.

Photography Class

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:35:05 GMT

Central Park, NYC: October 2009

School Overload

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:31:03 GMT

Lately I've been so busy with school but atleast I feel like I'm accomplishing things and not being such a lazy bum. Three studio classes and Psychology 101. My intro to photography class is really intense as far as lab work goes and I'm not used to having to be in the darkroom ALL THE TIME, but it's okay. I've caught up with things and I feel okay about it. I've also decided to make a series of "art school stickers." Just a cheesy little idea I came up with for organization. I looked it up online and vinyl stickers are really expensive to get printed so I don't know if it'll be worth it or I'll ever end up doing it. I might look into getting them printed at Kinko's too but I don't think that it'll be as nice quality. Anyway, my first edition is the pencil for my drawing supplies bin. Opinions? ..I don't think anyone reads this but who knows.

PS. I'm thinking of moving to Wordpress again because I've had this for a million years. The thing is is that you lovely people are here (the few that still are), any opinions, lovely people?

My Presence in a Nutshell

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:48:25 GMT

Current Personal Achievements

Improving skills in Classical Figure Drawing Class with an amazing professor
Packing sandwiches for lunch instead of spending money on cafeteria food
Drinking water from the sink
Dropping ENG 390.53: Nation, Self & Asian Identity but appreciating the material already read
Reading 3/4 of The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (almost finished!)
Deciding to sell my car in PA in order to pay off some tuition

Woes in Me

Finding a mouse in my apartment eating my box of Ramen and having to call my friend because I couldn't handle it alone
Having to return the Minolta SRT-200 I won off of eBay because the light meter didn't work
Purchasing a $5 batter for the Minolta SRT-200 just to find out that the light meter didn't work
Returning to my old job that I hated because if I don't I will never be able to pay off my credit card bill and school
Being in a long distance relationship (not the relationship, but the long distance)
Being stubborn (although reasonably) but standing up for myself

Brand Name Happiness

The Simpsons stamps
Synecdoche New York being on 'watch instantly' on Netflix
It's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs opens 9/18
Monsters of Folk album releases 9/22
Winning a Nikon N80 off of eBay for $100 from a seller who lives in NYC (local pick up!)
Palmer's Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter
Embryonic by Flaming Lips album releases 10/13

Professor

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:01:08 GMT

My professor liked it.

"..but maybe a little less Baroque next time."

haha.. art references.

Revision (Self-Portrait #4)

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:18:55 GMT

Boo. I did another version of the self-portrait and although it looks more like me, I am unsatisfied. This one looks a bit more cartoony than the previous one. I think that it's because I was trying to rush it a little more than the other one so I kind of half-assed it. And the lighting is the exact same so it was hard to change it up all that much other than stare at the same pose in the same lighting. Boring. Well know I know.

On another note, I'm sick of all of these billboards ruining my Showtime life! I have yet to finish season 3 of Dexter and there's advertisements all over the place with him and his baby. Atleast I watched enough of the season to know that Rita's pregnant and they're engaged. (Sorry if no one knows this!) And Professor Hanky Moody?! What the hell happened in season 2!!?? I feel at a loss. Netflix update me with Californication season 2! ..And Dexter, well I just need to save up for you.

Yay, Art class.

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:35:38 GMT

In my own response to my last entry I've decided to post some self-portraits I've done. I've only done three. It's a long journey before I can be completely satisfied with one but I can say that over the last seven months I've improved a bit. I plan to re-do another one if I have time before Wednesday, but I'm not sure if I do. It's better than my last self portrait as far as shading and being realistic goes and it's DEFINITELY better than my first self-portrait. I, however, inadvertently made myself look like an Olsen twin. I drew the eyes too big. It doesn't really look like me at all truthfully. I don't want to erase and fix things and mess it up though because I find the Olsen quality kind of funny. The problem is that I don't think I have the time to re-do one all over. I guess I will have to deal with it for now.

In need of inspiration.

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:14:33 GMT

Sample conversation:

New Aquaintance: So what do you study at school?
Me: Art.
NA: Oh yeah, what kind of art?
Me: Drawing mainly.
NA: Awesome! Do you have a website?
Me: No.
NA: What kind of art do you like to do? I'd love to see it sometime!
Me: I'd love to show you. If I actually had any.

Cue to Conan O'Brien "Ass stamp" (shown here for reference)

Back in the US..sr.?

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:35:32 GMT

I returned over a month ago and have been trying to get my life together with a new job and school coming up so I haven't really been too interested in the whole blog scene. If you're interested: http://flickr.com/photos/sushiiho - there's more photos here from my long journey.

Posting from España

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:00:16 GMT

¡Hola!

I was just about to head out to go to the bookstore to get a Spanish Grammer book but I need my fill of American music. So I figured I´d type up a little while I listened to a few Dr. Dog songs with the headphones my friend lent me with his iPod. Very kind of him.

Madrid is great. I´m still adjusting to everything and I´m still really bad with the language but it´ll get better. I just need to study. There´s Chinese students in my class and they are actually really good. I saw some in the library here studying since we got out of class at 1. They must have just left a little while ago because I don´t see them anymore. It´s almost 7. They are studious those kids. I wish I could focus for that long, but alas, English I speak and unfortunately, it will probably stay that way for the most part. I do really want to learn it, don´t get me wrong but I´ve been hanging out with Americans from my school and all we speak is English. It´s bad. That´s the one thing that everyone says that you shouldn´t do. "Immerse yourself in the culture, and don´t get comfortable hanging out with your American friends!" Yes, that is what they all say and that is exactly what I´m doing. Sue me. :P

We had Chinese food last night because we needed a break from all the Spanish jamon y pan. The schedule is so different too. Desayuno (breakfast) before school around 7:00, Almuerzo (lunch) around 14:30-15:00, and Cena (Dinner) around 21:30-22:30. Está loco. But it´s not too bad. Cerveza is about the same price as soda here, so we´ve been drinking with meals mostly. But I´m broke so I only get one and it´s kind of pointless. Well, I guess that´s the way it´s supposed to be really.. You´re supposed to enjoy a glass of wine or beer with meals for the relaxation of it. Not to get drunk! Lo siento if this is kind of all over, it´s hard to type and listen to my music. I´m glad he leant me these. It´s making me feel all nostalgic inside. ..haha, it´s only been a week. I´m lame.

Goodbye.

Sugar, anything you wanna do.

Sat, 16 May 2009 04:12:39 GMT

I'm leaving for Madrid in 16 days. I'm beginning to get nervous not knowing the language well enough and failing the placement test but I'm trying to brush up and I'm pretty sure I'll do fine. Well, I have to.

I'm excited for the fall semester. I've upped my art classes.

1) Drawing 2) Color Theory 3) Photography

I didn't want to take Photography. I've stopped taking photos lately and have stopped carrying my camera. (That picture was actually taken with Abby's camera.) I think that 365 Project wore me out and really made me not want to take photos for a while. It's supposed to do the opposite and make you improve on your skills and become a better photographer, but for me it just made me not like photography. Well, I can't say I don't like photography. I've just been trying to focus on basic fundamentals of art. Drawing and painting. My drawing professor this semester was impressed by my improvement over the semester and she said I was getting an A. In the beginning of the semester we had to do a self-portrait and then for our final we had to do another one. Oh man, huge difference. I'll post them once I take a good picture of the second one. I'm taking Advanced Drawing next semster with a professor that's been teaching at Hunter since the late 60s and has excellent reviews as an artist and on ratemyprofessors.com. He did this drawing in this article. I'm sure I'm going to learn so much and I can't wait. Every class I'm taking in the fall has good reviews. I've never bothered to look professors up before scheduling but I decided to this time and it will definitely make a difference. Yay for 2009! I'm happy as can be. The only thing I'm missing is some certain somebody in Philadelphia.

365+5+5+5

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:41:25 GMT

Yesterday was my "365th day." I did not however, take 365 photos. Because of this I have decided to stretch it past the year and take the correct amount of photos. I'm going to make an iPhoto book and I want it to have 365 photos if that's the whole point of the project.

The Big Picture

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:38:58 GMT

Broken Spanish Sentiment.

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:36:59 GMT

Echo de menos mi amor pero ahora mismo sé es importante por mi estar sola. Tengo residí en Nueva York por casi dos años ahora y no conozco alguien. Estoy triste. Es necesidad para mi estar independiente. Lo amo y puedo ver un futura con lo pero necesito mi libertad. No quiero que sea triste. ¿Qué puedo hacer? Es muy complicada. ¿Soy una persona mala?

First eBay Listing

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:22:14 GMT

Shit, wish me luck. I hope some stuff sells it'd be nice considering everything's just been sitting around forever. I showed my parents and they got me all paranoid putting my face in them. I was going to wear sunglasses but I don't know where any of them are. Eh, whatever. It's not like I'm not already exposed to this internet acid. I'm more-so nervous because of the mailing info. Hopefully creeps don't buy my stuff.

Flickr Logo

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:25:33 GMT

I tried out the Flickr blog option but I didn't like it. So, unfortunately I have to go back to the old-fashioned way of posting on here. I made this logo for my Flickr Account from a photo of a baby doll hanging from a telephone wire. I'm pleased with how it turned out. :)

Back to School.

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:33:52 GMT

I'm ridiculous.

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:09:53 GMT

After nearly two years (officially - this May), I have finally begun to develop a great liking for my apartment and appreciate the situation my parents have provided for me more than ever. Of course, I can only fully realize this when it's potentially going to be taken away. My dad's building is up for sale and he is in jeopardy of losing his job. Unfortunately, it's leaning more towards the bad side of the situation and it's more likely that this will happen than won't. If that's the case, I'll have to move back to Pennsylvania. Either to Stroudsburg or to Philly and commute to school from there. Either that or take out loans to pay for the rent or find a roommate. I've taken things for granted too much and I've been overspending on stupid things up until more recently. Lately, I've been focusing material spending on making my apartment look nicer or on creating art. It's been much more fulfilling than on clothes, jewelry etc because now I can say that I really like my apartment and everything in it. After spending time in Pennsylvania and coming back to Brooklyn alone I've come to realize this, and it feels good but it SUCKS. I've been so spoiled and have complained about not living closer to Manhattan and school but things have at last clicked into perspective. I've been such a brat about things and should have been thinking ahead and not being so carefree. I'm now planning on saving my pay from my job and saving up so I can afford to pay for things on my own. Hopefully, I'll save up enough and then I can take out loans. Although, I'd love to live in Philly I don't think I'm ready yet. I'm not ready to give up living on my own.
Photo from 12/30/08 when Cisco & I went to IKEA Brooklyn for the first time
Oh, also speaking of spending money.. before my realization.. my Canon Powershot S2 IS decided to stop turning on entirely without error and I had to buy a new one, the Canon Powershot SX10 IS. And before I post pictures of my lomo fisheye camera, I might as well inform that I bought one for Christmas so I don't seem like a complete hypocrite when all of these new things end up showing up.

I prefer my Elmo with a hippie purse.

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:51:51 GMT

My boss emailed me saying that she can't give me off the weekend after Christmas even though she already told me that it was fine. I'm bothered.

'Tis the Season!

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:38:21 GMT

This was made for my friend, Stephanie who's going to France to study abroad for the spring semester. The picture makes it look pretty nice, but it was pretty ghetto. I like it though. It was made with love. (btw, the typo on the cover was intentional)

I am very ready for the holidays to get here. I'm ready for this semester to be over. I need to start anew. I need a fresh start and a new year. 2009, please be nice to us all.

Spring Schedule:
Art History
Basic Drawing
Cultural Anthropology
Intro to Physics: Lab
Spanish 102
All of which are condensed into 4 days and mostly beginning at 8:15am.

On another note, RIP Bettie Page. I'm a big fan and you shall be missed.

Liberated & Extremely Loud

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:51:10 GMT

Today I purchased my new journal. I was going to go for the classic Moleskine like my last one, but I saw this one for $3.95 and decided to step out of my little box that I've lived in for the last two years. I labeled it "deux" not because I aspire to be french speaking (even though i secretly do, but who doesn't), but because it was the first thing I thought of and I had plenty of "x"s left in my sticker sheet. I pasted some pictures in and wrote for about 20 minutes and felt a weight lifted. Things that I've been thinking but haven't actually sat down (or laid down in this instance) and wrote about felt great to finally have off of my mind (in theory). But I suppose they are somewhat off my mind because they've been vented. nothing too serious, i don't have any plans of crime but little things that aren't worth telling anyone but still are on your mind.
After writing things down and taking a deep sigh, I decided to delete Facebook rather spontaneously. Originally, Cisco and I planned to do it as a New Years Resolution but I felt that the time was right. Who knows, maybe in a few days I'll reactivate it. Right now, however, those aren't my intentions. It was fun while it lasted. I saw an immense amount of photographs of people partying that I don't talk to, didn't really talk to to begin with and probably won't ever again. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh in saying that, but I'm being honest. Most of the people that were on my friends list weren't really my friends. My real-life friends list is short. And that's probably due to my lack of desire to reach out to most people I meet and most of the people I become friends with are because the other person is really outgoing or because of circumstance. I haven't met anyone in college that I've felt like I could hang out with outside of school, or at least maybe that's just how they feel about me. I haven't clicked with anyone to say, "hey, what are you doing this weekend?" and no none has done the same to me. Again, all stemming back to my unwillingness to reach out. Call me stubborn.

Christina, you're stubborn.

I know, I know. Eh, what can ya do. I can't say I'm entirely discontented with my life. Actually, quite the opposite. I'm comfortable and I think that's good. I'm happy sitting right now typing this and not stumbling into my apartment and passing out on my bed. Not to say I haven't had a small share of that (not stumbling alone, but you got what I'm saying). I feel really good about things. But maybe it's just because I watched The Babysitters' Club Movie last night and it made me pull out all the warm and fuzzy feelings inside of me. (Inspired by Claudia Kishi)

I've been reading more and I've been trying to do my assignments. Although, I'm still procrastinating I did three today when I planned on doing them tomorrow right before class and over the weekend. I'd say that's pretty good. At least an improvement.

I just finished the book on the left, Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. It follows a sheltered, but outspoken 9 year old, Oskar Schell who finds this key in his father's closet and travels the five boroughs to figure out what lock it belongs to. His father died on September 11th. It sounds kind of cheesy, but it was pretty interesting. He took photos throughout his journey and they're pictured in the book. Other little interesting techniques are used in the book too that aren't typical of standard novels. I enjoyed it. It was a quick read - which is hard for me to say because I'm a slow reader. I read it, however, in about a week. I preferred the beginning half but I can't say I was really disappointed in the end.

I just started reading the other book, Joshua Ferris' Then We Came to the End. I just started it so I don't have much to say about it. It's a book about working 9-5 in an office job. It's pretty funny so far but I've only read about 15 pages so I haven't gotten to far into it. I've been lazy to really research titles so I've just been going to The Strand and picking up books that attract me on the "Bestseller" table specifically Times bestsellers. I know, I know. Real readers probably stay away from the table up front, but damn the man I did it anyway. But then again, I'm not a real reader. I was going to get The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz because I've heard it's wonderful but I decided to get this one instead. No real reason I suppose other than a spontaneous choice.

New York, I love you, but you're bringing me down.

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:28:48 GMT

Stress. Midterms. Traveling. End please.
Next semester will be very different.
I spaced everything out ridiculously and my breaks are just killing time. I am fixing this for spring.

On a good note, it's been six months with my love. :) Couldn't be happier.

FREE MOO MINICARDS!!!

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:45:33 GMT

I am so excited for my 10 free moo minicards. I'm practically crapping my pants. The little things. The little things. Eeeee! They should leave the factory approximately 10/23/08 & arrive in 10-13 business days!

If you have a Pro Flickr Account go to:
www.moo.com/flickr/pro
to get your 10 free moo minicards!!

Goodbye Wordpress..

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:24:28 GMT

I deleted my Wordpress.com account (365 Photo Project) and moved onto a Pro Flickr Account. Big shot, eh? No, not really. It was just too difficult to blog each photo separately especially when I fell behind for weeks. Flickr's just easier to work with and when I tried to initially switch over - my free account would not fit the photos so I had to upgrade. I guess that's how they get ya. It's not too expensive ($24.95/year) so it's not like the switch was a big deal.

It's crazy, school life, work life, love life, and social life have turned me into a stressed out numbskull. I guess you could kind of scratch out the social life because I haven't really done much of anything that wasn't related to the fore-mentioned love life. We went pumpkin picking back in Stroudsburg and I met his parents for the first time. It's funny because I've known him since Junior High and I've never really met his family. They were all really nice and it was a cute little event in Stroudsburg. I never thought I'd say that I missed the changing of the leaves. I guess you don't think about it when you live there but going back to visit.. wow, it was so beautiful. I didn't really get any pictures though. We were only there for a day and were running from location to location.

I actually have to work on my Sculpture project right now. It's a light assignment and I decided to make a faux birthday cake candle holder-esque sculpture. It's turning out well. I'll post it when I'm finished.

Also, I cut my hair.

365 Photo Project

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:52:16 GMT

Museum of Modern Art, 2008 New Photography Exhibit, NYC

Wow, I'm really far behind on my Wordpress Blog of my 365 Photo Project. I've been so busy with school and work, while trying to still remain relatively social. It's been great. I'm excited. I have a sculpture class and we just finished our first assignments today so I'll try and post them sometime soon.

I tried to update the 365 Photos a bit. The last time I logged on was the beginning of July so there was a lot of catching up to do. I managed to get up to the beginning of August and I'm still working on it. Hang in there (the two possible people that are actually looking at it.. ha!)

Goodnight.

It's been a long time

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:23:45 GMT

Mystery fruit at the Owl's Head Park in Brooklyn.

It has been quite some time since I've been on here. I guess I've been too preoccupied with other things. I haven't even been updating my 365 Photo Project (which is now more like a 355 Photo Project now because I've missed so many days - but that's beside the point!)

Things are changing pretty quickly. Today was my first day at school. It was a night 'Film 101' class and it seems like it's going to be interesting. The professor seems like a nice guy, but I'm not so sure about the discussion leader. For this course it's 2 hours of lecture, and 1 hour of group discussion. I guess we will see.

There's been more going on - like finding a stray three week old kitten in the drainage pipe of my boyfriend's fire escape - but i'll save it for a time i feel more motivated to type the night away.