Guide: http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/create-a-vibrant-abstract-vector-design-illustrator
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
Friday, 31 July 2015
Sunday, 19 July 2015
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Cracked Log Stool... with lights!
While browsing Decoist, I found this cool looking stool made out of a stump of wood. The designer embedded LED lights inside it. I'd love to put something like this in my home if it weren't $640.
The photo makes it look like the LED lights are the warm gold kind. It makes it look like golden evening sunlight. So soothing!
Source: http://duncanmeerding.bigcartel.com/product/stump-table-stool-light
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| It GLOWS! |
The photo makes it look like the LED lights are the warm gold kind. It makes it look like golden evening sunlight. So soothing!
Source: http://duncanmeerding.bigcartel.com/product/stump-table-stool-light
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Awaiting December
I'm absolutely psyched to get next year's planner! I keep looking on the Moleskine/Leuchtturm websites to see if they have any cool 18-month planners coming out soon. Ideally, if I could grab a medium or large (NOT pocket-sized) planner with a unique cover, I'd do it. Moleskine does those but Leuchtturm has cooler colors. Aah! So excited!
I personally prefer the "weekly planner & notebook" types. They have the weekly view on the left, starting with Monday at the top and Saturday/Sunday at the bottom. On the right page would be a blank page where I can put in all my notes. For me, I put in reminders for the next week, or a task list. It's seriously helped me remember things. Prior to that, I'd be depending solely on my own very faulty memory! I have no idea how I survived thus far without properly using a planner!
Here's a comparison between the two (photos from Google image):
I suppose they don't look too different.
Currently, I have the Moleskine planner. I was an idiot and didn't read the measurements so I was in for a shock when I opened up my package and found a teeny tiny little pocket Moleskine planner instead of the bigger one I was expecting! I love it though and I will definitely get one again in the future.
For 2016-2017, I think I will try the Leuchtturm planner to compare.
I personally prefer the "weekly planner & notebook" types. They have the weekly view on the left, starting with Monday at the top and Saturday/Sunday at the bottom. On the right page would be a blank page where I can put in all my notes. For me, I put in reminders for the next week, or a task list. It's seriously helped me remember things. Prior to that, I'd be depending solely on my own very faulty memory! I have no idea how I survived thus far without properly using a planner!
Here's a comparison between the two (photos from Google image):
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| Moleskine Weekly Planner & Notebook |
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| Leuchtturm1917 Weekly Planner & Notebook |
I suppose they don't look too different.
Currently, I have the Moleskine planner. I was an idiot and didn't read the measurements so I was in for a shock when I opened up my package and found a teeny tiny little pocket Moleskine planner instead of the bigger one I was expecting! I love it though and I will definitely get one again in the future.
For 2016-2017, I think I will try the Leuchtturm planner to compare.
Thursday, 25 June 2015
"The Effects of Working in Customer Service as a Sensitive Person"
I still have feelings (hopefully), somewhere deep down inside, hidden under the layers and layers of emotional calluses. One day, I'll be myself again. It'll take some time, but I'll be fine eventually. I hated it while I was in it, but it's already happened, so there's nothing more to do than to take the experience and grow from it. I know I'm stronger now, but there are still negative effects I have to shed. That'll take time, but eventually I'll be okay again. Step one is to get out of the negative influence, and the rest will follow.
Don't mind me, just giving myself a pump-up speech... a much needed one! I haven't felt this alive for what feels like years. Maybe it's what I needed to make me open my eyes.
I never would have been able to think this way. Not even last week. There was no shred of hope or positivity, just dread, stress, anxiety and a whole load of other unhealthy things. I've needed this break for a long time, but in retrospect I think it was good that I'd had to wait this long. Kind of like when you don't shower for a week, the relief when you finally get to shower and wash all of that coagulated sweat and grime off you, suddenly you have a new appreciation for showers. It's not like you particularly enjoy being filthy and you probably wouldn't want to do that again though.
Don't mind me, just giving myself a pump-up speech... a much needed one! I haven't felt this alive for what feels like years. Maybe it's what I needed to make me open my eyes.
I never would have been able to think this way. Not even last week. There was no shred of hope or positivity, just dread, stress, anxiety and a whole load of other unhealthy things. I've needed this break for a long time, but in retrospect I think it was good that I'd had to wait this long. Kind of like when you don't shower for a week, the relief when you finally get to shower and wash all of that coagulated sweat and grime off you, suddenly you have a new appreciation for showers. It's not like you particularly enjoy being filthy and you probably wouldn't want to do that again though.
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
Watercolor Progress
It makes me feel so satisfied to finish a doodle... here are some recent ones, from least recent to most recent. I started maybe a year ago and do one from time to time.
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| Goldfish |
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| Lizard Charmander |
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| A fox |
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| Another fox |
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| Warring Kingdoms Lux skin concept (League of Legends) |
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| Shiba Inu |
Still feeling my way around watercolor. My favorite thing about it is putting something on a blank piece of paper, and suddenly, it becomes something.
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
"New Years Resolution"
While combing through some of my old blogs, I rediscovered an abandoned project of mine.
Oh boy, one of my New Year's Resolutions: to make a blog post of one positive thing a day. The goal was to hopefully train myself into the habit of thinking positively. I've done something like that before, except I did more than sixteen blog posts before forgetting about it!
On one hand, at least I did sixteen days worth of positive things, and that's better than nothing.
But on the other, I gave up.
And I still complain daily about work, and in fact I've become even worse of a person than I was when I first started that blog. Some days it gets really hard to find anything positive at all, even though I know there are positive things right in front of me.
It's never too late to start a habit, or at least attempting to! As I have now posted on my positive-thoughts blog, I'm probably not going to update it, but I will definitely keep journaling in my real-life notebook.
To quote a "Chinese proverb":
Good thought fuel!
Oh boy, one of my New Year's Resolutions: to make a blog post of one positive thing a day. The goal was to hopefully train myself into the habit of thinking positively. I've done something like that before, except I did more than sixteen blog posts before forgetting about it!
On one hand, at least I did sixteen days worth of positive things, and that's better than nothing.
But on the other, I gave up.
And I still complain daily about work, and in fact I've become even worse of a person than I was when I first started that blog. Some days it gets really hard to find anything positive at all, even though I know there are positive things right in front of me.
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| One of my "free time" activities: write down little fact tidbits!... but I don't do the research to make sure they're correct, so as far as I'm aware, they can all be false... am I a spreader of misinformation!? Better keep my journal to myself. |
It's never too late to start a habit, or at least attempting to! As I have now posted on my positive-thoughts blog, I'm probably not going to update it, but I will definitely keep journaling in my real-life notebook.
To quote a "Chinese proverb":
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago.
The second best time to plant a tree is today.
Good thought fuel!
Cheesecake Factory with Annie
Hung out with Annie today! It's been a while since I'd really caught up with anyone. We went to Cheesecake Factory and walked around for a bit after the hefty meal.
We also shared a Tiramisu cheesecake, which I DID NOT TAKE A PHOTO OF! (kicks self) Tasted delicious! I was very thankful she made time for me to hang out after work. These days, with any sort of hanging out with people, either I'm too tired or they're too tired or we're both working.
According to other people's Instagrams, it was a beautiful tornado-warning evening, so I will take their word for it and say that overall it was a nice evening.
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| I got the meatloaf & mashed perderers, and she got a pulled pork burger. |
We also shared a Tiramisu cheesecake, which I DID NOT TAKE A PHOTO OF! (kicks self) Tasted delicious! I was very thankful she made time for me to hang out after work. These days, with any sort of hanging out with people, either I'm too tired or they're too tired or we're both working.
According to other people's Instagrams, it was a beautiful tornado-warning evening, so I will take their word for it and say that overall it was a nice evening.
Hyannis: A Retreat
On June 11th, a Thursday, I had a day off. My family and I (and my brother's friend, Nick) went to Hyannis. My mom later told me that it was a special trip, since I'm so stressed out about work, it was good to go somewhere new for a change. And it was very good! It was a beautiful day, not too scorching, but not too chilly. There was a warm and briny summer breeze, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky until sunset-- and there was just the perfect amount of clouds to scatter the sunlight into beautiful colors.
I'll start from the beginning! When we got to Hyannis, we just walked around the touristy area. I didn't get too many pictures of going into shops, but we did a fair share of window shopping!
After the beach, we went to get dinner. I don't exactly remember what the place was called, but I remember we had walked around for a bit looking for somewhere to eat. My mom wanted lobster, and only one place served it-- the first restaurant we went to! So we ended up going there.
When dinner was over, we stayed and chatted for a little bit. Luckily the restaurant wasn't crowded at all so we weren't rushed out! And then... to the beach, to watch the sunset!
And finally... the sun set.
What a beautiful day! I won't forget it. My job had been eating me alive and it's hard to remember that I'm a person, that I can enjoy things, because there are things that are enjoyable in life. I remember, when I was sitting at the beach, I constantly had to keep reminding myself not to feel so dead inside. Not that you can help it sometimes, you know? But I had to keep reminding myself, I'm not at work right now. I'm not at work. I don't have to deal with anyone, just relax, just enjoy it. Even sitting in a beautiful place like the beach, away from work, I wasn't truly away from work. I was still anxious about going back. But now that it's almost been a month, I look back to that day and I only think about the beautiful weather and the carefree relaxing feeling of being with my family.
And that's a good thing. It's good to have good feelings. Five years later, all those bad memories would have been just another little pothole in the road, and I would remember the gentle ocean waves laced with evening sun.
I'll start from the beginning! When we got to Hyannis, we just walked around the touristy area. I didn't get too many pictures of going into shops, but we did a fair share of window shopping!
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| The trek begins! |
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| A basin of shells in one of the stores. You take your pick and put them into a little velvet bag! |
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| Stopped to get some ice cream! |
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| I got pistachio. I'd forgotten the bright green ice cream were from dyes... |
After that, we went to the beach. As you can see, no clouds in the sky! Perfect beach weather.
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| The two guys went looking for things in the sand right away. |
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| And they found this pretty shell! |
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| Dad taking pictures of the duck couple that had been waddling around. |
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| One of the sea gulls lurking nearby. |
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| Reading under the sun. It did get a little hot after a while so I read with a cardboard box cover over my head... LOL |
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| The two guys up to their antics... |
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| And created SAND DUDE! |
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| My dad added some sort of Speedo to cover up his privates. |
After the beach, we went to get dinner. I don't exactly remember what the place was called, but I remember we had walked around for a bit looking for somewhere to eat. My mom wanted lobster, and only one place served it-- the first restaurant we went to! So we ended up going there.
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| Dad's place of shrimp scampi on the left, and the twin lobsters on the right. Found out my dad likes shrimp scampi on this day, so ended up making it for Father's Day! Will post the photos of that some other time. |
When dinner was over, we stayed and chatted for a little bit. Luckily the restaurant wasn't crowded at all so we weren't rushed out! And then... to the beach, to watch the sunset!
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| See those beautiful clouds? The way the evening sun lances everything with gentle gold light? So nice. |
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| Gosh. |
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| I love it. |
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| I couldn't stop snapping photos. The light changed every minute and I wanted to keep a momento of it, because when the day's over, I'm not going to remember exactly how it looked. I can always go back, but there are gonna be gloomy days when it'll be hard to remember how beautiful the sunlight can be! |
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| The trek from the parking lot to the canal. This also looks like an album cover. |
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| Also kinda looks like an album cover! |
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| Me in my fashionista outfit and mom. |
And finally... the sun set.
What a beautiful day! I won't forget it. My job had been eating me alive and it's hard to remember that I'm a person, that I can enjoy things, because there are things that are enjoyable in life. I remember, when I was sitting at the beach, I constantly had to keep reminding myself not to feel so dead inside. Not that you can help it sometimes, you know? But I had to keep reminding myself, I'm not at work right now. I'm not at work. I don't have to deal with anyone, just relax, just enjoy it. Even sitting in a beautiful place like the beach, away from work, I wasn't truly away from work. I was still anxious about going back. But now that it's almost been a month, I look back to that day and I only think about the beautiful weather and the carefree relaxing feeling of being with my family.
And that's a good thing. It's good to have good feelings. Five years later, all those bad memories would have been just another little pothole in the road, and I would remember the gentle ocean waves laced with evening sun.
Monday, 22 June 2015
Journaling: Leuchtturm1917 & 2015-2016 Weekly Moleskine Planner/Journal
I haven't written anything of substance in my blog for quite a while now. Part of the reason for that is because I've gotten much more diligent with writing in journals. A few months ago, I found out that journal-collecting (if that's what you call it) is a thing. I'm not the only person out there who has a near-obsession with stationery products! So, that was how I got into Leuchtturms. Field Notes are next... I bought the 'Expedition' version for my dad on Father's Day and he thought very well of them. R.I.P. to my wallet!
While updating my planner today, I realized I'm more than halfway through it. Here's a photo of it below.
I mean, obviously, right? It is June, and I got this little thing back in December or January. But my mind hasn't caught up to the time yet. Seeing a physical sign that half a year has already gone by was a little startling. I've been taking things one week at a time, and looking at my half-finished planner was like a slap in the face. I may be taking it one week at a time but those weeks add up. Lots of interesting patterns show up when I look through previous pages. Here's a page below from when I first got this thing.
On another note, I'm super excited to get next year's planner! Hoping to snag a Leuchtturm one instead.
Here's a pic of my Moleskine 2015-2016 planner and my white Leuchtturm1917 journal below! That's my "everything" journal. Random interesting facts, recipes, journal entries, dream log, etc. all goes into that white Leuchtturm. The best thing about Leuchtturms are the numbered pages and table of contents! Wonder how long it'll take for me to completely fill that up. I consider it an accomplishment to actually finish a journal. I don't think I've ever done that in my life, sad to say.
Last but not least, here is a pic of my current stash (below). There was this sale on Leuchtturms so I bought a whole ton of them... not pictured are the Leuchtturms I already gave away. Gave a brown one to my dad, brown one to Matt, hot pink one (LOL) to my mom, a mini purple one to Becky, and a few more to some other friends. I am probably keeping these ones for myself though. The tan cover one is from my friend Olivia, and I hope to use that one for journaling after I finish my white Leuchtturm. The one with the long-eyelashes-stag, currently not sure what I want to use it for.
And that's that! Probably won't have too many journal-type blog posts from me, since I write almost daily now. Maybe I should use my blog just for photo updates.
While updating my planner today, I realized I'm more than halfway through it. Here's a photo of it below.
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| Ta dah! |
I mean, obviously, right? It is June, and I got this little thing back in December or January. But my mind hasn't caught up to the time yet. Seeing a physical sign that half a year has already gone by was a little startling. I've been taking things one week at a time, and looking at my half-finished planner was like a slap in the face. I may be taking it one week at a time but those weeks add up. Lots of interesting patterns show up when I look through previous pages. Here's a page below from when I first got this thing.
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| A look into my boring life. |
On another note, I'm super excited to get next year's planner! Hoping to snag a Leuchtturm one instead.
Here's a pic of my Moleskine 2015-2016 planner and my white Leuchtturm1917 journal below! That's my "everything" journal. Random interesting facts, recipes, journal entries, dream log, etc. all goes into that white Leuchtturm. The best thing about Leuchtturms are the numbered pages and table of contents! Wonder how long it'll take for me to completely fill that up. I consider it an accomplishment to actually finish a journal. I don't think I've ever done that in my life, sad to say.
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| The Moleskine planner is 3.5in x 5.5in. The Leuchtturm1917 is 5.75in x 8.25in. |
Last but not least, here is a pic of my current stash (below). There was this sale on Leuchtturms so I bought a whole ton of them... not pictured are the Leuchtturms I already gave away. Gave a brown one to my dad, brown one to Matt, hot pink one (LOL) to my mom, a mini purple one to Becky, and a few more to some other friends. I am probably keeping these ones for myself though. The tan cover one is from my friend Olivia, and I hope to use that one for journaling after I finish my white Leuchtturm. The one with the long-eyelashes-stag, currently not sure what I want to use it for.
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| I don't even want to think about how much $$$ this cost. |
And that's that! Probably won't have too many journal-type blog posts from me, since I write almost daily now. Maybe I should use my blog just for photo updates.
Monday, 15 June 2015
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Thursday, 7 May 2015
List of Shapeshifter-related Creepypastas
Have you ever read 'Anansi's Goatman Story'? Here it is. (WARNING: Possibly creepy picture.)
If you're a fan of those creepy shapeshifter-type stories, here's a whole collection of them: here.
If you're a fan of those creepy shapeshifter-type stories, here's a whole collection of them: here.
Monday, 23 March 2015
Fail Eggs
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| Lighting and angles make the photograph... right?! |
One morning, I tried to make a good-lookin' avocado egg omelette, with some vague vegetables in it. It ended up looking like this crap here, but at least it tasted good!
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