Now Open

I.. had.. the time of my life.. and I owe it all to me-e-e.

2010-12-22T15:16:00.002-05:00

At this point in our lives, being newly grads, either starting a job or still looking for a job, being broke because we can’t adjust to a savvy lifestyle and we have to pay back loans to a school that cost around $50,000 a year, … maybe we think that it’s a low point. I guess I believed it, spewing things like “I hate working,…” (though work isn’t bad at all, but the act of getting my lazy body up and doing it is), or “I miss College,” or “it’s not the same anymore”… but then I realized, and I honestly think I forget it too often, that this year was amazing, whether it was the beginning of the year, which ironically was the end of my college career, or the back half of the year, which is the start of a brand new life… When I reflect quickly, I think life has been mundane, working all the time, being too busy, falling asleep at 11pm every weekday,… but when I really, really, really think about it and push away the clouds in my brain, I’ve just begun to live it.

In 2010, I’ve gone on 4 vacations… First - Puerto Rico in January to find myself in a sea of friends (and when I say sea, maybe I mean ocean, cause it was 20+ people!) ready to venture out in the lagoons of PR, but find themselves stuck in a disgusting bed & breakfast in the rain. There, I learned that I have to do a lot of things for myself or else I’m just going to self-destruct and it wouldn’t even affect any others, so why start bothering in the first place? Learned to really focus on what matters. Me. And if I focus on me, then I’m able to have an enjoyable time with close friends. Oh, and sharpen my arguing skills with hotel management… Then, treated myself to a nice Bahamian vacation post-graduation. This was the definition of a tropical vacation, with all you can drink, eat, and indulging in the cheesy games and shows by the resort staff. Nothing was better than letting our inner Bahamian slip out at the club and attempting to take a bucket of liquor to our face. Excursions, shopping for souvenirs, taking photos – it all contributed to a stereotypical, but absolutely fabulous trip. Summer time is the time for DCH ‘mini-vacations’… Baltimore, Hartford, Montreal (and brain fart if we went anywhere else, but I think that’s it). I felt like I was gone every other week, which I well enough could’ve been. You always learn new things, always develop new skills, strengths and meet new people, so A+ to the addition of my life learnings! Come the winter, just when I thought that my life was in shambles and I was getting stuck in the middle of work and felt trapped, like there was no end – I snowboarded on the fluffy mountains in Lake Tahoe and roamed the streets of the city of Sin, most recently.

In 2010, there were two unexpected deaths, and I won’t go too much into detail because I rather not cry while blogging (lame!), but they happened around the same time – one a family member, the other a close schoolmate. Nothing could prepare me for it, but they prepare me for realities, and the realization that yes, I really do have to appreciate everything and everyone in life, and to make it known if I do, before it’s too late.

Let’s skip the morose part. Parties, parties, parties. Oh, man. Post-graduation, a wild being entered my body and desired to roam the city streets every weekend. Not once, but twice a week, at least, and this required dancing shoes, chugging drinks from the open bars, and stumbling in the house after 5am. And I repeat – every. weekend. This went on for months, and maybe only recently this being decided to chill out and cool it down for a bit… Not saying I didn’t have fun – I had an absolute blast. It may be different from College nights drinking out of a beer funnel or ordering wings at 6am while jumping into bed with my party clothes on and waking up to your roommates (yes, Bo, here’s a shout out to you) hungover-stank-face.. but it’s a different party experience – seeing a different face everytime (hopefully), and actually thinking about what to wear because you never know who you meet, blowing cash like it’s a pack of gum, and rolling on by to 69 in Chinatown to dig in to some delicious, fried chicken wings and beef chow fun. (Don’t tell me you’d order anything else…)

Work experience is definitely different. It’s not just a summer gig, and you know that there’s no break coming up in a few months. Your job is always on the line and you always have to think about consequences, especially when wanting a vacation. But the experience is interesting, and working with others that are almost in the same position as I am, really makes me feel comfortable enough and the transition isn’t terrible. Come half a year though, and I’m ready to bolt on this lifestyle – ready to find a decent looking international business man or prince that would allow me to be a house wife who plans weddings. Oh yea. Just kidding, I’m more than happy with my better-than-decent-American-boy, who I can discuss my money struggles with as we share a meal in Baja Fresh.

So what is this silly gal saying? (That’s me!) I’m saying on the outside, post-grad may seem like it sucks, but when I think about all I did this year, all I learned, who else can do it at their age? I’m 22, I travel a substantial amount, my body is nimble enough to allow me to do so, I make just enough $ to get by and not have to go to the Salvation Army, I meet new people all the time, get my groove on and still get attention from the opposite sex, all while being able to enjoy a laughable conversation with my friends from back in the day to my girls from College.

I can’t wait to see what 2011 brings me. I already have a good feeling it’s going to start off well,… =D

It’s the good life baby. Listen to Kanye sing about it.

Wild Train Sightings

2010-10-08T14:33:00.001-04:00

What better way to people watch people from all over NY than on the train? If I had it my way, I'd prefer not to.

You ever catch someone staring at the person next to them, in front of them, or across the train? So basically, you're staring at them stare. I wondered today, as I watched a (really short) guy stare at the e-reader and the guy next to him simultaneously shifting his eyes. E-reader. Guy. E-reader. Guy. E-reader....... And this probably went on for 10 minutes! Maybe he was trying to read along, but by the stereotypical demographics of the two, I doubt they have any similar interests in books. And so, was anyone staring at ME stare at this guy staring at the other guy?! And did that chain continue even further to a woman staring at a kid staring at me stare at the guy staring at the guy&his e-reader?!

Then there was the guy (who actually sat down and replaced the staring guy - maybe it's something magical about that seat) that ... I'm going to guess popped a pimple on his neck. Basically, it was a little bloody (sorry for the visual) and he kept dabbing on it with a tissue. Kinda gross, but that's normal enough. Well-dressed man, in his suit, lunchbox, wallet in hand... I guess the essentials, not much to carry. OH wait, I'm wrong. He then busted out his little pocket mirror from his suit pocket. Am I the only one who thinks this is a little odd? Out of 3 items that he carries to work, one is a pocket mirror... Maybe he's just prone to his pimples popping and comes prepared so he can always check it out.

The MTA never fails to provide some sort of show or interaction. Maybe they have good reason to raise fares! 2 for 1 ticket... Just freaking kidding - they need to go back to $1.50 because the MTA eats up my money like nom nom nom.

xx,
Dani

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

2010-10-01T15:59:00.001-04:00

This past week I saw a movie screening of Love & Other Drugs, starring Jake Gyllenhaal (who looks absolutely like a divine creature, with his powder blue eyes that smolder you, side smirk that makes you swoon, and who pulls off Raybans like none other), and Anne Hathaway (who shows her boobs in most of the movie). Anyways, it comes in November and I highly, highly recommend it! But this isn't a review -

Anne Hathaway's character, Maggie, asked Jake's character, Jamie, to name 4 good things about himself. At first, he couldn't think of any (until later, she forced him to by presenting him with all the reasons she thinks he's good, and he said he can juggle.) Lame, but what do you say when asked that?? Have you ever thought about it?? I guess I will now. I mean, what if the male counterpart of Anne Hathaway, who will probably be super hot and free spirited, asks me that question on a whim and I can't impress this hottie quick enough because I come off as insecure, not confident and vulnerable! God please prevent that from ever happening. So let's be prepared -

1. I'm always happy. I've been told this by many people, so I guess I'll put it - Obviously it's not entirely true. There's NO WAY in all of this universe's power that anyone can always be happy. And for sure there's enough shitty happenings in my life to put me under the weather even on a beautiful day, or to shed the occasional emotional tear (or million tears) and yes, I know I cry a lot, but mainly because of movies, korean dramas/music videos, or gossip girl. Basically, why spend your days with your head down when you can just realize that life goes on, there's a life to live, and while sulking may seem easier at the moment, it's not good for the long term. You'll only hurt yourself, and others after a while by being a debbie downer. Probably hurt yourself more, because people will think you suck, and no longer want to be your friend. Therefore, yes, I am usually happy and I think that's a great quality anyone should have. When someone I am not that close with calls me for advice just because they think I'm always happy and can help em out, I pat myself on the back and graciously help. There's always bigger fish to fry, kids. (And with a bigger fish, you get a fuller stomache, and with a fuller stomache, you get a happy Danielle.)

2. I'm genuinely good. I'm not being conceited here, I'm going off of what I realized about myself and as a 22 year old, I definitely am old enough to realize characteristics from my experiences. I have bad thoughts. Everyone does. I think about the occasionally conniving scheme, or dooming eternal diarrhea on that one person who you can't stand (idea taken from z100, not myself. I'm not sick, on my own), or "why can't I just take this piece of candy from the store? It costs 25 cents!", orr a lie here or there - but when it really comes down to it, I can't find myself being actually scheming, if it hurts others. What do you know - despite the fact of being a Tin woman, I actually DO have a heart!

3. I need to be challenged. Whatever that is - work, school, activities,... No doubt about it that I love an easy assignment and I celebrate over extremely easy tests (well, those days are over), or a stressful day, BUT only in the short term. It definitely feels amazing to have a lazy day of work (hopefully a Monday or Wednesday) but how long can that last? I need something more sometimes. Related to school, if all of your classes, ALL OF THEM, for 4 years were super easy and you understood everything you ever learned, and you finished your assignments in lightning speed - wouldn't you feel unaccomplished? Don't you like sometimes not knowing, and the gratification you feel when BINGO! you've discovered the answer? I definitely love it. I love the fast paced, problem-solving environment, and I can't be satisfied with routine tasks all the time. I'm a mover. I must move! (But not literally, because though I have more muscles than the average chick, I think I might pull my back trying to move furniture up stairs. Think about all the PIVOTING that must be done!)

4. I'll leave this one alone because if I had 4 things set in stone, there's no way for me to mold and grow. I'm a grower. I must grow.

What are 4 good things about yourself?

xx
Danielle

Cause I'd get a thousand hugs, from ten thousand lightning bugs...

2010-09-02T17:04:00.003-04:00

... that is, speaking about college and relationships. Honestly, if you're a decently looking guy or gal (okay, who am I kidding, maybe even if you're not) you'd probably meet a number, a handful, a bushel full of people to date, hook-up with, or talk to on a level that's a little more intimate than a friend - call it sexting, if you'd like. I know Eunice loves that word (not the act, the word! Don't worry, I won't tarnish your rep or get Jeff mad).

But it's different in the world post-grad. I guess you're going to read a lot of "post-grad" entries - it's just what's relevant in my life, and if you're reading this, you're probably a friend around the same age, so it's relevant to you too... I hope some 58 year old man from Arkansas isn't an avid reader on this thing. But if you are,... heeey,....... SO! Back in college, there was thousands, tens of thousands of people you can meet - considering you're interested in only one sex, cut that number in half, at least. There you go, the number of people you can interact with. Syracuse: 10,000/2 = 5,000 delicious men (yeah right). Realistically? Cutting it down to 5% is even pushing it, but the pickings are slim. But I'm not going to lie, there's still a LOT, for the time period that you're there for, and dating in the college environment is super different than outside of the 2 mile campus radius.

Let's start with exhibit A - (Taking from experience...) In college, a guy can visit you at work and bring you dinner if you're working late at, let's say, a tea house. That’s the ultimate sign of flattery. He doesn’t want you to starve, he goes out of his way to get you something to eat, he waits for you to get off, and he spends time with you while you eat your food at home and he basically waits to spend what? 30 more minutes before you yawn and call it a night. In college, you can meet up for a nice off-campus dinner versus having the same dining hall dinner and feel like you’re a million miles away from the bustle of the campus, away from the familiar faces you see everyday, and it’s just you two, in a town far, far away. In college, it makes your day to bump into him in your 10 minute passing going across campus, and you make a quick detour to grab a cup of starbucks (of course after waiting on the long ass line because it seems like the only place on campus). The longest it’d probably take this guy to reach you is probably 10 minutes, maybe 20 if he was taking school transportation (what a shame), no matter where you guys are located.

Now let’s fast forward to the “real world” and its’ dating environment. Of course, there’s exceptions, maybe two lucky people have it all set for them but for the majority, it’s not that easy to meet up that quick so that this guy can bring you a late-night snack. He might be across the city, or even in another borough! I feel like dates have to be planned out well in advance or else you’re just stuck in the middle of 34th street looking around at the buildings not knowing what to do. Maybe the problem is that there’s so much to do, that there’s too much to choose from. In college, everyone was comfortable with the known options – lunch or dinner at the top 5 common places to eat, going to a party together, staying in the dorm/apartment, or joining in on a campus event. In NYC, what will the two of you do, how can the guy impress you with the most unique date possible? There’s way too many options forcing people to have to be creative, because that’s what girls require? Sucks, but I guess it’s the truth.

I wish I was dating in the college environment again. The little things made me light up… like… dynamite…

(God, I really cannot stop loving this song!)

xx
Danielle

MBIT, you ain't got no alibi.

2010-08-31T19:00:00.000-04:00

At a training for work, we took the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator test (Don't worry Ronnie, from the Jersey Shore, it's not tests in school. I know you don't do well on them and will probably fail everything) - but you can't fail here! It's basically a personality test and a high-class, professional one - not the ones you take on cosmopolitan.com to see if your man and you are compatible, and not the 30 sec ones online to see what your stripper name should be... It's a series of questions or phrases and asks you to choose your overall preference, without much thought, just by instinct. A lot of the questions are repetitive, I guess to show consistency of your answers...

To break it down, these are the matrices that it labels someone as:
Where you focus your attention: Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)
The way you take in information: Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
The way you make decisions: Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
How you deal with the outer world Judging: (J) or Perceiving (P)

So my results were pretty reassuring. I like them. I am a ENFJ - Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judging. To give you more of a sense, this was the general characteristics of someone with that combination -
• Warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible
• Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others
• Find potential in everyone, want to help others fulfill their potential
• May act as catalysts for individual and group growth
• Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism
• Sociable, facilitate others in a group, and provide inspiring leadership
(There's also a 6 pg comprehensive report, but I don't think you want to read about what kind of person I am. Find out yourself!)

Tell me if I'm wrong, but it seems pretty dead on. Especially being a feeler - it basically means I really focus on the people to make a decision, and peoples' feelings first, versus concrete facts. During our exercise, we were told that we were given tickets to Paris for the whole team (ie. 5 people), then they changed it that there was only enough money to send 3 people. Each group had to decide what to do. What us feelers were debating was how to get everyone there or happy - we suggested exchanging the tickets to 5 tix to a cheaper destination, or everyone chipping in to pay the remainder 2, or some people even agreed to pull out of the draw! While other groups just said based on seniority, or by other more status requirements. You can see the clear difference in the mentality. I think this is especially true for my LIFE, because I always try to please people, always try to make decisions based on what would make the most people happy... As you go on in the hefty report, there are certain lines like "They take responsibility for organizing interactions of colleagues, friends, or family so that all are involved, harmony prevails, and people have fun." Crazy how it applies so well.

This test was so interesting - especially learning more about it through the exercises held by the HR facilitator. Good stuff, MS&L. Too bad you have to pay (I think) to take this - it also shows you where managers typically fall, which are the extreme corners, which show that all managers have the similar characteristics of T&J which are thinkers and judgers - based on more concrete facts and what's there in front of them, without caring about the people environment, because then feelings come into play. I guess I might be too much of a softie sometimes!

If your company offers this MBIT - I highly recommend you take it. I started to think about a lot of things. It opens your eyes to who you are. WOAH. But then again, they should just give me a big fat A, for AWESOME.

- D

Back to my (parents) crib

2010-08-26T18:55:00.001-04:00

Are you still living... at home?

Though the intentions of this question may be merely a simple question, it comes with a certain tone and creates thoughts in peoples minds. That is, if the answer is yes. Why do they still live at home? They must be weird, or needy, or lazy, or poor, or a loser, and the list goes on & on.

Well, I live at home. Why? Because I'm a 22 year old that JUST graduated from school not even 4 months ago (wow, felt waaaay longer than that) that has an income enough to support my bad spending habits, shopping urges and food necessities. I don't think adding rent to that equation would end up in positive number or at least not a positive, happy me. Having to pay rent in Syracuse was different - it definitely sucked, having to remember to always go on the 15th (even though I never did) and watching your bank account deplete within the next week or so when they cash that check, but it was minimal. Our rent was $480. There's no way that would exist here in NYC or even in parts of Brooklyn.

Having your own apartment has its perks. Probably a nice set up, with some kind of view of the city... super convenient to go out at night and cab it home in about 10 minutes... the luxury of being able to invite whoever you'd like over, whenever you'd like... Not having to worry about where to go for a pre-game because you can do it right in your living room... probably owning a fullsized bed (sigh, I miss it.)... getting to design your apartment the way YOU'D like aka pimping it out into the flyest bachelorette pad ever... not having to wake up 2 hours before work because it prob can take you 20 minutes versus 1 full hour... NYSC galore! (yes, that's relevant to me now because I now have the membership)

But I can't complain. I have it made, and I will be living at home until they kick me out (or if for some reason I all of a sudden make a heaping amount of $ or find a steal. Any hookups?) I come home to delicious home cooked food, where I don't have to clean... I place my laundry in the hamper and it reappears washed and folded on my bed... I obviously don't have to worry about sending a fat, over-$1000 check to someones pocket... I don't need my house to "chill" - I can easily go somewhere else... I get along with my parents (most of the time. Not recently though, how annoying)... And I'm less likely to be alone, which means less likely to be scurred.

A lot of my co-workers who had to pick up from their town in the middle of no where and move to the big apple tell me that they're super jealous. After getting over the glitz and glamour of owning your own apt, I can see why. Watching them look for apartments makes ME stressful.

Winning pick up line? You should come over tonight. I'll tell my parents to stay upstairs ;)

- Dani

.. I'm not sure if this post had an end ..

Is it still summer?

2010-08-24T18:30:00.003-04:00

Alas,

Is it time for that summer recap post yet? Good lord - to think that typically I would be heading up to Syracuse by the end of this week, annoyingly packing up the car and driving 4 hours to a bright campus and making multiple visits to Target before classes start, as well as rushing to the bookstore to try to grab the needed textbook but just for the ISBN number to order it for cheaper online,... and to finally have the first weeks dinner with my roommates, which would most likely be whatever our parents made for us in lovely plastic containers... but times are different now, and it doesn't even feel like I should be recapping the summer because as a post-grad, I am unaware of time all together. What date is it? Give me a second while I scroll my eyes through the calendar to try to find at least which WEEK it is.

And that's that. No more school, no more end of summer hoorahs (I guess summer official ends at the solstice for adults), no more syllabuses, and no more scanning the room for who's in your class - but that's all of the past - which I guess, this summer has been to. So let's just get on with it...

I'll start with the overall - it was good. Exciting, adventurous, never-did-that-before, learn-new-things, good?? Not really, but it was good. I definitely learned how to balance my social life with my other social/active life with working life. I started work early in June, so that only gave me about a week and a half at home to gain composure post-grad and relax, which I probably didn't, and still haven't because I have been working since (aside from a one week hiatus due to a position extension - wooo!). Early June, I also started DCH again. This time, we had the same amount of races and I travelled the same amount but I felt like it was 10x more - every other weekend I had something to do for DCH, whether it was a race out-of-state or a team BBQ or etcetera. But there's no complaints here - I finally learned that YES, I can still go out and enjoy my time with them, and my other friends, out on town, and I must say, I didn't hold back. Maybe I kicked myself in the butt in the morning (or even made some deposits to a nice plastic bag holding my delicious leftover omelette), but at least I wasn't sleeping in bed regretting that I wasn't bonding.

A short trip to Bahamas was truly worth it too. This was immediately after our weeklong post-grad festival of events in Syracuse, and I had such a great time with 5 other individuals. 5 people who are all carefree and made the trip that much more enjoyable. Holds true to the "quality versus quantity" theory. No matter how cliche, it's basically a fact.

BASICALLY, my summer was all a mixing pot of events. Some were more significant than others, I had fun along the way, but I can't seem to pinpoint anything specific at specific dates - it was just all... good. It's as if they were 19248 different ingredients put into a blender, and out comes this great looking smoothie. You don't know the exact flavor but you can taste some, but you're happy, because the final product is a success.

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer - I for sure know mine isn't over, although the weather is trying to kick us out. There will be more sloppy nights, more dinners, random outings, more mini-vacations, and then we get to enjoy fall and winter.. Our first fall & winter at home since 4 years ago.

Goodluck to all those who are going back to school too. Boy, how I wish I were you with your two 1 hour and 20 minute classes a day (but not Friday), and 3 hour breaks in between, along with getting drunk with only a 5 dollar bill. But I'm a working girl now (not like that) and it's time for me to look forward to something else great in my life :-)

So... post-grad summer 2010, kudos on making me smile (though a little more action in the love department would've been nice).

-Dani

Oh, and how can I forget? I saw my Backstreet Boys this summer (keeping the record of going to every single tour they had in the US alive!) so that's an instant win.

Save The Drama For Your Mama

2010-08-18T18:21:00.000-04:00

Maybe it's my personality, but some people really make a huge stink out of the littlest flame. Whether it's murmuring under their breath because they're worried that someone is speaking too loud, or if they constantly say sorry because they think they've offended you - when you've already said it's fine about 38 times, and then it just gets awkward after that. I experience this a lot. I've come across a handful (or maybe handful and feet-ful and bellyful) of people that are way too dramatic.

My motto is always f*ck it, and excuse my English, but really, just loosen up because it's not that big of the deal. What happens when something extremely life-shattering happens? I can't imagine how they react! Save your expressions, your stress, your emotions for a time when it truly matters. Life is really way too short to be upset at someone for forgetting to invite you some place (when it's a group of 50 and they have to try to remember everyone. Let it go), or that they seemed to shrug you off in conversation. I hate when people say "don't talk about it, don't talk about it" when it's clearly a topic that's okay to talk about, that it's not something that I'll (or other people who are close) will go prancing around the streets and yelling or handing out flyers about.

Real drama sucks. Leave it to the Koreans - in which case, it turns into the best thing in the world<3

-D

All hail the hotties

2010-08-18T16:38:00.003-04:00

Adam Yamaguchi eats Donkey Dick:

Video here:
http://disgrasian.com/2010/07/adam-yamaguchi-eats-a-dick/
source: www.disgrasian.com

And I don't judge one bit, because he's super sexy.

But if some overweight, pimple-faced, high-pitched voiced man did the same, we'd probably think otherwise... Oh, the standards of the world. The judgements... and I'm guilty for it.

If a less than average looking joe shmoe up to me at a bar, coffee shop, or other, I'd probably think twice (or three times) about how long to speak to this fool. Especially at a bar/club setting, I'd probably even throw him into the 'creeper' pile (sorry. And it's not pretty in there - gets pretty crowded). . . but if a handsome or decent looking guy with a killer smile swoops his way in my direction, with the same actions as exhibit (1), I'd probably give him more than the courtesy conversation.

Sucks, but true. Anyway, getting sidetracked,...

Adam Yuuummaguchi, I mean Yamaguchi, you are the MAN! (Thanks for Daisy for introducing me previously to this fiiione speciMAN.)

Patience is a virtue. Sometimes.

2010-08-15T23:26:00.003-04:00

My patience is slowly diminishing. I used to be so tolerant of people, no matter how they acted - I would still be able to smack on a smile and pretend that I'm interested in every little thing they have to say. I'd be able to nod in agreement, and just deal with however long I spent with them. Now, I feel like dying inside. Maybe it's because I spent a great deal of time with PEOPLE. Working with people, serving people, interacting with people 85% of the day - people who don't deserve my overly nice responses. They used to be genuine, but then I just realized that it's not worth it for me...

The fact is, some people suck, and if they have no importance, no reason, or no contribution in your life, don't waste your time.

Maybe [Twenty] Two is better than One

2010-08-12T12:27:00.002-04:00

To describe myself and my girls from Syracuse - we're all 22 year old recent graduates who have been pretty successful in our college career and outside of it. We all can land internships, jobs, or another higher education when we'd like (okay, with a little hard work and overcoming the laziness of cover letters). We all had some kind of working experience, we're (obviously) not stupid, and enjoy the occasional drink or black out here and there. Physically, none of us are overweight, and (most) of us are active, with the gym, sports, or just enjoy keeping loose with a brisk walk. Doesn't seem like there's a problem right?

Our friend, Bovemsa, made a comment at one dinner we had a few weeks back... are we at our prime? Is this it? Well, let me just say, I HOPE NOT. It's silly, but I understand where she's coming from. Girls that are younger than us are becoming more trendy, more fashionable, staying skinny (I don't know how - damn you naturally skinny, asian girls that don't do anything but drink and still remain skinny.) Maybe soon we'll have to try a little harder to be the picture of health, to still be the young girl that a guy will desire, and not be the one they settled with. Sounds super pessimistic, now that I'm writing it. Girls in this generation KNOW how to trick the mind so that they appear prettier, so they all wear makeup, they all know what clothes to wear... Back then (yes, even if it was a few years ago) I know I dressed differently - I had to learn the hard way - going through the trends. Now, they pick it up so easily because of the mistakes we made and dress/act the same way, though they're a few years apart.

But on the flip side... maybe we are in our prime. We just graduated, we're not in the college scene anymore - maybe that's more appealing to some guys we'll meet? We are at a new stage of life, working at a new place or starting at a new grad school, and we have more to talk about. More aspirations and goals.

Now... the hard part is staying in shape. Even I, who practices 4x a week, have trouble maintaining it.

BRING IT ON, YOUNG BITCHES.

(And yes, I'll take the heat for all the ladies who are older than me, and just want to say "What does she know?")

Bestfriend Triangle

2010-07-20T16:39:00.002-04:00

There’s always that question about whether or not you can be friends with your ex, which never fails to bubble up tens of thousands of theories and opinions. Surely you can. Maybe sometimes it’s best not to – like maybe if he (change ‘he’ to ‘she’ if you’re a guy) cheated, became super weird, became a killer/stalker, did some terrible things to your friends or family, stole from you, hit you, etcetera (let’s stop there because it’s getting pretty sick.) Anyways, if two people mutually broke up, or even if it wasn’t mutual but the grief diminished over time, I support ex’s talking to each other full on. And no, I wouldn’t be jealous if my current bf (hypothetically speaking, waahh!) was still talking to his. As long as they don’t touch each other.

Now some, actually many, people ask me or just comment to me about how they think it’s so weird that I’m best friends with my ex (S) and that his current girlfriend is my OTHER best friend (D).

Disclaimer: Don’t worry S&D, nothing bad or awkward will be spoken about in this post. And why? Why… anything?

Okay, so granted it may be set up a little differently: S & I went out when we were 13,14 year olds into HS, so some may argue that we were too young to know anything, and that’s why we’re so close now. Wrong. I will forever love this kid, as my best friend. We grew up together, were embarrassingly tacky together, and in that odd teenager phase in our life, together. We weren’t biffles (barf @ that word) immediately after the breakup – we were far from that, barely speaking actually. But eventually, we grew up and found our places back in each other’s heart, as bestfriends. Enter D, my best friend. And when they started going on, it still wasn’t weird. Course, it wasn’t that official or open to the public, but she confided in me to be one of the few people to actually know – to know their secret and I didn’t take that lightly. In a good way of course. I appreciated the fact that she could tell me this and was honored to be of the few who knew.

So is it weird when I see them walking hand and hand in the park while I follow holding my own hand, or snuggling together in the back seat from a long trip home while I pass out like a fat cow, or figuring out whos going to pay for a meal or the movie this time while I whip out my own CC?? NOT AT ALL. Just like any other couple I adore, I truly care for these two and find it in my best interest to make sure that they are happy – not like they need outside help. But if they did, I’d be supporting them 100%, and I’m happy they found it in each other.

Z100 had a segment about … something ridiculous. And a caller mentioned how her ex is now with her friend, and all of the DJs were calling them scumbags, jerks, etc! But she made that great point in saying that maybe the ex entered her life, not to be with her in the long term, but to eventually end up with the friend, and she’s happy to have contributed to that. I’ve been thinking about that a lot after I heard that. People may enter your life, maybe for you, or maybe for someone through distant connections.

Other than that, I still talk to all of my ex’s on a platonic, friendly base, because why do you stop caring for someone just because it didn’t work out? (Unless, re: all the creepy things I mentioned in the first paragraph).

The best friend to boy friend, or boy friend to best friend, chain – shouldn’t be something that’s mind boggling. If it happens, be grateful.

Dani

Uncomfortable comfort

2010-07-20T14:53:00.003-04:00

I'm sure most of you have a public bathroom that you go to daily, or quite frequently - whether or not it's your school restroom on the floor all of your classes are on, or your work bathroom... well, I'm curious. Do you go to the same stall every time?? I definitely do, or at least I aim (no pun intended) to. But what if that stall is dirty, wasn't flushed, or is occupied? Do you get upset, because you're comfortable in that one - the one you directly walk to without a thought - but now have to occupy the neighboring sanctuary...?

I do.

Not a big deal at all... just a thought...

Blogtini-bar Daily Specials: Pet Peeve #23

2010-07-19T15:29:00.009-04:00

Oh, ha, get it? Daily... special... cause we're a... bar! Yeah, not that clever but close enough to the theme that I'm sticking to it. Knowing me, it will probably not be daily... but more of a thought of a day, on whatever day I feel like it. It could be 7 days, every other day, no days... the possibilities are endless (actually, it kind've stops at zero days). I mean, it's better than calling it TWIFLI (Thought whenever I feel like it). Though that really does roll off the tongue and I can see it going viral like FML...

Today my thought is a pet peeve, and that is:

People who assume. It really, reaaaaaaally erks (irks? urks?) me! Why can't some people just believe in a greater good and be optimistic about outcomes? Don't assume that I won't finish that, don't assume I not doing anything at work, don't assume I'm free and have nothing better to do, don't assume I wouldn't wanna see that, do that, eat that, feel that, try that, ... and the list goes on and on. It's the 100 year old truth: You really do make an ass out of u and me.

-Dani

Unanswered Questions

2010-07-19T10:07:00.003-04:00

I was listening to Z100 in the morning (as I always do. I catch the phone tap after I wash up, and then there are commercials so I usually switch over to 92.3 for music, then back to Z100 to catch the randomness they provide every morning. Oh, I love it) Anyways, today they were talking about the game. Not monopoly or basketball or shuffleboard or even hunting game – but the relationship (or pre-relationship) game. Specifically, they were speaking about the telephone call rule: wait 3 days after you receive a girl’s number to call her. Lauren, the Z100 employee who brought it up feels that if you wait 3 days, she doesn’t even want to bother to talk to you and she’s not for guys who play the game. But the other radio jockeys being devils advocates (and men) suggested the whole “don’t want to be creepy” perspective. If a guy calls the day after, won’t he seem clingy, they say? Oh, what about the whole “if a girl doesn’t want to wait for a guy to call, they should call”. This could be extremely true, especially now we’re in that day & age where women should be able to contact a man, open her own doors, yada yada yada, but it goes the same way, where “oh this girl is too into me” and the guy gets scared off. Generalization, of course – there’s always the exceptions.

What do I think of all this madness? I think that there is no answer and never will be. It’s all dependent on the type of person both people are, what their thoughts are, or even simply the vibe they received from the person initially. If during the short meeting time, you really dig the other person, I’m sure 3 days feel like an entire week, and you pull out your hair, consult your friends, have a little debate going back and forth about signs or clues or hints, waiting for that person to pick up the phone and dial 7 (okay, now 10 with the whole area code crap) numbers. What’s going on on the other side of the phone though? Is he/she too nervous and trying to rehearse what he’s (just for consistency and so I don’t have to repeat it 10,000 times, I am going to use he. Also cause I’m a chick) going to say as an opener, or how he’s going to present himself. Or maybe he is just playing the game and is going to milk it and see how long you can wait holding your phone for a simple call or even a text. The power of a text. But sometimes you just don’t get it. What’s the point of that false hope? Just don’t ask for our number; just don’t say you’re going to call. Screw being polite, it’s better to know you’re leaving that night without any chance or thought in your mind that someone else has your number, and basically has power over you and your emotions.

But maybe there will be that guy that’ll call you immediately after, and maybe he would be lucky enough to pair up with the girl that doesn’t think it’s creepy but rather endearing. Maybe this, maybe that. I respect guys who call/text soon after, and if I decide that I’m not that interested – I’ll be honest! Sounds like a terrible lie, right? But it’s true. So forget about the game, you’ll probably lose in the end anyways because there are so many players. Don’t build them up, buttercup.

-Dani

superman[iac]

2010-07-16T11:08:00.011-04:00

A 5 month hiatus isn't that bad, yea? Let's just blame it on pre-world cup preparation, world-cup madness, and post world-cup recuperation. But that'd be a lie, because I actually didn't watch any game in it's entirety. I saw 10 minutes here, 8 minutes there, fell asleep to the vuvuzelas blaring in rerun games, and listened to the last 30 minutes of the final through my car radio (almost missing some exits along the way!). Disappointing considering I am a soccer fan and would've loved to be in on the hype but the way the schedule worked with mine (work and practice at the exact times of the games) didn't work in my favor so much. Reading the minute-by-minute matchcast on Fifa.com for the Japan game was actually exciting, especially during the penalty kicks. They have little soccer ball icons that turn a color depending on if it was a goal or not. I was on the edge of my desk chair, trying to keep quiet with excitement. Eeeee :) Well, that's over now. We'll see them in 4 years. Congrats, Spain - though I was rooting for Netherlands (or as Alan Tang would say, Peter Pan from Neverland. HA.)

Anyhow, I was going to open up talking about worklife and the simplicity of it, considering I'm a month and a half in to working and some observations I've made... but about 3 minutes ago, my friend James and I were talking about shopping and he quickly called it my "kryptonite". No, I don't become weak and helpless in the sight of stores or clothing, but I would say it could be the death of me, figuratively. More my wallet than anything. There just opened a Forever21 on Times Sq (which, by the way, I went on opening day TWICE because it was just too big to finish during lunch break - and that ladies&gentleman, is what she said) I couldn't control myself. I honestly don't always find something in there that suits my style or that is worth spending $ on, but the bottom line is, I hate walking out empty handed, for most stores. Unless I know for sure I'm just browsing along, if I spend a handful of time in a store, pacing back and forth, debating between the top or the bottom, trying on the shirt to see if my stomach will show ... I'm 85% going to walk out of there with something. It's as if it's an unwritten rule or protocol, maybe even an exit-fee... Granted I'm happy to be able to jump into a fresh pile of new clothes and try to decide which events I want to make my debut in, but in the end, it all comes down to... "Yea, I really don't need that."

Another one for me would have to be ideas. My eyes light up when in the presence of great ideas. Whether or not it be an idea about an activity, about what to do, or a design idea, or a gift idea, and the list goes on & on... I found myself to become so entrailed into the idea once it's presented, that I sometimes think too much into it and in the end, it just becomes so anti-climatic. I try to follow through, but without the cooperation of others, it can fall flat on its face (if an idea were a person,... of course.) A couple months back, we were trying to think of ideas for a scrapbooking present for our dear friend, Annie (aw, now you know our behind-the-scene secrets)... We knew she wanted one, but knew she would never create it herself, even with all the supplies handed to her. That was our initial idea. Then the ideas just kept flowing - we were in Michaels, the craft store, for longer than I hoped and I'll be honest, I was getting aggravated. Aggravated because everyone had such great ideas, but when it came down to implementing them, everyone is extremely timid all of a sudden - not knowing what to do, not stepping up to make the decision on what to buy, not knowing what next steps to take. It's as simple as buying materials, or deciding who's going to design what page, but we just couldn't do it. I really did like all of the ideas and wanted to see them to their full potential, but in the end... it all vanished. Frustration took over and we all settled. (Disclaimer: this is not a rant, I love you all that I was with, and I'm sure you could tell I was aggravated but this is just an example.)

Does that even make sense? How ideas can be my kryptonite? I think I'm too much of a perfectionist... or maybe OCD... or anal... or an over-achiever... Well, I don't like any of those words, so I'm going to say just kidding.

What is your kryptonite?

Will really try to see you again soon. Really... (key word: try)

Yours truly,

Dani

What is this?

2010-03-30T12:33:00.004-04:00

Guess who!

............................

Yeah, who are we again?

It's been so long, I almost forgot what it's like to blog. Not that I was an incredibly experienced individual in blogging, I would say I had a fair amount of interesting posts (to me, at least) at this 'bar'. The pace at home college is so much faster than in HK, but hey, if 924,391 other people can keep up with theirs, so can we! Maybe. We'll give it another shot.

Which kind've ties into what was circling my brain: what DO college kids actually do? Besides the ever-so stereotypical eat, drink, sleep (insert minimal studying somewhere), there's so much more that creates a college culture; that I, after 4 years, have noticed.

They for SURE do not carry umbrellas! At home I would carry an umbrella if there was any sign of moisture in the rain, but on campus, I guess they use it as their morning shower instead. A little drizzle I can handle, but sometimes I even resist opening up an umbrella even when I want to because no one on campus has it open and I'd look like that weak one who can't stand a little water (I can't!!!!). I guess the jackets-with-hoods-manufacturer is happy.
There's a chinese saying "yiu lang, mm yiu mang", which literally translates to "want beauty, don't want life/health" (correct me if I'm wrong, fluent people). College students definitely live by this rule. 15 below freezing (17degrees, for you that are not math savvy) ?? No problem! They'll just wear shorts with translucent leggings underneath... or 'it's not that far!', wear the shorts/skirt anyway! Face it, who wants to be caught at a stuffy, sweaty, dirty, DANCE party in a long-sleeve topped by a thick cardigan, while holding onto their puffy north face jacket. Certainly not young college girls! I most definitely have been an example of this concept, but you never know when you'll meet your future husband/wife. Or, if we're going to stay within stereotypical college language, ... then meet your random hookup. Sigh. Who doesn't want to feel pretty!
They hold doors. Most people might think that college students are lazy, rude and inconsiderate. But on the contrary, I've observed that we all are really good about holding the door for the next person coming through. Sometimes, I'm a good 10 feet from the entrance, which is sufficient time for them to go through - allow the door to close - and I can open it myself. But no, friendly college students wait holding the door for me. (Sometimes this isn't the best, because then it forces me to kind've speed up my pace as to not make them wait) but in retrospect, it's wonderfully kind. Kudos, kids!
College students love free stuff! But who doesn't? At least it's in a more organized way, in stead of at Chinatown parades where they bowl you over to get a pamphlet (yes, I've been bowled over while handing out pamphlets). Free t-shirt if you answer a ridiculously easy trivia question about your school? I'm there!! I'm there 3 times out of the day, wearing a different sweater so they won't recognize me, grabbing whatever sizes I can get. The other day, there was actually raffle tables for all kinds of stuff if you were wearing orange. Of course, I wore orange, and I filled out my info at every single booth, while picking up the free highlighters, cake and cookies along the way. It's quite the life. Gotta stock up on all the SU crap (sometimes really impressive, though) before I graduate!

I'm going to stop here, because I have a very, very, very large amount of assignments to catch up on, aside from dance practice everyday (but don't get me wrong, I love it!). Performing at a Korean Cultural show this weekend, and though a little doubtful in the beginning, the dance is really coming together and I'm proud of everyone... and well, basically, it's going to look sexy as sh!t. Pardon my verbal faux pas.

Welcome back,
Dani

Disclaimer: This may not hold true to all colleges. Obviously, I'm speaking by observation through my university. Do not sue.

Where you belong, Laura&Euna

2009-08-05T10:42:00.003-04:00

Welcome home, Laura Ling and Euna Lee! Now I heard of the news yesterday and I was extremely happy and relieved and my best goes out to the families in hopes that their reunion is wonderful. This morning, nothing put tears in my eyes more than a photo like this:

from the NY daily news

What emotion. If I get worked up over it by one photo, I can't imagine what was actually going on in the minds of the family. Seriously, welcome home. Oh, and F-U bad people (who will remain unnamed just incase they have some crazy cyber spy going on but you know who you are...) !!

For more photos of the reunion, visit the photo gallery here but make sure you're stocked up on tissues ... And if you don't know the story of their capture, read some freakin' news.

- D

Care for a quickie?

2009-08-04T15:37:00.005-04:00

Rumor has it (and my eyes too because I saw all the HADAD film trailers parked outside) that Ugly Betty will be shooting near my workplace today - between 18th and 20th street, Park Avenue South.

Check daily filming locations for all your stalking needs! I'm so glad I discovered this today... I will be more prepared next time a hottie from TV/movie scene comes around in hopes to walk down my parkavenuesouth ;)

Mr. Summer, your grades are in

2009-08-04T14:28:00.006-04:00

With 3 more weeks until I return to sunny Syracuse (ha!) for the drunk-fest, no-sleep, procrastination, late-night talks, too much food, trying-to-get-them-A's-while-not-doing-anything, senior year that awaits me... I'm trying to figure out how I should describe my summer. To myself of course - because we all know when people come up to me and ask the auto-question of "OMGGGGGAHH DANIELLEEEEEE! HOW WAS YOUR SUMMER?!?, I will most definitely smile and say 1- Good! 2- Great! 3- Fun!. Maybe I'll throw in a 'really' in front of them from time to time. Hoorah for these acceptable lies. So when I think back on the summer of 2009, will I be content with what I've accomplished or will I regret that 3.5 solid months were wasted in my great hometown with my dear chums?

Let's see how Summer 2009 is doing on the general expectations of summer chart! (And no, I don't really have this chart... on paper). Because there's just some things you need to do during summer:

Go to the beach - so if you got 10 points for every time you went to the beach this summer to enjoy the soft sand between your toes, the crappy waves splashing against you (we are in Brooklyn, mind you), ice cold beers or mango ices, throwing a frisbee around to your circle of friends or basically any type of sport while digging a hole to put your feet in the cool sand instead of letting it burn on top, I would have an impressive ... ZERO points! Now I still have 3 weeks left but at this rate, I highly doubt I'll be visiting my sewage infested friend, Coney Island, or any other beach for that matter
Get a tan - how am I supposed to tan if I'm not at the beach?!?! Well, here's something I can get happy about because I was tanned when I came back from HK & Thailand so there's a start... but I keep getting 10 shades darker than the previous 2 days due to dragon boat practice. I'm pretty toasted right about now (AND I've been sunblockin' up.)
Go on a vacation - No time = no vacation. There was no poconos trip with the gang this year, no tropical destination sippin' pina coladas,... but there was dragon boat races, which means there was a mini trip to Ithaca, where I was able to experience my first race. There was Montreal, where our van got robbed and put us over the edge but everything before that was just dandy and we took home some medals. . .

-- does anyone see a pattern with dragonboat in my list?
Go to an amusement park/water park - No points accrued here! NEEXT.
Have a summer fling - Now I'm definitely not saying this is on my list to a good summer, but if someone has a good one, then kudos, it definitely makes summer that more enjoyable. Congrats on being able to relate to Grease's 'Summer Nights'. As for me, considering I was happily with my xboyfriend until recently, this does not apply and that's quite all right with me.
Learn something new - A couple of summers ago I learned how to swim in Yiming's pool. I felt like that was a huge accomplishment after 10 years of being scared because I almost drowned- don't expect me to swim a mile though, I basically can get to and from, if it's in comfortable distance of course. And I'm having a brainfart now and can't think of more I've learned, but what about summer 2009? Dragonboat. Mmhm! Of course I'm still learning but it'll take a buttload of time and for 2 months of solid training and consistant practices, I do believe I got somewhere...
Make that paper! - I don't think there's ever been a summer where I haven't had a job. There may have been times within the summer I didn't and just sat around like a bum and drank on weekdays because I was bored, but I always tried to make $. This summer, I'm working at the same office I was as 2008 and all I gotta say is, I got a raise, woopwoop! It's not gruesome, it's not that tiresome... I'm content.
Get a rockin' beach body - Ok so it may not be rockin' but I'm definitely satisfied. Keeping up with my work outs and cardio, and Mr. scale says I lost weight (with a little help from hong kong in which I have no clue how thats possible)... so let's celebrate to this not being a repeat of summer 2007? where I gained 12 lbs. Gross.
Catch up with old friends - this especially is crucial since I was in Hong Kong for 6 months but I unfortunately cannot say that I have caught up with old friends. If you're reading this, send me an e-mail or call me.

----- Now, since I've joined dragon boat and with balancing work, I pretty much have time to do zilch otherwise. That's why I have yet to go to the beach, no amusement parks, no vacation, and I haven't made much time to see other people outside of dragonboat, except a few dinners. . . so at first I would think, yeah it's a good thing I joined and I'm enjoying it 100%, no doubt about it, but I feel crappy not being able to relive our insanity during vacations or to go karaoking and wastedly walk around, or to sprawl on the beach soaking in the UV rays... but then I thought, let's wrap this list up with #10 -----

10. Make unforgettable memories - I figured out that it's all upto me how I want my summer plans to unfold. If I wanted to go to the beach, I would, and same with everything else you're supposed to do in a typical summer.. and I chose work, dragonboat and to have whatever left over time to myself or to spare it over dinners with people who want to see me too and make an effort to plan versus "let's meet up." Yea, that'll never happen. So YES, I have made unforgettable memories. Maybe they're not caught on camera (my total of 100 photos on my camera this summer is reaaaaaal impressive...), maybe they weren't drunken fiascos, or insane dares and adventures, but maybe it was much more simple than that. Memories that go by daily, that may not seem big, but at the time they're super memorable and cause extreme happiness. I laughed a lot this summer. That must count for something, huh? And I've met a lot of new people,.. great new people. Oh DCH, you've grown on me. But let's not gas you up :)

So when you're busy, that can be an extremely good thing. When asked what I've been doing this summer, I always respond that I'm too busy with work and practice - but I never say I don't enjoy one minute of it. Hey, I'm getting money and staying healthy, all in the presence of some of my greatest friends - I can't complain.

You always have the ability to make the best of things, even if it's not what you're used to. Change can be good. So how's your summer playing out?

source: ffffound.com

- D

Post script_ My apologies to all my dear friends I really have yet to see as much as we would like. It definitely doesn't mean I'm not thinking about you. I owe you a cupcake or a dollar, whichever you prefer.

A very unhealthy obsession

2009-08-04T13:45:00.006-04:00

Sitting at a desk 8 hours a day with collectively about 15 minutes of work to do, forces one to take initiative and be proactive - aka find something better to freaking do to pass time. I've become rather, if you don't mind me saying, wonderfully successful, at it and I've discovered so many things on the web and about the generation today that even though it's work wasted, it's not time wasted.

So I've discovered that I absolutely love cupcakes. I'm sure the majority of human society that has taste buds love cupcakes but when you see a photo of a cupcake, do you get tingles in your stomache and do your eyes light up? Doubtful unless you're me or the bakers of the universe who contribute to these aesthetically pleasing blogs that I stumble upon daily. Let me introduce you to Bakerella, a blog by a woman who is so keen on baking and shares her recipes and finds with the average joe-sephine (just keeping it real with stereotypes). Her most favorite attribute is her creation of cake pops or cupcake pops. These little things definitely attract the eye and taste the same as your great cupcake. OH and of course the portion is smaller so we're being health conscious here :) Unless of course you (and probably myself) eat 10 to compensate for the mini size.

Simple cupcake pops... but she doesn't stop there. She gets festive! with holiday themes, like my favorite BUNNY cupcake pops. Gosh, it's like she's catering her blog and baking solely to me. Thank you bakerella! If you go to her site, you can find a lengthy list of her blogroll that I definite clicked on each&every one, and find other inspiring baking blogs + misc blogs.

Here's my most recent find: Pretty Foods. And that's exactly what it is. A big, fat (maybe literally) blog loaded up with photos, but in an organized manner of course, of foods that are damn pretty and make your mouth water like you've been in the desert for 9 years. Yea, it looks that good. As I'm scrolling through the pages and pages of endless desserts, creative dishes, breakfast foods!, I can't even decide on which one is my personal favorite (for now) because they're all so grand... They have tons of cupcake photos, which is just darn swell- adding to my crazy obsession. I honestly have been craving cupcakes recently everyday and I actually think I can imagine the taste. Someone call a doctor. Or the local bakery and order me some red velvet please ;)

Who doesn't enjoy a little love in their dessert?

Tie Dye cupcakes - my next project. I hope it comes out looking as awesome as this!

So simple and neat - that's why I dig it. What a perfect rounded edge <3 align="center">

And lastly, a macaron, my new favorite dessert. I have yet to try them, silly me, but by the looks of them, they look damn good so I'll now be on the lookout for them so I can be a macaron connesuier (sp?)

Okay maybe I went a little over the top with photos from pretty foods, but I really cannot help it. I really wonder how I don't weigh more than my guy friends and why, after reading all these food blogs and recipes, I still probably suck at cooking. Instant-[insert baking good here] to the rescue!!!!!

- D

10 birds with 1 stone

2009-07-08T16:22:00.003-04:00

When doing some research for my cousin about bridesmaid dresses (yes, I am one!) for her January wedding, she told me to look up 2Birds...

Two Birds is a clothing company, but I see that they currently only sell one dress. And that's their draw - one dress that's so versatile that it can be wrapped into 10 or more if you're crazy creative ways. It's for bridesmaid dresses, but surely you can use it for other times. Now, I've seen many versions of the "1 million ways" dresses (exaggeration)... like the American Apparel Jersey one, that I do own and can only successfully make ONE way look good and fit right. What a disappointment. (And I bought it for a white party, so I can barely wear this white dress other times for more casual occasions. Damn.) So anyways, this version by 2Birds seems so much better! The fabric seems to be more wrappable and cooperative, and it's only one size fits all so you know it has to be very flexible, to fit every nook and cranny of a woman's body. On the American Apparel version, if you pull it one way, it creates bumps in other areas and it just never really fits..right. There's a wide variety of colors to choose from, and they give you in-depth how-to's on the different ways they came up with that you can wear this dress. I have always been an avid lover of the greek goddess look, or the one-shoulder dresses so those really appeal to me.

PS. Also looked up BCBG and they seem to be having a sale going on now! Their dress collection is currently, as my dear buddy Jeff would say, bomb! So...tempted...to...buy...for...no...reason...and...with...no...money !!!!!

- Danielle

Time to Weed Out the Bad Ones

2009-07-08T10:54:00.004-04:00

I'm sorry to say that E and I haven't been on top of our shit. So as of now we probably have little (if any) readers because people have dwindled down due to lack of posts. But whatev! I'm stepping up and I just need to write...

I've decided that we're at that age (21, holla) that we really do need to start worrying about our health and throwing away all the bad habits that can be passed down to the generations below us. Like what?

This is just my own choice, especially at a time that I'm being fairly active, but I've been drinking water, water, water. 90% of my drink choices are water - at work (about 3 tall glasses a day), during practice (bottles&bottles!), even at restaurants (and it's not because I'm cheap), but it's just such a healthier choice. I only drank soda as a child and as I grew up only had it when I was craving it so it's not like I was a soda feen, but cutting down on it to 'rarely' is a great start. The only softdrink I usually allow myself to have now is Iced Tea, and that's just because I really, really enjoy it. Who doesn't like iced tea? Anyways, I feel healthier but it wasn't the water alone!

No or limited amounts of beer! This can be linked with the excess of water consumption but by cutting down on beer, I just don't feel like a fat ass. A couple summers ago (and of course it was during college), I gained ... let's just say A LOT of pounds ... and most of it I bet was due to the crazy amounts of beer/alcohol I drank on the weekends. Oh, the weekdays too. Yup and then in Hong Kong we drank those massive bottles - they weren't quite 40's but they were close - and drank a few at a time probably because they were always 2 for 20HK (aka $2US). Then towards the end of the trip I stopped, we indulged in more wine, and I felt much better about myself. I have yet to drink a full beer since, I believe. I'm proud of my resistance, lately.

Now this goes hand in hand with the whole 'bad habits' schpeel (schpiel? shpiel?)... less beer + more water + active lifestyle (dragon boat practice 4x a week) = less partying, and I think it's a good thing. Referring back to that horrid summer (though it was amazing at the time), we would go out and drink and party just because we were bored... I'm glad that's over with and no one should ever drop $40 on a night that they're bored! I no longer have the mentality that I 'gotta go out', 'gotta do something', 'gotta drink/wanna drink'. But I admit, I do miss going out and I do want to (because we haven't in a while due to lack of free time) but it'll come for an occasion, and when I can, I will... Now I'm sure in school I'll be back to drinking more and going out (because this summer is just not allowing me too) but not as much as I used to. And I'm not saying I'm a mature, boring person now who looks down on the partying lifestyle, I've just realized I've honestly had some great, memorable and irreplaceable nights and I'm good with that. I can never go back to doing that 24/7. Though I'll miss it sometimes, it's just better now, I've had a huge ton of fun and now it's time to let other people enjoy it. Responsibility is key... HAHA!

I have no clue what I'm blogging about. Let's end it.

- D

Oddly Adorable

2009-06-17T14:26:00.002-04:00

I may have grown up tremendously and the number of dolls on my bed or in my room cut down by 70% (there's still a good amount), but I can't deny when something is cute and I just want it so I can look at it all the time. So, I'm still a sucker for plushdolls, but at a more healthy level.

There's two that I've been eye-ing (one for years, the other more recently), and I'm not too sure if they're intended to be cute or not... probably not. But they just make my heart melt.

Raving Rabbid's from Wii's Rayman game

They are way too cute! I think I'm so in love with them because they're bunnies too. Adorable bunnies that wreck havoc and get hurt and just scream :) I guess you have to have played the game to get their "personality", which makes it all the better. Saw them in Hong Kong, for about 90-100$HKD (~12$US) and I was too cheap to buy it. GOD, one of my major regrets in life...

Domo-Kun

He's old news, but he's still really cute and I have yet to have any merchandise of him. An odd looking monster that I just want to snuggle up against! I think I like angry lookin' things.

like these...

angry popsicle pins from etsy

(a great place to find handmade items). How cute!
Raving Rabbids, I will give you a home one day :(

- Danielle

Sitting never looked so sexy

2009-06-15T16:27:00.006-04:00

That's Robert Pattinson for ya.

Spotted: Not-so-lonely boy near Washington Sq. Park shooting a new film "Remember Me". While waiting for whatever took so long during a scene, this sexy vampire was sporting a plaid shirt and sipping on a refreshing drink ( at least it looked yummy! ). . .turned out to be a hot day afterall ;)

^ That being my attempt at a Gossip Girl intro/outro feel. Ya dig?

Me & Andrea walked 15 blocks (her in heels, but it was close enough...) to get stopped by crew, to look around in confusion wondering WHERE the hell they were shooting (even though we saw all the cameras...) then finally! someone moved out of the way and there he was. Thank you guy-who-moved-outta-the-way. Next step? But of course, whip out bb and take poor quality photos, that's what! Just my luck - took my camera out of my bag this morning.

This will do!

- Danielle

PS. For the record, I still want you , Ben Dean :) xoxo

10:09pm UPDATE.
I did not take my camera out of my bag this morning. Sigh...

Hobbies: Watching Asians perform?

2009-06-08T15:26:00.005-04:00

OK, we're terrible, we're sorry! Please don't abandon us because we've needed time to settle in to the summer life after our huge HK trip! We're only human... and we love you :( We're working on getting this juiced up.

Anywhoo,

Last week I attended a variety show called "Downloaded", which featured all these talented (mostly Asian) performers that made it big on YouTube. They came together and did what they do best - a comedy performance, acoustic guitarists, impersonations, singers, and some chocolate rain... ??? You probably heard of that deep voiced "Chocolate Rain" song. Hosted by KevJumba, who out right dissed a girl who got her make-up done live by another p, ... by still refusing to go on a date with her. Www-oooooo-wwww! With a comedic performance by bubbly HappySlip. Some of the show was really enjoyable while the rest was meh. Disappointing was the only YouTube star to actually get signed (and by JTimberlake too!),... Esmee Denters. Sorry girl, you didn't tickle my fancy, so as your new single says,... "get outta here" !

Point? None.

Kollaboration NY is coming up too! On June 27th, a range of talented (and mostly Asian, again! I must be getting in touch with my Asian-interest side. Hoorah to Chinese Pop culture!) performers that are competing. Singers, dance groups, rappers, and all the sorts. I can't wait. I've only seen clips of the California one (probably with better talent) online and I've been sucked into it. The performers are young and freakishly talented. I'm envious,... and a little bit turned on, especially by the smooth dance groups ;) It'll be at an NYU venue this year, and me & E will be there with others, so check it out and come sit with us. I'll bring snacks!!!

- Danielle

Settling in...

2009-05-24T16:41:00.003-04:00

Damn it's really been a while, so sorry for that. Me & E just got back to the states this week so you have to let our minds rest (we've been helping by waking up waaaay into the afternoon). I'm sure that once May is over (and we bang out our last dreadful paper), we'll really rev this thing up again and make you smile once again! ... if we ever did :)

So, I'm now afraid again to go out at night by myself, especially on trains. In HK, everything was so safe, so non-threatening, so calm, so alive,... The other night, I was going out to the city to meet my cousin for dinner (and mind you that this is only 8pm), but I haven't felt this uncomfortable in 1/2 year just sitting in the train by having a sketch guy with too much hair gel staring at me through his sunglasses. Trying to be slick ? Then don't move your seat to be right across from mine. THANKS, for giving me no where to stare at now... as if train rides and where you're supposed to look aren't the most awkward ever. More people hoot & holler on the street too because they have no shame and aren't afraid to hit on some girls walking in the street - but weird thing is, they're driving by, so uuum... if, by some powerful god, we WERE interested, where's your chance? you're already 3 blocks away. Oh, I guess the moving target situation gives them their balls to yell in the street. Ugh.

On the bright side, I finally got to enjoy lamb&chicken over rice with that delicious special white sauce (no hot sauce please). Shit is bomb, sober or drunk, and I've missed it, but I think I'm good for a while. I just needed that one taste of heaven to last me for a while. However, the LINE was monstrous, as usual. Lines are boring. Which brings me to when we first landed... first we had to walk through an incredibly long tunnel to get back to the terminal (who designed JFK?), and then the immigration line took forever! I was able to go to the bathroom and my friends moved up probably like 2 people. Lines, lines, lines... wait, scratch that - INEFFICIENT lines, lines, lines in America! And the fact that I had to pay 5$ for a push cart that is FREE and larger all over HK Airport?? I'm suing.

Yeah, it's going to take us a little complaining & realizations to ease back into America's ways.

Happy Memorial Day! Viva America. (I miss you, Hong Kong.)

- Danielle

"Bid now" is the new "Apply now!"

2009-05-14T05:24:00.008-04:00

This article is about the Huffington Post (a popular blogging website) auctioning off a 2-3 month internship, and its' bid is already up to $13,000. Yikes! So you know when us students get upset that we have to pay a course fee to receive credit from an internship ? That doesn't compare to what the "lucky" winner is giving up- and are they really getting something that's worth it? And okay, it's probably really beneficial, blah-blah-blah, but anyway that's beside the point.

Check it:

Ms. Huffington will accept a lifetime-achievement award next month at the Mirror Awards. Too bad the presenter, the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, charges students so much money to train them as journalists. That's money the students could have used to buy their first internship.

You see that part about 'Cuse? That's right. We're unfairly expensive, what what!! Funny shit, I should've put it under my last post.

- Danielle

Why so serious??

2009-05-14T04:45:00.007-04:00

I love how Yahoo's FEATURED news might as well be in their Odd News (which I thoroughly enjoy!) section, and important news about the world, nation, politics, businesses, etc are all in a little box further down. Sad, but here's some stuff that made me chuckle !

Even more boring than a regular teacher!? Read the full story here (not the original source I first stumbled upon) to get more details about the Japanese Robot teacher!

This photo was taken from Yahoo's 'this week in photos'

Gross! Here she is, with a bland face and ... actually it's more creepy-as-hell than bland, and an ugly shirt. She has several commands and programmed dialogues/phrases like "good job", "needs improvement" and 6 emotions like "happy, angry, sad, etc". Makers said that it's not intended to replace teachers. Good, because then younger generations were be funkin' retarded and get away with anything and everything. Leave it to the Japanese...

In other odd news that is totally irrelevant but particularly interesting: an elderly woman returned an overdue library book after over 3 decades (30+ years to those who lack in the math dept.). Apparently, she thought it was her book the entire time (since it was her favorite) until she opened the cover and saw the Public Library's stub in it. She mailed it in with 25$ and an apology note. You would think that every time she read it (since it was her favorite), she would've seen it... within those 30 years... Sigh - old people.

Only thing Yahoo is good for is its' horoscopes (but barely) !
PS. A man's junk got bit by a snake in the toilet. Two semi-words: Haha & Ew.

- Danielle

We do love long celebrations

2009-05-13T03:53:00.016-04:00

Aside from being the birthday home of yours truly blogtenders, the month of May is great for something else near & dear to us: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Whaaaatup! A whole month recognizing those who may be underrepresented and have been an influencer to American society ... (and who probably should get more than a month - but whatevs! it's something!) So cheers to noticing us!

I took a few of my favorite picks of AP Americans (besides my friends and I) and even researched some interesting people that I just learned about and here ya go!

In the entertainment industry:

(1&2) Lee Hom Wang & Daniel Wu - both Chinese-American actors. Wang is also a Mandarin singer with his newest album 'Heartbeat', which has a lot of heartfelt ballads. His voice is truly angelic and what wows me the most is that he's so fluent! Wu is in the new and recent Shinjuku Incident with Jackie Chan and he sure can act in it, playing an immigrant into Japan, always wanting to work hard and make something of himself - but luck just is not on his side and he gets the sh!t kicked out of him- a scene I cringed during. Kudos to you fine actors/singer - I envy how beautifully you speak Mandarin/Canto when you're from the land of the free. And if you haven't noticed, they're hot. I like that whole 'hand over mouth' thing. Mmmm!!!

(3&4) My long-time lovers, Dennis Oh (or O'Neil) and Daniel Henney. Two (half) Korean-American actors who constantly get compared. They're both sexy as hell but hands-down, Daniel Henney is a much better actor. I mean, I've watched a series (and I was like 19 eps in) with d.Oh in it, but just to look... terrible acting. You can find Henney in the new X-men Origins: Wolverine playing a hardcore, on-point gun fanatic, Agent Zero. Daaaaaaaang! (Side note: Daniel really is a sexy guy name.)

(5) Your beloved John Cho (Korean American) & Kal Penn(Indian-American), known for their Harold&Kumar's. I like these two because they seem real smart. Plus, John Cho is cute and quirky. Penn could work on his lectures (he came to Cuse and it was ...zzzz) but I give him major, major props because I read he's getting political, IN THE WHITE HOUSE! Wow.

Were those too bias and seeexxxxxxxy for you? Here's some chicks.

Yunjin Kim

Korean-American actress most popular for her character on Lost. Yup, she's that chick and I think she's hella good! I've also spotted her in SG Wannabe's - Timeless music video. It may not seem like it, but she's reaaaal sexy, especially in her Maxim's spread.

Lucy Liu

I really don't like Ms Liu, but I have to give it to her for being one of the most known Asian-American actresses and has been doing quite well at it for years. So k-u-d-o-s for actually knabbing lead roles as a sexy woman, a businesswoman, a woman who can kick your ass, and whatever other crap you've been in... but truth be told, I still don't think you're that gooOorgeoOous. But still, pat on the back.

Others:

Our lady, Michelle Kwan, winner of Olympic gold medals for figure skating and representation of AA's (especially a female) that can rock a sport like no other. And on the wayy plus side, she won Dancing with the Stars most recently. Holla!
In terms of fashion - everyone knows Vera Wang, Anna Siu, and Vivienne Tam. I honestly love the styles of all three designers, as do millions, and they're DAMN EXPENSIVE! So you know they've made it big. I will afford you one day!!!
Author, Amy Tan, of The Joy Luck Club. Wooooooo...

And lastly, I present to you, this dude:

Dr. Feng Shan Ho

Reading up on my fellow kick-ass ABC's, I found Mr. Ho: a Chinese diplomat who went to Vienna around the late 1930's, which is around the time the Nazi's were persecuting the Jews. Basically he saved thousands of their asses by disobeying his superior and issuing visas into China to Jews, because countries tried to keep them out. Tres awesome.

And I would have more but this is getting lengthy, so tata! And raise your fist (power fist, not angry fist) to Asian Americans all over! Then perhaps go clubbing to celebrate and continuously pump that fist in the air... if you're into shit like that.

- Danielle

Quick points of randomness

2009-05-12T03:17:00.005-04:00

I want to apologize if we lack in number of posts at certain times. Blogtini-bar really does sacrifice some during the weekends (how ironic!), but hopefully soon enough we'll be more consistent with posts. We're still new and learning (and still living it up in HK) but love each and every one of you who read. But don't forget to FOLLOW US (right side panel)!
Oh and I want to confirm the realness of our posts... it's not all random crap. It's life. I bought a new strappy bag this weekend from a shop near the beach with wild floral pattern for only $48 HK (or 6 fabulous USD!). Refer to several older posts!
Where to karaoke in Hong Kong? If you want a decent venue, check out Neway CEO (sorry - the website is only in Chinese. Pointless link, huh?) There's a bunch of Neways' around HK but CEO is probably the best. We went to one this past weekend for our birthday celebration and it was c-l-a-s-s-y! Private bathroom in your room, 3 tv screens, buffet dinner including hotpot food, hot food, a made-to-order pasta/pancake bar, sushi bar, and dessert section. It's the real way to eat, drink and sing off pitch (but still sound awesome!)
Swine Flu is no joke. Cover your mouth!
This list was totally random because I couldn't think of any concrete topic to write about and I had these thoughts in my mind. Come again soon!

- Danielle

No, it's not p*rn, it's better !

2009-05-12T00:03:00.011-04:00

Being overseas in HK, we definitely lack an integral part of American society: TELEVISION. Ever since college I haven't been big on kicking back and watching TV (I rather be playing nerts*, going to the gym, or the absolute opposite & baking random cupcakes on our free time), but I did follow a few, actually now that I think about it, one tv show and that was enough for me. Coming here, I had a total of zero. My roommate, Peggy, and I probably turned our TV set on once to just check that it works- come to think about it, it's unplugged right now to make room for our fridge... the local "cable" that was given to us is a junkboat! There's 1 english sitcom channel that plays whatever it feels like that day from whatever time period, a couple news channels like bloomberg or cnn, and the rest are chinese tv shows.

Anywhoo, there are two shows that I kept up with and two shows only: Gossip Girl (grunt, roll your eyes, or scuff all you want. This show is bomb.), and fairly new sitcom How I met Your Mother. Let's take a look at both and hopefully you will watch them (if you don't already) and fall in love with them as I did (and as you should with our blog... and this is not a shameless plug). --- and all were watched via computer.

Gossip Girl

- known for its' over dramatic plots about barely legal socialites (and a few average joe's) with saucy personalities in a life full of money, ivy leagues, manipulative schemes, sex&love&drugs&alcohol (can't have tv without those!), scandals and even deaths - all followed by an anonymous 'gossip girl' via cellphones ! Honestly, what isn't there to like? SO it's called Gossip Girl and that probably turns off a billion guys and a thousand girls who won't admit they love gossip... And so it's a little unrealistic because that's not how 90% of teenagers are... but it's so addicting and maybe that's the beauty of it - because it's so intense and they're so young. We, at least I, wish that I had access to a 1/4 of the things they do when I was their age. Wow... "when I was their age"... 4 years difference and they've probably experienced life 10x more than I have. Bummer! If you don't like the drama, use another excuse... as my boyfriend and other guys have told me: the girls are bangin'. So why not watch them!? And they're smart as hell ! Two for your money. And I can attest for most girls and say the guys are as steamy as my boiling hotpot water.. (ooooh! hot!) So, an entire cast that's hot (even mom&dads) ???? Eyecandy and entertainment, even better than Chippendales'/Stripclubs, I'm sure. This show provides all sorts of emotions. I have cried before. Just kidding. But not really because I actually did... Oh and you can probably catch some really awesome quotes here & there that just stick in your mind... All I'm saying is don't knock it til' you try it.

How I Met Your Mother

Me, E and A started watching starting from season1 here in HK, with raves from our good buddies at home (holla!). I had high expectations and it did not do me wrong. A totally random, and I mean random sitcom about the story leading upto how Ted (far left) met his wife... so he's telling his children an endless story, with bits and pieces leading up to it, and it evolves around (above) group of friends. Sure there's a main plot, with love stories and relationships, failures and successes in careers, but in the middle of it all: randomness. Inside jokes, guy talk, girl talk, relationship stereotypes, Neil Patrick Harris' character, Barney, womanizing thousands of woman (even though in real life he's gay!), etc. I love the organization of the show because there's a whooooooole lotta flashbacks to explain certain events and it's really thought out well. Another plus???? A lot of the episodes are written by a few asian writers. (HIGH FIVE!) I never thought I'd enjoy another sitcom like Friends, but I have found it, alas. It's one of those shows you can't stop quoting from... and I'm not ashamed. We tried getting the guys here to start watching but it's a tough mission... trust me, you guys act just like the characters on the show - it's interesting and quite freaky to see the similarities. No lie, How I met Your Mother provides a lot of deep insight on life!

Get hooked soon!

- Danielle

*nerts is the number one card game in the world.

Dinner Time Fun @ Din Tai Fung

2009-05-07T03:48:00.012-04:00

A quick review of the best xiao long bao's (aka soup dumplings) we've had, and we've had quite a few in the states and China (even Shanghai where they originated from. Boo you, disappointment!) But fret no more, deliciousness is here!!!

Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese restaurants with locations in other parts of Asia and even California. I have eaten at the HK location and it's unforgettable and on the top of my makes-me-happy-list! It's famous for its' xiao long baos, with enough soup inside to not be overload, in a tightly wrapped dumpling so that it doesn't squirt out on your nice white button-down shirt before you even take a bite of it! Dip em in the vinegar/soysauce? sauce, tear a small hole in it with your teeth (don't forget to put it on your spoon!), let the soup pour out and then you're ready to slurp then eat the dumpling whole. I'm hungry now...

Pictured here is a noodle dish (online it says its' Jang Jian Mien, but I'm not sure!) I had both times dining at DTF. It's rather small but it's so worth it! Ground beef, little pieces of tofu, edamame peas, scallions, tomatoes and its' delicious tomato sauce topped over tender strings of noodle.

We also ordered Shu-Mai. It wasn't shrimp (because Ben and random kid who came with us to dinner are not fans), and it was pork - but this photo will do well enough. They're stuffed with naw mai fon (or sticky rice) and SURPRISE! They have soup in them too! Seriously a surprise because I did not know that.

The restaurant is typically crowded (I saw a lot of tourists, too) so get there at a reasonable time. We got there at the peak hour but on a sunday and still waited around 45 minutes for a small table. They're pretty efficient though from what I see and the hostesses are very pleasant :) They speak English, so give it a try if you can. The menu checklist is in Chinese though and they require you to tally up what you want prior to seating you, but clever ol' me just matched the chinese characters (ok, i quickly realized they were numbered too) from the menu onto that sheet.

So yeah; a crowded restaurant means you need manpower! Vroooooooom! And look at all these busy bodies working to make those delicious dumplings. There's definitely more people behind the scenes, trust me.

Now I can never go back to loving Chinatown's GO GO DUMPLINGS the same. But they'll just have to do, as Din Tai Fung will no longer be a part of my life.

Located @ Silvercord Plaza in TST, near the Harbour City Plaza.

- Danielle

PS: $hit is pricey for dumplings.

The opposite of cool

2009-05-07T03:09:00.000-04:00

The other day during dinner, a couple of us were chatting about our beautiful past. Or was it beautiful? Though I'm not truly embarassed because I am open to share absolutely ridiculous stories, it's so sad looking back at it now, but I know I'm not the only one :) What were we thinking when we wore those pants or were sucked into the addiction of certain fads? Let's take a trip down memory lane...

Some were more well-known than others, and there were differences in this conversation because we are from the East Coast and our good buddy Jeff is from the West Coast, so try to relate as much as you can. And if you can't, it may be okay now to look back and not done these things, but back then we probably thought you were lame.

Typing in alternating upper AND lower case. No needed explanation; 90% of the internet population did it in the 90's, 20% probably still do it now, and guess what? It makes you look funkin' retarded and I'm damn ashamed to admit I did it - and it didn't stop there. I went over the top with intentional typos and just changed letters for the hell of it and gave words new spellings, at the same time as dOin tHa aNnoyiN' TyPin' suCh aS dis. WhuS up qtttiEee?! Oh yea, you like that? Not at all. But whatever, I probably gave off a cute vibe to all internet hot-tays. Oh AND it took double the time to type- was logic invented in the 1990's-early 2000's??
UFO's/Jnco Jeans. More like UF-No's!
I've never worn these gross, oversized, pieces of sh!t they call clothing, but I know a handful of my guy friends DID, and I've even seen girls rock the UFO's (top). I probably had a comment or two at the time but why did I never light these pants on fire, while still on the owner? It would've done us all a big favor. Instead, I ventured out to the city because friends wanted pick up one of these pairs of wastes of fabric. I'm sorry I stood by and watched as this happened... what a bad friend, indeed.
Horrible Accessories. The only reason us young, naive girls wore these (you're going to hear this a lot in this post) pieces of sh!t is because everyone else was doing it. That's my excuse and you cannot blame us. It was part of sex appeal in the early 2000's. Holla atcha girl with these grotesque items on her body!
The Bra Strap Headband

This bad boy was just a headband but with the same style as your private bra strap. Someone just decided to flaunt what they're supposed to hide - and I'd say I was pretty into it. I should've known better - these funkers gave me such bad headaches because they were so tight!

Really dark lip linerIt made people look like the friend of the devil and for some reason, those with dark lip liner refused to smile anymore. Truly a shame. (I don't know the lady in the above photo - found it online. But it shows as my evidence!)

These belts

I'm not talking about this particular Volcom one but I'm talking about that material with that metal buckle. *shiiiiiiiver. Seriously, someone explain to me why we couldn't just wear leather? even pleather! and they always came in obnoxious colors. but that's not the worst part - everyone took this one belt to pair it with all the other grotesque accessories (i.e the bra strap, shoes, socks, strappy tank top, etc.) to the T. Sorry to all my friends who I know wore it and to me, who wanted some. We sucked.

4. Oh how I miss this bad boy, that is now disguising itself as a blog to redeem its' past career as a place people can write everything insignificant and irrelevant in the world. Wait no, not the world, about their (our) lives.

I admit that I was a proud owner of not one, but several xangas (because I thought I had to freshen up the design of it and needed a new start; but in the end I just kept using my original). My username? omqitzbunnie - and yes, that's a q and not a g, because [REFER BACK TO #1 in this list] I thought I was cool. I'm okay with giving out the username because I recently officially deleted that sucker. It was too embarassing when I looked back on how I wrote, what I wrote about, how I sounded, and all the works.

Between my friends and the group of people that stumbled upon (which is a great site, by the way - thanks to Ben!) my fabulous xanga page, our posts were about nothing anyone should care about. Ok, maybe once in a while it provided some deeper thoughts pertaining to someones' feelings or a post filled with rants and rages, but for the most part, at least for me, I took my time out of my day to write to A LOT OF PEOPLE (i'll get to how I know this later) about what I did when I wasn't writing. "Today I went to the movies with _name1_name2_name3_name'n'_, and then we went to the beach and I ate a mango icey." Who cares? And that is a totally revamped sentence of what I probably would have actually written because it would've been in more depth and stressful to read. Ugh to myself.

One thing that everyone looked forward to on Xanga was receiving 'eprops', or as the little hoodrats would HTML-it-up to say 'epillz' or 'dimez'. They meant nothing and were thrown around like garbage. But ... I always received more than 100, sometimes 200 and that absolutely made my day! HA to anyone who constantly made less than 100! But seriously, people would click the radio button that says "2 eprops" (or 1, if they were MEAN and wanted the owner of the site to wonder WHYYY they only gave them 1) with a simple comment of "2 eprops for youu!" and that was it. That was absolutely-funkin-it. But I did enjoy all the praise for my pimped out layouts!

Looking back on my ex-boyfriend's (now bestfriend, Selton - holla!) old Xanga site, I see one sentence that cracks me up. "Selton turns the big 1-4 today!". Those were the days... where I needed to get a life. Good times. Thank you Xanga for shedding a few years off my life. But enough with the sarcasm because there definitely were some perks to Xanga - I met Eunice through a friend and we were in contact via Xanga. Who would've known we'd be this tiizzight? Check out xanga now. Maybe it'll make a comeback.

OH OH OH ! And remember the whole premium ordeal?? Where you can PAY to get perks like no ads or ... well gosh darnit, I don't remember any other offers that came with premium. I considered it. I laugh at myself, again.

-- I would have a blurb about MySpace and all its' glory but I honestly don't remember how it functioned. Photos and comments?? Whatever it was and no matter how much we all loved it - let's just bury it alive or throw it in a blackhole. Forever faithful to facebook.

I thought I would have a longer list than this. Maybe my brain only allows me to remember so much CRAP. Sorry this post is pretty repetitive to our convo, E. I'll think of something enjoyable for you to read later :) Thank god we all grew up. AND I'm not saying I didn't have a great childhood - I was an awesome teenager and loved life; but who knew years later we'd be shaking our heads... cause we all participated in crappy teenager phases overloaded with pressure and influences.

- Danielle

HK: The good, the bad & the ugly [part 1]

2009-05-05T05:09:00.008-04:00

Hong Kong has made an everlasting impression on me. We still have two solid weeks left to soak in the Hong Kong we haven't been exposed to yet but so far, the experience has been quite memorable. This is my first time out of the country, first time really travelling, and it was a fabulous first.

There are some definite differences between Hong Kong and the States/New York so let's get down to real specifics that make it unique, yes?

The goodies of Hong Kong (aka what I'll miss until I cry in sleep):

US$2 - US$5 meals for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner in Hong Kong, versus US$10-US$25 average meals. And you get a helluva dish. This includes 20cent buns (aka baos) from the local bakery that I stop by in the morning; it's BUNDERFUL!
Wednesday&Thursday ladies nights at 80% of the bars/clubs, with free entry and unlimited drinks! Some places even offer other odd days of the week to be their ladies nights - just gotta catch em. I always check out hkclubbing for new updates!
Extremely efficient subway system. It comes about every 2-5 minutes depending on hour of the day versus every 10/15 minutes or sometimes 30-60 in NYC. Boo MTA! It's quite clean, too. We feel awkward eating/drinking on it (because you're not supposed to.)
10% service charge at selected restaurants. You know a restaurant in Hong Kong is a LITTLE more upscale if it tacks on that service charge (because normally it's ZERO) - but come on, when we go back to the states, we're going to have to pay 15%-20%?!?! No way! I'm staying in to eat...
The octopus card. The magic card that brings you everywhere and allows you to pay for everything, even for a $8hk vanilla ice cream cone from a ghetto-looking mr.softee truck. All hail the octopus card!
The true city that never sleeps- I don't know why they call NYC that because Hong Kong streets are never empty. Restaurants are open late and we all know that bars/clubs don't close til' the next day- though I've never made it to see the sunlight and to witness it myself, but I do believe it.
Uniform announcements explaining every stop, and giving you all precautions in the MTR and other public transportation areas. You will be missed, MTR voice lady. We will forever watch out for your extremely fast closing doors. And thank you, newly updated MTR lady, for telling me to cover my mouth and not spread germs due to the swine flu. You're truly caring.
Time warp. While in Hong Kong, I'm less lazy and I feel like I need to be occupying my time, which I think I've done. One hour here feels so much shorter than an hour in the states. Back home I would think twice about going to a beach that is an hour and a half away, but over here... we pick the beach and we're out the door, unknowing of the amount of time it takes to get there - and somehow, when we arrive, there's plenty of time left to frolic.
Unbelievable tasting "nai-cha's" (milk teas). I don't know how they do it.
Being able to walk in the street, stop, and take a look around and be surrounded by something, like an endless amount of lit up skyscrapers that each have their own unique design. (courtesy of last night's walk in Central)
I hate to admit it because I don't want to be a groupie, but SEVEN ELEVEN, and all of its glorious offerings. Normal deli items (like drinks and snacks), hot snack foods (fishballs, shu mai), bakery bread and buns, random toiletries, and the fabulous 24/7 availability of beer, liquor AND wine. Pregaming at someones house never met 7-11, the true provider of ones' blacked out night.
Delicious mangoes, mangoes, mangoes! This includes Hui Lau Shan (if you can read Chinese, check it out - if not, check it out anyways and drool over photos), with great mango (and other fruits) drinks like mango juice with extra mangoes! or the odd but tasty glutinous rice balls with mangoes in mango juice. Yea, it's a whole lotta mango up in this bitch.

... to be continued when the time is right...

Evil list (aka what will make me happy to be home):

Night crawlers aka cockroaches. They're everywhereeee, especially in Mongkok, where we live. And they must be hopped up on steroids because these funkers are HUGE! I have screamed and ran like a little girl who's about to get murdered more than 10x and I don't like it one bit!
Stinky tofu smell. Oh, it's real vial* and you don't even want to know. I could say this is what I'll miss because it's what gives Mongkok it's character but heeeelllll no. It's like someone is torturing you and suffocating you with bad smells for killing their family. But really, we just wanted to reach the mall. (*excuse me if my spelling of vial is incorrect, I don't really care)
Poor placement of escalators. Now, I love the abundance of escalators in HK but when you have to walk up one, then go around a huge bend and across the floor to go up another one - I start to wonder what the point is.
Being larger than 70% of the young girls here. Yea, yea, I know, I'm not even that big and blahblahblah I'm a girl who's complaining but NO, it's the fact and that just proves it. I'm short and got a little flub on me (please don't look for it) and the girls here are 2x smaller! The sizes available are heaven for Eunice because she's skinny, but even some things are too small for HER. How ridiculous. But, I'm definitely not saying I want to be the size of a HK girl. Sometimes their legs freak me out because they look like they're going to crack if you poke em :(
Having to turn on your water heater 20 minutes before you shower. I just want to be clean, like... NOW, not in 20 minutes!
No ovens. Yup, that's right Stacy. We baked a total of zero cupcakes or cookies with festive sprinkles on them because our apartments and even my brothers' apartment do not have ovens. The disappointment.

... to be continued when the time is right ...

Well I can't just finish this post now because IT'S NOT OVER til'... we get picked up at 5:45AM for the airport in 2 weeks?? So bare with me and hold your horses- I'll add to this list when I'm in one of those reminiscent moods.

- Danielle

A shoulder to lean on

2009-05-05T04:04:00.006-04:00

Sorry for all the fashion posts from us (and I'm not even a connoisseur in fashion) but I needed to express my love for strappy/shoulder bags. They're so versatile, trendy and definitely in season because I see them everywhere and every single time I'm tempted to buy a new one. It all started when I bought my first one from a small boutique in Palisades Mall (NJ) on Black Friday. The Cost? 20$, and it was one of my favorite bags. Brown leather bag that can go over the shoulder or be clutched on the arm - big enough for all your junk and a cardigan for when it gets cold, but small enough to carry the bare essentials and not look like a fool for carrying a huge bag with nothing in it. I used it in the states and through our travelling seminar in China (& received healthy compliments a long the way) ... and then it died on me. Only the part that holds the straps broke so I can still use it by clutching on to it - but the straps were my guilty pleasure and it's just not the same without them. ( I've replaced it with bags that just do not measure up... ) So here's an ode to you, strappy shoulder bags, because you're damn sexy!

What us college kids can afford:

Urban Outfitters Renewal Leather Bag - $38.00

Mango - $60.00

Splurge-ry means surgery:

The next two are from Kooba. I first discovered this brand by a good (fashionable) friend, Kathy, who loves to splurge so they definitely are more pricey but their design is quite different and worth it. They're most similar to the style of my dearly beloved handbag, as well. Check out their site; they have a handful of handbags and you won't be disappointed.

Jaylin $485.00

^ This is the one that Kathy has and I love it. Available in other colors.

Taylor $545.00

^ Similar to Jaylin but quite larger. It's shown being more of a shoulder bag but for those days going to school with a lot of books, it's a sexy addition to hang from your ass ;)

Foley&Corinna - $485.00

found at Nordstrom

The perfect style, with the small handle, the bendable top, additional strap. Almost the exact replica of my late (may it RIP) handbag. And okay, the prices aren't TOO bad compared to your ever-so-famous-and-too-high-priced LV, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, etc., but still prepare to have post-purchase cognitive dissonance (holla at my marketing majors) at least for some period of time, then you'll learn to love these bags.

Right now, I'm sporting a black handbag I bought from HK for about US$40 that the saleslady caught me on with calling it the "magic bag" (wearable 4 different ways), as well as a small beige leather over the shoulder strappy bag that folds open and close and has 3 different compartments (trust me when I say small, but it fits quite a lot) that I can wear running errands or dress it up to be my evening bag. Hallelujah to versatile bags!

I'll leave you with something my mom would say,... "A girl can never have too many handbags." Oh, and "never leave your toes naked!" (aka unpainted) but that's besides the point.

- Danielle

21 & legal to blogtend

2009-05-04T22:49:00.005-04:00

Happy birthday Eunice !!

You've finally made it to this special day (so I've heard but did not experience yet). The special day where everything becomes officially legal and there's fewer ages to look forward too. It kind've sucks that since we're in HK (and the drinking age is a solid 18) we can't go out tonight and use your fresh 21 ID at a bar with an over-analyzing bouncer and give him a smirk because you know you're good to go! But let it be known, your ID will fosho be used like a slut during the summer.

21 is a tricky age. Is it “old” or “young”? Of course it’s based on perspective but I guess it’s a good age because you have a lot of leeway. Younger kids (like the freshman in college, while you’re a senior) treat you with respect (or at least should) and you naturally feel really, really, old, as if freshman year was decades ago and you just don’t live that life anymore. True story though-because there IS a huge generation gap even if you’re in the same university. And now you’re old enough to freely go about and bar hop, club hop, buy liquor and rent an apartment for the weekend in the Poconos. But you’re still young to the generation above you who you’re standing next to at those new bars. Still in college, either employed or unemployed barely earning a salary, and fresh into the world… just to have fun.

I think 21 will be fabulous. I remember being excited about turning 18 so maybe it’s the same feeling and it’ll pass. But then again… what do 18 year olds know.

If you did not know - I love weddings and anything incorporated into a wedding, including cakes. I melt over the elaborateness or uniqueness of them. In lieu of Eunice's birthday, I looked up some fabulous cakes (because birthday's have cakes too - not just weddings of course...) and found these fabulous creations from Ace's of Cakes' (a show on foodnetwork) famous company that they feature: Charm City Cakes. (Some of these were chosen with the birthday girl in mind.)

Quiddith anyone? Eunice needs a partner :)

Alice in Wonderland
Hogwarts (Eunice's dream school)
Let's go back into our childhood with Candyland!
And a classic but beautiful magnolia cake

I'd marry these cakes if they wouldn't disappear when I licked them..............

- Danielle

Your baby fix

2009-04-30T05:33:00.004-04:00

Being in Hong Kong for 5 months really exposed me to a million (perhaps literally) of adorable asian babies! I've always thought they were all adorable but being here and seeing all of them running around with their little legs really confirmed it - especially those who speak Cantonese. It sounds cuter coming from a baby, and much better than English.

I can spend all day just baby-watching at the beach or the park. I did spend most of the time yesterday at Deep Water Bay just watching this one asian baby play by himself while his mom sat nearby - and he was so intrigued by the nothings of his activities like digging a hole that would soon be destroyed by the water washing up on shore... I love it and therefore, I will share with you some amazingly cute photos of asian babies!*

*Disclaimer: I'm not being bias (because I was a cute ass asian baby). It's just the truth and I've heard it from non-asians, as well. And plus, I never said they stay cute the rest of their lives...

But of course, non-asian babies are ADORABLE, especially when in costumes. I've decided that my child will be dressed up in costumes 24/7 or at least close to 24/7. Who doesn't like a superman or a pumpkin or a starfish walking around during the day? It makes them look cute AND cool!

Take your child to work day?

I think it's the facial expression that caught me!Classic but cuteAnd you can't be without the oh-so-infamous BUNNY!

[This is my personal favorite ;) Eunice was a cute baby too]

I'm just baby obsessed; therefore, you get a shot of it too. But seriously, do yourself and everyone a favor - dress them up in costumes. Makes the world a cuter place.

-Danielle

5-seater cutie or 2-seater stud?

2009-04-30T03:23:00.017-04:00

There's been talk within a bunch of the guys that I oh-so-adore about getting a MOTORCYCLE. They're all 20 or 21, with cars (most of them fairly new) and they're now asking advice on whether or not to invest in a bad ass bike. My first response? "Heeeeeeelllll yeeeeaaaahh", naturally. Who doesn't want friends with motorcycles? But now let's analyze (just to say we did and to be responsible adults.) Sound good, selton-simon-yiming-eric-&anyone-else-who's-thinking-about-it ????

What's awesome about them

besides looking cool, (insert sarcasm) like this:

Eunice & I on a motorbike in Phuket, Thailand
(that only cost 200BAHT or less than 10$)
photo courtesy of Annie

They cost a helluva lot cheaper than a nice car (especially the ones that my friends only dare to have.)
Cheaper gas expense
Easier to repair - for all you who tend to come into contact with other objects (cough, yes-I'm-targeting-you-guys)
Easier to find parking
Can weave your way through god awful traffic
And again, looks cool, unless you crash

What sucks about them

Dangerous
Dangerous
Dangerous (but everything can be 'dangerous', right?)
No ac or heating system
Can't travel far distances
Disapproval from parents & one anonymous girlfriend
Unable to carpool (ok, this sucks more for us than you guys and that may be an advantage so you don't have to drive people around)

Honestly, it's a toss-up. I'm still going with the HEEEEEEEELLLLLLL YEAAAAAHHH, but mainly because I want to go for a spin and check that off my 'to-do-before-I-die' list. I am looking out for you though and I did put 'dangerous' under THREE bulletpoints!! I say it'll be great to invest (if you got the dough) to just have on the side of your car and not as an alternative. It might be nice to cruise along Shore Road as you look out into the polluted Hudson with the wind in your face, probably to a place not too far: Yiming's house, or viceversa. Because when it's snowing, raining, or hot as hell, you definitely don't want to be the fool on their bike while I'm nice and cozy in my car. Choose wisely...

OR you can wait and pick up this ride:

What is this slinky-looking thing, you may ask? Eco-friendly motorcycle designed by a spanish company (sunRed) that is solar powered. The covering is used as solar panels to charge the bike. It's only a prototype now so it'll be some time... but then again, it's an ugly piece of bamboo shoots anyway!

Now we all know the biggest question: Who's going to look the most badass if you all buy it?
Maybe I'll put photos up for reference ...

- Danielle

Purple is my hot, hot sex

2009-04-30T02:31:00.020-04:00

My favorite color is and has always been purple. I enjoy the lighter shades like lavender, but I tend to find myself enchanted by the vibrancy of a darker/brighter purple. A lot of people don't know how I'm so crazed over it... so let's just see

(1) The color of ROYALTY

And who doesn't like looking more exquisite than they really are? Douse it with some gold or silver and you're on your way to looking like one of the classier ladies in the club, even if you're not. If put together right, like the above photo, it can look a little more (and I hate using this word, so sorry...) exotic!

(2) Michelle Obama wears it!

If it's accepted by the first lady of a man who represents our nation; then it should be accepted and loved by all ! I haven't seen a skin color that purple doesn't look pretty good on either; considering that "purple" (3) constitutes for a wiiiiiide spectrum of shades . I guess that could be another great thing about purple too! Shown here, purple definitely makes you stand out - in a good way.

(4) represents good causes

(Left) The purple ribbon. It represents the support of a lot of different causes, especially a lot of cancers or diseases but what I've known it to represent is for the fight against domestic violence... and that's an A+++ in my grading book. Boo! to domestic violence.

(Right) Purple heart. It's given to members of the military that have been wounded or killed while serving, and it's in the name of the President. Basically - it's an nice decoration to have hanging on your uniform while trying to talk to ladies at the bar or when you need a conversation starter. (But I guess you would be wounded)

(5) It looks awesome!

I honestly don't know how anyone would deny that they love this beautiful environment. The purple lighting is all it took to create a sophisticated white-themed party, that looks like it's during the daytime, to a lavish nighttime gala that makes the owners look ballin'. It creates an elegant yet fun and playful atmosphere. By the way, this is a photo from 583 Park Avenue, where I will be holding my future wedding, and this one photo was the deal breaker. And you guessed it: a very purple affair!

(6) We wear it?*

Okay, maybe that's not a good enough reason for the public that it should be a part of the list... or maybe it is, to show you that young ladies like us are actually paying attention to recent trends and noticing that when we walk into our favorite stores, that purple is screaming our name. Or maybe we just know that it's such a flattering, unique color that we must take advantage of it.
*I know there's a purple toga on the right, which is really a purple bedsheet, but let me tell you... no one else had a toga quite like it!

Basically, this was my excuse to my obsession with purple. Half of these reasons aren't even the reasons for why I fell so madly in love with it. But bottom-line is that purple is a dope-ass color, and I will remain forever faithful. (Sorry green - you're a close 2nd)

The only thing bad about it is a purple nurple. But comon, that's not even really purple.

- Danielle

Opening shop!

2009-04-30T00:27:00.008-04:00

This is the product of two girls who never had time to actually start a blog, or who kept wanting to but were too lazy make the first move; only after they realize that this time (that will remain unknown and in discretion) is a perfect time to occupy ourselves and start what we always wanted to... (especially after being inspired by reading so many interesting ones out there!).

SO here we are... providing you with totally random information from online, own experiences, heard through the grapevine, family stories, recent trends, serious news, shocking news, odd news, movie critiques, a recent hot buy, a recent hot guy, what's good or bad on TV, notable quotes, ... and I can go on and on because it's meant to be random and definitely contains no specific category. And I'll stop mainly because I just made this up and Eunice has no clue either to what we're writing. Maybe eventually we'll focus on a main area of interest, but as for now... enjoy our BLOGTINI-BAR, with a menu full of a variety of items.

Your Blogtenders

Eunice H. & Danielle T.
photo courtesy of Annie C.

We're both rising seniors at Syracuse University. I'm a Marketing Management major and Hospitality Management minor, while Eunice is doubling majors with Magazine Journalism and Marketing Management. We're both Asian-Americans from Brooklyn (... we're pretty tough) and like a good ol' Brooklyn style pizza or bagel. Eunice and I both came to study abroad in HK (where we still are, until May 20th) with our great friend, Annie (maybe she'll decide to contribute to this blog too), and I can speak for all of us... we're having the time of our funkin' lives.

- Danielle