5 Things in 2011
Lately I've been M.I.A due to lack of inspiration, but today, something random sparked. So here I am with this, what do you call it, 'meme'. It's that time of the year when you decide to look back at what you've done and try to make a list of New Year Resolutions. I don't follow to-do lists but if you do then, hey, it's a good thing. 2011, like the years before and the years to come, has its ups and downs, and of course, first-time moments.
Cheers to epiphanies, revelations and self-discovery. Here are five random things that happened this year:
1. My first attempt at reading a non-fictional book
Having a pet helped me discover a lot of things because taking care of it - him - requires plenty of research. I recently picked up Stanley Coren's How To Speak Dog and it's surprisingly good. Among interesting facts, there are witty and amusing stories (worth laugh-out-loud moments) told by the writer's acquaintances or simply experienced by the writer. If you think that the spotlight of this book is centered solely on canines, you're wrong. I learned a lot about other animals. I won't deny it - this book is life-changing and thought-provoking. You'll be surprised at what your dog is really trying to say. A dog's actions are not what humans assume them to be.
2. The year I spend more than an hour on DeviantArt
I don't, like, have my own page but sometimes when I get bored, I wander over there just so I can search up video game art or whatever I think of and spend hours admiring, observing and appreciating. The art created there is beautiful beyond words. The way talented DeviantArt artists perceive the world is indescribable. And hey, I even found out that getting a BFA in game art is possible. Wow. Never knew that. Am enlightened. On the side note, I'd like to own a Wacom tablet someday.
3. Keeping up with the Kardashians? Heck, no! Keeping up with game updates
I wouldn't say that I'm an avid gamer, but I wouldn't say that I'm not. I like playing video games twice and earning in-game achievements. Gaming isn't just for the sake of winning or completing it faster than your friends. If gamers would just stop rushing through their games, they might actually learn a thing or two and prove that gaming isn't just a brainless activity you do for entertainment. Okay, I'm going waaaay off-topic. I've been reading game news for the past three months or so because, you know, celebrity news is 'so 2008'. I'm kidding. I know just about any game out there now - Skyrim, Super Mario, Soul Calibur, Portal, Alan Wake - and I even remember a few company names of video game developers. You ask it, I name it. Just don't ask me this question, please-- Call of Duty or Battlefield?
4. Taking the time to learn how to pronounce Constantinople (and other words, of course!!)
Surprise, surprise! More intellectual stuff! Reading, writing, learning, it never gets boring. New challenges are great. When I come across a word that I've never seen, I try to pronounce it mentally. It always sounds perfect in my head, but it's a total tongue-twister disaster when I say it out loud. Not weird at all. 'Constantinople' was one of these words. Other words include 'Machiavellianism', 'meringue', 'harangue', 'juxtaposition' and most recently, 'conversazione'. It's those words I hardly use, but 'tis the season to be curious, I went to search them up this year. Lesson learned: Don't be afraid to satisfy your inner curiosity!
5. Everything starts with a base (even cheesecake)
For architecture, it's called 'blueprints'. For fashion design, it's a 'croquis'. 'Outline' for stories, 'biscuit crumbs' for cheesecake. Everything has a base. I didn't notice this until I started sketching. I used to start out with a letter 'U' as the head and chin. Then I would draw hair, features and so on. But I wouldn't know where the legs of the human belonged on the drawing. Are they too near to the right? Are they too short? Too long? I had no idea. So I did some research and decided to begin my next drawing with a croquis. I sketched the entire human form and then 'dressed' the sketch with clothes, accessories and such. Eureka! She shoots, she scores, she wins! Thus, the base is a very important element of whatever you're trying to create.
Wow. This is seriously long-winded. I have so much more unrelated things to say. But I think I'm done. Okay, I'm done. This makes up for all the action I've missed. 
Now it's your turn. Five random and memorable things that you've achieved / learned / realized in 2011. It doesn't really matter. Whatever that comes to your mind. This is a live-in-the-moment meme. What are you staring at? The clock is ticking, the year is ending. Get your notebook out and get creative!
C.
the girl most likely to fall for the
This is all T's fault. She's got me hooked on Parachute. I can't get enough of their songs and videos. I get so mad because they don't have enough interviews and live performances on Youtube. I even had a dream about them! Finally I'm in love with a band after that crazy obsession with Supernatural. Uh oh.
Their songs are so easy to sing because the lyrics are really smooth and nice. Their live performances are good and effortless. All of the band members are musically talented too! They're really creative when it comes to acoustic live performances because they use different instruments (I don't know what some of them are called) and take music to a whole new level.
My current favorite song is White Dress because it's so funky and catchy. I've already listened to Halfway 60 times this month so that probably says something... 
Well, I'm not gonna tell you which Parachute I'm crushing on, so you'll just have to make assumptions to satisfy your suspicions. All of them are equally cute. Johnny is the first good-looking drummer I've seen. LOL. Kit has really gorgeous hair. Nate (Table Scrappa!) is so crazy-nerdy-cute (please don't let the grammar police see this word) and Will's smile is like a camera flash to a fan girl's eyes and Alex is so funny!
I'm so excited that T said she wants to play the guitar again because of Parachute. I can't wait until all those assignments are over to get started on guitar strings again. I guess I didn't really give up on our dusty, old guitar. I was just waiting for someone to say, "Hey, let's start learning the guitar again" and bam! there you go, that's the green sign for me.
that can’t match up to the real thing
I confess, Parachute is my new favorite band. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. Now that I've listened to their songs over and over again, I have come to a conclusion. They are of their own genre! They're not a version of Maroon 5 or anything. They've got a really indescribable style. It's not exactly pop, not exactly alternative, not exactly pop-rock but a mesh of good stuff.
And their originality is refreshing. I can also relate to their songs because they stick to real stuff, not nonsensical stuff about being rich and spending money in clubs and things like that. I especially love that some of their songs tell a story. Forever and Always is one of my favorite tracks off their newest album The Way It Was (released 17th May 2011). Okay, who am I kidding? I love all the songs on the new album. But I do favor Philadelphia slightly more...
I had no idea they were the band that sang She Is Love. In the beginning, I wasn't quite into that song but now I admit, I love it. Also, I've watched almost ALL their videos on Youtube. HAH, watching band videos for hours is my sign of love for them. I don't know how anyone can dislike their music!!
And it would be so unlike me to NOT talk about the band members in my giddy lovesick band post. Will is cute! LOL. At first I thought he looked like Jesse McCartney. He doesn't. Will is... cuter, definitely. I can't decide which member I like best but I've got this crush on Kit French. Who can deny the attraction of a tall blond saxophone player who reminds me of Jesse Spencer (yes, I do mean Dr. Chase on House)? All of them are hilarious. Alex looks like he's a serious guy but you should watch their videos. He's funny. Nate as the Table Scrappa (I made C watch it and now we're commonly referring to various people as Table Scrappas) was adorable, especially when he was wearing those nerdy glasses and plaid shirt. Johnny is cute and totally funny! And he's supposedly the ladies' man. 
So that was half the point I wanted to make in this post: Parachute = amazing band with cute members.
The other half is... (I feel that this is an appropriate moment for a drumroll. Move over, royal family!) ... Parachute has inspired me to want to learn the guitar again. How freaking awesome is that?!! I blame it on the sweet guitar parts in their songs. After 2 years, I'm inspired again. The first band that inspired me to learn how to play the guitar was Simple Plan. Since then, my inspiration has spiraled downwards to nothing and I haven't touched the guitar in two years.
Maybe I'm not musically talented but I've always had this love for learning an instrument. Our guitar lessons were a struggle because the teacher was bad and we tried to learn it ourselves but somehow failed. And school and other things were always something that came between our practicing time. After we began to lack inspiration, we made excuses not to touch the guitar.
Now I'm inspired again. I'm ecstatic but I'm not sure if we'll be successful in learning it again. Wait for more tales of the guitar.
x
Hold my gun and watch the door
Pick the lock and cut the phone
Keep your head up, love,
Nobody here can stop us
Grab the bags when sirens call
We're out the window, through the yard
Keep it locked up tight
Nobody here can stop us
Baby, I've had this same dream
Where I wake up wondering
What it really means
If the world came running down
If it was you and me against the world
Baby, they've got us under but
We'll take whatever we want.
If it was you and me against the world,
You get the car, I'll get the cash,
We'll take the money and run.
They'll come running through the door
Shattered glass across the floor
Oh, they think they know but
We both know they don't.
Oh, we did our crime and got away,
We stole the gold and made the day
And we both smile knowing that they saying
Nobody here can stop us
Baby, I've had this same dream
Where I wake up wondering
What it really means
If the world came running down
If it was you and me against the world
Baby, they've got us under but
We'll take whatever we want.
If it was you and me against the world,
You get the car, I'll get the cash,
We'll take the money and run.
Oh, I keep waking up
In an empty bed
And I'm wondering why you're
All the things I should have said
And, oh, we could have had
If it was you and me against the world,
Baby, they've got us under but
We'll take whatever we want.
If it was you and me against the world,
You get the car, I'll get the cash,
We'll take the money and run.
If it was you and me against the world,
Baby, they've got our number but
We'll take whatever we want.
If it was you and me against the world,
You get the car, I'll get the cash,
We'll take the money and run.
You get the car, I'll get the cash,
We'll take the money and run.
It's you and me against the world.
vroom your way through fashion
Gettin' Hot Rod in Here Necklace
This is for Cheez who has a thing for hot vintage cars especially Thunderbirds and Chevy Impalas
spring forget-me-nots 5
Sally in Metal
This is such an amazing bag. Nobody can have too many handbags. And everyone should at least have a bag in this chocolatey metallic color. Very spacious and the versatile handles are a bonus! Admittedly, I was never really a fan of handbags because they're a hassle but they are necessary and this bag is gorgeous.
Mid City in Emerald
This season, this bag is a MUST. You're going to thank me when you get this bag and take it to out with you. It's all the rage this season and I love it! If you're not a big follower of trends (I prefer to go against the grains) and you're going yuck, I don't want to be just one of those fashion trend followers, give it up because you know this bag is just simply perfect!
Mid City in Rose Nubuck
Rose. They even have it in rose. How spring is this color?! I ADORE THIS! I want one. I'm putting it on my mental wishlist right now!
Who’s ever made me feel this way?
"Show me the barn," she said. "Unless there are mice in there."
"Mice? Hell no. That's the only barn in the known universe without them."
- Blue Bailey and Dean Robillard; Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
There is something insanely funny in this line. I don't know what it is but I couldn't stop laughing for 5 whole minutes. God, I love this book. Best book I've ever read. I used to think that All American Girl by Meg Cabot was the best book but stumbling upon this book has changed my views slightly. I'm not saying it's not good. I just like Natural Born Charmer's storyline and characters. I can relate.
I still love myself some classics. I especially love Anne of Green Gables and The Three Musketeers.
please don’t have somebody waiting on you
A short update from me, since I haven't exactly been acting like a real blogger these days though I've been writing a few posts here and there.
I just found out that Owl City's Adam Young answered to Taylor Swift's song, Enchanted on Valentine's Day with his own version on the song. Wow. It must've made her day after her breakup with that Prince Of Persia dude. His version of Enchanted is a little too fast, more of his electropop type of music. The lyrics are changed here and there, making it more of a reply than a cover. It's quite sweet actually. It'd be great if they end up together since he's the "shy boy" and she's the girl-next-door. This isn't really my business but that's what the fans are saying!
tangled up in love
I am in love with this movie. I'm currently dizzy with love that I feel like doing star jumps.
One of the best Disney movies I've ever watched. The graphics were absolutely amazing and so were the characters. The storyline was very complete and very... heart-warming. The movie itself was just magical and captivating.
Where should I even start? I should start with a random fact about me during the movie. I could feel the love and warmth while watching it. It was the best feeling that I ever experienced. Don't you just love it when movies do that to you?
Rapunzel is really pretty and her personality is fantastic. I love how she's just so curious about everything. And she has those big green eyes and lovely long hair. Later on, (spoiler) her hair was still gorgeous even after it got cut off. All I can say is that Mandy Moore was the best choice to play Rapunzel. She can sing and act, so it isn't that awkward because you know it's the same person when she's singing or talking. Her voice is really good (quote my sister and mom and my thoughts).
Flynn Rider is the dashingly handsome hero of the story, of course. He's a very charming and romantic character, the Prince Charming that every girl is waiting for (or at least I am. LOL!). He's good-looking too! I just loved the way his dark hair flopped around and how every part of his face was perfect. His facial expressions were hilarious and adorable. The huge spoiler was when he revealed that his name was Eugene. I mean, what's wrong with Flynn? It's good enough and it suits him but whatever. They didn't mention Eugene a lot anyway. Zachary Levi was amazing. His voice is pretty good too and he actually sang a few songs. I never had anything against his acting or him. And Flynn was supposed to have a British accent. I'm so glad that he didn't. That would've been so... I don't know how to say it but it doesn't seem suitable for a character like that.
What can I say about Mother Gothel? She's the wicked woman, alright. She kinda reminded me of Cher. The way she looked. Maybe they used her as the face model but never mind about that. Her character was downright vicious and cruel.
Pascal, the Chameleon and Maximus, the horse, were also the highlights of the movie. Pascal was small and cute, especially when he blended in with other colors. Maximus was a horse who acted like a dog and he became good friends with Flynn in the end.
My favorite part was when the lanterns went up into the sky. It felt as if I was there too, to see the beautiful lights and everything. Magical! Okay, I have so many favorite parts but I can't name them all here. There were some emotional parts, like when the king started crying. I don't know but you can't go through those sad parts without crying. Some of the parts were cheesy, in a good way.
The soundtrack is great. Mandy Moore is a wonderful singer. I've listened to her songs when I was younger but eventually stopped because she didn't have many songs on the radio and because I was exposed to mainstream music which was (and still is) kinda stereotypical of me. I should definitely start listening to her songs again. Especially the ones with Zachary Levi in it! 
Conclusion : I really love this movie and you should watch it too. Even my mom loves it. It's not cheesy; it's still very enjoyable. A very, very good movie. I would give it an 11/10 rating. I can't wait to watch it again.
Oh man, I'm still feeling giddy about this movie. Actually I've been feeling giddy about it since 4 months ago. No, it's not hard to believe. I watched the trailer about 5 times. I even posted it here.
Just watch it! And you'll understand that it's not just because I'm having that aftermath movie feeling.
Oh, Flynn Rider! (this is for my mom) OH, here comes the smolder!
she says nothing’s forever
I nearly bought this in a gorgeous shade of purple but I passed up the opportunity since I already splurged on a pair of cute floral lace-up wedge heels. This Marc Jacobs bag is still on my mind but I will let it go.
In the mean time, there's no harm in having a Miss Marc by Marc Jacobs wish list, right?
Okay, this bronze is so attractive and I can soooo see myself carrying this though I'm not a big fan of handbags. The Miss Marc printed on the bag is adorable.
Hobo bags are my favorite so this is definitely a bag I would buy. It's so simple yet pretty. And the little knot on the strap is so creative. I love this!
Throw in the sunblock, sunglasses and a good book into this cute bag and I'm all set to hit the beach. Totes are so useful. I love huge bags like these which I can simply dump my things into.
So this bag is a little longer but it's totally buy-able. Very chic and go-to-the-movies type of bag. Not quit sure about the handbag strap though. I prefer longer handles so that I actually sling it onto my shoulder.
Like this strap. So cute! I love the design for this bag. It's my favorite. She's so me! And this is the type of pink you'd catch me buying. I would not actually buy anything pink but this is different. Do you like it?
Another hobo bag with cute pockets. I like! The green-blue hue makes this bag look so fun and cheery. Simplicity is the key to my heart. No chains and weird buckles for me.
This isn't exactly in the Miss Marc line but it's Marc Jacobs too. I love the color and design but I just hope that the chain won't cut into my shoulder.
Okay, end of my wish list. Christmas is coming. Any generous people out there? (:
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