engagement: the story

It's probably been a year or more since I wrote about more personal happenings on this space, instead choosing to focus on cinematic musings. But this chica's life has experienced a sudden dose of excitement, and I can't resist posting a bit about it here, perhaps planting the seeds for like-sharing in the future. Especially with what this new year will hold.

Nearly three months ago, in front of my closest friends and family, my boyfriend John became my fiancee. And made me the happiest woman in the world.

Yes, this is the story of that proposal.

Blog, Interrupted

It's been exactly two weeks since I've posted, probably the longest span of silence since I kicked off this blog (again) in 2014. Ramp ups at work and personal life planning (and endless travel) meant putting my writing on the back-burner for a short time. For those who've been checking in, however, I haven't forgotten you.

My writing draft queue is filling up with uncrafted thoughts on movies, tattoos, and food, things I'm gearing up to talk more about, and I can't wait to give them a polish and share them with you. Even discussing the epic cluster**** of this weekend's movie releases will have to wait just a few more days. Bear with me, friends, and since I don't get the opportunity to say it all that often, thank you infinity for visiting.

xx

(image via Rosa Tammaro Photography)

Mojave Daze

It's been a slow week here on the blog, and the weekend, I'm hoping, will be even slower. Taking a much needed break to visit the heat of the desert, and I'm reminded of the strange, eerie beauty of the Mojave as we pass by the towering yucca trees and heat-laden shrubs on our way to the outskirts of Las Vegas.

The weather is already unforgiving, but it feels refreshing and revitalizing, nonetheless. Enjoy this weekend, everyone—oh, and in case you hadn't heard the news...

#lovewins

(photo via Andriana Baker)

A Tattoo Bouquet for Summer

After two weeks of posting nothing but movie reviews, it seemed time on this pre-holiday Friday to post a little something personal. I like to pretend that I have a good deal of self-restraint, but sometimes it comes down to the fact that, when you're itching for something new, you have to go for it. My self-imposed "hiatus from tattoos" at the end of last year lasted for approximately 5 months, and a few weeks back, I found myself exactly where I told you I would be. Back in my hometown, at an incredible, budding shop called Fura Body Works, I enlisted the brilliant Lawrence Edwards to design for me a bundle of the prettiest flowers I ever did see. Remember, I mentioned him in my 15 Tattoo Artists to Follow list?

I don't even know where to begin, this guy is so talented, and he gets better with every tattoo he does. I feel honored to have a custom piece on my body forever.

Not much more to say than that. A stunning tattoo just in time for summer that I could not be more excited about—the way it wraps, the whip shading... the perfect start to an (eventual) half sleeve. A floral bouquet of peonies, bull thistles, and pussy willows. Here are some pictures from the 4½-hour session, courtesy of my very patient sister. Final two pictures courtesy Lawrence Edwards.

Conception Drawing

Final Version

Disappearing Act

I've committed a bit of a disappearing act this past week, as I returned from a revitalizing vacation and ventured back into the working world with no small amount of teetering hesitancy. That always means a significant amount of catch up, and less time to devote to focusing on my writing here. To be honest, I really needed it, the break from writing as well as working. Slowly but surely, though, I'm pooling my energies and getting back into gear, watching a slew of new movies, editing photos (Hawaii really is beautiful this time of year)... and of course, updating some new posts and reviews.

This is just a little call out to any of you out there, letting you know I haven't forgotten you. Expect more Project 365 posts coming your way—some incredible new and old movies that I saw for the first time, as as always, a crap-load of stinkers. ☺

xx

(image via Bahar Özdemir)

Honey Honey, How You Thrill Me

I have a confession: I hate honey. Correction: I hated honey. I just never understood it, why people carried on and on about it as a "golden elixir" the way most people obsess about bacon. (omagah bacon...) I've realized though, in the past few years as my palette for tastes has matured, that I've started to discover a lot of new things. As a notoriously picky eater, this evolution has come as a bit of a revelation.

I'm also not talking about strange, exotic foods or flavors that most people don't experience, maybe, ever (like my mom's affection for cow tongue)... No no, I mean normal things that most people consider no-brainers in terms of top-notch yumminess. It started with jalapenos three years ago. Since then, I'm surprised how things I once despised (bell peppers, fish, cream cheese, cucumbers!)—and yes, I did try things, I wasn't that stubborn—that have grown on me more recently in unexpected ways.

Most recently, it's honey. Once considered by me to be overly sweet with a yucky 'blah' texture, everyone in my family experienced my aversion to the stuff. My sister even apologized to me for giving delicate jars of homegrown, local honey as favors for her wedding last summer. Of course, John and I walked away with a jar each, and immediately, I dropped them in the pantry, figuring I'd see them the next time we moved.

But I threw a little shin-dig a few weeks back where I prepared a slap-dash cheese and meat platter for the guests to enjoy. People drizzle things with honey, I remembered, because I see it on Pinterest all the time. Out came the honey (just for show, really), settling in nicely between the Gruyere, sliced pears, and French bread. Then it happened. I tried it, plopping some on my bread and Manchego and pear creation, because why not, right? I'm adventurous. You guys... FIREWORKS!

Most of you are probably thinking "Duh, honey is the most delicious thing in the world!" But for me, this felt hugely significant. I could feel my brain rejiggering to make sense of how something I'd considered so vile and unnecessary was now prompting an obsessive, desperate desire to have ALL THE HONEY EVER.

This life-changing honey is not overly sweet, which may have been what clinched it. Only lightly filtered so it still has texture, and it's got actual taste. Perfect, mind-blowing taste. Now... what else can I put honey on? I feel like a whole new world of foods has opened up to me!

(image via nastasiason)

If ever there were a spring day so perfect...

... so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze. — Billy Collins, "Today"

I've been distracted of late by an upcoming vacation. A tropical destination awaits, and I'm giddy with anticipation, eagerness, and anxiousness. It's been several years since my last real adventure, and I don't quite know how to contain myself, but in a week's time, I'll be laying beach side amid the palm trees. I'll just have to remember to pull out my camera every once in awhile.

In the meantime, I'm trying my best to exercise patience, but it is beginning to feel fruitless. I've even had difficulty focusing on watching movies, that's how distracted the prospect of travel makes me. We're heading into a holiday weekend, for some, and while I will be using these next few days to prep for my trip, I hope that everyone finds just a little bit of sunshine and eases into their happy place, even if just for a little while.

Happy weekend, all! xx

(image via Sinjun Strom)

5 Ways to Stop Spinning Your Wheels and Get (Little) Things Done

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about this. We've all been there, working tirelessly to accomplish something and then realizing we've made no progress at all. It can be disheartening, and many of us (myself included) are prone to giving up. I've seen many articles talk about this in the "big picture" sense, about following our passions and achieving our goals... And that's great. But what about the little things? The day to day?

What are some ways we can snap ourselves back into focus and not waste time? For me, I find I spin my wheels with countless things. Reading a book, where it's been 45 minutes and it feels like I haven't finished a page. Or a work project with loose deadlines that I can't get leverage on, no matter how hard I think I'm pushing myself. Even listening to music, I can get into a rut of replaying a song over and over, not even realizing I've listened to the same thing for 3 hours. Most recently, it happened with my cross stitching, and when tackling a pile of pending movie reviews.

It's a rut, but it can be conquered. Here are a few [probably] obvious things that might help when you're struggling to cross that finish line.

1. Move.
No, I don't mean stand up and stretch. Instead, I mean stand up, grab your book/laptop/painting/whatever, and move to a different place. Maybe it's outside, or a nearby coffee shop, or even from the couch to the floor—it doesn't matter. The change in your body's position and your perspective on your space will tweak, reinvigorating your juices and giving you renewed focus. It's also the best cure if you're starting to get fatigued.

2. Eat or Drink Something While You Work.
This can be a slippery slope for those might eat mindlessly, but hear me out. I know that when I'm grinding along, repetitive motions like typing or turning the page can be lulling. By taking a second, walking to the kitchen or break room, and coming back with a cup of coffee or glass of wine (my favorite) to enjoy in my space, the senses are jolted. Give your hands, your eyes, your head a break from the task at hand every time you reach for a sip. Even if it's just a moment, grabbing a pinch of almonds can break the monotony that might be holding you back from progress.

3. Put Your Phone in the Other Room.
Ah, the phone, my kryptonite. The answer to my procrastination, wheel-spinning woes. When I'm trying to get something done, my smart phone needs to be nowhere in sight. Amazing the things we can accomplish when we're not tempted by our FB or Instagram feeds. Keep it out of reach and its pull will be far less tempting.

4. I Was Kidding Before. Stretch.
It's been proven time and time again. Nothing keeps your body and mind from atrophying like a good, deep stretch. By giving yourself a moment to ensure your blood is pumping and your back is sufficiently cracked, you'll not only massage those muscles, you'll be more comfortable in your space.

5. Ask For Help.
It might sound strange, but oftentimes, there is a reason we're being held up. Usually, it's something we're not even conscious of. Maybe our work project has an unanswered question that's thrown a wrench in our momentum. Maybe that opinion piece you're writing needs an outside perspective. Or maybe, we just need the help of our friends to suggest new and interesting things that could peak our interest. Other people are a great asset—when we're in a rut, even talking it through with someone else can rev your engine more than anything else could. Besides, you might get extra encouragement and a renewed sense of accomplishment.

Hey, it couldn't hurt, right?

Alright. Now to take my own advice and start crossing off that To-Do List. xx

(image via Giulia Bellato)

I will be the gladdest thing under the sun

That right there. That has been my expression every morning when I step out into the sunshine, and I take my little pup Gretchen and her short little Dachshund legs on a walk around our neighborhood. Being in Southern California, we don't experience the same kind of winter as the rest of the country. That doesn't mean, however, that winter hasn't been a grind. Work duties have increased, personal time has depleted, but I'm feeling optimistic and invigorated despite it all.

For weeks, I've been dreaming about the spring, and couldn't be happier that today marks its first official day. A vacation with the people I love the most is just around the corner, which might be the real reason there's been a bit more of a kick in my step recently. So in light of that, a little spring poetry on this happy, sunny Friday. And you're welcome for that picture of a smiling kitten in a hat box.

I will be the gladdest thing
    Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
    And not pick one.

I will look at cliffs and clouds
    With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
    And the grass rise.

And when lights begin to show
    Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
    And then start down!
                   - Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Afternoon on a Hill"

 xx

(image via Yvette Inufio)

Moving Forward

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I view this blog, and how I'd most like to communicate to all of you out there. In the past 8 months alone, I've been finding my footing in terms of what I want to say, and the things I'm most comfortable posting about.

Since the start of this year, that 'thing' has been movies.

More than anything, I'm most comfortable writing about film. My personal Project 365 movie challenge has been a delightful struggle, and I've learned so much about myself as an amateur critic—I can't imagine my feelings 2—6—10 months from now. Even the hardest reviews aren't as daunting as, say... talking about my weekend plans, or giving sage closet-purging advice. I'm not used to that, even though when I breathed new life into this space last summer, those are the posts I pushed to produce.

As difficult as they might be, they're also what make a blog personal—and special. The movies I'm watching aside, there's more to me, and this blog, that I want to share. That might mean posting successful or failed photographs of my pets, or asking burning questions like "What's Your Favorite Lipstick?"... or maybe just lamenting about that totally bogus $73 parking ticket I got this morning. *fume*

Whatever it might be, I'm sensing a sort of balance coming back into this space. I hope that any of you out there will continue to join me, support me, and provide feedback about what you might enjoy reading. Of course, there will be no shortage of movie reviews this year, so I look forward to prompting lively debate when I post something you vehemently disagree with. ☺

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend! Except that parking attendant, of course.

(photo via Sinjun Strom)

New Laptop!

It's been a busy few days with not much posting on my end. I kept trying to squeeze it in here and there, but the truth is, I'm going through a bit of a transition, technology-wise. This is because I actually got a new computer! Finally, I've been able to replace a personal laptop that I haven't turned on in years.

Up until now, I'd been using my work computer for blogging and posts, which just isn't conducive to editing photos, utilizing the programs I really need, etc. I'm very excited to have a significantly more portable laptop option, and it will make working on bettering my photo skills a much less overwhelming prospect. It is also a 2-in-1, which means it can convert into a tablet in a pinch, folding over ever-so delicately. Just have to get used to navigating a touch screen!

This weekend will be its real maiden voyage. This is very, very exciting for me. :)

{photo via Jovo Jovanovic}

The 2015 New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! 2014 was a truly incredible year for me, both professionally and personally. I re-discovered my love of writing (and blogging), which I'd accepted as being 'something I did as a kid' up until June of this past year. Committing time to nurture a blog is a new experience, and one that has been more challenging than I could have ever expected.

I also traveled.

I got tattooed (a bunch).

I was a Maid of Honor in my sister's wedding, and gained a brother-in-law.

I also have come back to my first and strongest love: movies.

I have many goals for 2015, but really, they are all subsets of the same thing: Find peace in the busy day-to-day to give my passions room to grow. What does that mean?

Write more movie reviews.
The AFI Top 100 personal project has been so rewarding. My review process and style and approach is constantly refining, and I want to challenge myself to take a more critical look at newer films—ones that are sometimes harder to take a firm stance on. I may not do it for every new movie I see, but I'll certainly try.

Go on more hikes.
I used to hike all the time. Los Angeles is a great place to pop out for a hike and then be done in time for lunch; or even gear up for an all day trek. My body felt so healthy when I was hiking regularly (the last time it was "regular" was probably 2011), and for the first time in my adult life, I wasn't Vitamin D deficient. When 90% of your time is spent indoors and probably in front of a computer, that happens. So I'll tag that on this goal too: Get more Vitamin D.

Get better at taking pictures.
New camera + new editing software (thanks Christmas!) = hopefully better images. I have so much to learn, but I'm up for the challenge. Getting more comfortable taking pictures in public. Getting more comfortable taking pictures of myself. Maybe a 365 Project?

Explore what this blog can be. 
When I first started blogging, the blogging world was very different than it is now. No photography, no sponsored posts... you just wrote about what happened that day. When I started blogging again in July, I had a lot to catch up on. I posted every day for several months, with the goal of just filling space. That's what I was supposed to do, right? But there are so many interests I have that weren't being posted about, and things I didn't care much about that were getting a lot more play. I want to explore different posts and different series... and discover what kind of blogger I want to be.

Do you have any resolutions? Let's get started!

{photo via Sinjun Strom}

Geometric Tattoo

I understand now why people say tattoos are addictive. Sure, I knew what all my friends told me about how I'd get hooked, but I didn't experience it that way for a long time. Maybe something happens that moment you get your first large piece. The rest of your skin seems sort of... empty by comparison. It took me many years to commit to getting my "lady" piece (read about the outline here and the coloring here)... but it took about 5 minutes to commit to getting the next one.

Before flying to Cleveland for the holidays, John and I went back to Fura Body Works while visiting my family in the Bay Area. This time, he was getting inked too! And for the first time. Very exciting. Finally, he gets to celebrate his love of math, right there on his arms! I loved getting tattooed back to back, and now he truly understands that "irritating pain" I tried to describe to him before.

I'd been craving a geometric design on my left arm for awhile now. I just didn't have an exact design in mind! I love tattooer Kiki Burghardt's work, and when she posted the Navajo-inspired sketch with some of her 'flash' art last month, that's all it took! It came out beautifully (love the dot work!) and even though it's still healing, I'm completely enamored.

Now, I'm gonna try to cut myself off from tattoos are a little while. With such precious 'body real estate' left, one shouldn't be too hasty, right? Yeah. Right. We'll see how long I can stay away. In the meantime, I'll just have to scour Instagram for new artists to obsess over. I'm working on a list now of some of my favorites to share with you all, but for now, here are a few pics from our recent tattoo session adventure. xx

2nd Annual Eat Like a Kid Day!

Last weekend, John and I celebrated our 2nd Annual Eat Like a Kid Day! This tradition is new, but started when he and I first began dating. I would share with him about when I was a kid, I always ate *this* for lunch, or how I would snack on *these* all day long. He would do the same.

It got to the point where we decided these nostalgic food-times warranted a whole day of recognition--and maybe it wouldn't hurt to do some of the things that kids do, too. ;)

So this time around, I threw on my celebratory sweatshirt right when I woke up and got to making breakfast!




And duh, it was Pop Tarts! You know, the real Pop Tarts. Not the fancy-schmancy homemade ones that recently put me in the mood to eat these delicious treats. And look! They're healthy, and a good source of vitamins and stuff! Or, er... whatever, they're amazing!





I'd love to say that both of these beauties were for me (which would have been very much like what my breakfast looked like as a kid), but alas, I had to share with the boyfriend. =\

I'm kidding, I'm kidding, this was just the pre-cursor to a day of--essentially--over-eating too much salt, sugar, and cheese! I had to save room.



Can you guys even with this? So simple, so yummy, so cinnamon-goodness-y.

While chomping through our tarts, we sat on the floor in front of the television (like you know, kids do) and enjoyed some '90s cartoon classics: Dexter's Laboratory and a perfectly timed holiday episode of Rugrats!



After breakfast, John and I put on our adult pants and trekked to the grocery store in search of items for the rest of the day's meals. We came back with a plethora of fixins, just in time to start lunch!



For me, you're not eating like a kid unless you make yourself at least one box of Blue Box Mac-and-Cheese. Every summer between the ages of 7 and 11, my sister and I probably ate Blue Box M&C every single day. So healthy, huh? It was also the first thing I ever learned how to make on the stove! I think it was where my love affair with cheese began--because the powdered packet stuff is the real thing, ya'll.

Even though the ingredients and prep are sooooo complicated (not), John volunteered to be the chef for lunch, since I planned on taking care of dinner!



And just like when we were kids (especially me) the portions had to be exactly even! Result of having a twin sister... she could never have more mac & cheese than me! ;)

So John carefully poured the bowls...



The perfect, balanced kids meal! I wish I could say that I didn't drink soda as a kid, but that would be a bald faced lie! Diet Coke was my very favorite thing, and I decided it would be alright to have my first soda in forever just to pair it with this cheesy, blue box deliciousness.



Yum! It took everything in my power not to just hoover this down. I did make one little modification to my original kids lunch recipe: Sriracha!



You guys! This may be my favorite thing in the world to add Sriracha to - maybe with the exception of scrambled eggs. It just kicks that mac & cheese up a notch, and you can actually kid yourself into thinking you're eating an adult meal. Almost.

If you've never done this, I suggest you make it for yourself tonight. But share with someone! Otherwise we all know you'll eat the whole box. 'Cause we all would.

After scarfing down our lunches as slooooowly as we could, it was over before we knew it and we were grabbing our things and scrambling out the door. Because if I did anything when I was a kid, it was spend an afternoon in the darkness of a movie theater.

And it just so happens that there is a fun, animated movie playing right now! We arrived at our local theater and purchased our tickets to the new Disney movie, Big Hero 6!



I used to work in a movie theater (my first job, which I had for 4 years!), and there's just something about the treats at the movies. The colors, the sweetness, and the saltiness... it brings back so many memories! My whole family has a weakness for movie theater popcorn, and while I try not to give into the urge all the time, today was special.





I just love that we can add our own butter now. Maybe you don't remember, but you had to ask for butter on your popcorn before, and you had to trust that the person behind the concession stand would spread that butter around evenly! Haha, clearly I have a bit of a control problem, no?

We scurried into the theater and took our seats. The movie was such a joy! Predictable in a way that kids movies are, but it certainly made my heart grow three sizes. I recommend it if you haven't seen it already. :)

We sped home to get into our comfy clothes, and now it was John's turn to pick his favorite childhood activity to do! Surprising no one, he pulled up his collection of Super Nintendo video games, and fell deeply into The Legend of Zelda...



I watched him move around his 32-bit Link for a while, marveling at the nostalgia of it all. I slipped out while he was gallivanting around Hyrule to start the dinner prep.

My very favorite meal in the entire world... Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup.



Now, arguably, this isn't a kid's meal. It is an everybody meal. But as a kid, teen, and young adult who would would hardly expand my horizons beyond anything other than this, it is a quintessential part of my childhood.

Sourdough bread is a must. Even as a kid, my parents rarely used white bread in their grilled cheese prep. As a San Francisco Bay Area family, sourdough was our go-to. I still maintain it is the best bread to use.

I also made the grilled cheese a bit more fancy by collecting some fresh basil leaves from our balcony garden, which currently looks like an overgrown bush! It's so easy to just spill the leaves over the cheese and cook them between the bread.





It makes a huge difference in the flavor, and adds that little bit of texture that keeps me from eating this meal too quickly. Especially when you add the tomato soup into the mix. It's like basil and tomato soup were meant to be together.

And since I like to make things easy in my meal prep, I used Campbell's Soup at Hand, which happens to fit perfectly in little bowls I have.





I swear, I didn't even color correct that picture above. Those colors really are that vibrant!

The meal came together perfectly, and I called John in for dinner. The spread looked so delicious, and the smells were even more satisfying. Typing this now, I'm this close to making the exact same meal again for lunch today! Are you not craving it as much as I am?



Notice the stack of pickles in the back? That was John's only request, that we include bread and butter pickles so he could pile them on top of every bite of grilled cheese. It was his favorite thing as a kid, and I had never tried it! Turns out, it's friggin' delicious! It may be part of my staple grilled cheese fixins moving forward!

By this time, I had retired my camera to enjoy our last meal of the day together. In front of a good movie, of course! John picked The Princess Bride, which felt just right. We toasted each other with glasses of iced tea and settled in for dinner, and then cuddled under a blanket for the rest of the movie.

It's nice every once in awhile to share the things you loved as a kid with someone you love as an adult. It says so much about one's upbringing -- whether they grew up with food made from scratch, or food straight out of the box (like me!) And I'll admit, I'm already thinking about what the menu for next year's Eat Like a Kid Day will be!

If you had your own day, what would you eat??

xx