Thursday, July 31

Movie, TV, and WebVid

For those Harry Potter fans out there (oh, pick me, pick me!), the teaser trailer for Half-Blood Prince was just released. The Young Voldemort is played by the nephew of Ralph Fiennes ("Old" Voldy). Check it out. Hopefully they don't put Harry in any more of those casual suit outfits (see post).

I was so excited to find Font Conference on YouTube. It was released last week on CollegeHumor but I didn't know how to link the video (and didn't just want to blog a link). Now I can finally share it!


I was never really a Nickelodeon viewer, but for those of you who were, you will be happy to know that iTunes is now featuring shows like Rugrats, Clarissa Explains It All, etc. Check out the article on it here.

Yay for a little bit of rain and a bout of productiveness.

Currently listening to: Scenic World (live) - Beirut

Wednesday, July 30

Portable Vanity

I've long noticed the Doublemint gum reference ("Double your pleasure, double your fun") in Chris Brown's Forever but have always figured that it was a coincidence or an artistic borrowing of a classic reference. Now it has been revealed that the entire song is a commercial, written by Brown but commissioned by Wrigley. What a shocker that a chart topper could also be an ad. Coming from someone in the industry, this may seem odd, but I don't like how they did that. Check out the article here.

Today I had to lug a mirror to school for a photoshoot. It was quite heavy and a little bit awkward. Big mirrors certainly are odd things to carry around in public. I guess looking at yourself is something private. Not that people don't do it in public, but they try to keep it at least a little bit discreet.

Check out pictures of this crazy new fish pedicure treatment from Yahoo!News.
Currently listening to: Simon (Lifehouse a cappella cover) - Fairview High School

Tuesday, July 29

Heat Has Me Loopy

Oh my, what a big temperature difference from the beginning of last week. We are in the upper 80's and without air conditioning (or even fans). During Guest Speaker today all the Miami kids almost wished we were back there instead of sitting in a stuffy room.

A solar eclipse is upon us and hopefully I'll be able to catch it this time because the last one seemed to be Asia-exclusive. Check out this article for more info and to see if you'll see it too!

Today I found out about live ads. These babies are a whole other ballpark because they are longer (since shot live) and therefore cost more money. However they seem to be more effective since people feel there are no smoke mirrors or gimmicks. Check out this live Honda ad. But be warned; it clocks in at 3 minutes 20.

A good friend made a fantastic encouragement video for me, but since he doesn't want the world to know how talented he is yet, I can't share it with you. (Ask JD to hear the song!) However, I can share this great video that the tags led me to by Dan Balan, singer from O-zone (most famous for Dragonstea, aka Numa Numa). Crazy.

Currently listening to: Wait for Love - Matt White

Sunday, July 27

A Broken Heart and Kids Channel

Wow. Amazing video by director Chris Milk for Gnarls Barkley's new single Who's Gonna Save My Soul


Also check out this new ad for Clorox. Adorable.


You may recognize the original song from Feist, who wins points in my book for this great version performed on Sesame Street. The chickens just back from the shore are my favorite.


Currently listening to: These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding

Tuesday, July 22

Weekend Recap

Even though it was relatively chilly, this weekend I defiantly wore flip flops and a skirt outside because, after all, it is the end of July and therefore summer. I got a ton of strange looks. Everyone was wearing scarves, coats, and boots! Crazy. I almost threw back a remark after my millionth disapproving look, but then remembered that I don't speak the language and would only come off as a crazy tourist. Sighs. What was the kicker was that everyone was buying ice cream. Psh.

On my way home I passed by this fantastic stuffed animal shop. It was closed but I was able to peer in and check out the wide assortment of animals. They had everything! Aside from the usual horse and bear, there were rats, hamsters, emus, warthogs, hyenas, vampire bats (very specifically, vampire bats), and vultures. I can't imagine what someone would need a stuffed vulture for, but if they ever did, that shop is the place to go!

Currently listening to: Run - Collective Soul

Saturday, July 19

Rounding The Day Off

To find the Top 10 US places to visit before you die, check out this list. I think I've sadly only been to one.

These are fantastic stuffed cha siu baos (barbeque pork buns)! Too cute. [Source: foliohello]
One last comment on the yogurt eating and then I'll stop. Today I had Vanilla and it even had vanilla bean specks in it. Yum!

In a sorta shameless plug format, a certain Malaysian crooner that we all know and love is releasing his debut album soon. Check out his website or MySpace page. Woot!

Had an intense round of critiques today. I'm pleased to say that, although I have a long way to go, everything is moving on track. I usually do not try to wish time away, but this week was particularly rough and I am sorta glad that it is over.

Currently listening to: I'm Yours (Jason Mraz cover) - David Choi

Thursday, July 17

New Taste

After a sort of rocky week, I'd like to post about something light. Yogurt more specifically. I'm not typically a yogurt person. I like it, but it never seems to fill me up. But recently I've indulged in it more and more.

I've discovered my fair share of interesting yogurt flavors here. Had the usual peach and strawberry (my favorites) and the slightly more unusual cherry (I thought of you M~!). But check out these great ones below: pear and pomegranate/apple. The latter even had de-seeded pomegranate chunks. Interesting, but I don't think I'll be purchasing them again.
I pass an ad for this water everyday, and today my table-mate bought it. It's sparkling, so that equals "pass!" in my book, but I think the name is definitely interesting.
Currently listening to: Save You - Matthew Perryman Jones

Wednesday, July 16

Pick Me Up

There seems to be so much sadness today. So I wanted to post a fun ad. Hope this at least makes you smile.


Currently listening to: Free Fallin' (Tom Petty cover) - John Mayer (hard to believe, but it's true; this is an exception)

Tuesday, July 15

Woot!

[Special extra post:]
A big happy birthday to a special someone. Eat cake and play in the sun!

Ache

Rarely wake up in the middle of the night, but last night I lay awake not able to go back to sleep. I thought of you, and my stomach twisted in a tight knot. To think that everything started a year ago this time. Time is a salve but not a cure. God sang me back to sleep, but when I arose in the morning, the emptiness was still there. You came too early, Death, thinking that you could slip in unnoticed. Instead you left behind a cracked void and a broken family.

Currently listening to: Puff the Magic Dragon - Peter, Paul, Mary (in memory)

Saturday, July 12

And Action!

Thank you for all the encouragement, friends. You are amazing! I had my critique today and it went decently. He hated some stuff and liked others. I think I just need to regroup, reorganize, and come out with a bang again. I also realized the difficulties with having brands in my book that are unfamiliar here. Thanks for all of your thoughts. You bless me.

Check out the newest images for Harry Potter: Half Blood Prince. Rupert, Daniel, and Emma look so old! I am such a fangirl. Excited for this movie.

In other movie news, Nike is finally producing a version of the cool McFly shoes shown in Back to the Future. They would be sweet to have! Read more here.

Fun stop-motion by PESfilm.


Currently listening to: How I Could Just Kill a Man - Charlotte Sometimes (cool stage/real name)

Thursday, July 10

Uncertainty

My butt is getting kicked already. Why? Why?!
I keep looking at my work and wondering if it's all rubbish.
It's tacked up in front of me, a wall of doubt in physical form.
They'll say, "Scrap everything and start over, please."
An entire week of all-nighters won't help it now.

Currently listening to: Whatever My Neighbor is Blasting From His Laptop

Wednesday, July 9

Revised

Whenever I travel, I worry that I am overly obnoxious just because I am from the U.S. I've seen many an ugly American rear his ugly head when out of his element. But now TIME mag assures me that Americans are no longer the most annoying tourist. Check out the list here.

Gorgeously animated TVC for Tiji TV (by DDB Paris).

Was a bit undecided about whether to post this or not. But at the very least this ad gets points for being silly and stressing a very important necessity. (TVC by Clemenger BBDO (who I've come to appreciate after a very scarring first impression with their Venus initiative...shudder))


Currently listening to: It Means Nothing - Stereophonics

Tuesday, July 8

The New Kid

Today was full of meeting new people and reuniting with familiar faces. It is strange how life reconnects you with those you thought you'd never see again.

I'm a little overwhelmed by the information overload I got today but also pleasantly surprised at how warmly I was welcomed, seeing that I am the newbie and also don't speak the language. This will be quite the term. Let's see if I come out of it kicking or defeated.

I wish that I knew my plans for the upcoming months so that I could go to a certain someone's big day. Ah! It will be nice when I know where my life is headed. Or perhaps I should enjoy this as much as I can while it lasts.

Currently listening to: Cuando No Estas - Valeria Gastaldi

Thursday, July 3

New and Old

Safe and sound and adapting to a new place. It is funny how prepared I am in some ways and how unprepared I am in others.

Sweden is now offering drive-in wedding ceremonies. Priests will perform the seven minute ritual. The Church of Sweden is providing this service in a move be more involved and to make marriage more attainable. Read more here.

Been meaning to post this for a long time, but check out this Oreo-inspired crocheted tape measure cover from Craftzine.
Currently listening to: There Is No Thief - Relient K

Tuesday, July 1

Here We Go

Taking a deep breath and plunging into a new experience.

Check out Texas-born photographer Mark Seliger's work. You may recognize many of his celebrity portraits, including this particularly famous one of Johnny Cash.
Currently listening to: Ancient Words - Michael W. Smith

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