college life...or lack there of?

well i guess i'm actually just living a different type.

i ran into a friend from high school today on the way out of the city. we're both pursuing design and going to unconventional schools in the city. we talked about what we're doing nowadays, what we have to face, and our futures.

we're going to school for a career we don't need school in, and unfortunately, many people have told us that. i'm talking professors, mentors, and people in the industry. so we didn't listen to our parents and their friends, and go to school for a general business degree, or something completely different that would secure us a moola-making job in the future. (my dad pushed for me to go into pharmacy since thinking about college started becoming important.. uh oh i guess that would trace back to when i was born, and even more so when my brother decided against it too. i know i would never be good at that though.)

well, i guess i'm concerned. but i'm not worried. i believe i'll succeed. i don't know at what type of level, but it'll happen.

we both wondered what life would be like at a state university, namely one that most of our friends went too. we frequently take vacations there to visit, to have fun, to party, etc. it's so much fun there, and super exciting when you see friends.

i mean, if i went to a "regular" college i guess, i feel like part of the start of my weekend would probably be figuring out where the parties were that weekend, or where to go hang out. during the semester though, i'm usually planning when i'll be going to the work room to finish up the work that requires a lot of time because how i do really depends on the physical-what i do. these bags, shoes, and belts don't make themselves, you know!

though i suppose if i allocated my time more wisely, i'd probably have a lot more time for fun. and no, i'm not saying that everyone who goes to regular college doesn't have to worry about their exams, or that they don't care about their education.

i'm not saying that drinking doesn't go on in the city for us collegiates, but it's not the same. my school doesn't have frats, or individual houses with grimey basements. sure, we have clubs, and bars, etc.. (everything that costs more money?) but that constant community feel is just kind of absent. and you might disagree with me as well, but i guess i'm just more straight edge than you are.

don't take this as if i'm complaining though, i don't hope that my lifestyle is filled with college life hard-partying and drinking. i'm not into that either.. but it's interesting to think how different my life would be. what things i would be exposed to, and what kind of people i would meet.

these little 'college vacations' are a good enough taste for me.

i know i have it good too, where i'm at. there's cultural events everywhere, and everything's attainable with such easy access. everyday is different, and there's definitely more exposure to different and new things and fresh opportunities. who doesn't want to be in the city?

of course i'm no longer a new yorker anymore.. i'll be commuting. so that's mad bummer.

well, whatever. life's been good to me. i'll enjoy whatever it throws at me, or whatever i can catch. tehe (Janice, i know i'm a total corndog)

this isn't where i go to school, but can you guess which city it is!? it was one of my recent "college vacations"

belated new years update

so i'm more than a week late on any sort of New Year's resolution presentations.. and although cliche, I feel like it's necessary. It's always nice to have a tangible reminder, and I feel like having it publicized makes me more motivated to stick to them.

On the night prior to my birthday, my roommate and I began making a list of things to do and accomplish before my next birthday. While that list is so much longer...and much more entertaining, I condensed it into a more cohesive and shorter one for my resolutions.

I think they're pretty typical to the usual resolutions everyone makes, but here they are anyway.

1. Get in shape! Lose fat!
Be active: at least 1 hour of work out 6 days a week
(I'm being pretty lenient? But I feel like if I start of setting the bar too high, I'll be less reluctant to do anything..and surpassing expectations are always good? hahah, having been on vacation though, I don't think I've been true to it.)

2. Stay Positive
More smiles, and tears only for happy things!
(I think I already broke this one. Haha, it's okay, there's a continuous renewable aspect to these in my book)

3. Be more meticulous
Think about everything before acting upon anything. Be more neat and organized.
(Shoot, I made this same resolution last year. I think I improved, but there's always room for more!)

4. Fall in love with myself. Just kidding.
More like stop caring as much about what others think about me. Be more confident?

5. Take better care of my body
I don't think I eat unhealthily, but I'm talking about pampering where I'll be more diligent with my moisturizing, etc. I'm terrible with that.


we'll see how everything goes, I guess!

Anyway, I feel good vibes about 2010. I already started the year off pretty well I'd say, with my trip back to the motherland; Taiwan.

This year was different, I signed up for a camp that taught me all about Taiwan's history, politics, culture, and media. It was a really great experience because I've learned so much, saw so many beautiful things, and made some really amazing new friends. I think it was also an experience that allowed my level of independence to grow another step, because I've never been in Taiwan without family, even if it was only for 5 days. But after the camp, in which we were all so saturated in, especially without outside media, I met up with some of the friends, and actually navigated through Taipei alone to successfully meet them! It was really fantastic :]

Not to mention that I think vacationing in Taiwan for me is really such a luxury. All my meals were basically under $5, and amazingly delicious, and there's hair washing, great shopping, and family.

as the holidays are rolling in

and it's also hell week.

i'm only allowing myself to blog because i've decided that it's time to rest, and work can be carefully allocated for tomorrow!

sketching, the most intense class i have has kept me busy for the past i dont know how many hours because of the amount of work that comes with it (along with the meticulousness needed for it too!) and i've also got my liberals to worry about - a modern art final and a research paper for my film class. i've gotten bags, belts, and boots, out of the way thankgoodness, and soon it'll all be done with.

meanwhile, holiday cheer is in the air around campus and it's really just a great thing to see. i personally haven't had a christmas tree in so long that this festiveness my friends have provided really is like a breath of fresh air, and a really good one at that.

I suppose it's also fitting to put up a wishlist..my birthday and the giving holidays are this month! But instead of making it a wishlist wishlist, it's more of a 'this is what i want to attain so i'm going to push myself to be more successful kind of" so don't blame me for the materialism that has intensified ever since I came to this very materialistically-focused school :\ I can't help it. And I've also become super interested (i won't say obsessed yet) with make up. I won't go into how it's like ooh a way of expression, but hey I like looking pretty? AND i rarely buy it.

Like I said, with a new surrounding and some more time, I'm planning on getting a job and making some cash monies, and eventually be able to obtain what I want :]

So here we go... perhaps you'll be interested too!

Make Up Forever Eye Liner Cream in Matte Black - $20
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P189502&categoryId=S10505&shouldPaginate=true


I'm really into cream eyeliners and have totally adapted to them more than liquid and just regular stick liners. I've heard this was a good nonsmudge one from the make up gurus on YouTube.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - $17
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=EG30TXBBUPHOYCV0KQRQIGQ?id=P202625&categoryId=C10480



Sigma Brush Set - $89.00
http://www.sigmamakeup.com/products/701.html



Obsession with make up = obsession with the tools to make it possible!

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study - $16.50

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT154&PRODUCT_ID=1573


I love using light colors now to highlight the inner corners of my eyes, it really brings out some depth that asian eyes lack :p

Shiseido Mascara Base - $23.00

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P173725&categoryId=B70


I heard this mascara base really brings out length and volumnizes your lashes even before applying any other favorite mascaras! I have their Maquilllage clear mascara and I use it as a base, and that works wonders too!

Stila Kitten Collection - $18.00
http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P247363&categoryId=C17603&shouldPaginate=true





New earphones, mine are dying.



Bumble & Bumble Brilliantine - $20.00
http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT70&PRODUCT_ID=178

Aveda Abundance Potion - $23.00
http://www.aveda.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY11541&PRODUCT_ID=PROD10351

Those are hair products that I hear are amazing... hahaha.

Ok it's definitely time for bed now, and I guess I just got too lazy to put up more pictures :p I'm a failure as a blogger, but I'll just say I'm pressed for time.

What's on your wishlist this year?

i'm so thankful for the luxuries i have, the opportunities i've experienced, and being able to pursue and do something that makes me happy. i'm also extremely grateful to my family and friends, and the love and interaction i've been able to share with them, the fact that we're living and we're healthy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

inspiration

Like I said, I've been learning a lot from my roommates, and the other day I was pretty inspired by her. Suddenly, I had the urge to really do something with myself. I currently don't have something in the world that's tangible or any substantial evidence that I'm going somewhere/done anything. I'm kind of really yearning for that to change!

Who provokes such thought in me? My roommate. I've linked her blog that features a bunch of cool places that she's been to and recommends. Many of these entries have been published in newspapers, and she also has her own handbag business, NoLaceAccessories. She's also successfully balancing school, jobs, and a social life. She's pretty rad :]

My other roommate is also working as a designer at a Canadian accessories company and is slowly moving up the work ladder!

I think a lot of things will change once I move next semester. I'll have more time to myself to do things, maybe start making my own things (bags and belts, anyone?) to sell, getting a part time job, etc. We'll see, but I'm feeling good energies.

Obviously, being in fashion, I'm inspired by what I'm immerse in everyday. In the beginning of the semester, I was all about the cremes, taupes, and off whites. I still love them, but now I've made a turn for navy. It may be the cold weather and the upcoming winter, but a great source is also a new buttery to the touch navy cow hide I bought at a recent flea market for my projects. I've already got patterns cut out for my self framed bag and my corset belt, both that are going to be paired with navy suede and some silver/antiqued silver hardware. Here's a more visual representation of the navy that excites me:

I'm so thankful for being around good people that influence me positively. They make me want to be better, to succeed, and to do things NOW. I mean yeah, I'm not one of those transformation stories where I've turned from bad to good...but I guess from good to better? hahah. I think growth and learning is the most important part of living. That may be my personal point to life...that, and being happy.

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I guess it was a fitting time to mention that! I can't wait, my roommate and I, along with some of our friends will be engaging in some Pregiving Thanksgiving festivities before classes end and we all go home. I'm looking forward to some quiet times at home and spending time with the family away from the city, and I hope everyone enjoys their holiday too!

second year

it's been a really long time since i last blogged, and i don't know what gave me this urge to make a post now. i guess a lot has been going on, non stop, mostly school related and i need something somewhat tangible to focus myself and look back on.

the first semester of my second year of college is almost over...it's the beginning of the end in a sense (well, once Thanksgiving rolls around, which is in about a week!)

I can honestly say it's been a really productive and knowledge-gaining couple of months, ever since the beginning of summer actually. The learning continues in this second-chapter, if you will, of my higher education, about the industry, the art i'm practicing, and about life in general.

I'm learning so much just from the girls i'm currently living with. They're both older and they're teaching me a whole lot about how to live, and just opening up my eyes to different things. It's really amazing how great they are too, being able to relate to them and to have these girls care as much about me as i them. I'm really going to miss them next semester, but I can tell we'll stay close. (I'm moving out next semester, more about that later).

Being a third semester in accessories, I guess I could say that I'm making more advanced things (belts and boots have been added to my curriculum), and sketching/rendering has been thrown into the mix. I'm really enjoying everything, and I can see my work improving a lot compared to last year. My designing abilities have really grown since this summer since my internship opened my eyes to many things. Here's a little glimpse of what I've completed:

What's to come:

A corset belt
2 self framed bags (i'm just being ambitious and greedy that i want 2!)
A pair of sandal boots

Unfortunately, my homework before the semester ends contains a lot more, along with the liberal arts!

Nonetheless, I've been feeling super grateful lately for the life I have, along with the fact that I'm doing something that makes me happy and i have friends and family here to support me. AHH for the future though, but that'll be another post.

celebration at hand!

So…I have a really fabulous blogette friend named La Couturier. Of course, I have many fabulous friends from all over, but this coquettish fashionista is also my sister (by bonds, unfortunately not by blood – even though that doesn’t matter), and you’ve probably come across her blog…if you haven’t then I’m super honored to introduce her to you.

In celebration of her blog’s first birthday, she’s teamed up with Chickdowntown for a giveaway of Current/Elliot The Legging Denim Skinny in Black. As you should/will know, La C. features inspirational images, what to wear advice, and a favorite among others; Le Petite Novellas. So, for this contest, she asks you how you would wear this giveaway item, and to write a small story to go with it.

As a personal friend, I don’t think I should enter for possible ethical reasons ;D , but anywho, I’m sure those pants wouldn’t fit me or my body type. Nonetheless, I have written a little something along with a collage, La C. inspired. I had a fantastic time making this (though I probably should have been completing some summer reading), and I can truly understand she loves doing this.

Everything I feature can be found on chickdowntown - they really have some fabulous things!

And here we go…michtseng’s own petite novella, perhaps my own dream for the future.



Mici took one last look in the mirror, tucking her some loose slightly waved strands (otherwise put into a loose bun) behind one ear while reaching for her scarf. Since it was morning, and she would be riding the PATH into the city, it would be chilly, but definitely not cold enough for any type of full coverage. The chiffon would be able to protect her from the harsh morning winds coming in from the Hudson at Newport, Jersey City.

She would be heading into her studio office today, checking up on a few things, and then meeting with a buyer who was also a personal friend. In the evening, she would be going out with a few ladies from her college days – at a bar lounge uptown. The work day didn’t include anything too serious, and the night served for some innocent fun with the girls.

Therefore, the night before, Mici decided on a pair of black skinny jeans, which were ever so classic for any occasion, and a sheer brown v-neck with a simple black lacy bra peeking through. She was feeling the muted tones today, but couldn’t help being a little coquettish, possibly inspired by her roommate. The booties she wore balanced out the light-weight of her upper half, and the jeweled bracelet added to the sense of class, and the shine mirrored the little sparkles in her eyeshadow. The final detail was a Rachel Leigh Olivia Ring, gifted to her by a sweet and dedicated man-friend. (mhm okay, I know what you’re all thinking…hahaha. Shush, it’s my story!)

She was ready for the entire day of festivities, without any need to make any alterations from day to night. Today, she chose convenience and sheer simplicity over anything else.

With a short goodbye to her roommate, who would eventually be heading into her own editorial office, Mici stepped out of the apartment, into the elevator, and was on her way to a day she was grateful to have.


aw. i kind of don't want to stop. hahah.