Oh dearie me. July was supposed to be the month I sorted out all the logistics of my post-grad life, but there’s still so much up in the air. At the end of June, I mentioned how I had decided which city I’d be moving to, but I kept going back and forth about it this past month. In the end, I decided to stick to the city I had chosen: New York City! I haven’t locked down an apartment, but my mom may be flying in to NYC to help me with that process, which I would be eternally grateful for, because I feel so lost (and so poor). I also don’t know whether I should hire movers to move my furniture over, or whether I should just leave my furniture in Philly (I have friends I could give it away to) and buy new furniture in NYC, though I am quite attached to much of my furniture. And I’m still on the job search. I had one interview this past month that went well, but I won’t be going through with that job, and I have another interview later this week.* At this point, I just want to have a job I can be certain about. For my sanity!! I really hope that I can lock down that job, then put all my focus on the apartment search and moving, and once that’s sorted, I need to make a plan. For life. Ya know, the works.
*I would like to share both interview experiences on the blog eventually, like how I shared about my first technical interview, but I may not get around to it until things settles down in September. I know that people always say that they’ll do things later when they’re less stressed or less busy and they never get less stressed or less busy, but I really think that I’ll be good in September, because even if I don’t have a job locked down, at the very least I’ll have moved and settled in NYC. And whilst we’re on that topic, sorry I haven’t been very active in the blogosphere this summer. I had taken a blogging break during my last month of senior year and had hoped to get back into it this summer, but this summer has taken more out of me than anticipated.
Books
I was sent two physical books this month, which makes for three physical books in my life! The first was Shiver Hitch by Linda Greenlaw, the second was Devil’s Mile: A Rich, Gritty History of The Bowery by Alice Sparberg Alexiou, and the third was The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night, the last which was signed too!
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton // ★★★☆☆ // The novel explores two interesting concepts. However, I wasn’t very immersed in the story, and I don’t know if it’s because of the writing or because I was reading an epub on my iPhone. I found it a bit slow, but it did pick back up in the last 15%, and the end was surprising, but I almost didn’t make it that far into the book. Full review on the blog late August, closer to publication.
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman // ★★★★☆ // I looooved the first book of the series, Scythe, so much, and as soon as I finished it, I was ready to dive into this second book. Thunderhead was every bit as enjoyable as Scythe, and the end was a great “omg moment”/”season finale.” Now I’m just waiting for the third one to come out! I recommend starting with Scythe, and if you enjoyed that, you won’t be disappointed by Thunderhead!
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo // ★★★★☆ // Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about what it’d be like if your life were a k-drama! This is a typical YA novel elevated with Asian representation, though still every bit as frivolous as you’d expect a YA novel to be. But sometimes we need just that. I definitely did when I picked this one up!
Devil’s Mile: A Rich, Gritty History of The Bowery by Alice Sparberg Alexiou // ★★★★☆ // If you’re into history, into New York City, or into the history of New York City, this book is up your alley. I’m not big on history, not in class and not in books, but I was curious to see whether it would read as a historical fiction, which is a genre I enjoy. It doesn’t quite read like that, but it isn’t as dry as a history textbook. Full review on the blog next week!
Movies & TV shows
Last month I had watched Boys Over Flowers, a k-drama. Telling my friend this, she told me about the Chinese reboot on Netflix, Meteor Garden. It’s pretty bad. It’s just a rip off of Boys Over Flowers, taking the individual plot points from the original but lacking the emotional (and logical, some may say) connection between them. But I mean, I’m still watching it.
As I started working my way through Meteor Garden, A Love So Beautiful, another Chinese drama, appeared on my feed. Now this one I enjoyed; I plowed through the whole series in a day! It definitely tapped into my nostalgia for high school and reminded me of one of my friend groups.
I also started watching Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. I’ve never watched or read any of his stuff, and unfortunately, I didn’t know about him until his suicide. However, watching this series, I’m beginning to understand his influence. Another food show I watched was Sugar Rush, which I finished in two days; I love competitive baking shows. And yet another food show I’ve been dabbling in is Kitchen Nightmares, but since it’s not on Netflix, it’s been slow going for me.
I’ve definitely been Netflixing more than I should. Other light shows I’ve been watching are Friends and 90210.
Music
In June, my playlist was more pop rock, height of summer. This month, it’s more like lowkey summer evenings. A song that’s been on repeat for me is “Dying in LA” by Panic! At The Disco. A song that’s been stuck in my head is “The Middle” by Zedd and Maren Morris. A cover I’ve been obsessed with is the Flume remix of “You & Me” by Disclosure and Eliza Doolittle, covered by Meute (an instrumental cover no less). A new artist a friend has introduced to me is Abhi the Nomad, by way of his song “Sex n’ Drugs.”
Cafes
Once I started looking for apartments in NYC, I realised that I was going to be really poor and would have to cut down on my coffee spending. Until now, coffee and coffee shops have always been seen as necessities for me, so I never thought twice about buying coffee almost daily. Coffee became a way for me to start the day. It’s not the caffeine, but the act of getting the coffee, sipping on it, setting it down, and getting to work. I had lamented on my finsta about how if I had instant coffee for the rest of my life (I’ve been drinking this instant Vietnamese coffee), I would save so much more money than going out to buy coffee. And I wouldn’t mind doing it because I love the instant Vietnamese coffee, except that I need to get out of my apartment and be productive, thus coffee shops. I’m hoping that once I start working, the office will be my place to go out and be productive, instead of coffee shops, and my instant coffee would suffice.
Anywho, that first pic is from Gregorys Coffee when I was in NYC for an interview, and the second pic is from Lil Pop Shop in Philly, which I hope to share more about in its entirety on the blog. Spoiler: I got the Vietnamese iced coffee pop, duh!
Shopping haul
I was in dire need of a belt, so I thrifted a J.Crew patent skinny belt in dark blue (similar) — the only belt in my wardrobe! I also thrifted two Christmas mugs for $1.50 total, which I didn’t need but couldn’t resist (pics on my finsta). Besides thrift stores, I also hit up H&M and bought a business professional dress just hours before an interview — it was originally $40, but I got it on sale for $28. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it on the website.
Wishlist
Whilst out shopping with friends, we always inevitably end up at an Urban Outfitters. I hardly ever buy anything from Urban Outfitters because the quality isn’t great, the price isn’t great considering the quality, and its selection is too trendy for my taste, but for some reason I always find myself there. I tried on this UO striped crop top in turquoise and this Out From Under cropped hoodie in grey. They were both sooo comfy and I was so tempted to buy them, but I definitely don’t need to be adding more casual pieces to my wardrobe.
This Halogen ruffle neck sweater looks so cosy and classy, and I want it in both grey light heather and green! This sweater would totally work for both a casual and a business professional wardrobe. The quality looks good and the price looks alright, though I’m a cheapskate and normally wouldn’t get a top for that price (jeans or a dress perhaps), but I’ve taken too long to deliberate and its not available in my size anyway.
These white dresses from Keepsake and Banana Republic are pretty, but let’s be real, how often would I actually wear a white dress? Nevertheless, I love the textures and how ethereal the Keepsake dress is, and I love the fit and flare shape of the Banana Republic dress.
You know I have a thing for midi skirts/dresses (though I mostly admire from afar and only have one midi dress in my wardrobe), and this 1901 midi shirtdress is no exception. I was trying to choose between the dress in navy night or red chenoise (with no intention of buying either, though I’d gladly accept them as gifts ;)), and ended up deciding on navy night for its versatility, though red chenoise is so beautiful and statement! I love the modest style with long sleeves, the tie belt, and the full skirt.
In an effort to bring more maturity to my wardrobe, I’m liking this Topshop tea blouse in ivory. I don’t think it could pass for business professional, but it’s an easy top to refine a casual outfit. For more pretty white tops like this, Crystalin curated a beautiful assortment on her blog.
Lately
Realising that this would be my last full month in Philly before the move, I made an effort to see the few friends who were still around and overcame my laziness to actually go out and do things in the city with them, rather than just go out to comfortably co-work at a trendy coffee shop.
At the beginning of July, twice a week I would walk 30 minutes to swim at Bryn Mawr‘s campus pool. However, July started to heat up, which meant that I’d have to wake up super early to walk over to Bryn Mawr if I wanted to avoid the heat. That didn’t work for me because by the time I arrived, I’d be too sleepy to care about training properly, my feet would be worn from the walk, my back would be aching from carrying my gym bag and backpack of productivity (laptop, notebook, book, chargers and all), I most likely wouldn’t eat well that day because I wouldn’t want to carry too much food (or carry anything for that matter) and I wouldn’t want to spend too much money on food, and I would be a sweaty mess.
I made s’mores bars following a recipe off Pinch of Yum! It’s a no-bake, no-freeze recipe, but imma still classify it as a baked good. I’ve been loving making, snacking on, and packing baked goods to go. All in the name of saving money out (i.e. not buying snacks).
Georgina and I made a trip to the Franklin Institute. Science museums are my favourite, but they’re more expensive than other museums, so I don’t often visit. The last time I visited was a free trip rannged by the school during my freshman year. That time I had gone with Georgina too (as well as with our friend Victoria)! I had forgotten that science museums are filled with little kids and I felt weird racing little kids to interactive exhibits, so I compensated by letting them go before me. My favourite exhibit was the sports exhibit. More photos on my finsta!
My dad gifted me Airpods! I love them but I’m still getting used to pairing them. Ways wireless has made my life easier is not having a wire trail out of my purse when I’m listening to music with my phone in my purse, and not having to carry my laptop around with my earbuds attached when I’m moving around whilst working (i.e. switching tables or something). Sometimes when I’m sitting in a cafe, working and listening to music, and I want to get up to go to the restroom, I want to leave my Airpods in, but it feels weird taking them to the bathroom with me, so I take them off even though I don’t really need to. Someone educate me on Airpod etiquette!
Hung out with Bomi for the first time this summer at Lulu Cafe. We chatted for 2.5 hours straight! I swear, Lulu Cafe has the best Taiwanese popcorn chicken in Philly.
Popped by Haverford‘s campus cafe with Georgina and Victoria, and felt nostalgic lunching on steak quesadillas.
Georgina’s mom came to visit Georgina for a few days, and I tagged along. Her mom treated us to the most delicious meals, and we also hit up the Philadelphia Museum of Art. More photos on my finsta! The last time I visited was with my dad right before Thanksgiving break of my freshman year.
Hosted a lil sleepover at my apartment with Georgina, Bomi, and Julia. The following day, we went to the mall, where I gorged myself on Jamba Juice and Auntie Anne’s, and Julia treated herself to the Gucci petite Marmont wallet on chain in black.
The following weekend, I headed to Julia’s for a day trip in DC, which I plan to recap in full on the blog!
How was your month?