1178

I did a quick shoot for my friend's fashion blog while she was in town. Check it out!

http://ladyskyline.blogspot.ca/2013/05/love-street.html

1172

Check out Heard in the Mountain's EP!!!!!!!

 

1165

Albums on replay:

Valtari - Sigur Ros (Link to full album)

Bloom - Beach House (Link to full album)

Hummingbird - Local Natives (Link to full live set and interview)

1087

A preview of The Duchess by yours truly:

http://ubyssey.ca/culture/the-duchess-preview/

1070

I recently stumbled across a blog that has a photography project called My Better Half which features a couple every post.

The pictures and editing are absolutely beautiful, and each post talks about 3 facts about each 'half' and the story of how they met.
I literally spent more than an hour on this blog. Man... I'm such a sucker for these things.
This one is my favourite so far:

"For us, approving of each other's book shelves was a big step. We shared: I lent her The English Patient and If On a Winter's Night a Traveller, she gave me The Satanic Verses and Of Love and Other Demons. Maybe it was, in part, through each other's favourite books that we fell in love. I loved the way Nikaela read her books. She reads physically—creasing the spines, folding corners, underlining. In between the pages are ticket stubs and leaves and the odd smear of strawberry jam.

Nikaela keeps my head in the clouds; I keep her feet on the ground (although we're not as tall as that makes us sound). We like cooking and dreaming and reading and eating breakfast in the sun. In short, we're a match."

1026

Check this too:

http://ubyssey.ca/culture/night-market-finds768/

1025

Check it:

http://ubyssey.ca/culture/in-the-house-festival/

984

I just got home from Mercy Year's CD release show. Check 'em out. They'll be the perfect addition to your summer playlist.
I got to talk to a few of the band members, and they're some of the nicest people I've ever met. Usually people are in a rush to get through the interview, but they actually seemed excited to do it.
Watch out for an article coming up soon.

PS: I don't think the novelty of getting free tickets will ever get old. I mean, I get to interview cute hipsters, go to a free show, and then write about it. It doesn't get any better than this.
PPS: MY EARS ARE STILL RINGING.

982

Things I Like:
#82.

This online art gallery of Pokemon prints:

http://pokemonbattleroyale.tumblr.com/

151 artists each chose one of the original 151 Pokemon and created a piece representing the Pokemon. It's pretty sweet, and it's interesting to see the different kinds of art and interpretations. I really want a print.. But they're kinda expensive.

960

Inspired by What Moving On Is Like:

At first, it's hell. It's uncontrollable sobbing for days. It's replaying, rewinding, remembering, and punishing yourself. It's lemons, the end of your rope, and rock bottom, all in one. It's crying on the bus, under the covers, and every time anything reminds you of him. It's regret, bitterness, desperation, and the realization that you have a dark side - the side that makes you swallow your pain whole when nobody else is around. It's loneliness. It's lost kisses. It's mourning for something good lost. And everything just hurts. There's no metaphors or imagery to describe it. It. Just. Hurts.
And then it becomes motivation. You call up your homies that you haven't seen in months. You real talk for hours, and everyone tells you that it will get better. You feel ambitious, and you get moving. You start playing piano, running, reading, praying, applying for jobs, writing, singing, cleaning, listening to music, going out, shopping, eating, watching movies, and doing whatever it is that fills you and your time up. You do it to forget. You do it to prove something. You do it to believe again. And most of the time, you build yourself back up, bit-by-bit, only to have it crash down over and over again.. And then it's back to square one, and missing him at night. But you keep going, because you know that you have to come out of this a better person.
And then after all that, it's back to the loneliness. But it's different this time. You aren't afraid of it. It's still nostalgia, but without the guilt. You spend the day by yourself. You let the quiet come. You give yourself reasons to be happy without having to do anything at all. And even though you can still crack at any moment, at the end of the day, the tears don't come. It's still shaky and fragile. You're not any less breakable. It's not healed, not quite yet. But there's been healing done, and you know you've come far from the dark. And then...

I'll let you know what happens next when I get there.

959

This has been stuck in my head all day:



The Canadian music scene is ridiculous.
And freaking Aidan Knight makes me want to glue headphones to my ears and die.

And because I mentioned Top 10 Shows I Need to See without actually having a list.. Here it is:

Top 10 Show I Need to See (in no particular order)

1. Owen Pallett
2. Metric
3. Arcade Fire
4. Blind Pilot
5. Paramore
6. Stars
7. Radiohead
8. Bon Iver
9. Phoenix
10. The New Pornographers

Nope, can't do it. I keep changing my mind.
Just bring me here and I'll be happy.

955

"You should know that there is something worse than hate and that is unlove.

Because hate is anger over something lost, hate is passion, hate is misguided, it's caring for the wrong things but it is still caring.

But unlove, unlove is to unkiss, to unremember, to unhold, to undream, to undo everything that ever was and leave smooth stone behind in its wake.

No fire.

No fury.

Just, nothing.

And that is worse than hate."

- I Wrote This For You

861

Things I Like
#75.

I finally got my Pinterest invitation in my email, and I have been spending my entire morning on the site. I'm really excited about it, because Pinterest is a way for me to finally organize all the things I find on the internet that inspire me. I spend a considerable amount of time surfing blogs and the "Pin It" tab that I have in my bookmarks bar is super convenient.
Here's a link to my Pinterest!

858

Things I Like
#73.

My mom recently gave me this tea set by Tea Forte, and I fell in love with it immediately. First of all, their triangle-shaped tea bags are absolutely adorable, and my favourite colour so happens to be green. I've never really had a need for tea trays before since I usually just throw leaves into a pot to brew tea*, but this one actually serves its purpose, because you're definitely going to get more than one cup of tea out of each bag. And doesn't it just look so nice all together? This set only comes with standard teas like Earl Grey and Chamomile, and as much as I love trying new flavours (like David Tea's Chocolate Chili Chai??? I haven't tried it but let me know how it is if you do), the basics are always good to have. I've been browsing their site fighting the temptation to fill our tea cupboard with more boxes of exotic teas with fancy names that my parents keep telling me to stop buying and tea accessories that we really don't need. All in all, this is the perfect companion for all the books in my shelf that are half-finished that I am DEFINITELY going to finish this break.

*this is mostly because I'm lazy and don't like walking up and down the stairs for refills... and if I spill anymore liquids on our carpet, my parents are going to slaughter me

856

I like playlists.
I like being able to mix and match songs from different artists. Sometimes they flow, sometimes they don't.
I like themed playlists.
I like making playlists for people and guessing what kind of songs they would like, especially if they do end up liking the tunes I pick.
I like how playlists can be unpredictable.
This is why I love 8tracks. I can make playlists, share them, and listen to what other people have created.
And you don't even have to have an account with them to start listening.
I'm going to take a page out of Chris Tse's book and start sharing my playlists on my blog!

Playlist #1
Honestly, ever since school has started, music has kinda taken a backseat in my life.
I do what I can - listening to The Peak while I drive to school and sneaking a few solid listens when I should be studying, but it's been a while since I've sat down and dedicated time just to listening to music. But now I'm done finals, and I really don't have any excuses. Listening to music is unwinding, and it's good for the soul.
So here it is, my HELLO WINTERBREAK playlist!
It's a compilation of bits and pieces of what I've been listening to for the past few months in between all the busyness of life. It's a mix of everything - some songs are catchy, and some songs will rock you to sleep.
Regardless of whether you're still in school or not, take the time to kick back, close your eyes, and listen for a little while before you get back to whatever you're doing.
I can't emphasize enough how important it is.



Giving Up The Gun - Vampire Weekend
Atlas Hands - Benjamin Franklin Leftwich
The Opposite of Hallelujah - Jens Lekman
Giant Hands - Dog and Panther
Holocene - Bon Iver
Yer Spring - Hey Rosetta!
No Sunlight - Death Cab For Cutie
Cough Syrup - Young the Giant
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - Arcade Fire
Oh Fortune! - Dan Mangan
Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club
Shake It Out - Florence and the Machine
When You Go Away - The Weepies

855

Things I Like
#72.

My last final is tomorrow, but here are three things I want to share before I continue with my long day of Archaeology-cramming.

1. There's this guy named Pete Fecteau who makes artwork out of Rubik's Cubes. Seriously. WHAT THE HECK. I can't even solve one Rubik's Cube, but this guy has it to a tee.

2. The Sandbar

I always say that I could give up meat, but I could never give up seafood, so I was thrilled to go with Valerie last night to the Sandbar. It's located on Granville Island right under the bridge, so obviously it's a little more pricey but the view is quite nice. Their food is really fresh, especially their oysters, which you can order off their Daily Fresh Sheet. I had the Pan-Seared Scallops, and I'm pretty sure they were the best scallops I have ever had. I was really surprised they didn't skimp out on the scallops, because that's usually what most restaurants like that would do. The sauce was really buttery, in a good way, and it came with grated squash, which was super tasty. The Sandbar has that nighttime, low-light, romantic atmosphere and their chairs were more like comfy couches, so I wish that we weren't in a rush that day or else I would have liked to just kick back and hang out there for a little while longer.

3. Recipes to try this winter break:

There are a lot of things I would like to try this winter break. I'm trying not to be overly ambitious because my cooking skills consist of this:

(Hyperbole and a Half anyone?)
But here are two things to start:

Image courtesy of Good Good
Apple Chaider!
I had never tried homemade apple cider before last Christmas, and I'm hoping to find a good recipe and make some this break. That, with a Chai teabag thrown in sounds like the perfect way to warm up this winter season.

Also, I found this homemade Oreo recipe on Smitten Kitchen.

Yes, I know that mine will not turn out looking like that... But it's worth a try!

853

IT'S CRUNCH TIME.
Yet, why do I somehow have plans during the few days I set aside to study for my last final..?
Anyways, here are two links that will keep your procrastinating like I was for the first bit of my afternoon:

Howcast is like Youtube, but with How-To videos, such as How To Get a Little Healthier While Staying Just As Lazy As You Are Now. Their videos are pretty funny and somewhat helpful, and I like the way they format them.

Dear Photograph is a beautiful photography project that puts old and new photographs together. I love the concept of it, and it's perfect for nostalgic people like me.

849

Continuing on tonight's theme, these are a few of my favourite things (lately):

1. My white wool cardigan

I picked up this cardigan up from Value Village a few weeks ago (in the men's section, because as usual, the girl's section was lacking). It's perfect for the winter because it's thick and toasty. AND unlike most wool cardigans that I've found, it's comfy and not scratchy at all. It is also classy enough that I can throw it on when I'm feeling lazy and not look like a total slob. This will be one of those things that I still keep in my closet even when I'm 50.

2. Instapaper

There are always a few things you always check on the internet right when you get home: Facebook, Twitter, and for me especially, blog posts and articles from the Huffington Post and Bigthink. And if you're anything like me, you're not always in the mood to read huge long pieces of writing, even if they do sound SUPER interesting. This is where Instapaper comes in handy! It has the same idea as Youtube's Watch Later playlist. You get an account and then get a "Read Later" button on your bookmark bar. Then whenever you want to bookmark something to read later (get it? Bookmark? Read later? Ha..Ha..), it's conveniently right there!

3. Cat eyes

I used to be appalled at the thought of ever trying to wear cat eyeliner, because I've seen it done terribly on too many people, and I've always thought that it would look too unnatural on my Asian eyes. But lately, I've realize that it can be done tastefully and subtly. And why yes, I did just manage to slip a picture of Hayley Williams in this blog post. I'm really tempted to ramble on about how bad ass she is and how much I wish I could be a rocker chick like her, but I'll save that for another day. Even if you don't appreciate it, I know Esther will.

4. Concerts

Today I went back to my high school (I know, no surprise. I'm there pretty much every week or so) for a music concert. It's always strange to come back as alumni. There's always familiar faces, people who have impacted you so greatly and strange nostalgia. The music program always reuses pieces so I found myself singing along to the songs and feeling the urge to bust out my saxophone again. That also means, my little band geeks, that since I knew everything by heart, I could tell where every mistake was, even if the rest of the audience couldn't.

5. Community

Newman recently got me hooked onto this show called Community. It's incredibly hilarious, and every character has his or her own little quirks. I usually don't like it when the main character's a douchebag (I just always want them to win!) but I actually don't mind it for this show, as evidently shown by the rapid speed at which I'm whipping through episodes. Finals period is probably a really bad time for me to get addicted to TV, but I guess it's also a good way to kick back and try not to be stressed out for a little while.

6. Waves Coffee

A new library opened up by my house last year, and I was super stoked to not have to go to the dinky old library by the Royal City Mall anymore. The new library has a modern design, with windows all around it so it's very bright and well-lit. The only problem is that there are NEVER any seats there. I actually don't think there's even any study spaces. I would always walk in, walk out and then head down the street to Waves where there's wi-fi and a semi-quiet place to study, and it's opened later than the library too. Now, I just skip the library and go straight to Waves. I wonder if they get annoyed at all, because I always  sit there for 6 hours with my nose in a textbook and only ever buy one drink...

7. Chocolate-Covered Coconut Macaroons

No blog post like this would ever be complete without something about food! Honestly, I haven't been going out to eat as much lately because of finals. I tend to study so hard that I forget to eat... It's really bad. I know. My body will hate me for this. However, this does not seem to be a problem when I go study with Jancy. We hit up the new Super Walmart at Guildford (OMIGAH, IT'S HUGE!) to pick up some snacks before a study session, and I bought a box of chocolate-covered coconut macaroons, which is underneath the Ferrero Rochers and beside the Smart Popcorn in the picture... Holy crap, I could not stop eating them. I mean, I'm not really much of a junk-food binger, but I consider dessert as my favourite food and my sweet tooth tends to get the best of me. Good thing I'm dating a Dutch boy because I heard that they eat dessert before dinner.
PS: I promise you that we did not eat all the food in the picture above.

Anyways, that is all for tonight. A long day of studying lies ahead for me tomorrow (after a few episodes of Community................).

845

Hello December.
You're finally here, and you bring so many things that I both hate and love.
With your arrival, you bring final exams and winter break.
You bring the dreaded cold and loved ones home.
You bring snowboarding and frostbite.
You bring Christmas cheer, and bad remixed versions of Jingle Bell Rock.
You bring family vacations and reminders of loneliness.
You bring warm bundled up scarves and the common cold.
You bring nights by the fireplace and black ice on the roads.
You bring celebration, a Facebook page full of events and obligations.
You bring gingerbread houses and +50 pounds.
You come bearing presents, but not really, because we're the ones who have to stress out over buying the perfect gift.
Oh December...

PS: iwastesomuchtime and 9gag will be the reasons why I'm going to flunk out of Sauder. Maybe it's for the best.

832

3 Minutes in my Mind (I got this idea from Sharon Lo's blog. Her blog is as quirky and humorous as she is, and I love hearing about her kids!)

- I love my Toms, but they're useless when the rain decides to go torrential. I mean, my feet have been cold for the past 4 hours.
- I should check the weather more often.
- A bubble bath would be nice.
- So would shopping.
- I wonder if I have any Facebook notifications.
- Nope.
- I would like it if the next pitch list gets sent out when it's supposed to.. and not at 3 at night when all the keeners snag the good stories while I'm sleeping..
- Fricking keeners. I'm probably a better writer than all of them.
- Jk. They're probably all really good.
- Oh god that was embarrassing when everyone realized that I'm the only person in the Culture section that is underaged... There's such a thing as wet/dry bars okay??
- I'm hungry.
- Karen always used to tell me that I'm not actually hungry, I just want to eat.
- I just want to eat.
- A coffee would be nice since I'm not sleeping soon.
- Why am I not sleeping soon?
- Oh, 'cause I'm waiting for Caleb to finish his essay.
- Why is he taking so long? He shouldn't have napped.
- I should nap while I wait.
- On second thought, if I nap, I probably won't wake up.
- My phone just went off. It's too far away to get.
- I was really hoping I could sleep early since I worked so hard today. I finished half of my term paper and it's not due till next week!
- I'm going to fall behind on schoolwork anyways aren't I...?
- Frick, exams are coming up soon.
- FRICK I have so many assignments too.
- Why does Comm101 exist? It makes people want to throw themselves off a roof.
- I'm going to flunk out of Sauder.
- Like actually.
- I've had this conversation multiple times.
- I should check my phone.
- Oh, it was just Ralph.
- I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
- I should check the weather.
- My thoughts just went in a full circle.