tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57863637231786721992024-02-20T05:49:22.077-08:00Words into a Paper CupNothing's going to change my world.Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-19838030116114050502011-05-05T07:32:00.000-07:002011-05-05T07:32:40.871-07:00I have a valid excuse...Hi there.<br />
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I know. I know. What happened, Amanda?! Weren't you supposed to write a blog post every week? HOW COULD YOU LET US DOWN?! Blah, blah, blah.<br />
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To all my readers (that I could most likely count on one hand), I do apologize. However, I have what I think is a valid excuse. I recently (or more like over a month ago) got a new job at an incredible company! Not only is it a quick 15-20 minute walk from my front door, but I honest to blog LOVE MY JOB. It's a strange feeling to say the least.<br />
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Here are five valid reasons I've neglected this blog:<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.brooklynfoundry.com/"><b>Brooklyn Digital Foundry</b></a>: I mean, click on this link and tell me it's not impressive. From the mind-bending design work and well-known clientele, this company stays busy around the clock.<br />
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2. <b>The View.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TPK8uiW8ns/TcG_qW4pG3I/AAAAAAAAAqE/tV5o1Um3GpM/s1600/theview1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TPK8uiW8ns/TcG_qW4pG3I/AAAAAAAAAqE/tV5o1Um3GpM/s400/theview1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I mean, JESUS ELIZABETH CHRIST. This is the view! From my office! Where I work! AND I took this photo with my crappy vintage iPhone 1. Insane.</div><br />
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3. <b>My Baking.</b><br />
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You guys. If you know me at all, you know that I am the worst baker in the world. Honestly. Like, I've screwed up Pillsbury PRE-MADE cookies that are cut up and everything. I thought that I would be baking handicapped forever. I imagined my future children shaking their tiny fists toward the sky, cursing the heavens for giving them a mother that couldn't even baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies worth a damn. It wasn't until I actually got the motivation to learn how when I found out how much people around here love sweets... not to mention, it's a hell of a lot easier to bake for 8 people than a company of 300+.<br />
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This may seem counterintuitive, but I started baking for my health. Sitting for 7 hours at work all day and then going home and gluing my ass to the couch was not doing me any favors. So, from time to time, I rush home to gather ingredients and end up standing up all night mixing, sifting, and frosting! I don't eat hardly any of what I bake FYI, just enough to make sure it doesn't taste like death (if it tastes a little like death, I usually give it the okay). As a result I have made several delightful desserts that have gotten rave reviews such as my chocolate Texas cupcake sandwiches*:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzIgO8S5gag/TcKzabV68EI/AAAAAAAAAqI/GSe37zVXtwc/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzIgO8S5gag/TcKzabV68EI/AAAAAAAAAqI/GSe37zVXtwc/s320/cupcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*These were supposed to be just regular-sized cupcakes, but I'm still trying to get the hang of this baking thing so the cupcakes came out dwarf size. My solution was to glue two together with frosting... or duct tape. I'll save that one for next week. </span></div><br />
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4. <b>The people.</b><br />
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The guys at the Foundry are great. They work hard at what they do; however, they're so much fun when the time comes to relax and chill. At the end of the day on Fridays, we all get some beers and just hang out. Not only does this allow us all to get to know each other better, but it's such a great transition into the weekend. We all take our jobs seriously, but at the same time, we have fun while we do it.<br />
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Exhibit A (taken at a local boxing gym where we did a casting call for a video project):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFpuY9qNAl0/TcG7QdF-gBI/AAAAAAAAAqA/ocnJJ7ytDTE/s1600/B00_DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFpuY9qNAl0/TcG7QdF-gBI/AAAAAAAAAqA/ocnJJ7ytDTE/s320/B00_DSC_0248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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5. <b><a href="http://brooklynrising.com/">Brooklyn Rising</a>:</b> This is what is consuming most of my time... As communications coordinator I am responsible for maintaining the studio's blog and therefore have little time for my own! However, to learn more about how I got my job and hear me brag even more about how much I love my job, check out my latest blog post <a href="http://brooklynrising.com/i-dont-work-here/">here</a>.<br />
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In conclusion, I am sorry (or, actually, I'm not sorry. HA!) to say I might not be writing too frequently these days... I'm pretty damn happy and, like I said, I think that's a valid excuse. In the mean time, before I turn this into a food blog (possible food blog titles: Butter into a Paper Cup, Drool into a Paper Cup...) or maybe even a tumblr (Photos into a Paper Cup?), keep up with the Foundry (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/brooklynfoundry">@brooklynfoundry</a>) to know what I'm up to!<br />
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AK OUT!Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-20905894244444651752011-03-08T06:49:00.000-08:002011-03-08T06:49:23.929-08:00WENDY KAO IS A SAINTI will fight anyone that says they have a better mother than I do. <br />
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Okay, well, maybe I'll just give them a dirty look, but honestly, I have the best mom in the world. I have always know this of course, but it has become very apparent that I am mildly reckless when it comes to taking care of myself without her. I finally made it to the dentist last week after she reminded me that those hard white squares in my mouth need to be maintained and I subsequently found out I had three cavaties-- THREE. The thing is, I have never had a cavity. In fact, I belonged to the very exclusive Cavity-Free Club at the local family dentist back home. I got polaroids posted high on the doctor's office walls of me at every check up with a mouth full of pearly whites. Yep, those were the days when I took my mother's obsessive need for my sister and me to have regular checkups every six months for granted. Now that I live on my own with my own insurance and my own means to find a local doctor, I don't really understand how it all... <em>works</em>. This is also known as, I am a dirty and lazy young adult that doesn't realize that not flossing and brushing thoroughly after eating a burrito the size of my face is going to result in rotting teeth. Who knew. <br />
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The point is, no one knows me like she does (and that includes other things besides dental hygiene). Now that my visits home are becoming fewer and fewer, I realize how much I miss her (and my dad, but he'll get his own post on his birthday). It is mind-bottling (not a typo by the way-- name that movie reference!) what this woman can do. I mean, she brings multi-tasking to a whole new level, not to mention she always knows what to do and she actually knows <em>everything</em>. <br />
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Below is a short story/paper I wrote for my creative writing class back in school. We were asked the question: If my mother is <blank>, than I am <blank>. Hope you enjoy it! (And call your mom!) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-45ROr6b0KWo/TXVUD-k560I/AAAAAAAAAp8/t-ULyqMkDwU/s1600/mom.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-45ROr6b0KWo/TXVUD-k560I/AAAAAAAAAp8/t-ULyqMkDwU/s320/mom.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>If my mother is an adverb, then I am a noun. My mother never leaves a situation unexplained in full detail. Always interjecting PATIENTLY or RESPONSIBILY. She would not only jump over the lazy dog, but she would QUICKLY jump over the lazy dog. She never fails to answer questions like, "How?", "Where?", or "To what extent?" Comparatively, she is a superlative. She is always the QUICKEST and the MOST EFFICIENTLY prepared. She NATURALLY radiates interest. AMAZINGLY, she finds a way into every part of speech and is essential. She is the positive.<br />
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Writers find it difficult to take her out of their work once she is in place because they fear that their descriptions will become EXTREMELY dull. Without my mother, sentences would be bland, paragraphs would fail, and books would crumble. My mother modifies everyone for the better, but she never tries to modify me, a noun.<br />
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As a noun, I would like to believe I am the most well understood. I am defined as a person, place, thing, event, substance, quality, or idea. Period. People like to argue that there is so much more to me, but there really isn't. I'm not complex and in no way very descriptive. When necessary, I can be proper or common, concrete or abstract. I am described by adjectives and told what to do by verbs. Sometimes, I am taken advantage of by SHE or HE very easily. Pronouns are always waiting to take over my job. However, my mother is always there PROMPTLY. She never tries to change who I am because she thinks I am PERFECTLY constructed. She tells verbs how GRACIOUSLY they should act around me; she tells adjectives of my potential, and she is always there supporting me, making my sentences a little more interesting and my pages worth reading.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you! </em></span></div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-45336571283700503512011-02-08T13:37:00.000-08:002011-02-08T13:37:50.793-08:00My New HomeWhen I first moved to NYC, my biggest issue besides a lack of human contact was the fact that I had no "real" home. I was subletting from various people and living out of 2 (very) large suitcases. There's nothing more upsetting than going to work and coming back to <em>nothing</em>.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That is why I was so incredibly excited to move into my new place. Not only would I have friends to talk to, but I could design and decorate my apartment to my hearts content. It took a lot time and effort, but Julie, Rianna, and I truly made it happen. Our apartment is on one of the main streets of Brooklyn, and although it's noisy and dingy at times, it's what I call home now.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a virtual tour!</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsvShNJ8yI/AAAAAAAAAog/iI7PkeBMp7A/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsvShNJ8yI/AAAAAAAAAog/iI7PkeBMp7A/s320/IMG_1009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is our "<b>dining room</b>." Our front door is just to the right. The three posters are from Obama's campaign on UNC's campus. The table is incredibly old-- Julie and I found this gem at the local Salvation Army where we got it for only $100 and four chairs included! I checked the tags attached to the bottom of the table, and it was made in 1929! The red orange chairs we painted by yours truly. Our landlord threw them in as a bonus (SCORE!)-- it's surprising how much a pint of paint can do!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUswwCsS_fI/AAAAAAAAAok/Yo8aRFcJobI/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUswwCsS_fI/AAAAAAAAAok/Yo8aRFcJobI/s320/IMG_1012.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsw3Ier9JI/AAAAAAAAAoo/zcUTDe7TXsk/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsw3Ier9JI/AAAAAAAAAoo/zcUTDe7TXsk/s320/IMG_1011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Probably my favorite room in any house, t<b>he kitchen</b>. I really like the cluttered look so I took off all the cabinet doors so you can see our dishes and millions of snacks (brought to you by Trader Joe's). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">("JAR" = all our initials FYI... some people don't get it.) <em>Look! There's another painted chair! </em></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> I wanted to mix all sorts of colors whether it's in the furniture or the plates and bowls. I think I've always been attracted to this look because of how Monica arranged her kitchen on <em>Friends </em>(Surprise!): </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via frommoontomoon.blogspot.com</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsxAGbTvsI/AAAAAAAAAos/jrz4o_YAkU4/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsxAGbTvsI/AAAAAAAAAos/jrz4o_YAkU4/s320/IMG_1013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This stove is probably just as old as our table. But it works and it has a griddle! How adorable. The thing about NYC apartments is that you have to get pretty creative with small spaces so our pots and pans are hanging on my former closet door with S hooks! Our cooking oils, etc. sit in chic tangerine boxes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsxIS-8VdI/AAAAAAAAAow/a3H8huTPPf8/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsxIS-8VdI/AAAAAAAAAow/a3H8huTPPf8/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsxPy9TuGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/xCRdbvDWWds/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUsxPy9TuGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/xCRdbvDWWds/s320/IMG_1010.JPG" width="240" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><br />
That dresser in the picture on the left was found on the street! We have zero counter space so it comes in handy-- as does the butcher's block on the right. Limited counter space means limited storage space, so our utensils <i>hang </i>out above the butcher's block. Note Betty Bop and PandApple chilling with the silverware.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs126fcuOI/AAAAAAAAAo8/oj2ZQfXoeUo/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs126fcuOI/AAAAAAAAAo8/oj2ZQfXoeUo/s320/IMG_0995.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2QPxVV7I/AAAAAAAAApI/uDy2CDVvCYI/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2QPxVV7I/AAAAAAAAApI/uDy2CDVvCYI/s320/IMG_0998.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> This, of course, is my <strong>bedroom</strong>. It's seriously tiny (notice how I couldn't really take decently wide picture) and I was afraid a bed wouldn't even fit, but it worked out really nicely! I went with a pretty specific color scheme... It took me a while to arrange the frames on my wall and I think I've gotten over my irrational fear of my guitar falling off the wall. The paper lanterns are from Chinatown and work will because we have such high ceilings in our apartment. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs1-wkv6dI/AAAAAAAAApA/HlDFV1C9DRU/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs1-wkv6dI/AAAAAAAAApA/HlDFV1C9DRU/s320/IMG_0996.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2IjRjCSI/AAAAAAAAApE/byi5yes1UIY/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2IjRjCSI/AAAAAAAAApE/byi5yes1UIY/s320/IMG_0997.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Curtains brought to you by Ikea! I love their fabric so I finished the edges and hung it in the window... this causes me to have less of a view of the street, but during the winter, I rarely want to look outside at how miserable it is...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2WFne2MI/AAAAAAAAApM/O7pBszwTUj8/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2WFne2MI/AAAAAAAAApM/O7pBszwTUj8/s320/IMG_0999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my vanity area... having one bathroom among three girls can get hectic, so I do my make up here. It's nothing more than a shelf on brackets, mirrors, and halogen lights from Ikea on each side! It makes makeup application so much easier and it doesn't look too bad either.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2ss7n7yI/AAAAAAAAApY/SvYEAuyUNs0/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2ss7n7yI/AAAAAAAAApY/SvYEAuyUNs0/s320/IMG_1002.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2kg0wCfI/AAAAAAAAApU/eCPHQ3V9J3w/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs2kg0wCfI/AAAAAAAAApU/eCPHQ3V9J3w/s320/IMG_1001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of the strangest bedrooms I've ever lived it because there is seriously no closet space. The bookshelf on the left is for my shoes while I converted the "closet" on the right into more shelves. It's really shallow depth wise, so I added shelves (like the one for my vanity) and bought some nice boxes to put accessories, socks, etc... It's better used for that than clothes, because, let's face it, my bedroom could be my closet with the amount of clothes I have... outside my room I have a large wardrobe that is in danger of collapsing from the weight of my retail therapy-- but hey, it works... for now. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs27EhaV9I/AAAAAAAAApg/7_4lSM-Gp6Y/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs27EhaV9I/AAAAAAAAApg/7_4lSM-Gp6Y/s400/IMG_1004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is our <strong>living room</strong>! I love painting rooms and choosing colors, but the thought of having to repaint if I were to move again (god forbid), makes me want to hurl. I've always really liked how complicated/organic the shape of a tree is and so, on one of my many trips to Goodwill, I got the idea to use yarn and tacks instead of paint. I suppose I got my inspiration from the window displays at Anthropologie-- taking unlikely everyday objects like plastic water bottles or newspaper and making it into art. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs20u6uhnI/AAAAAAAAApc/CjuAMqeZ2rY/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs20u6uhnI/AAAAAAAAApc/CjuAMqeZ2rY/s320/IMG_1003.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs3EgNGdMI/AAAAAAAAApk/eoJVfIJp8uI/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TUs3EgNGdMI/AAAAAAAAApk/eoJVfIJp8uI/s320/IMG_1005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My installation took a good 8-10 hours to complete and I've been adding (or growing rather) ever since. (The small lanterns are from Chinese New Year, by the way) I went into this project not really knowing how it would end up, but I really love it. It really pulls the room together (although a rug may have been better! BIG LEWBOWSKI REFERENCE! NICE!) by giving it character and a real sense of comfort.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">All in all, I am incredibly happy with my new home. I never really understand how people can just leave their walls bare-- it's so important to make the space you call home your own and no one else's. Hope you liked the pictures and maybe you can stop by for an actual tour some time :)</div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-44386256384433613482011-01-24T13:07:00.000-08:002011-01-24T13:11:56.497-08:00Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TT3okv4B2qI/AAAAAAAAAoY/0KYxU5hspKM/s1600/calvinhobbes_friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TT3okv4B2qI/AAAAAAAAAoY/0KYxU5hspKM/s320/calvinhobbes_friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
It's not everyday that you meet people that are worth getting to know. Since I've been in NYC, the number of lasting friendships I've made are few and hard to come by. <br />
<br />
Making friends is difficult. As a kid, it was as easy as sharing a desk or cubbie hole in school. BAM! Instant best friends. You both love PB&Js and you hate cleaning your rooms-- it's that simple. Even in college, it was slightly easier than it is now. I spent my freshman year really struggling to find my place, and it took me a solid 2 years to find a wonderful group of friends and an organization that gave me something to be proud of and be a part of. College was full of opportunities to hang out and meet people that were just like you and in the same place. Now, I belong to an undefined and infinite group of 20-somethings in NYC trying to make life happen after going to school for the last 16 years. How can I make friends when I don't even really know what the hell I'M doing? Apparently there is life beyond exams and parties.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, I don't feel like many people give "finding friends" a lot of thought. When flipping through magazines and watching TV, it seems that all everyone really cares about is finding a boyfriend or girlfriend. Honestly, I find dating a little less daunting than making friends. This sounds strange, but there are thousands of dating services, advice columns, websites, books, and events dedicated to finding your true love, but fewer for just meeting and connecting with people on a friendship level (and don't try to tell me craigslist's "strictly platonic" section counts, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dddAi8FF3F4">Really.</a>) Dating is straight forward (or it should be at least). "I like you and you seem interesting and really cute. Let's go out on our own and eat." Ever try asking someone out on a platonic friend date (masculine translation: Man date. Still having trouble figuring out the feminine equivilant...)? It's awkward and often creepy. "So would you, um, want to hang out with me later?" "...Why?" "Well, I don't know, you seem nice and you're wearing a Radiohead t-shirt... I think we would get along." This is usually met with a "Who are you again?" and "I'm not gay." or "I have a girl/boyfriend." <br />
<br />
In fact, last year, a friend of mine convinced me to do the unthinkable. Join OkCupid. You can wipe that look of disgust and shock off your face now. Did you know that it's considered socially acceptable to meet people online now? I didn't. So out of curiousity and as some sort of social experiment, I joined, filled out a profile, posted pictures, and waited. The results were pretty horrible. You get messages from creepy people that think comments like "U hot" are effective. Then when you read someone's profile that you think might be cool, send them a harmless message, they never reply. (To make things worse, you can see who has been looking at your profile so when you don't get a message back, it's a whole new level of rejection.) On top of that, I had to answer HUNDREDS of questions in order to make my "matches" more "accurate" (note: pardon my excessively use quotations...) Questions like, How often do you shower? Is it important to you? What do you think about monogymous relationships? How important is it to you? How important is religion to you? I understand that these are questions that should be answered in a relationship, but I wouldn't stop dating someone because they had a different religion or one of their favorite movies is 2012 (well, maybe I would...). There are always exceptions because it's a relationship-- you make compromises and you shouldn't care about petty shit like whether they like cats or whether they read the same authors. Also, the "how important is it to you?" question is completely arbitrary-- Are people so unlikely to change their opinions and preferences that you answer these questions before even meeting the person? <br />
<br />
After I deleted my account shortly after joining, I realized that I wasn't really looking for something all that romantic after all. I was simply looking for friendship and, sadly, OKcupid doesn't really offer a non-creepy/awkward alternative. There are so many ways to make friends, but, in my opinion, it can't be as simple as joining a website. I'm a huge fan of what technology has done for our generation and the way we communicate, however, having direct contact with someone is something that can never really be replaced. By being physcially present for a date, mandate, hang out, or whatever is saying that you are willing to put in the same effort as the other person to get to know them and like them for reasons besides interests in The Beatles or Indian food. <br />
<br />
When I say this, I'm telling myself and anyone else that's willing to listen: Stop being a wuss and <strong>just ask</strong>. Be prepared to meet some really not so cool people as well, because there are a lot of those. But honestly, it seems worth it to dig through all the dirt and mud to find gold. You really learn so much from just talking to people-- especially people that aren't like you. A part from the possible awkward conversation and nervous tension, having someone to depend on and talk to as a friend is priceless. Don't make romantic relationships out to be the most important thing in your life, because that's bullshit. It's your family and friends that are going to be around for the long run and you're never going to meet wonderful and interesting people if you don't just ask. And for those being asked, don't be weirded out-- if anything, you should feel incredibly flattered that this person just wants to talk and hang out. <br />
<br />
Dating is lovely and fun, but it's even more exciting to truly and honestly get to know someone for who they are and appreciate just that.Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-38758363896625043292011-01-21T10:25:00.000-08:002011-01-21T10:25:09.889-08:00Life is Good <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TTnMpGqUeeI/AAAAAAAAAoU/6JfIJzyATtQ/s1600/ramonesgraph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TTnMpGqUeeI/AAAAAAAAAoU/6JfIJzyATtQ/s400/ramonesgraph.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://blog.wfmu.org/">http://blog.wfmu.org/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> "Writing does not cause misery. It is born of misery." -- Michel de Montaigne<br />
<br />
I suppose this is the reason I haven't written too much lately... life is good! Even if I was miserable, I wouldn't really have time to think about it... besides the harsh Winter (and, I know, the worst is yet to come), I have truly been enjoying myself. New friends, experiences, and warm fuzzy feelings included! <br />
<br />
Please do the following: <br />
<br />
1. Enjoy the wonderfully hilarious graph I have posted above. There's nothing quite like the combination of simple math and punk music, is there? :)<br />
<br />
2. Stay tuned for a post I am working on... I have resorted to buying a notebook and scribbling down random thoughts on my short 20 minute subway rides to and from work! I am trying. Really. <br />
<br />
3. Have a splendid Friday/weekend!Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-33916353958380541922010-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:002011-01-03T11:36:19.285-08:00MMXI<div class="MsoNormal">I’m currently on a bus to DC to visit my lovely sister for the new year and finally have a second to sit down and think! Before getting to Herald Square and crawling over 4 feet of snow outside my front door, I grabbed a sandwich for the long journey ahead. When the friendly (almost suspiciously friendly) cashier handed me my order, he looked me directly in the eyes and said, “You’re going to have a good year. Enjoy your new year!” I was hardly expecting to get a side of good fortune with my avocado sandwich, but I didn’t complain. I smiled and nodded as I rushed into the subway.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What is it about January 1<sup>st</sup> that makes people make promises to themselves and those close to them? Is it merely an excuse for a new beginning, life, friends or aspirations?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would imagine that if I were take a poll of what the New Year meant to most people, it would go something like this:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“It’s a time to reflect.” (AKA “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwnFE_NpMsE&feature=channel">Look at your life. Look at your choices</a>.”)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“GET DRUNK. WEAR SPARKLES.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And the one we’re all too familiar with:</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Get a gym membership and stop eating burritos.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the whirlwind that has been the year of 2010, I’m finding it difficult to reflect and process <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i> that has happened. I feel like trying to sort through events, people, and memories of this year is like trying to get to the bottom of a jar packed to the brim with sand. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve grown and learned more than any other year in my life. This time last year I was sitting in my dirty college apartment, laying out my new year’s dress. There was no reflection or speculation involved… I was so incredibly wrapped up in my bubble and generally so happy that the farthest I had thought about the New Year was no where beyond how I was going to get home from a party at 3 AM on January 1<sup>st</sup>, 2010.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can honestly say that I am not as happy as I was this time past year-- “happy” meaning “blissfully oblivious” of course. I’ve written a lot about how difficult changing my lifestyle has been… I have a wonderful job and place to life, but the process is nowhere complete. However, I’m not sad or regretful about this (you thought this was a suicide note until now, didn’t you? Maybe not… how many suicide notes have the word “burrito” and “sparkles” in it?). In fact, it’s pretty incredible. I feel so fortunate to begin 2011 with a necessity to make my life happen. When I packed up my car literally two weeks after graduation and threw myself into the middle of a new life, I had no idea what was going to happen. Beginning a new year when everything around you is so comfortable and happy makes it all the more difficult to make a change and keep promises. I feel like I’ve been given an opportunity in disguise. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Therefore, “hopeful” is a good word to sum up the end of 2010 and the start of 2011. I generally try to stay away from the phrase “New Year’s resolution” because, from what I can tell anyway, it tends to be associated with disappointment and expectations that are a bit ridiculous (again, I will never stop eating burritos as long as Chipotle is in business). To bring about change and improvement takes time. In order to train and condition yourself, you have to be ready for a few bumps along the way. Don’t give up at the first sign of resistance! In short, don’t let a change in the date change what you want and deserve. If you’re happy with your life, then keep it that way—who cares that you sign your checks to Chipotle 2011 instead of 2010? (Okay, I’m done with the burrito jokes… but, as a side note, you might want to look at your life and look at your choices if you’re writing checks to Chipotle, just saying.) The significance of your decisions is not dictated by the significance of the date.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not completely satisfied like me, face the New Year with a new mindset. Don’t feel pressured to make specific goals (although you can). This isn’t a senior thesis. There's no deadline. This is your life and who the hell cares if it takes past 2011 or even 2030 to finally feel at peace and accomplished? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So as I sit on this bus and pensively gaze out the window (this would be more dramatic and artistic if I were writing in a journal and not balancing a laptop on my knees while inhaling my sandwich but whatever… You work with what you got), I really feel excited and maybe a little terrified about continuing the new chapter in my life. The funny thing is, I probably won’t even notice when it’s over and I’ve started a new one! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope everyone enjoys whatever you’re planning to do tonight whether you’re going to a party, going to Time Square (I’ll pray for you), or just staying home (good for you—another ridiculous expectation of NYE is to have fun at midnight which I have discovered only happens maybe 30% of the time… in my experience, most people blackout or have fallen asleep by the time the ball drops).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the words of middle school teachers who think they’re being funny, “See you next year!” </div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-31665288840582691552010-12-17T12:33:00.000-08:002010-12-17T12:33:41.988-08:00Get in the Christmas Spirit! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TQoucTd2mFI/AAAAAAAAAoE/s2i_kaAesP4/s1600/dumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TQoucTd2mFI/AAAAAAAAAoE/s2i_kaAesP4/s400/dumbo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rianna, Me, and Chris at this month's Digital Dumbo! Those candy canes did not make it through the night...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I had a great time Wednesday night at the monthly <a href="http://www.digitaldumbo.com/">Digital Dumbo</a> hosted in Dumbo, Brooklyn! My roommate Rianna first told me about it when she was first got hired at her dream job at <a href="http://www.carrotcreative.com/">Carrot Creative</a> and I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to meet new people and network. This time, the event was fully equipped with ugly holiday sweaters galore and a SWEET photo booth that I thoroughly enjoyed (as you can see). <br />
<br />
Since this was my second Digital Dumbo, it was not nearly as awkward as the first... As I've mentioned before, I despise awkward situations and there is always bound to be one when meeting someone for the first time. However, once you get past the small talk and have a couple (or several...) drinks, it's so much fun. You've got to put yourself out there, put on an ugly sweater, and go for it! How else to find new opportunities and friends? Well, the ugly sweater may not be necessary (although very conducive to starting a conversation), but you get the point. <br />
<br />
Hope everyone is gearing up for a wonderful holiday! I'm <strong>SO</strong> ready to go home! Have a lovely weekend...Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-69738616221032334012010-12-10T09:38:00.000-08:002010-12-10T09:40:32.331-08:00At least you're not interviewing in China!Happy Friday, all! It's definitely been a long week. NYC is currently trying to test my Southern tolerance with unbearably low temperatures and wind, <i>correction</i>, LOTS of wind. This winter will be a true testament to how much I love this city.<br />
<br />
I've recently been reading some pretty shocking and tragic statistics/articles about unemployment. I am so grateful to have a great job, especially during the holiday season. Regardless, I can totally relate to the millions of people out of work. Not only are you constantly being rejected (sometimes from companies you don't even want to work for), but you feel as if you're a failure and there is something wrong with you. Trust me-- I know how it feels. But you must remember that you are one of millions that are out of work and a good chuck of those people are not dead beats or losers. They're just people who have hit a few road blocks and it may sound cliche, but a lot of it is bad luck. Things can't always go the way you want them to and, in the end, that is what makes you all the more prepared and grateful for the future. It does get better-- patience and being positive is the key.<br />
<br />
In January 2010, 10.6% of the United States was unemployed and as of November 2010, the number has dropped to 9.3% (<a href="http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=usunemployment&met=unemployment_rate&tdim=true&dl=en&hl=en&q=unemployment+statistics">1</a>). That may not seem like an improvement, but it's something. January 2010 was the highest rate of unemployment in over 20 years (I'm sure it's much longer than 20 years... it's just difficult to type "January 2010's unemployment rate is the highest rate since..." into Google...) and we all lived through it. It IS getting better. <br />
<br />
What I learned from my hundreds of interviews is that you can never be too prepared. Firstly, reading up on the company and the people you're meeting with is the first step to picturing yourself actually working there. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to be a creep and list off the interviewer's hobbies and favorite foods, but try to relate to them. I've talked to several upper management people in a casual settings, and they are usually just as nervous and anxious as you are. Finding the perfect person to work with everyday over the next couple years is a pretty daunting task. So relax-- you're not alone.<br />
<br />
Secondly, I changed something about my interviewing skills before I got my current job that really helped me. I actually prepared interview questions and wrote out my answers. This sounds so corny and let's face it, nerdy, but <i>it really works</i>. You should always have your answers to basic interview questions sorted out ahead of time. You're already so nervous, do you think you have to capacity to also remember why you're so awesome and will be awesome at this job? It's more difficult than it sounds. Practice what you're going to say and it'll make things so much easier. <br />
<br />
I'm not going to pretend that I'm the best interviewer and I can get any job I want now that I have so much experience, but I really have learned so much. I've had some pretty terrible interviews and have said some things that I regretted almost immediately (these stories are for another day). You just have to remember that you'll have other opportunities and believe that you deserve it. <br />
<br />
Okay, now that I'm done with my motivational speech, here's some hilarious news from the motherland. I found this article on <a href="http://www.dealbreaker.com/">http://www.dealbreaker.com/</a> (not Liz Lemon's show). Not only is this picture one of the funniest things I've seen, but it really makes me feel lucky to live in a country that doesn't makes you drink for a job... I would most likely be currently unemployed and college freshmen would be leading our country. <br />
<br />
Have a wonderful weekend! (And don't pass out on the sidewalk after a night of hard drinking! It's not cute.)<br />
<br />
<div align="center">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><br />
<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/dealbreaker/%7E3/ZMv99AbE96s/">China Outpacing US In Blacking Out-During-Interview Skills</a>: " <br />
While we’re on <a href="http://dealbreaker.com/2010/11/be-advised-goldman-sachs-interview-tips-are-a-trap/">the subject</a> of prepping for interviews, if you find yourself applying for a gig in China, please be advised that <a href="http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=c51c71046db3c210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News">according to the <i>South China Morning Post</i></a>, “mainland job-seekers are increasingly required to exhibit ‘grey skills’ – binge drinking, playing mahjong and even ballroom dancing – to provide them with an edge in the market.” Several individuals took this advice to heart recently, resulting in the following scene.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://dealbreaker.com/2010/11/china-outpacing-us-in-blacking-out-during-interview-skills/20101111-drunk-02-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-31030"><img alt="" height="266" src="http://cache.dealbreaker.com/uploads/2010/11/20101111-drunk-02-1-540x360.jpg" title="20101111-drunk-02-1" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 0px;"></span><br />
<br />
Those would be the 4 men who were found passed out in Baguocheng Square earlier in the week, after they’d gone on their second round of interviews for sales jobs at an unnamed firm.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>At noon, the company leader invited them for lunch. Eager to impress the boss, they competed in drinking more alcohol. In the end they were wasted. At first, they just sat on the ground chatting, but soon three of them lied down and passed out. The fourth guy leaned against a telephone pole, standing unsteadily, occasionally muttered some words out his mouth and shivered non-stop. Two of them slept while hugging each other and their backpacks. The police eventually called 120. And minutes later three men were sent to the hospital by ambulance.</blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=c51c71046db3c210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News">Passing Out Into The Real World</a> [SCMP]<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chinahush.com/2010/11/11/competing-in-drinking-for-sales-job-interviewees-pass-out/">Competing In Drinking For Job, Interviewees Pass Out</a> [CH]<br />
<br />
<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/dealbreaker/%7E4/ZMv99AbE96s" width="1" />"Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-62925626923369318412010-12-08T15:24:00.000-08:002010-12-09T06:37:53.480-08:00For John<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TQARhdRvfvI/AAAAAAAAAn8/WvbxR41YUHQ/s1600/lennon2nyc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TQARhdRvfvI/AAAAAAAAAn8/WvbxR41YUHQ/s320/lennon2nyc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">If I'd lived in Roman times, I'd have lived in Rome. Where else?<br />
Today America is the Roman Empire and New York is Rome itself. -- JL</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i>This seriously cannot be happening. </i><br />
<br />
I had lived in New York for about 3 months already and I was still getting lost. I frantically walked down 14th Street for about the 6th time and was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Not only was I incredibly embarrassed for myself, but I was <b>starving</b>. I was on my way to one of my favorite restaurants in NYC (<a href="http://www.angelicakitchen.com/">Angelica's Kitchen</a>) and the last thing I wanted was to get lost.<br />
<br />
<i>It's got to be around here somewhere... I swear... I've been here before! Like... FIVE TIMES. Gah! </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
As I changed directions and let out an exasperated sigh, a strange couple walked past me. A tall, lanky girl in skin-tight leather pants holding hands with a significantly shorter man with long hair and glasses.<br />
<br />
My first thought was: <i>Well they are definitely from New York and and definitely know where they're going and definitely know that I'm not from around here. That's it, I give up. I'm going back to Charlotte.</i><br />
<br />
My second thought was: <i>HOLY SHIT. THAT WAS <b>SEAN LENNON</b>.</i><br />
<br />
I quickly looked back as the couple approached the street corner. The man looked left and right to check traffic before crossing. Suddenly my heart stopped along with my feet. His profile was a splitting image of his father's. I stood in the middle of the sidewalk with my mouth gapping wide open. I wanted to shout at people across the street: <i>Look! It's Sean Effing Lennon! You're going to miss it! Look! LOOK!</i> But knowing New Yorkers, they would have shrugged and replied, <i>Who hasn't? </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
As I watched (kind of creepily) as Sean and his girlfriend (who I now know is Charlotte Kemp Mulh-- model of course) crossed 14th Street, I suddenly was in disbelief that I lived in this city. This was the city that John Lennon loved so dearly. This was the city he fought for and began his life-- his dream. This is the city where he started his family and made a vow to start over and give Sean a family that he never had as a child.<br />
<br />
Although John's life ended before mine had even started, I suddenly missed him. I couldn't help but think how tragic it was that he missed his son growing up to be a splitting image of himself and all the wonderful things that Yoko and his band mates had accomplished. I knew that John would have given anything to see his boy he loved so much cross the street that day. I smiled and felt proud... for John.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10.9.1940 - 12.8.1980</span></span></div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-60279287194216295202010-12-03T13:28:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:31:00.100-08:00That Day<div class="MsoNormal"><i> Happy Friday to all! It's been a busy week at work and I could not be any more excited about a fun-filled weekend. It's that time of the year to get to my Christmas shopping and start watching some Oscar-worthy films! Black Swan is out today and it's going to be epic. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Today I decided to write a small short story. It's been told to me numerous times before and I've always thought it was incredibly sweet. It's the story of how my parents met. Hope you all like it and have a fantastic weekend! Stay warm! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>That Day</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TPlg2N35O5I/AAAAAAAAAn4/c0vfcTBRVLY/s1600/TaipeiStreetScene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TPlg2N35O5I/AAAAAAAAAn4/c0vfcTBRVLY/s320/TaipeiStreetScene.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was always the same.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">The air sagged with humidity as the sun relentlessly left no street corner or sign untouched. She opened the window hopeful for a breeze, but found that it was just the same. Disappointed but not the least bit surprised, she pulled up a chair by the window and folded her arms on the windowsill, resting her chin on top of her hands. It was an ordinary day on the street she had lived on since she could remember. The fruit vendor across the street fanned himself while a stray dog found relief from the unforgiving sun underneath a large palm tree by the road. The distant sound of motorcycles accelerating and taxis honking from the main Taipei traffic filled the room. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was always the same. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She wiped the sweat from her brow and sighed with exhaustion and boredom. Her long, dark hair clung to her neck and cheeks as the moisture accumulated on her impossibly fair skin. She took pride in her hair that reached all the way down to her lower back. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>It is disrespectful to grow your hair so long.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She didn’t care. She loved how she could wrap herself in it as if it were a silk robe. She loved that she was the only girl at school bold enough to go against the dress code. She loved examining the ends for splits and cutting out tiny imperfections. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She carefully climbed into the window frame and hung her hair out in the open air, brushing it with long, careful strokes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was always the same. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He walked down the street, regretting his choice of clothing for the day. He had lived in Taiwan his entire life, but could not seem to say no to his stylish American blue jeans that were replicas of his idols Simon and Garfunkel. He looked cool, but they were regretfully hot. He was late to work, as always, but couldn't bring himself to get to a pace above crawling. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">When he finally reached his building he quickly looked around to be sure none of his coworkers were seeing him coming in so late. He wiped his sweat-drenched forehead on his sleeve and ran his hands through his thick, curly hair. The sun threatened him as it beat down on his tan skin. As he exasperatingly looked up in the sky he suddenly caught a glimpse of something in the window above. She was gently brushing her hair as the sun no longer threatened, but illuminated her almost translucent skin. He had never seen such a beautiful girl in all his life. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It would never be the same. </div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-43626707152638373332010-11-23T15:56:00.000-08:002010-11-23T15:56:34.280-08:00All the World's a StageHave you ever wondered whether you'd be good at acting? It's something I think about quite a bit. How difficult could it be? You are, in essence, pretending to be someone which, let's face it, everyone does (I refuse to believe that Sarah Palin and Glen Beck are real people-- either that or evolution really let them down). Of course, it's not that easy. I find it fascinating that an actor or actress can (convincingly) transform themselves into live characters after repeating the same dialogue and actions over and over again on stage or on camera. Performances by Daniel Day Lewis or Cate Blanchett are never shy of remarkable for me because I literally <i>forget</i> they are not Daniel Plainfield or Bob Dylan. It are the actors that are constantly reminding me of who they <i>really</i> are that I classify as bad (i.e. Keanu Reeves as himself in The Matrix/The Lake House or Julia Stiles as herself in Dexter-- which I'm still pretty pissed about).<br />
<br />
I had the pleasure of seeing <i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1</i> this past weekend and absolutely loved it. I have always been a huge fan of the story, but this time, it was different. Not only was the production value almost flawless (at least in comparison to the previous films), but the acting was fantastic. I was incredibly impressed with how far Daniel Radcliffe. Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have come since their days as first years!<br />
<br />
Here are a couple hilarious videos of Radcliffe and Sir Ian McKellen (not sure why I have already mentioned him twice in two separate posts) and their takes on acting that I've come across that are sure to have you rolling on the floor! Enjoy and I hope everyone has a relaxing and lovely Thanksgiving!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">*** <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/a1c04ce68e/i-am-harry-potter?rel=player">Harry as Dan</a> ***</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">*** <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyoWmkhRyp8">Sir Ian as Gandolf</a> *** </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">(Also not sure why these are both referencing fantasy/magic film... I swear I watch other films!)</div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-22376047299642173992010-11-19T13:19:00.000-08:002010-11-20T06:45:12.555-08:00Happy Friday!Another week! The job is going great and I really love my office. The people I work with are very nice and the commute is SO short! Not to mention I am only a few blocks from Union Square, my favorite place in NYC! I plan on getting my apartment together and going to see Harry Potter this weekend-- I wasn't all too pleased with the last one, but that's never really stopped me from seeing other sequels (i.e. Transformers and National Treasure. Don't judge.) Hope you all have a lovely weekend! <br />
<br />
Today is Eve Marie Carson's birthday. She was UNC's beloved student body president that was brutally murdered March 5, 2008. She was a bright, lovely, and an incredibly kind person. I miss her everyday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TObphdiKKqI/AAAAAAAAAn0/R9unAw2x4Pc/s1600/n46700015_31984171_8534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TObphdiKKqI/AAAAAAAAAn0/R9unAw2x4Pc/s400/n46700015_31984171_8534.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love life.</div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-34880103323429959282010-11-18T10:51:00.000-08:002010-12-09T07:00:41.017-08:00Love Thy Stranger<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TOV0_rdM-gI/AAAAAAAAAnw/yAKBT2b_zvU/s1600/friendsenemies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TOV0_rdM-gI/AAAAAAAAAnw/yAKBT2b_zvU/s320/friendsenemies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Friends and Enemies (Kristen and Abby), 1991</b><br />
Photographer Julie Moos shoots portraits of couples who are either best friends or worst enemies and places them against a non-descript background. (<a href="http://www.mintmuseum.org/_if_exhibit.php?exhibit_id=28">http://www.mintmuseum.org/_if_exhibit.php?exhibit_id=28</a>)<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">I will go out of my way to avoid an awkward situation. I mean it. I can hardly watch an episode of the Office without hiding under a table and turning red. I think the feeling of embarrassment (which is always unfortunately paired with an awkward situation) is among the worst… other than the feeling following a night of heavy drinking (What is that called again? Death feeling?) I hate embarrassment so much that I do anything in my power to prevent it—but not only to myself, to others too. If I see a stranger walking down the street with toilet paper stuck to their shoe, I will stealthily follow them until I can successfully step on the trailing paper and ensure that they will not be embarrassed. If I hear a coworker unintentionally fart, I’ll act like I have suddenly gone deaf... and lost all sense of smell. If a new acquaintance makes a dumb and possibly offensive joke, I laugh loudly and change the subject before anyone realizes what just happened-- “<i>Wait a second…that was racist!”</i> they may say, but they don’t… because I make sure of it. It’s really a beautiful feeling when I am successful in blocking the formation of embarrassment. The best part is that the stranger has no idea that I have saved them from mockery and shame. <i>You’re welcome</i>, I’ll think when I am success in my vigilantism. </div><br />
I am of course kidding when I make my strange behavior out to be noble. It’s possibly even classified as timid behavior—or psychotic in the eyes of bystanders watching me quietly take enormous strides down a New York City sidewalk in hot pursuit of a stranger with toilet paper on her shoe (remember how bandits in cartoons snuck around? Yeah, like that.) How ever you classify it, I think my reason for preventing embarrassment for people I have never seen nor met before is because of my (somewhat) newfound compassion for other human beings. It can be difficult to relate to a homeless man on the subway or a screaming child in a restaurant, but I have been trying my best to internalize resentment. <br />
<br />
I can be an angry person. Unfortunately, I inherited my father’s temper and will sometimes be completely irrational with my feelings. I can be inpatient and much too harsh in difficult situations. But before you change your mind about being my friend, know this: It has become more apparent to me that compassion has a higher rate of resolution and satisfaction than anger. <br />
<br />
Last year I attended a No Doubt concert. I have idolized Gwen Stefani since the 7<sup>th</sup> Grade and I was practically giddy to have the opportunity to sit on a lawn miles away from her. However, I had to share that lawn with a crowd of Paramore (the opener for the show) fans. These are some of my least favorite people. A bunch of pre-teen brats in tutus and bikinis prancing and stumbling around after sharing half a pint of beer. I tried my best to ignore their distracting behavior as I waiting for No Doubt to take the stage, but my anger got the best of me. After intentionally pushing one of my friends and standing directly in front of us so we couldn’t see, I had enough. One of the girls turned around, looked straight in my eyes, and shoved me out of her way. It all went blurry after that.<br />
<br />
“WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS YOUR PROBLEM?!” I screamed at her as I pushed her back. She immediately began screaming back, surprised that I had to guts to confront her. Of course, she was much better at screaming and cursing. I have never been the type to lash out at a complete stranger and did not come prepared with “dissing” material. I turned bright red and I could actually feel my head getting hot. At this point we were both screaming obscenities (I’m not even sure what I said… I actually think I blacked out from being so angry) in a wide open space… in broad daylight… in front of hundreds of people… including children. In the end, I didn’t get to throw a punch because her friends pulled her away (maybe they knew I could stomp her little…wait. No. Not the point.), but I didn’t feel triumphant. I felt like crap. The looks of embarrassment on my friends’ faces (and horror on the 9-year-old girl standing next to me) immediately turned my anger into regret and shame. I couldn’t enjoy the concert after that and it still bothers me to this day that I chose to immaturely confront a difficult situation with hate. As a person that avoids embarrassment, I had single-handedly caused me and everyone around me to feel its full effects.<br />
<br />
That is the last instance that I can truly say I felt ashamed and embarrassed-- I learned my lesson. Buddhist belief suggests being compassionate to others but the <i>most</i> compassionate towards enemies. When someone shoves me on the subway or cuts me in line, I take a deep breath and put myself in their shoes. How could I possibly know who they are and their motivations? They honestly could be having a terrible day or their actions are completely unintentional. It is better to give them the benefit of the doubt than to just assume they’re assholes. It is completely illogical to assume a person is completely hateful and angry <i>all the time </i>(how exhausting!). That person most likely has a family, loves someone, cares about these issues, etc. They’re just like you. <br />
<br />
And if they’re like me, then they’ll help pick up the spilled contents of a purse in the middle of Grand Central Station (and not say anything about the condoms or Justin Bieber CD) or take out a piece of gum for themselves and offer it to the person with bad breath as if it wasn’t originally meant for that person. You don’t have to know someone to understand and love them. So my advice amounts to this: Do <i>yourself</i> a favor… love thy stranger. <br />
<div align="left"></div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-85807964779789790142010-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:002010-11-12T09:49:47.563-08:00FINALLYWell it's finally happened... I found a job! I could not be more thrilled or relieved to find a place to work and explore. I have applied and interviewed at countless companies-- and I'm not just saying "countless" for dramatic effect. Honestly, I cannot count the number of emails, cover letters, and resumes I have sent out into the universe. But it finally happened like everyone said it would. <br />
<br />
People are always asking me what I want to do with my life. To this day, even after reading thousands of job descriptions, I have no idea. I'm not kidding when I say anything sounds good to me because I honestly think that I need to just learn and observe at this point. I know I love film and I love to create, but I don't think I would be the best at creating films. I love to interact with people and work together-- that I know for sure. It's kind of crazy, but it seems like you must try anything before knowing for sure that it's something you definitely want or don't want to do. A woman I interviewed with at a high end fashion house explained to me that she used to be an accountant-- now she's the director of a design team. You never know where life is going to take you.<br />
<br />
So as vague as that sounds, I think I'm heading in the right direction, which is forward. I took a full time job as an assistant for a small ad agency and I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone there and learning more about advertising. I had a quick drink last week with a truly inspiring media specialist that just started work in Brooklyn and he gave me a piece of advice that I think will really help me find my true passion: "Never let your title restrict what you can do. You can always do what you love and if you're not doing what you love, you can always get the fuck out." <br />
<br />
Happy Friday everyone and thanks for all the support and love! <br />
<br />
Also, here's my random favorite picture of the day... Sir Ian McKellen being a rock star. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TN19nFiDCYI/AAAAAAAAAns/m8tpvw7h_fo/s1600/5012157721_217977f750_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TN19nFiDCYI/AAAAAAAAAns/m8tpvw7h_fo/s320/5012157721_217977f750_o.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-66095988405607689622010-11-05T07:26:00.000-07:002010-11-05T07:26:11.076-07:00Happy (Pi)day!Another week past! Can you all believe November is here?! That means December is next month-- as in CHRISTMAS. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. So today isn't really pi day... pi day is actually March 14th. You know... 3.14159265... right. You're probably going to stop reading this now. But I think from this day forward on every Friday, I will post one of my favorite pictures/images from the internets. This week will demonstrate my inner nerd... x 8. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TNQThABjSUI/AAAAAAAAAno/1Q54olgnVZI/s1600/OCTOPI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TNQThABjSUI/AAAAAAAAAno/1Q54olgnVZI/s320/OCTOPI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">YOU'RE WELCOME. </div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-9645223896715274452010-11-02T09:08:00.000-07:002010-11-04T06:23:31.166-07:00This train is going to Brooklyn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TNA2eUOcn8I/AAAAAAAAAnk/8xleaPkrnOc/s1600/subway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TNA2eUOcn8I/AAAAAAAAAnk/8xleaPkrnOc/s320/subway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Subway Riders</em>, Bernard Safran</td></tr>
</tbody></table> This summer I had the pleasure of working as a production assistant at a small film production company in Dumbo, Brooklyn. I was so excited to finally utilize my creativity and be able to observe film professionals in their natural habitat-- that being an enormous (but endearing) factory turned office building. It was my first time taking the F train and, still new to the somewhat (ha) confusing MTA, it was necessary for me to break out my handy map even if it meant shattering the illusion that I was a true New Yorker. I discreetly unfolded my map and began tracing the direction of the train when I felt someone watching over my shoulder. I dared not look and find a look of pity or worse...disgust.<br />
<br />
"This train is going to Brooklyn."<br />
<br />
<em>Damn. I've been found out! Abort! Abort!</em> <br />
<br />
I calmly began folding my map and looked to my side as if I had not heard what he had said. Sitting next to me was an elderly Asian man. He had a look of pride in his eyes and smiled gently. It was apparent that he was trying to help me, not judge me. Of course, this kind old man was not going to stop me from pretending to know what I was doing.<br />
<br />
"Oh, I know." I smiled. <br />
<br />
He began to laugh. It was the sort of laugh that was incredibly infectious and hearty. He shook his head and spoke with a slight accent that reminded me of my father.<br />
<br />
"I'm so sorry! I thought maybe you were a tourist!"<br />
<br />
I laughed with him and assured him that I was no tourist. Sensing an end to our interaction, I pulled out my book and began reading the wise words of Michael Pollan's <em>Omnivore's Dilemma.</em><br />
<br />
"That's some heavy summer reading."<br />
<br />
"I suppose it is... I'm just really interested in food..." Before I could continue he immediately perked up.<br />
<br />
"Oh really? How interesting! Are you a vegetarian?"<br />
<br />
"Er. Yes..."<br />
<br />
"Oh wow!"<br />
<br />
I was a bit taken a back and even suspicious by his enthusiasm. I glanced around the car to see if anyone else was sitting on the edge of their seats to hear more about my interests. A hipster was scribbling in his moleskine notebook while a homeless man continued snoring in the next seat over. <br />
<br />
"You know," he continued, "I often find myself in the omnivore's dilemma myself."<br />
<br />
I nodded and just when I was about to form words, he continued once again.<br />
<br />
"I often watch the news and special reports on the industrial food production facing our nation today. It is shocking how corporations treat people and only care about making a profit."<br />
<br />
It was difficult for me to mask my expression of surprise. He was so articulate and passionate, especially for a conversation with a stranger on the subway. Suddenly, a feeling of compassion and joy overcame me. He continued rambling happily on the subject of food, unaware that I was finding it difficult to pay attention... his charisma was so distracting. <br />
<br />
"Where are you from?"<br />
<br />
"North Carolina... I went to University of Nor..." <br />
<br />
"Oh really?! That is fantastic!"<br />
<br />
I smiled even bigger this time wishing I could possess the same amount of enthusiasm as him. The F train pulled into the station and I regretfully got up and told him this was my stop. He nodded.<br />
<br />
"So I suppose you're a southern girl then?"<br />
<br />
"I guess so!" I laughed as the doors opened. <br />
<br />
He smiled and waved. "Have a lovely day!"<br />
<br />
As the doors closed and the trained pulled away, I found myself feeling as if I had just experienced the purest form of human kindness and connection. This man exuded happiness and had unknowingly passed it onto me-- a southern girl in the big city.Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-75111086916533358422010-10-30T08:18:00.000-07:002010-10-30T16:50:13.072-07:00Home<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TMwhYrF2FyI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/BVHT5w1Duuc/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="78" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OhIh8kCFwJ0/TMwhYrF2FyI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/BVHT5w1Duuc/s400/IMG_0346.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte, NC 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It's become more apparent to me that home is never a specific place. I have lived in North Carolina for my entire life, and when I was subletting in an apartment with a stranger in NYC, I never knew I could be so incredibly homesick. But it wasn't my brick house at the end of a cul-de-sac in Charlotte that I missed or the rundown apartment in Chapel Hill-- it was the people. New York is full of people... over 8 million to be exact. You would think that it would be easy to meet other wanderers (especially since many have experienced my personal space on the crowded subway), but there is nothing more difficult. It's scary how easy it is to isolate yourself.<br />
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It's also scary what anxiety and a lack of human contact can do to a person. When I first moved to the city I never thought that I would have issues "fitting in" or finding my way, but to my surprise, I had a few bumps on the way. Because I neglected my mental stability, my physical health began to suffer. I had high anxiety and became even MORE anxious when I couldn't figure out what was happening. My body couldn't handle the amount of stress and lack of joy and so it decided to manifest itself in a physical way. People never really think that your body acts in ways you yourself cannot control. An example could be pain. No one likes to be in pain, yet our bodies use this as a tool to let us know something is wrong. Not only is it one of the most useful tools to our survival, but it goes to show how even you own body can be out of your control. Therefore, what I have learned is that accepting pain or anxiety and taking these feelings as warning signs as well as blessings is how you move past a difficult time in your life.<br />
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Everyone is different, but I do believe human contact and love are two of the most crucial aspects of life. Do you think that the homeless man in the subway station gets hugged everyday? How about Barbara-Streisand-painting-Jesus-freak Christina Ricci in <i>Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas</i>? I'm going to go with no.<br />
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Keeping negative emotions and energy bottled up inside you can be destructive. There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself to work hard, but as my dad says, "<i>Work hard, play hard</i>." No matter what the environment, a home can exist. There are <i>so</i> many things wrong with my current living situation. I haven't had hot water until yesterday (thank Jebus I can take a long shower now!), my windows rattle when the F and G trains pull into the station down the street, my doors don't close, and the stairs might as well be a ladder. But you know, my roommates make it home. I can come home and talk about my day knowing that they'll listen and maybe even give me a hug.<br />
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I do miss my house and my school, but most of all I miss my family and friends-- my home. However, NYC is where I am now and I need to make the best of it. Things aren't ideal, but I'm learning and although I know more bumps are bound to come up, I know I will find my home away from home.Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5786363723178672199.post-16634248510016047282010-10-29T08:36:00.000-07:002010-10-30T07:40:40.613-07:00And We're Back!<div>Hello Internet world. It's been a while. <br />
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</div><div></div><div>I first started this blog when I was a Junior at UNC Chapel Hill, but eventually gave up becuase, well, there's not much to say when you're in college. In fact, I can summarize: OMGEXAMSPARTIES.<br />
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</div><div></div><div>Now, I am a graduate with a BA in Communications thrown into the chaos of the real world. It's always been my dream to come to NYC and so here I am. I'm rooming with two other lovely tar heels in Brooklyn, my room is a little bigger than my body, and living above a night club that hosts karaoke every week is both a boost for my self-esteem and also a very effective sleeping soundtrack.<br />
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</div><div></div><div>So what is Amanda doing in the big apple? Good question. I'm currently interning in midtown, but I'm searching for something a little bit more up my ally-- whatever that means. If it helps, I'm left-handed. You're right. That doesn't help. <br />
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</div><div></div><div>What I mean is that I do consider myself creative and visual. I mean, come on, I got the "Most Artistic" senior superlative at South Mecklenburg High School for crying out loud! Can you say resume builder?! All inappropriate sarcasm aside, I do love all things art. I've been painting and drawing (you know, the manual version of digital design-- remember?) since I was a kid and now my artistry has manifested into fashion, film, and media. <br />
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</div><div></div><div>I hope this blog will not only serve as a way for me to express my ideas and thoughts, but a way to connect to other wandering college grads. I've had a pretty hard time finding where I belong in a city full of people and I think this blog would not only be therapeutic to myself, but maybe helpful to others. I titled my blog "Words into a Paper Cup" as an homage to The Beatles' song "Across the Universe." Apart from the fact that I am a HUGE Beatles fan, it has a lot of meaning. In such a big, bad universe, we should all find our centers and let go of the frustration and sadness. "<em>Nothings going to change my world.</em>" <br />
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</div><div></div><div>So welcome and feel free to post your own thoughts and ideas. I'm looking forward to it. </div>Amanda Kaohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01573353950766015714noreply@blogger.com0