Suzanne Collins has rocked my world.
Three times actually. First the Hunger Games, then Catching Fire, and finally Mockingjay. When my roommate first recommended the series to me I laughed because it was a book written for young adults. Luckily, boredom encouraged me to give it a shot, and I ended up reading the first book in one sitting. Yes, one 5 hour sitting. My body was numb and numb again, but I didn't care!
I had to know what was going to happen to Katniss!
The concept is genius. The writing could be better I think, or maybe I just don't have a taste for tweenaged novels anymore. Each chapter kept me on edge and I felt so close to the characters. First I loved Peeta, then I hated him. Then I loved him again. Katniss I loved mostly through the series, and at the very very end I literally shed tears. Gale I never stopped loving. I think I'm in love with Gale.
Damn you Suzanne Collins, for leaving me hanging. We need more Hunger Games books!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Inkblot (Rorschach) Test
This is the test we see on TV, in movies, and hear about in passing. This is also one of those things that piques your interest, but you forget about shortly after and never look into.
On Friday, I got the opportunity to take the inkblot test with a psych student. And what did I learn from her? Not much. She told me she'd need to run tests to find the results. But what I learned from MYSELF was startling.
I was freaking out. Like, I was trying to figure out what it was that I "saw" in the images, but knowing that there's no correct answer is a completely new way of thought processing for me. Everytime I gave her an answer, I found myself trying to read her - to see if her responses indicated whether I had a common response, or an uncommon one.
I found myself trying to read the test administrator who was trying to read me. I also began to second-guess myself, wondering if I was approaching the test in the right way. Cursing myself for not asking more questions in the beginning before the test began. Crawling with nerves. The inkblot test experience has shown me that I am overly obsessed with being right, doing things correctly, and gauging how others perceive me. WOW. If I'm so preoccupied with these things, what am I missing out on? Maybe I do need a psychologist!
On Friday, I got the opportunity to take the inkblot test with a psych student. And what did I learn from her? Not much. She told me she'd need to run tests to find the results. But what I learned from MYSELF was startling.
I was freaking out. Like, I was trying to figure out what it was that I "saw" in the images, but knowing that there's no correct answer is a completely new way of thought processing for me. Everytime I gave her an answer, I found myself trying to read her - to see if her responses indicated whether I had a common response, or an uncommon one.
I found myself trying to read the test administrator who was trying to read me. I also began to second-guess myself, wondering if I was approaching the test in the right way. Cursing myself for not asking more questions in the beginning before the test began. Crawling with nerves. The inkblot test experience has shown me that I am overly obsessed with being right, doing things correctly, and gauging how others perceive me. WOW. If I'm so preoccupied with these things, what am I missing out on? Maybe I do need a psychologist!
Monday, March 19, 2012
New York: An Inviting Realization
As it turns out, New York is nothing like I thought it would be. Well, dirty, but that's not the worst of it I suppose.
I have to admit, I was absolutely inspired by the city. The enormous buildings, the bright lights at Times Square, the gorgeous day at Central Park, Uptown, Midtown, Downtown, my goodness where to begin!
The food was outstanding, and VERY memorable. I can't believe I didn't visit sooner. The shopping was, well, overwhelming to say the least. I did get new sunglasses that I really like! And I got a few things from Top Shop and Uniqlo, shops that I'll probably never see in Seattle (and at least not for a while in SF). I found myself wishing I had tons of money to blow on clothes/accessories all throughout the trip, but.... maybe by the next time I find myself there I'll be in a better financial position. I can only hope!
We did touristy things like visiting Times Square, venturing to the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, riding the dirty dirty subway, taking pictures in Central Park, grabbing a beer at McGee's, and wandering around the streets of New York to stare. And then we did some local things like eating Korean BBQ and getting tapioca in Queens, wandering through Flushing at night, karaoke-ing in St. Mark's, and getting Artichoke pizza! We got to see Jewell (love that girl) and Chris, and Sinclair and his girlfriend, Johnson, and Henry (and his new girlfriend), and we made a few new friends along the way! SUCH an exciting trip, sigh. Frankly, I think I like New York enough to get over the dirty garbage-on-street lifestyle. Can it be true? Do I mean what I say?
All I know is that New York is the second best trip I've had IN, MY, LIFE. Second only to Halloween Las Vegas with all of my favorite people (sadly two years ago now - how time flies!). Yeah, that's how taken I am with New York. Even though I suffered through a 36 hour fever-induced coma once I got back to Seattle. Still worth it -- yeah I said it!
World Trade Memorial
Is it okay to smile here?
Best sesame ice cream ever. Sundaes & Cones.
Divine Mango Chutney dipping sauce!
30 Rock rink!
Somewhere in Manhattan..
Flushing!
Gorgoeus day in Central Park.
Definitely a walk to remember.
Admiring the water.
From the elusive Belvedere castle.
Peekaboo!
BEST PORK BELLY BUNS EVER.
Solving the mystery behind the name Manhattan! :)
Suuuunshine.
SF in NY.
What a fantastical trip. Now - to finally recover from this hellborn sickness, so I can return to reality!
I have to admit, I was absolutely inspired by the city. The enormous buildings, the bright lights at Times Square, the gorgeous day at Central Park, Uptown, Midtown, Downtown, my goodness where to begin!
The food was outstanding, and VERY memorable. I can't believe I didn't visit sooner. The shopping was, well, overwhelming to say the least. I did get new sunglasses that I really like! And I got a few things from Top Shop and Uniqlo, shops that I'll probably never see in Seattle (and at least not for a while in SF). I found myself wishing I had tons of money to blow on clothes/accessories all throughout the trip, but.... maybe by the next time I find myself there I'll be in a better financial position. I can only hope!
We did touristy things like visiting Times Square, venturing to the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, riding the dirty dirty subway, taking pictures in Central Park, grabbing a beer at McGee's, and wandering around the streets of New York to stare. And then we did some local things like eating Korean BBQ and getting tapioca in Queens, wandering through Flushing at night, karaoke-ing in St. Mark's, and getting Artichoke pizza! We got to see Jewell (love that girl) and Chris, and Sinclair and his girlfriend, Johnson, and Henry (and his new girlfriend), and we made a few new friends along the way! SUCH an exciting trip, sigh. Frankly, I think I like New York enough to get over the dirty garbage-on-street lifestyle. Can it be true? Do I mean what I say?
All I know is that New York is the second best trip I've had IN, MY, LIFE. Second only to Halloween Las Vegas with all of my favorite people (sadly two years ago now - how time flies!). Yeah, that's how taken I am with New York. Even though I suffered through a 36 hour fever-induced coma once I got back to Seattle. Still worth it -- yeah I said it!
Admiring the water.
From the elusive Belvedere castle.
What a fantastical trip. Now - to finally recover from this hellborn sickness, so I can return to reality!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Preconceptions of New York
So I'm just a few hours away from my flight to New York, and I'm thinking about all of the things that I'm expecting:
1) Criminals
2) Dirty, congested streets
3) Mean people
4) Tall buildings
I'm basing this off of what I've seen in the media - namely Law & Order, White Collar, and 30 Rock. And maybe a bit of How I Met Your Mother or Friends - although these shows seem to focus on the insides of NY buildings rather than the outsides. I'm very interested to see what New York is really like, because I can't believe that so many people would want to live there if it's really THAT bad.
I'm guessing I'll hate it or love it. But either way, I can't wait to find out!
1) Criminals
2) Dirty, congested streets
3) Mean people
4) Tall buildings
I'm basing this off of what I've seen in the media - namely Law & Order, White Collar, and 30 Rock. And maybe a bit of How I Met Your Mother or Friends - although these shows seem to focus on the insides of NY buildings rather than the outsides. I'm very interested to see what New York is really like, because I can't believe that so many people would want to live there if it's really THAT bad.
I'm guessing I'll hate it or love it. But either way, I can't wait to find out!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Winter Recap & Revisiting Resolutions?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Aziatix: Serenading My Soul
I haven't stopped listening to Aziatix music since Sunday. And after watching countless Youtube videos (getting sucked in by the relateds panel, as always) I realized how much I would love to hang out with them. They're obviously creative and talented, but they also seem to be personable and super laid back. One of my favorite videos thus far:
On Monday I decided to scrub the autographs from my arm, after Charles called me a groupie and the only way I could respond was "I knowwwww" LOL. Yeah, I'm not 19 years old anymore - that's something I'm still coming to terms with. And it's not even the way that they look! It's the way they make my heart melt with their magical music.
Still smitten. And holding onto the enthusiastic hope that I'll run into them on the streets of New York in March. A girl can dream right?
On Monday I decided to scrub the autographs from my arm, after Charles called me a groupie and the only way I could respond was "I knowwwww" LOL. Yeah, I'm not 19 years old anymore - that's something I'm still coming to terms with. And it's not even the way that they look! It's the way they make my heart melt with their magical music.
Still smitten. And holding onto the enthusiastic hope that I'll run into them on the streets of New York in March. A girl can dream right?
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