Anna Sui
BCBG Max Azria
Generra
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Marchesa
Tibi
All photos taken from New York Magazine
tokyo 2020
8 years ago
9.22.2009
9.21.2009
photo shoot
Recently we decided we should take our wedding photos in Shanghai. After all, it IS the place where we had met, lived in and shared many memories.
We didn't want a local photog studio, and definitely didn't want to stand outside Starbucks on Hengshan Road taking cheesy pictures we've seen a million couples do. Neither did we want a pricey freelance laowai photographer, or underpay friends. So after researching wedding photographers / studios, freelance photographers and friends, we finally picked one with the right price and style.
Even after enquiries, we still felt that it was too early to take the photos, so we're going to do it next spring.
However, being the little excited bunny that I am, I started daydreaming about the locations and shoots.
These are my ideas... J doesn't know about my excitement and he will definitely think me crazy. BUT BUT BUT i definitely do want to try...
We didn't want a local photog studio, and definitely didn't want to stand outside Starbucks on Hengshan Road taking cheesy pictures we've seen a million couples do. Neither did we want a pricey freelance laowai photographer, or underpay friends. So after researching wedding photographers / studios, freelance photographers and friends, we finally picked one with the right price and style.
Even after enquiries, we still felt that it was too early to take the photos, so we're going to do it next spring.
However, being the little excited bunny that I am, I started daydreaming about the locations and shoots.
These are my ideas... J doesn't know about my excitement and he will definitely think me crazy. BUT BUT BUT i definitely do want to try...
- shot on roller skates. I had the most memorable (and well-documented) kiss on our first roller-disco party
- next to the wall of graffiti he took me to on our first "date"
- shot of us in the Bears' jerseys. he got me into the crazy sport and fantasy football no less.
- barefoot in the park (I was thinking Cercle Sportif, Xujiahui park, or People's park) -- think ice cream, bubbles, picnics and bicycles
- view of the Bund, taking that old junk across the Huangpu river
- cobblestones and alleyways (Taikang road or Moganshan galleries)
- jumping shot in a rock concert
what a crazy mix.
i doubt any studio will be able to accomodate that.
Musings on Mondays
i love mondays.
i wake up to watch a football game. and then i head down to my yoga class. When I come home, make myself (or cook -- gasp!) lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon reading blogs, surfing the web or do something crafty. I feel like I accomplish so much on a Monday.
This morning I awoke to very good news-- Bears vs Steelers 17-14. And watched the 2nd quarter of the Giants and Cowboys game. I had to miss the 2nd half (which was the more exciting half) to go to my Ashtanga class.
I felt especially good in class today because I suddenly became aware of how much I have improved. I realised after 3 years of practice that with each practice I become more and more aware of the different parts of my body, how to isolate and work each muscle, build core strength and flexibility. As i attempted the bridge pose today I felt a big stretch on my lower back. In the past, that was not a good sign, because that meant I had overstretched and would be plagued with a back ache in the next few days. But, these days, that pain (or rather, ache) is just a gentle reminder from my body to take it easy on that pose. Not only do I not get that backache, I realised my lower back muscles are much stronger.
In the past, when I do forward bends and folds, the back of my knees would hurt bad. I have come to realise that is overextension on my part and is very bad on my knees. Now, i've figured out that if i tighten my thigh muscles (which was what I was supposed to do in the first place) the pain disappears and I work the right muscles at the same time.
I am constantly astounded at how much I gain with each yoga practice. Even after 3 years of practice I still find out something new about my body each time. I am determined to keep this practice even after I stop attending classes. Now I just have to work on my discipline. The mind is so weak and it always manages to talk me out of practice.
On another note:
Crafting on a Sunday, I decided to whip out the pattern (courtesy of Spool Sewing ) I kept for a long LONG time. Using scraps of cloth (mostly from J's shirts) I made two stuffed birdies! Still not perfect, I'm wondering how to stuff the birds without them looking too lumpy... I will make more! It's really fun and it doesn't require a machine! I think that was the reason I started on it in the first place. I was too lazy to lug my machine out and looked for the easiest craft I can manage on a sleepy Sunday.
Ta-daa!
i wake up to watch a football game. and then i head down to my yoga class. When I come home, make myself (or cook -- gasp!) lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon reading blogs, surfing the web or do something crafty. I feel like I accomplish so much on a Monday.
fried rice for lunch today
This morning I awoke to very good news-- Bears vs Steelers 17-14. And watched the 2nd quarter of the Giants and Cowboys game. I had to miss the 2nd half (which was the more exciting half) to go to my Ashtanga class.
I felt especially good in class today because I suddenly became aware of how much I have improved. I realised after 3 years of practice that with each practice I become more and more aware of the different parts of my body, how to isolate and work each muscle, build core strength and flexibility. As i attempted the bridge pose today I felt a big stretch on my lower back. In the past, that was not a good sign, because that meant I had overstretched and would be plagued with a back ache in the next few days. But, these days, that pain (or rather, ache) is just a gentle reminder from my body to take it easy on that pose. Not only do I not get that backache, I realised my lower back muscles are much stronger.
In the past, when I do forward bends and folds, the back of my knees would hurt bad. I have come to realise that is overextension on my part and is very bad on my knees. Now, i've figured out that if i tighten my thigh muscles (which was what I was supposed to do in the first place) the pain disappears and I work the right muscles at the same time.
I am constantly astounded at how much I gain with each yoga practice. Even after 3 years of practice I still find out something new about my body each time. I am determined to keep this practice even after I stop attending classes. Now I just have to work on my discipline. The mind is so weak and it always manages to talk me out of practice.
On another note:
Crafting on a Sunday, I decided to whip out the pattern (courtesy of Spool Sewing ) I kept for a long LONG time. Using scraps of cloth (mostly from J's shirts) I made two stuffed birdies! Still not perfect, I'm wondering how to stuff the birds without them looking too lumpy... I will make more! It's really fun and it doesn't require a machine! I think that was the reason I started on it in the first place. I was too lazy to lug my machine out and looked for the easiest craft I can manage on a sleepy Sunday.
Ta-daa!
9.19.2009
Visa Blues
So J went to the American Consulate to attend the immigration visa talk and found out that the whole process takes 8-10months.
We started scrambling and getting our act together to start applying for one.
Step 1: Application for petition for alien relative.
I hate how countries use the word "Alien".
I hate how many steps and how long this process takes.
I hate all the paper chase.
I hate how much money this is costing us.
I hate how all the instructions are so vague (or the more I read them, the more I doubt I'm doing them right)
Yesterday was the start of the whole thing. One week to go before I get my notarized Chinese documents. One week more to get the translation. And then the photos. Oh yes, I had better start assembling the photos that prove our marriage genuine. Oh yes, I forgot the photos were all gone when my external hard disk crashed.
I need a huge dose of positivity now.
We started scrambling and getting our act together to start applying for one.
Step 1: Application for petition for alien relative.
I hate how countries use the word "Alien".
I hate how many steps and how long this process takes.
I hate all the paper chase.
I hate how much money this is costing us.
I hate how all the instructions are so vague (or the more I read them, the more I doubt I'm doing them right)
Yesterday was the start of the whole thing. One week to go before I get my notarized Chinese documents. One week more to get the translation. And then the photos. Oh yes, I had better start assembling the photos that prove our marriage genuine. Oh yes, I forgot the photos were all gone when my external hard disk crashed.
I need a huge dose of positivity now.
9.13.2009
To-do list:
so i occasionally come across things that seem really fun to do but haven't had the opportunity to try. does that count as spontaneous when you finally do it?
anyhoo, here is a list of "spontaneous" things i would like to do when i DO have the time. i have been listing them in my head for the longest time. here's putting them down before i forget.
1. making home-made bubble solution and setting the bubbles free in the park!
2. shop for an exquisite chinese tea set
3.shop for cute dinnerware (but i can always make do with MORE!)
4. take the open-top doubledecker that takes you on a scenic tour of shanghai
5. (recently discussed) ride our bikes to the beach somewhere in Shanghai
6. Happy Valley (when free of glitches and deemed safe)
7. camp outdoors!
that's all for now. eeps. i need to catch up with ACTION!
on another important note:
my very FIRST wedding anniversary is coming!!! maybe i can incorporate some of the things on my list into the celebrations!
anyhoo, here is a list of "spontaneous" things i would like to do when i DO have the time. i have been listing them in my head for the longest time. here's putting them down before i forget.
1. making home-made bubble solution and setting the bubbles free in the park!
2. shop for an exquisite chinese tea set
3.
4. take the open-top doubledecker that takes you on a scenic tour of shanghai
5. (recently discussed) ride our bikes to the beach somewhere in Shanghai
6. Happy Valley (when free of glitches and deemed safe)
7. camp outdoors!
that's all for now. eeps. i need to catch up with ACTION!
on another important note:
my very FIRST wedding anniversary is coming!!! maybe i can incorporate some of the things on my list into the celebrations!
on hugs and kisses
it was my dad's birthday yesterday. I sent him a text and a facebook message. This morning when I awoke, i received a text back from him
"Thanks :-) my dear Chewy"
It's feels a little strange to hear him call me Chewy (when i think for the longest time in my life he was using Chuiying) and doubly strange to hear him say "my dear".
My family is pretty traditional when it comes to showing or displaying our affection for each other. The only times I give my parents kisses are hugs are on special occasions like birthdays, Mother's and Father's day, airport send-offs and so on. In the recent years, however, my parents have become more used to the hugging and kissing. It was never a thing with the family so each time such behaviour is displayed, it feels nice but also strange in a way. I would love to do it more because I feel I don't show it often enough. And with J's family, I think I'll have to get used to it even more because they're all about that! J is always telling me I will be completely overwhelmed when we finally meet everyone on his end. I am still preparing myself mentally to meet his extended family.
in other news, it is also priscilla's birthday tomorrow. We went for a nice Sunday brunch followed by a girly mani-pedi session. Check out the yummy colours!
wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
"Thanks :-) my dear Chewy"
It's feels a little strange to hear him call me Chewy (when i think for the longest time in my life he was using Chuiying) and doubly strange to hear him say "my dear".
My family is pretty traditional when it comes to showing or displaying our affection for each other. The only times I give my parents kisses are hugs are on special occasions like birthdays, Mother's and Father's day, airport send-offs and so on. In the recent years, however, my parents have become more used to the hugging and kissing. It was never a thing with the family so each time such behaviour is displayed, it feels nice but also strange in a way. I would love to do it more because I feel I don't show it often enough. And with J's family, I think I'll have to get used to it even more because they're all about that! J is always telling me I will be completely overwhelmed when we finally meet everyone on his end. I am still preparing myself mentally to meet his extended family.
in other news, it is also priscilla's birthday tomorrow. We went for a nice Sunday brunch followed by a girly mani-pedi session. Check out the yummy colours!
wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
9.11.2009
thursday night in
i realised it's so hard to keep a blog daily when i started work again. i come home every day from work feeling so tired i just want to veg out on the couch. it was nice last night though, i invited my friend to my place just to chill after work. we've both had a long day, and all we want is dinner and a good movie on TV.
we ended up watching District 9, a movie about an alien colony living with humans in Johannesburg. Living separately, though, in an area called District 9. it probably parallels a lot of current events like BSG does, but I was too tired to think about it in depth.
however, what i meant to say is i really enjoyed the night and i should do it more often. have friends over. i'm usually contented and want to spend my evenings with just my boy.
in other news, football season has started with the Steelers playing the Titans. I got roped into playing Fantasy Football with my husband and his friends I don't know why. But following it will be tough. But I will try to follow the Bears this season because they sound pretty good with Jay Cutler on their team and his performance in pre-season.
Omg. I sound totally un-me.
we ended up watching District 9, a movie about an alien colony living with humans in Johannesburg. Living separately, though, in an area called District 9. it probably parallels a lot of current events like BSG does, but I was too tired to think about it in depth.
however, what i meant to say is i really enjoyed the night and i should do it more often. have friends over. i'm usually contented and want to spend my evenings with just my boy.
in other news, football season has started with the Steelers playing the Titans. I got roped into playing Fantasy Football with my husband and his friends I don't know why. But following it will be tough. But I will try to follow the Bears this season because they sound pretty good with Jay Cutler on their team and his performance in pre-season.
Omg. I sound totally un-me.
9.09.2009
soup for the soul
i made soup the other night.
i was craving my mom's soup and decided to FINALLY try it myself. It turned out to be really easy! i bought some pork ribs, carrots, potatoes and onions, threw them into a pot of water and let it boil for hours and then when dinner time came, i cooked some rice and poured the soup over it.
Here are the ingredients.
Never had making dinner been SO easy!
I think I'm going to make corn soup next.
i was craving my mom's soup and decided to FINALLY try it myself. It turned out to be really easy! i bought some pork ribs, carrots, potatoes and onions, threw them into a pot of water and let it boil for hours and then when dinner time came, i cooked some rice and poured the soup over it.
Here are the ingredients.
Never had making dinner been SO easy!
I think I'm going to make corn soup next.
9.06.2009
Cheryl's Pot Luck
today's spontaneity of the day:
Chilli con Queso Dip (above, next to the carrots)
http://southernfood.about.com/od/cheesedips/r/bl30320h.htm
Bacon and Swiss Cheese Dip (above, 2nd pot from top)
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recipetemplate.php?scale=2+&mid=36325
instead of making something i've already tried and tested, i decided to look for new recipes to try out. Even though they're not to difficult, i feel kind of elated with the outcome, especially when they both got positive reviews! Wheeeee!
day 2
so i woke up extremely early today and decided to go for a walk in the park. i rode my bike, got myself a pancake for breakfast and headed for the park near the school, so I could go to work in an hour's time. when i got there, i realised i couldn't bring my bike inside the park and instead, had to park outside. not trusting my bike alone in any one public place for any amount of time, i decided to cycle around the neighbourhood.
the french concession is really a beautiful place, and in certain areas, it is so quiet and peaceful. i rode on this street where high-ranking officials and really important people lived. you could tell because every other house had high fenced-up walls, security cameras and a guard or two standing at attention on the outside. i think i actually smelt sandalwood in the breeze while riding past! i've always wondered how these places look on the inside.
arriving at school 2 hours before class, i ended up chatting with the cleaning ayi. she has lived in shanghai all of her 56 years and has seen great changes in this area. our school stands on what used to be farming grounds. across the road where the hotel stands, there once was a sports arena. she and her friends used to watch athletes train through the fences. now the area is perpetuated by sky high buildings and plagued by constant construction, especially with Expo 2010 looming ahead. the older buildings that are being conserved house row after row of bars. even in the short 3 years i've been here i've seen shops and restaurants come and go, buildings torn down and re-built in an instant...
i think i'm beginning to like this spontaneity exercise...
the french concession is really a beautiful place, and in certain areas, it is so quiet and peaceful. i rode on this street where high-ranking officials and really important people lived. you could tell because every other house had high fenced-up walls, security cameras and a guard or two standing at attention on the outside. i think i actually smelt sandalwood in the breeze while riding past! i've always wondered how these places look on the inside.
arriving at school 2 hours before class, i ended up chatting with the cleaning ayi. she has lived in shanghai all of her 56 years and has seen great changes in this area. our school stands on what used to be farming grounds. across the road where the hotel stands, there once was a sports arena. she and her friends used to watch athletes train through the fences. now the area is perpetuated by sky high buildings and plagued by constant construction, especially with Expo 2010 looming ahead. the older buildings that are being conserved house row after row of bars. even in the short 3 years i've been here i've seen shops and restaurants come and go, buildings torn down and re-built in an instant...
i think i'm beginning to like this spontaneity exercise...
9.04.2009
this little exercise is not working out terribly well!
!!!!
i got so caught up with work and meetings today that i completely forgot to do something spontaneous!
then again...I might need to define spontaneity a little, to sort out for myself what exactly counts as an act of spontaneity. does stopping to give a child in school a hug or giving time to chat with a parent count as a spontaneous act? (it might seem little to some but interacting with adults can be terribly arduous for me, because i think i am absolutely boring to talk to. which is also why my job as a teacher is perfect because children are less judging and more embracing.) i am completely comfortable with the children until i have to speak with their parents.
back to definitions. does it have to be something out of the blue and really special, or can it be something ordinary, just not something you would normally do?
dictionary.com defines spontaneities as
1. spontaneous impulses, behaviour, movements or actions
2. spontaneous activities
and defines spontaneous as
1. coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained;
in which case have i not only failed to be "spontaneous" but have also suppressed myself when i hesitated to say good morning to the person next to me in the elevator this morning. The words were actually on the tip of my tongue until i decided to swallow them and thought myself a wee bit silly to be "overly friendly".
on a brighter note, now that i am a little more self-aware, i will keep trying.
and i am positive i can only change for the better!
i got so caught up with work and meetings today that i completely forgot to do something spontaneous!
then again...I might need to define spontaneity a little, to sort out for myself what exactly counts as an act of spontaneity. does stopping to give a child in school a hug or giving time to chat with a parent count as a spontaneous act? (it might seem little to some but interacting with adults can be terribly arduous for me, because i think i am absolutely boring to talk to. which is also why my job as a teacher is perfect because children are less judging and more embracing.) i am completely comfortable with the children until i have to speak with their parents.
back to definitions. does it have to be something out of the blue and really special, or can it be something ordinary, just not something you would normally do?
dictionary.com defines spontaneities as
1. spontaneous impulses, behaviour, movements or actions
2. spontaneous activities
and defines spontaneous as
1. coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained;
in which case have i not only failed to be "spontaneous" but have also suppressed myself when i hesitated to say good morning to the person next to me in the elevator this morning. The words were actually on the tip of my tongue until i decided to swallow them and thought myself a wee bit silly to be "overly friendly".
on a brighter note, now that i am a little more self-aware, i will keep trying.
and i am positive i can only change for the better!
9.03.2009
i think i'm going to try this:
one spontaneity a day, one craft a week.
this week, my craft will be to shorten my too-long purple skirt (in time for purple week in school next week)
let's see how long this will last
positivity!
------------------------------------------------------------------
and so the spontaneity of the day...
i left a love note for J in the mail. I hope he finds it soon!
*Remind yourself to love the ones around you every single moment*
this week, my craft will be to shorten my too-long purple skirt (in time for purple week in school next week)
positivity!
------------------------------------------------------------------
and so the spontaneity of the day...
i left a love note for J in the mail. I hope he finds it soon!
*Remind yourself to love the ones around you every single moment*
9.01.2009
sunset in shanghai
i am extremely pleased to be able to get around the great firewall of china!
i want to be able to say that i love living in shanghai, i love living in china. But sometimes, it gets so weary and tiresome. The pollution gets to you, the people annoy you, the whole government gets paranoid on you. Surfing the internet is a pain in the butt when every other page you visit is blocked!
I enjoy reading my friends' blogs and being inspired by some of the bloggers out there. Facebook helps me keep in touch with my family and friends. Youtube enables me to watch music videos and J's favourite fights and football games. Wikipedia helps answer my inane questions. But what can you do if you live in China?
and the absolute last straw came when my ipod got stolen from right under my nose! and this happened approximately about the same time as when 4,565 of my other friends got one thing or other stolen, here in the Shang-of the not-so-high.
So, i think i'm coming to the end of my residence here in china.
i don't think i can handle anymore of it, save the mountains and valleys.
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