Things I want to spend all my paychecks on but probably shouldn't:

1) Backpack by Audrey Jeanne, current Artist in Residence right now at Le Sportsac. The print is called Party Time and there are these dancing, music-playing, party animals having a downright good time. I WANT THIS SO BAD. But I keep telling myself there are more things that I could get with $150 that I actually need...

2) Tote from Helena Christensen x Kipling collection. I know I would use this a lot since it's so gigantic and that same, durable quality I like about Kipling... But do I really need it? (Tell me no!) The terrible fact about these limited-time things is that they really do encourage me to buy things now, while they're still available. 

3) Nintendo 3DS in Midnight Purple. It's purple! Purple. I haven't seen a purple Nintendo thing since the Gameboy Color! Need there be any more reason to buy it besides the fact that it's a glorious purple? I know there are reasons I shouldn't, like the fact that I already have at least three games that I would probably buy for this system. That would eat up a paycheck in a heartbeat.

4) Swatch - Random Ghost. I thought I wanted one of this Swatch series where you can see the cogs/gears some time ago, but I previously had made the decision not to get one, partially because I was content with the one I had and partially because my sister got a white one for her birthday from her friends. However, my interest is renewed because this one is TRANSPARENT. I kind of only want it now because I saw a cute guy was wearing it at the Colleges Against Cancer car wash this past weekend... But I'd better not get it just for that reason. That would probably be just as well, because I think my sister would call me a biter if I got one. I don't like it as much as I love my leather (I think?) watch, which is currently out of battery and sad and sitting on my dorm room desk. ):

2013 Secret Santa Wishlist

Yep, it has really been a year since I've touched this blog. At this point, it seems I only ever touch it for Secret Santa purposes, and that's only because I don't want to make it on Tumblr. Which is just as well, because right now I'm on a self-imposed Tumblr ban for the sake of grades (maybe? don't know if it's helping because I started using that Twitter account I created to post nonsense).

Anyway, here's my list of ever-practical wishes for Christmas. The order doesn't matter.

Santa, I'm okay if you don't get me anything on this list.

1. Make-up things:

• Clinique's Different Lipstick in TENDERHEART
• I got a sample of this in a Clinique bonus and I likeeeeeee it. It's probably going to be the only lipstick I will say that I want EVER, but to be honest, I don't necessarily need a $15 stick of stuff for my lips that just ends up disappearing when I stuff my face. If I do get one I'd only start using it after I finished the sample, and who knows when that'll happen?
• Brush(es) maybe? (no link)
• I was thinking I'd probably just buy an eyeshadow brush (and maybe other standard things) someday but I'm sure that you all potentially know more about this stuff better than me... So if you'd like to do me a favor and pick a nice, non-irritating, reasonable one for me that'd be cool but if not  -- that's okay, I feel ya. I also would then need to think about what product is in my possession that I would be applying with said brushes...
• NO:
• Nail polish. I seriously need to go through the bottles I have and use them up.

2. Reusable drink things:

• Some sort of WATER BOTTLE/thermos!
• I'd prefer that it not be of plastic and not have a built in straw or straw hole. I think I like glass over metal... But as long as the bottle can be opened to be cleaned, I'd be happy. It would be nice if the cap was attached in some way and was easier to open than a screw-cap, but I can deal~ I would ideally like this to be kind of "thin" like a water bottle rather than mug sized, diameter wise. I would like to be able to refrigerate this thing with ease.
• Handy Cooler half (any color)  or Handy Cooler (any color)
• So that I can put tea brewed in any of the other manners I am able to (tea bag, tea infuser, teapot press thing) into the fridge to cool. Or just make cold tea in it right away.
• One of Starbucks weird chunky mug/tumblr things
• I don't want a normal smooth cup. I only really need a grande in terms of Starbucks... I also kind of oppose the straws...

3. Reading material:

• Novels/etc. in Spanish:
• La Casa en Mango Street
• maybe something by Isabelle Allende?
• Cien años de Soledad by Garcia Gabriel Marquez
• Spanish poetry or magazine
• I need to brush up on my Spanish before next semester, so I might as well do it in an entertaining way.
• NONFICTION SCIENCE
• I'm not asking for something like a textbook or an instructional book, but something thought provoking on any kind of science. 
• Reading seeds suggested by our Genetic's Professor
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
• Genome
• Island of the Colorblind
• Biopunk: Solving Biotech's Biggest Problems in Kitchens and Garages (bought and purchased this -- very enthralling)
• I remember receiving "The Art of the Calculus" or something from Mr. Nagaoka for some reason and reading it and feeling mildly interested in it harhar.
• John Green
• The Fault in our Stars
• I would read this over and over again even if it makes me sob uncontrollably. I love this book so much despite the pain it causes me and despite how much criticism it has received. 
• Paper Towns
• I've read this, but I wouldn't mind lingering on the idea of paper towns and paper people more.
• Haruki Murakami
• I already own these thanks to Alyssa!
• The Wind Up Bird Chronicle
• Norwegian Wood
• I already read IQ84 but I would so read it again.
• I'm sure I would be entranced by anything from him.

4. Food:

• HOT POCKETS as of 12/19 my Hot Pocket craving is NO MORE
• No candy
• No soda
• No granola bars

5. Miscellany Fillers:

• G2 pen ink refills in non-standard colors (i.e. anything besides black, blue, or red). I like purple and maroon.
• Washi tape, deco tape, fabric washi tape.
• Normal film. Like, 35 mm film. 
• Warm things: socks, scarves, comfy sweaters, layer-able things. (:

2012 Secret Santa Wishlist

Hello Santa!

Things to know about me:

• Fave color: purple
• Fave motif: things that look nature-y: leaves, swirly vines, little flowers, jellyfish

I will really be happy with nearly anything for Christmas! I kind of just really want to spend time with people... family, friends, quartet people, dorm people... Yeah, so indulge me!

Things I may want:

• Reading material! I like... fiction. But not really fantasy/romance/drama any more... I don't know what you'd call them. I would like poetry anthrology... maybe The Joy Luck Club, something by Haruki Marukami (have not read any), or even one of John Green's books (The Fault in Our Stars had me sobbing). Any book would be great though. I guess if all fails I would not mind a B&N gift card, but I love physical things more! 
• Headphones maybe? My iPod earbud things are okay but I usually end up breaking them when using them in the dorms/doing work because they just get messed up in all my school stuff... I don't know how many half-working pairs I have now...
• Mix CD! or... iTunes, I guess. Probably would be last on my list, haha.
• ....makeup?
• $$$
• A back massage. @_@

Etc:

• ....Minecraft
• Hole puncher - for the half sheet of paper XD

Thanks Santa!

Of Late

I haven't a creative streak in me so here's a little life update. I haven't really been taking many pics in the last few days either so.... It's not that entertaining hoho.

Of late:

• Went down to Puck's Alley a lot
• Rain is back in Manoa
• Exam results: satisfactory except for pbiochem =_=
• GK GK GK GK GK GK GK

 

On Tuesday afternoon I dropped off the folder contents for printing... Totally ended up stopping by Nijiya since I had a little time and felt like grabbing something, anything... Didn't expect to actually buy this, but it looked like one of those limited-edition, limited-stock kind of things and I wanted to try and share with people so I got it. I tried two sticks today and it's very interesting. I think I'll stick with normal Pocky rather than all these Crush varieties. They just don't have the same crunch.

 

I wish we had a balcony that faced this way or a big picture window like in the freshman towers... My view of campus and the photos I take are obscured by the netting ): But... still get to see the rainbows (and the incoming rain) when I'm back in my room!

 

Running around campus the past week has been met with on-and-off showers, and sometimes they're just these sudden bursts of heavy droplets that are miserable but somewhat refreshing. I'm kind of glad to have indecisive weather again just because now it's not as hot as if it were still summer...

 

I picked up the folder contents on Wednesday between classes... Oh, the effort. It was all stuck in one paper bag so I ended up stopping by Ba-Le to make use of their plastic bags and pick up a coffee. Mmmm Ba-Le coffee... so addictive.

 

So very many papers... We stuffed them on Thursday afternoon, which turned out to be quicker than I thought it was going to take. Teamwork really helps, I guess. We also worked on centerpieces, which were very interesting and filled with candies, pens, and tissue paper. So much blue and yellow... gah.

 

I ended up going down once more to print the programs, and the shop owner was kind enough to get my print job done on the spot because they had the time. For that I'm so grateful, because it meant I had more time to run errands and fold the darn things/put in inserts. Even though Kinko's is right there I guess I'll prefer to get copies from this place because they've been definitely reliable... I need to compare prices for colored printing, though. I'm sure somewhere else would definitely be cheaper for that.

 

With all my walking down to Puck's alley, suffice to say my legs are feeling it. Maybe if I keep it up I'll lose some weight (or become less blobbly?). Though, that might lead me to consistently spending money off campus that I don't need... It's definitely a lot easier to walk somewhere with purpose, though.

 

On Friday, after watching the women's basketball team play (and it was a good game, though I have nothing to actually compare it to so heh don't know if you can take my work on it), I met up with Renee and Grace to watch Uncle Vanya and Zombies. The story was complicated and I feel like I should have maybe read/learned more about the original Chekov story beforehand so I wouldn't be so confused. The play within a TV show within an alternate universe within a play thing was pretty mind confusing. The humor was good. Loved the zombies... even the creepy ones milling around outside beforehand.

 

Grace gave us caramel bear candies along with mints cause Renee and I had bad breath from eating garlic fries from the game.... delicious everything.

Today was the GK NMRE and I'm very glad that went decently well... We survived. Could've gone better in many aspects (cough quartet performance) but I feel like I worked really hard to get things done! Setup, giving speeches, cleaning up... I can't believe I'm actually an EB member and am thoroughly thankful for the whole experience.... This whole semester.

I don't know what to do at this point but I'm going to rest a bit now that the midterm mess is over... Prep for finals, I guess. Definitely got at leat one project to work on...

Until next time,
Romee

Sunday...

In the park car
Must've been the 4th of July  Veteran's day weekend

Heh... My lyrics editing probably isn't the funniest, but this it is taking lyrics from the song that has been stuck in my family's brains all day.

After yesterday's wedding, I think the food and sugary dessert overload completely put me in hibernation state. It would've been much more comfortable if I hadn't woken up with my glasses still on and my hair in a ponytail... But when one's sleepy and the body isn't taking "awaken!" for an answer, anything is good.

Yesterday's desserts (that I tried):

• Chocolate dobash cake (wonderous)
• Strawberry cheesecake (dense and rich)
• Cream puff cake w/whipped cream, raspberries and blueberries
• Bread pudding
• Flan w/strawberries
• Assorted fresh fruit

With this list I'm sure it's no surprise that I was thoroughly sugared-out by evening.

I mean, I think that the quartet was pretty sleepy on the way back from the ballrooms in the first place. Or, at least, the biochemistry half was... I fell asleep to the instrumental music playing from Tyler's laptop. That was seriously the last I remembered and I don't think we had even gotten back onto the H-1.

Today's Sunday was a diversion from plans. I ended up driving less than I thought I was going to drive, and accomplished more than I thought I was going to do, so all is well. 

We stopped by a beach near Kahala after dropping my sister off at rehearsal. The weather was kind of chilly and a slight drizzle was falling, but the ocean was beautiful and we even saw a few couples taking pictures for their weddings. Adorable.

I fed my sweet tooth again with the macaron from the wedding and the yuzu flavor was certainly delicious. The macaron was the perfect size, too. Any more and I wouldn't have been able to handle it.

My sister got the soft pretzel she's been craving, and we all ate sushi for lunch. The rolls we ate were loaded but not as spicy as we were expecting... The sweet chili sauce plus wasabi mayo did add slight hints of kicks (more like nudges in the shin), though. My dad's good friend brought us some ribs and BBQ sauce... Mmm. In addition to the apples, oranges, and grapes my dad's other friend from Washington brought yesterday, our tummies are definitely staying full. I'm so very thankful for this all.

After a bio study session (exams every two weeks is driving me insane) and a brief group project meeting, I drove myself to a GBC service AT NIGHT! New things, new things. I struggled in the parking lot (unsurprising) but in terms of general driving and road memory... I think I'm getting better! I mean, that was the first time I've driven completely alone and at night ("dark"). The Hush Sound kept me calm the whole way back ("All we need is a little bit of momentum / break down these walls that we built around ourselves").

The service itself was very different than the type of mass I'm used to... I felt awkward trying to loosen up, trying to get into it all, with the youthful concert vibe. However, I felt the best once the sermon started going, and thinking back on how it actually took up a lot of the hour, it was a quick hour spent. I think there were quite a few messages to take-home from it, and perhaps it changed me inside a bit.

"Be faithful in the now."

This line stuck with me the most. A lot of the verse analysis produced questions with which I need to explore myself with... find myself with.... move on with. It was a reminder and a challenge to change. I think I can. A thank you to Mari for some amazing timing (on God's part, as well?) because this is certainly a perfect time in my life to be reconsidering my life and trying new things.

Along with burning plows and doing what is "greater" rather than "better"... There are a lot of things I have to get to. I will do it. Like my homework and the studying. At the very least, I've got this holiday to catch up, right? (:

Nice day for a.... "Tiffany&Co Blue" wedding

Nice day to... start again!!!

After saying I'd get back into recording my life at the beginning of the semester, I surely did not get to that. I guess it kind of helps to have a camera now.

I feel like I should have been keeping more records of the details of weddings our quartet has gotten the chance to play at. Each time I get more and more ideas and gain appreciation for wedding planners and coordinators and designers... So many wonderful decoration and favor ideas. Beautiful colors and locations as well.

From our day:

Things I loved:

• Some sort of Buddhist ritual (which of course I didn't actually know anything about) for the wedding
• Bride said her vows in Italian
• Quartet played 30 min pre-ceremony music (all "typical" wedding pieces, including Pachelbel's Canon in D, which the guests enjoyed plus Ice Castles, Fascination, and a quick arrangement of "The Prayer" - Celine Dion  + Andrea Bocelli)
• Bridesmaids and bride walked in to the recorded version of The Prayer, recessional song was "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer
• Incorporated bride's occupation (research dealing with (endangered) plants and tissue culture) and took a "plant" theme: the centerpiece was "grown" (mini-garden with little blue fake frog perched on a rock next to a mini rock pagoda) and had self-done prints make from what I would say is... moss or fern of some sort
• Centerpiece given away by everyone opening little gift box - box contained a macaron (same blue, yuzu flavor!) - one box on the table had a different color (red - red currant flavor) which marked the individual to get the centerpiece (:
• Banzai! toasts with apple cider

We had a great lunch with delectable desserts and definitely had a chance to enjoy the people and the location. I was looking at the young girls attending with their parents (relatives of the couple), and thought, I wouldn't be surprised if they had the dreams planted within them to be married one day. I mean... seeing weddings like these, who wouldn't want to get married?

C'mon!

Hello darlings.

It's been a semester and a summer since I've updated this blog, but I figured I'd like to put it in a semi-active state for the sake of my own sanity. It seems like the only things I'm writing these days are poor attempts at smart-sounding commentary and science course-related notes. So we say GOODBYE to the birdy blues of the past two years and HELLO to this slightly aged brown and orange of autumn, one of the many times of drastic change in life.

We're only three weeks into fall 2012 and I've already had two midterms and an in-class writing prompt test. I honestly don't know how I've been doing. I feel kind of like I'm still in summer mode... with a conscience that knows that I'm supposed to be getting moving on in this world.

This summer: Florida trip with the family, quartet gigs, bondings and explorations, Hank & John Green reading/watching indulgence, Harry Potter, and living day by day.

This semester: 16 credits, a pretty new dorm, and new perspectives. It's all alright.

More to come. (:

I'd like to believe in all the possibilities. - C'mon: Fun. and Panic! At the Disco