I turned in my final tonight, and I feel great. I have 3 weeks until summer semester starts...I better make the most of them! [This degree is gonna take me forever...I can only have care-free enjoyment in 3-5 week increments for the next 4 years.]
10. Get rid of lots of stuff.
9. Buy some stuff.
8. Learn how to make risotto.
7. Go jogging after work.
6. Trim my hair.
5. Shoot another roll of film.
4. Paint some new things for my walls.
3. Get a frozen yogurt from SpoonMe.
2. Rent movies I missed out on (Lars and the Real Girl, Becoming Jane, Penelope, August Rush).
1. Lay in the park and read.
[photo by me]
Monday, May 12, 2008
Top ten things I have planned for my 3 weeks between semesters
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Beach dreams
Shoot, these photos I just got developed from that disposable camera I took to Newport Beach last September are really making me crave summer. Well, summer as long as it involves a vacation.

Monday, May 5, 2008
• On a Monday
One morning I woke up to discover a little bird frantically flying around in my balcony room. I was frightened and didn't quite know how to handle the situation, but I finally was able to dash in and open a window, letting the bird, which must have squeezed in through a round hole meant for a cooler tube, fly back to freedom. Despite my confusion and fiercely pounding heart, I thought it was pretty special. I told Linda about it later that day, and she said that when a bird comes into your home, it means that something new is coming into your life.
I've been thinking about this all day because for the past two nights my sleep has been interrupted by the tiniest flutter of wings against my window. Wings of a creature trapped between the window and the curtain. I didn't want to get up in the dark to find out what it was and then have to let it out, opening my ground-floor window to the insecurity of the city night. I have forced myself to sleep for two nights, listening to the little flutter against the glass. This morning when the sun started to stream through my yellow curtains, I heard the sound again, and without even thinking, walked to my window and pulled back the curtain. With blurry eyes I regarded the moth, opened my window and let it leave. Then I returned to my bed for ten more minutes of fitful dreams.
A bird means new things; what does a moth mean? Something old?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
China Sunday • That red ring
I bought this ring in China one day when I was shopping at some outdoor Zichuan markets with my friend Chen. I decided I needed some Chinese jewelry for souvenirs, so I stopped at a ring stand to find some for my sisters and me. I picked three I liked, this red one for me and green ones for each of my sisters, and I asked how much. The seller told me 30 yuan for the three. That was the equivalent of just less than four dollars, so I was ready to happily hand over the money. Then Chen stopped me and said the man was charging me way too much, and started to barter with him. I wasn't confident enough in my bartering skills or my Chinese skills yet, so I just waited until Chen told me "the three for six yuan." I was a little incredulous but I bought them, and that's how I got three jade rings for about 75¢.
Friday, May 2, 2008
New photo endeavors
I feel kind of bad because on almost every post I refer you over to my flickr page, and you might be getting sick of it. But when I get a new hobby it becomes consuming for a while. And now! Since it's May, I'm starting a new photo-a-day. In April I did the self-portraits, which were fun, and I still want to take lots of those, but not every day. Because some days I am, like, ugly. I like the idea of picking a theme for the month though - it makes me work harder and guarantees that I won't end up taking a photo of the sidewalk or my windowsill every day, or some other nonsense. So for May, it will be color month. Each day will have a main color as its focus.
Also worth mentioning: I shot a roll of film on my dad's old Yashica SLR, the one I used in high school for my photography classes. It was really fun and I love how the photos turned out. But film and developing cost $ and you have to be more careful!



Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Flickr users - input needed!
As some of you might have gathered, I'm in a class called Information Retrieval, and we've been studying database design, classification, subject access, metadata, usability, basically everything related to information retrieval. For part of my final exam, I have to write about a non-library based online database interface and its usability. My professor listed Flickr as an option, and naturally I'm choosing that, since I'm a regular Flickr user.
I have a few ideas, but I thought it would be great to get input from some of you Flickr users, if
you have time. Consider the interface of Flickr - think about layout, tagging, the search tools, help, and whether certain features afford or constrain usability. In other words, what works for you and what doesn't? What is confusing or doesn't give natural mapping clues for usability? Do you feel left in the dark over certain features? I would also love to hear from non-users and get a first-timer's perspective. If you take a quick look at the Flickr home page or a member's photostream page, do you think it's easy to figure out? Any input would be much appreciated!
P.S. Look! I'm a guest on the noticing project... day one, fourth from bottom. Day two, fourth down.
P.P.S. Thanks for your nice comments on my previous post. It's good to know many of you feel the same way.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday musings
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
He wanted to hire me..or something
Monday, April 21, 2008
Spring cleaning
See here for more information on this type of cleanse.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Books and brunch
After I had cleaned my apartment and done some other Saturday tasks, Mom and Dad picked me up and we went to Elizabeth's Bakery and Tea shop for a little lunch to celebrate the life of our kitty Kizlet (who, in our voiceovers, always spoke in accents from various parts of the world). I had Cadbury hot chocolate and a cheese scone. Dad had hot chocolate and a flapjack (which is like an oatmeal cookie, not a pancake), and Mom had soup of the day (tomato basil) and a house salad.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Kiz
You let little kids whack on your ears.

Monday, April 14, 2008
Spring spring spring!
One thing I really need right now is a place at home to sit outside. I want to read, study, and eat outside. This is one thing I don't like about urban apartment-building living - I have no place to sit out. No! Not the front yard, it would look ridiculous, and the homeless people across the street would be staring me in the face. Not the back "yard" with the picnic table, again would look ridiculous and I don't want to watch everyone drive in, park their cars, and walk past me to the back door. I could drive to the park, but yes, more homeless people, and it's a little far to take my dinner. Let's not forget all the dogs.
"In the meantime I got it hard, second-floor living without a yard..." - Feist, Mushaboom
Someday a yard...but right now a porch or balcony is all I'm asking for!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
China Sunday • The songs
These are the songs.
Great songs, great memories!
He's the best baby that ever happened to me.
