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I do that often. My parents use to say I have a three minute attention span for any extra-curricular activities in which, they enrolled me. Now, thanks to a pesky, but lovable friend, I will quickly summarize all that has transpired since I last wrote on my sad, sad perspective on life (my life in particular) and not without pictures! 


I finally replaced my decrepit LG flip phone with a pearly white Samsung Galaxy SII...fancy huh? Not really...It is the T-Mobile version, so not only do I have to restart it from time to time but also, the battery life does not compare with the Apple equivalent. Still, I love my new phone. I will have an affair with the iPhone later down the road, but for now, I am ecstatic about my Galaxy SII. 


So now on to my photo diary thanks to my acquisition of a device that is capable of operating Instagram: 

For the month of July I was under a make-up ban, but this Wet n' Wild lipstick in Purty Persimmon was 40% off! Hard to pass off a summery orange lipstick for $1.19!!!

To save up for the ZARA sale, I was under a clothing ban too...but just look at this VS bra! It was on sale, but not enough to say it was a steal. Still too pretty to resist though!

My X-Mini portable speaker! Dance Partayyyyy anywhere anytime!!!

I saw this at a Duane Reade near my job today. It's nice that they have testers.
My skin tone can be anywhere from NC 30 to NW 42, so either light/medium or medium seem to blend in well. Even on my hand though, the coverage is pretty light. Worth a try for $9.79. 

Lunch Review: Multi-grain Mushroom Soup and Bread from Flavors

For lunch today, I went to Flavors, a fancy deli that is probably part of some big food corporation and boasts on its "healthy, fresh, natural" ingredients. I just needed a cheap, hearty cup of soup and Au Bon Pain's options were so sub-par that I ventured into the deli for health-conscious-but-too-lazy-and-rich-to-make-their-own-lunch customers. Surprisingly, their small soup wasn't that much more expensive than other places in the Financial District, and it came with bread. The soup had corn, onions, bits of rice, but not much, carrots, and mushrooms of course. I didn't see how it was multi-grain, but all those vegetables made up for it. I really liked the soup. It was neither too salty nor too watery, which are characteristic of soups at any chain restaurant. The size was just right for me and I normally eat at least half a pound of food from the local Chinese buffet place. The multi-grain bread was nothing special; it was moderately soft and reminded my of cafeteria bread: not your public elementary school cafeteria bread, but more like your private liberal arts college cafeteria bread. 


In conclusion, this lunch was beyond satisfactory. For under $4.00, this is a meal that I would buy again. The only problem is the customer service. This is the second time I received attitude from the cashier. The first time, the cashier gave me the wrong amount of change. This time, another cashier snapped at me when I asked her if there was extra charge for the bread. No one informed me that the bread came with the soup. This is my first time buying soup at your restaurant. Why the nastiness? I understand people have bad days. But it seems that the cashiers at Flavors on Broad Street just give me an attitude when I correct them or make an inquiry. That will be the one and only reason for not entering Flavors unless I'm craving for some good soup. 


Hope you're all having a wonderful summer!


-WahYizzle

It's Already Been A Year?

     Yesterday, my friends graduated from Hamilton College and are joining me in the "real world." While some of them are certain where they will be for the next stage of their career, some are still trying to figure out what they want to do after graduation. While I advised them to just enjoy their senior year and that everything will fall into place once the time comes, I felt like I was really just trying to reassure myself. 

     The same time last year, I was in their position, unsure of the future, but at the same time, I just wanted to enjoy the summer because that is what one usually does after the school year ends. Except this time, after August, I didn't go back to school; I came back home to New York City and tried to find work. Despite not securing a job right after graduation, I was still somewhat hopeful that it won't take long for me to find something I like. After all, I graduated with excellent grades, from a liberal arts school that was known for their good writers. However, it took me almost a year to find something that paid me, and it was just enough for me to pay for my own personal expenses. I definitely would not be able to live on my own on this salary. Not willing to settle for this, I agreed to only do part-time because I didn't want to commit to something that was not going to challenge me and satisfy my needs. I also thought better time would be spent interning at a senator's office where it would be similar to the kind of community work that I want to do. 

     But life never works out the way you want it to, does it? Or at least through my eyes, from the experiences I've had. I'm not an ingrate, but I am a cynic. That's why I'm a student of literary criticisms: I bitch about how Murakami Haruki portrays his female characters as emotional wells from which the male character finds salvation, and really in his works, women are really more like fantastical, exotic (read erotic as well) creatures than human. Anyway, I end up hating my internship more than my job. But I'm afraid my job is only satisfying because there's really no other place where I feel like my work is appreciated and paid for. I'm also afraid to like this job too much because it's all about business and making money, quite the opposite from the community organizer and cultural critic that I had in mind. 

     All I can do now is expand my experiences, volunteer for organizations I actually care about and keep applying to jobs. Still, either I don't know how to sell my skills or there are people with much more to offer than how my resume and cover letter represent me, because I don't hear back from anyone. If I get an interview, I would at least know that I am seen as a desirable candidate. I keep thinking that my time will come and everything is happening or not happening for a reason, but I'm reading Candide right now and Voltaire's ridicule on Optimism, a belief that the Christian God is the all-powerful god and hence, this world that He created is the best of all possible worlds, does not help. I'm not done with the novella yet, so maybe I have yet to fully understand Voltaire's philosophy on life and all the cruelties and injustices that it offers. I'm sure it's a good one as he never did commit suicide despite contemplating it.

     I'm sorry to write such a dark post to start the week, but it explains for the lack of posting from Leetle Beetle and me. Both of us have just been unmotivated because there's just nothing much to look forward to, for now. So this is what I do to cheer myself up a bit when I'm feeling hopeless and helpless: I listen to pop music. I don't listen to the indie music that I usually listen to because the quickest way to uplift one's spirits is to listen to cheap synthetic tunes with not-so-complicated, not-so-poetic lyrics. That's just me and I don't consider pop music my guilty pleasure because a lot of work is put into the production of such music, and I do think they can last (I still listen to Kelly Clarkson or Spice Girls sometimes). It's just the commercialism and unnecessary money spent on it that bother me, among other things. So here's Nicki Minaj's "Starships" because we're all meant to fly:

-WahYizzle

Who said you can't have fun when you're a responsible adult?

Ever since I grew up and got a real job (and moved to the middle of no where...) I haven't been partying it up as much as I used to (at least ONCE a month! *sarcasm*.)  But I definitely lived it up this weekend when the lovely WahYizzle came to visit me at my lonely hut in the middle of the woods. Not only were we able to go shopping at Target we also attended a prestigious formal held by the brothers of Phi Iota Alpha. Without further ado here are some wonderful portraits. 

WahYizzle and My sexy self.

Our delicious Dinner!! We both had salmon but I stole half
a piece of the pecan crusted chicken since I'm a fatty. :)

Obviously I devoured every bite!

To top off an amazing meal we had adorable quiche-shaped cheesecake for dessert!!! Unfortunately they were devoured SO quickly that my camera was unable to take a picture of the delicious goodness. My apologies.

Afterwards, there were rumors of a fantastic after party that involves a whole night of dancing and revelries which had our names written ALL over it. We've decided to make a quick run home to change shoes so our feet can enjoy the night was well. Little did we know, my nemesis sleep is lurking just beyond the corner. Right when I got home I was seduced by my mattress and instantly I was asleep. The end.

I hope you enjoyed the crazy (boring) adventures of a responsible adult.

<3 Nibs n Ink

Webcomic Wednesday!

Welcome to the middle of the week!!!! On this lovely (but a bit chilly) Wednesday I would like to introduce two now Webcomics that I recently found but absolutely adore!

First up is Chaos Life by A. Stiffler:

Courtesy of chaoslife.findchaos.com


This is a comic I find myself cackling to while I'm bored in my half of a cubicle. The art is fantastic and there are CAT(S). It is a fascinating story about a woman and her wife and just their funny thoughts and life. Please check CL out!!! You won't regret it!

Next up is Extra Ordinary by Li Chen



Courtesy of exocomics.com

This adorable comic is about a girl named Li and her bf, Jordan and her adorable cat (as seen in the comic above). This comic has and awesome pencil shading, realistic by cartoony style that I LOVE!!! Please also check this comic out!!

Let me know what you think in the comments!

<3 Nibs n Ink

Music Mondays - Marie Digby

Happy Monday!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Today I would like to introduce one of the best new (to me) artist I have come to love: Marie Digby!!! Like the best of us, She is from New York City and born TODAY so Drop by @MarieDigby on Twitter to send her your wishes!! For all you ppl living under a rock and away from You tube here is a gorgeous picture of her in a regular hat since I can't find a cute animal hat pic. :(

Courtesy of mykiru.ph

I discovered her on Pandora.com when her song Miss Invisible came on. That's when I fell in LOVE with her voice. Obviously my next step is to look at ALL her stuff on Youtube. Her covers are REALLY good. But her Original music is EVEN better. Here is an adorable video of her in Say it Again.

Other than her numerous musical talents (piano playing, guitar playing, beautiful voice) she also has a wonderful personality that makes her SOO easy to love. She loves sushi, halloween, snakes, Edward scissor hands and Resses Pieces... That's EVERYTHING I love. XD Other than liking Green more than blue she is definitely someone you should keep a look out for!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE!!!! You are STUNNING! I can't wait for anything you make!!

Let me know what you think of Marie in the comments! 

<3 Nibs n Ink

Free Hugs Friday!

Hi everyone,


I don't have time to do a full post, but as I promised y'all a hug, here's a virtual hug from Alpaca Clouds: 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwacO1JJB4ktPJ2z14MwDS0KJyU_LRYQHZ8TEVXlXKxg_7SEAn_bz2RG_V17OmhZNuW_RCqpcAYehDlqC76_7pHmBxvAedcQjOkAcNKESx9BANacAsGvM3SB0bzcOKkehCBu228f-4Iaj/s1600/hug.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2c0unab4M1qdg24yo1_500.jpg

http://pull.imgfave.netdna-cdn.com/image_cache/133382695073818.jpg

Okay last one:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1pc6m21ok1r3e62yo1_500.gif

Hope y'all have a great weekend! I might come back during the weekend with a fashion-related post. Keep on the look out! 


-WahYizzle

We Return With Music Mondays So That You Can Start Your Week Right!

As if all of you cannot live without an Alpaca Clouds posting...Anyway, let's get straight to the music. You can read more about my life later in the post if you are bored enough to do so. 


I've always gone through phases. I was a wannabe Goth/Punk in high school. In the end, I realized I was just conforming to a cultural subgroup, a clique with its unforgiving rules nonetheless. So, now that I've grown up a little bit more (not height-wise unfortunately), I would like to say I'm just comfortable in my own skin. Of course, my taste in clothes and music are still influenced by what I was and use to like as a teenager and even earlier; I'm known as the hipster among my friends, and I just shrug it off because I can see why they would call me that. Still, I have a better idea of who I am and less stubborn about what has to be.


That is the kind of contextualization within which I introduce the Dum Dum Girls to you. They are my current band crush, which started exactly 15 minutes ago. They look exactly like what I wanted to be in high school. Actually, I still dress like that when my mood requires it. I don't think I'm pale enough for that kind of make-up though. Like many bands nowadays, they have a late 80s flavor, and what made me listen to their music was Dee Dee's (the lead singer) short rendition of The Cure's "Lovesong" on Youtube. Now that I think about it, most hipsters are just 80s-90s teenagers, who might or might not have grown up a little bit. 

Anyway, I love Dee Dee's voice and their music definitely augments whatever mood I'm feeling at the moment. Probably dreamy, nostalgic, and chill. It's funny I'm in that mood because I do have work today. 


Speaking of work, I should probably update you on what has been happening and the reason (*cough* excuse *cough*) for our hiatus. Basically, we all just got swamped with work. Nibs n Ink, as you know, moved to Central New York for her totally enviable job, leaving Leetle Beetle and I devastated and scrambling to find something to fill that hole in our lives. I have been job searching for a while now, and I finally got a job offer; however, I had already agreed to do an internship (that would have been the perfect job if they were hiring), so now I'm working part-time. While I'm grateful that they allowed me to do this, they are giving me more worry than peace of mind. Let's just say there are still some things not spelled out regarding the terms of this position. I've been working for a week, and hopefully, I will get an answer today. 


Now, it's bad enough that it's a Monday, so I will end the post on a happier note. It was my birthday two weeks ago and my lovely friends, against all odds, went clubbing with me. And speaking of odds, who would've known a club that plays AMAZING dance music exists in Williamsburg? I had a blast. We didn't take any pictures because we all forgot to bring cameras and were probably too excited to document the night. But, I do have some enticing pictures of the food I made the week after, still house-sitting while my parents were abroad.

It was the best guacamole I ever made. This was the second time, so I expect improve even more! Also, I had Honey Jack Daniels and Lemonade with it, which was the perfect touch to a meal after-work.

Okay, I didn't make this, but this was tiramisu that Leetle Beetle made for my birthday. I had to finish the whole thing. It was 10 pounds I don't regret gaining because it was THAT good.

Cake would never be right without tea. I had Earl Grey. 

I hope you have a great week. If not, we will definitely be back to give you a virtual hug on Friday and celebrate that it's the weekend!

-WahYizzle

Music Mondays: Marina and the Diamonds

Happy Monday guys!

Today I would like to introduce one of my favorite artists: Marina and the Diamonds!

Don't you love cuddly artists! Especially if they have animal hats!
Image courtesy of Idolator.com

Marina is a Welsh singer-songwriter who I believe to have a strongly unique voice. Her music is a mixture of pop, punk, and rock (they described it as indie pop, new wave... but who really knows what that means?) I first discovered her when I accidentally click on an ad in grooveshark. It was a Victoria's secret ad where they filled my playlist with 'sensual' music that will probably make me buy their lingerie (they succeeded). The first song was "Rootless by Mariana and the Diamonds and I absolutely fell in love with her voice. There is something soothingly odd about her pitch that just caught me and never released me. Here is "Are you satisfied" for your enjoyment.

 Another song I adore by her is "Hermit the Frog." So far she only has one album (Family Jewels) out. BUT her NEW album Electra Heart is coming out in April!!! I'm so excited and you should be excited too!! Please check her out and let me know what you think! Other artist that I will probably do a Music monday for is Katie Melua. Both have music and voices that are hauntingly beautiful.

Enjoy!

<3 Nibs n Ink

STOP KONY

Don't know who Joeseph Kony is? Watch this video and find out.

Here are a few more links on other aspects of this topic:

 

http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/post/18890947431/we-got-trouble

http://justiceinconflict.org/2012/03/07/taking-kony-2012-down-a-notch/

What do you think about this?
 

<3 Nibs n Ink

Where ARE you from, really?

After failing my road test on my birthday 1.5 years ago I've decided that it is time I tried again now that I've moved to an area where tree sex is a fad. 

Observe the tree sex.
Image courtesy of dosomething.org

After calling a local driving school I scheduled my 5-hr video class and my first lesson for Saturday (the one that passed already). The 5 hr video was standard (aka BORING). Now the lesson was when things got CRAZY. 

My instructor picked me up promptly at 4:15pm. She was already in the passenger seat so I took the drivers seat feeling super nervous. I am not trying to feed to the belief that Asians (especially females) can't drive, but I know my own abilities and I know that my anxiety of driving hinders my abilities to drive logically and well. I told her so and said that I've only drove for 12 hrs of my life. 

Image courtesy of drivinganxiety.net

My instructor seemed nice enough. She is a middle-aged, caucasian woman who is very blunt. Shakily I started driving following her directions. While trying to focus on driving (not crashing) she progressed to tell me about her day. Every mistake I made she would comment on how everyone she taught that day did the same thing and how they didn't listen to her when she tried to teach them. I apologized because I know that I basically suck at driving (which is why I'm paying her to teach me) and am sincerely sorry for hurting her neck from braking too hard. She retorted with "You don't mean that so stop apologizing and just listen to me. I teach a lot of foreigners and they all say the same thing and never listen to me." 

After telling me to turn right she then asked me "So, where are you from?" I answered as I normally would with "Brooklyn." Normally, I would not be offended when asked this question but it was her response to it that irked me. "No I mean where are you from, really?" I responded steadily with Brooklyn. She looked at me and said "So you were born in Chi-." "I was born in Brooklyn, my parents were from China though." 

I know I may have a very 'Fobby' face, but they usually get that I was born here when I say Brooklyn and would just ask where my parents were from. Am I too sensitive towards small talk? Did she really mean nothing from this? Am I feeding too much to the Chinese stereotype? This is the thought that has been racking my brain since Saturday. Where is the line that divides thinking too much and letting people get away with being racist? I feel like I should be offended but I also can't help feeling like I am just getting angry about something she didn't even mean. (BTW when I told her I worked for a pharmaceutical company she responded with I figured that much.) 

What I can't figure out is why I didn't say anything to her. But then what could I have said? I've always had trouble with confrontation especially if it is concerning myself. I think it is her passive racism that brought me back to a time in my childhood where I was basically helpless in defending myself against such acts. Have I grown soft and learn to accept the racism? 

What are your thoughts? Should I switch instructors or should I man up and confront her?

Until next time! 

<3 Nibs n Ink