hello kitty

my ode to hello kitty in jack o' lantern form on the far left.

While growing up, I loveddd Sanrio with a passion. When I was cleaning out my room this summer, I found so many Sanrio knick-knacks, and even some I couldn’t bear to part with. Does anyone actually remember those little trinkets they put on the outside of the bags with pretty stickers? Sometimes I think that was the best part of getting something from there. Anyway, Hello Kitty was never my favorite since she was so girly and frilly… I always preferred Pochacco (is that how you spell it? I JUST realized what a weird name that is) and Badtz-maru over her. Not only that, but she was the hardest character to draw out of all of them. But for some reason liking HK is kind of a nostalgic, retro thing for me. And I’ll admit that I’m kinda girly now.

I bring this up because I became a fan of HK on facebook tonight. I know, I’m weird.

From her facebook page:

Hello Kitty lives in the suburbs of London with her parents and her twin sister Mimmy. She has lots of friends at school with whom she shares many adventures.
Her trademark is her red bow that she always wears over her left ear.
Hello Kitty is as heavy as three apples and as tall as five apples.

Traveling, listening to music, reading, eating yummy cookies, and making new friends. As Hello Kitty always says, “You can never have too many friends!”
She collects small, cute objects like ribbons, hair accessories, candy, stars, and goldfish.

How did I never know that HK lived in the suburbs of London? But seriously, we have so many interests in common. But London wins over all.

spontaneity

Debating if planning a trip for next month would be too crazy.

{ I so wish NYC were a possibility! }

the mood…

looove listening to jmayer’s continuum late at night.

do not love staying up late when i know i have an early morning/long day tomorrow.

bah. i should go.

like the movies

via The Sartorialist

Pictures like this cause me to swoon. I love New York. I think a lot of my infatuation surrounding New York is just how a lot of my favorite shows and movies were set in the city, and it was exactly like I envisioned when I visited it. One of the biggest reasons I love San Francisco is the amount of character packed into each distinct district; NYC is exactly the same, but with even more character packed in, as it’s far bigger than SF.

Gosh, a perfect mix of urban and vintage style. I am especially loving the girl’s shoes and the motorcycle with the leather case in the back.

Totally considering a second visit to NYC this summer since I should get the best bang for my buck out of my last free flight. We shall see though. Probably more wishful thinking than anything else.

one day, paris

I love The Sartorialist because he travels everywhere, takes pictures of everyday people’s fashion (even if it’s not something I’d wear, there’s lots of style ideas present), and his photography is pretty darn good.

I’ve been feeling the pull to go to Paris recently. It’s strange, because nothing came to mind but the Eiffel tower & overcast skies when I used to think of Paris, but I love the essence and beauty of this photo. So crisp, summery, and European.

God-willing, I will visit Paris/Europe one day. and look stylish while I’m at it.

lately

As usual, I’ve been ultra behind in life, especially since returning from my trip (or even before that, when finals ended… or even before that, my entire life). Life is just kinda messy and hectic. I should really get around to posting about my trip and the reviews that went with it before I forget it all, but I can’t seem to find the time/motivation to do it.

Either way, I just wanted to put up the picture of the Brooklyn Bridge, just to show something. Gosh, I really liked New York… can you tell?

on hospitality, reconciliation, & random.

a couple of weeks ago, stacey from GBF graciously opened her home and cooked us an amazing french meal (from julia child’s mastering the art of french cooking, no less). beef bourguignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and butter blanched green beans (of course, there were french names to all these, and i’m an american butchering them). it looked like this:

stacey's amazing meal, taken by estella

and yes, it tasted as amazing as it looks. this, coupled with the beautiful townhouse she and her roommates shared, just really brought back the desire to show biblical hospitality in the (near?) future. to be able to invite people over, cook for them, and show love in this manner. of course, i am far, far from reaching this point, but it reminded me of WHY i want to work on these things.

similarly, i’m trying to figure out if this overcomes my former desire of obtaining a higher degree, one that allows me a comfortable lifestyle and wins people’s approval (specifically my parents). these doubts always bubble back up when i have dinner with my parents and their friends’ families. all my former passion and desires re-bubble up when i see the success and pride, and i covet it yet again. but when i take a step back, what does that all mean in the big picture? so what if they’re a doctor, 30, enjoying the single life, make lots and spend frivolously? is that what i truly want to place my hope in? i was dismayed when i found that i wasn’t quite over this, and was in fact “backsliding” on what i thought i’d learned previously. a reminder that i will never fully be “done” with anything, that my worldview constantly needs shaping. that i should always place my thoughts and hope on Christ, and remember that the Holy Spirit is and needs to continually work in me.

additionally, i (re-)discovered today that reconciliation is so sweet. soooo sweet. reconciliation for me previously was to just to save as much dignity and pride as possible and “ok, ok, say whatever you want. as long as we don’t have to deal with it anymore,” and ended with a sweep under the rug and a chip on my shoulder. but now thanks to grace given through the gospel, it’s learning how to bend my knee in humility, admit where i’m wrong (always a log in my eye), gently correct where necessary, and to come out of it having learned something and improving on the relationship. i am so thankful. (and yes, the peacemaker’s pledge works.)

things i’m now itching to do:

1. play tennis (inspired by watching melanie oudin and the rest of the US Open)

2. practice my chinese (both cantonese and mandarin. i’m slightly horrified at how quickly i’ve lost all of my chinese reading skills and mandarin “speaking” skills in the short period of 2 years)

3. learn how to cook amazing chinese food.. and wow and bedazzle everyone with my skillz (food is so. good. at home. enough said)

4. figure out my life

4a. get a job

i think that is enough on my to-do list for the next 5 years at least.