Walking on a Wire

Hello!
Ugh, I am dreading this weekend somewhat...There's so much to do! But knowing that my midterm isn't until Thursday, I will not study all that much this weekend...Blah! I'm such a bad student: I'm updating this with such a useless post instead of studying.



So last night while shopping with my bestie, I managed to double my hair-bow collection! Six bows for less than $5! Each pair was $1.50 at Forever 21, how could I resist? I think I spent more time trying on all the bows than looking at the actual clothes...hehe! I forgot to swap one of the white ones for a different color (*Is this considered stealing? I paid for a pair of bows. I just wanted different colors. The cashiers never say anything when I do this...), so I will probably do a giveaway for that extra white bow. It's weird that the cost to ship the bow will be more expensive than the bow itself ($0.75), but I am grateful for my readers! I'll probably do that sometime next week so the lucky winner can wear it out for Valentine's Day!!



I also bought a pair of gray tights from Walmart, and one of those reusable bags from Forever 21 too! This one just screamed summer, which is what I'm craving despite the warm weather we're having lately (I've actually been sweating!). I can't wait to use it as a beach/pool bag! Summer isn't just about the heat; it's about that carefree laziness that could either be boring or liberating. I've seen girls on Chictopia with gray tights, and I've been itching to try that out. I'm going through tights so quickly...The kids at my internship like to pull on them...so thank goodness for Target!



We finished the night with great conversations and milk tea! :) I'm so proud of myself for not spending that much last night, even though UO is having a sale (50% off all sale items!!). I went into the dressing room with an armful of striped tops, but left with nothing! I just kept thinking about all the camera equipment I need to get; and that after this weekend, I will have had not worked for two whole weeks and won't get a paycheck...

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Has anyone checked out the Heritage 1981 kids collection at Forever 21?!?! SO cute!

Light Up the Sky

Hello!
I've been pretty good at updating these past few days so let's hope I can keep it up! :) Anyway, yesterday, it rained but it was also our three-year anniversary. It was a really relaxed day, nothing extravagant so my dress will have to wait for some other formal event, maybe valentine's day. Usually on Tuesdays, I take the bus to my internship since it's at 9am instead of getting a ride from Robert since his first class isn't until 12; but, he gave up sleep (aww!) to take me out to breakfast and dropped me off. The kids were adorable as usual. Robert then missed his classes because he fell asleep in his car so we took off for the day. We went shopping, and ate dinner at Souplantation, which is a vegetarian buffet! So yummy, and healthy! We finished the special day with...an hour at the gym, hahaha. So nothing too extravagant, but that's just how we are--simple and appreciative of the little things.


(wearing: cardigan -- zara; anchor-printed t-shirt, and teal oxfords -- urban outfitters)


Today, I am debuting two new things in my closet--the red cardigan from Zara, and the teal oxfords from Urban Outfitters--both were $19.99! The cardigan is one of the softest ones I own, if not the softest. It's made up of silk and cotton! The oxfords are so sturdy and endured the rain yesterday with no trouble, but left my feet a little battered. I can't wait until they're broken in! I think my next pair of oxfords (I'm addicted now...) will be a more "normal" color, like a brown or black! I'm eyeing a pair from Aldo. Ah I'm oxford-crazy now!



I checked my schedule for work, and I have this weekend off! I'm partially excited and partially disappointed since I really do need the money, but it's okay! I am going to make the most of it to get caught up with schoolwork and to edit the photos from the wedding last weekend. I returned the camera equipment to my friend, and have set myself a deadline to finish editing. I also need to design and print business cards, and create a portfolio, all the while swimming in a sea of midterms and papers to do. I feel so overwhelmed, stressed, and conflicted. I really wish photography was my only priority and responsibility at the moment, then I could really give it my all; but there's so many other things to do. I cannot wait until I graduate!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Thank you to Taylor for the award :) You're always so sweet and leave the nicest, thoughtful comments!

*PPS. I am in desperate need of new music! Tell me some of your favorite songs or artists and I will check them out!!!

PPPS. I just realized my new oxfords match the color of the links in my blog. Hehe!

Forever Sweethearts

Hello!
Chictopia is currently having a contest where you can win a $300 gift card to Forever 21! So of course I jumped at the chance at that! These are the photos I'll be submitting. The contest is to write the name of your sweetheart on a paper while wearing an outfit with some Forever 21 items. Despite all the clothes I do have from Forever 21, it was a bit hard finding something I wanted to wear today. I do adore this lace top though :)



Tomorrow is our three-year anniversary!!
Everyday I'm still at a disbelief as to how we are still together--being high school sweethearts and all. After bad experiences with boys and unrequited crushes, I truly believed that I'd never be loved in high school. But that irony of finding love when you're not looking for it turned out to be true for me. I actually had no idea he liked me, mainly because I...loathed his existence, haha! In high school, he was that cocky guy in class, and worse, he was infamous for cheating on tests. But when he found out I hated cheaters, he stopped altogether! How sweet is that?! I couldn't help but fall for the bad-boy-turned-good trick.

(On Him: Jacket -- Gap; Graphic Yellow T-Shirt -- Forever 21; Jeans -- American Eagle; Black Shoes -- Aldo)

(On Me: Blue Jacket with DIY Gold Buttons -- Urban Outfitters; White Lace Top -- Forever 21; Oxfords -- Urban Outfitters)

So today, Robert initially ditched his classes since I have a four-hour gap between classes. He took me shopping, and I found...$19 oxfords at Urban Outfitters! Before, I was actually debating between those and the black-and-white pair I'm wearing today. Now I have both! I'll wear them soon for you all to see! I got them in a teal-color because the black pair looked a bit funny strangely...But if the black pair ever goes down to $9.99 I will probably buy those too! They were in this random bin on the bottom shelf in the corner of the sale section. Ahh!!

Not much else to update you all on...I'm getting back into the swing of school thank goodness, except well I never made it to my 5:00 class. It's hard to go back to school after shopping and hanging out...

Thank you all for your kind words about the preview shots! I really can't wait to show you more and get your opinions!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. The storm is coming back...tomorrow :( Ugh!!!

Jump then Fall

Hello!
The skies have finally cleared up, and I have survived my first wedding gig! Yesterday seems like such a blur when I thought about it when I woke up in my own bed, alone, with a mess of camera equipment beside my bed. It was such a long, exciting day. Robert and I woke up at 6:30, showered, packed, and headed over to the bride's house at 8, where we snapped away as she and her parents got ready for her big day. I was so nervous during my first couple of shots, but as the day wore on, I got the hang of things. She was stunning! The groom is such a lucky man.

Their wedding was very a traditional Chinese wedding with two tea ceremonies, and a whole-day extravaganza. My friend let me and Robert borrow his DSLR and some lenses. I'll be sad to give all these back this week. I really need to stop spending money on clothes and saving on camera equipment, because as much as I'd like to believe that I make the shot, it is a balance between equipment and photographer.





The photographer they hired was so obnoxious and bossy. He was getting on my nerves. I really, really hope I don't end up being like that. After the "real" photo-shoot at a Mission, the couple was nice enough to let me do my own photos. I really did have so many creative ideas, but they seemed so tired, I only did a few. I was so nervous, but I absolutely cannot wait until I'm the main photographer and can execute all of my own ideas. I secretly hope my photos came out better than that obnoxious idiot..hehe! This might actually be soon! The same friend who hooked me up with this wedding might be able to hook me up with another wedding, where I will be the sole photographer. Ah!!



I have about 800 photos to go through and edit, so I'll post some now and do a proper post some other day. There are so many photos that I'm really ambivalent as to whether I did a good job or not. I don't even really know where to begin! I think I need to upgrade my Photoshop first. I'm probably just going to let the photos sit for a couple days so that when I look at them again and edit, I'll have a refreshed perspective.

(wearing: blue dress and red bag -- urban outfitters; white headband and bow necklace -- forever 21; black tights -- target)

I didn't get too many shots of my outfit yesterday, so as you can see I took these outfit photos in my backyard. I am so disgustingly pale (I miss my tan!!!!) so I wore a cardigan for all of yesterday, but I wanted to show you the dress! I love it! I cannot wait to get better shots of it when Robert and I celebrate our anniversary/his 21st birthday/valentine's day. I cannot believe our three-year anniversary will be on Tuesday.



After this first experience and actually loving it, it's even harder to focus on all the schoolwork I have to do this week. I'm so, so, so behind on everything. The quarter is almost half-way over and I have done none of the readings and haven't really listened (or even really gone) to lectures. It's time get my head out of the clouds and back to reality because the reality is that I haven't graduated yet and need to do well in school.

But first...I must catch up on all your blogs! I hope everyone had a great weekend! Thank you to those who submitted photos. I shall get on that collage as soon as I can!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Thank you to Sybil and Kristy for giving me awards! You both know how much I adore you!

Nothing Fancy

(source: papertissue)

Hello!
Ahh! Sorry for the lack of posts...The weather here has been crazy, at least to me. We went from beautiful clear blue skies--even 80-degree winter weather--to...hours and hours of pouring rain, thunder, lightening, and even tornado warnings!! Such a drastic change :( My outfits have been as drab as the weather, so sorry no outfits this week...



My love for rain is getting pounded out of me with each rain droplet. I think I used to love it because it was so rare here in sunny California, but after a week of it, I don't want to see it come again for a very, very long time. But the rain's glistening effect on nearly everything after the rain makes it worth enduring through being wet and cold through out the day. Tomorrow is supposedly our last day of rain so hopefully a rainbow will finally come out! I don't know how you girls who endure snow storms do it...and manage to look so cute and chic in your winter clothes. Amazing!

(source: loveyourchaos)

As a result of all this rain, I haven't been able to take any pictures though I should've. The wedding gig is this Saturday. Robert and I booked a motel, and we're leaving for Santa Clarita tomorrow. It's insane. I remember when getting this gig was just a crazy idea, and now it's real...! I've been reading a lot of wedding photography books and have actually learned a lot this week, so hopefully that'll help on Saturday. I'm so nervous/anxious/excited all at once! I can't wait to wake up on Sunday and upload them onto my Mac and begin editing!

This is such a useless post...Sorry to disappoint you, but my life isn't very interesting. This week has just been about getting through the storm (literally and metaphorically). I think I only went to two classes this week. The next post will obviously be better, so I'll leave you with a song I've been listening to recently. On rainy days, mellow, acoustic music is the best. Enjoy! :)

--Nothing Fancy by Dave Barnes

Until next post,
Jasmine

______________________________________

Okay after reading all that...I felt pathetic and remembered I took some photos of my room over the long weekend. So here's a taste of my room until I can do a video-room tour!

Welcome to my Room!

Even though it takes up most of my room, I love my queen-sized bed! This is the only bed I've had...ever. And it's probably coming with me when I move out.

I wasn't lying when I said my closet was categorized by color... :)

So many memories bottled up in this one room...15 years worth in fact. I absolutely cannot wait to get out though.

Hammers and Strings

After a day like today, I wish everyday was a day off. Despite all the work I have to do tomorrow (which is a lot...), I don't regret slacking off today at all, at least not right now. It's unbelievable that just two days ago, the sky was beautifully clear when while at work yesterday I saw the sky change from that same blue to gray. It was pouring today for hours! I was actually really surprised when the sun came out. It's supposed to rain all week...bleh!





Robert and I were supposed to have a nice getaway at his house in Chino Hills, but his brother was there today. Robert has a midterm on Wednesday so we tried to spend the day holed-up in a bookstore. Emphasis on the try: I ended up reading most of a wedding photography book, while he finished up his homework and then read magazines. The ceiling above where we were sitting was even leaking. So we took that as a sign to leave, and just half an hour before we left, the sun peaked through the clouds. I didn't find a rainbow today though... :(





I swear California's sky can't go a day without showings its blue hues.

(wearing: trench coat -- forever 21; tights -- target; oxfords -- urban outfitters)

I got my hair cut yesterday, and it's way too short. Thank goodness my hair grows super fast. Just watch in two weeks, it'll be back to its old length. I don't know why I do this...looking at my previous post--my hair was at a good length. I always want to chop it when it's just short of that awkward stage of being not-short/not-long. I was also wearing a Burberry scarf (that I found on the street three years ago!!) today, and felt sort of British with that and my trench coat so I couldn't help but wear my oxfords today! I'll be in this coat for the whole week if it rains for that long...





Robert and I ended up going to the mall, where he bought me a red cardigan! Finally! I've been searching for a red cardigan for so long, and today we found a nice one from Zara on sale for $15! My cardigan collection is slowly coming together nicely! I don't think I'll ever be satisfied since they're all I really need in this weather. We also watched The Lovely Bones, which I thought was pretty good but Robert hated it.

(I thought this window display was gorgeous! There are LV bags inside those cages.)

I came home to find a package for me, and it was the bag Robert ordered for me for our anniversary (a week from tomorrow!)! It's so pretty, and big! Perfect timing because I was afraid that I'd have to use my Jansport backpack this week so that I don't get rain on my laptop since my black chain bag doesn't zip, but now I can still be chic hehe! Yay! Better pictures of it soon!

*Also, thank you for the emails of sky photos! I'm going to continue to take them until Friday, all the while I'll be trying to take pictures everyday too! This is so exciting!

I hope everyone had a lovely three-day weekend. It's time to get back to school/work. Bleh!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Float On

Hello!
Thank you for all your sweet comments! You all are making me feel so much better! Today was a pretty good day despite having work. The sky really was too pretty to be mopey. I'm so glad I decided to bring my camera today! I snapped some photos before and after work today, but mostly after on my hour-long walk home. It's been a while since I've been able to watch and enjoy the sun set, and Mother Nature did not disappoint today.



*This morning I wondered how similar or different the sky that I'm viewing is from the sky that another (you) is viewing at the same time. Blogging gives us the advantage of connecting despite where we are in the world. So I think I'd want to do a little experiment where we all take a picture of the sky at a certain time, and then compare. What do you think? :) I think Monday (since it's a day off), sometime in the afternoon, and you all could email me the photos and I could make a collage of them all and post them here!













By the time I had found a dandelion, the sun had already finished setting. But I still like how this one came out: with the it appearing black and gray rather than white.



After spending some quality time with my camera, I am definitely starting to feel more like my cheery self. I still am sick though, but it's okay. It's easier to heal physically than emotionally/mentally. I was thinking of doing a room tour today in video format, but voice is horribly nasaly...and it wouldn't be very coherent with all my sniffling and coughing. So that will have to wait until I recover, but here are the contents of my bag spilled out for you to see :)

What's In My Bag?!

So this is basically what I take to school with me everyday: my Macbook, a folder that says "I am a folder. Someday I would like to be toilet paper," sunglasses...

pencil case with pens, pencils, an eraser and a highlighter...

Icebreakers Sours (yum!!), my keys, my iPod, Blackberry Pearl, wallet...

(quilted white wallet and red bow pouch from forever 21)

...and this little coin purse which has bobby pins, my chapstick, and my only make-up thing: Loreal Hip Jelly Balm in Plush.

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their three-day weekend! Let me know about the experiment I wanted to do!

Until next post,
Jasmine