If I don’t wuss out, tonight I’ll be attending Lokal’s launch party! (Check out my blog post on Lokal Hotel if you missed it earlier this week.) Life has been nonstop ever since I joined PHLbloggers. I attended a work session and met two PHLblogger veterans and three other new PHLbloggers. I shot with Priyanka, Sarah, Kelsey, and Khoi. I ventured around the city for shoot locations. I got a glimpse of Lokal Hotel before opening and got to shoot in their space, which is what’s bringing me to their launch party. I’ve never been to a launch party before so I’m not sure what to expect. I suppose I’ll get to see the finished space, walk around, look at things, talk to some people if I’m brave. Nervous! Excited!
Books
Despite kicking off the month with spring break, it’s been a slow reading month. Keep up with me on Goodreads!
Before the War by Fay Weldon | ★★☆☆☆
Startup by Doree Shafrir | ★★★★☆
Movies & TV Shows
Read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher in middle school; can’t wait for the TV show adaptation to come out on Netflix! Saw the trailer for Everything, Everything in theatres, based off the novel by Nicola Yoon. Looking forward to the film. Haven’t read the book yet, but putting it on my TBR!
Star Wars | Watched it for the first time. In my Structure of Navajo class. In Navajo (with English sub).
Beauty and the Beast | Watched this in theatres! Nostalgic, not too critical, always love Emma.
Hidden Figures | Finally!! Free screening on campus. L O V E this film. Will be reading the book eventually!
Empire | Watched it for Taraji. Hooked on the show. Wish it were on Netflix so I could watch it easier!
The Great British Baking Show | Addicting I tell you.
The Walking Dead | Still going strong with this show!
Andi Mack | “Disney Channel’s first Asian-American-centered show.” Found the first two episodes on Youtube. Can’t wait for more!
Music
Anchored At Sea – Act As If
Bad Blood – NAO
Black Wine – Ripsy May
All of Your Love – George Cosby
Human Touch – Betty Who
Cafes/Eats
Chapterhouse Coffee – london grey
United by Blue – apple cranberry scone
Hothouse Coffee – blueberry mocha
Cafe Lift – cannoli french toast
Miel Cafe – frasier, fresh fruit cheesecake
Menagerie Coffee – matcha latte
Lucha Cartel – molletes con huevos & huevos rancheros
High Street on Market – the forager sandwich (king oyster mushroom, kale, egg, swiss, mayo)
Wishlist
Proud of myself for not needing a “haul” section in this month’s blog post, albeit I probably spent just as much money eating out, as you can see above. Anywho, I really want a baseball cap, a chic brimmed hat, and sunglasses. I don’t own a single pair of sunglasses. Not sure what looks good on my face.
Also, whilst we’re talking about clothes: One of my favourite items in my wardrobe is my Free People floral embroidered bomber jacket in navy. It was definitely a splurge item, but I love it so much and I wear it so often, so I think it was worth it for me. Just yesterday my roomie found an excellent knockoff via Yesstyle if anybody is interested.
Candelles cinnamon bun soy wax candle
Lack of Color The Ritz wide-brimmed boater hat
Lack of Color The Valley straw boater hat
Gentle Monster moon cut sunnies
Gentle Monster ami adam sunnies
Gentle Monster noir cat sunnies
Happy Moments
Spring break. Proud of this vlog!
Meeting PHLbloggers. Check out my round-up here. (If you already saw it, I’ve added one more since publishing, so give it another look!)
Was three pennies short of my purchase, so the cashier gave me three pennies.
Cookie tins. And cookies. Kat came back from spring break with a cookie tin full of cookies for the apartment!
Sitting on the floor, talking to friends into the late evening.
Miraculously got 48/50 on a lab that I was most certain I screwed up.
Having the courage to ask for extensions, and getting them.
Got auto-approved for a publisher on Netgalley, which means I now have immediate access to all titles from this publisher, any time they are available on NetGalley. Now if that isn’t motivation to get my reading grind on, then I don’t know what is!
Lately
Watched the play adaptation of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at the Kimmel Center. Got a seat right up close to the stage as well. Finally got to see some Bryn Mawr friends over spring break. Hard being stuck at Haverford all the time. Stumbled upon the Center for Art in Wood. My favourite installation was the Butterfly Asteroid by David Nosanchuk; if anyone has an extra $55,000 lying around, hit me up. Baked salmon with friends at the apartment, courtesy of Georgina’s mom’s recipe. Wandered all around the city to find different locations to shoot. Hit up Old City several times. Made friends do weird things for my photos. Found a beautiful moment amidst a facepalm-inducing cheeto rally we stumbled upon. Bless the loving people in hateful places.
There are so many great things happening, but I’m finding it harder to balance social life, creative life, and academic life. Spring break was supposed to be my time to rest, and maybe get ahead on work, but I spent all my time on creative work and seeing friends I don’t usually see during the school year. And ever since spring break, there have been quite a few people who have reached out to me for photoshoots, but I haven’t been able to find any time in my schedule.
The week back from spring break, I was exhausted and also trying to keep up with work. To be frank, it was quite miserable coming back. Given the choice, I still wouldn’t change my spring break one bit, but I do wish I didn’t feel quite so exhausted. Everything is happening so quickly and all at once!