silk & diamanté

Facebook page & vlogging: MORE Japanese books!!!

2012-01-15T12:34:00.005-05:00

Snack Haul from my neighborhood Korean Supermarket~!
The new "Salty Milk Chocolate" Pocky is pretty good!
(Though I think Mens Pocky and the super thin ones are still my standard favourites~)

Also Korean dduk aka. mochi and yak-kwa~!

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The Story: I like buying lots of snacks, cookies and treats during the weekend and I bring it with me to school with a thermos of tea~! That way between classes or after classes when I study in the library, I always have something on hand to munch on~! =D What I bring tends to change from week to week, but as of late I like bringing dduk, chocolate wafers/thins, fruit, and either Japanese green tea or Pomegranate-blueberry white tea.

This semester I have 6 courses (4 half year history/society ones, and my two language courses which are full year classes)...!!! It's really reallllllllllllly tough. "Full course load" is 5 a term (or 5 credits per academic year)....... And other than Jpn and Krn which are 2nd year courses, I have one 4th year course and three 3rd year courses!! FML~~~

*complains*

To make matters worse, I have an essay AND presentation due this Tuesday for my 4th year Mod. Korean History Seminar class!! Less than one week to work on it!! And next week will only be the 2nd week of the new term!! ='(

*is procrastinating at the moment*

Wish me luck guys~~!!

NEW VLOG in which I show some of my extra Japanese learning books!!!

Also, I made a Facebook page in which I will update on my videos as well as just ramblings on my everyday life~~!

FACEBOOK PAGE~!

New vlog post~!

2011-12-19T21:03:00.002-05:00

The Story: I have a new vlog post about the difference in tone/voice when speaking from one language to another, namely English versus Japanese and Korean. Also how cuteness is expressed differently from those cultures~~! Check it out!

*click*

2 Year Anniversary + Jpn VLog~

2011-12-15T01:14:00.004-05:00

Ballet souvenir~
She winds up on the back and plays the "Nutcracker Suite"~
My musical teddy bear~~!

(I may begin to collect this brand of teddy bear... *obsessed*)

At the ballet~!

Before the show started~!

We got orchestra seats... VERY $$$!!! =O

The Story: For our 2 year anniversary we went to see the Nutcracker Ballet at the Four Seasons Centre~~! The Canadian National Ballet Company is amazing~~! I LOVED IT~ *gushes* The seats were incredibly expensive and difficult to acquire... But totally worth it!! =O

So Magical~~!
*TWIRLS*

Afterward we went to Copacabana for all-you-can eat Brazilian-style steaks and meats etc!!! =D hehe~~

Also, new VLOG!!!

I basically just show the textbooks I'm using to study Japanese at the moment~!

*click*

Fun times with instagram! ^^

2011-12-10T03:37:00.004-05:00

Studying at school~~!
(Robarts Library)

At a HK-style sweets cafe,
waiting for my eye appointment~

This is kind of like a sweet mango soup (cold),
with small rice tapioca + fresh mango etc...
Very yummy and milky~

School Library again~

At the "Konnichiwa Matsuri" at my school~

Library~

The Story: Recently I've been obsessed with "chocolate thins cookies" from Dare~ I've had them before, but I've been munching on them more since I found my usual Korean crackers to be a bit too pricey for how much I do eat... ($7 a box!) And I wanted an alternative...

Recently I've gotten "instagram"~!
Please follow me if you have it too~!
My name is: chocoNIKKI

Morooooocan OIL!

2011-12-07T09:37:00.002-05:00

I bought the 100ml bottle
for around $38 at P-mall~!

Anna Sui promotion/Gift with purchase~~!

The Story: I recently broke my lovely boar-bristle Anna Sui brush (It was my own fault, and the brush is realllllly sturdy so... Umm... >.>;; *shifty eyes*).... Anyway, so I skipped off to Sears Department Store to get a replacement~~!!!
(Btw: I still use the brush part of it in the washroom, I threw out the handle... -o-;;;)

Anyway, they were having a
gift with purchase promotion,
if you bought over $60 before tax~!!
So that's exactly what I did!! #sucker ><;;;;

I bought the black fold-able/travel brush
(It's like a small rectangular paddle-y brush~~
Which is reallllly nice~!)
As well as the boar-bristle one~~!
The gift was FULL size eyeshadow, lipstick, and mascara!!
My only complaint is they didn't really have any good eyeshadow colors left, so I took gray... I was thinking I could do a "smokey eye" look... But BOY was I wrong!!

Dirty-Raccoon eye look anyone..?
*flutters eyes in failure* -______-;;;

Oh and I know the whole hype with Argan/Moroccan oil is full-on, and yes I jumped on the bandwagon.... And YES the brand Moroccan-oil DOES include "silicone"....
*exaggerated gasp*

BUT!!!
I would like to stress that it DOES also work like magic...!!
*magic noise*

It makes my hair superrrr soft and I like the smell~~

My hair (especially the ends) is super damaged from all the dyeing I had done to it a few years back... And because I'm a loser and refuse to cut toooooo much of it off...
(I recently cut 3 inches from the ends because they were freaking gross and way too damaged even for me to withstand...!)

This is a god-send!!

I'll test/compare it with different brands of Argan oil + Silicone oil treatments and maybe pure argan oil if I get the time, and post my results here~~! ^^

Who knows, maybe I've found my
HG hair product...? Bwuahaha~!

(And yes.... This post means I AM currently procrastinating from studying for my Japanese Oral Test, which starts in less than 3 hrs... GO ME!!! #loser)

Momo...

2011-12-03T03:10:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted in a while... The main reason is I was quite depressed because my pet hamster Momo passed away... On November 13th... Also, it's exam and essay season... So yeah... I'll be back soon with updates though! I update instagram and twitter daily~! =D

Eat your kimchi!

2011-11-11T20:57:00.005-05:00

They're Youtube celebrities of sorts,
who mainly do videos on K-pop and Korean culture!
They're hilarious! Go check them out!

The Story: Remember how I mentioned "Eat you Kimchi's" Simon and Martina came to Toronto? And I met them because they're alumni from my University, and I helped organize a meet and greet?
I made a mini vlog about it!
Check it out!!
First vlog in English!

CLICK!!!

2011-11-09T20:10:00.004-05:00

Mmm, chocolate cake - need I say more?

I have way too many cards,
so I got this bwuaha!
(especially those loyalty/points cards,
cuz that's how I roll~
Ahjumma-style! Dicounts ftw!)

The Story: Sooooo~! Schools stressful, whats new - and if you have read my blog for a while you'll have realized I have a (terrible) tendency to blog at the worst times. This includes my vlogging habits.

What's the worst time to vlog or blog you ask?

When I'm sick or have essays due!!
In this case it's both...
Fml...
If they could make a twitter # thing for me, it would definitely be: #foreversick
-_______-;;;;

Bleh...

Anyway~! I really want to make more (better quality) videos, so I'm thinking of investing in a better CAMERAAA~~~!
(yes I say investing because who knows, maybe this could lead somewhere.. Poverty is somewhere too you know..! *shifty eyes* -o-;;;;)

I'm considering selling my Nikon (which I rarely use these days anyway), and getting the Canon Rebel T3i~~! =D Both the photo and video quality is very good! ....And yes yes, I know I complain about money (and tons of other things...), I really want this...! And yes, that isn't a good excuse... Hmmm... What I'm trying to say is - "Do things that make you happy"~~! Also I'm probably going abroad next year-

Wait, oh right, I hadn't updated you guys yet!!

*scroll down for update*

(Forgot to mention: I'm planning to apply to "Yonsei University" in Seoul, S.Korea next year~~! This has been decided for a while, and hopefully if all goes well I'll be accepted! *fingers crossed*~! Yep, I know I keep changing my mind but... I think this is for sure this time around..!)

ANYWHO -> because I will (hopefully) be traveling abroad etc etc, the camera will also be very useful to document my exciting adventures in Korea-land~~!

And yes, these are all excuses so I can have it.

*wants naooowww*~~!

First Korean Vlog!!

2011-11-07T02:27:00.003-05:00

Haha, I thought it was on video-mode,
so I took this shot... =O

The Story: So, like my blog I haven't made a vlog for my youtube account for a while, due to the same reasons I gave in the previous entry~! So as I sat down for dinner at my favourite restaurant (Shiso Tree Cafe), I suddenly got the urge to make a video - in Korean..!

So I did.

I apologize in advance because my Korean skills are really lacking, but I tried~!

Here's the link to the video:
CLICK!!!!

We need a Herooo~~! (Halloween Edition)

2011-11-05T09:53:00.004-04:00

The Successful editorial shot for the newspaper,
after my amazing rescue...! =O

LOL! This picture is epic...
The bathroom was too...
Epic-Dirty...! -o-;;;

The Story: So as you can see, I was a firefighter for Halloween~~! I got the costume for $20 at "La Vie en Rose"~~! *score* =D And it was the last size small they had - still fit too large, so I cinched it with a gold belt~~! =D

I would give you my excuses (which are 100% true!!!!!) but you probably already know... "School, essays, work, laziness, forever sick... etc"
.....
...There, now I gave my excuses...
I feel less guilty... >.>;;

I digress... Some pretty cool stuff has happened lately, and I'll make a blog about it~!
I met "Eat Your Kimichi"!! Simon and Martina~~!
(If you don't know they're a married couple from Toronto, who live in S.Korea, and vlog about K-pop and Korean culture etc~~! They're quite famous~!)

They're alumni from my University (University of Toronto), and recently came back to Toronto on vacation~!

As you all (hopefully) know, I'm super-keen *cough* academically, so I'm part of the East Asian Studies Student Union/EASSU executive team, it's kind of like the "Student Council" for anyone in the EAS program. (I'm an EAS specialist, which means I take even more courses in East Asian studies than a major or minor would..)...

Anywho - EASSU and the Korean Club organized a meet-and greet with them (And almost 300 fans showed up, it was madness!)~! Afterward, some of the exec members including myself went to a pub with them and chatted~! Video shall ensue~!
=D

FOOD food fooooood - Fashion?

2011-09-26T21:48:00.000-04:00

These days I can only see my bf twice a week,
because we both have school~!
But this makes it so that every time we meet up we treat it
(slightly) more like a date,
which means...
FOOD!

... Recently we tried sushi from "Sakura",
a sushi-joint near my house~~!

Only $13 for this Unagi bento + miso soup and salad~~!

A simple cafe that serves Japanese style western food~!
AT J-Town~
I love this place~! =D

Seriously... I love their salad - the dressing is delicious~!

Spaghetti Bolognese with a slice of garlic bread and the salad above!!!
All for only $10, and super yummy~!

They also serve Nakamura Bakery's cakes
(My favourite bakery!!!)~!
This is their delicious Green Tea + Azuki cake~~!
*dies from yumminess*

Tempura Appetizer from "Sushi on Bloor"

Chiraishi also from Sushi on Bloor~~!

Same place, Dynamite Roll~~!

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The Story: ...Lately, I've been feeling the need for improvement, for change, and for sticking through with decisions. It's all because of the season, I swear... To me the start of a new school year always marks the beginning... A new chance to re-create and improve myself~!

I've recently cleaned my room...
I know it may not sound like much, but it was really quite messy before, and I think that was part of the reason for my lack of discipline. Clean room, clear mind~~! =D I want to really be more organized, tidy, and goal-oriented this time around~!

In terms of fashion, I recently donated about two garbage-bags full of my old clothes which I honestly haven't worn for years... Some of the stuff was from when I was in elementary school!! I really want to filter through my clothes and decide which are keepers and which can go...

As time passes I realize that my style has changed a lot.. And while it's still a bit eclectic, I'd like to be more selective... Really shop for things that will ADD and go well with my wardrobe, rather than stand-alone pieces (which I like on a whim) which will require shopping for the other parts in order to work... I want to gradually grown into/create my own style~~! =D For that purpose, all the old worn out pieces etc must GO!!

Also, this school year I really want to be slightly less lazy with my co-ordinations... To put at least a little bit more effort in my own style versus following trends... While I know I'll probably look like a truck hit me come exam/essay time... The other times I want to dress nicely~~! ^^

All this new found enthusiasm is (of course), also devoted towards my school work~!
*must study hard*~~!!

I had a "Tuina" massage~~!

2011-09-19T20:27:00.003-04:00

Steamed Beef buns~!
So delicious and only $3.50~~!

Steamed pork + chive dumplings, nice and juicy~
10 for $6.50

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The Story: Super busy with school~~!
I'm drowning in readings~~!
The only good thing is I'm more determined than ever, to be more organized...!
So I went on Saturday/family day to Wal-Mart and got 2 of those clear plastic drawers (stack-able!) to put on my desk/organize my loose items + readings!! Also cleared off tons of useless junk from my desk (it was so gross before, I'm ashamed to admit....)!!

Also made a short new vlog about my Tuina massage in China Town~!
It was my first professional massage - and I must say...
I'm converted!
My wallet will forever lament the day I decided to try a "real" massage...
But at least it's relatively cheap...?
Student price of $24 for 30 min~~

Here's the link: CLICK

Gummy Vitamins

2011-09-12T20:51:00.004-04:00

I bought a Fox-Tail Keychain as (one of)
souvenir from Niagara falls~~! =D

Posted about these Vivienne Westwood X Melissa 3-strap flats three years ago...
Finally got them, albeit in a different colour~!
I found them at a new vintage store downtown,
for $50 AND got an additional 10% off...
So the total was around $45 + Tax~~! =D

So yummy...! =O

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The Story: I've been feeling kinda tired and unhealthy recently... And while I know I need to eat more healthily as a whole, I thought I'd give the whole one "multi-vitamin" a day thing another go... I've tried in the past to keep to having one per day... But always failed - I hate taking pills...!! That's why this time I got GUMMY Vitamins~~!!! They're delicious~~! It's hard sticking to just 4 a day~! =D

I also went to Niagara falls last week, will post about it later or Vlog... Schools just started so I'm a bit busy with school work~~! T^T;;;

EDIT: Oh and I almost forgot... The leave-in-conditioner which I said sucked in the last post... Actually DOESN'T suck~! =o=;;; It doesn't repair split ends, and when you put it on your damp hair it feels weird... But after wards your hair gets much much shinier and softer~! =D So all in all a good buy~!

Green Tea Baths and cheesecake galore~!

2011-08-31T16:33:00.005-04:00

Taking a nice relaxing soak in my
green-tea bath!!
(On another bath related note:
Mr. Scrubbles is the best bath-tub cleaner ever!
Got rid of some stains that were seriously
impossible before to remove!!)

I thought I didn't have one,
but my mum showed me this old tea infuser
we've had for years (might be older than me...)~
I remember it from when I was a kid,
but we haven't used it in ages,
since we use teapots with built in strainers or teabags etc~

In my never-ending quest to find the
holy-grail of leave-in-conditioners,
I got this...
It's supposed to be specially for split ends but...
It sucks.

Haven't tried it yet,
it's a Kose conditioner~~!

I normally really dislike citrus-y teas...
But I was feeling adventurous~
It was alright..
I definitely prefer my chais,
green teas and rooibos over this though...!

I am in love with this ring~~!
Got it for $6.80 + tax at F21~!
*love*!!

At my favourite Korean restaurant~!

Had to go to 3 different Loblaws to procure this!!
-____-;;;
Stupid midnight red-velvet cheesecake cravings!!

My new Marc by Marc Jacobs bag,
with new clothes + shoes from F21~!

Just simple makeup -
eyeliner + one coat of mascara~!

On another occasion...
MORE CAKE!!

Food-court Italian food at the AMC centre~

Chicken Parmesan + Harveys~!

*looking at the view*~!

Been feeling very bloated lately...
I haven't taken a hot bath for over 3 days now...
time to soak and lose some water-weight!

Oooh, I just love this new skirt from F21~!
The top is actually a fitted short dress also from F21,
and the belt is from American Apparel~!

=D

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The Story: Been feeling kind of listless lately... I just don't want to do anything... I should be studying Japanese and Korean more before school starts, but I'm just constantly sick and tired. The constant migraines don't help either!!

Maybe it's because of my sudden dietary changes...?

I've been trying to lose a bit of weight, so I'm cutting down on unhealthy snacking a bit (the cheesecake always gets me though! Grrr...), and just being a little more portion-size conscious~

So far not much weight loss yet, I may have to exercise a bit more as well!!

In other news: I bought a few new pieces from Forever21~~!

I'm really in love with a lot of fall pieces... But honestly I can't afford to get them all... Luckily Forever21's prices are just so much cheaper compared to other stores~~ Yayyyy~~ Though I still want other brands, I'll try to find the same "style" for less at forever21, and maybe splurge on a few classic/quality pieces at other stores~~~!

I'm a MODEL!! (Well.. Kind of~?)

2011-08-26T23:32:00.005-04:00

Awesome San-x cell phone case I got for $12
at (where else..) Pacific Mall~!
It's the white cat from "kutusitanyanko"...
(Which I think should be spelled "kutsushitanyanko",
meaning sock-cat.. But.. anywho...)

Between photos, taking a tea & cookie break at Aroma~
Mm~ Delicious tea~ =D

^^V

This was from a bakery at the
Distillery district in Toronto!
The cookies were delicious -
a cross between brownie and cookie,
with icing sugar to top it off~

It's actually a simple black dress with
my current favourite skirt over~!
I love those heels!
I got it for soooo cheap (on sale),
and they're comfy!

Chewy in the center,
and delightfully crumbly on the edge~!

After a late-night coffee/frozen yogurt hang-out with some friends,
I decided to stop by my local secondhand/dead-stock book store,
BMV~!
And lo and behold~!
The book I mentioned in an earlier post for only $7!!!
*is mine*

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The Story: So my best friend Zoe, who is in the same program at UofT as myself, has started her own company.. She's starting off by selling her photos at the Distillery District in Toronto~! Recently her website has been finished and she was looking for a model... And... Guess who the model is...?

...Bwuahaha~!

ME! =D

Surprised...? >.>;;;

Anyway, so the past two days we were going around the city taking photos, and next week we will be going to "Unionville" (it's kind of a heritage town, in Markham), as well as photos around our school campus. The week after next we shall head over to Niagara Falls~~! I'm super excited~! Especially seeing as I haven't gone on vacation for quite some time...

^^V

Also... Remember a few posts back when I was lamenting the fact that I wasn't fulfilling any of my dreams..? My angst-filled whiny-complaining self-pity post??

Well..
Even though I'm not a "professional model" or anywhere close,
and I don't even get paid...
I'm soooo glad I've gotten this opportunity even if it's "just for fun"...
I feel it is fulfilling my dream regardless..!!
Besides, I may ask her to print a few for me to keep~!

Perhaps I will become someones muse..?
-______-;;;;;
Haha, I'm such a hopeless dreamer~
Just please don't wake me up too soon..? ><;;

I'll be sure to post a link to her site after we're all done,
and perhaps also make a video about it~!

Sipping tea in the tub~

2011-08-23T13:13:00.006-04:00

Bought this at a bookstore in Korea Town~
It's a Korean translation of "Parce que je t'aime"
by Guillaume Musso~~

*excited*
I shall be reading it slowly
with a dictionary by my side~

Recently gotten back into the swing of taking hot baths~
Japanese heat/sweat bath salts = WIN!!!!!

I adoreeee this skirt with the white & gold button detail~!

I've been looking for this dress forever!!
Turns out it was behind a pile of clothes in my drawer the whooole time!

Delicious Masala Chai tea (no milk or sugar),
a chocolate cookie, almond biscotti, and milk chocolate~
Soft cafe music~
*sigh* I'll miss the summer~!

Spicy Bulgogi at (arguably) my favourite Korean restaurant~!
*NOMS*

Mmm, I looooove TEA!
Japanese Sencha~~

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The Story: So.. I'm planning to get back into tracking my calories and exercise, after months of slacking (and consequently gaining a few pounds)...! Which is excellent, because I really want to get back in shape in time for BACK TO SCHOOL~~~!
Yayyy... -_____-;;;

I've been getting back in the habit of drinking tea (instead of coffee - but who knows how long that'll last once school starts...)... As well as lovely hot baths~! I may even be inspired to take on some more exercise such as my all-time-favourite fat-buster... The stair climb!! =D

It seems like a lot of my friends are also dieting/watching their weight, so that will help motivate me to keep on track as well~! *woot*

Oh and also...

New Vlog~~!

HAPPY Birthday... To ME~~!!! =D

2011-08-18T11:02:00.005-04:00

Lighting in my room was nice~

LOL!
He could totally be the next k-pop idol...
>.>;;;;;

We kinda look drunk or stoned - I assure you we were neither! haha~

*listening to Sunny Hill's "Prayer"~*

The Story: It's my birthdayyyyy today!!
I'm a mixture of remnants of the mopey/lethargic/frustrated/bleh feelings I explained in the previous post... And happy that today is the day to celebrate meeee~! *cough* -o-;;;

But I have an exam in 2.5 hrs...
...So I should probably be studying (cramming)....

Anyway...
Just wanted to post tons of pictures to make up for the rather pic-empty posts of late~~

Wanting: Diana+, and Holga camera~~~

Dreams and goals...

2011-08-16T04:20:00.007-04:00

It's an old picture - I just don't feel right not putting any photos in my posts!

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The Story: As you all probably know by now, I've started a youtube vlog and have been (relatively) eager and active in vlogging! I feel that in some ways I've pushed blogging aside, or so it may seem anyway...

I just want to clear up that it's not that I'm "replacing" blogging with my youtube videos, rather it's a medium I've really really wanted to try since a long time ago - I just didn't have the courage (or equipment/know-how) to do it until now.

Speaking of courage - I have to thank my best friend Zoe for pushing me to finally upload videos! I've been wishy-washy about a lot of things, and have been bothering people I know about my insecurities + curiosity about trying to make a vlog-channel - which may or may not sound silly... But I feel that putting video's of yourself versus writing is an entirely different experience - and it can be quite scary (for me at least...)! =O

So while I'm not the least bit popular yet, we'll see were this brings me...!

haha... -o-;;;

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In other news...
Lately I've been feeling a bit apprehensive - a mixture of uncertainty and fear for the future... Maybe it's because I'll be turning 21 soon, on August 18th... I feel as if I'm just not ready to "grow up", I'm still very much a child inside... There are a lot of things I still want to try, and it may sound melodramatic, but I feel as if my small window of opportunity to do things is closing! I feel as if more people are doing things earlier and earlier these days, and finding success... I feel as if I'm soon going to be out of my prime...! Which is utterly ridiculous because I'll "only be 21"!

For example, in terms of language, Japanese in particular... I've been exposed to it since I was such a young child, and while I may not have been aggressively learning it since then - I did start self-learning fairly young (around the end of elementary school and middle school)... I even did Saturday classes during High School!!

It's frustrating and difficult to admit that I feel my level is not at the level I would like it to be - though to be fair it's my own fault. Likely due to the fact that there were gaps in my studying...

That is why....
I need MOTIVATION!
Something to hold me accountable for my studying and progress!
Hopefully my vlog will help...

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Also, my future worries... After I do a year in Korea/Japan... Then come back and finish my undergrad... What then???

I'm just worried I won't be able to do all those things I naively want, and I'll just be in for a ton of disappointment - but I guess that's life...

Dreams I've had since I was a kid... I wonder if I will be able to fulfill any of them...? Acting, modeling, fashion design, baking, owning a cafe, writing, photography, language studies... Hmmm... I guess that's a struggle everybody has to learn to accept as they grow up and mature...?

That being said...
...Enough complaining and angst!
Tomorrow's a new day!
Glad I got some things off my chest - now off to more studying!
Final exam in a few days (my birthday... -o-;;)~~~

Vlog Post #4 - iPhone TRIPOD + 8x Lens~!

Back to school time + Vlog Post #3~!

2011-08-13T23:41:00.003-04:00

New thin sweater from Forever21,
with an old skirt I adore from H&M~~!

I want to go for a uniform/school-style fashion this year~
Cardigans, one pieces and skirts~!
Socks socks and more socks~! =D

During the summer semester,
there's a restaurant in China-Town
my friend and I go to after every lecture~!

It's a "Hong Kong Style Canteen"~
We usually get the set lunch + Cold Hong Kong style Tea,
for $5.36 after tax~~~! =D

What a deal!! ^^V

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The Story: Soooooooooo.....
My third vlog is up! It's just a random one, where I show a short clip of the okonomiyaki restaurant I usually got to~~! =D

I'm probably going to do a vlog about
what I use to learn languages/Japanese with...
Since it seems like something a lot of
j-vloggers/j-vlog-subscribers
like to make and watch~~!
I'm always curious about other peoples tools/books/methods too, hehe~~!
*must learn the secret of super fast path to fluency!!!111oneone*

Anyway, speaking of books...
I was at Chapters the other day and....

I desperately want and need those books, pictures above~~~!
I already have a particle book
(and two verb books for that matter... >.>;;;)
but the one I have is more like a workbook/textbook...
I like how this is a particle-dictionary!!!
Easy referencing = WIN!!!

Also common collocations...?
YESSSSSSSS~~~!
Finally I can figure out all the proper ways of
describing random things like....
"Putting on mascara",
"smudgeing eyeliner" etc etc~~!
....May seem pointless now but... >.>;;;
It's USEFUL~~~!

...I'll probably pick them up with my textbooks,
when I go with my mum to buy back to school stuff~!
Yeahhh~!
...
(Especially when reading magazines~!)

*VLOG LINK CLICK*

Youtube Video about MOMO~!

2011-08-09T13:41:00.006-04:00

The French Opening (Tennis) Champion Li Na,
was doing an autograph session at P-mall...
I was there so I got her autograph~ haha~

That's me... In my store's mascot~!
I'm a giant frozen yogurt~!

LAURA SECORD deliciousnessss~!
Dark chocolate with SUPER KID!!!

The Story: New Video uploaded about my pet hamster, MOMO~!
If I get a lot of views/positive responses to my video's,
I was thinking of doing one a week, or at least once a month~!
*fingers crossed*

Hopefully my Japanese speaking skills will improve too~!

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(But I included English Subtitles for those who don't understand~!)

If you guys have any video requests,
pleasssse comment!
I would love to know!
Also, it'd help me improve video-content, haha~

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My channel: chocoNIKKI
The Momo Video: MOMO-time~!

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Please subscribe if you haven't already~~!
Thank you~!

My first YOUTUBE Vlog~~!

2011-08-04T01:15:00.010-04:00

I made "Kimchi Mandu" from scratch~~!
(Ok fine, I didn't make the kimchi or mandu-skin...
But I did mix the filling and wrap it myself...!)

It's... CATERPI (sp?)~~!!!
Gotta catch 'em all~!
POKEMON!
...No but seriously, this guy was real! =D

A Polaroid/fuji-film mini of my mum
from a few years ago~

A one-trick-pony free app!
Allows you to "color-in" photos that they make b/w~

Most delicious vanilla pudding from Guuuuu~

Another free iPhone photo app~

The Story: Hey~~! I uploaded my very first
Youtube VLOG~~!
My username is "chocoNIKKI"~
A Japanese self-introduction~
I made it in order to practice Japanese, and for fun~
(Sorry that I'm not very good though~~!)
...Might also do some videos in Korean, we'll see...
Please subscribe~~!!!

MY LINK!!!

Also... My under-eye-circles are horrible these days...
You can really tell in the vlog... -____-;;
Haven't gotten enough sleep because of summer school..
Also the horrible HEAT Waveeeee~~~!!
I don't have air conditioning... BAH!
T^T;;;

PS. ...I did end up passing my Astronomy course...!
It's a miracleeee~! =D

EDIT: Also, I just edited the video so there are
ENGLISH SUBTITLES~~!
Yayy~

大好きなカレー！！

2011-07-18T23:45:00.002-04:00

ニッキーがカレーを作ったなの~~!
ㅎㅎㅎ 잘 먹었어~ \(//∇//)\

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The Story: My moms off to Hong Kong for two weeks, and I get stuck home~~! ='(
So I get to pass the time passing out in the heat (No A/C~!!!!)
AND cook my own meals~

Between readings (I hate how accelerated summer courses are), quizzes, and essays...
I spend my free time lounging around my place hot and bored...
It's quite difficult to concentrate in the heat!

Also, I've switched my language studies up a bit by concentrating on Korean instead of Japanese these last 2 weeks~~!! Hopefully this balance/switching, will keep me from being too bored by either...! Hehe~

...Now if only I could retain all that Japanese vocabulary and kanji while concentrating on Korean...

Also....
My Summer Obsession...
Second Cup's
"Matcha Green Tea Chiller"!!!!
Seriously LOVE~~!!!
It's refreshing without being too sweet or creamy!!
Adoreeeee~
And also not too calorie-laden!
=D

I failed my Astonomy course..?!?

2011-06-29T12:27:00.005-04:00

At the Asian Street festival over the weekend~
This is the Taiwanese version of Stinky tofu,
the stand beside it was the Hong Kong version~!

After a super long line in the sun and heat and crowds...
STINK IT UP!!!
It was soooooo goooooood!!

Also maybe it was in my head,
but it didn't stink as much once I ate it!!
It came with some Chinese pickled cabbage/Kimchi, and hot sauce~
$4

If there's any Stinky Tofu where you guys live..
TRY it~~!
It's worth the experience or at least
bragging rights,
saying you were brave enough to take on the smell...

Trying simpler makeup...
Just "the top lid lined with eyeliner" and mascara only on the top eyelashes...
(But I couldn't give up the circle lens...! >.>;;;)

When I do wear circle lenses,
I usually opt for super-natural looking ones...
My dali-Grey lens aside that is..
But recently I've wanted to get some brown ones.
Natural-ish, but with a bit more "Pop"~~
Maybe Candy-Browns...?
Hmm~~

よく見えないけど。。>.>;;;;
青い物は今勉強してる日本語の動詞の教科書です~~!

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The Story: So.... I'm feeling pretty horrible....
I've been doing HORRIBLY in my astronomy course....
And to make matters worse, I'm pretty sure I failed the Final exam (worth 45%)....!!
Which means I failed the course. AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*sigh*
I couldn't sleep a wink yesterday after the exam!!!

Also before my exam started, I started to get sick, and I had an allergic reaction!!!
WHAT DID I DO!?!?! I didn't even go out, I'm not sure what caused the reaction!! My eyes puffed up and became swollen and I got hives~~!!!!! *cries* And to make matters worse I had a splitting headache and a runny nose...

FML FML FML

But... I can't blame my failing on that random tragedy...
No....
As much as I hate to admit it, and want to blame my failure on fate...
It was entirely my fault for being lazy and not studying half as hard as I ought to have...

Well... Nothing I can do now but pray REALLY hard that the TA's have pity on my poor pathetic, lazy and useless soul....

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IN OTHER NEWS....!
I HAVE been studying fairly hard (or at least consistently) Japanese~~~~
I've been using my "ANKI" flashcard/SRS (rote-memory program) much more diligently than in the past!
*woot*
For those who are studying languages...
Or just about anything, I recommend it!!!
ANKI!!

I'm currently using it to memorize more Vocabulary, and to practice/review my Kanji~~

In addition, after being inspired a bit by AJATT
(All Japanese all the time) - not sure if you guys know about it,
I've been trying to "immerse" myself as much as possible in Japanese...
Not too obsessively (Don't want to get sick of it!) - but I've been watching dramas almost non-stop in my spare time, as well as variety shows, and occasionally listening to Japanese podcasts.

NOTE: I would say I don't agree with most of what AJATT claims. I just find some of what he says to be encouraging, and if it worked for him, that's great, but I'm not sure if everything he says is entirely for me. I just read some of his articles to get some inspiration to not get lazy~~
So if you're interested check it out~
I would take what he says with a grain of salt though - but I'm sure you already know~~

Next step: Review some Korean...? -o-;;;

I need to save money....

2011-06-19T01:17:00.003-04:00

Pics my aunt sent me of the
"Calico Critters/Sylvannian Families"
toys she picked up from her trip to US...

(The one I missed because I have summer school = one more reason I hate summer school....!!)

I WANNNNNTTTTTT~~~

Super adorable, I want to collect them as well,
since they've recently started to pop up in the
ToysRus here in Toronto...!

(Debated ordering online before,
but ruled it out since I already spend too much on hobbies,
eg. my ball-jointed dolls... $$$ )

At Tokyo Kitchen on Yonge Street~~!
Delicious - though a bit over-priced,
considering it's mostly "home-style" Japanese...

My chicken-katsu-curry~~! Love~!

Promised him I wouldn't upload it...
But...
He looks like a maniac, so I had to!!

(The dish is beef sukiyaki~)

I'm super lazy (no secret~)
So I haven't been using my
"double-eyelid tape"
diligently (...not since my last post on it... >.>;;;).

*sigh*
I miss the look -
but I guess I have to settle for my
less-Tsubasa-esque eyelids...

...I'm glad I at least have double-eyelids
(Though not as large/big/obvious as I would like),
even though they aren't noticeable in photos...
*convinces self* -____-;;;;

Sunny day out in The Annex on Bloor Street~~! ^^

Floral lace top + lace tights = HAPPY~~!

New navy one-piece dress from Forever21~!

Sayyyyyy Whhhhhhaaaaatttt~~~???

...I dunno... >.>;;;

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The Story: Soooo....................
.....I'm seriously considering (read: VERY VERYYYY much want to)
studying abroad.
In Japan.

...I want to go to Korea too, but... Japan's like my first love, I've dreamed about it since I was a small child/toddler/(do toddlers dream... Or would I remember my dreams as a toddler?!?!)... .... A younger me...?

Anyway, studying abroad in Japan would probably benefit me more language-wise than Korea. Since I have plenty of opportunity to practice Korean with my boyfriend (He's a second-gen Korean-Canadian) or my Church friends (I go to a Korean Church)...

Anywho, reason for choice of country aside...

The Duration of Stay.

My first choice would be to do a year abroad, but I'm not sure if that will be financially feasible (or is my mother would even allow me to...)....

As it is...
I only work one shift a week....
Sometimes the shifts only 3 hours....
*shame face* ><;;;;

So yeah, money is really the number one issue....
As it almost always is for everyone.

....

...Besides the one-year-abroad option,
there's also a 6-week Summer-Language Intensive course available...

That's probably a more realistic option for myself.

The rough cost of the Summer option is about $7000....
That includes: dorm, tuition, plane ticket, food (not including eating out), and registration misc costs...

But it doesn't include cost of eating out, or souvenirs, or travel/subway/bus costs...

So I'd probably need around $7500-$8000 to go comfortably...

...*sigh*

Time to get more shifts! =D

(The plan is I go next summer - Summer 2012~!
But I'm just planning ahead~)

Pic-SPAM!!

2011-05-31T21:22:00.007-04:00

Riding the BEHEMOTH at Wonderland~~
(I'm the one in the middle, peace-sign, and in black~)

First time using concealer (I use it for my panda-eyes of doom) since I used for a few months back in grade 9... Wow, makes a pretty big difference!

Don't like the stick eyeliner though,
think I'm going to stick with my liquid or gel eyeliners~

My under-eye looks much less dark eh? =D

...lol~

His expressions soooo cute~~!

The honey snack-bar is bigger than she is!

(At the hotel room for Anime North!)

That's a live snake! =D

Bought this black-cat-Kigurumi for $75 at the con~

My Miyuki Anaïs is enjoying some Miso-soup~~!

Wearing my blue lolita sweets dress~~!

It's always about the SPF~!

2011-05-16T00:19:00.003-04:00

...Eating froyo never felt more guilt-FULL...~!
But soooooo good~~~
*love cheesecake bits*

*NOMS*

"Sake Tirimisu"

Quail Eggs, Lotus Root, Bacon, Daikon, and Mushrooms~~

Oysters baked in Spinach, Garlic, Onion, cream and CHEESE~~!!!

Takoyaki Gratin~~!

Salmon natto yukke~!

Vietnamese Drip-coffee

삼겹살~!

I need to cut her nails if she doesn't do it herself soon...
How am I supposed to cut nails so tiny??
Also... She doesn't stay still - ever~~!!
*sigh*
So cute though...

Such girly colors - definitely in the mood for full-on pink!

The infamous ALBERTO VO5 Hot OILS~~!!!

-The Face Shop: Aqua Tinted BB Cream (SPF 20)
-Neutrogena: Face Moisturizer (SPF 15)
-Neutrogena: Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen (SPF 110)

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The Story: Ok so I've used the Alberto Hot Oils this past week, which have been raved about for quite some time (It's been around at least 30 or so years I believe)... Anyway, so what I did was wash my hair every-other-day, and every wash I used one Hot Oil tube~! So far, I've used 3 tubes (Since it came in a box of 3, that's one whole box).

While I didn't notice a "Miraculous transformation", I did notice it was slightly softer and shinier. After 3 tubes I noticed a pretty big difference from before I used it. But whether that's due to the combination with my Pantene Hair mask which I also used, while washing every other day + conditioning my roots too... I'm not sure. Regardless, it seems to work so I'll probably be repurchasing while investigating some other products (have some Japanese brands I wanted to try~~).

Also... I bought more sunscreen~~!

I've decided to try and wear sunscreen on my face everyday~!

(Though I hated the feeling before, this is Neutragena (Dry Touch) is the brand I don't find as oily, and I find that by putting it after my lotion, but BEFORE my BB cream, it feels perfectly fine~)

*must prevent wrinkles*

I've always been a obsessed with SPF anything, so I decided to get face lotion with SPF too~
Since the one I've been using was almost finished too.. I can't believe I never bought moisturizer with SPF before~! I mean I always get BB cream and occasionally use "L'oreal UV Perfect (SPF 50)" which is like an anti-dullness uva/uvb protector that doubles as a primer...

...Heck, even my Menchies Chap Stick has SPF!!

Anyway, yep, happy with purchases~~

Yay~~

HAIR products haul + Random pics~~~!

2011-05-09T22:51:00.008-04:00

DEEP-Fried Cheesecake~~! *noms*

Original Tart with POPPING BOBA (Lychee) and fruits~~!

*gasp* Buying from a RIVAL Frozen Yogurt place~~!
This was from P-mall~!
(Mine is the prettier one on the left)

Pesto Chicken Pasta~

Classic Tomato Sauce Penne~

Momo's New Cage~~!
FLYING SAUCER = Awesome~~!

Peanut Butter Froyo + Original Tart +
GUMMIES +++
+ Clodhoppers etc etc~~

I want those cases~~!
Especially from the first row in the front..!
The 2nd and 3rd ones from the left!!!

*grabby paws*

Mommy~~!
LOVE!!!

$5 Medium MUSHROOM pizza~~!
*noms*

Chocolate with Mochi and Strawberry,
and a bit of lychee popping boba too~

Curry Rice Vermicelli~~!

Church Basement...
At this angle with my high heels I almost look as tall as him~!

FINALLY got the double-eyelid fiber to work~~!!!
OMGosh~~!
How does it look??
I really love it~~

*yay*
for way more prominent double-eyelids than before~~

Palty Hair dye in Gold Brown...
Tresemme Dry Shampoo
Pantene "Beautiful lengths Replenishing Hair Mask"
And...
Menchies Chapsticks (SPF 15)
+ PINS~~!

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The Story: Ok so I mentioned I wanted to dye my hair pretty badly in my previous post, but was already worried since it's SUPER damaged by my previous dye-jobs... Also, the fact that I wash my hair with shampoo EVERY DAY doesn't help (strips hair of all good oils, no no no noooo~~~)!!

But I couldn't resist the allure of a good sale and bought the 2 boxes of Palty "HARD Bleach in Gold Brown" for $20 flat...
Damn it~~!
Tsubasa's too cute to resist~~~~!
*sucker for good marketing schemes*

BUT, I'm still on the fence about dyeing it.

In the meantime I want to improve my hair's current condition first, and see how that goes... Aka. Try to condition the ROOTS as well as the ends after shampooing because that seems to help (despite everybody saying it's bad and will weigh down roots etc). As well as shampoo every other day (cue DRY Shampoo~~!), and continue with DIY home hair treatments like the "Egg Mask" and the new Pantene mask I got as well~~

In the meantime I'm still indecisive over the color I want~!
Though I'm sure I want an Ashy brown,
how light I want it to go is the question~~!

Also, the FORMULA.

My hair is long and the regular cream dyes tug and pull at my hair when I dye it
= SUPER hair loss~~~!! NO NO NOOOOOO~~~!

So I kind of want to try a foam dye...
But...
Would a Foam dye be able to lighten my hair as much as regular cream dyes?!?!
I want to know the "lightening strength" etc~~
Which foam dye brand is best (for my situation)?
Palty? Prettia...??

Also, is their a significant damage-difference between Palty's "BLEACH" hair dyes and their regular ones...?

I want to use the MOST gentle one possible...
So would that be the regular line...?
And how much more gentle/less bleach/peroxide is it?

*sigh*

Sorry for the rant, I wish I could just magic up the answers, since for once google isn't helping me much...

Hope you guys enjoyed some of the pics though~~! hehe~~!

Stupid dry frizzy haiiiirrrr~~!

2011-05-06T13:50:00.004-04:00

This is Izumii~!!
Isn't she beautiful..?
She's a Chinese model~!
I'm so inspired by this make - I want to try and do it!!
*runs to buy eyeshadow etc etc*

*want to dye hair NOWWW*
I want this hair day, FOAM~~
Especially the colors in the middle and on the right~~!

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The Story: So my hair is supppppeeeerrr damaged and super dry, probably because I dyed it a million times, from blonde to brown, and a bit pink back to black....!!

*sigh*

It's been so abused that it feels like straw~~~!

*cries*

So I'm trying some home remedies to fix it~~!

(Due to lack of $$$ to go for Salon treatments)

First I'm going to try using my regular moisturizing conditioner on my hair-ends and then wrap it all up with a towel for 30min or more and then rinse out~

If that fails I may try the egg-in-hair method...

And if that fails...

The BANANA in hair method!!

Bring on the Olive Oil too~~!!!

Because after all, it's FINALLY spring and it's so depressing my hair is flat, DRY, damaged and Grooooosssss beyond comparison~~~! *arms flail hopelessly*

I'm not giving in without a (cheap...) fight~~~!!!

Just got TWITTER~~! (And a new iphone)

2011-05-03T13:06:00.005-04:00

NEW iPhone4~~~!!!!!
AND new deco case
(Which isn't completed yet,
going to add a few more final touches~~~!)
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Thank you 오빠 (bf) so much~~!!!

In case you were wondering I got the deco-case
at Pacific Mall..
Which shouldn't be a surprise,
because I've been going there every week
for the last 2 months...!

New Home-Phone "button"~~!
I loooove how sparkly it is,
it looks much nicer in real life too~~

Whoever thought of this is a genius~~!

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The Story: So the day after I lost/someone stole my iphone,
my bf brought to the apple store and got me a new one!!
I'm soooooo grateful!
Thank you soooo much~~!
I won't lose this oneeee!!!!!

We then went to Pacific mall after church service,
and bought new screen protectors!
He got a "matte" (finger-print + smudge proof) one
for his white iphone~
And I got the mirror screen protector again~! ^^b

That was going to be it,
but then I saw all these sparkly little charms
at another store,
and asked what it was...!
(Bad idea I know)

And ended up getting one,
I find it's easier to push with the new button anyway~
Because it sticks out~

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ALSO: Don't forget...
If you have a Twitter account~~~

Follow me on Twitter
Pleaseee~~!!! ^^b

FML!!! fml fml fml~~~!!!

2011-04-30T22:53:00.002-04:00

No pics in this post...

Just wanted to say I lost my iPhone today...

I accidentally left it in the washroom stall at Pacific mall today...
And by the time I realized and turned to go back for it,
it was gone.
All in less than 1 minute.

I called it, texted it, etc.
But the person already turned it off...

Reported mall security AND the police.

But I know I'll never see it again...

...
...
...

I'll probably buy another one tomorrow...

But there goes all the money I saved to go to New York....!!!

AHHHHH!!!

I hate life.

I hate the woman who took it and won't return it to me.

But I hate myself more for being so careless...

FML.

T^T;;;

COPY-cat Jill Stuart~~!! Say what??? =O

2011-04-24T00:23:00.004-04:00

...That's just blatantly copying ~!
Even the crystal piece at the bottom??

Definitely reminds me of the real Jill Stuart Quad...
hmm...

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The Story: Ok, so I mentioned in a previous post that I had gone to Claire's Accessories this weekend... I bought a Hello Kitty ring...

It was then that I saw the Jill Stuart knockoffs...!!

I tried to NINJA a shot of them to post,
but evidently I'm a ninja-FAIL, and the staff caught me...

Anyway, I'm 99.99999% sure these Claire products
are at least "Inspired" by the Jill Stuart...
*cough OBVIOUS copy cough*

Here's the link to Jill Stuarts Beauty Product site
(for those who aren't already familiar with the brand):
JILL STUART BEAUTY

(Photos taken from Claire's site)

Shopping and procrastination go hand-in-hand~!

2011-04-21T12:10:00.008-04:00

Off to go shopping~!
Cher vs. LV..?!?! Which one to bring..?
...I brought LV, matched with the outfit more... hehe~

(And yep, newwww lace leggings~! *wooot*)

Also... Excuse the dirty mirror...

I bought a *BLING BLING*
Hello Kitty ring~
Only $5 at Claires~~
Might go back for those clip on Hello Kitty ears too~

Also, I might not go to the yearly anime convention this year..
But if I do...

They have a lot of stuff I could use for a Fairy-Kei,
or other street fashion if I don't feel like lolita again~
hehehe~

The photo coloring reminds me of Marc Jacobs!
(My bored expression adds to it... LOL!)~
Also, Jill Stuarts recent adverts I saw in Sweet were similar..
....
Actually I think it's just the whole trend towards the
lomo/out of focus candid-shot
type of photo...
Whew...

This is the only shirt I didn't get~~~!
I only bought 2 because I/we (BF and I) are trying not to spend too much...

Been obsessed with these frames for a while~

"Smile with your eyes"?!?!
(￣▽￣)ノ

*MOMO-face*
(Momo is my hammy-puff of a hamster~~)
(*≧▽≦)

SUPER COLLAGE~~!!!

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The Story: So... I have about 3 exams left as I noted in an earlier post... History of East Asia, Japanese, and Korean.. Of these I'm sure History will be the hardest for me because I like it the least = less motivation! Oh noooeesss~~!
(*´ο`*)=3

It doesn't help that I'm bloody awful with all the names and dates of people and events...
*crazy laughter of despair*~~!!!

Oh well...

But instead of studying like I should be...

I'm here, writing an entry, shooting tylenol in attempts to stop my migraine, while also watching free old Hong Kong movies on youtube (I do this weird thing were I watch about 5 movies at the same time, eg. watch 5 min of one movie, pause it then watch 2 min of another)... Oh and eating steak.

It's complicated.

Meanwhile, I reallllllly want to go on a diet, but I don't think I'll be able to until exams are over with.

Because when I'm emotionally stressed I don't eat, but when I'm school-related-stress I eat like a black-hole destroying and engulfing everything in my path...!!! AHHHHHH~~~!!
o(>< )o ｏ( ><)o

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At least shopping therapy helps!

Bought 2 shirts from Zara as well as a Hello Kitty ring, etc~

*Shopping = THERAPY*

Mini Update~ (CHER♥)

2011-04-20T01:12:00.008-04:00

♥ LOVE~~! ♥

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The Story: (⌒▽⌒) Mini-haul from this weekend~!

I adoreeee my new Cher♥ Eco bag~!
(Add it to my collection of CHER~!)
☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ メチャ可愛いね〜‼
Hehehe~~ ♥

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♥ And candydoll face powder = super duper awesomeness~!

It goes on super smooth, and doesn't look as "cakey" or dry as my old Anna Sui powder...

Anna Sui wins in terms of the fragrance.
*adore the signature Anna-Rose-Scent*.

BUT Candydoll face powder wins in terms of overall performance...
The smooth matte-ness = L.O.V.E~~~

Yay Tsubasa~!

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PS. Yes.... *is very フロク obsessed* ♥
I haven't even read the magazine yet...! LOL~~

*back to studying*!!!

iPhone Photos~! ^^b

2011-04-18T22:41:00.004-04:00

Green Tea Mousse, Chocolate Mousse, New York Style Original Cheesecake, and Tirimisu~~
(Clockwise from top left!!)

iPhone photo-app time~~!!!

Top Right is my delicious "Japanese-style Boston Cream Donut" from Nakamura Bakery in J-Town~~~!! It is the NOMS.

Bottom Right = BF and I being silly - lol at his expressions, hehehe~~~!
(*≧▽≦)

LOL at bottom right... Such a typical (stereotype) Korean-overly-dramatic-sad expression!! ahahaha~~~! >.>;;;; *cue K-drama scene*

*SUPER noms* Hong-Kong style food~~!

New Blue Pashmina~~ Loveeee~~

Lalala~~
*Baby-Face...?*

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The Story: Just finished my anthropology exam = *FAILED*.....

So I'm off to stuff myself with more chocolate and sweets in hopes it will dull my sense of complete doom and depression.. Lol..?

Oh well..

Only 3 exams to go...

Wish me luck..?

（￣へ￣）;;;;;;

PS. The exams are East Asian History, Japanese, and Korean...
In case you were wondering...
―(T_T)→

Korean Finals Project - Movie Stills

2011-04-15T11:23:00.006-04:00

(*≧▽≦) Yep, I'm wearing a wigggg~~~! =D

(Referencing Jaejoong from DBSK~~!!! My character is supposed to be a socially awkward weirdo, who also happens to be obsessed with him~)

LOL~! This was my monologue scene were I argue crazily to myself, with the help of plushies and hand mirrors...!!!
(￣▽￣)ノ

Hehe, I made these choco-deco-heart-Lollies and the triple chocolate cupcakes for the class~~! ♪(ﾉ´∀｀*)ﾉ

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The Story: One of my group members doesn't want the short movie we made for out Korean class to be put online... So sorry I can't post it! All I could post were some random stills from it....!!

NEW iPhone + Long time no post!!

2011-04-11T17:55:00.005-04:00

Using the iPhone app "CameraTan" from Japan~ I LOVE it!
I read about it from "sushicat's" blog..! Goooo check her blog out!
Photo taken at P-mall~~

Church friends hanging out at my workplace after service on Sunday~

Chicken Katsu Curry at Yuki near my campus~

DOMO!!! Ftw~

One of my new iPhone cases, only $8 at Pacific Mall~

Last day of Korean class! Classmate got us Chinese egg tarts! I alsp baked cupcakes, will post pics later, once they post it on FB~

Saturday Family lunch, at this new-ish Vietnamese place in MarketVillage (adjacent to Pacific Mall)~~
I love the red bean + mung bean + coconut slush~~

Swiss Chalet with Boyfriend!!~

New faux glasses frames~
Got 2 of them for $20~~~

Perogies from Swiss Chalet, if you have a SPC card (student discount card), you can get either perogies, chicken spring rolls or salad freeeee!!
*woot* being a poor useless student DOES occasionally have it's perks! =D

Got it for $22 at Pacific Mall~~
I LOVE them! The quality is awesome, much easier to put on than my other ones...
Probably because the "rib" is very very thin...?
Not quite sure, but I find it looks quite natural~

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The Story: Sooooooo, I'm terribly terribly sorry I haven't been updating AT ALL recently!!!
I can (once again) explain!!!

It's finals season at my University (and most Uni's in Canada, I'm sure), and as the model student I am... *coooough*! Obviously I DIDN'T leave all my essays, and alllllll my readings last minute... No not I!!! I left them precisely till the last second, actually...

In fact, I've been sleeping at Robarts (largest school library here at University of Toronto), pretty much for the last 2 weeks.....

AND the bad news is, my finals aren't done yet, still have 4 more to go... The kicker is I'm pretty sure I failed my Anthropology midterm a few days ago too, which means I AM SOOOO screwed!!! Even more than I would be otherwise

Sorry to rant, but yeah... Needless to say, I've been caught up, with things..

ANYWHO!!!

School stuff aside...
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I got an iPHONEEEE!!! *wooooot*

I can kiss my dying Sony Ericsson goooood riddance!

And I can welcome an (albeit useful at times), a shiny (now pink) new iphone 4, full of new procrastination options!!!~~~

*happy*

So I shall update my study progress (if any) sooooooooon~~

PS. Thinking of starting an Ameblo... Hmmm~

Montreal Part 4: Selca before clubbing~! (First time!)

2011-03-05T17:46:00.005-05:00

Random bf pic, he wasn't in Montreal, lol~

Shiny shoulders! =O

TONS of eyeliner...! =O
I liked it though, hehe~

I was actually doing a "peace sign" - but I camera-skill FAIL, so it cut off my other finger...
It just looks like I'm pointing at my nose... -o-;;;

Montreal Part 3: Beaver Tails + POUTINE + Schwartz!

2011-02-28T21:36:00.004-05:00

Delicious Beaver tails! Sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar~ Mmm~

"Montreal Poutine"! I loved the gravy and cheese~~! Very chewy-melty cheese~

La Banquise!!!
Open 24hrs! It was featured in an episode of "No Reservations - Andrew Bourdain"~~! The Quebec special episode I think - it's on youtube~~!

The cheese curds here were "drier" and broke apart when bitten rather than being soft in chewy - sounds bad, but it was nommy!

The infamous SCHWARTZ!

Very cosy feeling inside - no frills needed~

Together with mustard + a bit of HP sauce, and wow... This smoked meat sandwich was simpy amazing. When I visit Montreal in the summer (Probably), I'm definitely getting it again!!

Montreal Part 2: BIODOME~~ =D

2011-02-25T20:01:00.002-05:00

These penguins refused to swim!! =O

Ah~ Just lazing around~

Excuse my makeup-less + contact-free face... ><;;;

Outside the Biodome - looks so cool! Like an alien mother-ship.. ^^b

Montreal Part 1!!

2011-02-21T20:44:00.003-05:00

BUS RIDDEEEEE = TIRED... ><;; St. Josephs Oratory~~!!

So many candles...! =O

Inside one of the chapels outside..

Apparently this took about 1000-3000 hrs to make!

THE HEARTTTTT!!!

The Story: St. Josephs Oratory!! I'm still exhausted from the trip (Approx. 13 or so hrs of sleep over 4 days...!) so I won't write a long post, more pics of the trip to come~~

Korean DRAMA!!

2011-02-17T16:44:00.003-05:00

Costume for Hye-rim (혜림)~~!

이안경 좋아해~ =D

The Story: So for my Korean classes final, we're supposed to split into groups and do a "media" project - so we're doing a 15min (that's our time limit...! Need more time!!) short drama/movie.

The part that sucks is we aren't allowed to use "반말" which is like "casual speech", which would have fitted our script better... But oh well, it's for marks... >.>;;;;

For my character I bought a wig ($78 omggggg), etc etc... So uncomfortable to be filming...

Oh! And I'm off for 3 days with friends to Montreal!! It's during our "reading week" so it should be fun~~ Post pics later~~

2011-01-29T23:08:00.003-05:00

Playing chocolate Monopoly with friends!!! =D

Cool pull-apart string double-eyelid tape that was very well reviewed - I however I am absolutely rubbish at putting it on... I'll probably try again when I'm more motivated..?

My favorite item to order at Sushi restaurants - Chiraishiiiiii!!!
This one's from Sushi on Bloor~~

Kanpaichi from Sushi Couture~~ $6.5 for 4 pieces of Sashimi~~

Spicy Salmon roll from Sushi Couture~~!

My favvv Chiraishi from Sushi Couture - *om nom nom*!!~

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The Story: I got the new Feb issue of Popteen a week ago!! LOVEEEE!! Kumicky + Mizukitty + Okarie on the coverrrr~~~ I thought Kumicky didn't look her best, but... She's still #1, wow! I'm really wanting to get florally spring frocks etc, but the weathers so horrid in Toronto still, that I can't muster the energy to go!!! What?!?!

Also "Haruna Ai" (I think she's a newhalf celeb or something, I've seen her on variety shows for a long while..) is in this issue, doing a diet spread as well as other celebs such as Aki Hoshino! Anyway, what I wanted to point out was she was wearing an Angelic Pretty Jumper Skirt!! The new print!! AHHHH~~ *envy*

*needs more accessories*!!

I also want to buy a wig, since I want to change up my style, but after dyeing my hair so many times in the past, I think it still needs a lonnnnng break. Since wigs seem to be quite trendy in Asia and a reasonably priced alternative, I may give it a shot! (And yes, I do have wigs, just not "daily wear" ones! hehe~)

When I have time/the mood, I'll hop down to Forever21 + Urban Outfitters and pick up some HUGE bow headbands, hats, etc~

Current Obsessions: DIET!! I want to lose about 3-5 pounds, and get healthier!! I've been really "letting go" since my strict regiment during the summer! And.... Language study (That's more of a all-the-time obsession though)~!!! I want to be more ahead/on top of my homework, and really hold myself "accountable" for my goal of putting up a Youtube vlog in Japanese...!

Dim Sum with Family~~!

2011-01-17T19:24:00.006-05:00

Lunch Menu at the Crown Princess~

Checklist for small/Dim Sum items~

My mom looks so tired...
Sorry for keeping you up at night with my loud youtube videos...!! T^T;;;

My older sister~!
We don't look too alike eh? I think our most similar point is our face shape + smile~

Sorry the pic is so blurry - fail pic of one of the numerous chandeliers...!

This was a "Birds Nest" White Egg Tart~~!
(Swallows nest is a delicacy, apparently it's very very good for the skin!)

Soup was very "light" - which was good since some of the meat stuff had heavier flavours!

A pic of some of the spread~~

Classic fare~

This was lamb I think..! ^^;;

Strange green buns - tasted god though~

Sticky rice in Lotus leaves~

I think this single piece was $10-15!! LOL One bite only~

The Story: So... About a week ago I went with my parents to the Crown Princess near my mom's bf's place. We thought it was a branch of this other upper-end dim sum place we usually go to (The Casa group) - turns out it wasn't (It was part of the Crown group). But that's besides the point... The place we went for lunch was uber yummy BUT expensive (I think about $125 for FOUR people, before tax and tip...!!!)

The decorations were extremely opulent (ok, perhaps more than a bit overdone to say the least) - but I think I like that sort of gaudiness. You really don't see such decadent designs often anymore, and it somehow reminds me of Roccoco and Lolita (the fashion~~), both of which I adore~~

Also, went to the University of Toronto Bookstore (My uni - yay~) to get some Japanese things with my mom after she was done work. I got the "Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary", "Jazz up your Japanese with Onomatopoeia", and "Japanese Verbs at a glance". So I may write a review on all my textbooks + learning supplies whenever I get the chance~~ ^^

MOMO & Me! ~ヾ(＾∇＾)

2011-01-10T19:02:00.002-05:00

*mwuah*~!
(It looks like I'm nomming her! =O Her tummy is so soft~~)
(*≧▽≦)

We look alike...? ^^V

Hehe~ More Selca!
(I love this shirt, even though you can't see it very well... -o-;;)

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The Story: So today was the first day back from winter holidays... And guess what "wonderful" (NOT) thing happened to me??

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I vomited not once, but TWICE during my first lecture (Japanese)!!! Thank goodness I felt so foul, and knew it was coming, so I left the room both times... But it was absolutely wretched!

Yep...

Oh also, I have too many "First Year Credits" (My Uni only allows up to 6~), so I can't take Psychology!! So that means I'll only have 4 courses this semester! AH! Unless I get into my waitlisted courses... Which is unlikely... Since I'm like 143 out of 1350 spaces in one. And number 17 out of 50 spaces for the other... FML.

*sigh*

Off to finish my 300 word Japanese passage about my winter break, and study...

*waves sadly* T^T;;;;

Tips on better "Selca"..?! =O

2011-01-07T23:38:00.005-05:00

This isn't the best/most flattering pic, but haven't taken many recently, so this is it, LOL... >>;;;

I think this pic is a little too bright, but it's up to you~

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Selca = Self picture~! ^^

Most Important Factors: Lighting + Angle~

Lighting: Generally speaking natural light is best, so take advantage of the sunlight!! If that isn't possible setting your camera/cell to a higher light setting is also better, as well as taking pictures in a well lit room~

Angle: This all depends on your own face and it's angles, but I find generally speaking pictures taken from a "higher level" (relative to your face-level) and at an angle pointing down towards you is usually flattering. Then it's up to you to discover the angle to tilt your face etc, that looks best for you~ I *usually* do a slight tilt to the left or right~~

Note: This is all just my OPINION, and I am by no means the de facto last word on good pictures, these are just simple tricks I find most gyarus/ギャル, ulzzang/얼짱, etc use~~!

Have fun~~~!

Super delayed post~~!

2011-01-07T01:08:00.002-05:00

I got this exact box! 10 masks in total~~ (Pic isn't mine~)

No I didn't get all that! Stole the pic from google~! ><;;; I think I got about 7-8 masks in total, all different! Strawberry, Kiwi, Cucumber, Green Tea, Lemon, etc! =D

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The Story: Sorry for the suppppeeerrrr delayed post of what I got for Christmas! I was actually sick from the 24th to the 30th!! T^T;;; I didn't get anything special, just stuff I asked for from my wishlist~

I got TONS of masks, a curling iron 15mm (Now I REALLY want a 19mm one, like they use in Popteen a lot! 欲しい~~!), bubble bath, as well as body mist, lotion, gift cards to H&M and to Petsmart (for my MOMO (モモ~)!!), and CASH! =O

Did everybody have a great New Years as well?? What did you guys do?

I went to a house party...

It was super fun but...

....

I ended up getting home and puking over my bed (THANKFULLY, it was onto the floor!!! *wipes sweat* Close one there... ><;;;; )

But whatever, stuff happens, and I learned my lesson (once again), and will probably NOT do that again for at least a good 5-6 months...! Ugh... My poor liver...

This year I have a New Years RESOLUTION!!! Which I hope I can keep, no I WILL keep!!! *determined*

It's to STUDY Japanese + Korean, study and concentrate my ASS off, until I spit blood and otherwise cannot physically handle it. I must vastly improve my proficiency!!! Also, I resolve to get better grades, duh~ >>;;;;;

*sigh*

But... As you guys know (if you know me personally or can get the gist of my personality through this blog that is...), I'm kind of a wishy-washy person at times. And I get super super "into" things quickly, but the passion for it burns just as quickly as it came.

And forgetting my pure laziness + procrastinating tendencies for a second that it's proabably my greatest downfall~~~! I freaking lack PERSEVERANCE or Motivation...!!!! Usually when I need it most...

I suppose this stems from the fact that I get so easily discouraged, but it doesn't help that I'm also a bit of a perfectionist at times, OCD etc... Like anybody living in this day and age, I get so stressed as it is. -o-;;;;

Digressing: I've been watching youtube like crazy (again), and I'm back to my old habit of watching "foreign" vloggers speaking in Japanese or Korean. And it got me super inspired!!!
So I vow to try and work harder toooooo!!! Go go GOOOOO~~!

PS. Ordered the Kodansha Furigana Dictionary, Japanese Particle Workbook, and The handbook of Japanese verbs from Chapters/Indigo online~ Can't wait till it get's here! They were all very well reviewed, and will hopefully supplement my Japanese studies!!! =D

Quick Pic update~

2010-12-28T13:08:00.003-05:00

Momo~~!

After reading the Dec issue of Popteen, I've been more aggressively using bright lighting~

la.... La~.... LA! LA~LALALALA~!!!!~~ >.>;;

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The Story: Just a quick self-pic update! Pics of Noraebang/Karaoke, but the first two in my house~ Momo looks cute as always, but sadly her human (me) looks less adorable next to her! *sigh* You can never beat the adorable-ness of a Hammy Puff! =D

I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas! I'll post some pics of my presents in the next post! =D

MOMO (モモ〜) my love~~!!!

2010-12-19T19:25:00.003-05:00

My friends Kim and Zoe helping me set up Momo's new Hammy Home!~
(For those Hamster-owners it's a Crittertrail Large Clear View. Aka. Discovery Deluxe Habitat)

Here she is in her travel box - patiently waiting for her new home!~~

*nervous* ><;;;

She's a bit more "yellow" in real life, just a bit~

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Ta-DAA~~~~!

THREE-Levels! With an exterior running wheel~~

モモ taking a BATH~~
(Hamsters take baths by rolling in very fine sand - you have to use the special "chinchilla/small critter" bath sand found at pet stores!~~

All tuckered out after a day of playing~ A nap on her pink fluff-blankey~~!
(I bought her hamster-fluff to make her bed extra soft and warm! Winters are cold in Toronto!~)

Next to her "litter/potty-box"~~
The orange circle is a salt-block snack!

She's quite the picky eater - here she is nomming a cheerio!!~

The Story: So my mom and her bf found out about Momo, and I think she's really growing on them, they go in my room to check up on her when I'm out, LOL! It's pretty cute - when they brought me to Petsmart for some of her stuff yesterday, he even offered to buy her a hammy for herself to play with! She refused though - I guess the turtles are enough work..? =O

Momo is a fairly finicky eater too! She only eats Japanese/the matte colored Fuji apples (tried giving her the regular/cheaper New Zealand and American ones, she rejected them...! =O). And even then she only eats the white sweet part, and tosses the apple skin!! -o-;;

Let's see, she also like avocado, but she can't have too much cause it'll make her obese and sick, and oh! Also bananas, but the same with those, too much sugar so it can only be a once-in-a while treat because Campbell Dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes... *rambles*

In other news - I've just started teaching her tricks, she can almost do "stand" now, though she's only had about 5-6 two-minute training sessions! =D

Now... I'm off to study for my Japanese exam... 9hrs left!! =O

silk & diamanté

Facebook page & vlogging: MORE Japanese books!!!

New vlog post~!

2 Year Anniversary + Jpn VLog~

Fun times with instagram! ^^

Morooooocan OIL!

Momo...

Eat your kimchi!

First Korean Vlog!!

We need a Herooo~~! (Halloween Edition)

FOOD food fooooood - Fashion?

I had a "Tuina" massage~~!

Gummy Vitamins

Green Tea Baths and cheesecake galore~!

I'm a MODEL!! (Well.. Kind of~?)

Sipping tea in the tub~

HAPPY Birthday... To ME~~!!! =D

Dreams and goals...

Back to school time + Vlog Post #3~!

Youtube Video about MOMO~!

My first YOUTUBE Vlog~~!

大好きなカレー！！

I failed my Astonomy course..?!?

I need to save money....

Pic-SPAM!!

It's always about the SPF~!

HAIR products haul + Random pics~~~!

Stupid dry frizzy haiiiirrrr~~!

Just got TWITTER~~! (And a new iphone)

FML!!! fml fml fml~~~!!!

COPY-cat Jill Stuart~~!! Say what??? =O

Shopping and procrastination go hand-in-hand~!

Mini Update~ (CHER♥)

iPhone Photos~! ^^b

Korean Finals Project - Movie Stills

NEW iPhone + Long time no post!!

Montreal Part 4: Selca before clubbing~! (First time!)

Montreal Part 3: Beaver Tails + POUTINE + Schwartz!

Montreal Part 2: BIODOME~~ =D

Montreal Part 1!!

Korean DRAMA!!

Dim Sum with Family~~!

MOMO & Me~~! ~~~ヾ(＾∇＾)

Tips on better "Selca"..?! =O

Super delayed post~~!

Quick Pic update~

MOMO (モモ〜) my love~~!!!

MOMO & Me! ~ヾ(＾∇＾)