As much as I love this lazy little town, I would like to go home now.

It's not because of the incessant tribal drumming that's been waking me up every morning.

It's not because of the rock star living below us, beating the crap out of his new drum set every afternoon after the tribal drumming ceases. 

It's not even because our apartment has become a solar oven, trapping heat so efficiently that being inside of our room is actually more unbearable than being outside.

I miss my family.  And my cat.

Keane - Somewhere Only We Know

It's a good song--possibly even Eternal Playlist worthy if it didn't make me feel so conflicted.  And a little sad.       

Oh simple thing where have you gone

I'm getting old and I need something to rely on

So tell me when you're gonna let me in

I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go

Talk about it somewhere only we know?

This could be the end of everything

So why don't we go

Somewhere only we know?

A late night craving lead to late night baking--because when I want something, I make it happen. From scratch.

Chocolate chip cookies in the rough.

Raymond Lam - You Light Up My Life

It's been a really long time since I've found a Chinese song that's caught my attention (Eternal Playlist worthy, once again--we're on a roll this week, aren't we?).  I got tired of the cookie cutter, bubblegum pop voices predominant in the Chinese music industry--it seems to be the style of the newer generations.  Call me outdated, but I still prefer listening to old school songs from legends such as Jacky Cheung.

But Raymond Lam--now here's a man who can sing (at least for this song).  He has a surprisingly deep, dreamy voice that sounds real sexy, particularly when he hits higher notes.  I melt. 

Goodness.     

我最愛笑你偶有錯別字

望著動心一張小小告貼

我最愛看你笑眼裡沒壞事

日夜伴在身邊 說不出再見

為著互贈幸福 差一些 差 一 些

過住的不捨 不牽掛在這

下站就是幸福 一 路漫步

我信一天總會遇到

And you are my sunshine

My life, tonight (You light up my life)

And you are my sunshine

You make me all right (You light up my life)

我說要吻去你每滴淚

默默唸出窩心 小小語句

你最愛抱怨說我懶沒共聚

為夢日夜急追 會得失愛侶

為著互贈幸福 差一些 差一些

過住的不捨 不牽掛在這

下站就是幸福 一路漫步

我信一天總會遇到

And you are my sunshine

My life, tonight (You light up my life)

And you are my sunshine

You make me all right (You light up my life)

And you are my sunshine

My life, tonight (You light up my life)

And you are my sunshine

You make me all right (You light up my life)

You make me all right (You light up my life)

You make me all right (You light up my life)

Avicii - Fade Into Darkness (Vocal Mix)

Absolute favorite song right now (Eternal Playlist worthy).  I loved the original Penguin mix, but I adore the vocals in this version.

It's definitely feel good music. 

Looking up there's only sky,

rest your head I'll take you high,

and we won't fade into darkness.

Won't let you fade into darkness.

Where were we now. 
You'll be safe.

Hold my hand, just in case,

and we won't fade into darkness.

Fade into darkness.

No we won't fade into darkness.

Fade into darkness.

R just sat down with me and taught me how to properly use a tampon. 

I feel more of a woman now.

Yesterday afternoon, I practiced driving with E.  Then later on that evening, he taught me how to ride a bike.

E:  Chantal. You are embarrassingly awkward right now for someone who is usually so elegant.  Why are you waddling around like that?  Start peddling!
C:  IT'S THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW TO MOVE ON THIS THING WITHOUT FALLING.
E:  Where is your pride.
C:  On the ground where I left it when I first flew off. 

Just when I thought I finally got the hang of it, I managed to ram myself into a parked car.  I have this tendency of forgetting that there are hand brakes.   

Who would have guessed I'd be better behind the wheel.

A barrette from my big sea star.

Pun intended :)

Chocoffee cupcakes: Mocha cupcakes topped with a melted layer of toffee bits for a gooey, crispy, and buttery bite.

They're not pretty, and they'll probably never be, but they don't need to be.

Because they're that good. Trust me.

C:  Hey, where are you?
R:  I'm in the Politics & History section
C:  ...Erm.  Ok, so are you ready?
R:  Wait, 10 more minutes. 

::moment of silence::

C:  What are you doing there? 
R:  Oh, I'm reading a magazine.
C:  Ah, the world is right again.
R:  WHAT?!  You were taking too long!  
C:  Um, the nation's second-largest bookseller is having a liquidation sale.  HELLO.   
R:  Well I'm bored. 

K's been taking me out a lot more for some odd reason. 
E feels neglected--he actually confided to R this afternoon.
K's given up.
And I may just have to flake on S tonight to sooth some hurt feelings and sort these people out.

This is the reason why I prefer to stay at home with the company of genderless, objective books. Less complications.

I'm not gonna lie. I find the felt pillows that the sororities and fraternities make absolutely horrid and cheap looking (except the ones R makes--she actually puts time into it, which is nice).

Though, utilizing a glue gun as opposed to a sewing machine is a pretty efficient--albeit cheap--tactic. It beats the days when I used to staple fabric together out of sheer laziness and lack of skill. True story.

Maybe it's a good thing that I'm no longer a Fashion Design major.
(I assure you, however, that my execution methods have improved very much since then.)

A sunny day and a little mascara :)

Profiling for upcoming jewelry shoot.

There is nothing more refreshing than an almond jello dessert with cocktail fruit, chilled, on a hot day.

Hol-y shrimp.

"The-Whole-Shebang?" Duped(ish).

A few minor tweaks here and there, and in time, maybe you won't even notice the difference.

Shuta Hasunuma - Soul Osci

Restless rhythm and melodies, glitched and gorgeous.  

Andy McKee - Ouray

Easy, breezy acoustics.

Happy fingers.

Airy and sweet, melt-in-your-mouth meringues.

I had to use a zip-lock bag to squeeze these babies out, unfortunately--I forgot my pastry bag and icing pipes at home.

我係招財貓!

Never put cream in your tea.

It smells and tastes like melted butter.

India Ink

M called, wanting to give me pocket money for my upcoming trip to SoCal.   

(I refused.)

It means a lot that she considers me a part of her family and that our relationship extends that far, but the whole thing left me feeling a bit odd.

India Ink

Hello, kitty.

My Mother somehow has it in her head that we're going to abandon her in a home when she grows old.

She also feels threatened by the cat, who's been receiving much of the affection and adoration from the children since he's been incorporated into our family. 

Mm.  I guess Grandma's situation is affecting her a lot more than I thought.

Coy.

Cute.

C:  So basically, she's using him.
C:  Mm kind of, not really?  I don't know.  But he's basically everything she wants in a guy, well, except from the fact that he's too short.
C:  Can she see past that?
C:  She can see right past his head. 
C:  AHAHAHA.  GOOD ONE.
C:  HIIIGH FIVE.

Flyleaf - So I Thought

Ironically, this is my favorite song from them--it's nice because you don't have to necessarily associate it with religion, well, at least not until the very end; basically, it's about a failed romance, realization, and finding salvation in Jesus.  Apart from the latter aspect which I can't relate to at all (though, sometimes I toy with the idea in my head), I really like the lyrics and the way she sings it in a mournful but upbeat manner, with a dash of hope.  Her voice reminds me a bit like Hayley Williams's from Paramore. 

All your twisted thoughts free flow

To everlasting memories show soul

Kiss the stars with me

And dread the wait for

Stupid calls returning us to life

We say to those who are in love

It can't be true 'cause we're too young

I know that's true because so long I was

So in love with you

So I thought

A year goes by

And I can't talk about it

On my knees

Dim lighted room

Thoughts free flow try to consume myself in this

I'm not faithless

Just paranoid of getting lost or that I might lose

Ignorance is bliss cherish it

Pretty neighborhoods you learn too much to hold

Believe it not

And fight the tears

With pretty smiles and lies about the times

A year goes by

And I can't talk about it

The times weren't right

So I couldn't talk about it

Chorus romance says goodnight

Close your eyes and I'll close mine

Remember you, remember me

Hurt the first, the last, between

Chorus romance says goodnight

Close your eyes and I'll close mine

Remember you, remember me

Hurt the first, the last, between

And I'm praying that we will see

Something there in between

Then and there that exceeds all we can dream

So we can talk about it

Chorus romance says goodnight

Close your eyes and I'll close mine

Remember you, remember me

Hurt the first, the last between

Chorus romance says goodnight

Close your eyes and I'll close mine

Remember you, remember me

Hurt the first, the last time

And I'm praying that we will see

Something there in between

Then and there that exceeds all we can dream

And all these twisted thoughts I see

Jesus there in between

And all these twisted thoughts I see

Jesus there in between

R:  Chantal, how long does it take to boil perfect eggs?  You know, the ones that are cooked but still a little runny?
C:  From my experience, approximately 3:30-4 minutes depending on how runny you like them.  Promise. 
R:  WHAT?!  I always did it for 20 minutes! 
C:  AHAHAHA.  You would.

Priscilla Ahn - Red Cape

A rock-on kind of song I like singing quietly along to on clear days. 

I'm in peace, I feel sweetly released

From all that I couldn't let go

If I knew what to do

The I guess I'd finally feel anew

But I can't wear my cape

'Cause I would be repeating a mistake

I just gotta let it go

I just gotta let it go

I just gotta let it, let it go, let it go

I just gotta let it go

Yesterday a hurricane had blown away my long red cape

And I feel satisfied, I feel satisfied

India Ink

Last night I saw K again after almost a year. 

He told me I was pretty,

But that I needed to eat more. 

So he took me out to dinner 

And I treated him to dessert.

Then we went back to his place

Where he lived in a tent

And had a tiny garden in the patio,

Where he grew baby potatoes, yams, onions, and watermelon.

Just like in the storybooks.

Iron & Wine - Fever Dream

Soft, simple, nostalgic.  Lovely acoustics for a lazy day.   

Some days her shape in the doorway

Will speak to me

A bird’s wing on the window

Sometimes I’ll hear her when she’s sleeping

Her fever dream

A language on her face 

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (Cryptex Reglitch)

I think, this may possibly be my favorite remix of Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek--and it was done by a 17 year old.  Cheers.     

Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth

Mid-sweet talk, newspaper word cut outs

Speak no feeling no I don't believe you

You don't care a bit,

You don't care a bit.

Soft Pastels, White Charcoal, Calligraphy Ink

After much encouragement and support from my wonderful friends and family, I've decided to open up an Etsy shop for my dabblings in Art.  Let's see where this takes me.

This is kind of exciting. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/chantalcheung

Profile:  An English major with many interests and conflicted views regarding aesthetics, trying her hand at creative expression. Here you'll find my scribbles and scrabbles, splishes and splashes, as well as occasional musings translated into Art--it's a hobby.

When I don't spend late nights rubbing away at paper, I love reading books and discovering that I'm not very original at all.

Soft Pastels, Calligraphy Ink

E: Oh wow. I really like that one.
C: Really?
E: Really.
E: It's like
E: something really fast came out of the smoke
E: and survived the explosion.

Cosmonaut - Grechko Nothing 2 (Arioso)

A chipper, mellow piano melody--it makes me smile wistfully. 

 

 

Soft Pastels

Today, much to my amusement, E struggled for about three hours in the kitchen trying to make me Red Velvet Cupcakes (from the box, might I add) while I laughed from my corner of the counter, rubbing away at my new Faber-Castell soft pastels, which I'm very pleased with.

Needless to say, he has a newfound appreciation for my efforts in the kitchen.

E: Baking is boring and robotic. I don't think it's my calling.

C: You think?

Now we've got twenty four subpar cupcakes in the fridge, only three of which I'm going to eat, just to 畀面.

About fifteen minutes ago, I told R that I really felt like eating Boiling Crab.  Then midway through the monstrous (and bland) sandwich I had settled for instead, she shoots off her bed and yells, "CHANTAL!  LET'S GO TO BOILING CRAB!"  

That would explain that crazy look she got in her eyes when I first brought it up. She has this strange obsession with pricey, spicy seafood--of course she would've taken me seriously.

It's 98°F out right now and I'm currently in a food coma, but hey, what the hell.  People will let you down, but food?  Food will never let you down.  And I've got an hour to recover before we head out. 

Allons-y!