Finals kicked my butt. Last week was so exhausting and to be quite honest, I probably did this to myself. Slacking off for 10 weeks all came rushing back to me in 3 days...on Wednesday, I slept from 5 am - 7 am and spent the rest of the time studying. The letters began dancing off of the page, forcing me to chase after them with my already strained eyes. It was ridiculous. I felt like I was drowning in literary theory jargon (the words "sublime" and "the formal/sensuous drive" make me shutter!) and political theory nonsense! Kind of like this picture...
But now that finals are over, I feel so much more relaxed and at ease. I feel free and at peace. The days are brighter and the sleep is much better :)
Yesterday, Mark took me to Laguna Beach to kick off my spring break. I had so much fun with him...it was quite a beautiful evening. Pictures are coming soon (probably tonight!).
I hope all of you have a beautiful Monday! Ciao, mes amis <3
I'm not gonna lie...
3.22.2010
3.11.2010
It never hurts to count your blessings and remind yourself why life is so great. Even if things are not going so well, remembering what blesses you in life will remind you of what makes you happy, maybe even bringing a little sunshine into your life.
Last night, I had dinner with a really good friend of mine, Alvin, and we talked about life, our ambitions (as we always do!), friends, positivity/negativity, discouragement, what makes a good friend/person, etc. And he told me, "Liz, I admire your outlook on life."
He may not known it, but that particular sentence stuck with me for the entire drive home, during my jog, and in the shower. I began thinking about who and what has inspired me to form the outlook that I have now in this crazy thing we call life. In doing so, I began listing all of the blessings in my life that I frequently forget to be thankful for and what makes me, well...me.
So here it goes.
My positivity is mostly, if not all, because of Mark. When I throw temper tantrums, or I stress out, cry like a baby, get upset ("Korean anger" as he likes to call it), or let my impatience get the best of me, he reminds me in the most gentle way that I need to stay positive. Focusing on the positive will always make me the winner; I will always conquer my battles. When I apply this to my life, there couldn't be more truth to it. And although it is a daily process, and many times a roller coaster experience, I try to apply that positivity that he consistently lives out to my daily life. And guess what? It really does make me happier.
One of my biggest vices is that I set too high of expectations from the people in my life. I assume the best in people, which is good and bad. Good in the sense that I hold a high level of respect for the people in my life; Bad because, if they disappoint (which is inevitable because, face it, we're all human), I get really discouraged. Candice, however, has recently shed some enormous light on that. She told me that if I just love everyone, and give without expecting to get back, I will be happier. I will no longer have expectations; therefore, I will not be disappointed. This doesn't mean I should assume everyone will disappoint me because that would be a depressing way to live...rather, it means that if I don't focus on expectations and I simply give unconditionally, I will be blessed beyond my understanding. Many people can't say that they have friends who live by that same rule, but I do...I have many of them.
Another major imperfection of mine is my impatience. There's no way around it; sometimes I can be really impatient and ugly. But I've been blessed with a dad who is the ultimate example of a patient and forgiving person. He lives it out daily; in fact, when I think about it, I can't remember a time where I ever observed him lose his cool. He's always calm and collected and if he's annoyed, he just responds with sarcasm. He never raises his voice or gets frazzled. He's the ultimate example of a patient man...I can only strive to obtain a fraction of that.
My ability to love those around me (from friends to strangers to babies to animals) comes directly from my mom. As I grow older, I am constantly enlightened by how loving she truly is. She just loves. It's never superficial and it's always unconditional. She lives by example and just by watching her, I see how important it is to selflessly drop my plans to be there for the people that I love. It's a beautiful thing, my friends.
The only reason I live life never taking anything too seriously is because I'm around little people and animals who do it the very best...my brothers, sister and the dogs: Tsion, Max and Koda. With Robert's only concern being peanut butter, Mary's only desire to make people laugh, and Daniel's happy and nurturing nature, I have no other option but to laugh and play like a kid! And if it was up to the doggies (and kids for that matter), life would just be one long day of playing.
All of these people (and many more!) teach me to live the life that I do. My outlook on life is formed by my daily inspirations. It's not perfect and it's constantly evolving with the person that I'm growing up to be, but what I do know is this: it works for me. It's really as simple as that.
The best advice I can offer to anyone who's interested is that you have to let people in, let them love you and let yourself love them. What you learn from them will blow your mind. After all, life isn't meant to be lived alone.
I hope everyone has a beautiful Thursday and weekend!!
<3
Last night, I had dinner with a really good friend of mine, Alvin, and we talked about life, our ambitions (as we always do!), friends, positivity/negativity, discouragement, what makes a good friend/person, etc. And he told me, "Liz, I admire your outlook on life."
He may not known it, but that particular sentence stuck with me for the entire drive home, during my jog, and in the shower. I began thinking about who and what has inspired me to form the outlook that I have now in this crazy thing we call life. In doing so, I began listing all of the blessings in my life that I frequently forget to be thankful for and what makes me, well...me.
So here it goes.
My positivity is mostly, if not all, because of Mark. When I throw temper tantrums, or I stress out, cry like a baby, get upset ("Korean anger" as he likes to call it), or let my impatience get the best of me, he reminds me in the most gentle way that I need to stay positive. Focusing on the positive will always make me the winner; I will always conquer my battles. When I apply this to my life, there couldn't be more truth to it. And although it is a daily process, and many times a roller coaster experience, I try to apply that positivity that he consistently lives out to my daily life. And guess what? It really does make me happier.
One of my biggest vices is that I set too high of expectations from the people in my life. I assume the best in people, which is good and bad. Good in the sense that I hold a high level of respect for the people in my life; Bad because, if they disappoint (which is inevitable because, face it, we're all human), I get really discouraged. Candice, however, has recently shed some enormous light on that. She told me that if I just love everyone, and give without expecting to get back, I will be happier. I will no longer have expectations; therefore, I will not be disappointed. This doesn't mean I should assume everyone will disappoint me because that would be a depressing way to live...rather, it means that if I don't focus on expectations and I simply give unconditionally, I will be blessed beyond my understanding. Many people can't say that they have friends who live by that same rule, but I do...I have many of them.
Another major imperfection of mine is my impatience. There's no way around it; sometimes I can be really impatient and ugly. But I've been blessed with a dad who is the ultimate example of a patient and forgiving person. He lives it out daily; in fact, when I think about it, I can't remember a time where I ever observed him lose his cool. He's always calm and collected and if he's annoyed, he just responds with sarcasm. He never raises his voice or gets frazzled. He's the ultimate example of a patient man...I can only strive to obtain a fraction of that.
My ability to love those around me (from friends to strangers to babies to animals) comes directly from my mom. As I grow older, I am constantly enlightened by how loving she truly is. She just loves. It's never superficial and it's always unconditional. She lives by example and just by watching her, I see how important it is to selflessly drop my plans to be there for the people that I love. It's a beautiful thing, my friends.
The only reason I live life never taking anything too seriously is because I'm around little people and animals who do it the very best...my brothers, sister and the dogs: Tsion, Max and Koda. With Robert's only concern being peanut butter, Mary's only desire to make people laugh, and Daniel's happy and nurturing nature, I have no other option but to laugh and play like a kid! And if it was up to the doggies (and kids for that matter), life would just be one long day of playing.
All of these people (and many more!) teach me to live the life that I do. My outlook on life is formed by my daily inspirations. It's not perfect and it's constantly evolving with the person that I'm growing up to be, but what I do know is this: it works for me. It's really as simple as that.
The best advice I can offer to anyone who's interested is that you have to let people in, let them love you and let yourself love them. What you learn from them will blow your mind. After all, life isn't meant to be lived alone.
I hope everyone has a beautiful Thursday and weekend!!
<3
3.10.2010
As I mentioned before, I went to see the Bird and the Bee at El Rey Theater on Friday. I can't even begin telling you how much fun I had! Lead singer Inara George exuded such a quirky and charming personality...not to mention, she's extremely talented, even being 8 months pregnant.
Yeah, you heard me right. Inara George is 8 mos pregnant yet that didn't stop her from dancing around in her magenta tights and skin-tight dress. It was absolutely adorable.
I don't know if you've ever been to El Rey but it's beautiful. I don't know how old the theater actually is but it has an old charm to it with its red velvet curtains and crystal chandeliers. See for yourself :)
Sorry for the less-than-great picture quality...security didn't allow me to bring my DSLR in without a photo pass (super lame). Instead, I had my tiny point-and-shoot and I found it difficult to take pictures and dance at the same time ;)
<3
PS- I wanna give a lovely shout out to my new follower, real life friend and fellow traveler Brittany!!!
Yeah, you heard me right. Inara George is 8 mos pregnant yet that didn't stop her from dancing around in her magenta tights and skin-tight dress. It was absolutely adorable.
I don't know if you've ever been to El Rey but it's beautiful. I don't know how old the theater actually is but it has an old charm to it with its red velvet curtains and crystal chandeliers. See for yourself :)
Sorry for the less-than-great picture quality...security didn't allow me to bring my DSLR in without a photo pass (super lame). Instead, I had my tiny point-and-shoot and I found it difficult to take pictures and dance at the same time ;)
<3
PS- I wanna give a lovely shout out to my new follower, real life friend and fellow traveler Brittany!!!
3.08.2010
So today marks the first day of the last week of winter quarter. It also marks the last day of slacking and the first day of the onslaught of stress caused by finals.
Does any of that make sense? Probably not. If anything, this jumbled mess resembles my mind right about now.
With the last week of class and next week being finals week, I have a lot on my plate. It's "game time" as Mark likes to call it. I'm more realistic...it's more like "weeping time."
You see, I am so ready for this quarter to be over. Not only is winter quarter my least favorite quarter (weather, blah classes, yearly slump, etc.), I'm not taking any classes that I love right now. I'm taking a freshman Political Theory class, an exceptionally difficult Literary theory and criticism class, an eh-ok Literary Journalism workshop, and an interesting but poorly organized Int'l Relations of East Asia class.
Next quarter, however, is a different story. I'm taking a graduate seminar called "Reading like a writer," a Literary Journalism workshop with a professor whom I'm told is awesome, and an English class with a professor that has really good ratings on ratemyprofessor.com. It's also going to be spring quarter which means longer days, warmer weather, and a happier me!
But until then, I have to focus (which I don't like doing unless it is by choice) and I'm really dreading it. This is what I'm feeling like right about now...
(via audreyhepburncomplex)
(via the bean and the bear)
Does any of that make sense? Probably not. If anything, this jumbled mess resembles my mind right about now.
With the last week of class and next week being finals week, I have a lot on my plate. It's "game time" as Mark likes to call it. I'm more realistic...it's more like "weeping time."
You see, I am so ready for this quarter to be over. Not only is winter quarter my least favorite quarter (weather, blah classes, yearly slump, etc.), I'm not taking any classes that I love right now. I'm taking a freshman Political Theory class, an exceptionally difficult Literary theory and criticism class, an eh-ok Literary Journalism workshop, and an interesting but poorly organized Int'l Relations of East Asia class.
Next quarter, however, is a different story. I'm taking a graduate seminar called "Reading like a writer," a Literary Journalism workshop with a professor whom I'm told is awesome, and an English class with a professor that has really good ratings on ratemyprofessor.com. It's also going to be spring quarter which means longer days, warmer weather, and a happier me!
But until then, I have to focus (which I don't like doing unless it is by choice) and I'm really dreading it. This is what I'm feeling like right about now...
(via audreyhepburncomplex)But this is how I will feel after finals!!!...
(via the bean and the bear)OK, that's all for now. I'm kinda using blogging as my form of procrastination.
Lovely.
<3
Lovely.
<3
3.07.2010
I made myself a new header today! Thoughts? Suggestions?
Have a beautiful Sunday and if you're planning on watching the Oscars tonight, leave a comment with your predictions!
This is what I predict:
-Best picture: Avatar or Inglorious Basterds
-Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart"
-Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for "Inglorious Basterds"
-Best Actress: Gabourey Sidibe for "Precious"
-Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal for "Crazy Heart"
-Best Animated Picture Film: "UP" (hands down)
-Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino for "UP"
Have a beautiful Sunday and if you're planning on watching the Oscars tonight, leave a comment with your predictions!
This is what I predict:
-Best picture: Avatar or Inglorious Basterds
-Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart"
-Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for "Inglorious Basterds"
-Best Actress: Gabourey Sidibe for "Precious"
-Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal for "Crazy Heart"
-Best Animated Picture Film: "UP" (hands down)
-Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino for "UP"
3.03.2010
Guess who I'm seeing on Friday night with 4 of my closest friends?
If you guessed The Bird and the Bee, you're right!! Good job.
Sooooo excited. If you haven't heard of them, go to iTunes and listen. You'll fall in love, I guarantee.
If you guessed The Bird and the Bee, you're right!! Good job.
Sooooo excited. If you haven't heard of them, go to iTunes and listen. You'll fall in love, I guarantee.
Marching On.
I've got a good feeling about this one, folks.
March is going to be a good month. Even though it's 8:38 a.m. and I'd love to be in bed more than anything, the sun is shining outside and the days so far have been beautiful.
I have a lot of great things lined up for March and it's really exciting. I'm also really peaceful with the way life is, myself, the people in my life, and the unknown future. I had a little freak attack last week about the future...will I be successful? What will I do after Korea? Is going to Korea foolish?
Then, I remembered to just trust. Trust God because regardless of how much I kick and scream, He has a plan for me and my life will work out accordingly. Then, immediately, I was at peace.
Isn't that a beautiful thing? I think so.
Also, I know it's March, three months into 2010, but I've finally decided what my attainable goals are for this year.
two] Be more in tune with my body...meaning less music while I run and work out, & being more attentive to the way I breath, the way my body works together, etc.
three] Because of #2, get into yoga more. Rather than looking at it as a workout, use it as a peaceful mechanism to clear my mind and...relax.
four] Write more. No matter what it is, just write.
five] To write more, I need to read more.
six] Watch 2 French films a month without subtitles to keep up my French.
seven] Be outdoors more: beach, canyon, city, whatever.
eight] Practice patience. By far, the hardest goal.
nine] Drink less coffee and more tea. I don't like the jitters.
ten] Slow life down. Be French in California (almost an impossible task).
March is going to be a good month. Even though it's 8:38 a.m. and I'd love to be in bed more than anything, the sun is shining outside and the days so far have been beautiful.
I have a lot of great things lined up for March and it's really exciting. I'm also really peaceful with the way life is, myself, the people in my life, and the unknown future. I had a little freak attack last week about the future...will I be successful? What will I do after Korea? Is going to Korea foolish?
Then, I remembered to just trust. Trust God because regardless of how much I kick and scream, He has a plan for me and my life will work out accordingly. Then, immediately, I was at peace.
Isn't that a beautiful thing? I think so.
Also, I know it's March, three months into 2010, but I've finally decided what my attainable goals are for this year.
***
one] Drink more water. I don't pee very much because I don't drink water very much (TMI? I think not). That's not a good thing.two] Be more in tune with my body...meaning less music while I run and work out, & being more attentive to the way I breath, the way my body works together, etc.
three] Because of #2, get into yoga more. Rather than looking at it as a workout, use it as a peaceful mechanism to clear my mind and...relax.
four] Write more. No matter what it is, just write.
five] To write more, I need to read more.
six] Watch 2 French films a month without subtitles to keep up my French.
seven] Be outdoors more: beach, canyon, city, whatever.
eight] Practice patience. By far, the hardest goal.
nine] Drink less coffee and more tea. I don't like the jitters.
ten] Slow life down. Be French in California (almost an impossible task).
***
I declare the right to add and modify as I please...after all, they are my goals ;-)
Thank you for listening to my rants and raves. I never knew a virtual community of bloggers could be so comforting. I am forever grateful of the support.
Thank you for listening to my rants and raves. I never knew a virtual community of bloggers could be so comforting. I am forever grateful of the support.
3.02.2010
My boyfriend forwarded me an email this morning about a tiger who gave birth to 6 cubs; however, because of complications, they were born prematurely and all died. The trainers and vets at this California zoo noticed that the tigress was declining in health even though nothing was wrong with her physically.
The loss of her babies caused her to suffer from depression.
Veterinarians tried searching for new cubs at various zoos that they could bring in for the mourning mother; however, there were none.
Therefore, they tried to something new: they wrapped little piglets in tiger skin and placed them next to the tigress. The results are too great for words:
!!!
The loss of her babies caused her to suffer from depression.
Veterinarians tried searching for new cubs at various zoos that they could bring in for the mourning mother; however, there were none.
Therefore, they tried to something new: they wrapped little piglets in tiger skin and placed them next to the tigress. The results are too great for words:
!!!