Moving away from COLOURPOP

Follow my adventures and misadventures on SHE SAID YOYO.

Farewell!

Confidence

With encouragement from a few folks, I have decided to return to blogging. I currently have an idle personal blog about my adventures in Austin, TX. I paused my activity due to the amount of stress from work in the last six months. I handle stress quite well, it's just that I didn't have the time to sit down and share my Austin lifestyle after working 10-12 hours five days a week.

There is one thing I have been battling on-and-off over the last couple years: self-confidence.

I have figured out what makes me feel secured after many, many months of ups and downs. Here are the factors that make me confident: being financially independent, seeing progress in being physically fit, working in a respectful environment, owning my projects, being surrounded by people who trust me and not having a relationship.

I think I lacked confidence for a moment after moving to Austin but I was positive with whatever came at me. In the meantime, I had to ask myself about what felt unreal and real - and I can't imagine myself living anywhere but here. I took some time off last week to visit my hometown for my brother's graduation and to see family and friends. It was really nice to be with family again and to catch up with old friends. Good vibes, sights, food and laughter - I miss all of this, but I miss freedom and exploring in Austin most.

Bounce with me

After spending close to $1K, my camera, new battery, and new lens finally made their way home! I'm excited to experiment and master my new lens and finally call myself a photographer. I've never studied photography and will be spending my spare time shooting away with my new gifts!

It snowed today just as the roads were clearing up .. winter in photographs is a beautiful thing, but when you live with six months of winter every year, you live with seasonal affective disorder.

My camera died

No posts until I get my camera fixed. It stopped working out of the blue, sadly.

Sorry if you missed me.

P.S. - Warm weather will means more pictures.

XOXO

Who are you

Taking breaks throughout the year is a healthy way of finding peace, new adventures, and experiencing the unexpected. Luckily I am only interning at the moment and both of my jobs are flexible. I was traveling in Texas this past weekend for my Little sister in my sorority and visiting one of my good friends. I drove about 15 hours total with little sleep and no caffeine from Dallas to Lubbock to Austin to Dallas. It took me two and half months to plan it, and I wish I stayed longer because I wanted to go to Houston. This was a self-discovery and meaningful trip for me. Last time I was in Texas, I remember leaving on bad terms and not wanting to leave. I felt relieved to be back -- it was very emotional, I think I was crying a river but I was smiling at the same time. It definitely felt different being single in the city of Austin compared to when I was in a relationship. This trip determined my final thoughts about Austin. I love the city, the intensity and significance, with all of me.

Cheers to shorts and shirt weather in 70 degrees! The next day Minnesota welcomed me to -40 degree weather.

Put your hands in the holes of my sweater

Winter is sweater weather! Snow is a mood killer (this year is the first time I've driven in the snow) until I discovered how minimalist it makes everything looks in a picture and .. reality. Today was a little warmer and I didn't have to wear two long sleeves! I told myself I need to blog this month since I've been neglecting it. Getting up for work in the morning is tiring, and when I'm done for the day the sun is already gone. I like natural light, which is why I haven't been taking pictures of my outfits. I told my little sister to snap a few shots today. I'm wearing a Forever 21 sweater (if you look closely, you'll spot gold), H&M cotton leggings, and North Face boots (super comfy).

If it's snowing where you are, stay warm! And if you're from the land of no snow .. lucky you.

Fall Gaze

Wow! It's been a really, really long time since I've blogged! I lost my wireless remote (Gawd knows where it is now) and have been searching for it for a frustrating amount of time. I eventually gave up on searching for it.

I love my new mustard hat (it's not really a beanie because it has this cute pom on the top which I like to call 'puppy' because it's so soft and cuddly) and my new Hmong scarf that I found on ebay for under $5. I bought six scarves and absolutely LOVE them. I may order a bulk more so I can give them as gifts to friends and family.

Red is Ambitious

Moving Elements

I wore this to the Advertising Federation of Minnesota Mentorship event yesterday. It was my first networking event in the industry, and surprisingly it wasn't intimidating! I received great advice and the mentors were helpful and had meaningful insight. I am looking forward to future opportunities and events!

Throwback Thursday: Obon

Broken Sunnies

Just right before the rain and storms. Soon these flowers will wilt and crumble. I regret not paying attention to flowers while they were in their prime.

Sippin' Ramen in Casualty

I had the opportunity to eat ramen designed, prepped, and cooked by famous chefs at Zen Box's Ramen Attack event!

Transformers in Disguise

Hung out on campus with a couple bus buddies from STLF sippin' on bubble tea. Then I picked up a check and finally went home with my AP Buddy. Reading, "The Defining Decade."

Interview

 

Interviews are more fun when you put on something other than black, white, and gray.

Artificial Healing

elephantmaze.tumblr.com

This is my latest piece. I wrote it near 4 a.m. in the morning and completed it today after 5 p.m. I was never a poet or nor I try to write poems. Lang Leav has inspired me to do poetry over the last few days. I thought to myself, I will write a poem a day, if not, a passage a day. I think I like spoken word more than poetry itself. The way a spoken word artist visually carries himself/herself with a message, and it's the voice he/she uses that always make me go, "Wow." Breathless, captivating. My best friend in high school was the best at spoken word. She recited Atmosphere precisely. Five or six years ago I wanted to try spoken word out, but my voice has no melody or confidence nor does my head memorize my writing. So I gave that up. A few years ago after a break-up, I found myself writing again but I couldn't really share it with anyone. The writing journey helped me heal tremendously. Right now I'm journaling on paper again, something I haven't done in a long time. I had written a book titled, "Glass Droplets" when I studied abroad in South Korea. It's not a published book, but it's something I produced that massed over 80 pages word doc. Quite an accomplishment, trust me, I did not want to sit in class bored.

I think I'm able to share these daily verses in my head with you. You don't have to understand it. As long as I do.

6pm

One of my crazy online shopper friends recently introduced me to 6pm. I'm not a huge fan of brands but PUMA is the only brand I go crazy for. I still consider ordering or trying on boys' size medium clothing IF ONLY they're PUMA. I am obsessing over the purple archetype duffel 22" bag and the yellow Shintai Runner Win's shoes on 6pm.

Throwback Thursday: Denmark and Senior Year

Denmark Zoo - July 2012

My senior year duplex room to myself - August 2012

I've been caught up with my birthday and the Korean drama, Master's Sun, in the past week. I am applying to jobs again in the Twin Cities hoping to make it back to Austin someday, hopefully at The Think Tank. I haven't been keeping a regular workout routine or sleeping pattern due to my anxiety. It gets terrible during mid-afternoon and early mornings. I am starting to write personal notes, which have turned into poetry. Oddly enough, I have recently discovered Lang Leav and am inspired by her. Her published "Love & Misadventures" might just be my next purchase.

Birthday Dress

Unfortunately, this look I posted on Lookbook.nu was flagged for deletion. My knees are just under this dress - it's hard to see. Oh well. Re-post.

24th Birthday

I turned 24 years old and that's my "birthday hat" I'm wearing (:
This weekend was filled with celebration, which is why I did not blog

Tweet in the shower

UMBRA

Best. shower. caddy. ever. Bird Bath Shower Caddy. How can this beauty be preserved for life? I once said anyone who can get me this shower caddy can be my boyfriend ..