The Healing Powers of a Weekend

What are the essentials to a
PEACEful,
JOYful and
PLAYful weekend?

A classic car capable of time traveling with The Dukes of Hazzard

Indulging in French fries with feta (a suitable substitute for poutine)

Enough patience to peacefully contemplate life
(and wait for the tastiest fish)

A cute and cuddly companion by your side.

Enough quiet to hear the bats! squeaking

The desire to spend time in nature

Being with people who care for you and support your nerding out habit.

Enough japanese tape, images, and sharpies
to explore your creativity.

Sharing delicious Asian baked goods avec le beau.

Getting a one-hour reflexology massage with your boyfriend.

Hydrating with oodles and oodles of Pelligrino.

Taking the time to see beauty in the simplest places.

Fall Dreams

What are your dreams for this fall?
Fall is a new season for new beginnings.
We have four months left for 2011.
I hope you make the best of it.
Bon chance en l'automne!

::Dive into Creativity::
drawing class at Glassell, leading art journaling and "Artist Way" book club


::Maintaining a Healthy and Strong Body::
walking on the trails, competing in a fall tri, rock climbing outdoors, and indulging in yoga


::Incorporating Play & Artist Dates::
Read about the Paris from Hemmingway's eyes, discover beautiful vintage jewelry, sit in the Menil, and sketch more


::Retreat into the Country::
step away from the daily grind, restore your soul & reconnect with your childhood dreams


::Rediscover the Sweetness of Life::
Slow down long enough to be present & really savor my life
drink lots of water and sip on a cafe au lait once in a while (in Paris- of course!)

August 2011 Lovelies

What inspired you this August?
Here's to a blissful and air-conditioned summer.
-----------------------------------------

Seeing my handsome beau teach.



Implementing a new tradition at matriculation.

Being able to see authentic prayer. "Pray for Africa to have lots of cold water."

Seeing the Ecclesia version of The Wailing Wall (Prayer Wall)

Seeing a Puppy on South Congress Street

Bread Pudding and Amy's Ice Cream on a Hot Day

Breakfast in a Bento Box

Morning Yoga, Meditation, and Journaling Poolside

Wednesday Dinner Stepping Up their A-Game
(a la Team Zamania & Rogers)

Going to the Acupuncturist

Skimming through Vogue Articles

Houston Restaurant Month
with Friends (AKA The Texas Chopstick and The Prince of Togo)

Albert Gets a New Job (hooray!)

Indulging in Vintage Jewelry Shopping

My Asian Proclivity to Snap a Photo/ J'aime Les Photos

Me with a Giant Rice Krispie Treat/ Moi avec Une Grande Krispie des Riz!

If you know me, you know I am always using my iPhone camera. People either laugh or roll their eyes. It's a universal thing: whether I'm shopping in East London, eating a crepe in Montreal, chilling on the beaches of Boracay, or even busting out my iPhone camera in the HEB when visiting my parents in P-town. Back when I was a young one, I used to be embarrassed about using it, but I realized that as part of being an Asian girl, taking photos is just part of my culture and upbringing. We have no shame! If it's something worth recording, I'm sure an Asian girl has already snapped 10 times more photos than you did.

So don't hate on my people when you see us at the Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, The London Eye, The Statue of Liberty and any other iconic/cliche monument on this planet. We are just more in tune to our soul's desires for cheesy and sentimental memories. If taking photos, can bring you joy, I encourage you to record a fun moment in your life, capture something beautiful, or inspire your creativity. Take your iPhone out with pride and snap away.

So as a confident Filipina, I now fully embrace my Hipstamic fix with pride. With a faux camera, you can slow down for a few seconds, look at the simplicity and beauty around you, and honestly BE...PRESENT...IN...THE...MOMENT for at least a brief moment in time.


The photos below are from the best Birthday Dinner ever (Happy Birthday to the award-winning Recompute sustainable designer and friend B. Mac!)

A Model of The Frank Erwin Center -- Meat Loaf with Mashed Potato "frosting"

B. Mac's Foster Dog

The Beau Slicing Away at the Rice Krispie Treat

Les Choses J'adore Cet Août (The Things I Adore This August)

J'ai plaisir à faire les salades délicieuses./ It is fun to make delicious salads.

J'aime la silhouette art./ I like silhouette art.

Je pense que le sushi rend un beau jour encore meilleur./ I think sushi makes a good day even better.

Je crois que le Français est la langue la plus belle au monde./ I believe the French language is the most beautiful in the world.

J'aime visiter l'Anthropologie./ I like to visit Anthropology.

J'aime être une artiste./ I like to be an artist.

J'aime esquisser les sculptures primitives à La Collection de Menil./ I like sketching primitive sculptures at the Menil Collection.

Le canard à la Rainbow Lodge est très délicieuse./ The duck at the Rainbow Lodge is very delicious.

J'aime célébrer les anniversaires de bons amis./ I like to celebrate the birthdays of good friends.

L'observation d'un bébé de sommeil est une expérience très paisible./ Watching a baby sleep is a very peaceful experience.

Je pense que les petits chiens aux cafés sont adorables./ I think little dogs in cafes are adorable.

J'aime manger la crème glacée de pistache et lire un bon livre./ I like eating pistachio ice cream and reading a good book.

I believe we need to create what we need most.

Sketch This
by Samantha Sussenbach

Life is messy. We carry so many things inside of ourselves. Often it feels like there is nowhere to set it all down. Where do you place all the questions you have? The sadness and the epiphanies? The quiet worries? Where can you put the truth? As raw and as messy as it sometimes feels.

I believe we need to create what we need most.

I draw to understand, to vent, and to dream up but mostly to untangle. It doesn't have to be pretty. It just releases things I can't find words to explain. I have to share what I learn, what I feel and what I know but can't place.