December Favourites

10th Dec: Glass Animals

It was my first time ever attending a concert alone. I was nervous mostly because 'the storm of the decade' was predicted to hit The City that night. It never did happen until early on in the morning the next day. I met a couple of cool kids and ended up in the front row once Glass Animals took the stage. They sounded amazing live thanks to their energy. It was a small venue, which reminded me a lot of The Bee. All in all, I had such a blast meeting new friends and dancing all night.

20th Dec - 26th Dec: Beginning of winter break & Christmas

Life of the nomad begins. My dorm kicked us out, so we were to go home or wander America. I chose the latter. Spent Christmas with family friends in Woodland/Sacramento, Ca. I had such a great time enjoying good food in good company and just chilling around their home. Watching Netflix till the wee hours of the morning with no obligations in mind is the greatest privilege one could have for winter break.

26th Dec - 27th Dec: Amtrak en route to Eugene, Oregon

The Amtrak beats the bus any day, albeit the 12 hour on it. The observation deck was a great place to just read and kill time whilst en route to wherever it is you're headed. Passing by the many national parks of Oregon was equal parts fascinating and breathtaking.

{Shot by Ashley Fenison}

28th Dec: The Coast

I've always wanted to go to the beach when it's chilly out. Now I can cross that off my bucket list. We went to two beaches that day as well as Old Town. The first beach was definitely my favourite because everywhere you looked, it was like a postcard. That's how picture perfect it was. After dinner, we went to another beach in Florence. By then, it was dark out and it was an ideal scene for a slasher flick. The wind was howling and it was the kind of bitter cold that you couldn't really shake off. Even so, it was so much fun.

29th Dec: Downtown Eugene 

A day filled with lust worthy boba, over ordering Japanese food, exploring Downtown in the bitter cold, eating donuts at Voodoo and chilling in a stranger's apartment. 

  

30th Dec: Mt. Pisgah

Never take two over energetic puppies out for a hike in the cold unless you're ready to run up slippery trails. Also, never drive an hour away to your lake house unless you know for sure that the locks haven't been changed.

{Shot by Ashley Fenison}

31st Dec: Portland!

Powell Book's is everything. From used books to rare books to journals to random knick knacks, they had it all. Spent food money on art books because I wanted to. This place was so overwhelming. There were stairs leading you everywhere, which reminded me of Hogwarts. 

We spent New Years Eve eating slices of pizza bigger than our faces, wandering the streets of Downtown Portland, getting lost, riding trains for free, taking candid photos with my UO film camera and counting down by a construction site/train track. 

{Both shot by Ashley Fenison}

1st Jan (technically wouldn't fit right here but hey, it's part of the story): Portland Day 2

Everyday Music is a vinyl/CD store split in two sections. Found a Beatles record here for $20. Another item to cross off my list. If only, Childish Gambino and The National weren't that pricey. 

The Roxy is a rad diner that is extremely quirky. As Hana puts it: "All kinds of food and weird vibes!" Fans of Quentin Tarantino would love it here. Their coffee was the bomb and I'm dreaming of my next visit already. 

Portland, you were everything and more. Kinda want to pack up and move into an apartment above Zeus Cafe so that I'm within walking distance of Powell's and EM, but SF is where I belong right now. Someday, hopefully. 

Netflix

Fulfilled my promise of getting it AFTER finals. No regrets. Having the app on your phone and tablet is extremely dangerous though, because it takes binge watching to a whole new level. One in which I have yet to achieve, don't worry.

The Alchemist

Read this during finals, which was actually a great idea. It's such an inspiring book that doesn't push you involuntarily. Instead, it's like a guide that allows you to think for yourself. If you're facing a rough patch in life, this book is perfect for you because you might find what you are looking for. It is also a feel good book that breathes hope into one's life. Too much? No.

Interstellar

At first, I thought this movie was the one with Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis, which after seeing the trailer, I found ridiculously dumb. Threw a fit on the way to Reno when everyone was raving about it on Twitter with Nikki as my witness. Turns out, it wasn't and we really enjoyed this movie. Didn't find it draggy as a lot of people claimed it to be. This movie started a domino effect that led me to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey, which isn't everybody's cup of tea although it is a good movie.

Back To The Future Trilogy

I've always watched this as a kid, but never in order, because HBO doesn't roll that way. My mom loved Michael J. Fox and this is one of her favourite movies. I remember how she would tell me, "He doesn't like being called a chicken." This trilogy is timeless. It made me so tense because shit kept happening and you never know what's going to happen. It's not your typical, "Oh it's ending soon so all will be well." No, this keeps you on the edge, as ridiculous as that sounds. Back then they were so optimistic about the future, now dystopian movies are pretty much like Interstellar. Sand and dying.

Donald Glover Weirdo 

I may be bias but god damn Donald Glover is hilarious. This standup is 89% of the reason why I got Netflix. Ah man, might just watch this again after writing this post. 

The Wolf of Wall Street

It may be the cast (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill forever) or it may be the solid storyline. I don't know, you tell me. 3 hours is nothing. This movie is totally worth it. (Watched it for the second time before hiking Mt. Pisgah and it was still bomb.)

Exxus by Glass Animals

On days where I wanna shut the world away on my way to class, this is my go to song.

When you see him, look him in the eye, look him in the eye and he won't dare to follow. 

(Never did realise how apt this song is for what I intended it for.)

Zombie by Jamie T

This is the song I've been listening to as I get ready to face the day. It's just fun and super easy to sing along to.

You're The One That I Want by Angus & Julia Stone

Her voice is perfect for this song. It's dreamy and wonderful. Constantly reminding me of Chanel N°5: The One That I Want Film. If you haven't watch it yet, you should. It's better than the one with Cara and Pharell, in my opinion.



Everywhere We Go by Sonreal

Ashley played this on the way to the coast and it soon become our road trip anthem. Connor's mad speakers does the bass justice. Blast this on your next road trip and tell me I'm wrong. I dare you.

Honorary mention: Parks and Rec season 6 - finished this in two days and suffered major withdrawals. Thank goodness for 30 Rock. Portlandia season 3 - made so much sense after visiting Portland. Loved it, as per usual.

Till then,
May you treat 2015 well.

November Favourites

7th Nov - 9th Nov: Reno
It was slump week. I jumped on board at the idea of a spontaneous trip to Reno, Nevada. 6 hours on the Megabus right at the very front on the top deck. The view was amazing. Lost all the images because I fried my phone, but hey, that calls for another trip to Reno. Every semester I face a slump week and the only remedy is to go on a spontaneous trip to rejuvenate all energy that has been lost.

10th Nov: Meeting Julian Casablancas
I've talked about this, so no more. Still a highlight though.

18th Nov: The 1975 live
They were amazing live. Matty sounds exactly the same, probably even better live. When Me came on and everyone was just silent, goosebumps ran up and down my spine. It's moments like that that reminds me I'm alive.

21st Nov: Field trip to Japanese Tea Garden
The best thing about art school would be the field trips. Leaving the classroom behind and being in a new environment that you have to sketch onto paper are moments that I will savour. It was beautiful, more images on my Instagram and Tumblr.

26th - 29th Nov: Thanksgiving break
Unintentional artsy shot of a taco from Taco Bell. Hard shell + soft shell, the best of both worlds really. Thanksgiving break was filled with food coma inducing delicacies, unconventional company and laid back car rides.

Oyster Books
The Spotify/Netflix version for books, this has kept me occupied as I wait for buses that are never on time. Currently reading Philosophy 101 because I want to understand the larger meaning of life or at least catch a glimpse of it. This could be a momentary existential crisis in university even though it has only been one semester.

Shoplifting from American Apparel by Tao Lin
Not too dense, I finished this book in a sitting. (That's saying a lot as I'm a slow reader and get distracted easily.) It's an engaging story as you follow Sam to NYU libraries, shoplifting in American Apparel and his short stint in jail.

Favorite quotes:
"Our bios: 'They lived in poverty writing their masterpieces.'"

"When I'm talking to someone I think 'can I use this dialogue in a book,'" said Luis. "If the answer is no, I try talking to someone else."

You can read a snippet here.

The Princess Bride
A proper fairy tale like story that reminded me of my childhood with humour that would cause you to giggle like a kid again. Rescuing princesses, escaping eels, venturing into Fire Swamp, The Princess Bride is made for a night in when you feel like leaving the world behind and stepping into a fantasy.

The Dreamers
I like the idea of watching films in a palace, breaking the world record for running through the Louvre, reading books that require thought and discussions. The best part of this movie are the film splices made in reference to other films. Does that even make sense?

Hard Candy
I've been meaning to watch this for awhile now but after reading this film review on The Pulp Zine, I immediately decided to watch it. Throughout the movie it made me so tense watching this and when it was all over, I had to let out a sigh. This is a movie dealing with pedophilia and rape culture. Personally, I thought this was a damn good movie, especially when it came to the message. Read the well worded film review after watching.

Favourite quote:
“Just because a girl acts like a woman, doesn’t mean she is ready to do what a woman does.”

Human Sadness by Julian Casablancas + the Voidz
Probably not everyone's cup of tea, but this song evokes emotion unlike any other song I've ever heard. It could just be me and my off the walls emotions, but I do hope that you guys feel what I feel. It's not necessarily sadness. Be warn, it is an 11 minute song.

Vanity, overriding wisdom, usually common sense.


High Street by Blood Orange
The late Michael Jackson doing the moon walk on the telly and I was like "who's bad?"

Danger In The Dancehall by Jesse Woods
Walk with the creatures of the moon. Cause we're young, and life's a vacation.

Back Of The Hand by The British Expeditionary Force
Listen with the windows down on a clear night drive.

Till then,
May the last month of 2014 kick ass.

Bookmarked: After Dark

There's something magical about the time when the sun sets and the moon is high up in the sky with darkness all around. Haruki Murakami captured the essence of the night extremely well in After Dark. Throughout the time I was reading this book, my thoughts were dominated by the idea of roaming the streets at night, especially the city, reading in diners and having conversations. That's what the characters did in this book and the best part about them is that they're all relatable in some way. You'll find yourselves in them, a reflection if you will. Philosophy, music and relationships are among the subjects discussed between the characters. Every conversation is a page turner.

There are roughly 3 stories intertwined in this book, all of them intersecting at one point. After Dark is a light read with deeper thoughts to it, which is pretty hard to come by. A light read with thought provoking conversations, this is definitely on my list of favorites. 

Once you're done with it, you'll be dreaming of late night conversations at the park under the moonlight or books with a side of coffee in a dead diner or aimless walks past midnight. (Before you venture out into the night, do consider the dangers of it all. It is intriguing, of course, that's why it's remarkable, but the hard cold truth is, being alone at night is NOT SAFE.) (Please be safe and trust your instincts.) 

Till then,

Read this book. 

Bookmarked: Eleanor & Park

I was browsing at my favourite bookstore one day, looking for Good Omens, when the owner of the bookstore suggested I pick up Eleanor and Park.

"John Green highly recommends this book. As do I.", he said something along those lines.

That sealed the fate of the book coming home with me. After that, I noticed YouTubers and bloggers talking about it. With so much hype surrounding this book, I was a tad skeptical but read it with an open mind.

It takes a lot for a book to capture my attention for more than half an hour. This book left me clinging to it the whole day. My entire day was dedicated to this book. I just couldn't put it down. After finishing it at 2am, I felt emotionally drained. It took me the entire day to finish it because I wanted to savour it but at the same time I wanted to know what happens to Eleanor & Park as quickly as possible. Who knew I would get sucked into this world where mix tapes and comic books were exchanged; where the worlds of a Korean mixed Caucasian boy and a curvy girl with disastrous red hair would collide.

Eleanor & Park made my heart clenched. They made me smile and cry and I just could not get over them till this day.

Why this book is so amazing is because the story plays out in a very convincing way. This isn't some cliché fairytale where you can easily predict a happy ending. Even though you think you might know how this all plays out, well to be frank, you don't. That's how life is and that's how this book is.

Everything is uncertain and even till the end, it still is.

I really hope that one day you do pick this up. Maybe not today, but someday.