I can't believe Week 4 of classes is almost over. I feel like I'm still getting used to my new schedule even though it's been nearly a month. Having to regularly rely on public transportation is kind of a drag, but I am now quite knowledgeable about the bus! In fact, do I dare say I like the bus better than the subway?
I want to keep up this blog until I graduate, but it's becoming harder and harder to find the time to update with my crazy schedule (school four days, intern three days and work two days). I barely have the time to finish my readings, forget about watching tv or social media! I've been trying to stay up later, but then I move sooo slow in the mornings and get drowsy during class. not good.
We've also had the craziest weather!! One day there's a blizzard (like during fashion week!) the next it's 55 degrees and sunny. There's another winter storm "Q" that is supposed to hit the east coast tomorrow and friday.
This season, I was so, so luck to attend three shows, only one of which I had to work. And I even had seats for the other two!! I have been quite diligent about pinning my favorite looks from nyfw and now lfw and mfw to my runway board. I think the biggest trend so far has been the major fur.
As always, follow me on twitter, instagram, tumblr and pinterest for more timely updates!

#SSSS: Second Semester Senior Status

I may be prematurely calling myself a second semester senior as I will not be completely done with the semester until 4pm Tuesday afternoon, but I already feel like one. This semester went by so incredibly fast. I can't even imagine what it's like to be graduating right now because they're just done. That's it. No ceremony until May. I'm not one of those people who wants to stay in school forever, but I certainly don't want to miss out on the Senior activities that take place in the spring!
This semester I ended up really enjoying two of my classes. I had heard really good things about the social media class (which was new last semester) and it fit into my fields of study, so I figured why not. The professor is amazing. So good that I wish I had taken senior media seminar with her this semester (though it is very likely that I wouldn't have gotten in). And she is the main reason I am taking fashion and power next semester. I would say I'm not a huge social media enthusiast. I love using social media (duh), but I don't really think about the cultural concepts behind the usage. The class definitely taught me some really interesting theories about technology that I literally use every day. The second class I enjoyed was TV Nation. I've always watched a lot of TV, like when I was in high school, whenever we got any tv show's season dvd set, I would watch the whole season as fast as possible, staying up all night and telling myself "just one more episode." I kind of explained the concept of the class in my last post, so I'll just tell you about our final pitch. My group was Bravo, and we picked up a reality competition show about window dressing called On Display. The tagline is "whose dreams will be shattered next?" and the send off line is "I'm sorry, you're no longer on display." The host would be Simon Doonan, and the judges would be Nicola Formichetti, Scott Pask (Tony award winning set designer of Book of Mormon) and Sarah Jessica Parker. I didn't really like SJP as a judge because I didn't understand how she was an expert in the field, but I got my way with Simon Doonan as host, which I think was more important. Our team did really, really well. The class was overwhelmingly positive with the critique--many students even said they would watch the show. But, we ended up losing to AMC and their show Olympia.
Now that both the semester and my internship are over, I'm shocked with all the free time I have. I'll go from working 7 days a week to working anywhere from 2.5 to 5 days. Next week I'll only be working 2.5 days at my weekend job, so I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. Do a little research and see what exhibits are where, hopefully do more cooking, definitely want to go to Flushing with Xiali at some point, maybe a trip to Housing Works? The options seem endless!
Yesterday, I did go to the Open House New York Hello Kitty! Hello Art!, which is showing this weekend only. There was a lot of pop art inspired by Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters. They also had a silver tinsel Christmas tree with all plush Hello Kitty ornaments. aka my dream. I had to get the coffee table book that accompanies the exhibit from the gift shop. I also took a picture (well, several) with these giant Hello Kitty light up Christmas decorations. Super happy I went, since I by chance found out about it at the last minute.
On a random side note, I am supremely surprised and disappointed by Blogspot's 1GB picture limit. I seriously had no idea there was such a thing, and I hate not having pics in my posts. I've kinda been considering switching to Wordpress, because it would force me to learn more of the technical stuff (yet another thing I want to learn!), but I've had this blog for three years as of 12/13! I have to keep it up at least until I graduate. I literally started this blog one night, at the end of freshmen year exactly three years ago (it was also Santacon Saturday!) really late at night when I was supposed to be studying in the library. Literally the first and last time I willingly studied in the library. My how things have changed in those three years, and I feel like this blog documented all of it. I don't want to give it up quite yet. Decisions, decisions.

post-sandy

After Sandy, everything has been a blur. Even though we only missed one week, it  felt like so much more. This was extremely evident in many of my classes. Most of my classes just adjusted and condensed topics, but my senior media seminar was....painful. We basically had 1.5 weeks to write a 15-20 page research paper. Due to the scheduling (fall break, sandy, he cancelled class, etc.) and the fact that it is a once a week class, we lost almost one month of class. Normally I wouldn't have minded because the class is a bit dry, but then we had no time to write the paper, which was not at all ideal. I had to take off extra days from my internship to complete the paper ( I think at this point I've missed three weeks of my internship....). I finished the paper in a timely manner. And that was my biggest thing of the semester, so I think it'll be a nice coast for the last three weeks. eek.
One class I didn't think I would like as much as I do is my TV class. It's a pretty basic introduction to the industry, but the final presentation/project is structured as a game. Basically, the class is divided into writer, producers and network execs. The writers come up with show ideas, pitch them to the producers, the producers team up with a writing team, pitch the pilot ideas to the networks, and then they pick up a show and present it to the class. We are now at the last stage of the game. The network execs just chose their shows, so now we have two week to further develop the idea, and pitch it to the class, and a panel of judges from the industry. My team is Bravo, and I am actually very excited about the show we picked up. I think it has a lot of refining, but I am genuinely interested in the show, and I feel that my knowledge of fashion will be a huge asset to our team.
As far as next semester (my last semester!!) is concerned, I think it might actually be challenging, which is somewhat unfortunate. I'll be taking 5 classes/18 credits plus 3 days of interning and 2 days of my weekend job. And, because I'm an idiot, I put off some of the liberal arts requirements so I'll be in an introductory class with all freshmen.  I don't really mind the freshmen (yet), but I do mind having recitations. ick. The silver lining of my spring classes is that I'll be taking fashion and power! It's literally the only fashion related class in my major (one that is full of fashion girls), but it is notoriously the most difficult class, a fact my advisor told us during freshmen orientation. After I realized freshmen year that I would always have the worst registration times, I kind of ruled out my fashion and power dreams. That is until I saw my current social media professor will be teaching it next semester. I absolutely had to take it. For me, it's just an elective but I wish I had known it counts for the fields of study.....that would have been useful to know. It also would have been useful to have someone tell me freshmen and sophomore year to finish the liberal arts requirements ASAP. Taking those classes as an upperclassman is absolute torture. So, please learn from my mistakes!
Like I said last post, I'm sadly at my photo limit so there will be no photos until I figure something out. But check out my twitter because I post lots of pics and links there! And I tweet a lot.

Mid-semester check in

Can't believe it's already half way though first semester. I've been super busy (I didn't realize it's almost been a month since I last posted!) with school, internship and weekend job. Same old same old. But the new courses for next semester were posted today, and I don't know if anybody knows this, but this is my favorite day of the semester. Nothing brings me greater joy than perusing thousands of courses and the potential for the next semester. Right now, it's looking like I'll only have classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, which is not really ideal. I don't know if I'll be able to intern only two full days (and Monday and Friday...opposite ends of the week), but it is what it is. I did find out that a professor I currently have (and really, really enjoy) will be teaching a fashion class next semester! I had actually never planned on taking Fashion and Power (supposedly the hardest class in my major), but the professor who started the course and has always taught it isn't teaching. And I figure, I'm a senior so why not?! I'm actually hoping to take another fashion class in CAS (the liberal arts school), as well as an anthropology class and two film classes. At 18 credits, it's not exactly the relaxing last semester I imagined, but I've never taken fashion classes before so this will be a welcome challenge.
We had a fall break this past weekend, so I got to go home for five days!! Very relaxing. All I did was eat, read (I shockingly read two books in the past week!) and watch tv. We went to the cider mill, and I got to go to some homecoming events for my sister.

cinnamon role french toast

Before I went home, I went to two new places (to me) on the LES, twice in one week. La Montanara is the only fried pizza place. What they do is fry the dough, and then make the pizza and bake it like normal. Afterwards both times, I went to Il Laboratorio del Gelato, which I've been meaning to go to. The first time I didn't go to crazy, and got coconut and mexican cinnamon. But the second time, I felt much more adventurous, even sampling olive oil gelato (not very good). So I got honey lavender and cheddar cheese. And I finally got my gift from Elgene! Excited to use the nail polishes, especially my very own Chanel polish!!

First week of senior year

One (almost two!) weeks done, only I don't know how many left until graduation. I can't believe that it's already my last year of college. Ever since I came back from abroad, time has gone by so fast. Seriously, junior year went by so fast. I feel like I say this a lot, but this year I actually want to do all the things I've never had time to do. Not sure how I'll fit that in with school, internship and work, but I always seem to manage. 

This past week was fashion week, so looking at the collections kept me pretty engaged every night. Check out my fashion week post for a round up of all my favorite collections and looks. One of the biggest trends I'm excited about is colored hair extensions! I tried coloring my hair (somewhat unsuccessfully) over the summer, and seeing all the collections might be the push I need to actually commit and bleach my hair......but baby steps for now.

Besides fashion, my week was filled with my usual. Food, new friends, new classes, new notebooks, etc. My suitemates and I went to Social Eatz to celebrate senior year. Everything was amazing. I got the asian market salad and ribs appetizer. But the fried chicken (which my suitemate got) was outstanding. Next time I go, I am definitely getting the fried chicken. The drinks were fruity....but super strong. ick.

the lychee mix in is amazing. Kelvin needs to have it more often 

new kitty ring!

new (but painful) shoes

obsessed with my nails.

An ode to food.

It is the night before my last final of the year. I am so freaking excited for many things:

1. the end of another successful school year
2. to be done with science (after a rather painful two semesters) forever!
3. to be a senior
4. and finally, for summer and my super exciting internship!

Here are some lovely pictures of the things I have eaten in the past few weeks. When it comes to exams, I think food, sleep and tv are the best remedy.

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict at Petite Abeille

First Yankees game (vs. Tigers!)

foggy but still awesome view from the NQR as it goes over the Manhattan Bridge 

sun-dried tomato and mozzarella pitza from Bedouin Tent

the last of the world's largest strawberry shortcake at Strawberry Fest

the super cute singing card BZA got me!

parting gift: a box of chocolates from Nunu!

one of Yuri's many treats

Bachelor #6: Gian. For the record, he went for $95!

a late night Chick-Fil-A run with Joe

beef sandwich with blueberry sriracha and pickled radishes

signed Girls Generation I won at Korean Culture Night

random red carpet at school

pre-spring break madness

yikes it's been a while since my last post! I guess it's mid way through the semester, but my midterms are actually quite spread out. Starting February 29-May 9, I have at least one major thing (paper, test, presentation) every week....but for now I can relax because it's spring break!
Things I will be doing during spring break:

• soo much laundry
• Architecture paper/field assignment 
• grocery shopping
• eating at restaurants no one else wants to go to (specifically curry-ya)
• general wandering around since the weather will be in the 60s
• and hopefully meeting up with Johnny for his (belated) birthday!

basically my daily life, minus class. Plus the weather is supposed to be in the upper 60s the majority of the week!

The highlight of the past two weeks has certainly been going home to see my sister in the school musical!! Because I studied abroad last year, I wasn't able to see Laine in Grease, so I was thrilled to see Annie!! Sadly, all of the pictures are on my mum's camera.

Laine with her dance partner from Grease

Snapshots

yummy food from Ktown

coconut milk tea with jelly

petit fours

the ceiling of the Met

Laine's wilderness letter

lots of panda stickers were involved

Canal st subway station

haven't used scantrons in a while

freshly baked pita

extra gooey baklava

meh second week

Week two of school and I'm establishing my routine. With school four days a week, interning three days a week, my very important (and packed) tv schedule and soon to be work one day a week, time management is more important than ever this year.
The weather this week was crazy!! One day was even in the 60s! As nice as the weather was, I am certainly missing the white winters I'm used to. I grew up with at least one snow day per school year, usually more! And this year we don't even have snow.
For a late birthday present, Eunice got me this cute dish sponge in Korea! It's so cute I don't want to get it all icky, so she said you can also use it as a loofah.

Since we've moved offices at my internship, the food options have greatly multiplied! This week I tried a Japanese/Thai place that has a good lunch special. I really want to go back to get the $5.50 Thai special, but it's a bit far.

On Friday, my boss treated me to hot dogs from Bark. I got the beans and frank dog and we shared the disco fries. A yummy Friday treat! Especially since I had to make 30 press kits afterward.

This week I wanted to paint my nails a fun/lighter color. I went with this Revlon Top Speed green shade called Wind Fall. 

Friday, on my way to Trader Joe's, I popped into H&M to see if they have a dress I've had my eye on. On my way out, I noticed this mint green beaded collar! Really pretty, but I think I would rather pay the same amount of money for a good quality vintage piece.

I've also been making hk waffles a lot.

First week of school!

I'm still getting back into school mode, but I'm getting there. I intern three times a week, so it breaks up the school day nicely. The only downfall is that I'm so hungry after 4:55-6:10 class!
On Thursday, I decided to try a new food truck that frequently parks in front of Carlyle: Seoul Food. It is similar to Korilla, but has a larger menu and the items are also pricier. I decided to get the spicy pork bibimbop, which was huge! Easily two+ meals. I was a bit surprised that the truck charges tax, which I don't think food trucks should do because they are a truck and not a brick and mortar establishment. The food was good, but not as flavorful as Korilla and a bit too heavy handed on the kimchi, which I don't like. The guy was really nice though and gave me a sample of the pork.

Eunice invited me to go Megu for dinner, as part of NYC restaurant week. The decor was so cool! For appetizer I got the crispy "Okaki" Asparagus, the Chef's "Omakase" sushi for my entree and the green tea crepe for dessert! So yummy and a wonderful experience!

At my internship, we moved offices from DUMBO to Cobble Hill. What an experience! Because we are so small, we had to do all the packing and loading and unloading—everything! Although, I didn't have to do much of the unloading because we were parked in a school zone and in front of a hydrant, so they told me to stay with the van. I am very excited about the new location! There are many, many more restaurant options (with $5.50 lunch specials!!) and close proximity to target!! Additionally, the building is much nicer.

old desk

old view of Manhattan Bridge

Saturday was a night full of 21st birthday celebrations—including my own! I had Indian food with my friends who were not yet in NY for my birthday, and then we went to our other friend's birthday celebration in Ktown for karaoke! What a tremendously fun night!

my outfit, though I swapped the heels for suede boties

a ceiling of chili pepper lights

I mentioned last week that Pose featured my outfit. Well guess what, I was featured again!!! The app featured my birthday outfit, which was also well received by my friends.

dinner with Eunice!