Yosemite, California is one of my favorite places. I went this weekend, had an awesome time hiking and taking it all in. This place is beautiful, seriously… no photos can really show it— you just have to go and experience Yosemite for yourself. I went 4 months ago during winter but had a better time this time around because of its springtime beauty and the company of my amazing friends. It was a little overcast and rainy yesterday but still wonderful. Hope all of you get to go someday.

This is one of the reasons why I love living in California. We have the beach down south, but I really love Nor Cal for having San Francisco, Yosemite, Tahoe, and other parks 2-4 hours away. I’m extremely grateful that I got to grow up here.

— “How’s life?”
 Oh, it’s going. Yeah… there’s only so much I would write in a blog post.

Just spending the last few weeks left with my college friends and trying to make the best of it. It’s amazing how I’m still good friends with people I met during my first year here, at the dorms. If I had decided not to come to Davis or if I were placed in another set of dorms… my life today, without these people, wouldn’t be the same. I don’t think a lot of people could say they had the dorm experience I had. Though we’re all still in contact/hang out most of the time, we have our different set of friends… I decided to have one last ‘floor’ get together at my apartment before we graduate and move on to the rest of our lives. Champagne jello shots with mango and berries… bruschetta made by my roommate… brie & crackers… bottles of wine brought by my guests… it was definitely a celebration of our friendship. It was great catching up with them.

Besides that, I’m taking a web design class (which I find useful) & a commercial interiors class (which is out of my comfort zone, but they weren’t offering other graphic design classes). I’m learning though. My side projects and jobs have been slowing down. I did some graphic work for TEDxUCDavis (and that passed) and my term is almost over with the Entertainment Council. I’m probably going to take a break from working at my student assistant job until I go back in September and focus more on school and doing whatever makes me happy (cherish days with friends and taking a mental break). I have to look for housing in New York because in less than a month I’ll be moving there to take on an internship. New things are coming up. I hope to like what comes along, but for now I’m embracing the norm, familiar grounds, and the people that are close to me while they’re still around.

Warning: your clothes will smell like onions… if you decide to make French Onion soup. That’s what happened to me (but the soup turned out fine). Thank you, Julia Child for the delicious recipe.

College. And we’re making the best of it.

Instadventures. 

first row, left-right:
• Sugar Daddies’ (Davis) a scoop of fresh lavender pollen with honey & a scoop of matcha green tea with sesame & almond. I would definitely recommend the lavender & green tea ice cream to anyone who lives in Davis! The lavender might sound a little bizarre but be a little more adventurous and try it out. It wasn’t too overwhelming and it tasted great with the honey. The green tea ice cream beats the shit out of the ones from your grocery store’s freezers, I promise.
• my plant ‘Friend’, liquor chocolates, & diy dessert stands
• my headless self “ootd”

second row, left-right:
• davis weekends 
• $13.50 thrifted camel suede flats with pointed capped toes from Crossroads (Berkeley) 
• Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous (SF) ice cream shop. I got ‘banana foster’ and it did not disappoint!

third row, left-right:
• espresso at Mishka’s (Davis) - basically if you live in Davis and haven’t been here, you need to drop by
• Brody poopin’
• Seche Vite with OPI’s ‘I Eat Mainely Lobster’ - SV is the best topcoat EVER.

Most of you might notice that I can’t keep up with blogging regularly, my interest have shifted quite a bit the past year and yes- although I use the internet on a regular basis I don’t find myself looking at fashion/personal/random blogs anymore (not that I had a long list in the first place— maybe it’s a temporary thing, who really knows?). So… one would say that this is a half-assed attempt of updating my blog by posting Instagram photos (the very same ones you can see on the sidebar.. hah). Initially, I barely used this app but while I was in Europe I found it very useful to document little parts of my day when I had no time to take photos with my real camera, edit on the computer and all that work. I’ve been finding myself in the same position. I honestly don’t know how “well-known” bloggers can write posts regularly because with school, two jobs, extra curriculars, and weekends with my friends I’m finding this shit impossible to do. But thanks to my friends who do read my blog (and a few randoms and ‘anons’, still, I appreciate it!)

Blind samples turned into party garlands! What an easy (and cheap) project… you can buy these samples for 1¢ each at the Aggie ReStore.

Me.

Another quarter done & adulthood is creepin’ on me. But seriously. Some of my friends just finished their final quarter, took the last classes of their lives (after 16 years of going to school— what now?), some are currently getting accepted/rejected to grad schools all over the nation, some are taking a year off after undergrad and most of us go: “uhh… yeah, I’m looking for a job or.. hmm I don’t really know yet”. 

But you know what? The school year isn’t over yet so we’ll all just make the best of it. Maybe I’m feeling too optimistic right now, but whatever the future has in store for all of us— I know we’re all going to be okay, eventually. We’ll remain friends with those we truly connect with (even if we see them every week or every 5 years) and lose contact with others. That’s just how it goes! 

I felt studious, productive, and somewhat motivated during winter — I honestly don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon (umm.. except for now. It is spring break after all and I’m hibernating). I’m taking advantage of what UC Davis/Davis/my friends have to offer while I’m still here. YOLO.

But seriously.

BISOUS

Happy birthday to my favorite little bunny in the world! Brody turns two years old today.

This necklace charm cost me less than 10¢. But seriously! I volunteer for the Aggie ReStore and I got the materials from there.

My Red Velvet attempt. I made cupcakes a few days ago and here’s one of them. I rarely bake. I would do this more often if I had all the money in the world. When I say I “bake” anything, I don’t mean making baked goods using boxed ingredients and slapping store bought icing on it… I honestly feel like that’s hardly baking. Yeah, you put yellow cake/funfetti/whatever batter in the oven to “bake” but a real baking process to me is to bake from scratch: gather separate ingredients and mix them together to create something. I’m not implying that baking from scratch means you’ll create something delicious either.. No. Not at all. The point is, “baking”, to me is just the effort that goes into it— experimenting, playing with recipes, and all the work that goes beyond premixed/premade ingredients.

So… Was I happy with the way this Red Velvet cupcake turned out? Ehh. Meeh. Not so much. I sifted the flour just fine, unlike the last two times I made red velvet. Next time I’m adding more cocoa powder and using actual red dye (I only had pink for this one). I’ve made better cream cheese frosting in the past… this one tasted too buttery, and really off. But who cares? I ate most of it (and I suspect my roommates did too… unless I’m eating sleepwalking & sleepeating these days).

Ending the baking topic now. My sinuses have been acting up since last night, my headphones have disappeared, and I just burnt my tongue while drinking Thai tea. But it doesn’t really bother me. My mother visited me here in Davis yesterday & figured I was too lazy/busy to wash my sheets, so she brought me extra ones from home. Now I’m lying here in the dark on my freshly washed sheets and I’m about to go to bed with warm fuzzy feelings in my heart. The little things in life make up for things that bother me. Life’s alright! (but really though, this allergy/sinus thing is secretly and slowly killing me, I’m just pretending it doesn’t bother me :{ ).

photo credit: filippo fior / gorunway.com

MARCHESA Fall 2012 RTW. I am in love. This collection is elegant. I wish I could have seen this in person!

Yesterday in French class, we were talking about marriage. All for practice conversation’s sake. It went like this: Where do you want to get married? What kind of dress would you like? Je voudrais… uhm… je ne sais pas! But seriously. I don’t know. I have never thought about wedding things because I’m only 22 and I don’t plan to get married soon (and who really knows if I ever will.. ha).

But… Marchesa. You have made me think. I think for my wedding, I would like a Marchesa dress (a more subtle version than the RTW ones of course). Swoooon.

nyc: farmers market at union square, philadelphia: navy yard/urbn inc., a sleepy bay area at 6 AM

Last month, for three days, I found myself in the East Coast. It was a very brief trip, but I’m glad I at least got to have brunch in New York (Café Orlin at St. Marks Place, I’m dreaming about it right this second) and explore for a few hours. I really wanted to hit up a flea market like last time & find a faux-fur winter coat. I didn’t have time!

Can I be in two places at once? I love California, I love San Francisco, but I really like the New York City vibe. Oh well… Til we meet again!

WIWYYNBD (whatiworeyesterdayyeahnobigdeal). Because it’s been a while. I’m in love with these pair of socks I “borrowed” from my ex-roommate Alli one cold winter night (btw if you’re reading this I love it so much you may never get it back.) Bahahahaa.

Oh wait, one random thing: Today at the CoHo (coffee house) I asked for a sampler of the Tofu Tikka Masala & I actually really liked it but the guy infront of me took the last servings… GAAAA. I just remembered this sad part of my day, but other than that this has been one of the best winter yet (weather-wise & I guess life-wise). So happy it’s the 3 day weekend, hope everyone makes the best of it!