Conversations with Bert

Perhaps I naively stereotype children programming. Sesame Street never ceases to impress me.
There aren't flashing lights and crazy colors jumping from every corner with the screen or repetitive, catchy music and with dancing psychedelic creatures that one would conjure up during a Dr. Seuss fest.

It's Bert and Andy Samberg discussing matters of daily life.

Socks. Rayon. Paperclips. With milk breaks!

Children sit still, stop switching your focus between every moving object in the room,

look someone in the eyes, listen to what they say, and reply without running in circles until you fall down.

This is the art of conversation.

Weekend change

Last Saturday morning was terribly stressful. I think I cause most of my stress.

But that flea market that blocked off half the parking lot so there were only a few spots close to class
and the people who stole my spots causing me to park on the other side of campus
and the parking meter that ate my money
may have contributed as well.

But then

[WHAMO!]

I found out class was canceled
and everything changed.

 What a horrible, rotten day...

[changed to]

Wow what gorgeous weather!

The annoying flea market blocking off the parking lot...

[changed to]
Yay! I can browse the flea market and it's on the way back to my car!

How convenient!

 hats!

 atari games!!!

 transformers!

this reminds me of johnny number five

I got to make new plans.

That included a trip to a museum (that I never knew existed)
playing a board game outdoors,
and some delicious NY style pizza + garlic knots.
 Score!

It's amazing how a little change can totally shift your outlook.

If only I could start my day that way...

Three Things for your Tum

1. Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies

http://konacookies.com/

Avoid distractions and go straight for the chocolate dipped mac nut cookies.
I don't have any pictures of the ones I brought back because they didn't last very long...

2. Loco Moco

I had a super loco moco at the Big Island Grill made with 3 different meats.

Why have I never considered venturing beyond hamburger beef or spam?

Chicken katsu was delicious!

Ingredients: cooked white rice, meat (usually hamburger patty or fried spam, but try chicken katsu!), fried egg, gravy.

You can figure out the rest.

3. Mango Salsa

We pretty much had mango salsa with everything. Every day.

 Dinner our first night (mostly from Costco!): seaweed salad, hawaiian style potato salad, sweet bbq ribs, mango salsa, chicken, and rice. Yum!

Pick me up

I was rather down in the dumps on Tuesday. It was a tough day.

On days like this I like to go for walk alone or just wander. I had a movie due so I "wandered" over to Safeway and picked up a few things. Corn was 10/$2! I have been waiting all year for corn season to come around to make a certain something I will probably post about later. And I was craving something sweet (a cupcake collapsing under a pile of icing) but maybe something cold?

Hello Ben & Jerry's! Thank you for your new Red Velvet Cake ice cream!

It was exactly what I wanted when I didn't even know it existed.
While the boys played games, I busted out my Costco bin of Nestle Tollhouse cookie dough.

I hope my kids inherit my I-eat-junk-and-still-stay-petite genes.

Time for a snack kids!

Fresh cookies and icing/ice cream - is there anything better?

Hawaiian Sweets Nearby

Cost Plus World Market has new Hawaiian Sweets under their Weekly Features!

Oh how I wish I was back there. I still am on THEIR time.

I don't like that many of the country of origins for the "hawaiian" snacks are not from the US.
I do like that they have Li Hing Mui mango snacks.

The nice Vietnamese man at the shaved ice store educated us on the powder.

Sweet, tart and sour 

are a few words to describe the peculiar red-pink powder.

A local surfer-type was in the shop and said the local kids put it on everything, and even eat the powder plain. It actually reminds me of a snack my grandparents would eat. Dried prunes covered in that red-pink powder. Of course, being a kid, prunes are gross, old people snacks are gross, anything that wasn't Koolaid or msg crackers or goldfish or uncooked ramen or by chef boyardee was gross. Oh my adolescent naivete. I didn't want to have anything to do with it. The refined spirit of adventure that comes with age made me try it. Someone had the powder showered on his shaved ice.
And the verdict was... interesting, not bad.

The middle-aged surfer dude was right, locals do love the stuff.
Locals grocery stores (not the tourist ones) had snack aisles filled with everything covered in the powder - various dried fruits, sour patch kids, different gummy snacks, etc. They must love it! Who knew island flavor is the same as old Chinese grandparents.

I hope this stuff stays at World Market for awhile.
My World Market picks!

Kona-Mac Nut Cookies. $7.98

Macadamia Nuts. $3.99

Electric Ice Shaver. $24.99 $19.99

This might not be Hawaiian, but it looks so cute! Oink oink.

Pig Terracotta Grill. $24.99 $19.99

Ebates wishlist

Ebates is turning 12 and to celebrate has 12% cashback on many of their stores. Quick, it ends tonight!

I've been considering new bedding for quite a while, too bad there is none of that included.

Here are some things I could be one click away from calling mine.

Well, wishful thinking

Container Store - Pear Sidewinder Luggage

Eagle Creek 21" Sidewinder in Pear. $99. The Container Store

Good luggage makes traveling much less stressful. I like the kind with 4 wheels. No tilting needed, just drag it. And this one is extra cool because it's neon not black... just like every other piece of luggage in baggage claim.

Gap - Always Skinny Jeans

Medium Wash. $59.50. GAP

These are my favorite pair of jeans. I don't know why they look so ridiculously tight on the model because I think they are roomier and more flexible than most cardboard skinny jeans. I was anti-skinny jeans before these and the only reason I purchased them was because I got them for $23 when they first came out. Was GAP always this pricey?

Sephora - Havana Nights Mini Collection

Sephora by OPI. $18. Sephora

I saw this one in a  glossy. I thought "Wow! Orange nail polish! I should try that!" This is why I shouldn't read magazines. They also have some Bare Essentials kits on sale.

Sur La Table - Zoku Quick Pop Maker

Zoku Quick Pop Maker. $49.95. Sur La Table

Remember when you had to wait hours for your root beer popsicles to freeze so you ended up eating frozen juice concentrate instead? Nope? Me neither. But it would never be a consideration with gorgeous, delicious ice pops in minutes! There are cool accessories available too!

 Yves Saint Laurent - Young Sexy Lovely

1oz. $44. Yves Saint Laurent Beauty

I had a whiff of this at a duty free shop in some international airport (in Asia?) and haven't stopped thinking about it since. Too bad I'm not allowed to wear perfume at work. My current bottle of Parisienne is going to take forever to finish.

I'm back!

I was gone and now I'm back. I may have left my heart somewhere along the way but I have so many memories to share!

Highlights:

• Using my new lens!
• Discovering the most awesome way to eat shaved ice
• Taking pictures of every plant I see (with my new lens!)
• Cute lovebirds
• The beach with green sand and no people
• Capturing a lizard eating a bug (only possible with my new lens!)
• Awesome farmer's markets
• Avocados as big as my head!
• Finding a HI t-shirt
• Eating the most amazing loco moco and chicken katsu
• Learning the history of King Kamehameha (sadly not pronounced like Dragonball) which made me very excited about a giant rock (and drop my new lens!)
• Discovering the cracked glass was my filter sacrificing itself.
• Listening to island music every day
• Eating mac nuts every day
• Fresh tropical fruit every day
• Sand between my toes
• Going out late like normal people my age and using foursquare and earning 3 badges! 
• Wearing shorts, bathing suits and flip flops every day

*Note to self: Buy new UV filter.
*Extra note to self: Plan beach trip.

sneak peek...

hairy coconut head!

(not shot with my new lens!)

Complete

I am so close to done I can smell the way a new issue smells fresh from the press.
A crisp binding. Pages cling to each other as I pull them apart from their touch.

But every time I say it's my last draft, I take a peek at the display and I am NOT happy.
There is something. There is always SOMETHING that can be tweaked. Something that I know would catch my eye everytime I caught a glimpse of it because I know it's there. Perhaps it's better to be ignorant of the imperfections? But what would that say about workmanship?

Flawless. That is my goal.
My brain demands it but my body protests.

Yesterday, I gave in to a 10 minute nap. Unfortunately, I awoke 11 hours later no closer to that goal. And still longing for a few more snoozes.
 
Alas, it is time to throw in my cards and fold. I musn't forget there is a tomorrow. For now, there is only the hope for perfection and the moment I declare it is finished.

Website analytics

It is slightly addicting looking at blog stats.

No that I hope they go somewhere, but they are slightly mesmerizing. 

If you have a blog, and if you dare, click on the stats tab and take a peek.

I just like looking at graphs, find where people are sitting in the world, and creating lives for people behind the numbers.

(Apparently Reebok needs to do change their zigpulse shoe name to squiggly shoes.)

Remember statistics class? 

That class where you were told to question all numbers and all graphs can be skewed by the increments of the axis values. My values are small so every individual makes a huge fluctuation. It seems more exciting. Like watching stocks. The low priced stocks have such high percentage changes throughout the day. Each day is a bit of a roller coaster ride. No wonder why investors can be so emotional.

Back to the stats.

Someone recommended Google Analytics.

https://www.google.com/analytics

Can this really be more informative than my current blogger stat tracker? They are all Google, no?

But it is more informative and fascinating. You can see average time people spend on your site (3 minutes? maybe I shouldn't be so long-winded), the number of new visitors and bounce rates. I believe bounce rates are when someone visits your page and leaves without clicking around and exploring.

I'm not sure what my goals are for this blog. Currently it holds my meandering thoughts that I can't get around to handwriting in a journal. I think the easiest blogs are niche blogs with a well-defined topic and target demographic (e.g. moms with husbands overseas in the military, couponing, big city street style, ikea hacks, ridiculous drunken escapades of a shameless narcissist, etc.). I write simply to relax or share something I've been thinking about. I was thinking of starting a food blog for the outside world for quite awhile. But lately I think I eat way more than necessary and should cut back (I'm thinking most people don't order half rack of bbq ribs for lunch...). 

Should a blog capture what you are going through right now or your journey to somewhere you want to be?

Best of Target GO International

Yes! Deadline #1 complete!


I think I should stop looking at so many fashion blogs. My topics are getting a bit monotonous and shallow. There are bigger things to ponder. I even thought of styling one dress into many different looks but I'm probably better off sticking to food pictures... which reminds me I've been so busy with my deadline I skipped over dinner. Discussing fashion and missing a meal? These are very unusual times indeed.

Speaking of fashion, I discovered ASOS Women's Magazine. I LIKE! Great design, ideas and available online. I also like browsing their online store but shy away from international shipping... which is currently free wordwide!

Also, I am very behind on GO International.

Target has suddenly opened up their leftover stock or re-released several of their best dress collaborations. And they are all on... ready? Sale! I know for some girls it's shoes or purses or makeup but I think for me it's dresses. It's my soft spot. I wish I could wear a dress everyday. Although it might clash with my usual ensemble of sweatshirts and Air Force Ones/Uggs (thank you maxi dresses). I stopped by my local stores to try on as many as I could. It's slim pickings now but I got to try a few.

LIBERTINE

The name reminds me of Free People (but it's not) and Albertine (even though that's not related either).

I liked the tulip skirt. Two sides split for room to move but if you were standing straight the design looks slimming.
Unfortunately the top was rather tight on me and detail on top doesn't look so great in person.

I would wear this for work... if I had to dress up for work.

PROENZA SCHOULER

Did you know this line began as a senior thesis collection at Parson's School of Design? Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez created the luxury line's name by combining their mothers' maiden names.

Nice idea of a dress. 

I have no idea how this model got the top to fit.

RODARTE

This reminds me of all the headlines Natalie Portman made for wearing a $40 dress on the red carpet. SHOCKING!?! Really? This is top headline news? The saddest part is that I remember this but have forgotten majority of my world's geography. So there's problems in Tunisia... and that would be somewhere in Asia? Oh, Africa!?!

I like the contrast styling of prim and proper lace with combat boots.

Don't miss with this princess she probably does MMA at night.

1. http://www.target.com/Rodarte-Target-Lace-Print-Dress-Black/dp/B004IWL9VK

2.http://www.target.com/Rodarte-Target-Slip-Dress-Peach/dp/B004IWGPPU

THAKOON

He will always remind me The September Issue documentary and Ms. Anna Wintour. Which already makes him slightly fabulous. In the movie, he was doing a collaboration with GAP.

I would have liked this as a romper. The blue as the shorts, green as a breezy top.

Besides the winding neckline there isn't much detail. 

You would need an interesting belt or fun accessories to rock this one.

TUCKER

By Gaby Basora. Hmm... $300 vs. $30. Thanks Target!

I tried on the blue dress.
Would never have thought to layer a blouse on underneath.

ZAC POSEN

For some reason I always link his name to black blazers. I can't believe he's my brother's age. An alum of GenArt's Fresh Faces in Fashion; I'm glad GenArt is making a comeback.

I didn't try this one on but it's still available online.
If only dresses grew on trees.

1. http://www.target.com/Posen-Target-Wrap-Dress-Pink/dp/B004IX5G86/


I only bought one.
The one I thought would be most versatile and fun to style up.
Which do you think?

Three Things

1. Rompers

They aren't just for kids anymore. Perfect comfort summer/resort wear.

I always thought they looked a bit silly when they sold them at tropical tourist spots.

Take away the giant Hawaiian flowers and add some ruffles or detail and voila!

You are suddenly in this season.

 

2. Pleated/Linen Shorts

I am a dress fanatic but when you are doing something active
or in the vicinity of gusts of wind, shorts is the way to go. 

Bermuda shorts provide coverage but still feel constricting.

 I am so over this daisy dukes fad.

I like the look of pleated shorts and mid-thigh linen shorts.

Versatile, comfortable and perfect for hot weather.

It seemed everywhere I looked they were out of my size.

I even tried to convert a cheap skirt into my perfect pair of shorts.

I should just leave that to the experts.

3. UFC Trainer

This game comes out June 21.
I wonder if it will be like P90x for XBOX.