No more Blogger, I tumbl.

I no longer update this blog as of Summer 2010. However, I keep it since the Blogger account allows me to view other blogs on this platform.

Stay updated instead with my tumblr where I mix my passions for public relations and cosmetics!

buzz-n-blend

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Fail.

For the past week and a half, I've been making conscious efforts to be healthy. I have been carefully perusing nutrition labels, portioning my meals and drinking more water than usual. I've forced my dad to buy wheat instead of white, romaine instead of iceberg, fresh instead of canned.

Last week, I tried going for a run. I didn't even last 5 minutes before my lungs angrily refused to let me continue. Fail.

I rented a yoga video from my local library, which I loved but I sadly had to return in 3 days. Fail.


Since my internship is only 2 miles away (according to Google Maps), I figured I can walk it. Tried it once, thought I was going to die. Wanted to try it again but my co-workers refuse to see me walk and always offer a ride home I'm reluctant to deny. Fail.

My last hope was a bike. Amidst my Dad's jokes and laughter, I begged him to get me one. I explained that with this new "vehicle", he wouldn't have to pick me up or drop me off. It was a solution for the both of us: I get my exercise, his schedule receives freedom.

I got my baby-blue 6-speed Road Master yesterday. I test drove it around the block, fell in love.

This morning I rode to work, took only 20 minutes (five more minutes than what Google Maps suggested it would take). It was a smooth cruise.

Then it was time to go home. Prepared with my helmet, backpack, shades and iPod, I set out for the ride. The first incline I encountered was easy, I simply pushed my legs harder. They received a break as I glided down another incline, piece of cake. Then I came across another incline. This one was difficult.

Each pedal became harder and harder. My bike eventually slowed down to a stop. I took a breather. After a minute or so, I continued again, feeling refreshed and ready. But then the next incline was the death of me. I started feeling dizzy, out of breath. I took a swig of my water, felt nauseous. I got off and walked, defeated.

All of my enthusiasm evaporated into the humid air as I sadly walked home. And then like a miracle, I saw my Mom's Jeep heading toward me. She was worried and decided to look for me; she felt it too hot outside for me to be riding. She also knew how painful the bike seat was being to my bum, a lesson my Dad wanted me to learn since I didn't make it a priority to buy a more comfortable bike seat. This ride was so bad though; I didn't even feel the bruising ache from the saddle.

With all that said, I'm not sure if I'm riding my bike tomorrow. I'm out of shape.

Fail. 

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Holihate

I hate holidays.

I especially hate the ones that plant seeds of expectations in people's minds: Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day. I know I've blogged about this before in regards to Valentine's Day, but the same sentiment is shared for them all. Stores live for these days to lure in customers with promotions and sales. Besides the occasional luxurious day off, I see no other purpose for holidays. They hurt people's wallets and emotions.

You're obligated to buy a gift. If not, your lover will hold a grudge and maybe just break up with you. Moms and dads will think you don't love them.

Emotional sons and daughters without mothers or fathers will weep in the pain of absence (death, distance, etc) or froth at the mouth in anger (deadbeat/absent parents, divorce). These parent holidays are just reminders of how much your parents suck or how much you should be loving them. A reminder is not needed if you have dealt with them all your life.

Other holidays of no meaning:

St. Patrick's Day: Just an excuse to go pub-crawling and get drunk.
President's Day: Why?
Columbus Day: Unnecessary

I know this is a little angry, but I'm just tired of seeing Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney commercials trying to convince me to buy polos, shorts and fishing rods for my dad.

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Nicki Minaj's Islam Reference

Tucked into the corner of my bed, propped by pillows, I leisurely fingered through the pages of Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez. It's a non-fiction that narrates Deborah's experience and observations in Kabul, Afghanistan as a hairdresser.

Reading I went until a phrase set off a fluorescent lightbulb. Click.

..."salaam aleichem"-- the standard greeting, meaning "peace be with you"..." (pg.51)

"Salaam aleichem. Where have I heard that before?" I asked myself. It sounded too familiar. Then it hit me: Nicki Minaj.

Nicki Minaj, an up-and-coming female rapper with slightly vulgar yet entertaining and catchy lyrics, has a song titled "Itty Bitty Piggy" aimed at wannabes and haters.

The chorus flows as follows:

And if you see a itty bitty piggy in the market

Give that b*tch a quarter and a car tell her park it

I don't f*ck with pigs like asa lama lakum

I put 'em in the field, I let Oscar Mayer bake 'em

I've sung along to this song (don't judge me) plentiful of times (it's one of my faves) and my tongue always trips at this one line. It's not in English; the lyrics look like gibberish. I brushed it off. *kanye shrug*

But little did I knew that she was making a reference to Islam and its prohibition of pork. Pork is forbidden because its believed that the "consumption of swine-flesh creates lowliness in character and destroys moral and spiritual faculties in a man".

Nicki Minaj oh-so-cleverly must have chosen this phrase to not only rhyme and flow with the subsequent line, but to also provide an image of how disgusted she is with her haters and wannabes. She's not telling them "peace be with you" but rather just substitutes the word Islam or Muslim with a rhyming common phrase from the religion.

**Through my research, I've noticed that this phrase is spelled many different ways. I copied the spelling exactly from the book. Afghans speak Dari Persian and may explain why the author chose to spell it that way.**

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EOTD: Eye of the Day

Countless hours of makeup tutorial viewing, makeup blog reading and product review gazing has delved me into an online culture that intrigues and entertains me. So many talented self-proclaimed makeup artists have become online gurus and Youtube stars by simply sharing their passion with others. It's amazing. I've learned new terms i.e. EOTD, FOTD (face of the day) and tricks that's making makeup application easy and fun.

The look above is my attempt in recreating VintageorTacky's Sailor Moon Cat Eye.

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Splurge

I know, I know. You're tired of me talking about makeup. I promise though, I will not be turning this into a makeup blog, but at this current moment, there is not else to talk about. :)

From Sunday - Thursday, I enjoyed a mini-vacation from home in New York (City) with friends. First I stayed in Dobbs Ferry, a friendly town with mom-and-pop restaurants and stores lining the streets. Then I stayed in Ozone Park, Queens.

I gave myself a budget of $50 for the entire four-day trip, but that was a joke and a half. Besides the necessary cost of food, I splurged. Not on clothes or shoes or Venti-sized cups of Starbucks, but on makeup.

To others, this is insanity. To me, it was necessary.

We visited an outlet where I discovered a cosmetics store. I browsed for almost a half hour before I finalized my $50 purchase of an eyeshadow, slim shine, and a 6-color compact from MAC. BARGAIN.

So much for the budget, right?

Then we went to the city where the M.A.C and Sephora stores called my name like Lady Gaga calls for Alejandro. I couldn't help myself, I was uncontrollable. At Sephora, I purchased an amazing $17 blending brush, a small tube of BadGal Mascara for $9, a pencil sharpener for $2, $6 lip balm. Then I continued spending even more. At M.A.C, I bought a $22 shading/blending brush (the 217) and a $16.50 paint pot popularly known to be used as an eyeshadow base.

TOO MUCH. TOO FAST.

Next thing I knew, there was only $30 in my account. The next day, I sadly returned everything. Thank goodness for their wonderful return policy. Of course, I had my share of play the night before and I experienced their amazingness and quality.

It was like stealing a toy from another kid, feeling guilty then reluctantly giving it back.

I literally wanted to cry after returning these products. But once I'm employed and have a regular income, I'll purchase them again. And keep them forever.

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I can't stop playing with makeup.

Just last week I was complaining I needed a hobby to save me from homebound boredom and then I realized I had this one all along.

My obsession started a couple months ago. I started collecting eyeshadows, brushes, and eyeliner without ever thinking I can make this interest useful.

Excuse the brows. They're recovering from a massive attack in Boston in a random nail salon about a month ago.

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Playing with Makeup

I'm obsessed. My secret splurge. Pretty, pretty everywhere.

Matte. Mineral. Shimmer. Shiny.

Glossy, classy. Funk and spunk.

I'm in love with make-up. And sadly, I don't play enough with it.

I'm self-conscious to wear crazy makeup during the day and I don't go out enough to play. I need to change this--both the self-consciousness and the not-going-out-enough.

Today, I felt inspired. I did make-up on my mom and then myself. Here's some pictures!

I blended an eye shadow from Cover Girl called "Snow Blossom" with a springy bright green that I purchased in Puerto Rico last summer.

Here I used "Honey Lust" by MAC. It's a very messy eyeshadow; it's basically glitter in a compact. 'Twas a mistake. It was the first MAC eyeshadow I ever bought, a random pick. I then used a turquoise kohl eyeliner from L'Oreal HIP.

I need a better camera. These pictures don't capture the makeup well. More to come!

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The Return of Ivi Mo.

It's been awhile.

(Cue "It's Been Awhile" by Staind).

I survived the craziest semester of my college career. It was worse than appendicitis during mid-terms. Worse than a messy breakup in the beginning of a semester. Worse than feeling lonely in a huge school. I made it...with a prospective trip to Peru in July, the presidency of a club, new meaningful friends, and a 3.58. I made it.

But now, I'm back home. Unemployed. Without a license. I feel like a 2008 college grad.

Perhaps I'll do a little soul-searching. A little Twittering. Some Googling. A dash of Facebooking.

I'll unleash secret magic powers I never knew I had in the kitchen. I'll become an artist of make-up. A guru of coffee. Possibilities are endless. I just have to get up from this bed.

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