journey series: a few days to go!

both to the new year, and the new beginning.

i've definitely been feeling a whole lot more different with the moving situation, etc. well, for one, i'm honestly getting a bit more emotional, but i don't like to admit that most cases, but i thought writing it out would help me in future instances.

then, second, i know people ultimately think that i'm never returning to LA, but cases are i still am-- one way or another. to collect the rest of my belongings to move to Oz, or to come back home...

i used to really dread the latter idea, but right now, things are all up in the air! so, who knows what could happen in a year. i wouldn't want to screw-up God's plans for me, and so i'm leaving that part open. there are still dreams that are down the list, and now that i'm nearing this next official step, i'm getting a boost of courage. getting reminded when all this was seeded and how i thought and believed that anything IS possible with God. i see it again. HE IS SO FAITHFUL.

despite the fact that i did get winded down by other things floating around the air, and the thought of "impossible" crept up every corner, and "worry" too!

and now, frankly, all i've left to worry about is whether i will get this packing done. i have three days left in LA. i never thought it'd pain me to say that. but for now, we'll say that i am simply going on a year long or so trip, and LA will surely see my ambivalent heart again.

i've still no camera, --feels a little liberating, and i wish i can say the same for the rest of my baggage! (pun INTENDED)

packing progress: 67% i'd say...

thanks for tuning in for this end of the journey. 'til 2012! hurrah for new chapters!

oh, and p.s. next year is a leap year!

christmas cheer!

sorry i've been MIA. last minute errands before the new year and THE new adventure... and holiday parties, send offs, and other last minute shindigs. i can't wait to share my new adventure for those who care to read. (btw, i still don't have a camera, so will most likely take photos on my hand-me-down blackberry!)

anyway, a very late merry christmas to all, and best wishes for the new year. here's a photo of me and my kid bro at my granny's. i didn't get to take a proper photo of my christmas outfit, but it was really fun prancing around in my semi-puffed skirt! (and velvet's always fun and warm in the winter!)

Q&A

I got myself this Q&A journal instead of a "My Life in Lists" journal. 5 years. Beginning 2012.
Will record, look back and share when I finish. What an interesting way of recording life.

journey series: where has time gone.

progress of packing: 7%.

ahhhh! and these next two weeks will zip by, drive me to exhaustion, and will probably be an emotional rollercoaster.

i can't wait for my release for relief!

once you live again.

Okay, Once Upon A Time is diving deeper in the fairytale underworld, and it's getting so good.

Recap for passersby: Regina "killed" Sheriff Graham.
She had to crush poor, handsome, huntsman's heart! :(
I say "killed" 'cause I have a feeling he'll wake up in the next upcoming episode. My idea has to do with the power of "the kiss"-- I feel like Emma broke the curse's effect on Sheriff Graham when they shared a kiss (the one toward the end of the episode), and therefore he's not susceptible to the Evil Queen's control. He was freed from the curse before Regina was able to crush his heart. The tear symbolizes that he regained control of himself because he started to feel again, he did find exactly what he came for when he went to the mausoleum.

Ok, ok, and I also looked on IMDB and checked how many more episodes he's signed up for the show. He's on it for the full season, so, ... I'm guessing he's gonna wake-up one way or another, and if he's not in the real world as Sheriff Graham, maybe he'll still be in the story world flash backs. Either way, yay more eye candy... just a bonus, I guess. (teehee!)

Anyway, here's a little sneak peek into Episode 8, Desperate Souls. Show picks up on the 8th of January 2012. I will be in a different city-- probably on a flight to the next place on the itinerary. Can't wait to wake-up to my fantasy ;) (New Year! Whoo!)



Any #OUAT lovers out there? I'd love to get a discussion on the next episode... I've been reading some other people's thoughts on characters, the secret between Snow and EQ, and etc, etc. ! Ooh, can't wait, a month's not too long of a wait... yee!

cotton candy foolery.

just played around with the type i chose for my header. yea, yea, did a little updating. this typeface is so cute with these colors!!

journey series: counting the days.

so, i feel like i'm moving next door. i'm still waiting for it to hit me, and i know it will. i feel it in my bones. but for now, nothing so far.

26 days.

haven't really packed at all either. i did minimize my wardrobe, so i hope that helps when deciding which 75lbs worth of items to bring. i dream of living out of a suitcase, and having all that i absolutely need in one. so far, i've cut my accumulated belongings to half it's size. and yet again, less that half of that will be going along with me. ahhhh!

still, i find no rush in packing, all my things still neatly folded away in drawers, my coats still hanging in the coat/storage closet.

i forget that there are a couple books i'd like to bring, some paintbrushes and little tools for making in my spare time.

what is this state that i'm in? i have no clue where my emotions are!
i hope they don't come rushing in the day i head off to the airport and say my goodbyes.
coz there was only one time i've cried leaving on a jetplane.

i cried until i fell asleep after take off.
---happened on my flight from melbourne to home.

**// p.s. sorry for the flower explosion from the last post. i realized after looking at my blog that it was too frou frou!

this shade of pink.

peonies and ranunculus. all year spring bloom.
may you have a beautiful week.

**//can you tell from the blog 'upgrade'?? got a little inspired from sfgirlbybay's bg!

brown paper packages tied up with string.

i love sending packages in the mail, and when i can i wrap them in butcher paper and add little quirky things to them. i usually wrap christmas presents with ribbons of sorts, and yes, use butcher paper as well. anyway, i came across these cutesy things from a blog i follow: mint//ellie.snow and they're on sale on etsy by Alana and Cisco of Humunuku!

i did some christmas card signing last night, have a bit to go ... but if i run out of the cute penguin ones that i have now, i'll surely make my own (if i have time!) and send some out :)

**journey updates: i've been all over the place with my trip lately, first of all, i haven't officially packed-- so hmm. i'm not really sure how i'm gonna condense life into a fifty-pound luggage. challenge accepted!

the itenerary.

i'm excited.

in about a month:

manila for 5 days or so.
melbourne for a week and a few days.
then off to sydney.

deep breath.

(i'm not sure if i'll have a camera. but it'll be fun if i get to post pictures.)

you're almost there.

i wanna do something significant, doesn't necessarily have to be large in magnitude, nor does it have to be popular, just worth something good for someone else. and if i fail at this, i want my life to be explosive anyway; in failures.

whatever you're doing. whoever you are. keep on keeping on. there are late bloomers.
but don't worry...

you're. almost. there.

oldies; F2AS

so, i no longer have a camera. old one's with parental#1-- and i'm leaving to go to another continent in about a little over a month. the option to buy a camera came up today. but, i seriously was gonna go to australia without a camera in tow, i thought it'd be liberating to walk around, and live without one. i know, seems crazy, in our digital age. but i like the idea of not having the ability to take photos of my every move, and every place i go, etc. etc. savor the moment myself, you know?

so, the idea came up today, my pops (code name parental#2) asked me about it,... and i told him about how i had thought of purchasing one. but reality check: few things, i could live without one, mainly 'cause i can't afford to call it a priority. as my brother calls this situation: insufficient funds. then, i honestly, have no clue what camera to buy. if you ask me, and if price was out of the question, i will most likely choose one out of aesthetics and not function. i considered, and have been watching nikon's p7000 on amazon, and one's price dropped to $279 from last black friday, and i think it's staying that way.

it'd be nice to invest in a good one that'll last me years, but i feel really hesitant to buy one, and keep going back to these babies: [old school gadgets!] i have no idea how to PROPERLY work these cameras; my dad just mentioned something about them being F2AS models. well, point is, i kinda just want to restore these ones, and use these instead, even if my dad did offer to fund my camera spending if it happened. can he just pay to get these goodies restored? it is kind of his, ish. we're having a nonexistent custody battle over them. i already claimed them as an inheritance. HAHAHA.

i'd have to get them cleaned and checked out, but there's something so beautiful about taking photos the "old" way. each photo really would capture that one special moment-- or i could pause and miss it, and it would only be immortalized in my memory alone.

thinking about every click because you only have 24 or 36 shots to take per roll. then developing is just as precious, and i would love to develop my own (not the colored ones! or maybe... digital printing!).

anyway, i'm looking for a good but cheap place to get cameras cleaned, etc. know of any?
if i get these set-up, i'd need to start storing some (b&w) film! i already have a stray roll from a year ago. had an 101 class that i loved. will post some photos i took sometime this december. (loved my travel town shots!)

sheriff graham and a couch potato.

i didn't overdose myself with the thanksgiving feast. i've been catching up on tv shows and hulu over the weekend. sunday night is for abc's once upon a time-- and uhem, sheriff graham is beautiful. (ha! ha! ha!) aside that, the show's interesting. :)

seriously cried.

and you all know i don't have tears to spare, i meant, shed. maybe i shed a few salty drops because anne hathaway's do's and wardrobe were beautiful. anyway, this made the fave list.

tell me, actions speak louder.

a hopeless romance.

a haunting melody.

beautifully haunting. love it.

i think they're aussies.

regardless whether they are or aren't.
angus and julia stone are awesome.
love will take you.

turning page

hopeless romantic.
it's been on repeat.

Turning Page by Sleeping At Last.

I've waited a hundred years
But I'd wait a million more for you
Nothing prepared me for the privilege of being yours
If I had only felt the warmth within your touch
If I had only seen how you smile when you blush
Or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough
I would have known what I was living for
What I've been living for

Your love is my turning page
Only the sweetest words remain
Every kiss is a cursive line
Every touch is a redefined phrase
I surrender who I've been for who you are
Nothing makes me stronger than your fragile heart
If I had only felt how it feels to be yours
I would have known what I've been living for all along
What I've been living for

We're tethered to the story we must tell
When I saw you well I knew we'd tell it well
With the whisper we will tame the vicious scenes
Like a feather bringing kingdoms to their knees

'cause i no longer know where home is.

an epic catharsis needed.
melancholic beauty.

*warning: will probably be a "tunes" week because the breaking dawn movie has a pretty good soundtrack. (hmm!)

time for dreams

23 items for a dream bedroom, or something like it. exhaustive, but fun post. scroll for details at the bottom!

1. dreamscape mural 298.00 (anthro)
2. lillesand - 179.00 (ikea)
3. Lola Side table 179.00 (uo)
4. ekarp base 9.99 (ikea) + ranunculus swirl shade 98.00 (anthro)
5.flokati rug - 79.99 (ikea)
6.dekad alarm clock 5.99 (ikea)
7. luca shams - set of 2 128.00 + luca euro sham - 98 + lucca quilt - 398.00 for queen size (anthro)
8. orimono pillow, flower - 88.00
9. carpenter chest (vintage) - 425.00 pom pom interiors
10. linen dress form - 300.00
11. illusorio cabinet 1698 anthro
12. Ikat Patterns (Series A) -Set of 4 - 8x10 Prints - Featured in Dolphin, Slate Blue, Canary and Tuscan Glow) - 38.85 (etsy)
13. sockerart-19.99 (ikea)
14. knodd - 24.99 (for laundry bin!) (ikea)
15. antoinette damask curtain $39.00 + Door Knob Curtain Tie Back 2 for 24 (uo)
16. levanger - 49.99 (ikea)
17. gurli - 12.99 (ikea)
18. walnut desmond screen - 1500 (jonathan adler)
19. howell wingback, linen in orange 1898 (anthro)
20. vintage floor lamp -119.00 (uo)
21. needlepoint geometric squares pillow 189 (ethan allen)
22. isala, gray 199.00 (ikea)
23. etc book by sibella court - 35.00 (anthro)

total approx. 8138!
really fun.

I love Zooey!

This New Girl on the TV block feels so familiar. The cute dork resonates with the dork in me. No "social/dating scene" abilities whatsoever. HA-HA-HA. And I'm fine with that, and new girl Jess seems to be fine with it as well! Ha!

I love the entire gang (SCHMIDDDTTT!!!! Parkour!), but recently, the Jake Johnson and Zooey Deschanel as Nick and Jess duo is melting my heart!

Watch their feet as you tune in tonight. Go Jess!

journey series: things i'll miss pt.2

Reese's is a fave I can take along with me.
Just sayin' I think I better go to costco to get a big bag of these!

new music for the new week.

I saw his debut album on sale in Hollister the other night, and please don't ask me why I went into Hollister the other night, ... far from my alley. I know.

Anyway, I love Ry Cuming, a friend introduced me to a song of his because she saw him open for Justin Nozuka at a show last year I believe. And she mentioned him because he's an Aussie. So you know ;) Anyway after listening to his single, found he was worth listening to. He's got a nice tone to his voice, he sounds a little like Chris Martin; and his style of song is very much like the music I'd say I listen to.

I've always loved his single "Always Remember Me" feat. Sara Bareilles (who I happen to also love <3!) - posted for tunes ages ago: (always remember me.)

From the 11 songs on the album, I personally like his slower tempo songs better, my other fave in addition to "ARM," would have to be Harder to Say, and among the catchier tempo songs, I like How Could You Say.

Here's a little taste of the album: Harder To Say

journey series: things i'll miss, pt.1

continuing on with my journey series posts... let's change the mood a bit. i've had a tough couple months, felt a little stressed, battled through some storms, so forgive me if i've been sounding a little too serious. now, on a lighter note... i'll continue on posting things all about, well, my journey.
the months are closing in, and it's the last stretch, can't say everything's perfect, but i can't just stop now.

anyway, the other day i read my new student packet info, and i totally forgot about food or snacks that i could take to oz with me... posted below, however, are food that i CANNOT :( take with me.
i'm gonna miss in-n-out for sure, street tacos (and their amazing salsas!), and thai food (from a particular resto in hollywood!)

gonna trade these three in for nandos and peri-peri sauches, sushi rolls (that are served as unsliced actual hand rolls) and their soy sauce in cute "fishie" containers, and mushroom meat pies!

In-N-Out Burgers

Street Tacos

Thai Town Los Angeles, and my fave place in Thai Town... Thai Patio! :)

i almost forgot about this.

Ephesians 3:20

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Our God is Able.

Praising my way to victory. Amen!

Midnight Mishaps.

So, my hands are shaking both because the windows are open and there's a chilly breeze blowin' through, and it's the middle of the night, AND... I just happened to receive a package from Burberry worth $2010 freaking simoleons, NO, ACTUALLY, I MEAN REAL DOLLARS.

**(post is published late... received package Wednesday night)

WHAT THE HUBALAHEY! (I need that money actually... !!)

So, how many times do you get something so freaking expensive in the mail?
All I ordered was an eyeliner my gift card could afford, it was that or a votive candle (which would cost me extra for shipping!?!)... and I get an extra box of "goodies".

I kinda thought it was Christmas, or an early bday gift, or even, that I won a secret Burberry contest... but it happens to be, ... A NO. Just an ultimate shipping mistake. What a joke to play warehouse folks. Hmph! (Yes, it is boxed up again for return.)

Well, here's photos of MY purchase, I did get an extra vial of perfume! (FANCY gift, unlike the uber tiny testers you get from MACYs or any other chain department stores...) and all the other little tidbits like the gift bag, receipt envelope (I know... it has an envelope) and the tissue were nice touches. Hey, if you know me, I do like paper and packaging and all those little details... so... without further ado. My $39 order.

Same print embossed on both paper bag and envelope. (Ah, it felt so fancy!!)

My eyeliner and small gift from purchase!
(I've used "fancy" way too much in this post, but I'm gonna use it again!) FANCY!