New Year's Eve

Hmm...so I've been asked what my new year's resolutions are and I thought, 
"What are my resolutions?" I am not the type to set resolutions at the beginning 
of every year so I really did not have an answer. If I need to work on something 
about myself, I'll work on it when I need to, new year or not. But I thought about 
it more, and I was able to think of two that would be nice to try.

_1  I will cook and master a new, legitimate meal/dish every month. 

_2  I will not resort to my phone every time I am out alone, waiting in line, 
or feel the need to look at it to avoid looking awkward. I've actually started 
this a month ago and find it enlightening. Instead of scrolling through FB or 
Instagram, I'll just look around the shop, at people, or try to discover little 
details like how the store displays their menu, font choices, if hand-written, 
writing style, choices in color, etc. 

Photo: I took this in Korea while waiting at the subway stop. Everyone was glued to their phone, everyone.
There's only 4 people (one guy is right next to one of the guys so you can't see him) pictured here, but after I took
this photo, there were about 5 more people waiting, glued to their phones. Hehe, I laughed inside because it was so funny.

Basil

Can I love a furry little thing so much I can watch, hug, and think about him all 

day? Yes, I can. Basil can lick my face all he wants and I will not be grossed out. 

Oh the love I have for him. The one year mark is coming up, January 10, 

since I brought him home from the shelter, and I'm so thankful I have him. 

I sure picked a good one. 

Cafe Bong

This is Cafe Bong. I walked over to this cafe the most during my stay in Korea. 

I loved how I was able to walk out the door at any time of the day and grab an 

iced vanilla latte, then simply walk back. I miss that so much - quiet, delightful, 

mind-refreshing walks.

Cyber fights

After I read an article, I will scroll down and read some of the comments. 

I find it so amusing how people will feel the need to post nasty comments; 

freedom of speech aside, can't they just read the article and enjoy it for what it is? 

If you don't like it, just stop reading it and carry on with your day. Some people just 

can't let it go and then it becomes this comment war about who can out smart 

each other with grammar, type out witty comebacks, and it's just quite amusing. 

It doesn't help that I read them...

Theatre's got style

My favorite number.

This theatre located inside the IFC mall in Yeouido is the most eye pleasingly designed 
theatre I have ever been to. I personally love the industrial, exposed brick and 
ceiling, concrete floor look and this place had it all. Such a breath of fresh air compared 
to other theatres I have been to. I am a semi-borderline cinephile (love documentaries 
too, the more real and "based on a true story" it is, the better) who is completely 
satisfied staying home watching Netflix, but stepping in here was such a visual delight. 

Merry Christmas Eve

I was just thinking about friends in my life that I know within my heart we will 
keep in touch until we grow old. I don't make friends easily. I'm nice and 
considerate to people I meet, but it's not easy for me to open up right away 
and connect. It takes time. Though once we are close, I become an open book 
that not many will ever see or know of me. 

You know, there are those who have hundreds of friends but not many intimate, 
close relationships? While there are those who do not have many friends, but 
the friends they do have, they're very close. I don't have many friends, but 
I'm very close to the ones I do have. 

It's ironic how the two people I met in college (pictured above) have become 
two of my closest friends, and we are currently thousands of miles apart. I did 
not see them for a good year until my recent trip to Korea, and the minute we met, 
it was like we picked up where we left off. That's when you know you're friends 
for life. No matter how long it's been, we can always chat like we've seen each 
other yesterday. I also often wonder how I've lived my life without some of the 
friends I have now. I guess that's the beauty of it though, life (God) will bring you 
people that bring joy and comfort to you, and I'm so thankful for that. It's 
bittersweet they're in Korea. I can't always see them, have coffee with them, 
and chat the night away, but that's all the more reason for me to visit Korea 
more often. Group chats on our phones will stay as our line of communication. 

Blackfish

I just watched Blackfish, a documentary about orcas in captivity and I am feeling 
flabbergasted. I knew about Sea World and their unethical system, capturing orcas 
and slowly but surely driving them into depression and aggression, but watching 
documentaries like these always resurfaces these intense emotions. Like when I saw 
The Cove, I was pretty upset. 

The most upsetting for me has to be when the calf is taken away from their mother. 
The calf is helpless, the mother is helpless, the humans have complete control 
over this separation knowing full well how painful it is for calf and mother to be 
separated, it is so cruel I was near sobbing. After the mother realizes her calf 
is nowhere in sight, she cries and weeps endlessly. This is so heartbreaking I can 
not even fathom. What people do for revenue and money, it is disgusting. 

Toot toot

Ever since I switched Basil's food to Blue Buffalo (duck), he has been farting 
up a storm, fart storms that smell like death. I just think it's really funny how he'll 
toot as he pleases with no shame, and I think it's adorable. I wonder if he 
knows how smelly his farts are. I mean, he has to know it smells bad, he is a canine 
with an acute sense of smell, right? This cute little thing always knows how to 
make me laugh. But really, if he continues to fart, I'm going to have to change 
his food back.

(Basil farted about 3 times while I was typing this)

Sloth

I guess I lied when I said I was itching to upload pictures from Korea. 

I have complete and total access to my laptop now, yet I am choosing not 

to update my iphoto library from my phone out of sheer laziness. I am disappointed 

at myself for neglecting my laptop who has always been there for me through late 

night school work, and being my one and only device to display television shows 

and movies during my college years, it has rescued my sanity countless times. 

I swore I would never indulge in a tablet...said they were luxuries that would only 

spoil our lives and fuel the ongoing progression of unneccessary technology. 

But look at me now, a hypocrite I am. Ever since I invested in an iPad mini, I have 

left my perfectly capable and expensive laptop to collect dust. The only reason 

being: my 17" MacBook Pro is too heavy. What kind of reason is that? I am ashamed. 

Photo was taken on a train in Korea, on our way to Busan. 

Clementine clementine...

Being clementine season and all, I just wanted to say I love it when you peel them 

and you see a spritz of citrus burst into the air. 

I want to photograph it in action, but I don't have the technology for that. Just peel 

a clementine and take a mental photograph. That's what I do, and it's just as satisfying. 

Absent laptop

I am itching to post pictures from my trip to Korea, but my laptop awaits back at 
my apartment, which I have not gone to since I've been back. The past week or so 
I have been feeling quite bummed. The trip felt like a dream. It was a taste of 
sweet life, amazingly unreal, and most of all, quick. Poof! Back to reality. If I never 
went, I wouldn't know and feel how great it was. Then, I wouldn't be feeling as sad 
about life right now, because if I never went, life would be same old same old. 
Same old same old is not good, but I think it's slightly better than thinking every 
day about wanting to travel more and more and more and more all because I went 
on a two week vacation to Korea. I wouldn't have had a taste of the sweet life, 
which is evidently highly addicting and hinder-some to the well-being of my 
current life since I am unable to drop and leave my work, bills, and Basil. Though 
the thought has crossed my mind, I would have no money in my bank account 
by the time I got back from a month's worth of wild traveling. I will continue 
to save up until I feel comfortable enough to quit and travel. Yes. 

Korea 2013

November 21 - December 5

Tonight is the last night. I do not know when the next time I'll visit again will be. 
Best part this time around was realizing and understanding that little trips like 
these are to be cherished. Being able to spend time with the entire family in a 
beautiful country such as this one is one in a million. Trips like these when I 
was younger were taken for granted, but now, as a working young lady, I've come 
to realize how precious and thankful I am for moments like these. A memorable 
trip this was. 

Korea one day from now. Oh boy. 

I pray for no crazies at the airport and on the plane. I pray that the flight be a smooth one, 
meaning minimal turbulence, only light swelling of the feet, a great movie selection, adequate 
sleep, no nearby stinky passengers, and an easy landing. 

Basil, Basil, Basil, I can't get him out of my thoughts, that cute thing I love so much.

First red thing

My first red piece of clothing. This is big.

From what I can remember, I have never bought anything red to wear. It's a nice, bold color that some 

look stunning in, but I never believed I could pull off red. Couple factors like how it naturally attracts 

attention and the fact that I get hot easily which also means I blush easily, I just thought a flushed face 

never complimented red clothing very well. But today, I came across this knitted cardigan, tried 

it on, and committed to go for it. Plus, it's not 100% red...there is a fair amount of black. Baby steps, please. 

I'm going to Korea this Thursday. I am feeling more and more unsettled about leaving Basil. Le sigh...

I know he will be in good hands, but still. 

On a brighter note, I thoroughly enjoyed today. Stayed in LA for once with my sister and ate Mendocino, 

grabbed Peet's, stopped by Trader Joe's and Paper Source, which by the way, has the coolest trinkets 

and paper, and strolled around The Grove. We did not bicker once, and it was nice. We actually 

laughed a ton. 

My past experiences with life drawing has left an everlasting presence 

in my life post art school. Highly unusual but nonetheless true,

 I am seeing flamboyant gestural figures in...my hair I slap on the 

shower wall (I throw them away in a trash can afterwards to prevent 

clogging the drain). I know, totally creepy. It's just amazing though, when 

I nonchalantly place my hair on the wall and look at it right before 

throwing them away, I see a figure of a girl dancing, a person jumping, 

or someone standing like they've got serious attitude - just always 

expressive and in motion. I can always spot an abstract shape of 

a head, torso, arms, and legs in that nasty scramble of hair that mirrors 
much like a scribble. Totally weird, I'll stop. 

I've been on a pizza and pasta frenzy. I'm talking about the authentic 

Italian style, thin crust pizza and uber fresh homemade style pasta. 

It's uncontrollable. Maybe after I notice myself getting chubby, 

I'll stop, but until then, I'm going to keep on going. Just kidding, I'm 

going to stop. I know I'll regret it if I don't. Self-control? Easy peasy (not).

No one else

So very thankful for my sweet, sweet sister. She knows me all too well.

I was having a rough day, feeling grumpy, acting mean (to her), you get the picture. In she walks 
with a brown bag after her work out and says, "Someone's grumpy today, you know what I got?" 
It only takes a second for me to gasp eyes wide open and say, "Capriotti's?!" 

What a brat, I am. 

A couple days ago we were talking about their Thanksgiving sandwich and how long it's been since 
we had some. Of course she stops by on her way and brings me one, despite my unpleasant attitude, 
knowing it will cheer me up. Oh how awful I feel and am. But that's why we're sisters. We 
understand each other so much it often appears unbalanced and does not have to make sense. 

You're weird

So all that basic French I've learned, I can only remember a few words...life is not sparing me 
much down time these days. 

My co-workers have told me that I am weird multiple times today. I guess I was acting extra weird, 
though I think everyone's true self is weird. Really, in my humble opinion, everyone is weird when 
you really get to know them.

My thoughts yesterday during my drive home: I really like broccoli. I did not realize how much 
I like broccoli until yesterday. Raw broccoli is the only form of broccoli I do not like, but steamed, 
sautéed, or grilled, it's pretty amazing. There's this Chinese cabbage, bok choy, that I also really 
like. It's not broccoli, but I really like it. Enough with broccoli, I have also grown immensely fond of 
mushrooms. Small ones, big ones, this type, that type, they're all good, especially grilled. 

I'm craving meat. Brazilian BBQ was the hot topic today at work followed by Argentenian food...
both known for mouth watering meat. Too bad it's just me and milk tea tonight.

Okay, there is something definitely off with me. I'm getting teary thinking about Basil right now. 
It's my first week without having him here at the apartment, and looking at all his pictures sure is 
not helping. I miss him so much, that little booger. I am never this emotional about anything. 
Wow, Basil, you've got a place in my heart. 

I like Coldplay's album Parachute. I'm listening to it right now. 

Someday

Gouda gouda gouda

Made grilled cheese with gouda, roasted mushrooms, and onions. So good. I'm in love with gouda cheese. 
It's my favorite cheese now actually. Mmm. 

Fig jam and Portola

Spent a nice weekend strolling around with my sister, cousin, and nieces. I had the Apple and Brie Cheese 

Panini with Fig Jam at Boudin and it was delicious. They got rid of their Spinach and Mushroom Pizza...

that pizza was so good. Afterwards, we stopped by Portola. I never knew this kind of place existed. 

By "this kind," I mean a place with an interior design reminiscent of what I've seen in Korea, but in Costa 

Mesa. Brought back warm, fond memories I can't describe in words but just feel. I'll try explaining. 

You know that feeling when you smell a scent and you immediately flash back to a distant memory in a specific 

time and place and frames of movement whiz by like you've just experienced it all over again within a span of 

one second? It's fast, but what you feel from that one second is so vivid, your senses awake. Then it's over. 

Comes and goes, everything is back to normal. It is strange and a treat when I experience these. It's okay if 

you don't understand. I sound like a total looney, but that was just an attempt to describe the awesome, 

once every couple of months feeling I encounter. 

My stomach is growling. I'm tucked in my bed so maybe I should just fall asleep. Goodnight world. 

Subconscious guilt

Lately, I've been thinking about Basil more than usual. I realize it must be my subconscious guilt 

with the upcoming trip to Korea. As exciting as going to Korea is, there's a string tugging at the 

thought of leaving Basil behind for two weeks. Two weeks is an eternity for a dog without his family. 

I hope he does not feel abandoned. Being from a shelter, abandonment is something I wish he 

will never feel again, a feeling he is all too familiar with. I am horrible for leaving him. I pray he will be 

distracted and happy with his friend Ringo. But really, every hour at work I'm thinking about Basil 

and wanting to rush to the apartment to be with him. As the trip nears, I am becoming a wee 

bit more anxious. I'm so sorry Basil. I will shower you with love, kisses and treats when I return. I still 

have a month until I leave; yes, I am overreacting a tad, but because I love him so much, this 

is how and what I feel. 

Je suis

I am learning French via Duolingo. It's fun. Today I learned the very basics. 

Je suis une femme. (I am a woman)

La chat est noir. (The cat is black)

Nous sont riche. (We are rich)

La robe et la pomme sont rouge. (The dress and the apple is red)

La - the (feminine)

Une - a (feminine)

Le - the (masculine)

Un - a (masculine)

L'homme - the man

Garçon - boy

Femme - woman

Fille - girl

La lettre - the letter

Le livre - the book

Rouge - red

Riche - rich

Manges - eat

Chat - cat

Noir - black/dark

Il - it/he

Et - and

Tu - you

Je - i

J'aime - i like/love

Suis - am

Sont/sommes - are

Pomme - apple

Robe - dress

Enfante - child

Calme - calm/quiet

These are just some of what I learned from the top of my head. Repetition will be my best friend 

if I want to remember. I feel good learning. 

Night light effect

Glass of water, meet night light. I was drinking my glass of cold water next to my night light right 

before going to bed. I looked down at my cup which I happened to hold at an angle above the night light 

and noticed a neat effect. I'm sure the cold water causing the glass to fog enhanced the texture 

of it all, though. I just had to take a photograph. Kind of looks like I'm holding a wad of space or a giant, 

glowing, translucent, marbleized ball. 

Eggcellent

I love eggs. Over easy, poached, scrambled, hard boiled - I love them. They're great with rice, 

bagels, pizza, sandwiches, meat, burgers, ramen, and by itself. I'm so thankful for them. 

If this was real

This is pause worthy. I can look at this photo multiple times and feel enchanted like the 

first time; however, I hear this is photoshopped. Ugh...photoshop. It's disappointing 

when I see a picture so beautiful, only to find out it's not real. Yes, photoshop is magical and 

imaginative, but it's also dismaying, misleading, and for me, anticlimactic. Unable to believe 

or differentiate truth from fabrication is unnerving. As cool as an image may look, if it's been 

altered to portray or tell a false story, it goes straight into my mental junk neuron.  My automatic 

response to any gasp activating photograph today is, "is this real?". Having to question 

a photo's authenticity is indeed pitiful, but I would be a fool to believe everything I see online. 

Let's not be fools. Man, I love this photo and I hate it. 

Overall, if something is clearly meant to be creative and experimental with the use of photoshop, 

I'm all for it. When photoshop is used with the intention to pass something off as authentic or real 

when it's not, I turn sour. My rant about this aspect of abuse in today's digital age is now over. 

Love him to pieces. 

Chimichurri on sliced, toasted baguette is the bomb.

I have Morton's toe and so does the Statue of Liberty. Cool.

Shhh

Ever go through an occasional anti-social mode? Well, I'm currently in that mode. 

Truth be told, I love being alone. There was a time my mom and sister were genuinely worried I had 

no friends. It took a while for them to believe I do in fact have friends and am not a complete 

weirdo, and that I just enjoy spending time alone. Perhaps because I'm constantly surrounded by people, 

moving vehicles, co-workers from Monday through Friday, my weekends are often spent alone 

running errands or doing what my heart desires. It's my time to breathe and wind down. 

If you're thinking what an introvert, I couldn't agree more. Fortunately, I like who I am. 

I like that I enjoy little, simple leisures in life, and that I can enjoy it with the company of myself. 

Mr. Cumberbatch

Thoroughly enjoyed Star Trek. Currently restraining myself from beginning the Star Trek series 

to avoid an anti-social streak of chip binging and poor hygiene.  

I really like Benedict Cumberbatch. How I did not know of him sooner is saddening. He can act, and if 

you've seen him as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series, you will swoon over his intellect, wit, 

brutally honest and perceptive character, which in turn positively fabricates Cumberbatch's image 

as Cumberbatch, not Holmes. I have no problems with that.

Homeless loses temper

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I've been seeing several homeless people 
lose their cool. 


Case 1–Homeless man throws whatever he was given to the floor in a flamboyant gesture, then proceeds 

to kick the trunk of the car, only to miss it by a few inches. 

Case 2–Homeless man yells at a driver in topless mini cooper, "MOVE MOTHER(beeper)" who was 
holding up traffic. Driver proceeded to give the homeless man the finger with a following hand gesture 
I am not familiar with but will assume is offensive. 

Case 3–Homeless man dumps out water from water bottle he was given in plain sight. 


Yes, I'll just leave it at that. 

The graphic design graduate in me is itching to fix the rags, line length, consistency, 

font size, etc. Downside to making posts via mobile...can't optimally edit posts.

Fall is here

Fall is here, fall is here. I've already busted out my knits regardless of the still warm temperatures.

The autumnal equinox confirms fall has begun, and my mind says so. My favorite seasons of the year

has to be fall and winter. There's something about breathing the cold, crisp air, face exposed, 

body bundled up in cozy goodness. Not to mention my always unusually hot body temp would 

naturally appreciate the cool temp keeping me from overheating, which is always an unfortunate 

peeve come summer. Then a cold–yes, cold–seasonal drink in hand would be the topper to the perfect 

winter day. I'm telling you, a couple sips of a hot beverage will shoot my body temperature up 

10 degrees, resulting in sweat and an unfinished drink. Same goes for soup and stew. 

Currently all over the pumpkin spiced latte, iced, decaf, with whip. It's got to be decaf and it's 

got to have whip. I hear it's a love or hate kind of thing with this drink. I love it. 

I got the blogger app on my phone. Makes it easier to update often since I haven't been going on my 

laptop at all after work unless it's to pay the monthly bills. I thought I'd start updating on a 

weekly basis...about my thoughts and current activity. It's always fun to go back and see what I've 

been up to...kind of. 

It is the summer's great last heat, it is the fall's 

first chill: they meet. 

- Sarah Morgan Bryan Piatt

Simplicity

Minimalism is not a style, it is an attitude, a way of being. 

It's a fundamental reaction against noise, visual noise, disorder, vulgarity. Minimalism is the pursuit of the essence of things, not the appearance.

–Massimo Vingelli

Couldn't have said it better. I've made attempts at dressing less "boring" or "simple" many times. 

Though it can be different and fun, I find myself resorting back to my timeless, understated pieces. 

I feel most confident and comfortable, a win-win in my book, when I'm dressed in solid 

colored knits and sweaters. If you know me, I don't like to stand out. No thank you, I'll be just 

fine going about my business, quietly. Wallflower much? Absolutely. This doesn't mean 

I don't appreciate prints and noise, I'll have my rare moments when I'm feeling unusual, but I just love 

a clean, raw, solid, classic, understated outfit. Easily overlooked, but appreciated when noticed. 

Eyeing these two watches by Uniform Wares. I've yet to invest in a good watch, because 

I haven't had any luck finding the one, until now. Beautiful aren't they? First one is $600 something. 

Second one is $300 something. Love the first one, but my wallet says no. Like the second one, 

really do–it's more affordable–but I feel like I'm just settling. I'm going to give it more thought, even though 

I already know I would not spend above $600 for a watch. So really, there is not much thought to give...