like this song...try dancing and singing along to it. Perhaps with a kooky friend? After this, please feel free to laugh at the remake of this song, sung by a kareoke obsessed Korean lad:



Then, check out his amazing rendition of Touch My Body (also by Mariah Carey). Affectionately renamed Tuts My Barreh, this song is a knockout.

Anyway, this Christmas season, expect a weekly rundown of my favorite Christmas songs, via blog and twitter (@CuriousHeaven)!

Hopefully...

I may be the proud owner of one of these puppies, like, soon. PLEASE LET THIS WORK OUT!

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

10:53 pm
Tonight I will be live-blogging as I accomplish many important tasks that I either have had no time/energy to finish, or have just neglected. I need to get on top of these things! And like I previously mentioned, I somehow have more incentive to complete these tasks if I blog along with them.

11:06 pm
DANG IT HEAVEN GET OFF FACEBOOK.

12:28 am
Okay. Tasks completed so far: dinner was made and eaten, laundry was started (and should be ready for the dryer by now). And...THE FALCON WAS MOCKED.

The Falcon is the school newspaper which I love to hate. The amount of typos, misinformation, and irrelevant articles gives me reason to cringe every time that I read it. I enjoy criticizing it in front of my friend (and Falcon assistant editor) Zachariah because he doesn't take my scathing remarks personally.

I know that live-blogging usually gives me motivation to accomplish tasks and such, but dude, it did not work this time. I'll try again tomorrow. I'm going to bed.

I like my mom

Funny things that my mom texts me:

"When you come home for Christmas do you still want to get our ears pierced together?"

"Who is that British woman, with the ratted out hair, and cat eyeliner, with lots of tattoos, who is on drugs all the time?" (My answer: "Amy Winehouse?")

"Hey when you come for Christmas we can check out the neat old cemetary on Red Dog!"

Applause, applause - Life is our cause

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Traveling, traveling, traveling
Looking for something, what can it be
Oh I hate you some, I hate you some, I love you some
Oh I love you when I forget about me
I want to be strong I want to laugh along
I want to belong to the living
Alive, alive, I want to get up and jive
I want to wreck my stockings in some juke box dive
Do you want - do you want - do you want to dance with me baby
Do you want to take a chance
On maybe finding some sweet romance with me baby

Well, come on
All I really really want our love to do
Is to bring out the best in me and in you too
All I really really want our love to do
Is to bring out the best in me and in you
I want to talk to you, I want to shampoo you
I want to renew you again and again
Applause, applause - Life is our cause
When I think of your kisses my mind see-saws
Do you see - do you see - do you see how you hurt me baby
So I hurt you too
Then we both get so blue.

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Looking for the key to set me free
Oh the jealousy, the greed is the unraveling
It's the unraveling
And it undoes all the joy that could be
I want to have fun, I want to shine like the sun
I want to be the one that you want to see
I want to knit you a sweater
Want to write you a love letter
I want to make you feel better
I want to make you feel free
I want to make you feel free

Somehow, I am exhausted

I can honestly say that I've had a very easy quarter, in terms of homework and obligations, I don't have very many. This is a great way to start out the school year, especially considering that last year was nothing short of a disaster, not just in my school life but in my personal life as well. I havent had any horrible all-nighters or mental breakdowns, and have somehow seemed to wing every test and paper that I have been assigned.

Until now. I have two paintings due at 2:00, neither are done, and I am completely stuck. And exhausted. I am writing this blog to make a point: just because my major isn't science, or English, or something that involves much reading and busy work, doesn't mean that I don't have major difficulties with my assignments.

I love art. I love painting. I love drawing. But just like when one is writing a paper, and can't figure out how to convey their point, when I can't figure out how to paint an object, I become frustrated too. And it really is hard work! My friends think it makes me feel better when they tell me that they'd rather paint than work on some paper, but they don't realize that it takes the same amount of energy to produce a piece as it does to cram for a difficult test.

I don't know why this is challenging me so much, but I called it quits last night. We'll see how critique goes. Maybe coming back to it another day will give me fresh eyes. I just hope my teacher and classmates are merciful...

African Red Bush

1:22 pm
I feel like talking right now but I have already changed my status on facebook and tweeted, so I have resorted to talking on here.

I am so...stagnant. Right now. I just woke up from a nap, and I'm not too tired, or too hungry, but I am not particularly energized either. Class is in 43 minutes, so I have resorted to drinking African Red Bush tea in order to help awaken and energize me. I feel like I should be hungry since I am always hungry but I'm not! I have only eaten 4 doughnuts today, why am I not hungry? This is strange. Naps are strange. Now I will focus on my tea and check back in on this blog in the middle of class...

3:58 pm
I ate: 1/2 of a sandwhich, broccoli (raw), apples, and cheese. I think it helped. Also, getting an A on my test tends to put me in a good mood.

Soon we'll be found

Art in video
Art in lyrics
Art in music.
This is perfect.

I had a good day

Yesterday morning I saw my best friend. We walked through the neighborhoods of the central district, looking for ziploc bags and tacos. (We found the bags, and ate the tacos, which were absolutely delicious). The neighborhoods were filled with interesting houses, each with it's own distinct character, and the ground was covered in multi-colored leaves. It was a sunny, warm, perfect fall day. I saw a bike shop filled with vintage cycles and I am determined to get my new bike from it. To top it off, the conversation was superb.

After that beautiful morning, I took a new bus home, and noticed some of Seattle's beautiful architecture.

Then I came back to my apartment, chatted with my roommate while eating delicious pizza, and took a 2 hour nap.

After waking up and feeling extremely groggy from my nap, I headed to the art center to paint, achieving the compliment of, "You look like an art student." Yessss.

I spent the next 3 hours in this position, finishing up a timed still life and beginning my homework painting. (Assignment was to paint the ugliest painting ever. Harder than you'd think).

Here's a junky cellphone picture of my final product. Note: This project was given 3 hours maximum to complete, and I would have spent much more time on it if I wasn't restricted on the time.

After my painting session was finished, I came back to my apartment, engaged in a BB Seaweed facemask, and slept. What a nice day.

urrrgh

Does this work?

YES.

Wish List: Fred Flare

The other day, Shelly made a fun fall wish list. After browsing the new arrivals at fredflare.com, I've become inspired to post one of my own. Maybe this is a Christmas wish list, or maybe these are some things that I wish I could have in general...no matter what, it's fun to dream!

Also, I apologise in advance if this is long.

100 Years of Fashon Illustration by Cally Blackman, $40 at FredFlare
This all-you-can-eat buffet of fashion illustration surveys the last hundred years of style in sketch form. Featuring everything from the bold Erté prints of the early 1900's to the superhappy advertisements of the 50's to Warhol of the 60's to 80's power babes to today's Toledo.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for glossy, graphic, coffee table books. Books in general just make me...lust. Leaving a bookstore is difficult for me because I always find books that I simply cannot live without. (Side Note: Maybe I should do a post about my many coffee table books, because my mom is nice enough to buy me a few for Christmas most years.) Anyway, this book would be inspirational to my future carreer as an illustrator/artsy girl! And it would feed my constant need for exposure to the fashion world.
                                         
Fashion Designers' Sketchbooks by ?, $40 at FredFlare
This luxe hardcover features a veritable Who's Who of fashion supertalents as they share their creative process with you. Watch how a simple sketch and scraps of inspiration becomes jaw-dropping awe-inspiring beauty.
This actually would be very useful to me. Seeing into another artist's creative process is so helpful! Follow the link to see more pictures of the sketches...

Silver Action Sampler Camera by Lomography, $35 at FredFlare For those who prefer silver over gold, a Lomography multiple lens camera takes your simple click & turns it into four surprising shots.
I am in love with film photography. For only $35 I could have a fun little film camera for special times with friends! In snazzy silver, I can't resist. Observe the fun photos that it takes at the above link.

Happy Birthday Nailpolish by Deborah Lippman, $18 at FredFlare None of that formaldehyde, toluene or dibutyl phthalate. No animal testing.
Yes, $18 for nailpolish is a bit extreme. But how fun is this nailpolish? It screams party.

Yum-Yum Mini Earring Pack from Crowded Teeth and Loungefly, $16 at FredFlare
Mix ‘em & match ‘em for so many different combos. Set of 6.
I'm really picky about earrings. But I would spring for these little studs.

Lightweight Dip-Dye Infinity Scarf, $14, FredFlare
Soft and silky, we can't get enough of this gradient colored infinity scarf. Measuring a full 68" round and 23" wide, it's perfect for layering or scrunching. Light & airy, never bulky.
So basically this is the perfect scarf for me. I love big, bulky scarves but frankly, they hurt my neck. This looks like it could give some extra warmth while still being airy. And it's gorgeous.

Festive Christmas Tree Hat, $28 at FredFlare If aunts w/ funny sweaters have taught us anything, it’s that Christmas is the time to get a little silly.
I really need this hat. I would sport it, often. I would wear it on Christmas morning, Christmas eve, during the Cornish Christmas festival, while playing in the snow, while drinking peppermint hot chocolate at Starbucks, while decorating the tree, when I feel nostalgic...just please make this hat happen.

Mini Elephant Earrings, $10 at FredFlare
These earrings are perhaps the tiniest we've ever sold on FF and yet they feature the famous and unforgettable GIANT of the animal kingdom.
I have a thing about elephants. They are one of my most favorite animals. They are large, gentle, strong and majestic...and I love illustrations of elephants. These tiny earrings would be a perfect glint of gold for my ears.

The Indie Rock Coloring book, $10.95 at FredFlare With musicians like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Devendra Banhart, Rilo Kiley, and Bloc Party, it also has tons of images that are a blast to fill in.
One time when I went into Restoration Hardware and delighted in their section of novelty toys, I declared that I would someday have a closet full of fun toys and games. This will be in the closet.

Listography by Lisa Nola, $17.95 at FredFlare
Create your own unique autobiography as you rank your best friends, guiltiest pleasures & more.
I've already previously mentioned how much I want this book. I still want it.

Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate Mix, $32 at FredFlare Includes one 5”x4.5” dessert glass from famous NYC Serendipity restaurant, 2 packs of world famous mix, a plastic Serendipity spoon, & 2 straws for sharing. As seen on Oprah!
Why yes, I did see this episode of Oprah, and yes, I have craved this amazingly decadent chocolate mix ever since that episode.

Little Red Riding Hood Tea Pot, $44 at FredFlare Calm that Big Bad Wolf with a hot cup of tea from this darling fairy tale tea pot. Little Red Riding Hood's, tea for 1 set includes a charming woven basket (for tea bags), & a small interior metal steeper. Her head is the tea cup, & her hood becomes the lid.
I am a big tea drinker. This is the most precious way to treat yourself to a cup of tea. I would love to display this little pot in my kitchen, it is simply darling.

Sigh. That was fun. Thanks for indulging me.

A mental bath

Do you ever experience an environment that gives you a feeling of rest and contentment? I love these moments. To me, they feel like a sort of mental bath. I feel warm and complete, even in a simple setting.

Last night I was painting in the art studio and listening to Jazz on 88.5 KPLU, and I felt content and mentally stimulated.

Right now I am hearing 60s era R&B at one of my favorite coffee shops, El Diablo. I am texting my best friend and the weather is fall-ish.

I just had some of my favorite Mexican hot chocolate, too.

Other relaxing situations that I love:

-Sipping tea on my couch while listening to classical music, reading a book.

-Taking a bath with a Lush Honey Bee bath bomb (my favorite bath bomb, smells like honey and comfort and relaxes any tense muscles).

-Hugging/cuddling/blanket sharing. I am a very cuddly person.

-Hanging Christmas ornaments on the tree while listening to Christmas music.

-Sitting with my mom in the morning, reading magazines.

-Soaking in sunshine.

What are the little moments that make you sigh with relief?

ho-hum

I've been meaning to blog lately. I keep thinking of subjects that I could write a decent post about, but nothing seems to really strike my fancy.

At first I thought I could write about my new favorite thing: tumblr. I have come across way too many fun tumblrs, but one that has really caught my eye is artlove.

But I don't really feel like elaborating on the art there...even though I am finding constant inspiration. Just go look.

I also thought that I could write about Christmas, and how absolutely excited I am to go home. I am particularly thrilled because this time around, I'll be spending most of my days at my mom's new house, which is about 5 to 10 minutes from town! This is a great improvement from 45 minutes from town/any freeway...so I'll be able to:
a) have friends over.
b) visit more friends.
c) ...be more friendly, in general.
HURRAY. I forsee many more coffee dates and shopping in the future. I also can't wait to craft with my mom. We are big on the crafting front. My potential Christmas craft? The Pom Pom wreath.

I think these are cheeky and cute and fun. It will be enjoyable to make these while sipping hot chocolate and listening to my favorite Christmas music. Anyway, I could go on and on about my Christmas plans...but I won't. Not yet.

Then I was considering writing about autumn, and how amazingly fall-like Seattle has been lately! The weather has been semi-sunny, crisp but not too cold, with leaves everywhere...it makes me want cider and apple pie and apple hill...plus sweaters and pumpkin carving. I just settled with buying some cute mini pumpkins at Safeway and ate a jumbo large apple.

Am I in a blogging rut? Perhaps...I'll be back when I have something large enough to elaborate on.

Sunday Song: Miike Snow; Animal & Plastic Jungle

On Wednesday, Elyse is taking me to see Miike Snow! There was a period of time a few months ago where I couldn't listen to anything but Miike Snow (all of my usual acoustic/indie songs are a little too touchy for me). I really do like this band though, and their album, Miike Snow, is a really great album as a whole. I like all of the songs on it. As an early birthday present, Elyse bought me a ticket to their concert in Seattle! (Thank you!) I'm pretty excited. Here are a couple of my favorite Miike Snow songs:

Animal



Plastic Jungle



I'll be sure to write about the concert soon :)

strange?

This will be a post for my most loyal of followers, who don't mind reading about personal quirks and things like that.

I feel sick. "Gee Heaven, you seem to get sick a lot," you might say. YES. Yes I do get sick a lot. It is as if my body is a magnet for all the newly mutated viruses that it hasn't built up antibodies for. "Hey virus you're new in town? Come on into Chateau le Heaven and hang out for a while!" (that is basically what happens).

So anyway, even though I'm sick, I went to fulfill my 8 hour shift at work yesterday. From 2 to 10 I tried my best to survive on tea, spaghetti (the lunch that I packed) and cough drops. Near the end of my shift, one of my newer co-workers offered me a ton of vitamins to take that would help me get better. Ok, I know you're thinking, "Vitamins? Are you stupid? Those could be drugs or something!" Well, they weren't. Apparently this guy is really into vitamins and spends about $80 every 3 months on them. So he took out his vita-stash (a Men's Health mini duffel bag) and gave me about 10 different suppliments! (Another note of caution: they were all in actual bottles, not little ziploc bags or anything). Do you, gentle reader, believe in suppliments? To a large degree I do. I guess growing up in a family that frequented the health food store has taught me a lot about what's out there. The effectiveness of some of the suppliments I took is debatable, but I did take some all around good ones: multi-vitamin, fish oil, B-complex...

I'm not sure how immediately effective they were, but it couldn't hurt. It was strange to pop about 10 different suppliments in a row while standing at the register (it was slow, no one was around, but I couldn't help but feel like it was somehow sketchy? ha). It did make me realize though how I need to take better care of myself. Let's face it, I don't exactly eat the healthiest, so that can't be good in terms of nourishing my body, and preventing illness. Maybe I should start taking a good multivitamin, and something to boost my immunity.

After my shift, I came home and began my three loads of laundry. Basically, I needed to wash everything that I owned. Every towel, every item of clothing, even my blue snuggie needed a freshening up. So during commercials on Saturday Night Live I ran downstairs to the laundry room to put in a new load. Unfortunately, 2 out of the 4 washers in my apartment complex are broken, and the third was being used. So I basically had to wash all three loads in a row (38 minute wash cycles x 3 = 1 hour and 54 minutes). Add to that one 52 minute drying cycle and that equals...a long time. I set my alarm for each cycle and slept in between them, but when it came around to 3 am (when my final load in the dryer was done) I could not get up. I basically just camped out on the couch, amid my folded towels and freshly laundered blue snuggie, and slept. I had a dream in which I microwaved my iPod. (It was scary.) I woke up twice during my sleep, when each of my roommates came out to get ready for work and church. I said hi and then went to sleep. Waking up in the living room is strange.

I finally woke up at around 11, unshowered, final load of laundry still in the dryer downstairs, sore arm for sleeping on the couch weird, groggy from tons of suppliments and sickness...yesterday was very strange.

Dedicated to my former future

When you came to me with your bad dreams and your fears

It was easy to see that you'd been crying
Seems like everywhere you turn catastrophe it reigns
But who really profits from the dying
I could hold you in my arms
I could hold you forever

I could and I would, and I will.

Will I end up like this man? If I could only be that lucky.

help.

Sunday Song

I enjoy music, a lot. I'm not one of those who actively seeks out tons of new music, connections between bands and side projects...maybe if I had more time I would. But sometimes I just get caught up in loving certain songs, and want to share them with everyone I know. This is especially interesting because I tend to stick with songs that are 20+ years old/songs that my mom introduced to me. When I suggest that someone listens to Sade or De La Soul, people don't usually take me up on it...

Either that, or they are secretly embarassed that I seriously analyze the worth of "Baby One More Time" or "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire. Heh. (P.S. Yes I did just listen to both of those songs).

ANYWAY...



Is it evil that I feature Kanye West as my first song? Um...perhaps. But his concepts for the song "Power" are amazing. For an art major, this is genius (at least in my opinion). I don't think I have ever seen a music video that mimics a still art piece.



Watching his performance on Saturday Night Life last night, (which was quite good), just re-enforced how much I enjoy this song, and the smart way that he re-interpreted his own music video.

Why I like this song: Cool chanting in the background, relatively decent lyrics...catchy? Empowering?

P.S. As I listen to my Sunday playlist, I can't help but think of more songs I could post. So sad.

a little art

I've been slowly collecting links to artist's websites on my browser windows, keeping them open so I could blog about them later. Unfortunately, I had to re-start my computer and the browsing session couldn't be restored. boo! Luckilly since then I have come across two interesting projects that I would like to share:



A third year art student used photoshop and the principles of tilt-shift photography to reinterpret some of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings. The results are quite stunning, reducing some scenes to tiny miniatures, and making others strangely personal. Go explore them here!

Artist Jennifer Maester's colored pencil sculptures take a familiar object and transforms it to something out of this world. Many of her pieces look animalistic, or resemble undersea life (in my opinion), but read the story and reason behind many of them here. The piece above is actually able to be moved and formed into different shapes!

hurr

I want to dye my hair.

I never have been so keen to dying my hair as I am at this point in my life. As some people know, I have kind of a beautiful natural haircolor. (ahem)

Okay I'm not bragging! But I mean, I am lucky to have a hair color that suits my skintone, is shiny and has some subtle natural highlights. In the sun it shines red, and after summer is through I usually get a few caramel strands, which I like. I haven't dyed my hair, ever. (No, getting insanely natural highlights in 8th grade doesn't count, and neither does the red color gloss that washed out in 6 days.) In general, I am satisfied with my haircolor.

But there is a part of my that has always wanted to go a liiiittle bit crazy. Make my hair more edgy. Be a little spontaneous. Hair is so important to women, it truly is their pride and joy. I feel like this is why hairstyles and haircare is so important to almost all women, whether they are glammed up shopaholics or don't even wear chapstick, they all desire healthy, soft, smooth, shiny, managable hair! Whether it's a pixie or untouched by shears, we really define ourselves through hair.

Perhaps is this The Rebellion sneaking up on me again? I think so. Here are the ideas of how I would like to edge up my hair:

Gray-

Seen on everyone from Kelly Osbourne to Proenza Schouler's Spring 2010 runway, gray hair has been in. I actually think it may be getting a tad passe now, but nobody in Seattle has been sporting it so I may just be an anomaly after all (woo!).

Gaga had it. It was gorgeous. The reason why I love gray is that it is unexpected. Close to white, sometimes hinting at lavender or blue...gorgeous.

Observe Pixie Geldof, with more platiunum gray locks, and darling Tavi Gevinson. Tavi is like, 13. If she can dye her hair gray, so can I. (Note: I would not dye my entire head gray. Just do some artful streaks.)

Lavender-

Kelly again, transitioning from Lavender to Gray. Um, how insanely sophisticated does this hair look? It is amazingly flattering. Who knew purple could step outside the bounds of hot topic groupie to total perfection? Now, while this lavender color could also "interact" with gray, I could just go the basic route...

Yeah Gaga, work it girl. This color is just as pretty, and not as neon as other purples. Less lavender though and more lilac.

Blue-

Tavi again, interviewing Diane Von Furstenburg, sporting periwinkle locks. Sigh.

Pink-

LOOK AT THIS PASTEL! Doesn't it just make you melt? It makes me think of cotton candy...beautiful. Shiny. Feminine. And not nasty bright pink. Although...

I want this girl's bright pink locks terribly. Maybe it's the carefully done ombre effect that gets me. Maybe it's the fact that it isn't covering her whole head, and that her hair isn't disgustingly straight, pinned back with a bow clip, and that she isn't wearing black skinny jeans w/ chains on them/an Invader Zim shirt. Huuum. Anyway she's gorge, and I wanna be her.

Dying the ends-

Again, Proenza Schouler Spring 2010. Ombre hair has been in for months...but taking advantage of it in shades of purple and green would be a refreshing twist.

Multi-

Last but not least, Gaga is rockin the multi-colored look, with shades of blue and pinkish-purple bleeding into her flossy locks.

Katy Perry, in perhaps what the most accurate representation of what my hair would look like, adds bright magenta, light pink, along with aqua and violet to her dark hair.

So many options, readers. What to do? Who will dye it? Will my hair fall out? Will it cost an arm and a leg? I want to do it irregardless.