Day 2: song that makes you happy

For happy songs, it's usually the one's with little lyrics to them, or house/electronica that uplift my mood and make me feel happy. recently Avicii's Levels is very uplifting.

Just a mini rant

Lately on networking sites like facebook, I keep seeing the same damn thing happening. Multiple things actually, and it's probably the reason I try to keep my refreshed page on an app, rather than the feed, so I don't have to look at it. By pretending it's not there it is gone, just like throwing a blanket over a messy pile, it's still there. But you can't freaking see it..so it's all good!

One of the things are those melodramatic, depressing song lyrics people post in their statuses every five minutes. I get it. You are online now, and possibly sad, depressed or lonely. I get it, I really do. But, I don't need to see it every time I refresh the page. And when people comment on those types of status' knowing something is wrong with so-and-so who originally posted it, but the OP just says, 'oh it's nothing, don't worry about it' or 'pm me and I'll tell you' it just tells me you are an attention seeking person.

I know it may be hypocritical of me to bash this, when I myself post lyrics, but I don't do it every day, every minute on these god forsaken sites. And when I do post lyrics, it's usually just for my one friend to try and guess the song, or it has something to do with an 'inside joke'. A bit nerdy, but at least I'm not trying to be the center of attention with depressing lyrics that are all 'woe is me'. sure you may have broken up with your boyfriend, but really, really. Because I know the first thing I do after a break up is go post obvious lyrics in my status, trying to show the pain and suffering I am going through. Honestly, I'm pretty damn sure I'm not the only one who is mentally saying, 'get the fuck of facebook.' Go swallow a tub of ice cream instead. Just as bad, but at least you aren't making yourself to be a tool on facebook.

The same thing that goes for those TBH posts. 'Like for a tbh.' To be honest I don't think those posts are honest at all. All you are doing is trying to save face. It's an opportunity to get in good with people by being a two faced sycophant. From every single TBH I have seen on facebook, all I have ever seen were people being butt kissers. When in reality you could hate or envy that person, you're just trying to not look like the supreme bitch. Which is probably another reason why I don't post those. I mean, really. If someone I dislike likes the status, I'm not going to overwhelm them with compliments just to boost their egos. Maybe I'll say something I do like about them, but otherwise if I don't like you, your to be honest won't be that nice or as honest as you thought it was going to be.

Sorry for the rant, just want to get that out of the way.

10 Day song challenge

Found this neat challenge on Soulmate's blog, thought I should give it a go! Review coming soon for lenses and new bb cream as soon as I track down my camera charger!

day 01 - your favourite song
day 02 - a song that makes you happy
day 03 - a song that makes you sad
day 04 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 05 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 06 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 07 - a song from your favourite band
day 08 - a song from your childhood
day 09 - a song that makes you laugh
day 10 - a song that you wish you could play

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Starting with day 1

Favourite song: I have too many favourites! I'll give an english one and a korean one for this answer I suppose.

My favourite english song is Welcome to Savannah by Breathe Carolina and my favourite Korean song is Special by B2ST/BEAST : )

Back to Blogging

Because school started up again, I've left my blog unattended for a month and a half or so, just settling back into the ol' routine again. But, I'm happy to say that I can now get back into the blogging mojo : D

I will have my first circle lens review up shortly!

in the kitchen

I finally remembered why I hate cooking/baking, but still love it at the same time. The answer is simple.

Waiting.

Usually, I wait until I am hungry to make something, and I grow so impatient while I am cooking something, which is why I primarily stake to baking now, so at least I've eaten something to settle the rumbles in my stomach.

Last night was no different. We literally had nothing I wanted to eat, since I am trying to vow off eating buckets of grease. all our meat had been frozen, or was in the process of being made into something for another day, and we had fruit for smoothies as well as salad dressing.

But, one thing I do like is rice. Lots..and lots of rice. I'm not sure where I get it from, but I'm sure it has some influence from my dad's wife, my step-mom Lolita. So last night, while on my laptop at the kitchen table with my stomach growling away I was just sifting through possibilities of what to cook that will keep me filled. And, what other to make than stir fry?

It is healthy, so long as you don't drown the veggies in soy sauce, you can pt it with brown rice..and it makes for good photos. And photo opportunities are always nice! To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing while making this stir fry, but it turned out delicious.

haul of sorts over time + montreal (image heavy)

hello blog, it's been a while!

last time I stopped by was nine days ago roughly just before my departure to Montreal. Well, I am back and have access to WiFi again!

During my trip I had no access, except for my phone, but it crashed every few minutes. So, instead during the nights I stayed up to play on my Uncle's XBOX 360 and almost completed his Fallout 3 game! But, because I didn't, I never got to know the ending of the game, so of course, once I got back to Ontario I had to stop in at Futureshop to pick it up. But, I have to start all over now.

 I also purchased one of Etude House's BB Cream's after watching Martina's video on eatyourkimchi.com. Since we have the same skin tone, I thought 'Hey, may as well give it a shot!', because just like her, I'm not into makeup, well, foundation, and this BB Cream seemed like the perfect suitor to my face -- and from my trial use, it is amazing! I didn't look like I was wearing anything, no cakey-ness, and it smelt nice, haha

We went to many places on my trip, but mainly stuck around Old Montreal and Chinatown. Shopping wise, I spent majority of my money on food. Gelato, maple candies, baked goods from the Chinese pastry shops and candy.

I only spent ...less than thirty dollars not on food I believe and got myself a cute contact case with Rilakkuma on top, as well as a poster of SHINee. Not sure where to place it just yet! The lady who sold it to me had the sweetest daughter, and they spoke English. I was so happy. I wish to go back to their shop and buy up all the posters and cute things and stationary. ahhh~!!

along with those, I made small purchases here and their from the beginning of June that I never posted. I am horrible with my money, but, it's the way I stick out my horrible job's night shifts to continue doing them.


as soon as B2ST's first album came out I had purchased it, I absolutely love the mini photobook/lyrics they have inside! Even my mother thinks their CDs are better than ours over here! And, that is saying something.

I also had recieved my black version of that star sweater that is like the one Junhyung wore in the Beautiful music video :) I still wish I could have found the original, even though spending less than forty dollars got me a knock off version that is quite identical.Another KPOP purchase was my Junhyung triangle stud earrings from yesasia.com. You don't know how much I love this site. How much time they take to bubble wrap the tiniest, not likely to break item amazes me, and is why I continue to shop there. The package was huge, and inside, full of bubble wrap! It was amazing. Another thing: I need to quit purchasing books! I bought eight within two days, some from the thrift store, and a few from Chapters and have already read most of them.

That's about it for this entry, I don't want to bore those who may stumble across, so here are a few pictures from Montreal also :) sadly, none of Chinatown since it poured buckets while visiting.

 
 

I Am The Best Contest + Montreal

Ahhh~ the contest is finally out for 2NE1's new song I Am The Best! Ever since I clicked the song, it has been on repeat constantly! 2NE1 is so refreshing!

As soon as the news for a contest came up about it and their first concert, I was keen on finding out what type. It turns out the contest is a dance cover contest where they select 21 winners to win various prizes. The top prize is flying to South Korea to see their concert. They provide accomodation and flight cost as well as the concert obviously. Other prizes include products from Addidas and autographed CDs and other goods the members themselves picked out!

I will be giving this contest a shot hopefully. I honestly don't know what I would do if I won though, aha. I would probably cry, even if it wasn't the top prize. 

After this upcoming week I am going to learn the rest of the dance that I haven't gotten down pat and then practice it hardcore then film. Ahh~

But, this week I cannot practice because tomorrow morning my mom and I are driving out to Montreal to go visit my uncle. I get to act as the tour guide, since she has never been there before!

Summer and DIY

There are so many things I want to do in the summer DIY wise, and I wonder how many I will get around to doing, aha.

Why I bring this up is because i found this cute little dress DIY on tumblr that someone got from Martha Stewart's website.

It's made from one of those long skirts with the elastic waist band. You know, the hippy esque skirts. 

I will have to go hunting for skirts at the thrift store soon. I go almost every week now, this past friday I even bid on a Minolta film camera with its two lenses at the thrift store through a silent auction. I was the first bidder too, hopefully no one else bids, I'd really love that camera, even if it doesn't work, it would make a cute decoration!


On another note, summer officially starts for me after this upcoming wednesday, after 2PM(Hottest time of day anyone? ;D /chair'd for kpop reference) which is when my exams finish.

Update and New York photos

I am a horrible, horrible person! I go on the computer for quite some time, I even check on blogger, but I never post. Urgh. I mean, I have stuff to post, but by the time I remember, I'm already away from the computer.

But, I have also been stressing over school the past while. Really stressing. Less than two weeks of school before exams and I have one major project that needs to be presented next week, and lucky me, I am the fourth person to present! But, it is a fun  project that I am excited for, so it shouldn't be too bad.

Secondly, I have a huge purchase I made (and I am now utterly broke beyond belief..goodbye money), as well as finally receiving my remaining parcels in the mail, I will post a little haul in a few days, if not tomorrow.

Thirdly! I have made new friends, haha. Pen pals to be more specific. I forgot the joy in having someone over seas to talk with through e-mail or good ol'fashion snail mail. The giddy feeling you get when you get a letter in the mail or a +1 message in your inbox.

Lastly before the photos, I am so happy to have met another fellow kpop loving girl my age just 20 minutes form my town. I met her indirectly from a friend at school..via facebook stalking her, haha. Sent her a message and bam, insta-friendship! I will try to go volunteer in the city with her at the museum so we can actually, legit talk in real life, instead of through facebook messaging :)

onward to the photos!

 

 

Star Sweater

So, yesturday when my mother got home she told me I had a postal pick up slip in the mail. Her exact wording was, 'Taylor, one of your sweaters came in the mail..do you want to go pick it up?'

So, with ten minutes before the office closed, we drove down, and I got my package. I couldn't even wait till I was home before opening it. Low and behold, my sweater came in the mail! It wasn't the one I was expecting to come, but I love it just as much!

I apologize for the poor quality photo, but it was late when there wasn't good lighting, and I couldn't figure out how to use the self timer..just my luck, haha.

But here is my buy in all its glory. I have been obsessed with stars for some time now, and this just tops it. 

I will be patiently waiting for my other sweater like this, only reversed.

Horoscopes

You know, those little articles talking about romance, your troubles, etc and telling you what you should do and stuff?

Usually, I believe it's a lot of balonie and I just read them for fun, but, lately..it's almost as if these horoscopes are reading my mind.

They relate exactly what is happening in my every day life, and if you ask me..it's a bit sketchy, haha.

Now, I still don't believe fully in them, but I'm starting to become gullible because of them, it's really sad, but interesting all at the same time. People these days are creative.

Online Shopping

I seriously need to cut back so I can purchase an xbox. Joking, though the Kinect looks so fun still.

In the mail I am waiting to receive two long sleeve black and white star shirts from eBay, a pair of pink Mix-Style headphones to go with my lonely white pair, a pair of black triangular stud earrings for every day wear..and my favorite purchase being the new B2ST/BEAST album that was just released today. It's amazing how one disc containing ten songs can make someone that much happier. Because that is exactly how I feel today.

This isn't much of a blog entry, and I apologize, I'll have to wait until I have something to show for, haha.  Let's just hope those shirts arrive soon!

I promised a NY post, which will probably come this weekend, or Thursday since I have a lot to do this week. But, at least school is almost over and done with for this year.

Hey again! update and purchased stuff

So I realized I haven't posted in here in..a month exactly. There is a good reason behind this.

I haven't really had much to post about/was really busy during that time, heck I still am. Plus, I was worrying a lot about my English mark in class, but just saw my report card today and I am happy to say that I am not failing like I originally expected!

Another reason is, a rather fun one. I've been preparing photos for it to share here. During the end of April to the 1st of May I went to New York/NYC for my travel and tourism class. I had a blast and took 1000+ photos, but dwindled it down to about 800, haha. Seeing as I didn't buy much there, because of time restrictions, I spent a good chunk of my spending money as soon as I got back in Canada, which is the other portion of this entry! So, here's what I've been hauling in the past month or so.

Probably the best items purchased. Nothing can go wrong with Japanese candy. Even though we have this stuff in Toronto's Chinatown, I couldn't resist once we entered NYC Chinatown. My friends made me find them a candy store and I just handed them anything that tasted good. We all were pleased in the end and they are now happy I was the one leading throughout that part of NY :)

On 5th Avenue in NY there happened to be a Nintendo store! This was my purchase. I would have bought the whole store, but we only had ten minutes there before we had to run 6 blocks back to the bus!

Post cards from NYC!

I caved in and encouraged my book addiction and bought these books, plus one more called 'Go Ask Alice' by Anonymous which isn't shown, a friend of mine is reading it now. The House of night series is just a laugh riot. If you enjoy stupidity at its finest with typical vampire happenings..read it. If you wish to keep your soul in tact..burn it.

heavy Rain for the PS3 is actually for my mother! It;s her first game she really wanted. The Kingdom Hearts is for me though, =P

From left to right; Red Letterman Jacket from eBay, lavender long sleeve shirt, cream/off white tee with lace backing, black lace long sleeve and gray baggy long sleeve shirt all from Forever 21, both pairs of ripped jeans from Sirens and salmon and sea foam/light turquoise colored tops from Bluenotes.

I bought this camera bag the day after I got my camera..so about mid April, haha. It was about $50 at Futureshop, which is a decent price for what it has to offer. Though, I will probably sell it in the future because it's the stereotypical camera bag, makes you an easy target for theft, aha!

More zippers and padded protection. This bag is so handy. It holds everything.

Inside of the Nikon camera bag. It came with removable inserts which aren't shown, except for the one in there. It's pretty roomy and has lots of pockets. It will be my default bag until I save for one that looks like a purse, haha.

Bracelet from Forever 21 and necklace from ebay..cost $1.50, how could I say no?

Nikon D3100 Unboxing/Review?

So I am finally posting this up now, aha. It's been what? two weeks now since I've had my camera? Urgh. I'm horrible I know. BUT, IT'S? HERE NOW. At least I am still posting it..+1 star for commitment...none for being on time OTL;;

I am not sure how this font will look on my blog, since I am at school posting this during my spare. And it doesn't show all the font sizes, types, etc. Blah, why do you hate me school?

Anways! I had to send these pictures from my phone to facebook, then from facebook to photoshop where I print screened everything, since I didn't bring my fujifilm to school..but have the cord.

So, here is my unboxing. I apologize for the cheap black berry pictures you are about to see.

So, here we have the  box as a whole, within this box was another two boxes, and within the one box was another with all the parts. It was like I was unboxing inception, haha. You can see the body of the camera on this box, so you can see I got the D3100.

And here are the boxes inside the box. One contained the lens, the other the camera body itself. Nicely packed inside might I say, it was annoying to have to take out the bubble wrap and foam surrounding each, but hey, no broken/missing pieces or dents, scratches or minor 'blemishes'. Makes for one happy customer!

Next we have the packaging, er, bubble wrap and manuals. For us Canadians we get both the French and English manual, and I found it funny how the French one was slightly thicker than the English. 

and last picture for this post, since I don't want to have a ton just stretching the page. This is the actual camera body itself, I almost dropped it too which is sad. Even though it is lighter in weight than it seems, I still managed to fumble. Also, when I was trying to remove the lens, I didn't notice the button on the right side which releases it, making you able to twist it off. So, I actually panicked, thinking 'oh no, my dots aren't aligned, I put it on wrong. It'll be stuck forever'. Let's just say I felt embarrassed afterward!

what I do enjoy so much about this camera is the auto mode. Because I have no clue how to use a DSLR (still have to read the manual and stuff) it is the handiest thing in the world, even though it gives you flash most of the time. I usually keep mine set on the no flash option to prevent it from popping up. another handy feature is the on screen guide. If you just switch the option to the GUIDE button, it is the manual simplified on the camera. So awesome! It means if you get stuck, you don't need to lug around the paper booklet.

so far, the only disappointment/confusion I've had with it is the lens zoom, as well as the lack of a USB cable inside. now, I know there are other lenses available for this, but one that zooms more would have been nice, haha. As for the no USB cable, the problem was fixed quickly, since I just used the cord for my bamboo tablet. I was surprised it actually fit! I still haven't fiddled with the video options yet, so I'll have to do that soon. Maybe upload it to youtube. LOL /notatall. 

As for my overall..biased opinion, 4.5/5 for a beginners DSLR is what I would rate it. It is just amazing for an idiot like myself who doesn't know the first thing about them, other than use the lens to zoom and the button to shoot :)

Testing new camera!

Argh, I so meant to write this sooner, well, post up my unboxing of my camera and such first, but there are reasons why that isn't up. The number one reason being that I misplaced my USB cord for my Fujifilm, but then found it again (it was where it should be..durh. I felt like an idiot) and the other reason being..well, I got to excited!

So, like I said in my last post, the first weekend in April was the date that I would be getting my first DSLR camera, a Nikon D5000. Well, that back fired. When my grandma and I went to Future Shop (my dad had accidentally made plans with the neighbors, so he sent me with his mum to go get the camera instead, haha.) and I had asked a sales representative if they had the D5000, turns out they no longer sell it! I was devastated, since that was the camera I played with just before Christmas in store. But, turns out, I actually enjoy the D3100 more! So far, image quality has been so impressive, even using the flash doesn't make it look to morphed or wonky, unlike my Fujifilm. I am still a noob at using this baby, so I either use Auto mode, macro or no flash. I hope to learn how to use it manually, and not just rely purely on Auto. While auto photos are awesome, I wish to take even better ones on manual mode!

So, here are just a few shots around the house, mainly dogs, haha. I wanted to take photos of outside..but it looks gross out, today was the first warm and sunny day coming out of a cold winter so I am waiting for green to show.

My uncle's dog, Dakota

Pad Thai. It was too sweet for a savory food

One of my dogs, Lola.

OTL ; Boring week

It's not even the end of the week yet, and I am waiting for next week.

It could be due to the weather. Our weather here in Ontario keeps fluctuating, but I think it is starting to stabilize. And by that I mean, the snow is melting like it should. It's spring, no longer winter! Another reason could be because I've just been just wanting to curl up in a ball with a warm blanket and watch some movies..and I did exactly that. My friends had been bugging me to watch Tangled, saying it was so good, so I thought, 'Sure, why not, maybe it will be good.' I was expecting just your typical movie, but it was better than good. That movie was just so touching. It got to every emotion. I laughed, cried and wanted to slap some of the characters.Maybe it is just me being a hopeless Romantic, but the scene where they are in the boat and the orange and yellow lanterns float around tugged on a few heartstrings, aha.

As for the next few days before the week is over, let's just hope they go more smooth sailing. I am going to my dad's house this weekend, and it is kind of putting me in a dilemma. This weekend also happens to be our town's Maple Syrup Festival, or 'Sap Fest'. It's where many people from the city, or actually leave their country to come here for..syrup. It's insane. I am just glad I booked the weekend off, Sap Fest = unwanted stress at work = complaints from everyone = want to slap someone silly. Simple math is simple.

Also, this weekend I am hoping my dad remembers his promise to take me out to get the camera I've been wanting for a while now. As much as I love my little pink Fujifilm Finepix Z20, I want to upgrade to a Nikon D5000. I fell in love with it in store, playing with the controls, and reviews online only boosted my want in it. Yeah, I know well enough 'Getting it doesn't make me a photographer just because I have a beginner's DSLR', but, I never said I wanted to be a photographer. I want it for when I go on trips/take pictures of food. I want crisp and clear pictures that will give me good results. My current camera gives me excellent closeups and such, mainly on food, but everything else is just mediocre. So, I am hoping this upgrade will prove to be good! If I am able to go get it this weekend, I'll follow up with an unboxing and review of it. Well, as much as a review as a novice 'photographer' can give you :)

Here's hoping to a good rest of the week! Ending this post with a few songs stuck on replay :)

Bangkok City - Orange Caramel

You Know - 4Minute

Change - HyunA ft. Junhyung

Jumpstart - These Kids Wear Crowns

sushi time

I was amazingly surprised at how easy sushi was to make!

My mom has been dying to make sushi for a long time since she gets cravings for it randomly. So, after I got home in the morning from my job and slept then woke up I helped her prepare for it. Lately she has been having an Asian cuisine craze, and I have to admit, I don't mind it! It beats having repeats and such, haha. The only awkward part of the whole making of was rolling it into cylinders. At first we used saran wrap to keep our mats clean..but in the end we removed it and all worked out, and was delicious too! ^O^

Here's a photo of the sushi! 

We kept it pretty simple and just used avocado, cucumber, green pepper and crab meat for the fillings since it was our first time. Hope to make more variations in the future!

Hello! *first post

Hello Blogspot! It's been a while.

Ahh, intro posts are so awkward! Haha! 

After much time and thought, well, more like missing blogspot a lot, I decided to make another blog. One for myself! Before, I used this primarily for English class last year, then wiped my account. But, I actually liked blogging - a lot! I do have a tumblr, but it doesn't feel legit..as much as I love it to death (please don't hit me!) So, why not make something more personal? Just a bunch of random non sense and what not hehe ^^

I would like to say hello everyone! My name is Taylor and this will be my personal blog to rant, rave, review and post photos, etc. :) I hope I don't bore you!