Car Shopping

I love love dancing with the stars. Tonight the men danced and i'm so excited. I never get to watch it while i'm at school because of work, but it's so fun! I have to say that i'm quite excited about this season's cast. The guys were impressive. Mario was really smooth, Steve Guttenberg is all charm, Jason Taylor is handsome, Adam Carolla is weird, and Pen is amusing. I can't wait to watch the girls dance. I remembered watching Kristi Yamaguchi on ice when i was little. I'm so glad she's going to dance! Everyone should watch this fab family, dancing show. It'll make you want to get up, work out and dance!

It's back to car shopping. I'm excited because my parents say i can get any car i want. That means i'm not limited to SUV's. Wonderful! I've decided i like subcompact cars or hatchbacks. Right now, i have in mind: Honda FIT, Nissan Versa, Mazda 2, Toyota Matrix, VW GTIMkV 4 door (all latest models). My parents have a thing for asian cars, probably because we're asian and partially racist. [check here] That is a list of safety cars. My parent's number one priority is safety. Ever since i got into an accident with my Honda CRV (that i totaled), there has been a stigma against Honda's. Anyways, this isn't happening till summer, so i'll just wait till then to make a definite answer. One of the best things about buying a car is that the bf can help me! It has become a very enjoyable task.

With gas prices going up, we need an alternative way to get from point A to point B. Introducing the Aptera Hyrbid:
It's amazing how technology has changed. [read more here] Apparently it's a cross between a dolphin and a helicopter. Technically classified as a motorcycly, the vehicle will only be available to residents of California when it's initially produced. If the Aptera sells well, it might be offered to the national and international markets. This idea sounds amazing. I think we should move towards flying cars next.

My face has been breaking out. There are worst places than others, but it's definitely getting better. I'm so glad. At least my face isn't Amy Winehouse:
That looks nasty. She has some skin condition that she's getting treated for. It just looks awful. I feel bad for her. Her makeup is bad too. Even though it's her trademark look, it just isn't working for her. She needs a desperate makeover. I use this product for my acne called BenzaClin. It works miracles! The only bad thing about it is that it's doctor prescribed. My little sister has a whole jar and i'm mooching on it since i'm home for break.

Cute picture of the day.

All made of fruit! So tasty.

Shallow Thoughts

My throat is tickling. I think i'm coming down with something. I don't know what's up today. I feel a little off. Isn't that a pretty picture? I wanted to be that tree when i first encountered the lonesome darling. I just want inner peace right now. I suppose it would be lonely if you were a tree in the middle of nowhere. I didn't see any birds visit that tree at all. The slope is actually that steep. Insane. I don't know how i ever climbed that thing. I've been excessively picking my face. Keep hands away from face! i need to grease my hands or slap myself every time i reach for a pimple. Gross.

I was able to watch the newest episode of Project Runway. Rami won and Chris got sent home. How tragic. I love Chris. What a character! Deep down, i knew those were the final three. I picked them out from the beginning. I should try my hand at gambling to see if my luck can actually hold water. I doubt it. Anyways, Chris did this crazy look using human hair. I must admit, it looked very pretty and i had no idea what he used. When i found out, i was kind grossed and intrigued. He's such a creative mind. Yesterday, my sis and i ditched the salsa-ing idea. We weren't in the mood to dance. I kind of miss old guy though. Maybe we will go again sometime soon. Instead of salsa-ing, i stayed at her apartment eating homemade bread! It was delish. I love bread and can eat it all day. She claimed it was healthier than store bought bread. She's the doc, so whatever she says goes. We were able to watch our show Make Me a Supermodel. LOVE! I'm not a big fan of the hosts, but the show is so captivating. I have a few faves i'm rooting for, so hopefully they make it to the end. The girls are outnumbered 2-5. I'm hoping for a comeback! The remaining girls are strong, so i'm just waiting for the guys to drop like flies.

You know what shouldn't drop? Your jeans when you are sitting!

(Obviously, this is not me...but just to make sure that everyone knows.)

This is the epitome of disgusting, walking trash. Why am i reminded of this? I was sitting in class and the girl i sit next to had a bit too much to reveal. The things you notice when you quietly observe. I'm guessing this can go both ways, guys might find this look appealing or they find it gross. This is probably one of the worst fashion faux pas ever. Now, let me try to understand this look. Girls with no shame are basically saying, "look at me, i'm sexy because i'm wearing a sexilicious thong...and you know because i've pulled it so far up my butt that i look constipated." I guess it's suppose to be appealing. Easy girls trying to get some? Do they actually think they are more attractive waving their thong around in public? What a shame. I guess the guys that find this sort of thing attractive deserve the girls that are showing the thong.

I was watching Shallow Hal yesterday. It's been awhile since i've seen it and i greatly appreciated the humor. I can only take certain amounts of Jack Black, but i liked him very much in this movie. Actually, i like a lot of his movies. I prefer his comedy over people like Jim Carrey.


I actually liked Gweneth Paltrow in this movie too. The movie pokes fun at out superficial society. Inner beauty is what counts! Sadly, it's not true for all people. The movie kind of made me sad. There are a lot of great people out there, but we might not get to know them because of our prejudice against obesity, weight issues? It's like walking around with a screen around our vision. We want to see what we want to see and know who we want to know. I think obesity is a social problem that needs to be taken more seriously. It's a huge deal and i don't want America to be known as the Fat, Stupid Country anymore.

Cute picture of the day.

"Out of my way!"
"AHH..save me"
"Help!"

yumm...shrimp chips

Movie Intrigue

I'm really hungry right now. I just finished taking a shower, dressing and all that other stuff. I'm waiting for my friend to come by so we can eat. I think i'm going to be good today and try to finish my paper at work! yes! The picture to the left is me. It was last year at the pike house, my sis and i were cooking. My job was to stir. I like how my hair turned out in this. Its got red/brown tones in it. I never dyed my hair or put any chemicals in it before. So, one time my mom was cutting my hair and asked me, "did you do anything to your hair...it looks browner." I don't know, i'm American? My mom has even lighter hair than me, i don't know what she's talking about. I don't know if you can see my muffin top-ness, but hopefully i disguised it well.

One thing i'm looking forward to is going home this weekend. The second semester is always the roughest. You go so long without a break and when you do get a break, its almost over. So you're running on whatever gas you have left from christmas break to complete assignments before spring break. That results in catastrophe. Well, at least for me. You don't start shifting gears until your first test and unfortunately for me, it was all on one day. So, now i'm going to jump start my day by staying on task. I planned out the rest of the months i have left in school and it looks pretty grim. But, its amazing how i'm using a car metaphor because i know nothing about them. I'm your very typical, girl girl. If you ask me the components of a car...i can probably name a few obvious things: tires, rims, steering wheel, transmission.

There are a few movies that i've been wanting to see. They are all mental lists and i should write them down before i forget all of them. Yesterday i said i was going to watch "across the universe," but that never happened. I might be able to watch it today...if i finish all my work. Think of it as a reward! I've compiled a short list of movies that i've recently been intrigued by in no particular order.

The Piano

"Ada, A woman chosen to be mute, travels with her daughter and baby grand piano across the seas from England to an exotic land in New Zealand during the Victorian Era. This woman has been oppressed in her homeland and denied her womanhood. She has been arranged a marriage with a Landowner who is afraid of fleshly desire. She meets an exotic Caucasian male who seduces her into a world she can be herself in. She is able to release her oppression through their passion." [IMDb] My friend watched this and says its one of her fave movies (i think?). She says its an unconventional love story. Hmm, it sounds really interesting.

Saigon Love Story - Chuyen Tinh Sai Gon

"Saigon Love Story is Vietnam's first movie musical filmed entirely on location in Vietnam inlcuding Saigon and Phan Thiet. One of the first films independenlty prodcused outside of the communist controlled film industry. Overseas Vietnamese director Ringo Le decided to return home to his birthplace to shoot his first feature film project. Saigon Love Story was highly acclaimed at the VC Film Fest '06. Thereafter, the film was an official selection into the Panorama selection at the Shanghai International Film Festival 2006 and was nominated for the "Winds of Asia-Best New Film Award" at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2006. Currently, the film has been traveling throughout the United States in sold-out roadshow tours to help bring attention to Vietnamese films and artists." [wiki] This sounds so amazing. Saigon is where my mom was born and Phan Thiet is where my dad was born. I really love the Vietnames language and i've been waiting for a film that isn't restricted by communism. On top of that, its a musical! I just have to get my hands on a copy now.

Old and the Sparrow - Cu va Chim Se Se

"This story takes place over the course of a week in today's Saigon. Saigon is a teaming, energetic, cold, on-the-make city of 8 million. It can be a very lonely place for people without family and friends. Three of these people include a ten year-old girl who has no parents. She has run away from her child factory labor duties and was living with an unloving, uncle tyrant. Now she lives and sleeps in the streets of Saigon selling single rose flowers for a living. The second person is a young, poor, hardworking animal keeper for the zoo. He has no family and has lived at the zoo his whole life. The third person is a 26 year-old stewardess who seems to have everything; that is, a good job and beauty. But she is unhappy because she lacks direction and meaningful relations. They come together as a threesome via the determination and pluck of the ten year-old. Will they find meaning to their lives leaning on each other? … or not? Life is just too difficult for each of them, but for different reasons. And, they are very different from each other. But, there is a common trait among the three. They are all decent people. They are honest and direct and they treat each other with uncommon respect and dignity." [IMDb] The person who made this review said that they were a judge for the Heartland Film Festival, a non-profit organization that honors Truly Moving Pictures. I might want to look up a list of the films they honor. I've heard a lot fo hype about this movie. I never got around to looking it up but now that i have, i really want to watch it. It seems like such a simple and loving movie.

There's a trend of Vietnamese films that i want to watch, i know...i'm biased. I don't know how i'm going to find these movies. If there are any other good international films out there, i want to know about them. I spent some time yesterday searching for random movies, thats how i came up with the three movies. I think i'll add to this list when i find worthwhile movies.

EDIT----
I don't know where i put my usb thing. I'm really upset about losing it because it belongs to the bf and i really liked it. SIGH!!!! On top of that, i really want a new memory card for my camera. That's my new mission over the weekend!!!!

Cute picture of the day.
"AHH...So refreshing"
Anyone up for tea?

What do Stars do the Best?

I ate dim sum today. It was delish. We tried out this place in Austin called T&S. It was ranked the best dim sum in the area. The food was pretty good and decently priced. The service was friendly and I walked away happy. The picture is of a little won ton thing that is saying "ahh don't eat me." Oh, how appropriate.

Stress has taken a toll on my face. I'm breaking out on my forehead. Its comparable to a mountain range. I can see the little peaks now. I'm using St. Ive's Apricot Scrub and i'm not sure if its doing its job. Hmm, maybe i'll start trying out a new scrub to see if theres any change.

I've been studying non-stop and this is just a minor break before i have to start up again. Yesterday, I was able to watch Stardust. I got it for my birthday. I was kind of skeptical at first because there was barely any hype and i had no clue what it was about. It was a pleasant surprise. I LOVE LOVE this movie. It starts out making you feel good and when you're done with the movie, you are still filled with the feel-good sense. Its fantastical and a true romantic. I'm really glad i have this movie. The magic, beauty, and color of the movie is so captivating that you can't help but smile.

"What do stars do the best? ...SHINE!"

The bf went with my siblings to watch Spiderwick. It was a movie i wanted to watch but its ok. I'm glad they spent time together. They took pictures and he actually tried to take an artsy-farsty picture for me to put up on my blog. He's so darling. I really like how the picture turned out. You can actually read what the ticket says. Now, that's a good camera.
The Washington Post announced the news that Polaroid is no longer making their instant film. For years since the release of the Polaroid Instant Camera, they have strayed from moving forward, believing in the charm of keeping things "old-school." Sales have steadily plummeted and now they are changing directions. They are now focusing on their line of tv's & moving into the digital world. Polaroid is releasing the right to produce instant film to any company willing to buy. Presently, Fujifilm is only company to produce instant film. There is still hope! I love my Polaroid camera and was miserable for about two minutes when i read that Polaroid was discontinuing instant film. Then, i reached the end of the article and i saw the light. There is still hope for future use of my camera! If this doesn't pan out, i'm going to have to buy in bulk and stock up!

I'm lemming over a pair of vintage pink sunglasses. I need a new obsession.

Cute picture of the day.
"...while you slept"

Loves & Food Art

I know...more hearts?! But of course! Those are my amazing, artsy fartsy, photo-taking skills (picture to the left). I tried my hand at earring making, it was...an experience. There was no pattern to what i was doing and i lost the earring that i completed. It was kinda snazzy. All i have left, is a needle, some beads and red felt. I might try it again at some other date. Today was a nice day. I have presents! Usually i never get anything in the mail, so i was more than surprised to receive something. For my birthday, my sister gave me flowers, a card, a movie (Stardust),and made a beautiful - tres leches - birthday cake.

I learned how to use the settings on my camera. I've had my camera for...4 years? That's an accomplishment. I didn't understand why it was out of focus sometimes and now it sort of makes sense. You can't always blame the camera for your bad pictures! Lesson learned. So, now that i've conquered that feat, i might become a camera whore.

My friend gave me the Hoan Chau Cat Cat DVD set that i wanted. This is a grand series and a definite *must watch* for people of all ages. It is very fairytale and a mix of romance, comedy, & action. The people are beautiful, the costumes are bright, and the music is catchy. The storyline is fairly simple, so you won't get lost watching it. Although its an old series, i just love it. It's short, only a couple episodes, compared to all those long ones that are coming out.

I also got the bf's gift. It was utter LOVE! I smiled like a cheese-ball for most of the day.

It's a pillow case! All i need now is a long body pillow to put this adorable thing in and i'll be set for the night. It's so sweet. It's simple, cute, and so nerdy...just my style! Sometimes he's so , utterly beyond sweet & thoughtful. I might want to stitch my name on it, but i'm afraid of ruining the darling thing.


I was at work and decided to look at bento art. It is so cute! I found out that there are competitions that are dedicated to bento. It shouldn't be a surprise because food art takes skill, patience, and creativity. Bento is home-packed Japanese meal. Remember when you were in middle school and you brought peanut butter & jelly sandwiches? Well, the Japanese did it in style. It usually contains white rice, meat, vegies, fruit, basically anything you want. On Feb 7th, there was the Sanrio Kyaraben Contest, a Sanrio character bento contest. I wish I can zero in on the intricacy, but i don't want to blow up the picture too big. The picture on the right, is the winner. I don't think i can eat anything that cute. SO pretty!! [read here] The link provided will take you the contest and the other contestants. For me personally, if i put all my time and effort into something...i sure as heck want to preserve it. Food art is very commendable. Count on more posts about this very topic. I'm intrigued!

The cute picture of the day is definitely food influenced.

The Beauty of Turtles

Current song: You Belong to Me - Jason Wade
Mood: Content


Aren't the turtle buns cute as heck! I found them for Delia for the Brown Symposium. I wanted to look up turtle pics because i read this amazing story about leatherback turtles. Researchers tracked a leatherback swimming from Indonesia to Oregon. They say that the distance may be the longest trip for a marine vertebrae between breeding and feeding sites.

This is a picture of the little (lol) darling. The leatherback was fitted with a satellite tracking device. Amazingly enough, the turtle was sent out July 25, 2003 on a remote beach in Indonesia's Papua province. The turtle swam to the States looking for food, consequently swimming for 13,000 miles. Hopefully this will lead to finding more ways to save endangered animals. They are magnificent creatures.

It's amazing how life throws curve balls at you when you least expect it. I'm glad that everything worked out the way it did. So i'm happy. I have a loving bf, good friends, wonderful family...and overall satisfying life. This is the time to count my blessings. In addition to giving up sweets for lent and exercising more, i've decided to try to attend church as much as possible. I said that "i miss jesus"...when things go wrong, turn to prayer. I know it's not right to only come to Him in need, so i want to get back into the whole routine of daily self-reflect. Hopefully it'll make me a better person.

Cute picture of the day.

It's almost Valentine's Day.