Jam and Pim

I've been rewatching the entire series of The Office. Which is my favorite TV show of all time btw.

Upon the second time, I've become to really appreciate the storyline between Pam and Jim.

I'm writing here because I really had to get it off my chest, because seriously who is going to listen to me analyze a story arc of a nonexistant relationship?

I like their characters individually first and foremost, but together they are dynamite. In the boring world of paper reams and clocking hours, they managed to create a fun little universe for themselves. Everyone else are pretty much props in the script they write impromptu everyday.

They really understand each other, supportive, and accepting. Always.

They were brave to try.
Brave to put the other person first when the timing wasn't right.
And brave to follow their heart.
Look how happy they are now, even in Scranton Pennsylvania (ew, haha).

Karen is in my opinion much more attractive than Pam (looks, ambitions, energy, etc) but she's not the one for Jim. Pam is. And Jim is complete with Pam. That's really the main point.

The love that Jim and Pam for each other, and their honesty, really really warms my heart. :)

My Life: July - November 2013

I've embarked on a journey, where we'll go, I don't know.

But this is what I've been looking for all these years, I'm happy to give it my all.

God if this is part of your plans, I know you are good to me.

It started with every woman's biggest #firstworldproblem.

And a fairy godmother I met almost 3 years ago...

And talent.

Despite the age of typing, carpel tunnel still exists for some.

Blossomed an amazing partnership.

Through mutual need, respect, and strengths.

And slowly garnering supporters.

One by one.

Led to the point where we were ready to share our designs with the world.

Scared, nervous, excited.

And we found the perfect space, Guardian Angel included.

We love you Steve. You'll never read this, but thank you.

But it isn't all fun and games -- but long hours, lots of heart, and a healthy dose of masochism.

Love of learning, challenges, and the unknown. My assistant laughed at my box sketch... sads.

Including gutting a warehouse, renovation, and construction to make way for a showroom. Buying furniture. Track lights. Fitting room. Conference space. My mind is boggled.

Stop looking at me as if I have the answer to laying polished cement flooring, I can barely understand the technicals in English, and you want a coherent solution from me in Chinese?!?!

And visits to suppliers. Factories. Infuriating development steps for the most minute details.

Being nice will get you nowhere. Being sweet, maybe.

Looking at our whole collection, we know that we should be proud of ourselves... but it doesn't mean much yet until these clothes get onto some bodies.

Thus, self-medication via vino.

Only a few more days...

I can't wait!

Seoul Sisters (and Brother)

Be prepared for a lazy post. :)

Seoul, Korea.

April 28 - May 1

Miff, Tracy, Julie, & Min

First night: Itaewon for bar hopping, whiskey clubs, Trace-ninjaing, seolleongtang.

Second Day: Spending some well-deserved QT with my lost-long sister, shopping/nomming our little hearts out at Garosugil.

Picking up Cousin Julie! ;)

Dongdaemun for late night shopping. Shit is too crazy, my head was going to explode -- get me out of here!!!

Here's a video just proving how ridiculous shopping in Korea is. And this is Doota, the nicest building complex in Dongdaemun.

Third Day: Starting off with amazing coffee at an amazing cafe. The coffeeshops are what I enjoyed the most about Seoul, with only one thing topping it all...

CHICKEN GINSENG SOUP.

Min took us to the best CGS place in Seoul, located near the Presidential Palace. Sorry, I forgot the name, but I'll never forget the taste. I've truly never had amazing chicken soup like this. I'd go back to Seoul for this.

Some competitive fun at the batting cage and basketball hoops. ;)

What's Seoul without some makuli?

And some KTV with Korean models?

And BBQ?

Concluded by a beautiful springtime hike?

Oh, hello.

I've been in hiding.

Garden District, New Orleans

Actually I have a HUGE backlog of pictures waiting to be posted, things that I do want to remember forever... such as the May holiday girls trip to Seoul, New York for Mother's Day and Grandpa's 100th Birthday, New Orleans with Vicki, Yangshuo with Dad. These are all incredibly precious moments, and when I'm ready I need to memorialize them before they fade away. (Goldfish memory!)

You have to be in the right mood to blog, to want to review and cherish the past, and recount it carefully and with care. I haven't been in this mindset because I feel like I'm constantly wrestling with the present and future. I WANT TO WIN.

For the last month I've been in a bit of a pensive and reclusive state, it's a stark contrast to where I was half a year ago. Before, it was just wishing hoping dreaming... but now that goals are getting closer to my doorstep, there's been a bit of reshifting and reorganization of lifestyle.

It would be apt to say that I'm still optimistic, but not as carefree. I have a team now. I am 29.5 years old. I need to build a rocket booster and not get distracted by too much fun. I want to become a homeowner in next several years (um, and yet I have no money in my bank account right now). I should take care of my parents more, and extend any benefits I have to my brother too. And I'd like to put more emphasis on my personal life as well.

I'm worried. :(

Anyways, Cap'n has to go find some treasure in the Big Blue.

Fresh Princess of Bel-Air

Several of my girlfriends and I organized a Spring Cleaning clothes swap + donation. Everyone came away with some great loot. Freaking awesome, I love my life here. 

THIS is what I call Shanghai Fashion Week. ;)

Now this is the story all about how
 My life got flipped, turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute just sit right there 
I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called [Shanghai]

In [Fresh Meadows] born and raised
On the playground where I spent most of my days
Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool
And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys, they were up to no good
Started making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
And said "You're moving [and groovin to a new life in China???]"

I whistled for a cab and when it came near the
License plate said "fresh" and had a dice in the mirror
If anything I could say that this cab was rare
But I thought nah, forget it, yo homes to [Shanghai]!

I pulled up to a house about seven or eight
And I yelled to the cabby "Yo, homes smell you later!"
Looked at my kingdom I was finally there
To sit on my throne as the prince of [Shanghai]

What! HAHAHAHA.
xo.

Laugh & Smile

It's been nearly one whole month since my last post, and one whole month between my last trip and my most recent trip to New York (came back yesterday). My ass is sore after sitting 16 x 4 = 64 hours = 2.5 days out of the last 30 days of the month on a plane. Me no likey! :(

I've been super busy this month with work, and with fun. :) There's been some really exciting developments, and I hope that 2013 will pan out well. I'm finally going to live out my entrepreneur dreams, I've been reactivating my sports hobbies with a supe'd up tennis racket (and my badminton racket!), my friends are always up to good and no good, my mommy and daddy love me, God loves me, I feel productive, I feel healthy, and I'm just generally high on life.

Last week when I was in New York, I was standing on the street with Sandy causing our usual ruckus when a bicyclist sped by and shouted, "You have a great smile, never stop smiling! Never stop laughing like you're doing right now!" I was momentarily stunned -- do you ever think about how you look like to others? I don't really think about that, but I liked his comment very much. Positive reinforcement.

by Sua Ha. Holding cupcakes from Billy's Bakery in front of the office.

"Just smile!" "But... what?! I don't know how to smile!!!"

In JFK there's a silly rule where you have to drag your own luggage to the security scan after you check in. I dragged my first of two 20kg-ers (not mine) to the machine, where two men tediously tossed mounds of luggage onto the rubber conveyor belt. For some reason, I was in a wonderful mood, and the two guys started joking around and commenting on Miss Smiley Face. Then I came back with the second 20kg-er (again, not mine) and they welcomed me back with an uproar. It was so ridiculous. It was so awesome. I don't know if this is how I normally look like, if I look like Santa Claus to a TSA worker or probably completely retarded to the normal jaded fellow, but... you know what? I think that if you're happy then just let it out, because everyone likes to be reminded what it looks like to feel good.

If someone's laughing and smiling, then something must be all right with the world.

Furry Little Things

Life piles up faster than I can blog. That's a good thing. :)

I didn't get to finish my Cambodia write-up, but I guess I'll throw it in here and there whenever I have time. I was in New York for about a week for work and Chinese New Year, it really is a perk to be able to travel "home" for business reasons. I'll be taking another trip back mid-March... now I understand why it's so important for frequent flyers to travel business class...my ass is SORE!

We caught AW's Fall 2013 fashion show, this time held at the historic Cunard Building down at Wall Street. The shows in the past were done in a warehouse-type venue so there was plenty of flexibility for stage effects, but this place was so beautiful in itself that I'm glad it was pretty straightforward. 

Aila gettin' her makeup did.

Such a cute moment.

Waiting backstage.

You won't believe how otherworldly models actually look like up close. It's not like they're only thin and tall (I was just a bit shorter with my own heels on), their bones look so delicate. It's like comparing a pterodactyl with a brontosaurus. I'm the pterodactyl of course. ;)

Presenting the most ridiculous fur hat in the world.

Also the warmest fur hat in the world.

I had given a her a piece of gum right before this impromptu interview. That was awkward, teehee.

Winter is coming... hahahaha. Sorry that was a super lame GoT joke.

Do you like what you see? Read the verdict here, here, and here.