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.

Dear Tasha: Winter Break Day 3 Update

The last day of Fashion Merchandising class.

The night before finals started, in which we played Cards Against Humanity whilst drinking champagne. 

Jet's first In-N-Out meal! That milkshake though.

Walked around the Pier after dinner.

Early Christmas dinner. 

Me finishing this entire meal (plus taking extras) is pretty much an accomplishment. 

Spent the night at Paige's. When we went back to her parents' home, they weren't in so we had to go through the back door. Lock the front door but not the back? I don't get it but it worked out for us.

Me currently, minus the brownie & ice-cream. 

In response to Tasha Iman.

Yo, finals kicked my ass. Not in the I-hate-my-life-I-hate-cramming-till-6-in-the-morning way but in the damn-I-have-so-much-to-do way. I like finals week in art school more than Inti though, because instead of cramming 14 chapters in a week or two, I'm out in a cafe drawing in my sketchbook. At the cafe, two girls beside me were cramming for their science-related finals and I'm just chilling with my sketchbook. It was fantastic. Although when they get jobs and I don't, that would be the opposite. Me, pessimistic? About the future, yes. 

On Friday, Jet came to SF from San Jose. It was pouring the entire day and I just got back from my drawing finals, so I was exhausted. All we did was have In-N-Out by the pier and then walked around being all touristy. The sea lions fascinated us, in which we contemplated the chances of having a shark find a loop hole and actually entering the sea lion side of the pier as well as a lone sea lion that possibly may have been bullied. All of these theories were concocted by Nikki and I, Jet entertained us by not saying much. 

The next day, I lugged all I needed for a month down the hills of SF, which is incredibly tough because my suitcase kept rolling away from me, to the BART station. So far, my time out of SF consisted of visiting a hoarder (he has so many trucks and cars, it's crazy but super cool), an old woman who is incredibly talented in painting, celebrating Christmas early (presents included) and having Korean BBQ for lunch (today). Also, binge watching tv shows and movies on Netflix: Parks & Rec (done), Portlandia (halfway done - prepping), Donald Glover Weirdo (so good - you need to watch it) and so many more. 

I'm so happy to have so much time on my hands, you have no idea. It's so liberating. 

Till then,

Talk to you soon. 

On Location: California Academy of Sciences

  

H&M coat & skirt, Factorie backpack, Thrifted sheer top, 

Forever 21 bralette worn underneath.

{Image credit (above): Ashley Fenison}

As art school kids, we are constantly on the edge of being broke, thus when the golden opportunity of free Sunday at the California Academy of Sciences arises, we take it. How can we not when it's the only museum in California that has a planetarium, aquarium and rainforest under one roof? It is ridiculous.

Looking into the rainforest.  

Inside the rainforest.

There was so much to see, to touch (I touched and lifted up the head of skinned cheetah or tiger I can't remember and I'm still shaken by that experience). The rainforest was amazing and surprise surprise, the first level was Borneo. It was nice to be surrounded by greenery that reminded me so much of home. Also, the humidity. Butterflies were everywhere and a striking red coat is a bright decision (get it, no? No, ok.) because it attracted a couple of butterflies to chill on my arm. (We freaked out so we didn't get to take a proper shot. As usual, we are always on top of things.)

The aquarium was nothing to shout about but it sure was nice to see all sorts of sea creatures. Seahorses will always remind me of aliens, they just don't look natural at all. But then again, what does something 'natural' really look like huh? We touched starfishes and sea urchins; the latter feeling like toothpicks.

The best part about this museum is most definitely the planetarium. Flashback to Interstellar, in which you witness the vastness of it all and realise how earth is just a speckle. It makes me feel so small and insignificant. How there are bigger things out there, yet we are so troubled by the issues here. But then again, what's before us and happening to us right now has its own weight in being significant in our lives. Time to reread some philosophy books, kids.

Hello reindeer!

Our last stop was the living garden that is the rooftop. It reminded me so much of a dystopian book/movie, in which good things happen and humans didn't fuck things up for once. Perhaps the aftermath of said fuck up. It's always so sandy when the future is depicted. (Interstellar is still fresh in my mind, that's why. Resident Evil comes to mind too though.)

Also, the earthquake stimulator was pretty rad.

Till then,
3 more days till the end of finals.

Painted Gold

H&M crop top, cardigan & boots, Thrifted skirt.

Maybe it's me missing Rathika, Sheena and Zoé unwittingly or the gloomy weather, but I threw this outfit together only to stand in front of the mirror questioning the huge percentage of black in a single outfit. If you know me, you know colours are my thing. To further strengthen my point, witness my struggle in which I went an entire week with the absence of colour where I Got My Morticia Addams On. 

Ra, Sheen, & Z, if you're reading this: I miss you gurls so much...especially our café sessions where we sit for hours talking about everything and nothing. 

Till then,

Rindu.