Super Nova

Exploding with things to share, pictures to comb through and upload, things to do, things to remember, people to have a good time with, Holiday enjoyments, finals, music, art. I have a long list of things to blog, but for lack of time, I'm afraid most of it will end up just in list format. I have oodles of spiffy winter-themed photos to share and themed posts up my sleeve, but I'm just about to hit a break in school and move to a nicer work schedule anddd go on vacation, so I think I'll hold off until next time. Sniffle. 
Merryness in the Air:

• - old youth leader Joe engaged! And my friends Shawn and Kenna are expecting baby #2. Hooray!
• - this incredible Ballerina Project.

• - free Christmas tunes with joyous art cover (haven't given it a spin yet - sorry if it's lame). 
• - most recently planning to major in fibers at SCAD. <3 Only one semester left at AHC! [my friend Hailey is working on her Event Planning certification, which happens to be available at CSU Fullerton - which I was accepted to, btw :) - so maybe I will be looking into that later on down the road too!] 
• - one week 'til I'm roadtripping to Oregon with Jonas and the fam. That car is going to be snuggly, to put it gently. 
• - I love my church (and proud to call it my church - new and wondrous to me!). Jonas and I have signed up for a financial planning class there and I recently signed up to help decorate the church as well, as it is done expertly several times a year. Exciting! Very much enjoyed lunch with new and newer friends this afternoon (yummy Thai food at a local fave spot and then we all joined in a tradition and added a one dollar bill to the restaurant wallpaper).  Being young and in love in 2010 is GREAT. Speaking of which, Tuesday marks 23 months for Jonas and I. Fond memories behind us, exciting ones ahead of us. XO
• - thank you Jesus that I'm just about done with my cold! I hope this means I won't be repeating my tradition of being sick ON Christmas. I did have an awesome deep voice for a day though... 
• - totally infatuated with Biet Simkin of World War. Tragic and lovely. Get signed already so I can buy your music! 

PDA Saves Lives

It's hard to believe this semester will soon be over (then only one more before I bid AHC farewell!!!); for now I'm swamped in homework for classes I could do without and dreaming of the upcoming Holiday break. I plan to finally get my room under control, hand-make Christmas gifts, co-organize and attend dinner parties in an assortment of fancy dresses and listen to a heavy dose of Diana Krall (perfect for those who aren't a huge fan of Christmas music). 
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This weekend Jonas and I attended a lovely party for our lovely friend Bri (much delighted to know her), and as a bonus, my mom took a picture of Jonas and I that is as good as GQ meets Vogue, if I do say so myself. ;) [see FB]  The next evening, we had a great coffee date and got kicked out of Starbucks eventually since we lost track of the time talking.  ^^ I like our church more and more and we may start going to a class there in several weeks which is exciting as it will be a step in getting more involved with the people there (as well as learning good skills) and of course make it that much harder to leave when the time comes. Alas. // This afternoon, Jonas and our friend Jaren and I cruised the pet shop with its delightful sights, sounds and smells (kidding) and my legs now hate me for having worn high heels.  In other church friends news, congratulations to James and Hailey who were wed on Friday and Michelle and John who were engaged today! :)
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Just now, I'm listening to my brother pick out tunes on his guitar in another room.  I really like listening to him play and a minute ago he was doing something with the strings that was reminiscent of a Jew's (also called Mouth) harp, which just happens to be my latest favorite odd instrument. He's pretty much a rock star now - his hair is below his shoulders in the back when wet (and curly!). // I dropped my sister off for her first evening of work at the nicest restaurant in town (woop!) and had a nice dinner at the local Thai restaurant with my dad. 
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But not to be forgotten, one of the best moments of today:  Jonas and I were saying goodbye in the parking lot outside the pet shop, as he had chores to do before work and I had oodles of homework.  We were taking our time a bit, hugging and what not and putting our faces close together (we weren't even kissing, as I recall).  All of a sudden, someone yells, "hey!" We were both worried that we were about to get a lecture on PDA from someone grumpy, but this young hipster-trucker guy with a big smile on his face says, "I know this won't mean anything to you, but it's great to see you two like that. Give the rest of us some hope!" Well let me just tell you, sir, it DID mean something to us! (it was kind of surreal - hard to re-imagine it as reality thinking back) It's hard to describe how special (and slightly awkward - I was blushing for like the next 2 minutes) it was.  I love it when strangers let you know (or I get the guts to tell strangers) that they've made my world a better place. I love Jonas and it makes it that much better that our joy can give others a smile too. [image via lyc]

Silver Lining

My sister's 18th, day trip with my Jonas, wrapping paper "snow ball" fights, old friends from China, discussing the links between art and spirituality, shooting stars, discussing the fall of the Aztecs, popcorn balls, sand crab graves, cuddling, wifi, home made Caesar dressing, inherited vintage clothing...

[photo via awake-smile] Lovely tumblr theme called "Paris Nights" in case you wanna drop $50 on something intangible... 

Virtual Show Stopper

I have a pet rabbit! Her name is Duct Tape. Pictures to come on FB. :)

I was just updating my blog colors for winter (way to encourage depression with the somber blues and greys...) and scrolled down to a few posts ago where I had compiled some of my favorite sketchbook examples. I was just working on my sketchbook a few minutes ago and I am increasingly dejected about it. I want it to be amazing, especially since I payed for it (and a pretty penny too!) but I've probably ripped out more pages than there are pages that I really like at this point. >.< I've been thinking hard about which schools to apply to and whether to consider SCAD, my love, even though it's horrendously expensive and doesn't have my major. The application fee alone for Fullerton (choice two - has the major, but don't really want to live there) is $55 and I am so dreading the entire process of scholarships and loans which I have had no luck with thus far.  But I really need to decide if I'm going to continue my education any time soon. Frustrations galore.

My grandma is here visiting from Texas and my whole family was helping today to get my brother Brad ready for homecoming. I was enrolled in distance learning for all of high school, so I never attended a dance. But I have a heck of a lot of virtual ball gowns to go with my virtual learning experience. A pant suit is another option -  whenever it comes to dressing up, I find myself entertaining a fantasy of wearing pants when everyone else wears a dress. [specimens from the Marchesa Spring 2011 show and an editorial via FGR] Many of my favorites as I was looking through my collection were by McQueen (may he RIP) so I'm hoping to do an entire post on him later. 

The Haunting

I want to know more about dreams.  Where do all those insane scenarios come from and why is that that world cut off from us when we are awake? I feel like it's a bigger part of our selves than Western culture may give it credit for.  I'm sometimes haunted by the lingering affect of a dream hours after I wake up. [photo by Parker Young]

You're So Nice

Today I lost my keys. 
And made a bunt cake stuffed with chocolate chips and cherries.
I took a test.
I watched some adolescent rats in a glass box.
I assisted in plotting the creation of a masterpiece. 
Raindrops fell on me. 
I bought my sister a birthday gift. 
I wore ice blue and pearls. 
I found my keys in my purse lining. 
Other stuff.
[photo via loveyourchaos tunblr]

Think on this: If we no longer evangelize on street corners or with tracts because we will be received only as pushy haters (true enough), then we must live by example and garner the astonished admiration of non-believers which will lead to their questioning "what's different about you?". Right? 
Has that ever happened to you? I consider myself a socially agreeable person.  I act normal and occasionally mention that I like my church if it comes up naturally, to which no one has excitedly responded in asking whether they can get involved as well.  I wonder if I am a slacking evangelist or if the "be nice" approach is not affective.  Many non-believers are very nice indeed.  Often much more generous than I am. What do we do that separates us from kind-hearted agnostics? I really don't know. Do you?

There's A Light Up Ahead...

...[even when you can't see it]
So, my affair with Tumblr has proved less than entirely engaging, and I miss my blog. I don't promise consistency, but I am thinking that I might switch my focus in writing here back to more of a real journal than all pictures and no thoughts.  Plus sharing inspiration that builds up in my archives and does nothing when I don't share it. //// 2 nights ago Jonas and I headed over for an excellent dinner with our friends Bri, Greg & Nicole in another installment of our evolving "dinner club" tradition. Jonas and I always laugh at how stereotypical we're turning out to be - playing scrabble-esque games with young couples and cooking dinner together - but as it turns out, I guess people do this stuff for good reason! We lost track of literally hours as we all talked about the planet we live on and where we think it might be going and whether we have a hand in it. I'm so happy to be in college and have friends who are truly good company. //// Last night, Jonas and I went and saw the Social Network (which I recommend).  Coupled with our dinner club conversation, the admirable parts about the idea of Facebook and what our peers can do with a computer and an idea have me  proud to live in this time even when the world seems to shrink by the day and its horrors are ever more apparent. I feel as if the internet is a tool that enhances creativity. Take for instance, this video. 

The Casserole from Hell

Hi, my name is Karissa and I burn milk. 
That's right, I have joined the elite few who have actually done that. 
This baked mac n cheese had better be delicious because it took me 3 hours to make and I made enough to fill two family sized baking dishes. Never again!
I can hear it sizzling over the sides in the oven now.
And oh good, I burnt the top. 


On the other hand, I took part in roasting brussel sprouts in class last Thursday and they
were delicious. Who knew?
I also saw fresh lemon grass at the grocery store today. Smile. 


Today being human feels like an ordeal. 
That's really all I have to say right now. 

Signs of Life

Well, it must be that time of year again. School = no blogging. But actually, I've been bad and unfaithful to blogger and started a tumblr since I have more pictures than time to blog them.  Please do check it out! There are also now links to it in the "about me" section to the right and a feed of the photos I post. I do hope to keep this blog going despite tumblr's temptations, even if it's at a mere snail's pace sometimes. // Many momentous things have passed since I last journaled here! // I turned 19. Happy Birthday me! Part of my present from my parents includes a trip to the Monteray Bay aquarium at the end of this month, so more birthday to come. Yippeeee! My mum made Viatnamese spring rolls and eclaires. Wonderbar. // I started year 3 (!!!) of college. Thus far, my cooking teacher (chef - still getting used to calling someone "chef") is the most interesting. He runs the class like a TV show. My biology teacher is bearable and I like looking through the microscopes. I also have a nice lab partner named Jimmy. My interior design class is long and I wish it were more... flamboyant... but either way, it will be nice to say that I completed it. Art appreciation (online) with Mr. Hood promises some fun field trips. ^^ // I had to say goodbye to my old friend and first car, the Probe, and now have a Prizm. Which I don't much care for, but thanks muchly to my parents for buying a car for all us chillins to drive about. :) While at the junk lot in the final moments of the Probe, I saw my ultimate car, a 1966 low rider bus. Pics on FB to be sure. // Many artsy projects underway. More news on those as they progress... later. // That's all for now - till next time, hopefully not a month from now ^///^. // P.S. Update - I made a cake for a church picnic and half of it got eaten. I am growing up. 

An Inkling

This post is for my friend Vonne who would like ideas for a tattoo. People ask Jonas (& sometimes me) to draw them tattoos all the time which is flattering, but also scary because it's kind of like you have a responsibility to create something worth putting on someone's skin forever. Anyway, I can't really draw, but collecting pictures happens to be a strength of mine. So here are some I've been saving up for just such a post, as well as a few notes on them. // I'm a big fan of meaningful word tattoos in handwriting fonts. Also, tight, colorful, shaded sleeves on women (tight as in not a whole bunch of tattoos in one space but a continuous piece - narrative or multi-subject welcome -, a good range of color and good shading). Sorry I don't really have any good photos of those. I think tattoos should look like art. I also think you should stay away from things you wouldn't want to show your grandkids (in case it's just a passing fad, ya know?) and away from places that are extra wrinkle prone (I hear that a bit below the actual wrist is better than on the wrist, as far as wrinkle control). Then all the regular mumbo jumbo about whether or not you can cover it, whether or not you can see it yourself or if it's facing you, ... blah blah, you already know this. // Here are some previous posts of mine with more tattoo thoughts/photos. A, B, C. I can't remember whether I mentioned this in another post, but if you go with text, it's easy to look up cool fonts (try dafont) or have a friend who does calligraphy show you a few moves. And for the LOVE, if you get something in a foreign language, have someone who speaks that language verify its meaning first. // 1. I'm so into photo-realistic flowers. I would love a cascading bouquet (like tossed out a window, but still close together... can you envision it?) or a close up jungle mayhem on my entire back {via Ashley Lynn Fry...?). 2. Daughter's names on a dude's arm :j {"dunlap"}. 3. I just swoon over henna every time, though it's not quite a "real" tattoo and orange is not my fave {via loveyourchaos}. 4.Or go the secret route. This one looks so special. The words coincidentally remind me of that hymn "I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away...". The first time I heard that it was a sad day and a special memory to me. That's a good sort of reason for a tattoo, I think {via loveyourchaos}. 5. I don't actually like this, but somehow I'm still compelled to post it because it's inexplicably nice {via Julia}. 6. Not the hugest fan of this one either, but it's... cute {sadie harris}. 7. YUM, is what I have to say about this one {"hippotamer tumblr"). 8. Two types of sleeves... both pretty chill. I like combinations of hard lines, like his left arm, with filled in stuff like his right. Sort of like accentuating outlines, but mos def in color! {by Sarah}// Ok, I'm done. :)

Someones Old, Something New

This week, twice, I got a chance to talk with some older friends of mine. There's this guy at the Starbucks Jonas and I frequent who we've become friends with. He has white hair and is an excellent magician. He hasn't done any tricks for us in a while, but this week we talked to him for at least an hour. We talked about business models, how to catch flies, and how cameras sometimes just can't capture the beauty of a summer river bed. Then, I made a new friend at a bridal shower I went to this week. This elderly lady was probably the funniest person I came in contact with all week. She has milky blue eyes and she and her daughter were plotting to throw water on the other guests for not sitting at us (the fun table). Haha! I often worry about growing old in America - no one cares to listen to you any more. This is a sad country to be old in. But these friends of mine give me hope for the later years of my life in case I don't make it to a little bungalow on a white sand beach when I'm quite old.
This week is my "summer" week. Jonas is taking the week off so we are going to do fun things every day when I get off work at 2. I feel like a written summary later on is doubtful, but pictures on FB later, to be sure. :) One of the most exciting things I did this week was sign up to take part in the Sketchbook Project (see also the new badge on the right side panel). I chose the blue cover and my theme is "make mine a double...". If you have ideas for me, please do send me a note and perhaps I can incorporate it into the sketchbook. I'm sure I will blog more about the process once I get my sketchbook in the mail (and hopefully go up to San Francisco when the tour comes around in early 2011), but for now, here's some art (much of it from other people's sketchbooks) that I've been collecting to share. (1.Camila do Rosario, 2. Elachrym, 3. Tobiee, 4. & 5. via LoveYourChaos, 6. via Parker Young, 7. & 8. Ginny Branch Stelling, 9. & 11. via Suzywire, 10. Sophie Blackall 12. Sabine Pieper, 13. Laura Laine, 14. & 15. via LoveYourChaos, 16. Nicolas Marlet)

The End of Ellipse

[pictures are mine - more on flickr and fb later, I suspect] I am a pretty big fan of Imogen Heap and was really excited to find out she was going to play Santa Barbara because usually all the big names don't stop between LA and San Fran. So I pestered Jonas to come with me and we bought some tickets (my first ever purchase on my Visa card, right from the AHC cafeteria) and eagerly awaited the date.  Jonas had to work later than expected that day and I was nervous that we wouldn't make it in time.  On the way there, I saw 4 deer (in 2 places) on the side of the highway! I've never seen even 1 in all my days driving that road before.  Poor Jonas couldn't see since he was supposed to be watching the road.  We arrived in time (even found free parking, though we then had to put some coins in a door to use the toilet. ha!) and the lady checked the tickets, but when we sat down, we were confused because the ticket only had one seat number on it, though I was sure I had purchased 2. I later found an untouched ticket in the recesses of my purse (oops!). 

The evening opened with an acapella group from the SB public high schools - Imogen reviews auditions by groups prior to playing in a city and the best one opens for her (and later sings a song with her in the middle of her set). Next, members of her band who happened to be musicians under other names on their own performed. Geese, a duo on violins and a Mac were unlike pretty much most things I've ever heard - rather cacophonous but still lovely. Ben Christophers played a few songs as well, and as I've listened to him more since the concert, I like him more and more. Imogen started her set after a break (during which everyone brought back drinks from the bar - stinky) and it was nothing short of magnificent. Even better than I had hoped! Turns out this was the finale show of her US tour, and she felt indebted to SB because on her last tour she was too sick to play at the Granada as scheduled.  Whatever the reason, she played 15+ songs - the concert lasted 4 hours. The lights were great, she was great, the band(s) were great, etc. It is a good memory. She is much more socially relaxed than I expected. She was quite funny and interacted wonderfully with the audience. She had the audience sing in rounds for "Just For Now" and at the end of the show, people called out melodies and keys and she created an improv song from it! You can buy it here when it's posted - the proceeds go to a local charity. For her first song, she came out spinning some sort of whirring thing above her head which she then let go of to free her hands for a keyboard. When she let go of it, it hit her sound board and messed everything up, so she scampered away and restarted the whole thing. It was quite funny and endearing. She had a very cool see-through piano and used all sorts of other instruments (including an ordinary saw [actually played by another member of the band], a gong, and a "water bell[?]") as well as her famous and flawless looping techniques. It was great to hear the stories behind each song. 

She is a humble women with a great sense of style, great sense of humor and a great great deal of vocal and instrumental talent. She hit every note - actually reminded me of Vitas at once point (in a good way). She is quite tall and I bet her boyfriend is nice as well. She actually looks a bit like my aunt Molly to me. The crowd loved her, of course. They stood in their seats, cried, screamed (Imogen raised her eyebrows), kissed, sang along in the wrong parts right as the room went quiet (twice. haha!) and drank. I knew every song, though she didn't play my favorite song. If you can't tell, I loved it. I'm very excited to have seen her live and would do it again in a heartbeat. You should go, even if you only kinda like her (as was the case with Jonas, who quite enjoyed the show as well ^^) - you will not be dissapointed! On the way home, Jonas and I admired the moonlight reflected off the ocean. Lovely evening. The end. 

Great Expectations

I spent ages today swooning over practically every photo of Amelia Lyons. I especially love the pregnancy photos. Makes me really really want to have a kid. I'm sometimes worried that I like the idea of things more than the actual things - thankfully I don't think this makes me unappreciated of the real thing at all, but sometimes I have unrealistic expectations. It's a goal of mine to be a really hip pregnant woman. I hope you'll go look through her photos - I couldn't possibly post all the ones I like.  Man, some of these put a lump in my throat. 

Coming soon... re-cap of an INCREDIBLE Imogen Heap concert I attended a few nights ago. Smashing. 

Summer Sweet

I have a new hair style. :) Then I promptly went out and had my picture taken, thanks to Sarah Croswhite and her excellent photography skills! Maybe my next hair-do will be a mohawk to match Jonas's. ^^ Here's one of Sarah's photos & and also the picture that inspired this cut (via moodboard). 

I'm only working 8-2, 4 days a week this summer. Excited to have play time, but also thinking about getting into the Etsy business to make some extra bucks. I'm sure I'll tell you all about it if it happens. Meanwhile, I've been eating sushi, getting pwnd at Call of Duty, reading in the sunshine, watching possums steal strawberries, picking the first ripe blackberries, listening to upbeat tunes (planning to update the playlist soon) & re-vamping the blog. You can now find old posts that contain content that interests you by browsing the categories to the right (it was a little bit difficult labeling things retro-actively; should be more clear from here on out). Another little thing, my visitor map reset after a full year. 2013 visits was the final count. Thanks everyone! 

Mockingbird

I'm so relieved to have just finished a test that was much easier than I anticipated that I'm just sort of being a vegetable in the sunshine. Just one week + finals left. When I got to school this morning, I could only see one other car on the entire grounds. I listened to a mockingbird go off like a car alarm & and it was a wondrous thing. // I'm looking for a second job this summer and planning to take biology, interior design, and food science in the fall. I'm excited for these things. // I'm also feeling the urge for a new hairstyle... // I just keep breathing out so happily that I am released from the pressure of that exam. It makes everything seem extraordinary in the world. Everything worth appreciating. Kind of in the tone of artist Simone Lueck's bio.

Lovely, Honor

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and you are cool. :D She has always taken good care of our family, no matter where in the world we are, and she's the best cook I know. We made a fun Thai meal for her birthday and looked at old pictures. ^^ // Other awesome family of mine... my great grandma is on FB. How amazing is that? She was born in 1924, and believe it or not, she's better at FB than some baby boomers. // Of the things on my list last week, I accomplished: [Important] 1. Asking to be transfered to an awesome project at work. 2. Finding a major (a BFA in "Crafts" sounds hugely gay. I prefer "mixed media"). If only a temporary one (unless it really sticks...?). I tried to go the counselor but that will have to be redone. [Most Likely] I did everything except eat more of Jonas's ice cream and feel good about not being a Republican (I forgot). // Having someone to love is a most great joy. // I went on a rant rampage last week but fortunantly did not post my screechings. Here are the less crazy, more whimsical thoughts from that session. - April 8 is no shoes day! I'm a fan, and hopefully I can observe that mini-holiday next year. - In my experience, if you're upstairs or several rooms away from someone (you can hear them, but not understand their words), the most audible sound in their conversation is the use of the letter S. Try it (could just be the way my dad talks...). - I like the culture of guest hosting that stays in missionary circles, even after missionaries have moved off the field. Not to say that it doesn't happen if you weren't once a missionary, but just sayin'... - I think our generation will be characterized by globalization. I like it. For better or worse, American culture influences many other countries. At the same time, I hope America will become more aware of the rest of the world. I like the potential that belongs to young people. I like that I live in this very time with the very people who are here at the very same time. - I also pondered why I thought women weren't crucified in ancient Rome and whether polygamy should be outlawed (as it is). // My sweetheart just got strep throat, it seems, but if he's still up for it, we're going to Disneyland with all his INO buddies on Tuesday. I haven't been since I was about 8 years old! //I have many, many pictures to share with you. I really do. I hope I can get back into the groove of sharing them. // I had a very long, boring shift at work this Friday during which I came up with my latest tattoo design. I recently heard a sermon from Ephesians about how wives are to honor their husbands and husbands are to love their wives, etc. But Aaron threw in an extra bit to say that to help things along, women aught to strive to be lovely and men to be honorable. I love that. And maybe I will get these , one on each wrist, once I am married.

Goodnight, moon.

My Good Friends, Should & Probably.

Things I should do this week:

Get my blood tested & not pass out.

Drop off my immunization records at the doctor's.

Go to career counseling and find the perfect major.

Take the paper labels off my glass bottles.

Other stuff that I'm repressing from consciousness.

Sort through more of my stuff to throw out or pack.

Get a debit card. Finally.

Register to vote.

Paint & fix a lot of furniture.

(I'm leaving out the list of "shoulds" that I actually did do this week because it's boring once you've done it. Probably because you were supposed to do it. But just so you know I do do important stuff sometimes.)

Ask to be transfered to an awesome project at work.

Things I most likely will do this week:

Decide whether the latest issue of Vogue is of the purchasing order. If so, purchase it.

Make this amazing sounding salad. Possibly make a picnic of it. (Decided. It's a date.)

Wear my new pink boots.

Feel bad that no one is commenting on my excellent wedding inspiration board on SMP.

Blog some more and tell you whether I did any of the "important" things.

Lots of other stuff so that I don't have to do the stuff from the first list.

Feel cool for not being a Republican.

Go take some more ice cream out of Jonas's freezer and eat it in various ways.

Wish Russia would sort out its IP addresses so I could buy some more music and be less bored at work.

Ask to be transfered to an awesome project at work.

Some stuff in a bulleted list (fancy):

• My friend Ashley from olden days in Beijing is getting married at the end of May :D - Hooray for love! Pretty much a lot of people I know are getting married.
• I really like my spiffy new "if you like this post, check this one out too!" thingy at the bottom of each post, except for the the fact that it seems to suggest the SAME 10 OUT OF 160+. -.-
• I like hanging out with my boyfriend and the band between services at church. I also like good sermons and talking about them with Jonas afterward.

This cute girl was shot (photographed) by "the Satorialist", who is, I might add, a genius. I kinda feel giddy in love like this picture. My baby broke his toe on the curb walking me to my door. He said I can go to the doctor with him if he goes. I really love him.

"You're not my dream girl. You're not my reality girl. You're my dreams come true, girl."

Over Achievers I Met & Liked

Talk about OCD... check out these incredible art pieces made from huge numbers of tiny things. Toothpicks by Scott Weaver (details here) and staples by Baptiste Debombourg (details here).

I am reconsidering a degree in the arts. It's weird not to have a solid idea of what I want to study anymore. Not as bad as I would have anticipated though. Some possible opportunities coming up at work which I'm excited about - I'll post more if they develop further. // Tomorrow I'm planning to hit Shawn & Kenna's vintage-moving-garage sale. Excited for that! In the afternoon, I might go to a comic book store with Jonas, Jordan & Jonathan as well. // Last night, Jonas and I tried a Chinese restaurant which was a total, utter failure. Boo. But we went to Starbucks later and told stories of awkward things in high school. It was fun. // I survived my Stat midterm! Nothing but more tests and projects ahead, but I'm pretty happy to have that one finished. // Tentatively moving out mid-July. School ends in early June and my sister is celebrating her graduation in early July. So many people are going to Biola these days! I'll be happy if she goes there this fall because then we'll be close to each other. :D

Red Light, Sunlight

You know how sometimes you see a photo or watch a video or hear a song and it hurdles you into one of those sound tunnel, step back moments? Totally just got that from this documentary, Born into Brothels. It's about an hour and a half long, but I highly recommend it if you can find a little slice of time. What a concept to take the simple joy of art and seeing beauty through photos to give even the chance of hope to a child who otherwise has nothing. // Coming up on midterms, I suspect. Not a fan of the piling up projects. As the end of school draws nearer, I have little more clarity into what the future contains, but for today, I feel confident that I can make it and excited, if pensive, about what's next in my life. I'm still looking for a car, job(s), and room mates in the OC area, if you have leads. :) I am working on doing a big girl thing and registering to vote as well. Hehe. Speaking of which, though I know hardly anything about her and basically nothing about the other candidates, I'm so far of fan of Meg Whitman for the next governor of CA. And she's a Republican, no less. Bet you didn't see that one comin' from me... ;) I'm kind of proud of myself for still liking what I've heard even though I tend to be disgusted with staunch Republicans. I'm reading some very interesting stuff about health care as well in preparation for a short paper I'm writing. It's crazy because just about every single thing that people freak out about is misinformation about what's actually in the bill. I like Obama. :) // I'm a big ol' fan of Hannah and Landon Metz, hippie artist couple of NYC. Here are some of Landon's photos (love Hannah's blog as well...). They're pretty much living my dream life. I think taking sunlit photos of your spouse is about one of the most romantic things there is.

Theatrics

Spring Break Summation:: I am reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. So far, my favorite by him. // Watched Fantastic Mr. Fox - very clever indeed and I laughed a lot. Also, excellent art, but I did not like the color scheme and it left me with a strange feeling. It was like no one really cared for each other in that movie and I kept thinking something was going to happen. Hm... How to Train Your Pet Dragon was excellent. :D And lastly, Clash of the Titans. Ok. Yea. Just don't go. Jonas and I were trying to justify the $10 we each just wasted. We decided we got to hold hands for 2 extra hours and we are now licensed to make merciless fun of that movie for the rest of our lives. Which we will. // I've been listening to my friend Sarah's excellent new band, Sleepyhands (listen here - maybe they'll tour in the States some day! :)) and CAT POWER! Oh, where have you been all my life, Miss Chan? I can't get enough. If anyone knows where I can buy a recording of the following song, please tip me off. (Also, Beach House is playing in SLO on April 15, apparently. Come with me!) (Angus & Julia Stone have a new album out as well).

My mum made coconut-curry halibut over a bed of biriyani and spinach leaves which was delicious and then last night, Jonas and I cooked for two friends, Brian & Chris. We had tortellini in a cream basil sauce, Parmesan bread sticks, shrimp salad in avocado halves (excellent!) and a failed peach mousse. Also some blueberry soda from TJ's (yippee! More bottles for my collection). Still learning to cook, honestly, but it's a lot of fun. Jonas and I made a shopping list in which we substituted real ingredients with funny names that sounded similar and then waited tensely in Smart & Final when the cashier swore that the $20 I just gave her was a $10 and they had to check the security cameras to iron out the disagreement (!). It was a $20. // Jonas and I are also collaborating on a story, complete with illustrations and an original encyclopedic mythical history of witches (Jonas is illustrating and writing histories, and I'm writing the story and creating some characters so far). It's gonna be fantastic and we'll be published and live like gypsy royalty off all our proceeds & the movie they'll make from this story. ;) Speaking of which, one of my favorite stories of all time, A Grain of Rice by Helena Claire Pittman, would make a wonderous movie, I'm sure of it. I'm going to write Yimou Zhang, the director of Hero and House of Flying Daggers and ask him to consider making this short children's tale into a movie. In 10 years, I'll be wearing shimmering and sparkling fabrics, hanging on the arm of my love at the premier of "一單粒大米". Just you wait. :D // This morning, Jonas and I hit a doughnut shop (apple fritter for him, raspberry filled heart disease for me) and then click-clacked through the 99 cent store in search of milk in my leopard stiletto-wedges. No luck there, so we shared a caramel machiatto from Starbucks (the last 3rd is so heavenly!!!). Now neither of us have any cash or any gas in our cars. :) It's been a good week. // This morning, the church was decorate in long white curtains all around. It was beautiful. We sang a breathtaking version of the Doxology. // My brothers and Dad are in Utah & sisters and Mum down in TO - home alone today, cleaning, playing & homeworking. Happy Easter to you all!