Thursday, April 8, 2010

ah, so that's it.

I am attempting to make a slow reemergence back into the blogosphere. I do know not know why, considering I pump out about three articles a week on top of school and work, mayhaps because this writing is only for me?

I am unsure if I will be creating marathon blogs as I am known for, but maybe just quick jots of my thoughts throughout the day. Think of it as a lengthier version of my Twitter account. I don't think anyone still reads this anymore nor have I made an announcement to my (one) reader, but I think it's better that way. You can be my audience for now.

Recommendations: I suggest everyone listen to Broken Bells and the newest Cave Singers album. They are both on repeat because it is fabulous. Cave Singers is more for welcoming spring and summer, Broken Bells is more for getting drunk to. I highly suggest listening to "Citizen" from Broken Bells and "Summer Light" from Cave Singers (am also currently learning this song on guitar!).

Updates: Nabbed a job for the City of Seattle. Officially registered as a public affairs minor (my quick stint as a computer science major resulted in me dropping the class after the first half hour). Newest writer for CapitolHillSeattle.com--check out my articles! I will be slowly trying to create a network throughout the hill and maybe trying to find a beat I can follow. Still writing for The Spectator. Am now a Gates Student scholar and will be going to my first seminar tomorrow and doing field work on family homelessness in Seattle--I am a weird coalesce of nerves and excitement. My official title is assistant producer for PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer...damn! UC Berkeley here I come! Be impressed! Please! (Or U of Chicago) kthx.

I think for the first time I am excited for the future. Spring will bring Sasquatch, more 21st birthday celebrations, roommate birthday celebrations, weddings, geez, who knows what else? Summer will be spent in India with one of my favorite professors. 3 weeks with her, 2 additional weeks traveling througout southern India just on our own. May I be forever blessed with the luxury on being able to travel and see such beauty in the world! Should I bring my traveling guitar? Or is that too much...

One more year in college. Thank goodness.


Hm, I believe that is it for now. I am obviously procrastinating, but at least this was a good distraction.


Flash mob dance practice tomorrow--Saturday is when they show up for three secret locations in Sesattle. Will u b participatin'?



Your pal,
Carolyn

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A how-to guide on accepting Frump

You can usually tell when you wake up in the morning exactly what kind of day it is. I usually coin this day as "Frump Day". What "Frump Day" usually entails is the innate knowledge that you are generally going to have a bad day--emotionally and superficially. No matter how much makeup you put on or how many times you attempt to curl your hair, nothing is going to change fatum. Generally, I would advise most Frumpers not to leave the house. Avoid it at all cost, you are not doing anyone a favor by appearing outside--especially your reputation (if you even have any). Don't even expect cat-calls from homeless men; and they are usually your best fanbase [them and immigrants].

Don't, I repeat, do NOT complain to your significant other. There is only so much that they can take. In the past, I've used up all my "obligatory compliments" that you usually get without fail and complaint from your boyfriend or girlfriend. This golden age is known as the "Puppy stage", it is a freebie--this is the stage where you compliment each other endlessly. My mistake was going past "Puppy stage" into Grandma and Grandpa status. Every Frump Day, I would turn to my boyfriend of currently 6 months and tell him how frumpy I look today. The first time was cute. The next 10 or 20 times was not so cute. If you are accepting of your mediocrity, expect at least 29 out of the usual 30 days in a month to be frump days. However, do not expect your boyfriend/girlfriend to be understanding past the second day. He/She does not care. The more reasons that you tell them about how terrible you look--the more they will take it into consideration on dumping yo' fat ass. So take heed and shut up. No one wants to hear about Frump Day, remember you don't really matter that much in the grand scheme. Just be grateful that someone loves you. And if you are not currently in a relationship, I suggest you stay single. It's not all that cracked up to be.

The cure to Frump Day usually consists of hanging out with your most successful and most beautiful friends. Be warned, your self-esteem could take a big dive. Drink lots of alcohol smoke lots of cigarettes (but remember, you are trying to quit and the more you smoke the more Frumpy you are going to become as each drag weathers you down bit by bit). You surround yourself with normal and active people because it is a reminder that you are not like them at all. You were never voted most attractive or most likely to succeed in high school. You aren't the trophy wife nor are you going to work for Google. What you are, is part of the mediocre class. You enjoy going to iHop for dinner and you enjoy instant Netflix. You aren't ugly but you aren't terrible looking either. You have a snarky personality that most people like to talk to but don't necessary enjoy your company for long periods at a time.


I am one of the lucky ones, I have a boyfriend that doesn't mind that I am a Frump, but that's because I've blinded him with my winning personality. This method may not work all the time, but you can keep trying (I suppose).

I speak for all the Frumps in the world: Embrace the Frump. Don't let the Frump get to you. Go work your office job and file away everyday. At least you have a job. Don't ever aim high; stay within your cubicle and for god's sake, whatever you do, don't ever watch Bridget Jones (don't fit the stereotype!).


Peace,
Carolyn.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Rise up

First blog post of fall quarter - soon to be winter quarter (thank goodness)

I do not know why I am writing in this now. The ultimate procrastination tool is to blog... and I am definitely not in the mood to finish this philosophy paper on Thus Spoke Zarathustra right now.


So what hearts? What news? Speak, young love!

If you ask me tomorrow, I would say yes. Stupid answer, but the answer remains the same nonetheless. We are young and in love, and yes, we are both very stupid.

I am purchasing a plane ticket to New Orleans for spring break. Getting funky in the French quarter district and sleeping in hostels. I expect southern hospitality and good authentic street jazz.

I am spending Thanksgiving with Alex's family in Olympia. He insists on me being there (though I have a deep fear of meeting the 'family') - I have no idea how he puts up with me. We plan on bringing some kind of apple fennel pudding to the dinner. Very all-American, I know - but his family is definitely all-American.

Reconsidering my career (what else is new). Working for the Spectator has given me a new perspective on journalism - more like an epiphany. I am once again, at a lost. (Again, what else is new!)

To graduate by fall quarter 2010 or not? That is the big question.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Dear Seattle

You've been good to me this summer so far. It's a shame I have to leave you when I get on that plane tonight - just when everything was going swimmingly well.

A woman's life is built on a history of affections. I am proud to say that I was in love once; despite the end result. For the past few months I was going through bouts of depression with Fleetwood Mac as company in the background. The loss of anyone that has deeply affected your life is a shame that brings such sorrow. (And no, I am not talking about a boy.)

There is a deep emotional connection among women. That is why I love them. They cry more easily, they get upset, they become self-conscious, and when they love - they goddamn love. There is an intrinsic understanding among all of us that the art of becoming a woman comes with genuine heartache sometimes - whether it is given to us from a man or one of our one.

I am humbled and honored to be among such great women that have taught me well in the verses of affection. I like the word affection. Always have. It's on the same level as 'exhausted'. 'Exhausted' and 'Affection' are both great words. These girls are not just another carbon-copy of Sex and the City. It has become more than that these past few months, and I will miss them dearly.

Someone once told me I would make a great feminist. I hardly believe that.
I just simply don't avert my eyes anymore in a man's world. I am a woman by birth. (Ani DiFranco)

I hope that within the next month, I am able to revamp my fallen spirituality. I hope to rid myself of apathy and never again succumb to the evil traps of my bed and the glory that is instant NetFlix. I hope that when I come back, I am a stronger, well traveled and more educated Asian-American woman. To be given the chance to discover yourself as well as America is a rare and beautiful occurrence. Of course self-discovery can also be seen as bullshit coming from someone in their early 20s' (not even yet) but who honestly gives a shit?

The midwest is foreign to me, as I am to it.






I wish everyone in Seattle fair winds and following seas. I will see all of you in a month and regale you with stories of my tomfoolery in dirty-jazz Chicago bars all the way to the wide open fields of Wisconsin.


-Carolyn

Saturday, July 25, 2009

For You

I love how your hands are always covered in paint.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

500 Days of You

Lately, I am finding life to be getting more odd by the minute. I am unsure of how to handle things. I am clumsy with my words and my posture - please do not mistake it for charm. I know you are though, despite my indifference. You know, I think Seattle is one of the funniest cities I've ever been to/lived in. In one day, you can meet someone new and spend all day talking to them till midnight while bumping into Mistake #4 sitting outside reading at Cafe Vita. (Yes, you have become nothing more than a funny anecdote I tell people at parties. Be proud, you always make for a good topic of conversation - who else is that crazy??)

Summer school is officially over. I really hope I passed marine bio. Sadly though I only get to spend one week of it celebrating in Seattle. As Christina eloquently calls it.. "The Great American Road Trip" will commence in a week and a half. I CANNOT wait.

Saw the midnight showing of Harry Potter (I never miss a midnight showing). Movie was decent. Awkward, but decent. Jesus Christ though, when did everyone grow up to become xxxtremely hawt?

On the subject of newly released cinema... also just got back from seeing 500 days of Summer tonight. FANTASTIC movie. I recommend it to anyone that is not a robot and can convey basic human emotions: aka laughing and crying. It's a great post-break-up movie for anyone that has gotten out of a life-changing but unhealthy relationship. Though I might get slightly annoyed if The Smiths suddenly makes a 'popular' comeback because of this movie - if you're a loyal fan, you've always been a loyal fan and have never stopped listening to them.

In the past two months, I have met more people in Seattle than I have the past two years of going to Seattle U. Isn't that odd? Why is it that I connect so well with people who DON'T go to SU? Yes, I admit I have my qualms with the SU crowd - but who doesn't?. There is a thick veil that separates me from liking most of the general populous at SU; maybe because I feel disenchanted by their views on certain things and on how they can't seem to handle 'real life' very well. Oh well, I'm glad I'm meeting new people and actually connecting with them. I like being able to talk about LOTR for hours on end and which Wes Anderson film is the best. Silly dumb unpretentious shit that doesn't really matter but ends with the both of us laughing over a cup of coffee. I very much enjoy being around the company of awkward yet amiable people.

Anyway, enough on that topic.

More exciting news though. Will be attending The Treasure Island Music Festival in SAN FRANCISCO come October. VERY EXCITED. To get there... you have to get on a boat to get to the island. FANTASTIC. CAPS LOCK.



Okay, so the lesson(s) of this blog:
-Go see the newest Harry Potter for hot people and because it's Harry fucking Potter
-go see 500 Days of Summer if you need some help recovering from a bad break-up
-be good and do good - despite shitty circumstances. the universe has a funny way of rewarding you.
-everyone loves The Onion. People can talk about that shit for hours.
-listen to Regina Spektor. I find her good summer music accompaniment
-avoid Cafe Vita if you don't want any awkward run-ins
- and last but not least...

always remember that Seattle is a magical city. :)



Peace and love.

Friday, July 17, 2009

fuck

5 more hours until my marine bio final. I am now starting to study for it. fuck.

My nose bled today. It was odd. First time that has happened to me since... well, since, I was a kid really.

My article came out on the Spectator. I like seeing my name in print. It makes me feel important.

You stood me up...? I hate men.

Harry Potter fangirl fanatic has once again emerged from high school years. I told myself to never reveal my true self in college. I am actually a stark-raving mad fangirl. I even wrote fanfiction once. This is why I am single.




I really need to pass this test.