what are you thankful for?

I feel like time has passed by so quickly this year, all of a sudden it's already Thanksgiving, and next you thing know, it'll be Christmas time. I remember so vividly, last year this time, I was in Oklahoma with a new friend of mine. I spent Thanksgiving at her house and it was the first time I had ever experienced it! It was a truly soulful Thanksgiving, with mac n' cheese, collard greens, yams, wonderfully roasted turkey, the whole shebang. Funny enough, I spent my second Thanksgiving with her as well. This year, both of us stayed in New York and I was so glad that she invited me to a get together with her sister and friends. I saw what true hospitality was. So many of us were strangers, only meeting for the first time, but somehow instant connections were made. Everyone shared laughter and great food. I'm thankful for the amazing friends I have here in this foreign place, I'm thankful for their generosity and camaraderie. For a few hours, in a tiny little lower east side apartment, there was music, laughter, and a completely good time.

happy thanksgiving.

seediq bale.

Every year, there is one big movie that takes the world by storm and creates an unparalleled impact. I am not talking about a Hollywood blockbuster, but rather a historical epic from my home country. Although I only spent the first ten years of my childhood in Taiwan, I consider it my home and where I belong. I have such a deep connection and attachment to this land, it is something inexplicable and rooted in my core being. This year, an epic film that took ten years of preparation was finally completed and released. This film, titled "Seediq Bale" is about a true event that happened in Taiwan during Japanese occupation. The title in aboriginal language means "real men". Ever since I heard about this movie, I knew I had to see it in the theatre. The visual impact and original score is just simply too good and an online stream would never do it justice. After many attempts at trying to purchase a ticket for the film screening at MoMa, I finally succeeded by running there at 9:30 AM, right when the ticketing booth opened. I was determined.

The theatre at MoMa was packed, not one single empty seat. Somehow this made me happy knowing that a film from my country is getting the amount of attention it deserves. "Seediq Bale" was absolutely amazing, from the first minute to the last. Although I am not an aboriginal myself, I felt their pain and suppression. It was emotional for me to watch anything about the people of my motherland fighting for their own rights. This was truly a historical epic. I was speechless after the credits started rolling and had to take another few minutes to calm down and collect my thoughts. The colors, costumes, and scenery completed the story for perfectly. I was truly inspired.

perfect chemistry.

there is nothing that compares to a duet sung by damien rice and lisa hannigan.

words cannot describe how much i love his music, which is only amplified with the addition of her voice.

such perfect chemistry,

such beautiful harmonies.

downtown girl.

nyc is growing on me.
i didnt really like it very much when i first moved here from taiwan because i saw it as a dirtier, less organized version of taipei. slowly, i have come to realize that i cant really compare the two cities because they are too different: the culture and the people are just too different. my somewhat biased feelings aside, there are places in nyc that i have come to love, like the east and west villages and soho for example. i like the cobble stone streets that are lined with little boutiques. i like the trendy girls strutting around in the high heels on spring street, i like the smell of pasta lingering around mulberry, and i love the bakeries and cafes near prince street. what a great coincidence that i now work in one of my favorite neighborhoods.
i guess even this internship is growing on me.
i know at first i seemed rude and dismissive of my job, but i've actually come to realize that everyone has to go through this stage to get to somewhere better. my boss had to run errands and tedious paperwork before she got this job at interview mag. a few people have already quit since i started working there, they cant stand or endure the long hours and tiresome tasks.
what i am doing now, is building my character. learning how to deal with stress and pushing through difficulties. i am learning how to cope with the real world. i no longer dread my job because i have gotten to know and become friends with people in the workplace. new interns have come in to take over some of the errands that i used to have to do. i am no longer the new girl so with that comes more expectations and responsibilities - which i am glad to take on.
with that said, i am just glad that i get to go to soho twice a week to walk around the little streets that i have come to love so very much.

passed by the Mondrian Hotel last week and could not believe my eyes. the outdoor garden looks as if it came out of a wonderland! it is almost jarring to be placed somewhere in the middle of soho. i immediately had to snap some photos of this place, it is just perfect as inspiration for my modern fairytale story.

     

all the creatures came out to play.

i remember saying that my favorite music is the kind that touches the soul and heals all woes and troubles. most people dont think techno and dance music belong to that category, but for me, it cures all.

i am a person of extremes, i see things in black and white, right and wrong, good or bad. i know the grey zone exists but i often ignore it. i guess that applies to my taste in music as well. it is either the really sad and emotional songs with heartfelt lyrics, or the very electronic and synthetic beats of techno music. i either want raw vocals, or extreme modifications. some people call me crazy because i listen to electro music while i do my homework, so what!? it pumps me up and makes me energetic; it makes me happy.

it has become a lifetime goal of mine to see all of my favorite DJs. i am constantly tracking down their tour schedule and arranging plans with friends. however, it seems like the more i want to fulfill my wish, the worst luck i have. so many DJs have visited Taiwan while i am here in NY, and vice versa. I have missed Tiesto, deadmau5, Armin van Buuren etc etc, all within a few days of their performances.

my luck finally turned. FINALLY.

my all time favorite DJ is Kaskade and it just so happens that he will be performing in nyc this october. i didnt even need to think twice before purchasing the ticket. the girls and i didnt realize that it was during halloween weekend until days before so we purchased some impromptu costumes and made do with what we had.

     

the devil, the cat, and the red riding hood (i guess my fairytale/fantasy obsession is still going on).

 

Kaskade was simply amazing.
the night was incredible.
the exhilaration of hearing such powerful beats cannot be paralleled.
nothing can fully describe my love for his music.
his music is what carries me through endless hours of sketching and rendering. his music is what lifts me up from a stressful day at work.

i can now finally cross one more name off my bucket list of DJs to see.

captivated.

 

I dont know how to explain it, but I have this strange obsession with director Catherine Hardwicke. More specifically, her style of directing and the effects that all of her movies have. Her movies always have a blue and eerie tint to them; the imagery throughout the entire film is dark and haunting. Her vision is so distinct and you either love it or hate it. Some may not take her seriously because she directs teenage sci-fi movies like Twilight and Red Riding Hood, but I actually love them. I dont necessarily love the plot or the movie stars, I love the visual aesthetics of the films: the foggy yet luminous imagery, the icy cold feeling, and the haunting mood.

That scene where red riding hood was walking through the snowy mountains left a strong impression in my mind; her billowy cape flew in the wind, perfect juxtaposition with the white snow. I dont know why I am so captivated by all of Catherine Hardwicke's films, perhaps it is because I love drama and her style is very intense and dramatic.

the ending. my favorite scene.

How much I would love to be a character in these movies, the heroine in a fairytale or the immortal vampire. Sometimes my head goes off into a fantasy land.

Our second phase of fashion communication class is all about surface design, stripes, plaids, and patterns. I must admit that I am not the biggest fan of plaids but I do love patterns, more specially, digital prints. Graphic and reflective repeats are my thing.

I took my obsession with eerie yet cheesy sci-movies and created this print out of a picture of a forest. Who ever thought that a movie like Red Riding Hood could become such a big inspiration. 

Two colorways: blue with mauve//red with navy

interview//me

i know, i know, taking photos of offices isnt really the most appropriate thing to do while going on a pickup....but how can i resist snapping a shot of this beautifully decorated lobby of Dolce & Gabbana!? the silver against sleek black walls is just so luxe, the whole ambiance reflects understated class, subdued glamour, pure elegance.

speaking of class, i snapped a photo of the Hermes lobby during another run. their logo and emblems are seen everywhere, and i just think it is such a beautiful, classic look.
i guess these runs are my favorites, there is something "nice" about being able to go into the building and say i am going to dolce or hermes. it temporarily satisfies my vanity. 
oh the perks of being an intern.

   

remember that crazy rainy day at the end of october....yah that day. i was sent out to pick up shoes from Giuseppe Zanotti for a shoot for the holiday issue. after unpacking these brilliant creations, i had to snap a quick photo. it's not everyday that you guy to touch and admire such luxurious footwear.

the crystals encrusted onto these pumps is simply AMAZING.

also, once in a while, we have some fun trying on the pieces that come into the closet. this cute prada hat reminded me of the summer and i now i desperately want to go somewhere warm, preferably a beach where i can wear this sunhat.

    

im not really a brooklyn kinda girl; im not a hipster, i dont wear framed glasses, i dont wear plaid (doesnt mean i dont like them for other people!), and i certainly dont wear tom's. people always say brooklyn is fun and thats where all the young kids hang out, but i love manhattan, and theres a bunch of fun young people here too. i guess the manhattan cityscape and lifestyle is much closer to home for me. i love the crowded streets, busy shops, and skyscrapers.

brooklyn to me, seemed a little too grungy, too hippie and free, different from the polished feeling of manhattan, but i've since changed my mind.

i was sent to Alexis Bittar for a pickup, which is located at York St station. i never knew Brooklyn could be so beautiful and so chic! there were cute little boutiques and restaurants, the streets were clean and the vibe was hip and trendy. the area is just perfect to live in. that was the moment i changed my mind about a place, which i dont do very often. 

at times like these, i am grateful to be a insignificant little intern, at least i get to explore the city and discover something new each time i step out a new station.