Tag, you're it.

Yesterday I left work early because I've been having massive headaches. Not sure why, but they suck. Well, today I'm off work as well because I still feel no bueno. Anyway, because of my brain hurting a bit, I have not been inspired much today to post, but luckily...two lovely bloggers{I Rock So What & Letters from Coco} that I love to read had a tagging genre going on. So, as their reader...I am happy to oblige and take on the tag task. This is my first attempt at being tagged, so if it's lame...my apologies!

From I Rock So What:

Soooooo, here's my purse. There's no brand, no name, not even a tag on this one. I'm not much of a material girl, but if it's to my liking....I'm good to go. Oddly enough, this bag caught my eye in a small $1 store. No kidding. I believe the store was named "Happy Prices". Haha. No, it wasn't a dollar...I wish! They had a line of handbags hanging above their dollar plastic jewelry and BOOM there I found this ONLY one that has so far, loyally lasted for 4 months or so. When I carry a bag, I carry it until the straps fall off....literally. I guess you can call me frugal. Oh and I know you're wondering why it's hanging from my door. I wanted to hang it there so you could see how it actually looks like instead of sitting on the floor, looking like a scrunchy trash bag. :)

Ok, you're probably thinking....that's a HUGE bag and that can NOT be all that she carries in it?!? Well....yes and no, but you're thinking right. No, it's not all the stuff I carry. Besides everything shown in the picture above....out of all seriousness, the rest is receipts and napkins. Promise! I didn't really want to show all the receipts I had, it's quite embarrassing. I swear I keep ALL of my receipts for no apparent reason. I guess I just like having some sort of "proof" where my money disappeared too. Kind of a like a reminder. Also, I like to keep a light weight bag. You never know when you need extra room to carry other items "just in case" right? Anyway, here's the description. (Not sure if I was supposed to list one or not, but here goes!)

1. The general wallet. I've had this one for years, no joke.
2. Concealer
2a. Eyeliner
3. A knife my guy friend gave me for "protection" since I live away from home. It was sweet of him, but I really don't use it guys. I  don't even know how to open it. Haha. Thank God I have not flown anywhere or gone through a security search, because I would have completely forgotten that it was in there, until this post.
4. Two identical work IDs. I am forgettable, obviously per the #3 item...but I lost one when I was still working at the office, so they made me a second one. Then when I started working from home, I found the lost one. Now I have two! Haha.
5. An old and used checkbook. I'm not sure why that's not in my wallet. Hmmmm.
6. A ripped Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies ticket. :)
7. A SCAD and Physician's Apothecary pen. I love free pens! I also make sure to ALWAYS have a pen with me.
8. Necklace from PacSun.
8a. Necklace from Urban Outfitters.
8b. Necklace from Forever 21. Apparently, I also make use of my purse as a jewelry keeper. :)

Done with the first tag! Onwards to the second!

From Letter from Coco:

1. Name 5 songs on your mixed CD from high school.

Oh gosh......haha. Don't judge. :)

-Cool, Gwen Stefani
-Wake Me Up When September Ends, Green Day
-Speed of Sound, Coldplay
-More Than Words, Frankie J
-Gold Digger, Kanye West
2. What is your favorite board game of all time?

I will have to say Pictionary, hands down!

3. What is the strangest thing you have ever done with your hair?
 
Honestly, I've always been pretty tame with my hair...which leads to my lame answer. The strangest thing I've ever done to my hair was perm it in the 8th grade. Worst. Decision. Ever.
 
Thanks for the tags ladies! It was fun and definitely brought back some memories. Now, to whoever reading this.....yes, consider yourself tagged as well. :)
 
Though I'm not feeling so great today, my friend has begged me to go watch Eclipse with him tonight for free. Hmmmm....free, I have nothing against that? I'm not much into the whole Twilight saga, but I do think Robert Pattinson is FINE. :) Hopefully the movie doesn't make my headache worse. I'll let you know. :)

Blog love

HI everyone! So....I have been following Rachael from ..It's Simple Love.. for some time now and her blog is probably one of my most favorites to read. She always posts lovely must reads, shares great pictures, and always offers good music to listen to. Today though, she is kind enough to thank her readers by giving away a $50 gift certificate to CSN Stores' online store! As Rachael mentioned in her post, they have over 200 stores.... WOW! I am entering this giveaway, of course, but if you want to enter as well, for a $50 one-time-use e-certificate to CSN Stores, all you have to do is leave your name and email in a comment on HER blog! For further detail...also click here to reach the giveaway post, but there are many many links in this paragraph to take you to her, so you don't miss it! :)

+

Look at the goody that I found on the CSN online store! I hope to finally have some luck this time around....maybe? :) Now, YOU should go enter and follow Rachael, you won't regret it!

Laundry, anyone?

+

So I know my Miscellany Monday post was roughly about not being so negative, but you know what.....I do not like doing laundry. I wish I had a personal Kelly Ripa so she could do them for me while she dances with a smile and gracefully tosses a muffin to me while I'm watching an episode of Friends. That would be nice. Actually, that would be the perfect world....which, wake up Michele, we don't live in. This past Saturday I did approximately 3 loads of laundry and it brought back memories, lots of folding memories.

When I used to live with my parents so many years ago, there were six girls, my mom, and dad in the household. That is a whole lot of laundry. The weekends were our designated laundry days, preferably Sundays. I swear because of the immense capacity of laundry we had(say.....7 or 8, sometimes 12 baskets FULL of clothes/towels/bedsheets/etc.) we had to take trips to the laundry mat where there are ginormous washers and dryers available. Usually it would be 2 sisters who would go at a time. Unless I was working that Sunday, I was there. Ugh. I especially hated this chore in the summer because the laundry mat failed to supply enough AC ventilation. It was torturous. I remember telling my mother that this was child labor and I didn't appreciate it. Little did I know, this would help remind me that there are people in this world that has to wash their clothes by hand. Selfish, selfish me.

Anyway, I will have to admit and take a look on the bright side. I love clean clothes. Clean clothes = Laundry. No laundry = Dirty and smelly clothes. Who wants that, right? Not me, for sure. One random fact that I would like to share really quick is, I have to do my own laundry. I don't believe I'm OCD or anything, but I just do my laundry a certain way. That also includes folding/hanging my clothes. I worked at an Old Navy for almost a year and I guess from working there, I've grown some type of  procedure in my head that my clothes have to be folded a certain way. I guess I gained something from working there. Hah.

+

I wish my room was as clean and pretty as this one, shown above. I need new bed sheets. Mine were on clearance and they're a horrible pink/coral mix. So not my color, but my old room mate convinced me to buy them first before I splurged on a nicer, more expensive set. I hear Ikea calling me and Anthropologie. Gah, I love those stores. Anyway, until the next laundry day I will remind myself, laundry---GOOD....stinky clothes---BAD. Have a great Tuesday everyone! :)

Insomnia, you suck.

This probably won't be a happy go-lucky post. Any who, I've been having a lot of trouble falling asleep lately. If it's earlier than 2:30-3:00 am, I can not sleep to save my life. I will just lay there for hours, trying to fall asleep and then become annoyed because I can't. I have this issue with my mind too. It keeps running and thinking and going.....and I can't seem to make it stop. My eyes hurt from being open, if that makes any sense. I'm on the computer ALL day, then I'll try to read or watch TV to get sleepy. Nope, won't work. For some reason, I also can not sleep if it's silent. I want....no NEED something to be on....to click, tap, hum, buzz....what ever. Just sound. Well, this isn't true when someone else is sleeping in the bed with me though, but that doesn't really count either because I can still hear them breathing or snoring. Haha.

Once I tried drinking warm milk before going to bed to help, but it just ended up giving me a tummy ache. I know...weird. I've never been a fan of milk anyway, not sure why? Maybe that can explain why I'm so short(5'1) or obviously for genetic reasons, I'm Asian. Haha. I'm really just blabbering away guys, with no sufficient excuse or purpose of this post.....except I'm bored and tired-but can't fall asleep. I posted a video of Adele's "Make you feel my love". Oh gah, I love love love this woman's voice. She might be able to help me sleep tonight. Just maybe. I wanted to share with you guys, if you haven't heard of her already. A present for your ears, so to speak. :) Ok, to a trying good night!

Miscellany Monday

 {1} I am really trying so very extra hard to not abhor Mondays. They need to be nicer to me, or maybe I need to be nicer to them. Who knows. {2} It's so hot outside today, I can not stand it. Sadly it's causing me to have a headache. It's amazing how the weather can affect you. Quite amazing, yes. {3} I need to make a goal to not be so negative on Mondays. Well, let's make that "in general" instead. Too much negativity is unhealthy, don't you agree? {4} When I rule the world, I will make every day vacation day.  {5} I love kissing the tip of his nose and when he sweetly bends down slightly for me to do so. {6} I noticed there have been a lot of "I's" and "me's" on my blog. Is there something wrong with that?  {7} This is my first Miscellany Monday and you know, it feels good to be random on a Monday. Most times it feels as if everything is listed or outlined for the rest of the week. No more robot for me. {8} Blogger is definitely my place to get away, my meditation. Is this place like that for anyone else?   {9} I will definitely try this again next week. See you then!

Weekend recap

Ok guys, I literally just got home from Gadsden and wanted to share my weekend. I wasn't around a computer or anything, so for the very FIRST time this month...I missed a post, this Sunday. :( I'm kind of sad....but you win some, you loose some I suppose. Anyway, my weekend wasn't a trip to Paris or a weekend get away in Vegas...but it was still a wondrous weekend. :)

Here is sweet cupcake being the grill master he is. We were at our friend Justin's house for the weekend. Oh gosh, the steaks were soooo good and were marinated by his dad specially with special ingredients. By the way, I met sweet cupcake's dad this weekend for the first time. Whoa. I was a nervous wreck, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. This is normal though, because I tend to over think sometimes...especially if it's about something I care about. :) By the way, you see that camper in the background? Justin and his family were so kind to let sweet cupcake and I camp out there this weekend. I guess it doesn't "technically" count as camping since we were just in our friend's backyard, but it was still fun! Haha.

+

Oh yes! We also walked over to Justin's neighbor's home and WOW....he had an enchanted forest back there! I wish I was able to take pictures, but my phone was dead at the moment. Maybe next time. Anyway, Mr. Larry grew all sorts of flowers and plants. He was a sweet man originally from West Texas and his adorable pug, Bella, was so fun to run around with. Sorry for the bird walking, but the point is...he had edible flowers in his garden...such as the picture shown above. It was the FIRST time I had ever eaten a flower! It was an experience and quite tasty. It tasted just like lettuce...haha. Though he did offer that we could pick his flowers to make a salad, we opted to try it out another time. Have you guys ever eaten edible flowers? Oh, I love pretty food! :)

So, of course after the lovely steak and our bellies being so full from the goodness of food....we went fishing! It was beautiful outside, but don't let that fool you. We were drenching with sweat and mosquitoes were attacking us left to right. I guess that's what you have to face when you choose to be outdoors in the south. You become their meal! Yuck, I hate mosquitoes. Anyway, after fishing...we were all sticky and gross, so we went swimming! Woo hoo! Luckily we had a friend in town that had an amazing pool. It was dark already, but who would deny pool time, eh?

Lastly, I know this is going to sound totally cliche...especially since we're in Alabama, but we went to Waffle House to eat a late-late dinner/breakfast. Waffle House is basically a sit down "McDonald's" with waitresses and a good jukebox...or at least that's how I see it. Walking out, I saw this sign for a missing dog. Poor doggie, but I thought it was funny how they said the missing doggie's name is "Girl". Seriously, "Girl"? Hmmmm...I really wonder why they didn't think of another name for her.

Phew, I did a lot of talking/typing in this post. Sorry if it was too much, but what did you guys do this weekend? I hope everyone enjoys their Monday! We're getting closer to 4th of July!

Wahoo for weekends!

Yay! I'm off work, FINALLY! Next, I'm going to tackle some laundry and then head out to Gadsden to see my sweet cupcake. We're going fishing on Sunday = awesomeness! Oh and by the way, per my previous post about the Stiff book...I read to chapter four. High five for me, because in my earlier and younger years... I would have been more than half way through the book. I guess I may have to give myself a little bit of credit and consider that I had to work in the morning, there were some words like "tracheal intubations" & "catheterizations" that I sooo did not understand, and my dreams were calling me to sleep. :) So far though, the book has been equally educational and hilarious. Mary Roach has a fantastic approach on how to "lighten up the room". She is pretty awesome. I'm definitely bringing the book with me to Gadsden, hopefully to read it...but we'll see what happens. I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the weekend and THUMBS UP for weekends in general! [I am guilty of giving many thumbs ups and high fives. Sue me. Haha.]

Practice

Gosh, it has been a hot minute since I've last drawn. Here is a rough sketch I did in 30 minutes or so from back in February of this year. It's of Carrie Underwood...I believe it was when she was featured in a Glamour magazine and I loved her photograph. Well, I love black and white pictures in general. Man, I need to start drawing again. I feel like there has been a lot of things that I need to start doing again. My last post was about how I needed to read more and now, I need to draw more. When did I just let myself go and not do any of the things I used to love anymore? Does that ever happen to any of you guys?

Anyway, I can not believe we are already in JUNE of 2010. Time is flying! Sometimes, I wish I could just put time on pause and be able to breathe for a moment, let it all in to settle. Maybe this is why I like to draw or read....because for that moment, I can pause time in my own little way. I'm at work today. Woo hoo, I'm so excited and I hope you notice the extreme sense of sarcasm here. Haha. I hope no one has to work today and enjoy your weekend!

Stiff

Previous to our Gatlinburg get away, sweet cupcake and I were discussing books. Well...apparently, he is an avid reader, much more so than I am. First he really wanted for me to read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Sadly, he could not find it....but came across this so far, so lovely book as shown in the picture: Stiff by Mary Roach. I say so far, so lovely because I am still in the first chapter. I know, tsk tsk to me. I still do not understand why I can not seem to find the time to just sit and read. You know what, consider this done. Tonight....even though it is a Friday night, I will be in my room reading. There.

On the back cover:

"Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers -- some willingly, some unwittingly -- have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. In this fascinating account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries and tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them."

Yep, you read it right. Sweet cupcake was recently accepted to Samford University to pursue his pharmaceutical career. This may be why he is interested in this particular subject. I guess this is sort of a learning curb for me too and also to kind of get with his lingo...hahaha. Either way, I'm so proud of him. :) Last thing, I just remembered my 101 in 1001 list! If I finish this book soon enough, boo-yah...1 down, 5 more to go!

PS. This is my 100th post guys! WOW! Thank you to all the new readers(followers) and current ones. I hope to keep you interested and that you have enjoyed my posts. Much love!

Inspriday

Happy Birthday today to my favorite person, my DAD! I love you pops and you're bbbbbbad to the bone! (His signature saying. Haha.)

Today's post actually goes perfect with my 3rd and counting "Inspriday" posts on Fridays. I'm sure everyone says this all too often and it may sound cliche', but my dad is a huge inspiration for me. From the way he thinks, to how he tells his jokes, and even his choice of teams(Go Lakers!)...I have always been inspired with who my dad is as a person. Dad, you may never read this...but I hope you know it is an honor for me to call you my father. I am confident that I can speak on behalf of my sisters and say that our sense of humor, our choices in teams(again, Go Lakers!), and our ability to exercise daily love, patience, and gratitude has been a direct reflection of you. You're the best pops ever and as we would say....you're definitely over the hill now! :)

Also, on another note...my dad was a big Michael Jackson fan. Sadly, the King of Pop passed away on my dad's birthday last year. Unfortunately, I was the one who broke the news to my dad via telephone. I felt horrible, but I had no idea he did not know. It was all over the news, all over the radio, even all over the paper already....but still, I felt extremely bad. Proving how amazing my dad is, he did not allow it to phase him.....he just reminisced the good 'ole days of Thriller and Beat It with me on the phone and I was just in awe with his stories. To the amazing King of Pop, we will always be reminded of your talents and gifts you have graciously left behind. Rest in peace.

+

Summer bliss, yes?

It does not seem like a year ago since I've taken this picture at one of my friend's river houses. It was such a nice evening and maybe one of my best summer nights in Alabama. The weather is probably one big thing that I love about living in the south. Though it can be extremely humid sometimes and can feel like there is someone constantly breathing hot air down your back, once you're under a steady ceiling fan with good company and a yummy cup of sweet iced tea...being able to just sit outside to relax is something I will never take for granted....no matter where I am in this world. I believe I have said that fall was my favorite time of the season, but surely enough...summer has been gaining more and more kudos points.

+                                                                                                                +

These two photos, I just had to share. They are perfect snapshots of what I want to be doing right now, this second. Too bad I have to work....but on the bright side, there are always weekends.....and I am thankful to be working. Gah, I feel like I have not written a decent post lately. Maybe it has been my lack of sleep, inspiration, or just time? What ever may be the excuse, I'm sorry guys. Looking back, I've been lazy and apparently got away with just posting pictures up and such. I need to give this blog a little more effort with the written word. I will work on this! Any way, I hope you all are having a wonderful summer so far, enjoying this fine weather and such.

I really loved how green the grass was in this picture of us, so I had to be nostalgic and post it. :)

Feeling lovey dovey

Sweet cupcake has me buttered up with all kinds of smiles & butterfiles. I love hearing this song. :)

You Give Me Something
Songwriters: Morrison, James/ White, Francis Eg
You want to stay with me in the morning
You only hold me when I sleep
I was meant to tread the water
Now I've gotten in too deep
For every piece of me that wants you
Another piece backs away

'Cause you give me something
That makes me scared, alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
'Cause someday I might know my heart

You already waited up for hours
Just to spend a little time alone with me
And I can say I've never bought you flowers
I can't work out what they mean
I never thought that I'd love someone
That was someone else's dream

'Cause you give me something
That makes me scared, alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
'Cause someday I might call you from my heart

But it might me a second too late
And the words that I could never say
Gonna come out anyway

'Cause you give me something
That makes me scared, alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something

'Cause you give me something
That makes me scared, alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
'Cause someday I might know my heart
Know my heart, know my heart, know my heart

© UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBL. LTD. SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING UK LTD

ALSO! Check out this beautiful cover by Marie Digby!

I love her voice so much and if you want to hear more of her, you can check out her youtube channel by clicking HERE!

My favorite FIVE(Linky Party)

So I've been sitting here for over 5 minutes debating with sweet cupcake on how "lychee" is pronounced. He is wrong, lol. Ok...maybe I'm just used to pronouncing it the way my mom does, haha. We just checked on dictionary.com and apparently I pronounce it the Chinese(Mandarian) way. Potatoe, potatoe....whatever, lol. Anywho...thank you to Jessica, from her lovely{irocksowhat} and always good to read blog...I am going to join in on this Linky Party from the Cottage and Vine and list my favorite five or must have weekend get away items.

1.

 +

2.

+

3.

+

4.

+

5.

+

You may click on the "+" symbol/sign to locate the product. Good night everyone! :)