The Search for Awesome

#13 - 39

2011-09-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, hasn't it? I've been swept up in college. Excuses, excuses. I haven't forgotten my project though. I'm also keeping in mind things to write about. As you've probably figured out, I will only write when something to write about presents itself. I've had so many new experiences that I think it's inevitable that I should find something to write about soon.

Anyway, here are some of my possessions. It doesn't seem likely that I will reach my goal of 150 possessions. I bought a bunch of new junk for college. It's disappointing, but maybe I'll find new ways to cut down on my junk and simplify my life along the way.

13. vest14. blouse from my childhood
15, 16, 17, 18, 19. sweaters and cardigans
20. Mom's blouse/jacket
21. striped sweater

22. cropped trench coat

23. jacket
24.jacket
25. seersucker blazer
26. trenchcoat
27. trench coat
28. hoodie
29. fuzzy jacket
30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. leggings, shorts, pajama pants
36, 37, 38, 39. I can count. I know there are five pants in the picture. I ended up donating one of the denim shorts in this picture.

# 4-12

2011-07-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

4. straw fedora

5.conductor hat
6. Nook

7. cell phone

8. laptop

9. notebook

10. mp3 player

11. headphones

12. sunglasses

Today I went to the eye doctor to get my prescription. While examining my eyes, she said "Open your eyes wider." MyLifeIsAsian

Felt Doll

2011-07-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

This was my first attempt at making a doll. I sewed it by hand for my friend. The whale is based on the whale that appears in our children's book that we made. So it's actually a sweet reminder of what we made together.

# 1, 2, 3

2011-07-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

It seems that summer started very recently but it is already July. I had ambitious plans for this summer. I meant to use this summer to make memories and do crazy things that I never had time for. I wanted to go to Korea and have adventures with my friends.

Yeah, well, all my friends are STOOPID!!

Excuse my sudden bout of immaturity. I meant to say that many of my friends left town to go to college for the summer semester or to go on fantastic trips, while I rotted here in Miami jealously.

A sudden change of plans left me without a plan. So I'm drifting lazily and aimlessly in this limbo between high school and college.

Oh, what a tragic life I lead! I'm going to stop pissing and groaning about this and start making something out of my time. That's right! I'm starting a new project.

A long time ago in a land called middle school I read The Gospel According to Larry. It left quite an impression on me. I really got pumped about anti-consumerism and fighting materialism. (Of course, it proved to be a clumsy passion. I didn't know the first thing about capitalism.) There was a part that mentioned that the main character tried to keep a limited amount of possessions. I guess it's a way to stay detached from one's possessions.

What better time to do this than my transition between high school and college? I'm going to donate or throw out all my old stuff and take only the very essential items to college. In order to do this I need to catalog my essential possessions. Here are some rules:

1. I'm only counting and taking pictures of items that I will keep for at least six months. That excludes papers, pencils, pens, toothbrushes, etc.

2. I'm excluding underwear and socks.

3. Sets aren't counted separately. A pair of shoes are counted as one item. My laptop, its cord and its battery are counted as one item.

The point here is to take only what I need from one stage of my life to the next. It's a symbolic gesture. It serves to remind me that I am moving on from the past and it's also an expression of detachment form my possessions.

My goal is to keep my possessions under 150. I'm not committed to that number, but it's there to give me something to strive for. I am not leaving anything indispensable for the sake of reaching that number.

1. Geoffrey the Giraffe

2. Bedding

3. pajama set

Yes Sir, That's My Baby

2011-03-15T08:52:00.001-07:00

Here's an old video. I should really practice some more.

Finger Puppets for Andrea

2011-01-20T16:34:00.001-08:00

Look! I'm actually productive now that college applications are over. Unlike my last batch of puppets, these are all original characters. I think I focused on the puppets' stories this time.

This squid was designed by my friend. There's so much character and story in this squid. I mean, look at its scars. Scars indicate that it is an interesting character! Maybe it had a rough past.

This simple panda was also designed by my friend. It holds the same amount of story and character to it as the squid, don't you think? You just can't read his face. Is it stoic solemnity or treacherous depression that causes this panda to put on a face like that? What causes this panda to be so... quiet? There is so much mystery. OOoooooOOoooh~~~

Oh, and this robot was my own design. I think that it was a normal obedient robot until some misguided scientist gave the robot a heart. The poor robot was overwhelmed by all the pain and confusion that came with a heart and went berserk. His left hand is a clanking claw and his right hand is a deadly machine gun. The scientist never had a chance. It's his own fault for giving a robot deadly weapons AND a heart.

You can find more finger puppets that I made here, here, here and here.

Rachel's Presents

2010-12-29T18:43:00.001-08:00

This is what I made for my sister's Christmas present. These are very different from my other finger puppets because none of these are original characters.

This is Perry the Platypus, the pet from the cartoon show, Phineas and Ferb. His expression is supposed to look blank and dumb because he doesn't do much.

I made a hat so that he can become Agent P, a semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal of action.

This is Max from the classic children's picture book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I really tried to add personality to his face, but it doesn't show. I can't manipulate the needle well enough to get all the details right.

He comes with a crown that's a little bit big for him.

I am least satisfied with Harry Potter. It's upsetting because I really like this character.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

I have more free time now that I got accepted into a college, and that means that I can use more time to do the things I want, like making finger puppets. My dad said that I should really use this time well because I probably wont have this much free time for years. It's true. Once I get into college, I will be busy until I graduate. Once I get a job, unless I have a kind of job that gives me sabbaticals, I am won't have this kind of free time. So here is how I plan to use my time:

1. Read the books on my must-read list

2. practice my cello and my accordion

3. get a job

4. write!

5. make more puppets and stuff

6. go out more

7. find and listen to music

8. a big scale project that will bring change or awareness in my community

What else should I do with my precious time? Do you have an suggestions? What would you do if you had a few months to dedicate to whatever you wanted?

Anyway, expect a post with some serious writing soon.

Read for Charity

2010-11-20T05:12:00.000-08:00

Do you remember that I wrote about my project back in August? I don't think I explained my project clearly back then.

I wrote a children’s book called “What Sammy Learned Today”. After working on the book for two years, I finally published it this year. My partner, Caryn, and I have been selling them to raise funds for First Book, a non-profit organization that provides access to books for inner-city kids. So far we've raised 700 dollars.

If you would like to help, please donate here.

The books aren't available online yet, but I think a free digital version will be available within three to four months.

I also started another blog to raise awareness. You can find updates on the project and other short stories there.

I don't mean to bombard you with all this information. I am just so excited that my project is in flight now.

Blaming the La La Land Machine

2010-11-20T03:43:00.000-08:00

I heard Demi Lovato checked into rehab. This isn't the first young Disney star to reach a low-point like this. Miley Cyrus has her own share of controversies. Vanessa Hudgens has those leaked naked pictures. Lindsay Lohan- well, you know. Many critics point their fingers to the Disney machine that consumes young stars, milking out all the personality and talent out of them and packaging them into glittery wholesome products, then spitting them out as dry, skeletons of who they used to be.

I think these critics deserve a bigger share of this blame. They analyze and scrutinize ever move these young stars make. If the celebrities carefully guard their reputations, they're labeled as boring, vanilla, Disney-puppets. If they act their age and make mistakes, the whole world criticizes them for being too wild, too slutty or too dumb. The mistakes these girls make aren't especially scandalous or unusual. They are common place among girls their age. Of course, the media exposes them and the whole world hears about the mistakes they have made.

Remember when Demi Lovato assured us that this fame won't change her?

Remember when Miley was still singing about not fitting in at Hollywood in "Party in the USA"?

I wish that fame wouldn't touch them, but I realize how unrealistic that is. They are teenagers and fame is one big rowdy party. It drags them in and by the time they realize that they drank too much, they are hungover, or in their case, they are in the tabloids of every supermarket in America. It is unfair to them and probably harmful.

However, I don't think they should completely pull out of the show business.That would be running away from the problem. If they really want their music or their acting to be recognized, they should stick it out through all this crap and try to come out on top.

Vote for my Gorillaz Entry!

2010-11-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

Gorillaz is having a character drawing contest and I entered this drawing. It's not that great, I know. I had to use this crappy paint program and I don't have a tablet. I'm not an artist.

Who cares? I love doing these things for fun. Fantasizing about winning the contest makes the whole thing worth it. I receive the grand prize, including a signed original painting by Jamie Hewlett. I find out that Jamie Hewlett actually likes my drawing very much. What if I get a letter from Gorillaz? I would hang it up on my wall. What if I got a call from one of the two creators? I would keep my voice cool and nonchalant while jumping up and down. What if I won and my drawing makes it to the front page of Gorillaz? I can't care about winning or losing because I'm having so much fun.

Anyway, you can vote for me here.

You can see how I drew the picture. You can tell that it took me forever to draw.

Your Halloween costume is offensive

2010-10-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

Halloween should be fun, but I am kind of frustrated by all these awful costumes. They're so offensive, cheesy and expensive that I would rather make my own costumes. I've griped before about an insensitive Halloween costume, but I feel the need to to complain again in a comprehensive manner.

Here are two awful trends that I find in costumes:

1. Your costume is racially insensitive.

Dressing up as another race is offensive. It is the same as walking around on Halloween in Blackface.

If you're trying to dress up as Pocahontas, it's fine as long as your costume is accurate enough. However, dressing up as a different race is not fine.

Don't call Inuits Eskimos! It's like calling an Asian person Oriental or a Black person Negro. I'm going to ignore the "Cutie Pie" part. If I try to explain why I hate it, I think I won't be able to finish writing the rest of this post. As for the costume itself, it looks nothing like the traditional clothing. It's a mockery.

Now some may say that I am being ridiculous. No intelligent adult would take these stereotypes seriously. It's all for fun, right?

Wrong. Kids might not fully understand these things, yet we have no problem dressing them up in these costumes. We are propagating insensitivity to oblivious children who want to imitate the adults.

2. Your costume is sexist.

These girl costumes are all pretty and cute. The models are in twisted unnatural poses.

Look at the range in these boy costumes. They can be scary or funny. Boys have the option of dressing up as an action character or as a police officer.

This costume was actually in the girls' section, not even in the teen girls' section. Why would anyone want to dress their 10-year-old into a pedophile's fantasy? Note that unnatural pose that suggests that girls are passive and meant to be pretty.

It's not funny. Don't dress up your little boy into a pimp. He probably doesn't understand what a pimp is. If he does, don't let it seem fine to exploit women by letting him dress up as one. Either way, he will hate you when he realizes what you did to him.

Compare boy pirates and girl pirates.

Boys pirates are described as "cutthroat" and "king." Girl pirates aren't actually pirates. They're just pretty pirates. See words like "pink", "cutie", and "Beauty" being passed around. God forbid that these girls should wear pants when they pillage. The point here is that girls can be tough, as long as they are pretty and girly.

These were found in the boys' section.
I see that the doctor costume is supposed to be unisex, but why is it in the boys' section?

These are all pretty respectable jobs.

There aren't that many real jobs in the girls' section.

I think that this is supposed to be the girl version of the military officer costume. It seems more like some sort of sexual role playing costume. ugh.

Oh wait! Here's a costume that portrays a successful young woman that's not very sexualized.

In my opinion, Miley Cyrus sort of ruins it. Besides, Hannah Montana isn't a career path that many girls can take.

I think this "Shipmate Cutie" is more reminiscent of a pin-up girl than an actual sailor.

I just wish adults would stop dressing up children like this. They don't understand that these costumes limit them. A little girl wont be able to find a FBI Agent costume in the girls' section and she will start to believe that girls can't be FBI agents.

---

I'm sorry if I just took all the fun out of your Halloween with all this preaching. I had to get that off my chest. Here is a K-pop video to get you excited again.

I hope you have fun tonight. Don't offend anyone and stay safe! I have to go find a costume in my closet now.

Chopsticks

2010-10-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

Today I noticed that my dad spreads peanut butter on crackers with chopsticks.

Accelerator

2010-10-03T04:28:00.000-07:00

I was explaining to my sister how driving works.

Rachel: Don't you have to press the eh-eks-escalator?

Me: You mean, the accelerator?

Rachel: Yeah, that's what I said.

Rachel's doodle

2010-09-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Today, I am handing the blog over to my little sister.

The picture is an alien from Jupiter. My friend Brian made the alien and I did
the background. I did it for my sister. I hope you like the picture.

Kids can't write

2010-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Since my mother cut our cable, Rachel has been playing her Wii to cope with withdrawal. Her Wii marathon yesterday kept her sore today, so in Sunday school she wrote this prayer:

I pray for

me because I hurt myself almost everywhere.

What a prayer. When I look back at my writing from middle school, I feel the same way I feel about my sister's writing. I wrote an awful poem comparing organized office supplies with racism. Here's an excerpt:

I know I don't belong

In a folder named Asian

So I know no one else does

Wow.

Ms. Reichenbach

2010-09-15T16:20:00.001-07:00

I doodled this masterpiece during my Macroeconomics class. I think the class is useful but this lady makes it so hard for me to concentrate on her lectures. She talks about irrelevant things and she uses the phrase "All right?" continually. My friend, Kelly, recorded that during one period she said that phrase about 178 times.

Life lesson, sort of

2010-09-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

I yelled at my mom today over the phone for not understanding me (literally). It's frustrating to repeat the same thing I've been saying for weeks nearly everyday and still not be understood.

The topic of my temper came up just now. My aunt gave me a lecture on family. It was by no means a bad lecture; she had a good point. Many people come and go in your life. They will forget you and lose touch with you. Your family will always remember you so you should be nice to them. It was apropos since I was thinking about that on my way home from school. I kept thinking about how I'm stuck with my family FOREVER. On one hand, it can be a source of stability and security. On the other hand, my family pisses me off half the time I'm with them. I can't have it all.

Then she completely ruins the lecture by telling me that I'm still too young to understand. Aunt, you just made a classic mistake. By saying that, it seems like she is looking down on me. Also, if I can't possibly understand, why is she telling me this? Parents do this all the time. They tell a child something, then they say that he or she can't understand because he or she is young. Then if the child screws up like they said he or she would, they rub it in his or her face.

Nevertheless, I agree with what she said. I don't want to yell at people. I don't like being angry. I am stuck with my family, so I might as well try to get along.

Good News!

2010-08-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

I probably haven't written anything definite about my project so I will explain what is going on. My friend and I started a project last year called Read for Charity that uses different mediums to raise awareness about illiteracy and gather funds for First Book, a non-profit organization. The main part of this idea was publishing a children's picture book.

One year later, our vision is about to become a reality. Our book is about to be printed! I'll update with more information soon.

I need a purse...

2010-08-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Why can't I find a good purse?

I don't have the time to get off my butt and search for one.

I just need a purse that will work! I'm so tired of those teeny, useless, gorgeous purses and I don't want to lug around a grotesquely baggy purse. Do designers even think about how awkward it is trying to handle a purse at the table. I hate keeping it at my lap. I feel strange putting it on the table. There is no way I am putting it on the floor or hanging off the chair. That's just asking for someone to steal it.

If I got one of these purses, I wouldn't waste a second thinking about what to do with my purse. I'd put it right in the middle of the table and let the drooling commence.

They are from the 1970s.

The black one is a "American telephone bag by Dallas Handbags in patent faux crocodile leather."

The red one is a "red plastic telephone bag by Dallas Handbags with working telephone."

Did you get that? You can plug them into a telephone socket and they will actually work! They should make cellphone purses...

Yeah, yeah. These are impractical. Shut up.

I guess I'll look for the perfectly sized, quirky, over-the-shoulder, sturdy purse later.

Future!

2010-08-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

I'm starting college applications, trying to finish my project, getting ready to go back to school, finishing P.E. and studying for SAT/ACT. This juggling act is getting very dangerous.

All these things make me realize that college and adulthood is right around the corner. This is my reaction:

Three Sociologists and a Moose

2010-07-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

This morning I was on my way to my Sociology class to take my final exam. Since I'm kind of stupid, I took pictures while driving. These three guys are the three bearded men of sociology.

Karl Marx is my favorite sociologist. He was a conflict theorist so he believed society always had conflicting forces. You know, he emphasized the force of the bourgeoisie exploiting the proletariat. His ideas about Communism were way idealistic and he didn't predict the rise of the middle class at all, but I still admire what he wrote about the injustices the proletariat go through because it still rings true today.

Emile Durkheim looks kind of messed up as a finger puppet. I couldn't get his eyes and glasses right. -__- He's my professors favorite sociologist. He is a functionalist which means he focused on forces that hold society together. He worked on a variety of areas, like suicide, religion, crime and the workplace.

This angry leprechaun is Max Weber. I didn't mean to make his expression so evil. My brother thought the face looked like that of a Spartan. Unlike Marx, he thought that religion influences behavior more than capitalism. He's famous for his model of bureaucracy.

Sorry, am I boring you? Okay, here's a moose finger puppet.

I made it for my friend. I thought it was about time to make a moose because the very symbol of this blog used to be a moose.

I like making finger puppets and posting pictures about them, but at the same time it confuses me. I'm still trying to figure out the direction of this blog. The original concept(The Search for Awesome:A Girl on a Treasure Hunt) was vague enough so I could develop a central theme eventually. I started out just posting music videos, then some lame fashion posts. Now I am all over the place. Any suggestions?

High School Popularity

2010-07-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

I've been taking this Sociology class during the summer and it's very interesting. Here is a chart straight out of my textbook. (Left click it and click open in new tab or window to see it in full size.)

This is from the section about socialization from peer groups. The textbook (Sociology: A Brief Introduction) says that "gender differences are noteworthy. The two groups named many of the same paths to popularity but gave them a different order of importance. While neither men nor women named sexual activity, drug use, or alcohol use as one of the top five paths, college men were much more likely than women to mention those behaviors as a means to becoming popular, for both boys and girls."

The point is that the way males are socialized makes men believe in different paths to popularity than women.

My brother pointed out physical attractiveness isn't present in the top five paths that college men think make high school boys popular.

Dumb Problems... Also, Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July to all my fellow Americans!

So let me explain myself. My brother came back from good old Buenos Aires, Argentina, safe and sound. He came bearing gifts: a board game, a yerba mate gourd and a book of urban legends of Buenos Aires. I love urban legends! I would show you these except my brother LOST MY CAMERA in Iguazu Falls. He should have gotten me more presents.

To make things worse, I lost the memory card to my cellphone so now I can't even upload those pictures.

What is blogger without a camera? A writer. So I shall write.

I can't genuinely say I am happy that it is Independence Day. I don't feel the pitter patter of my patriotic heart causing me to tear up. It's like any other holiday. I don't feel especially happy that it is Christmas either. Happiest time of the year, my butt. I am never happy.

Despite the fact that I, Independence Day Scrooge, can't feel much patriotism today, I do love America. I have so much I take for granted here. I am a short walking distance away from a grocery store. I have diverse friends. I am entitled basic human rights as a U.S. resident.

So I believe we as a country need to come together to fend off and destroy our evil enemies.

That's right, aliens. We have overlooked them for too long and it is time we take action.

Everyone, I hope your day is fabulous!

Finger puppets for Clara

2010-06-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

I showed my friends my latest finger puppets and they say that I've improved. What do you think? I think it's not really a matter of skill but rather the types of design. The designs have become more complicated. I'm about to elevate the sophistication of my puppets by making puppets of famous sociologists. I'm only in the designing stage right now. The problem is that I've never attempted to make a puppet with a beard, mustache and hair before. Sociologists have lots of facial hair...

The jacket for this on took a very long time. I think he's the coolest puppet I've done so far.

This puppet is dead. It has some sort of skin disease. My sister thought it looked like Spongebob Squarepants.

I hope you enjoyed them. I'll be sure to make more. I've been thinking about how to go about making hand puppets. Maybe I'll do them. Maybe.

2010-06-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

I had so many plans for summer but instead of changing the world and going on adventures I just stay inside and sit on my butt. It's not like i don't do anything. I just never realized how much WORK needed to be done. I have to take P.E. online, take a sociology class, study to take the SAT and ACT one last time, start my college applications, read my summer reading list, research colleges, and finish my community service projects. I feel trapped while everyone else in whole WORLD is playing in the beautiful weather.

Okay, so it's not THAT beautiful. It's too humid, too sunny, and there's too many mosquitoes. Still, despite all these things I'm determined to make this summer worthwhile. So here's the plan:

-Work out

-Watch movies

-Discover more music

-Read read read

-Try to cook

-Have some really crazy nights every now and then

-Go see a show

-KOREAN DRAMAS

-Go out with my friends

-Practice accordion and cello

-Make finger puppets

-Make sure my sister has a lot of fun this summer as well

-Volunteer

-Write

I'm also thinking about changing the layout of this blog. It's a little to cute and childish.

I've had this plan since summer vacation started but it still feels like I'm doing nothing. I mean, I'm already working on a few of these things already but it doesn't feel like I'm accomplishing anything. I feel like I'm standing still. What exactly is it that I'm looking for here? What do I really want from this summer?

Summer in Miami

2010-06-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

It's summer and despite the tremendous humidity, I am loving it.

This is one of the more bizarre flowers I've seen.

I was walking home after my haircut when I met this guy. He's huge!

No Camera

2010-06-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

My brother took my camera to Argentina. That thing that connects my cell to my computer is lost. My brother left me his crappy camera without giving me that connecty thing. My dog ate my homework.

A blogger without a camera is an elephant without a nose. I mean, I'm supposed to WRITE stuff? Outrageous!

So here is a fun little assignment I had to write in school. The assignment was to write a 750 word essay about any six seconds. Although the beginning is somewhat dull, it picks up towards the end.

Time slows down the six seconds of mental preparation I take prior to my battle. I face the daunting, endless, white expanse of emptiness. The blue and red lines break it up, a pathetic attempt to make this harsh vastness orderly and manageable and it’s as reassuring as a consolation prize. I once believed that I would be victorious if I just slashed between enough of the blue and red lines but I won’t be fooled this time. It has nothing to do with how many stabs one takes at this beast. Instead, it has everything to do with how one goes about stabbing this beast. It’s freakish, wide eyes glare into the very core of my existence. I am judged before I even make the attack. My opponent has defeated people far greater and stronger than me. On some rare conditions it may have seemed that the warriors were victorious, but they would lose their wars eventually. Insanity and sadness would take them out. The more I look at it, the more I want to look away. Somehow, I am supposed to press my will into this horrid being and make it into an extension of my character. Somehow, I am supposed to slaughter this beast with my all. Somehow, I am supposed to fill the void with only my own consciousness. I fumble my weapon nervously. I’m not sure it can be done. I’m just not sure.

The distractions are endless. Restlessness stirs in the air. “Justin Beiber” and “salivation”, meaningless words thrown into the air bounce off my head and float into the cosmos but some are trapped by the gravity of my head and orbit around me. They bump into my head as they orbit around it, nagging me, inviting me. There are so many words and all of them are meaningless yet they are spewed so enthusiastically. Chess battles rage in the distance. Matthew Hersman quacks like a duck. They are all mocking me. It’s extremely clear now that this is a fight that I will be fighting alone. The distractions pull me toward the others, so I can immerse myself in their meaninglessness. I refuse to listen to the tugging distractions however, no matter how obnoxiously Matthew Hersman quacks. I pity the others. Soon, they will face the same fight as me. This thought brings a smug smile to my face.

I am a fierce warrior. I have been training how to fight these battles since I was six. Succumbing to distractions is a sign of weakness and lack of skill. I am stronger and better than ever before. I will rip this stillness inside me and fill that abyss with my entirety. I will wrestle that beast with my bear hands and kill it like Samson and Hercules killed those lions. I can do this! I can do this! The task before me is a perilous journey that deserves an epic like the Odyssey. Future generations will see my work and aspire to be just like me. The corpse of my enemy will be put on display as a piece of art. Those big names before me have nothing on me. Never before has so much talent and humbleness collided into a single being. All the uncertainty and anxiety from before has evaporated by the fiery heat of my intensity. I am Lucia Lee- no, Lucia Cristina Lee, Child of Destiny, Master of Fate.

So what is at stake here? Since future generations will tell stories about me, my reputation will be on the line here. I suppose my future itself will be altered by this task, considering how famous I will be as soon as I finish my magnificent work. The wondrous work of my hands will inspire the world to bring about world peace. Piece of cake.

All this preparation is tiring me out. Maybe I should, uh, give it some time. I mean, I should eat and take nap before changing the world. It only makes sense. No, no. I need to focus here. I have the concentration of a ninja. Hey, I like pandas. They’re the least intimidating of all the bears. Wait, no! Concentrate.

I breathe in and breathe out and gather my thoughts. This is it. I, Lucia Cristina Lee, Child of Destiny, Master of Fate, will overcome. It’s time to change the world. I grab my pen-sword and raise it above my head. With a battle cry worthy of a Spartan, I plunge into my essay.

You like big butts and I cannot lie

2010-04-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, apparently I am five years old because I found this hilarious.

I lied in my previous post. Although I said I am back and that I will start blogging regularly again, I'm sorry to say that I can't guarantee anything: I have AP exams (five of them!) and SATs (boo) and ACT(hisss) and projects(poop) and finals(fascism!). Hopefully, I'll start blogging with a fixed schedule during summer vacation.

Lego Jungle Fever

2010-04-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

I saw this in Disney World. Did they make a conscious effort to diversify their Legos? Aren't they all usually yellow? It's cute nonetheless.

Felt Hair Accessories and Finger Puppets

2010-04-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Remember back in September when I made eyes for my backpack? I've been making stuff out of felt since then and now I finally get to share it with you. I learned the basics of sewing and stuff from the book I mentioned in my September post and then I strayed from it and made finger puppets. What do you think?

It's an owl, not a penguin!

I didn't realize how much this looked like Mr. Peanut until it was too late.

This one reminds me of one of my friends.

I borrowed this idea from etsy.com. The baby bunny in the pouch makes as much sense as a flying slug, but I couldn't help it.

Which one is your favorite?

If I make more, I'll be sure to post them.

I'm back

2010-04-15T18:11:00.000-07:00

I've been neglecting the blog, I know. Hey, but I'm back. I'll be putting up some really cute stuff in a day or two.

The main purpose of this brief post is to let you know that Evita Nuh is having a giveaway. It ends April 17 though. Go check it out now. Hopefully, you could win something really cute.

Until next time,

buh-bye~

lovesick

2010-01-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

Dear, I wrote you a song
Despite the fact, you did me wrong
And dear, I don't know what the hell is going on with you
But something ain't right
You tell me that you love me, then you go and leave me
Why you do this to me baby?
I'm lovesick
I just can't sleep, just can't eat
Can't do much of anything at all
'Cause I'm sick and in love with you, dear

And dear, I wrote you a song
In hopes that you would sing along
And dear, I've been working my ass off for you,
'Cause something ain't right

You tell me that you love me, then you go and leave me
Why you do this to me baby?
I'm lovesick
I just can't eat, just cant sleep
Can't do much of anything at all
'Cause im sick and in love with you, dear

<3

I'm not sure what's going on with the cowboy hat, but I love the song anyway.

Accordion Covers Make Me Smile

2010-01-07T20:47:00.001-08:00

A cover of Katy Perry's Hot and Cold with a sort of polka twist.

Scott Dunbar performs Billie Jean with a funky beat.

Ohbijou

2009-12-18T20:55:00.000-08:00

Their album, Beacons, has been on repeat in my mp3 for a few weeks now.

http://www.myspace.com/ohbijou

http://www.ohbijou.com/

2009-12-18T20:38:00.000-08:00

Up

2009-12-18T20:05:00.000-08:00

Russell was partly based on Peter Sohn, a Pixar animator.

Insensitivity at Party City

2009-11-26T04:15:00.001-08:00

Apparently, this shitty mustache makes you a Chinese citizen.

Shoes

2009-10-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. School work and laziness overwhelms my schedule. When it's been a long day and I feel like I've been trampled by a herd of elephants on stilettos, these shoes make my day.

The painting tells the story of a lonely Martian who dreams of going to Earth, only to be disappointed when it discovers that Earth is covered with buildings.

Great shoes take you to great places.

My oldest biffle painted them and gave it to me for my sixteenth birthday. Isn't she awesome? Yes, yes she is.

The First Person to Live

2009-10-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

I recently found out that my little sister has a very limited knowledge of bible stories. So I quizzed her.

Me: Who was the first person to live?

Rachel: Tarzan!

Inspiration

2009-09-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Dirty School

2009-09-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Our school is absolutely filthy and I have proof.

Exhibit A:

Yes, that is a tampon on that tree. There's nothing funny about feminine hygene products as decoration.

Exhibit B:

Was this the result of pre-making out clumsy eagerness? Or a poor soul whose orthodontic device was knocked out of his or her mouth by the rough jostling of the student traffic? Either way it's gross.

Exhibit C:

This looks like a scene from a horror movie.

Be grateful that I spared you from pictures of the bathroom.

Kurt Hummel in Glee

2009-09-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

I won't even try to lie. I am obsessed with Glee. One tiny thing out of the many reasons why I love Glee is Kurt Hummel(played by Chris Colfer, who I admire very much as well) and his ridiculously fabulous wardrobe. I promise I won't go into a long-winded essay about why this show is amazing. I know the essay on why iCarly is terrible was more than you could handle. Still, expect a brief post on Glee by the end of the season.

In case you don't know, you can watch all episodes of Glee online on Hulu or Fox.

The show is Wednesdays 9/8 c.

Backpack

2009-09-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

My newest obsession is making Aranzi Aronzo accesories. I'll show you my cute hairbands and hairclip as soon as I finish making all of them.

Anyway, I was swept away in this frenzy of making incredible cuteness when I got an idea.

I put eyes on my plain and boring book bag! Now no one can steal from it without the eyes baring down on the thief. I named it Zip.

My dad doesn't like it though. He says it looks like something a kindergartener would wear. Dora the Explorer has a similar backpack, so I wouldn't be suprised.

Um...

2009-08-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

I was desperately flipping through my biology text book today, when I found a question written in the margin:

Are you regretting taking AP Bio yet?

...not a good sign

Daytona Beach

2009-08-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

Do you like my new layout?

Is it super cute? Is it too much pizzazz? Do all the bright colors make you feel like throwing up? Is it so cute that you don't want to be caught reading it and accused of not being manly enough? How about the moose, what's up with that? Please give me some feedback or I'll keep asking questions.

So here are some pics from my vacation.

How awesome is this octopus sculpture? I'm sorry I couldn't get a closer shot. I didn't feel like being an obnoxious tourist, so I became a stalker and shot the picture from my balcony instead.

The Lighthouse

The stairs steeply spiraled endlessly and it was so hot in there. One of the lighthouse keepers died of a heart attack. No, not while we were there.

This was taken while I was in the lighthouse.

uniforms

They don't make contraptions so cool anymore.

My Funny Little Sister

2009-08-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

I went on a trip to Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. It was alright, but you don't care about that. So I'll go straight to the topic du jour.

I have this little sister Rachel. She is small and very funny.

___

My brother and sister were teaming up to bother me.

Me: I hate you!

Rachel: [sobbing with her face buried on my brother's arm]

Me: What's wrong?

David: Why are you crying?

Rachel: [crying] Onni says she hates us.

Me: [comforting her] I didn't mean it. Don't cry.

Rachel: [sits up abruptly and smiles] That's what I call fake crying!

____

One day she was looking at a picture of herself dressed up as a mermaid in Halloween. This is a picture taken when she was five years old and in Kidergarten. She is six now and will be going into the first grade.

Rachel: [sighing] My life, my school... I miss it so much. I'm an old lady.

____

Me: Hey Rachel, do you want to be an actress?

Rachel: No I want to be rich.

____

Thanks to Radical Em in South Korea for giving me the idea for this post.

Old School Cartoons!

2009-08-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

I'm scrambling to get ready for school. This year is my junior year so I'm going to suffer. I'm apologizing ahead of time for all the writing I won't be able to do. Sorry.

So what have I done to make this summer worthwhile? I'm no Phineas or Ferb, but I read as many books as I could and I watched as many movies as I could get my hands on. I had to start studying for the SATs. I volunteered at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. (That's a mouthful.) I also started working on my community service project. It's really neat and I can't wait until it finally happens. My friend and I are making a children's picture book. All profits wil go to charity. I'll give you the scoop as soon as I finish it.

And what summer would be complete without hours of mindless searching on the internet? For quite some time now, I've been attracted to old school cartoons. Do you remember these?

Pinky and the Brain

Animaniacs

Rocko's Modern Life

Rockos Modern Life Good Intro - Watch more Funny Videos

Hey Arnold

Speed Racer

Don't you love how the red car explodes like a nuclear bomb? This was before my generation, so I wasn't much of a Speed Racer fan.

Astro Boy

Astro Boy was before my time too.The differences between the two are stunning. The second one is rather bad-ass.

Doug

The Doug Intro

I remember the first intro better than the second. I like the song for the first better than the second too.

Dragonball

I don't remember this one so much. I was still in Argentina, so I guess I was watching it in Spanish.

Sailor Moon

I didn't post the English one because that's not the one I remember watching. I don't remember much about Sailor Moon.

Cow and Chicken

I remember watching this show with my brother.

Stimpy and Ren

Video Games | Ren and Stimpy intro

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

This show looked gross. The only thing I remember about it is when they danced to the song "Happy Happy Joy Joy".

My obssession with Yann Tiersen

2009-07-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

There's a funny reason why I have neglected this blog. Actually, two.

First reason: no one reads it anyway.

Second reason: My dad accidentally set off the alarm in our house. The alarm was from the previous tenant, so we didn't know the code required to shut off the alarm. My dad thought he heard a speaker on the outside of the house, so he went out and snipped a wire which cut off our phone line and internet. The alarm was stopped eventually.

I watched Amelie a month ago and I fell in love. I love the movie, its characters and the music. Yann Tiersen is the man responsiblefor the music. His sweet accordion melodies make me swoon and his typewriter and toy piano delight me. I play this music all the time and pretend that I'm a cute and quirky French girl at a cafe, wearing a beret with my collection of objet trouve. Okay, that last part isn't true. I just said it because it rhymed.

Yann Tiersen was also the man behind the music of "Goodbye Lenin". According to my European History teacher, it's a great movie. She never commented on the music though. It's probably because she was focusing on the historical plausability of the story instead.

Look, the man is a genius. See for yourself.

Oh my readers, that's not all I have for you today. While looking through Yann Tiersen's stuff online I came a cross another charming man called Dave Thomas. His Yann Tiersen covers are great, but what he's got going for himself is better. You may recognize his music from LORICK. Have a listen.

I know what I want for Christmas and New Years'. I want Yann Tiersen.

Nellie Mckay

2009-06-12T16:14:00.001-07:00

Nellie Mckay is one of my favorite people in the world and my role model. Her witty lyrics speak out for feminism, animal rights and so much more.

In this video clip she sings the funny "Mother of Pearl" and the beautiful "If I Had You".

This clip is her powerful performance of "Sari" at the late late show.

I enjoy her attitude and stage presence. I would love to meet her.

The Guitar

2009-05-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

Jake Shimabukuro and Tommy Emmanuel are playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

Rodrigo y Gabriela playing "Diablo Rojo."

Justin King is playing "Phunkdified".

Five Sisters

2009-05-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

I paid a visit to a neat little shop called Five Sisters to find something unique for my friend's birhtday. I hit the jackpot. This store is loaded with all sorts of unique things. It's like a spiritual, ethnic, New Age store. They have books on religion, necklaces made from reused material, statues, incense, instruments, and many more interesting things. I spent nearly an hour finding the gift because there were so many good gifts to choose from.

What a pretty bag!

She gave me this bracelet and some incense after I told her I was looking for a present. She was so nice.

I finally decided to get my friend this instrument. She loved it.

If you're in Miami, the store is definitely worth checking out.

12265 South Dixie Highway

(305)251-9642

http://www.fivesisters.biz/

Men and Style

2009-05-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

The main problem is that guys don't have as many options as girls do. Women can wear pants, skirts, dresses, leggings, purses, high heels, sneakers and strappy sandals but men are limited to a few items. There's only so much one can do with so little options. Still, well-dressed guys exist. They don't have to be gay or flamboyant or a youngster to be well dressed.

Here, Bill Cunningham explores menswear on the streets.

Even though men's style evolves at a very slow pace, I have noticed two trends that are quite popular.

Dandy

Dandy has existed for decades, but it's making a come back with the recent rise in top hats, bowlers, bowties and such. The point is to look as dapper and spiffy as possible. This is the men's version of dressing up but it's updated and given a fresh new twist.

dashing and adorable

Indie/Hipster

This style is a mix of assorted years and styles. In a way it is partly dandy because many hipsters don dandy accessories, such as the bowler hat, the fedora, the bowtie and the skinny tie. This style includes retro items such as the hippie headbands and the wingtip shoes. Many pair ultra skinny pants with big, colorful shirts. Doc Martens and wayfarer glasses have also made a comeback through this trend. This trend redefines the man silhouette, with slim fitting clothes. The resulting form is androgynous. In the wrong hands, this style can look trashy.

Here is an example of the rolled up pants and boat shoes. Others wear combination with oxford shoes.

a mix of dandy and hipster

big shirt, skinny jeans

layers

This outfit is teetering between stylish and trashy. Beware.

One doesn't have to follow these trends to be stylish though. It's best to wear something simple and well fitted. You can throw in a few trendy things into the outfit, but don't forget to throw in something original as well. It's important not to follow trends blindly.

a classy look

Outfits

2009-05-22T21:05:00.001-07:00

This outfit's not that complicated. I was a apprehensive about posting this picture. It makes me feel self conscious. :P I really like the picture though.

This is just the outfit from the last photo I put up. I liked how put together and preppy it felt.I was feeling retro that day so the jewelry is all vintage. (By vintage, I mean that I stole it from my mom. :P) Those pink shoes are the Coach shoes I bought from the Recycled Closet for $30. (See http://searchforawesome.blogspot.com/2009/04/recycled-closet.html . )

iCan't Stand iCarly

2009-05-17T16:49:00.000-07:00

Not only is it a mediocre show with poor writing and bad acting, but iCarly sends out a bad message to young kids.

In the show, best friends Carly and the tough and gross Sam (short for Samantha, I assume) do live webshows that are supposed to be funny while their pathetic friend Fred, who is one of the many boys who have a crush on Carly, produces the show. Their brand of humor is totally random and nonsensical. If you're into that kind of stuff, great. But I feel like it's just weirdness for the sake of being weird. They have a segment called "Random Dancing" in which they just dance randomly as the name implies. How is that funny? Maybe if they danced in a funny way it would be entertaining. Maybe if they dance well it would be entertaining. They also have stupid skits. One was about some sort of space cheerleader. Another was about a girl who thinks a guy's mustache is a squirrel.

I would be okay with all the weirdness if my sister weren't copying everything she watches on T.V. She's like a parrot. I caught her repeating lines from a J.G. Wentworth (a company that gives out loans) commercial. "It's my money and I want it now!"

Let's start with the name of the show. Why are they promoting Apple?

What really ticks me off is how these weirdos make fun of people who are just as weird as they are. Spencer's (Carly's older brother and guardian) strange antics include owning a ostrich, owning a collection of crazy socks, swimming in a giant coffee cup and making tacos filled with spaghetti. Sam has bad hygene, violent tendencies and a mother who neglects her. Fred is a mama's boy, a geek with a crazy, overbearing mother. Yet when a chubby kid takes off his shirt and dances around, they all run out of the restaurant because they are weirded out. I feel bad for the kid who plays the chubby kid, Gibby, because the writers make him take off his shirt frequently. I can't believe they would exploit his physique like that. That boy may have self-esteem issues later on in his life.

Another instance is when they have freakshow segments on their show. Once they had a little kid come and drink blended food. I think it was a spaghetti smoothie. The "freaks" are treated with as much respect as those "freaks" exploited in the circus.

In one episode Carly dates a bad boy with a pretty face. The fact that my sister watches this pubescent girl suck face with a delinquent makes me want to bang my head on the keyboard repeatedly. Carly is attracted to bad boys. Then she starts sneaking around to make out with him. Are we still talking about a kids' show here? Then, when she finds out that he is an avid collecter of pee wee babies, she dumps him. I mean, just because he has an unmanly hobby? Just because it's weird? Thanks for teaching my sister how to be shallow and a hypocrite at the same time, Nickelodeon.

The fact that a show about a web show doesn't explore issues with internet safety is unsettling. Wouldn't Carly regret posting videos of herself sticking things up her nose while wearing a coconut bra a few years from now when she needs a job?

What do you think about iCarly and other recent TV shows?

HATS

2009-05-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

I've spent the whole morning being fascinated by hats. I know. This is very sad. But my morning hasn't all gone to waste! I found this amazing website called Hats in the Belfry.

Check it out:

http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/

I've always wanted a beret, but I never got one. I guess it's just not one of my priorities.

I want to wear this hat with a loose guayabera shirt. Or with a tight striped shirt, steering a gondola. Ha.

This has to be one of the cutest cloche hats I've ever seen.

Aren't these neat? The black one looks like it belongs in a noir film on the head of the femme fatale.

Bowler hat

Top hat

This is another hat I want. I don't have a yacht and I don't go on boats frequently, but I want to look like I do.

They have an assortment of fun hats too, like this British pith helmet...

and this top hat that looks like it belongs to the Mad Hatter...

and this Turkish fez...

and this beanie.

You can find all these hats at Hats in the Belfry.

It's been fun doing this, but I really should get to work now. I don't want to waste my entire Saturday like this. I hope your Saturday is lovely!

Light

2009-05-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

AP Exams have finished!!!!!

I feel relieved. Too bad finals are in less than a week. Blegh.

Well, I still have time for a quick post. I've been experimenting with indoor light. It's a nice change because all my previous pictures were outdoor pictures.

Yes, that is my little sister in her Tae Kwon Do uniform.

Let me know what you think please, even if it is critcism.

La La Land and Sonny with a Chance

2009-04-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

I just realized something. It's not profound or anything. I was watching Demi Lovato's music video, La La Land, when I realized that many of the people in the music video are main characters in the T.V. show, Sonny with a Chance. I don't know why I found it so cool. Maybe it's because I'm so proud of myself for spotting it.

Can you spot it?

I think Demi Lovato is a great singer. Sure, she's all glossy and micky mouse and prepackaged, but I can't deny that she has talent. I just hate how in La La Land she has to sing "mach-aaa-ine" to rhyme.

I won't be able to blog regularly due to the AP exams and finals. Just letting the two people who will read this know. ;)

Just a Quick Post

2009-04-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

I have a major European history test tomorrow on the 20th century. I am frightened. Therefore, naturally, I am putting off studying and blogging instead.

I haven't blogged for a week. School does that.

Here's a pretty skirt I wore a few days ago. The shots, as is the trend nowadays, are terrible. A six-year-old was the photographer. I promise that next time the shots will be much better. Want to know how I can say that with such confidence? I've already taken the shots today in an effort to drive myself further into denial about the test tomorrow. I experimented a little with the photography and they came out quite nicely.

This one is the only photo here that was shot by my sister. It's not bad for a six-year-old, right? She went all artistic with the angle though.

I am really turned off by certain gladiator shoes. They can be so ugly. But these were actually sort of cute. I like the strappiness of gladiator shoes. I also like the ones that cling around the ankles.

Still, they're not shoes that should be worn everyday. They provide no support whatsoever and they are very flimsy. I am somewhat of a klutz, so my poor toes have been stepped on and jammed into doors a few times already.

So... I've heard three people from my school have discovered my blog. It's kind of embarassing, that's why I never mentioned it. I thought I would tell friends about it after I developed it some more, but oh well. More blog traffic is always good, right?

I really should get going now...

I found a very cool store on the same day I wore this skirt. I'll post about it tomorrow, if I don't die or lose sanity from the test that is. Wish me luck. Wait, no, no. Wish me motivation.

The Recycled Closet

2009-04-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

Some friends and I went to this really neat "consignment boutique for teenagers and young adults" called The Recycled Closet. We found some really cute stuff there. I managed to find Coach shoes for $30 dollars!

I apologize ahead of time for the crappy pictures (I was enjoying myself too much to take some serious pictures), but you can still tell that the store is pretty neat.

Do you see those pink shoes on the bottom right shelf? They are also Coach shoes that are being sold for thirty dollars. Honestly, the ones I bought are nicer. I'll show you a picture of them very soon.

How awesome is the dressing room lighting?

These are the pictures that didn't come out so well. Sorry, but I think they capture the gist of what one might find in this store.

Yuck, I look gross in this picture. But there is no denying that the shirt is pretty.

What good is a consignment store if you can't have fun? We found some fun and goofy stuff too.

cowboy jacket :]

Stonewashed skirt-alls remind me of the '90s in a good way.

Like what you see? If you're around the area you can check it out. It's across the Falls mall:

13843 South Dixie Highway, Miami, FL 33176

It's a bit hard to find. You can reach them at:

(305)233-6744

They also have a website:

http://www.therecycledcloset.com/

At this point I'm worried that my blog appeals only to girls. I really hope not. Next time, I'll write about something everyone can appreciate. And next time I do something fashion related, I'll include guy's fashion as well. Contrary to popular belief there is more to men's fashion that a shirt and jeans. I'll explain.

Outfit on April Fools'

2009-04-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post on an outfit I liked.

It's super chill, but fun. This outfit basically cost me nothing. I just threw together a few old things. I feel like it's totally unnecessary to put lots of time, effort and money into outfits. Take a chill approach and the resulting outfit will look chill and effortless.

I actually stole this old, baggy shirt from my Dad. haha The necklace is an old friendship necklace. You can't really see it well in this picture, but it has a heart locket and a key charm.

This is an old pin I've had since childhood.

These are my ugly shoes. They're nice and rugged.

Rocket Science

2009-04-04T15:46:00.001-07:00

This movie is the movie I've been saying I will write a review about for a whole week now.

"Rocket Science" is a quirky and unpredictable coming-of-age story about a boy with disfluency. (He stutters.) Hall Hefner, played by Reece Daniel Thomspon, the boy who stutters, joins the debate team to be with Ginny(Anna Kendrick), the competitive star of the debate team. who he has a crush on. Each twist and turn of the movie is unpredictable and the comedy along the way is subtle and hilarious at the same time.

It is beautifully written and directed by Jeffrey Blitz, the same person responsible for the fascinating documentary about the spelling bee, "Spellbound". He also wrote for "The Office".

I don't think the movie should be rated R. The reason it's R is because Hal gets drunk at one point and there are references to sex at times.

They picked all the right songs and played them in all the right times. The Violent Femmes and their angsty sound went perfectly with everything Hal Hefner was going through. Eef Barzelay's "I Love the Unknown" is just as profound as the movie.

You can purchase the DVD here:

http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Science-Lisbeth-Bartlett/dp/B000YEROYC

The DVD is expensive, I know. I would post the movie up here if I could, but I don't want to break any rules. Plus, it takes forever to upload it. I wish i could guys. I mean, no one really reads my blog anyways, so who would care? I bet I would have taken it off soon anyway.

This situation is frustrating.

The Dangers of Local Warming

2009-04-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of lazy right now because spring break just started. So instead of a proper post, I thought I would just show you this video. If you're frightened of global warming, wait until you hear about local warming. ( I advise male readers to pay extra attention.) Enjoy.

I will post a proper post by Sunday. For those of you who saw the video, did you see AL Gore? lol.

Stop the R-word campaign

2009-03-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

Wow, I look really shiny in this picture, but whatever. This is what i wore today. I got the jacket at Forever21 a while ago.

I just wanted to show the detail on my shirt. The shirt is from Lulumari.

Anyway, there was this rally at school today. It was to raise sensitivity and stop the use of "retard" in all forms of speech. I was impressed at how well the rally was done. They somehow made our crappy sound system work well. You can actually see all of the rally online:

Part 1:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28114/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-1

Part 2:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28116/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-2

Part 3:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28118/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-3

Part 4:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/28127/Palmetto-Spread-The-Word-Rally-Part-4

It was really inspiring. I didn't know that that word was so offensive because it's so commonly used. I encourage everyone to stop using that word so lightly. It's insulting. Please take the time to learn more:

http://www2.schooltube.com/Partners/SpecialOlympics.aspx

http://www.r-word.org/

It says: "SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD".
Edward Barbanell, who plays Billy, Johnny Knoxvilles' roommate, in "The Ringer", came to talk to us. He read us a rap. He's hilarious and cute. Watch part 2 if you want to hear what he said. The RInger is a camedy about a man who fixes the Special Olympics and pretends to be intellectually disabled. Form the clips I've seen, it's hilarious. If I ever see the movie, I'll be sure to do a thorough review.

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/theringer/

Swimming champion Andy Miyares also talked to us. You can see him in Part 3.

You can register to volunteer if you are in Miami Dade at:

http://somdc.org/home/

You can join the Fan Community for the Special Olympics at:

http://www.specialolympics.org/community/index.html

I know, I know, I'm probably smothering all of you with all my goody-goodness. I'll stop. I just hope I got the point across. I said I would write a movie review on Monday, but I'll have to do it later. I have homework to do.

So...

2009-03-29T13:49:00.001-07:00

I got my license. I didn't post earlier because my computer was acting buggy. This was my first ride without an adult.

I found a place that looked very Zen, so i asked my little sister to take this picture for me.

I also got to change my room up a bit. I got my brother's QUEEN-sized bed. I slept like a baby yesterday.

I put up my family's cheap Christmas lights on my closet door for the heck of it. It turned out much neater than expected.

I got my brother's old classical guitar. I'm trying to learn a song right now. If I ever get good enough I'll post it up for you.

A punching bag. It does wonders for stress but I haven't been using it lately.

Another item I recieved when my brother left for college. It's my baby. I just wished I had a prettier place to put it.

I noticed that I have an excess of knick knacks. I can't throw them away because they're all gifts.
My friend made those stars for me.
My dad got it for me. He just brought it home one day just for the heck of it.
A kid from elementary school got it for me from China. I don't look like an asian female version of Cartmen, do I?
My good friend got this in Engalnd. It unfolds to reveal more pictures.

My friend gave it to me for my 16th birthday. It's called Jeero. Isn't it adorable?

I don't even need most of this stuff anyway. I feel so materialistic when I think of all things I have that I just can't let go of. Like my books. You only read them once anyway, right? I started going to the library instead of buying books. I feel less guilty now.

It's not just me though. This sort of materialistic attitude is perpetuated through American culture. How many times have we heard that our clothes, and materials reflect who we are. I refuse to be tied down to a first impression because of my possessions. Buy this, because you need to prove you are unique. Get this, because everyone else is wearing it. Screw you. I don't need to buy your crap to be who I am. Don't tell me what to buy. I'll buy what I need to.

Buy what you want and need. Well... that's what I try to do.

Compensation?

2009-03-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

I have, in my lack of posting the past days, compiled a bunch of content. So to the nonexistant readers of my blog, this is compensation for neglecting you. I have a bunch of new bands to show you.

Also, I think I want to move my postings from pretty much exclusively about music to a variety of topics. Fashion, design, music, books, movies. I'll be bombarding you for the next few days.

I've been busy lately, but things will lighten up very soon. Spring break is coming up and I have a three day weekend this week. Also, my school musical finished, so that's a whole chunk of time right there I can use. I didn't act, I played in the pit orchestra which is kind of grueling and awarding in its own very special ways. I play the cello. Am I not the coolest? ugh.

So, I'll be posting up some stuff tomorrow. Or today? It's 12 already? Time flies when one's not in school. Seriously.

I feel cheated when I'm in school. I love the fact that I can recieve public education, but I feel like I'm not getting as good of an education as I could. I'm pretty sure this is going on in other places as well, but here in Miami we're having serious funding shortages due to very bad decisions made up top.

The budget cuts are so bad that our teachers were forced to give out extra credit for buying paper for them. The budget cuts are so bad that our district seriously considered four day school weeks and longer school days to save gas for the buses. It would also reduce afterschool activities and thus save more money. The budget cuts are so bad that we have to end the school year early because we don't have enough money to kepp our schools running. It's like a bad yo momma joke that never runs out.

It's not just that though. The system through which teachers are rewarded is faulty. Teachers are given raises based on how long they teach. Which is ridiculous. They should be given raises based on how good they are. I also think that the standard for teachers should be raised. teaching is not a job that people should just fall back on. Education is a fundamental pillar to our democratic society. Our futures depend on these people. They should be given more than their current meager salaries and the noose should be tightened on slacking teachers.

With all this crap going on in school, I don't think it's worth giving up my basic needs everyday to attend school. I lose sleep over school. I can't go to the bathroom when I need to. One can't possibly call a cafeteria lunch nutritious. Okay, so I'm being dramatic. But you get the point, I hope. With all this crap going on, a rebellious, hormone-driven, irrational teenager is just prone to skip class and not put as much effort into school. So everyone loses in this situation. Everyone except those monkeys up on top.

Sorry. I kind of ran off on a tangent and ranted.

You know what? I take it back. Ranting is what blogs were made for.

I gots ta go. I have a big day ahead of me. I'm getting my license tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Possibly the cutest song in the world!

2009-03-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

5 Years Time(Sun Sun Sun) is so cute. The song is by the British band Noah and the Whale. The things that are sung about are pleasant(love, laghter, the sun). As the song progresses I can't help but smile and proceed to say "awww!" It's that adorable. The song is so good that it was chosen as number 14 of Spinner's "Best Songs of 2008".

http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale

Young Love

2009-03-09T15:11:00.001-07:00

I found this delightful band called Young Love. Check them out. Start by listening to Discotech. They are catchy, fresh and danceable rock. You can see what I mean in the hilarious music video for "Find a New Way".

http://www.myspace.com/younglove

video mentioned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Btj6GDGoc8&feature=related