Changing my room into a bed and breakfast

So, I am at home in Poughkeepsie for spring break. Woooo... As much as I wish I were far away on a beach, sipping from a coconut, the fact is... I'm not. Nonetheless, I'm keeping busy with my next favorite thing to do: home modeling (second wooo...) Although not quite Extreme Makeover Home Edition, I do plan on making my home-away-from-home more comfortable, design-wise that is. My parents and I are going to eventually re-do the whole house. I think they plan on selling it... we'll see how that goes.

As for my room, it's been cleaned, scrubbed, and emptied of all paper recycling, plastic recycling, and trash. I wish I had a chance to take a "before" picture. But at least I remembered now! Courtesy of my mac laptop, here are some cleaned before pictures:
































































And now how I hope (i.e. dream fantasmically) my room will turn out in the end... I am going for a sort of comfy-Alice in Wonderland, bed and breakfast, cosy feel. A little Midsummer's Night Dream. Perhaps some Paris/Capri/Greece thrown in there, why not...






























































































































Keep you updated on the transformation!

No more black!!

I am determined to come out of my all-black winter wardrobe. I'm excited! And scared. This is a big step for me. I'm a black-clothing addict. Must. quit. (Big breaths in... count to ten slowly.... repeat mantra) Here goes! Yay spring freshness

The week before spring break

Doesn't look too good. I was sitting, clutching a cup of coffee, the other day. Thinking about how I used to love coffee. Coffee meant sitting, lounging around a cafe with a friend or two. Leisurely reading a book or magazine, while I listened to coffee shop music. Now, a cup of coffee means a long night ahead of work. I dread coffee. I have at least two or three cups a day. It made me so sad to realize this.

No more cherry blossoms
I overslept this morning and felt awful. I need to do homework, write an article for the Sun, cram for French midterm (tomorrow), and cram for Econ midterm (Thursday). It's the week before Spring Break and usually that would keep me motivated, but things just look pretty dismal. Spring Break used to mean seeing cherry blossoms in D.C., Long wood garden in Pennsylvania, warm weather, daffodils, swings at the park, doing nothing guilt-free. Now it means a ten-day period of boring nothingness, internship applications, studying for the second round of midterms, and feeling like a waste of life.

I dread the "where-are-you-going" question for Spring Break. Almost as much as I dread coffee. Aren't things looking a bit topsy-turvy lately?

Updates of la vie:

• Just got accepted into both of the study abroad programs I applied to. PARIS je t'aime!
• Crush party was a Speakeasy å la Gatsby theme.
• Model UN is starting to prepare for the high school conference we hold in early April.
• The Fashion show for the design league is at the same exact time. Fml?
• Where should I live next year? Still don't know.
• I'm running out of steam.

Thinking in Bullet-Points |

• Still cold here!
• Back-and-forth rivalry continues between both Palestinian and Israeli Student Groups on displayed protests on the Arts Quad.
• Reality check: I do not know how to time manage. My organizational skills are but an illusion.
• Ludacris performed on campus, yesterday.
• Forty-five new sisters were initiated into the sorority today.
• My article about Hipsters published in the Sun.
• I need to figure out a way to boost my G.P.A. PRONTO.
• Mind turned into mush.
• Spring Break looks pretty dismal.
• SPRING 09 LOOKS FABULOUS.
  

Sophomore Slump | What do you do when you've got the blah's?

I can feel the whirlwind of the semester beginning to take shape. Am I biting off more than I can chew? Right now, things are looking pretty blah. And, there's nothing worse than the "blah" feeling. "Blah" is almost worse than feeling depressed, miles away from having the "angry reds." Because at least you're still feeling something when you're in that stage. "Blah" is just nothingness. 

My classes this semester have been so intellectually uninspiring (sounding a bit pretentious here), I'm finding it incredibly difficult to concentrate. What's worse: if I happen to do poorly or skip a class, I feel no guilt whatsoever. Feeling nothing. Feeling BLAH. 

So, I'm on the search for something a little jolting. But fact is, I am biting off more than I can chew. By the end of the day, I'm staring into a blackhole of work. On top of my schoolwork, I'm filling out applications, writing essays, columns, working part-time, and wondering how the heck I am going to survive the boredom of the adult world... or at least a week of the pretend-adult world. I think I'm in the sophomore slump. It's the middle of the year; weather's capriciously mushy; I'm settling into routine (or at least trying to); I've done zero physical activity; and frankly, I could care less. Maybe, I just need to stock up on some energy drinks? What do you do when you're in the "blahs"? Advice? 

PS. To procrastinate more, I made a poll "What should I do with my life?" Take it!

What are your new year's resolutions?

Official welcome to 2009! Much has happened and is happening that I will have to comment on. First of all, our first black president just took office (yes, we can!). My sorority just added forty-five new pledges - our biggest turnout for rush... Classes have started; mine are looking over-the-top business-y. I will be going to Montreal this weekend for a Model UN conference. I just finished my applications to study abroad in Paris next fall! And I am now working on some designs for our department's end-of-the-semester fashion show (25th anniversary so it will be a major alumni-networking event). Pheuf. Can I take a break now? Definitely not. Before I forget about my winter break, here are some of the pictures:

My family started the vacation off with a (very expensive) Christmas dinner at Atmosphere. The restaurant is in the shape of a tower with a rotating top. So you get a 360 degree view of the city while you eat. Pretty incredible. 

Then, I went from drinking red wine to drinking TONS of mineral water. Yep. Spent the next three days in the rainforest on a camping trip. I look so thrilled in this picture. 

Took some beautiful pictures of the sunsets.

Hung out with old friends.

On New Years Day, we went over to Sutera Harbour resort to people watch and relax allll dayy in the pooool. I'm aware that I'm now in below freezing temperatures. 

Out for New Year's night: my introduction to house music (or "I feel like I'm in a German techno club.")

Artsy fartsy people always have such cool cameras. 

Looking tanned yet?

Donuts are a delicacy?

We actually woke up early one day to visit the islands! 

Packed a picnic: tuna sandwiches, melon, chicken wings, drool. 

More artsy cameras. 

It's normal to be swimming with a school of tropical fish. 

Lazy bum. 

Finally, finished with a birthday dinner with a zillion cousins! 

So, I apologize I have not been able to update since Malaysia but my New Year's resolution this year was actually to write more and be as up-to-date on interesting thoughts/opinions as possible. So, I will try my extra best. Right now, I feel the whirlwind of activity and personal goals schmoals coming along. January is perhaps the busiest month of the year; everyone is trying to accomplish as much as possible and get the year started (hopefully) on a good note. No worries, it won't be long before the studying, working out, dieting, saving the world one third-world country at a time attitude slows down. Overachieve much? Anyway, what are some of your new year's resolutions? 

Hello from Kuala Lumpur!

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Was it really a year and a half ago that I was blogging from Malaysia? Well, I'm back. But this time I'm here for winter break... I haven't been back for winter break in Malaysia since the 8th grade. Craazy. 

And yet, nothing seems to have changed. The culture shock. The squatting toilets. The head scarves on women. The freakishly pale sales ladies. Even the sleazy locals, are still here! 

Unfortunately, my journey here was not as smooth as before. First of all, I came here by myself. In fact, I was the last of my family to get here (final exams). A huge snowstorm delayed my flight from New York to Stockholm. And then Stockholm to KL got delayed. Which means, to get to Kota Kinabalu, my final destination and motherland, was delayed as well. This is why, I am now gleefully surfing the internet on my MacBook at the KL International Airport as I wait for the next transfer flight. 

You win some, you lose some. 

I don't know what it is about traveling that gets your creative juices flowing once again. It really puts the punch back into writing, for me. To be honest, I haven't been in the writing mood, as of late. You can tell from my empty-sounding entries and lack of inspiration. As soon as I got to the airport, though, the opinions and observations just kept coming. So, hopefully this will be the start of a new year: a revival of le blog. 

Day of departure

This entry has been added from my notebook: Original date, December 20th, 1:17 am

NYC apartment

I always keep a journal during traveling. This one was started exactly a year ago, and it's funny to go back and reread my writing. You really get a sense of how much a person has changed over the course of a year.

One year ago, last winter break, was the beginning of something brand new. And, I didn't have a clue how different my life was going to be. Cliche, but Paris was a gift. It was the answer to all the grief that found me last summer when I had all those frightening escapades in KK.

Now, back to KK, Malaysia it seems to be. 

I am... excited, curious, nervous, relieved. But above all, uncertain. If history does, in fact, repeat itself, then... what should I expect to happen this time around? I guess there is some symbolism behind my decision to use the same notebook from Paris. 

Maybe, I am trying to make a statement: this is ALSO a new beginning. Something is about to happen. I am traveling ALONE once again. My flight is in twenty hours from Newark. And, I don't land until Monday morning. Good lord. 

I can't stop thinking, ever. I think. I brood. I imagine. These aren't always the best things to do when one is on her own. Sometimes, I get nervous that the next time I open my mouth, all my thoughts will just spill out of my mouth like Niagara Falls. I feel bad for whoever will be around to witness that breakdown.

Some interesting thins have happened to me since Paris. I grew up, a ton. First, I dived into a world that I never expected to encounter, and surfaced with my own philosophies. I got a taste of corporate America. I conquered and learned. I learned how to deal with difficult people. I confused myself with my own logic- and other's. I was miserable. I worked... hard. I became a complete cynic. And I was surprised. Now, here I am. I am who I am, but different. Bad or good? More like some muddled, blurry, two-tone picture of mess. 

As I think over my life's memories, it really amazes me how much I've evolved. There are phases for everything. You just never quite know when one is ending and another is beginning. You never really know, at all... 

tomorrow is the last day of class...

For this semester at least. Around this time, I generally follow the typical stages: denial, stress, panic, nervous breakdown, acceptance. 

Denial is a funny little guy, who wears this tropical Hawaiian shirt and carries around a margarita. "Yoooo no class, winter vacay starts in like two weeks. WOO." He is the sort of guy who pressures you into staying in bed those extra five minutes, eat the extra scoop of ice-cream, skip a class... just because... you feel like it... 

And then Stress comes along and punches denial in the face, and gradually crushes any hopes of snow on Christmas Day. Stress is a sneaky sneaky guy. He might say a few comments to you, that kind of hurts your feelings. But you try not to give it to much thought, "Sticks and stones might break my bones, but words can never-" 

Ok, then Panic teams up with Stress. The two of them together... a little more unnerving. They make one super badass bully team. You begin to feel miserable. Days and nights are one in the same. Maybe you notice a little more hair in the shower drain than usual. Caffeinated drinks taste like water. You are feeling prettay psycho. 

But that's nothing compared to Mr. N. Breakdown. Nervous Breakdown doesn't dilly dally and act all passive aggressive. No, he sneaks up on you (likes to get you when you're PMS-ing or had one too many drinks... beware) and stab you in the back. Not a fun experience. As you're falling to the ground, just remember that there might be a shred of hope. 

That hope: Acceptance. For me, I meet Acceptance when I'm... say three-fourths done with an exam or paper. SCREW THIS. Whatever. I'm done. I've done enough. 

I would say I'm in Stress Mode. About to meet Panic. What good old friends... 

another turkey, another year

I am thankful for being able to eat so much in one day.

I am thankful for the warmth and security provided by F and F. 

I am thankful for strangers who don't even know me. 

I am thankful for good health. 

I am thankful for education, clothes, my MacBook, music, my bicycle, my books, my [crappy, but working] cell phone, 

I am thankful for the technology that connects us to people a million miles away: blogs, nytimes.com, email, webcams, instant message, skype, yep, even Facebook. 

I am thankful for friendly faces. 

I am thankful for OBAMA.

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE CAPS LOCK KEY.

I am thankful for italicizing. 

I am thankful for boldness.

I am thankful for the future. 

I am thankful for color. 

I am thankful for my fuzzy slippers in the morning.

I am thankful for taste buds.

I am thankful for big cities. 

I am thankful for spontaneity, silliness, belly laughs, smiles, crinkles around the eyes, crying, excitement, horniness, squeals, tingles up the spine, out of breathness, good stretches, knuckles cracking, yawns, reflection, and all other things that mean you're alive. 

my first time...

VOTING. 

My New Obsession...

Ode to the Rat Race

Needless to say, living in the city has been both incredible and beyond stressful. I feel as though everything and everyone is moving at fifty miles per hour. My bills have caught up with my spending (BILLS. I'm officially a cougar). My schedule leaves me an express subway ride's moment for reflection. Work has become my life. What happened to the days of lazy summer vacations?

All this leaves me to question myself, what's the worth of living the "glam" city life? Take yesterday, for example. I went to my internship in the morning, redesigning a flyer perhaps more than seven times over. Then, I checked out and went to the bank to stand in a line of grumbling New Yorkers, deposited my check, and headed to work at the clothing store. We had a huge sale, the place was overrun with women and spending and hangers. One up, though: I used my store credit to purchase a beautiful silk and lace top, of which I immediately wore out.

Did I go home and collapse onto my bed, afterwards? Maybe, make myself a bowl chicken noodle soup? Pop a tylenol? Tucked myself into bed and read myself a bedtime stor- Okay, taking it a little too far, there.

No, I didn't go home. I met my friend, a current intern at Barneys, in Herald Square to go to a Vogue & Barney's bar party on the lower east side. Fantastic but I didn't get home until 2AM (blasted subway construction delays). Feeling unkempt and exhausted, I finally got to bed... just to wake up and do the whole day over again. I could go to a fashion show tonight for a Cornell alumna's new brand, but is it worth it? Sure, these events sound glamorous and fun, but is it worth the work? That's what I'm trying to figure out. That's what I need to figure out before I dedicate my life to the rat race.

Aimless Walks and Special Birthdays

I did one of my favorite activities, yesterday: walking around aimlessly.  Yep. I decided to use my day off from work to just relax and be alone. In retrospect, I highly recommend it. 

So, after a few hours of watching TV and lounging around, I decided to get some fresh air. I threw some books in a bag and walked up and down Amsterdam and Broadway, window-shopping. Then, it started to rain and I ran to my ultimate favorite pizzeria and got a huge slice to bring home. I ate, watched Wedding Crashers, and decided not to join the crowd at Union Square. Sounds pathetic, but this morning I felt SO refreshed. Everyone needs a day off now and then... especially in the city. 

Friday night, I threw a little birthday thing for my best friend. She came all the way down from Albany to celebrate the last year of the teens. We had cake, drinks, and hit a club afterwards - so much fun. Needless to say, I was exhausted from another night of going out and needed this mini-vacation.  

Well, vacation is over. I just finished breakfast and need to rush for work. Ciao!

Delaying the Real World | Twentysomethingdom

Sometimes, I go on these internet web-jumping la de da's, in which I just google whatever topic of interest I've come upon lately and then jump from link to link to link... Just for fun. It's very educational, in fact!

Today, I began researching something for an article I had to write for my internship. Then, I started thinking about internships, in general and began googling advice on working at an internship (this is my first experience, anyway). Then, I thought of how amazing it would be to have an internship next summer abroad... which led me to more websites and more websites... until I stumbled upon this gem: Delaying the Real World, The Twenty-Something's Guide to Seeking Adventure. Here's a brief excerpt:

"You've got this pearl of a decade in front of you: THE TWENTIES. This is the prime of your life! You've been on a straight path since you learned to tie your shoes, and now suddenly you've got a diploma, enough energy to run the length of the globe, and all the freedom in the world. 

So how are you going to spend the glorious days of your independent youth? In a cubicle, perhaps? Filing papers, or maybe crunching numbers? How about answering phones and scheduling meetings? 

Wrong! Now is the time to do exactly what you want to do and fulfill your wildest dreams. Don't be in such a rush to become boring! Let the early years be more unconventional and experimental. Try things you might never have the chance to do again. When else in life will you have such freedom? If you wait for retirement, the experience won't be nearly as cool. A thousand fleeting opportunities are waiting for you, and there is nothing holding you back from taking your pick. A year of teaching in Brazil? How about working on a vineyard in New Zealand? Or maybe biking across the U.S. strikes your fancy. From event planning at a Las Vegas resort to counseling at a wilderness camp for homeless children, you have such a rich variety of options you won't know where to start... 

The coolest thing about any adventure you choose is that it will be a valuable experience and may even catapult you into a future career. You can never go wrong in doing what you love, because it will only lead you further into your passion. Anyone who says doing the Peace Corps in Botswana or acting in a Shakespeare festival is a waste of time needs to crawl back into their office space. "

I had an interesting convo yesterday - no, make that a vent - voicing my fears that studying fashion and art will turn me into a complete, materialistic SNOB. You can easily get swept up by the glamour of luxury labels and brand names. I feel like everyone around me is obsessed with image. What people don't realize that fashion designers are geniuses - they are intelligent, extraordinary individuals. Sure, a lot of it is about money and social climbing but the ones I really admire - Alexander McQueen, Betsey Johnson, Phillip Lim - they are seriously artistic geniuses! Their collections make me speechless... 

Anywho, back to the topic of Delaying the Real World: coming across this website and book unexpectedly, really brought me back to Earth. It reminded me just how much I need to keep grounded no matter what work I'm doing... and not take stuff so seriously. 

Pumped for Malaysia

So, it's confirmed: I'm going to Malaysia for winter break! CAN'T WAIT. I haven't been back in almost a year - last summer... one that legitimately changed my life. I'm so looking forward to seeing some of my relatives, my fabulous photographer friend (featured many times in this blog), meeting ex-pats, drinks at the Atmosphere revolving restaurant, Rumba clubs, island hopping, and yummy roti canai. I was getting a bit of a traveler's itch... I'll keep you updated on this evolving trip planning!

Some Lovely Things from COACH

COACH is making some pretty gold pieces (see below). I usually think Coach is overrated - their craftsmanship is beautiful but the design is... eh, a little tacky sometimes (ex. their sling bags and multi-colored, printed, striped, and glittery signatures). 

However, I was looking through their collection online and I found some new pieces which I love. They remind me of the Winter Holiday season. It must be all my work on the Holiday Gift products at l'internship, putting me in the season cheer... even though it's still June. 

Anyways, I think the bracelet and bag would make gorgeous gifts for anyone (hint, hint)!

Noted Photographer | A New Week, A New Roommate

Hi, from the upper west side! It's co-interns, Lola and Lily, here. Breaking news: we are now officially roommates. Lola moved in last night after a horrible two-week experience in Brooklyn (just couldn't stand that cat smell, I guess). Now she's living with me and it's the perfect fit for both of our schedules. 

Every morning, we drag ourselves out of bed and begin the long process of "getting ready." I eat yogurt and watch the Today Show, while Lola runs out and gets her daily drug dose of Starbucks caffeine (extra large-style of course). Then, the commute. Work. Commute. And dinner... it's kind of cute actually, when we don't have real-life jobs and classes to deal with. 

Work today at the internship revolved around a photo shoot of Christmas gift products. I must have ironed about a dozen red ribbons and bows before burning my finger on the iron (no, I'm not checking my nails - I f-ing burned my finger!) I think I also met the most interesting person of my life (after my father, of course).

We took a cab to a swanky-looking apartment building on the east side for this photo shoot. I was warned that the photographer's apartment would be crowded, which quickly became a major understatement as I entered. All the walls were covered with incredible shots of well-known (no, FAMOUS) fashion models, as well as dogs, nature, and architecture. There was a bird cage hanging from the ceiling and a collection of random doo-dads in every bit of space. I felt like I had stepped into Uncle Clement's antique store. 

The photographer turned out to be an old, Chinese man, wearing socks rolled up and khaki pants. What I learned later, was that he - in his day - was the hippest, trendiest, modelizer in the fashion world, a close friend with designers like Vera Wang, spending three years in both Paris and Milan, working at French Vogue, also a pre-med dropout, a travel enthusiast. He showed me a bunch of photo albums as we worked with the shoot; they made my jaw drop.  

So, we finished up the shoot, ran through the mid-afternoon showers, and came back to the upper west. Drenched in rain and glossy stories, I felt like I had seriously seen a glimpse into a clique of high-cultured artists. Just another experience for LL. 

Picnic in the Park and other Weekend Tales

On Saturday afternoon, Lola and I decided to do an old-fashioned Picnic in the Park. This was our response to save money (restaurants really know how to clean our your wallet). So, we bought bread, crudites, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and nuts at a grocery store and camped out in Central Park. It was pretty cute. If you want to get hardcore about picnicking, you can even break out the real china and silverware. I saw a group of ladies next to us sipping white wine from plastic wine glasses. One tip, however: make sure you fill a few ziplock bags with cubes of ice (double bag the packs), and wrap them in towels. Food and drinks needs to stay fresh - especially in this hot weather! 

There's a Method to all this Madness

I am a sponge. This summer is all about soaking up tons of knowledge, new ideas, and new experiences. That makes sense since I'm now spending more time working than summer-chilling (and that, kiddies, is why they tell you to find a job, you actually like - inspiration by Rachel Corrie). So, definitely reemphasizing the whole spiel on finding your passion la de da...

Now. Recall when we used to run into those environmentally-forward hippies (the ones who don't shower or use toilet paper) and think, "what ridic radicals..." or something along those lines.  I guess they had a point after all. 

The best part about my internship at The Laundress, Inc. is that I do get the best of both worlds. Not only are they an amazing, high-luxury brand but they are also environmentally conscious. Brands like The Laundress, and Method emphasize that most ordinary household products are toxic. So, I've been working on the whole detox ordeal, lately. I just bought hand wash, dish detergent and windex from Method. Check out their site for more information.

I never knew how being green could SAVE you tons of green and your health. Meaning, it's a lot cheaper on your electricity bills to practice environmental precautions. And so much better for your body if you take note of all the chemicals leaking from products into your home. Bottom-line: get green! 

After-Work Eggs, Coffee, and Sex and the City

Just another day at the store yesterday, helping New York women of every age pick out outrageously-priced outfits for some graduation-engagement-birthday-dinner-benefit party - something like that. The only thing that gets me through a shift: my Israeli manager and aspiring designer, Nathalie. She makes the most hilarious comments after each rude or ridiculous (usually both) customer tries on half the store and leaves with nothing.

After work, she introduced me to an incredibly ADORABLE and artsy restaurant, named Cafe Lalo (I just found out it was featured in the movie You've Got Mail). Their brunch menu features everything from mango-nectar champagne to eggs with Brazilian feta cheese. Crazy, funky stuff... we had eggs and coffee, while discussing everything from family expectations, fashion, and traveling in India. Don't those spontaneous, colorful conversations in spontaneous and colorful places just make your senses go roller-coaster high? It's so... rich with culture. I love it love it. 

To top things off, we made the ultimate spontaneous move to watch the 11:15pm Sex and the City showing. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet... or maybe that's just my excuse for my speechlessness. It was amazing; go see it. Words of wisdom for the week...

Hardworking Interns at The Laundress, Inc.

Hi, interns Lola and Lily here! We LOVE LOVE The Laundress and all the fabulous people we work with. We are currently working hard to revamp the blog site and catalog, as well as to create those amazing gift baskets (can't get enough of). 

Here's the current bio posted on the Laundress blog site: We are both textile and apparel majors at Cornell. It's our first time living in New York City during summer break, and we are so pumped to be working with The Laundress, Inc. Keep updated with more laundry tips, green solutions, and great products on their webpage - we'll keep you connected to Laundress and our exciting, new discoveries while in New York!

-L&L

Shameless self-promotion. Pretty adorbs, n'est-ce pas?