yft

How I had my first taste of soul, pop and funk

2012-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

Where my first taste of Jackson 5, The Monkees, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder all came from:

I had the soundtrack CD on repeat ALL of 5th/6th grade. I even performed Sugar Sugar with my then bestie, Katie, at our annual school talent show. Went all out (there is no other way)- with the rainbow tinted Lennon glasses, home-made bell bottoms and braided hair complete with matching hair bands that hipsters wear to coachella these days.

I listen to it now and I still think the person who put this soundtrack together is a genius. Just look at the songs. LOOK AT IT.

As much as I declare my love for the more grown-up films like The Usual Suspects and Forrest Gump, this movie ALWAYS has a big place in my heart. BTW, 2005 was THE BEST movie year (Now & Then, The Usual Suspects, Brave Heart, Bad Boys, Toy Story, Se7en).

Travel Day

2012-02-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

Things I'm looking forward to that are on my mind right now:

1) No distractions, no excuses and truly focusing on one thing only

2) Walking everywhere (no cars!)

3) Writing letters & postcards to friends and family from abroad

4) Meeting my host family in Narita and exploring the city for a day before I head out to Delhi

What I ate for breakfast before my flight:

1) Banana

2) Juice and water, mixed with fiber

(I hate feeling full and uncomfortable on long flights)

What I packed for my 7 week trip:

1) Carry-on suitcase

2) Yoga bag + mat

3) 1 additional carry-on bag

( I will not be taking that bike :D)

Btw, I did record a video of what I packed but don't have time to post it yet. Will do on my down time sometime soon.

AU REVOIR!!!!!

Music & Travel

2012-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

As I get ready for my trip to India and Japan, I was trying to figure out what I want to listen to. Music becomes my companion when I travel alone so it is very important in choosing the right adventure buddy. But so far, music has never disappointed me, whether it's Al Green, The Archies, Jon Brion or Jay-Z.

I ended up adding all of eat drink + be merry's mixtapes to my cellphone, which are rightfully titled, Wondertune.

ed+bm is more than a food blogger. He is one of my my go-tos for travel, life-style and music inspiration. He was one of the first L.A. food bloggers I followed back in my final year of college when you could still count them off with your hand. Now, everyone's a food blogger. But! He still stands out from the masses. Ever glowingly so.He tells stories through his pictures, through food and the people he meets. And he takes you on journeys with his city-themed curated mixtapes.

My current favorite is his Mexico City one (which I listen to at work a lot). Looking forward to hearing some of the newer mixtapes I haven't heard yet while I'm in Goa.

I'm also taking my iPod, which will be my main source of audio pleasure. And DJ Bedhead is preparing it for me!! I've requested RnB and Indierock. Very excited to hear what he has in store for me.

OMG HAIR

2012-02-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

I've never talked about hair + hair styles + head shapes + hair care this much EVER before. Shaved head = major conversation starter. It's only been day 3 and I'm ready to put away the shaved head conversation.

Before I do though, one more thing. I can wash my hair in the sink! In less than a minute! HA!

Oh, and I've totally been avoiding my mom's calls lately b/c I'm afraid to tell her that I shaved my head.

3 MORE DAYS

2012-02-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

In less than 3 days, I will be heading out to this place right here:

Arambol Beach in Northern Goa of India

I will be doing this:

Yoga and not thinking about Facebook, nonprofit stuff, HIMYM etc.

My itinerary at a glance: YFT India/Japan

I spoke more about my trip to my dear friend, Audrey, on her travel blog, My Travel Bunny!

My Travel Bunny

I'm gonna try to do my best to share with you my experiences in India and Japan. I journal like a mad woman every time I travel, but I do have the habit of forgetting to take photos and sharing my experiences with everyone. This time around, I want to see if I can take you guys along with me on my adventuring/frolicking.

Yay! 3 MORE DAYS!

---

By the way, shaving my head had nothing to do with India or yoga or becoming a monk. I did it because it's something I've always wanted to do and I thought "if not now, then when?"

Hence. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Diary of a Shaved-Headed Woman

2012-02-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

I shaved my head yesterday. Actually, I didn't shave my head. My friends did.
I did get to shave the boyfriend's head, which was fun and therapeutic. But back to my head. It's soft and fuzzy. Finding out that I've always had fuzzy hair underneath my long waves and tangles makes me feel fuzzy inside.

So how was the whole experience? I dunno. It didn't feel as crazy as when I shaved a third of it two weeks before. When I did that, I went through a roller-coaster of thoughts and feelings. This time around, it was just liberating. And fun!

When I got a third shaved, Cassie-style. Or as my friends like to say, Yullrex/Skillree-style.

It took a lot longer to shave my head than I thought it would... about 35 minutes. Not including the trimming part. I guess I had a lot of hair! It was a good thing we watched Madonna's performance first (btw, Minaj+MIA= Mindplosion. They really should collaborate). As I was sitting on the stool in the middle of my friend's new apartment (happy house warming, btw!), I didn't really feel all that anxious. I just couldn't wait to see it in the mirror! And when I did, I thought, "Whoa! It doesn't look as weird as I thought it would." I guess in the back of my mind I had thought I would look different. Like a different person. A boy. Or a crazed lunatic. But I looked like me. I know this will sound strange, but when I looked at the reflection in the mirror, I thought, "Hey! I look more like me than ever before. You can see my ENTIRE face, ENTIRE head, EVERYTHING!"

Day 2: Time to bust out all my long earrings!

Like I said, liberating.

Downsides? None yet. Showering was mad fun. My hair felt fuzzy even when wet. Haha. Getting out of the shower was really fun, too. I was like, "Wait, why am I wrapping this towel around my head? I don't need to!!! FREEEEEEDOM."

The only part that's been uncomfortable so far is when I went to bed last night. Laying my head on my pillow is a little uncomfortable - I describe the feeling of my head hitting the pillow as "crunchy." That's the ONLY "eh" part. I'm having a blast with my fuzzy fuzzy head.

Before I go, I did want to thank my friends for being so supportive and shaving my head! Special thanks to my bf for going through it ALL (pre-jitters, post-excitement, shaving his own head in support). He even helped me pick my outfit this morning for work. It felt like the first day of school. :D

Cray Cray #2

2012-01-11T15:14:00.000-08:00

Almost finished my first cray cray list and now I'm onto the second, which was sent to me by my yoga liaison in India:

Please enlighten me....why do I need a torch for yoga?

Yoga Learnings

2012-01-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

I'm doing yoga every day now. And it's not as difficult as I thought it'd be. Body feels good, mind feels excellent. I may increase my daily dosage of yoga to twice a day if my body and mind permits.

I've been finding it quite beneficial to go different classes taught by different teachers. Finding commonalities between the classes help in realizing the fundamentals. If one teacher tells you to do something a certain way, you take it as a grain of salt. But if all the teachers tell you to do it, you do it. In addition, it's educational to see not only different styles of yoga but to also see different styles of teaching yoga. I find that I like teachers who talk concisely and calmly. No love here for teachers who excitedly share stories throughout practice - there are better times for that.

Though I encourage some promiscuity in the realm of yoga classes, it's best to keep it at a minimum and continue to attend that one class/style that you really connect to. It's like in any other relationship. It's good to have acquaintances who you learn and seek different perspectives from but you always need that close friend(s) who knows what's best for you.

----

Btw, been seeing A LOT of couples in the classes I've been going to. 4 couples last night. Is 2012 the year for couples yoga?

TOTD 1: Events, Ken & Twitter

2011-12-22T00:56:00.000-08:00

Tidbits of the day:

-Boss told me client wants to duplicate an event I did earlier this year...in New York, Hong Kong and perhaps Vietnam?! WHAT! Heck to the Yeah.

-Was informed that Ken Watanabe's restaurant of choice in L.A. is Torafuku. Torafuku, btw, is delicious.

-4 Rooms is now one of the weirdest shizz I've ever watched.

-Learned that twitter is actually pretty entertaining/useful

-Realized that I haven't really checked my email for apprx 2 days. Kinda scared to open now - it's become my pandora's box.

Yoga, Unpause!

2011-12-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

Yoga was on pause for the past couple months, regrettably, due to work, travel, running injuries, colds and distractions I am not proud of (I watched 6 seasons of How I Met Your Mother in 2 weeks).

Only recently did I get back into the vinyasa groove. DJ Bedhead helped me find a charming new yoga studio on Sunset just less than 10 minutes (drive) from home. I should really start running to the studio, but the classes I've been going to are at 6:55 in the morning...and do you know how effin' cold and dark it is lately at 6:55 in the morning? It's already a miracle that I wake up that early. One miracle at a time.

I have to say, it feels immensely liberating and gratifying getting back into yoga. Liberating because it gives my mind a break from distractions. Gratifying because my body feels so damn good after some deep stretching and breathing.

It's a wonder why I ever put yoga on hold. It makes life so much sweeter.

Tentative Itinerary

2011-12-20T16:44:00.000-08:00

India- tech purge. sugar purge. distraction purge. yoga yoga yoga yoga yoga yoga

Japan- ramen. donkatsu. sake. sushi. sushi. sushi. kaiseki. yakiniku. shabu shabu. yakitori.

Hair

2011-12-16T10:35:00.000-08:00

So. This shaving my head thing. No matter how much I hype it up, I think it'll still be freakin' heart-thumping, jaw-droppingly climatic the day I shave it. I am going to freak. My new hairdresser is going to freak. My friends are going to freak. My MOM is going to freak.

Funny thing, my hair is actually starting to look quite nice. It was in this awkward phase for a while due to an unfortunate haircut by a layer-happy hairdresser in ktown last year. At its worst, my hair was unhealthy, dull, tangley and highly prone to dandruff. In other words, my hair effin' sucked and the top bun became my new best friend. It was only after I decided to shave my head did I start taking care of it. Cuz if I were to cut of off my hair in its current condition then, no one would ever accept my hair as a donation, even if it was a donation. So sad.

I can really see the difference in taking care of my hair! I laugh at myself for not taking care of my hair sooner. I've been using organic Whole Foods products, leave-in conditioner, root fortifiers...the whole gamut. And now, I'm really digging my hair. I'm totally gonna show it off - with hair flings, head bangs, all of it. Look at my gorgeous hair, world! It won't be here for long.

Soon, it'll be bye bye hair. I hope someone will get some really good use out of it.

What's Up

2011-12-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

DJ Bedhead bakes cookies and brews tea. Oh, he knows. He knows what's up.

Hammer Toes & Small Achievements

2011-12-07T01:06:00.000-08:00

My foot throbs like the thunderous heart of a love-sick giant. I now am fully aware of the importance of training. These past two days of pain was worth it though. When I limp around and people ask what happened, I proudly answer, "It's from running a race." No humbleness here. "I received my battle wound in an epic war against time and pavement and lived to tell the tale! I win, you mothereffers!"

Nah, to be honest. I'm not proud. I'm glad I finished the race in an acceptable amount of time, but I also feel foolish for not training -- I know I could've seriously injured myself for not prepping properly.I look forward to training now that I've experienced first-hand the hellish pain that one faces without it. I'd like to avoid any future puking and ugly hammer toes, thank you.The pain only makes me want to train better, train more.

I'm hooked on races now. No turning back. The camaraderie, the health food swag (except for gu - gross), the satisfaction of crossing the finish line, the fascinating feeling of pushing the body and mind more than one ever thought one could. It's pretty awesome. Funny where life takes you. This time last year, I was a total hater towards running.

------

I wrote this following post on 2/2/11. Not sure why I left it in my draft box. But man, do the words, "Remember, the biggest successes in life don't just come out of nowhere. They're an accumulation of all the smaller achievements (and failures)," ring ever so true.

It's important to celebrate even the smallest of achievements.

I don't remember the last time I went running. I remember the last several failed attempts though - at Santa Monica, at Venice beach, at the park, in the gym.... I honestly believe I've never exceeded more than one mile in one run before. Maybe while playing soccer, but that's different. You have goals, a ball and a mission to kick ass. Running? You just have running.
I hate running. It's insanely boring, it makes my fat jiggle and I always always end up cramping up. I can probably come up with a couple more reasons if I stopped to think about it. But running isn't something I'd like to think about too much.
Well, can you guess what happened just a couple days ago?! I RAN three miles. Without stopping. No hesitation. Kept shuffling, hustling and puffing away for THREE whole miles. It was surreal. I felt like He-man. Charging through air molecules as though they were a bundle of trees, ready for battle. Oh, and guess what? The three-mile run happened right after I had just hiked for three miles. Oh snap.
I haven't felt this physically accomplished since The Wildcats AKA Too Hot To Handle, my 1994 soccer team (we wore hot pink shirts and sung the The Pink Panther theme song whenever we scored a goal), won the all-girls championships.
Achieving this accomplishment, though deemed small, really fed the "I can do anything if I put my mind to it" fire. Let it burrrrrrn.

Remember, the biggest successes in life don't just come out of nowhere. They're an accumulation of all the smaller achievements (and failures).

That's the best part

2011-12-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

While checking off action items off of my to do list, I realized no matter how much I prepare, I can never be fully prepared. That's the best part about it. Not ever knowing what's really going to happen.

All I know is that I'm in for some wild change. No technology, no to do lists (maybe), no millions of things to do in one day, no hair, no distractions. Pretty sure it's going to stir up a whirlwind inside this little ol' me. I'm not even there yet and it already is. Yippeekaiyay.

YFT, bitches.

<3Y

P.S. Love you guys who have been helping/nudging/pushing/iron fisting* me to get closer to D-Day.

*get your mind out of the gutter

Cray Cray

2011-12-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

Pay deposit

Buy flight ticket

Speak to parents

Email coworker in India

~~Sew a yoga bag (got one at a bookstore with a giftcard)~~

~~Get shots~~

~~Shave head~~

~~Buy a wig~~

~~Move~~

~~Get large suitcase from AZ~~

....

Decided to start documenting my progress/process of...what should I name it...change.

Convert!

2011-11-16T10:27:00.000-08:00

Hee...

I love it when I convert my friends into enjoyers of:

-cauliflower
-eggplant
-brussels sprouts
-kale

Yummmayyyyyy

What we're having for dinner

2011-10-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

(please excuse the profanity)

me: want to do dinner
didyourun?

R: no not yet
we can do dinner
do you want meat?
or masa

me: MEAT
korean?
brazillian?
ayc?

R: FUCK

me: omgggg

R: brazilian

me: i'm salivating

R: asian youth center?

me: all you can eat!

R: all york city

me: ayc...e

R: oh

me: i forgot the eat part

R: FUCK

me: cuz i was on a meat high

meat high

omg, sounds so good

R: YES

LET'S

me: OMG

R: YES

me: i feel like i haven't had brazillian meat in FOREVER
GREEN GO!

R: i heard there's a brazilian place in korea town

me: yes!
M3
M2?
oh, just M
M Grill

R: O M Grill

me: http://www.yelp.com/biz/m-grill-los-angeles#query:brazillian

R: YEAH YULZ QUERY THAT SHIT

me: Muthereffin GRILL

R: MF GOLD GRILLZ IN THIS BITCH
YEAH LET'S DO THAT
I"M SO EXCITED

me: MEAT GRILLZ IN MY MOUTH
ME TOO
IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE BITCHES
WITH MEAT
yessssssss

Walking City

2011-09-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

I walked to and from the downtown Biltmore Hotel this morning.

I saw a man casually jogging in business casual attire. I walked by a camera crew filming a girl in a bee-yellow convertible. I studied the moldings on the public library and wished I knew more about architecture. I found the new location of Mendicino Farms, my favorite sandwich shop. I discovered a waterfall fountain hidden away in the concrete jungle. I watched an aggressive verbal exchange between a cyclist and a driver. I took a picture of a fence that was entwined with a tree. I looked at the trash that had accumulated near a gutter and wondered why people still litter. I felt torn when a man said, "Hola chica" while I passed him by - I wanted to be safe and not talk to a stranger but at the same time, I did not want to come off rude - I ended up nodding. I helped tourists find Spring street.

We live in a cool city.
I wish it was more walkable.

A New YFT

2011-09-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

This time around, YFT stands for Yulree Fundraising Time.

Will be hosting a series of home-cooked dinners to fundraise for my dream. For more info, please email yulree(at)gmail.com

Here's Dinner #1!

click image to enlarge

Funky Town

2011-08-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

Been in a funk lately. Work has been eating me ALIVE.

YFT In Flash Mob Video - Spot Me If You Can!

2011-07-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

Finally found the footage from the flash mob I participated in back in June.

If you find me, you can see how I kinda messed up in the beginning. I got too excited and forgot the moves. I'm wearing loose green cargo pants toward the back. Spot me if you can!

Hello!!

2011-07-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

Been going through quite a lot lately - professionally, personally, internally, externally, all the allys. Some good and some bad but even the bads ends up being goods.

So what's new?

1) Been getting closer with family

2) Started a new blog that I'm pretty excited about. It's a bit of a challenge to focus on one topic as I'm usually all over the place. I'm glad though. The restriction actually forces me to be more creative. I'm still going to keep writing here though about non-cookie related things.

3) I am in the planning stages of something quite wonderful. It's in the beginning stages of being finalized. It's halfway to being set in stone.I don't want to reveal it just yet for fear of jinxing it. For now, I can give you a hint.

4) I've been biking a lot more nowadays. Whenever I have dinner plans/meetings close to home, I leave my car and bike it!

overload, for sure

2011-07-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

!!!!

cute overload

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In other news:
1. This would be a bus I'd like to ride.
2. He is my sole provider of audio treats these days. Discovered him through the Ratatouille soundtrack...have been a fan ever since!

Momma Chun pt.2

2011-07-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

She just keeps getting cooler and cooler.

pt. 1 here

ENERGY

2011-07-01T01:56:00.000-07:00

You really do get what you put in.

yelle @ musicbox

If you radiate positive energy -- trust me -- you will surely attract positive energy.

The Bald Pack

2011-06-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

a pretty photographer captured a precious moment

of 3 girlfriends

promising eachother,

"if one of us goes bald, we all go bald."

the bald pack

i can't wait to shave my head.

---

in other news:
finally made it to joshua tree for one of the most amazing camping trips in yft history.

...it's the moments that take your breath away

Flash Mob Hollywood

2011-06-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

One more thing I could add to me resume. Woohoo! Just kidding.

Still awaiting good video footage, but in the meantime, here are some photos!

First, we practiced for 3 hours at a park far away from the chosen location.

Practiced, practiced and practiced - enough to forever ingrain the moves into our heads.

Making it rain

We all purchased shirts to support Japan relief efforts - all proceeds went to the Japanese Red Cross.

We hid the shirts underneath unassuming jackets, cardigans and sweaters.

Once we got to the location, we assimilated with the crowd.

Can you spot me? Pretty easy. I can spot 2 of my friends here, too!

When I heard the music start, I got soooo excited. More excited than I thought I would. Couldn't contain my smile.

The moment passed so quickly. In a flash, we came, we danced and we were gone.

Yep, that's me!

Was it worth feeling silly in front of my mirror trying to get the choreography down the night before? Was it worth waking up early Sunday morning to practice for 3 hours?

Yes!!!!!!

If it makes you feel uncomfortable, do it!

There's me in the back (red) and my friend, V (orange)

Met several cool folks and even found a really yummy (yes, yummy!) vegan restaurant nearby.

There will definitely be more flash mobs in my future.

Little One

2011-06-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, when I have me a little one, I will surely let her wear whatever she would like. Cowboy boots and a sarong? Why not! A toga with a cape and top hat? Sure! She will be a crazy one, I'm sure.

But once in a while, I would like to dress the little one in one of these little outfits.

from Nellystella

Especially numero uno. Polka dots, poofy skirt and classic red coat - irresistible!

Found via Oh Joy!

Momo Season

2011-06-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

I know it's still kinda premature for the super delicious peaches (which come out later in July) but I really couldn't wait to start taking them home whenever I see them at grocery stores/famer's markets.

The other day, I excitedly picked up a bunch of peaches from Vons b/c they smelled so alluringly good. Unfortunately for me, the batch did not taste anything like it smelled and was uber bitter. Caused major cottonmouth. And equally major disappointment.

DJ Bedhead said that I should still use them somehow. So wise.

One for you, one for me

I tried to make peach cobbler without looking up any recipes (I hate following recipes) and ended up with peach muffins.

Still tasted yummy. :)

I'm going to stick to buying peaches at farmer's markets and Korean grocery stores now. They know good fruit.

Foolish and Addicted

2011-06-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

~~I think~~ I am addicted to physically challenging myself.

Never have I challenged myself this much (physically) as I have within the past month or two. It's all because of a combination of willingness and foolishness.

Bay to Breakers, uphill, getting pumped by Biggie Smalls and Daft Punk

First off, I got the crazy idea that I should start running. Why? I dunno. I thought I hated it so I tried it just to reconfirm my hatred. I was wrong. It was actually not that bad. So when my friend asked me if I wanted to run Bay to Breakers, I said, "Sure! Sounds fun" without really knowing how much I'd have to run.

You know, just chillin' just stretchin' with my medal

I didn't even know that it was over 7 miles until I got to the 7 mile mark while actually running it. And I really did run the whole thing! Twas tough but the experience was a very remarkable one. I smelled pine trees, high-fived naked old people, got a gorgeous view of the bay and even got a medal!

My mini mountain bike

Then there's the biking thing. I've always always always been such a scaredy cat on the bike. My parents got me a beautiful pink/purple one when I was little and I still refused to learn. When I finally learned at the age of 18, I was still pretty bad at biking whenever there were people or cars around. My college roommate had this running joke that whenever she would bike with me, she'd turn around to see me in a bush or apologizing to someone.

Channeling The Rock as I biked 30+ miles; constant stream of sweat - so sexy

I wanted to experience Los Angeles on a different level so I got me a bike. My second time riding it, I was already on the road, with cars and trucks zooming past me. It wasn't so bad since it was pretty leisurely. But then, my fourth time...I ended up freakin' biking over 30 miles with Critical Mass with my dinky Target-bought mountain bike. That's what happens when I say yes without really thinking about it. Hardest thing I've ever done in years.

Post-biking. You can tell I was sooooo happy to be off that bike.

Intense hiking, bikram yoga, trapezing - you name it. I've been rapidly going through the list as if I don't have the rest of my life to get them all in.

Climbing up some silk ropes @ Cirque School

Just another day in the life of YFT - Climbing trees @ the Disney Concert Hall.

As mentioned before, I think it takes a little bit of foolishness to do stuff like this. It overrides the fear. The fear of firsts and the fear of looming difficulties (e.g. getting hurt, feeling faint, being insanely sore).

Whether out of foolishness or the excitement for a good challenge or both, I'm not sure, but I signed up for my half marathon, will be signing up for a FULL marathon soon, and I really don't know what I was thinking when I did this, but I just signed up to bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a 7-day, 545 mile bike ride. I dunno. I'm crazy.

Here's to being foolish and enjoying life to the fullest!

---
BY THE WAY, IT'S THE BEGINNING OF PEACH SEASON!!! Peaches!!! NOM NOM NOM NOM. My ultimate favorite thing to eat!!! I've been waiting ALL YEAR.

So rad. So freakin' rad.

Reason #1,000,000

2011-06-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Reason #1,000,000 I'll be moving to Spain:

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Outdoors

2011-06-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

YFT has been outdoors.

As much as possible. :)

BEST CASE

2011-05-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the soulful tunes of a ragtime band on a beautiful morning in the picturesque French Quarter.

Singing a classic Jelly Roll Morton song

WORST CASE

2011-05-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Worst Case Scenario:

An Awesome Time

Pretty Awesome

2011-05-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

I danced like nobody was watching 3 days in a row this past weekend.
It was pretty awesome.
You know what else is awesome?
Dancing in New Orleans w/ Live Jazz in 5 more days.
See you soon, NoLa.

wapow!

2011-04-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

i got a very good kick in the shin today by a dear friend. i'm so lucky to have friends who constructively and honestly point out my flaws and who really look out for me. i would love more kicks like this!

---

on another note: it's never too late to work on shortcomings. it's never too late to right the wrongs. it's not the mistakes that define who you are. it's what you decide to do with them.

---

it feels like a friday. have a good weekend folks!

What's up with these confusing butters??

2011-04-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

so deceiving

A couple weeks ago, I went to Trader Joe's.
I picked up a jar of something deliciously called Honey Apple Butter.
"Yes!" I thought, "Apple flavored butter? Get in my mouth!"
I went home, grabbed a butter knife, opened up the jar and ravenously buttered a piece of bread with the apple butter.
I was so excited.
The butter had a jam consistency.
I should have known.
I shoved the "buttered" bread in my mouth.
To my surprise, it was apple sauce.
No buttery-ness about it.
What the heck..
Boring.
It's now sitting in my fridge, untouched.

this guy's in on it, too

I had a field day at Whole Foods last night.
I picked up a jar of something called Coconut Butter.
I went home, grabbed a spoon, opened up the jar and ravenously scooped up a spoonful of creamy white coconut butter.
I was so excited.
I shoved the spoon in my mouth.
To my surprise, it was solid butter.
That tasted like coconut.
I thought it'd be more like peanut butter, y'know?
But it was actual butter.
A globful of cold coconut butter in my mouth.
Not a pleasurable experience.
What the heck.

Life is confusing.

Momma Chun

2011-04-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

This is a big shout out to my umma, my mom.

a blurry photo of one of momma chun's works

As I was staring at the photo I took earlier of one of her paintings, I realized that my belief in the age old saying, "anything is possible if you put your mind to it," doesn't just come from reading autobiographies of famous people who overcame insane hardships or from watching years worth of CNN Heroes - it really streams down directly from my mom.

After all that she's been through with her health, our family financial problems and trying to be the best mother and wife...she has managed to become an established artist and singer. She's had her artwork presented in a gallery. She's sang at Carnegie Hall and the Korean equivalent of the White House in Korea. She may even sing at the actual White House (so she nonchalantly mentioned the other day). Like whoa, right? And guess what? She did this all after the age of 50. That's Momma Chun for you. Fierce.

"Put yo' mind to it, G." - Momma Chun

Yulree Badass/Business Time

2011-04-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have another blog
it's private.
and it's called YBT.
Yulree Badass/Business Time.

My life isn't always as careless/fun/exciting as this blog makes it out to be. I'm a hustler at heart. There's a method to the madness behind this crazy life I lead.

Here's a look into the life of YBT. The behind the scenes. The parts I usually leave out:

MONDAY
8:30am-5:30pm -- Work marketing day job
6pm-10pm -- Work hospitality night job
10pm-11:30pm -- Be super late to a nonprofit meeting.
11:30pm -- Fit in grocery shopping at a 24 hour supermarket

TUESDAY
8:30am-7pm -- Work marketing day job
8pm-10:30pm -- Nonprofit meeting
11pm-midnight -- Prepare lunches for Wed/Thurs

WEDNESDAY
8am-Noon -- Community Roundtable at LA Chamber of Commerce
1pm-5:30pm -- Work marketing day job
6:30-?? -- Nonprofit meeting/dinner in SGV
??-?? -- Work on finalizing all details for next week's nonprofit event

THURSDAY
8am-5:30pm -- Work marketing day job
6:30pm-11pm -- Work hospitality night job
11:30pm-midnight -- Pack for weekend trip

FRIDAY - MONDAY
ARIZONAAAAA work on side project :) :)

See? Not so exciting now, is it? :D

My friends who do know me and my schedule ask when I sleep. I do sleep. I just don't get as much down time as I'd like. Also, I've resorted to running my errands during lunch and on my phone/internet whenever possible.
And why all the nonprofit stuff? Simple - because I like it. I love the people who are part of the nonprofits I am involved with and I get a lot of satisfaction in helping others whenever I can.
Why the second night job? Also simple - I am gaining experience in that field for my future.

I'm a hustler baby
I just want you to know
It aint where I been
But where I'm bout to go

I CAN'T WAIT until I'm in Arizona just bumming it in my PJs all weekend. And of course, work on a (very exciting) side project.

Mind Grapes*

2011-04-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

A toddler weighing more than me? Mind grapes disturbed.

photo from The Sun

According to this article, he weighs more than 9 stones. I had no idea publications still use stones as measurements. 9 stones = 126 lbs. Geebus. I fear for this ~~kid~~ toddler. He's only three!

---

Preview for Black Swan II? Mind grapes inspired.

Art, at its finest

---

The Un-Road Trip. Mind grapes excited.

i'd like to hitch a ride

"Taking a cross-country road trip without a car – that’s the goal of quirky eco-adventurer, Boaz Frankel. Join him on his 12,000 mile journey by camel, couch bike, canoe, motorized cooler and 100 other modes of transportation as he meets inventors, entrepreneurs and government leaders on his quest for alternative, sustainable transportation."

Premieres April 22nd here. Looking forward to the camels and inventions.

---

*Mind Grapes: noun. 1. the pulpy, excitable smooth-skinned berry or fruit that dwell in the brain and from which mind wine is made; Origin: 2011 Land of IALAS

Reasons

2011-04-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

Reason #104 why I should move to Spain:

Largest wooden structure in el mundo! It even houses a farmers market. Why I am not there now, I do not know.

Reason #9674080950265097374678382384777 why I have the coolest friends:

They've put together a Coachella viewing/enjoying/loving party, dubbed by the resident DJ of my life, Mister DJ Bedhead, as Couchella. They know what I need more than I do.

Reason #1 why I'm so happy:

Lazy Thursdays

Reason #2 why I'm so happy:

Millions of morsels in my mouth. Delicious alliterations are welcome any day of the week.

Interrupting my hiatus to...

2011-04-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Interrupting my short hiatus from blogging to wish someone very very special and dear to my heart a simply beautiful birthday.

Happy Birthday, Mister Green.
Your music, your soul provides a never-ending warmth to the world.

this album cover got it right. the absolute best.

Attraversiamo!

2011-04-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

In a room full of men, I was the one who fell asleep watching Eat Pray Love. :D

A couple months have passed since then and because I'm currently in this headspace where I feel like I need to finish what I started., I finally finished watching Eat Pray Love (as well as a bag of peppered beef jerky and three books).

My takeaways on the movie? One, the book was better. Two, Julia Roberts is one lucky (and gorgeous) mofo who got both James Franco AND Javier Bardem as lovers in just one film. You go girl. And three, we all need to attraversiamo some more. Let's cross over. Take more chances. Go for it!!

TRIPPIN ALL OVER THE PLACE WITH LEMON MERINGUE PIES

2011-04-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned quite frequently within the past week, I did not go on my vacation that I had been waiting for for two years. Yes, it sucked. Yes, I was very bummed about it. But you know what? I'm all about making some delicious lemon meringue pie out of lemons.

With the money from the fully refunded ticket plus some money I saved to spend in Japan, I am funding 4 different weekend trips (with some left over to donate)!! The trips shall be fabulous. They shall be mesmerizing. They shall be AN ADVENTURE!

So within the next two months, I'll be going on four weekend trips:

1) Palm Springs
I've driven by Palm Springs more than...I've gone to Disneyland. More than the number of cups of coffee I've consumed in my life. More than I've gone to bed before 10pm. But! I only remember staying there once when I was just a wee little girl with my family. And I think we were just driving through. I'm not even completely sure if it was Palm Springs. Maybe it was Phoenix?
It just goes to show that it was due time that I made a visit. And visit in style. I'm going with my girlfriend, the illustrious travel bunny, and we're gonna spa it up at one of the top spa resorts according to Conde Nast (thanks for hooking it up, Trev!), maybe do some romantic (what's wrong with that) horseback riding, hike at Joshua Tree (a place that's been on my bucket list forever) and most importantly, relaaaaaaaaaaaax. I. can't. wait.

2) Phoenix

For Easter! Spending time with my parents and brother under the hot Arizona sun. I can't wait for family time.

3) New Orleans
Oh dear. Oh my. This trip is going to be super special. Like Coachella special. Okay, that's a bad metaphor. It's gonna be hands down MAGIC. Becaaawse, folks, I'm going there for the Jazz Festival! In case you've been living in under a small sterile rock, Imma drop some common knowledge - New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz. Where Jazz was beautifully conceived. I don't know too many contemporary Jazz artists, but I do love my fair share of Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Miles Davis and good ol Coltrane. I am pretty excited to see that I'll get to see Lauryn Hill, John Legend & The Roots and Amos Lee!! Amos Lee's stuff was a pretty recent discovery for me and I've been an avid listener/enjoyer. I definitely have to brush up on my contemporary Jazz though - I didn't even know a third of the artists on the stage schedule!

And don't get me started on the food...

4) San Francisco
I love San Francisco, but I wasn't planning on going again unless work sent me. I was there 5 times last year and kind of had my fill of all things San Francisco. BUT! The right travel buddies makes all the difference. I'll be going there for my first running thing (would you call it a marathon? wikipedia calls it a footrace), Bay to Breakers, with a very fun gang. I know it's gonna be a weekend filled with laughs and a lot of food. And running!

Time to get packing and budgeting. :)

FAT TUSHY

2011-04-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Sidenote: How funny is the word, "Fattoush?" I can't help but think about how "Fattoush" is just inches away from sounding like "Fat Tushy."

For those who never heard of this word, it's a salad. My mind is tickled.

---

Happy Friday! :)

Ruth Bourdain

2011-04-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

I love it when people are not perfect.

"I care about all of my causes so very much," said Waters. "I really do. But sometimes I just want to punch a hippie in the face and eat a big fucking Indonesian swordfish steak."

- Alice Waters aka Ruth Bourdain

From this post.

Welcome to Adulthood

2011-03-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

uh oh spaghetti o's

As I was walking down Santa Monica Blvd during my lunch hour, I saw my reflection on one of the glossy storefronts....and I did not like what I saw.

What I saw was ME holding a can of diet coke.

Whoa, how'd that happen.

I grew up not drinking soft drinks. So naturally, I didn't acquire a taste (or feel?) for the harshly carbonated, overly sugary substance. I especially hated the taste of fake sugar. The only soft drink I really remember liking as a kid was Dr. Pepper/Rootbeer that was decarbonated (left out for a day or two).

So why was I holding a can of diet coke today?

It's like the nicotine patch effect.

The past two weeks, I had used coffee and diet coke to ween myself off from my really bad chocolate habit. (How bad was this habit? It was more like an addiction, actually. I was eating about 10 pieces of chocolate a day. 5 would be usually be consumed before 10am. The tipping point was when I finished off a box of See's chocolates in one day).

The diet coke and coffee definitely worked. I crave chocolate no more! (<-- just said this out loud, with a booming epic battle voice. think Maximus Decimus Meridius). I even gave away my whole chocolate stash!

BUT what weened me off from one addiction has in turn become my newest addiction. The weener has become the weenee.

Well, now that I'm aware of it, I must revert back to my clean, plain tea drinking days. I just really hope I don't fall back into gorging on chocolate.

---

Sidenote: I mentioned my new addiction to my coworker and she snarkishly replied, "Welcome to adulthood."

Is this what it's like being an adult? Coffee, diet coke and long work hours?

YFT does not approve.

2011-03-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

Sometimes, the 5 year old in me wants to

2011-03-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

via the genius mind of Geoff Mcfetridge

also...

for my writing friends: A Short Story Contest!

i know a couple of you who could win. hands down. skirts up.

yesssssssssssssssssss

2011-03-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Being denied my vacation, the dionysus in me has been kicking and screaming to get out and play.

So this past week, I've been:

cooking & dining out more

truffle shavings on top of butter poached lobster? heck yes.

shopping more

mostly spring/summer dresses (spring, please come soon)

i wish these were my real shopping bags - i found this photo online

planning more mini trips

april/may is going to be packed!

possible girls only palm springs weekender,

Arizona easter w/ fambam,

New Orleans Jazz Fest w/ the craziest kids in town

SF Bay to Breakers w/ the rainbow crew

annnnnnd!!

GUESS WHAT.

I don't want to jinx it (knock on wood) but I'm so insanely excited!!

The live performance I've been waiting for

For years

She comes to LA like once/twice a year

and I've missed all her performances the past several years

Due to unfortunate timing
But FINALLY

YELLE!!!!

She's coming to LA.
And I'm going!
Got my ticket, y'all.
May 21st. May 21st. May 21st.
DANCEY PARTY YELLE TIME
YFT TO THE MAX

More Yelle Here

JAPAN

2011-03-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

Today was going to be the first day of my vacation. Right now, I was supposed to be done packing and heading to the airport for a flight to Japan. Once I got to Japan, I was supposed to call my best friends from HS and have a really awesome meal while filling each other in on all the important moments and details of our lives and reminiscing of the times we had in Thailand. Within the next couple of days, I was going to: 1) follow the footsteps of many super foodies and visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, 2) do some fun people watching in Shibuya/Shinjuku, 3) spend several glorious hours at Studio Ghibli, 4) sleep in a capsule, 5) have a lovely picnic surrounded by cherry blossoms, 6) eat eat eat in Osaka, 7) take a picture with the clown, 8) spa it up old school style in Kyoto and 9) build memories that will forever bind my heart with Japan and my fellow travelers.

It doesn't always turn out the way you want it to. My prayers go out to Japan and for those who have lost their houses, their friends and their loved ones.

Huge, long drawn out bear hugs to Maki & Akiko. I promise to see you soon.

---

I love that there are so many different ways people have been providing support to Japan. Last night, I took a moment to step back and observe all the folks at the CAPE Japan Fundraiser. Children, adults, musicians, young professionals, corporate sponsors, media, professional dancers, comedians, restaurant owners, caterers, actors, photographers, students, volunteers -- all supporting in their own way, whether it's through their food, their time, their money or their contacts...such a beautiful sight to see.

I was very lucky to be able to work on this PSA. On the day of this shoot, there was this silent, underlying understanding of why we were all there, doing what we were doing. The energy was calm, strong and very focused. I remember Tamilyn Tomita and Harry Shum Jr. both saying (paraphrased) that during these times, we find encouragement in realizing that we are all the same, that we're all in this together.

If you have not done so already, please support. In any way you can.

Sweetest Video You Ever Did See

2011-03-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

always a beautiful moment reuniting with your loved ones

Back to Basics

2011-03-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

I had a mini breakthrough yesterday.

My mind decided to cut me a break and threw me a nice delicious bone. After weeks of feeling restless and not understanding where the restlessness came from, I finally came to the super refreshing realization that I am addicted to the feeling of growing. Notice I included "the feeling of." For a while, I thought I was addicted to growing, which I am, but I also couldn't figure out why that would bother me the way it did. I found that it's not the growing part that's the problem. Ah ha! It's my perception of it.

I'm pretty darn sure that the reason why ~~I hop from one challenge to another~~ I just jump onto large mountains of challenges, and why I keep piling them on, is because somewhere in my brain that calculates all the reasoning dwells a little yulree robot mechanically chanting, "more equals growth, more equals growth." How scary is that.

I had forgotten, amidst my hectic life, with challenges bursting out at the seams, some of the very fundamentals of growth.

Growth:
-doesn't always have to show overnight
-sometimes takes repetition
-can't happen if there are too many elements involved

-takes time

-includes some breaks and nap times

everything i realized portrayed in one drawing

Glad the fog has settled and I could SEE again. What a beautiful reminder. Is it just me or do most answers and life lessons come from trees? :)

---
On another note:

1) I started drinking coffee. Surprisingly, good news bears. Usually, caffeine and I don't mix, but it's been good to me the past two days. Is it strange to say that it may have alleviated my cold? It's also curbed my craving for chocolate. Replacing one vice with another. Boy, I am sure going places.

2) Guess who got to do some serving last night? Me! And guess who got to serve Christina Hendricks? Me! The restaurant that I'm interning at was short staffed and needed help so I put on my serving shoes and jumped right in. There's something about getting compliments from a famous person -- a gorgeous and pleasant famous person at that -- that just makes you feel like you're pretty darn awesome. Her taking my food advice, me knowing what food she likes...we've entered a level of intimacy that I don't even get to with some of my acquaintances. Haha. Per chance that you read this, Christina, please don't think I'm a creep. :D

if you really want something...

2011-03-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

it's never too late to go for it!

화이팅, my friends, 화이팅.

#1 Question

2011-03-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

Where does your heart lie today?

The Guitars Are Bigger Than Their Bodies

2011-03-12T23:15:00.000-08:00

This video was brought to my attention by my friend Vu.

Never again can I complain about how my fingers are too short to play the guitar.

My Travel Bunny

2011-03-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

One of the most inspirational people in my life is this here travel bunny, Audrey!

she rocks

She truly goes after her dreams with no fear at a rate of 200 mph -- all the while remembering her roots and taking care of others with deep compassion. This girl is a true trailblazer and I'm a fan. So excited that she started a website where she shares her passion of exploring the world.

You can find her website here.

Illy Coffe & Meeting Trina Turk

2011-03-04T09:14:00.001-08:00

If coffee tasted this good all the time, I could be a coffee drinker.

I now know what people mean when they say their coffee is so smoooooth.

(P.S. First time blogging away from computer. Typing this at JW Marriott, LA Live. I'm super early for a women's leadership luncheon. So excited to see/meet Trina Turk.)

---

One of the perks of being early to events is that the folks who would usually be extremely occupied (i.e. VIPs, organizers, execs etc.) during an event are usually more free to talk.

Exhibit A:

Trina Turk was just wandering around the reception room looking at the decor and so I introduced myself. She was super nice!

Also, the NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) 25th Anniversary Luncheon was so inspirational! The room was FILLED with driven, compassionate, successful women. I was impressed and I can't wait to go to another NAWBO function.

Doppelganger

2011-03-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

I met my supposed doppelganger for the second time yesterday. Except unlike my first time meeting her, I got to actually talk to her longer than just, "Hi, I'm Yulree." I found out where she lives! Creepy, much? :D Sounds creepier than it sounds.

yft aint this pretty

Yep, that's Tamlyn Tomita circa Karate Kid 2. I've been approached over 20 times with, "Heyyyyy, you look like that girl from Karate Kid 2." Firstly, how many people have even watched Karate Kid 2?! Secondly, no, I don't think so.

I think I'll have a Karate Kid 2 movie night. Maybe I'll invite Tamlyn. Maybe she'll come. And maybe we'll have a face-off.

All my worlds are coming together!

2011-03-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

Last night, I was at USC, my alma mater, to represent APEX at a student leadership seminar hosted by LEAP, where I once worked, and talked to the APASS assistant director, who used to be my roommate, browsed the program booklet that had my coworkers' names on it because our client sponsored the event, ran into my old coworker, who is now part of the NAAAP team, chatted with all the folks from PbP, the organization I recently rejoined, all the while grubbing on The Park's Finest, of which I know the owner.

All my worlds are coming togeza. Maybe I've lived in Los Angeles way too long.

---

ALSO. I finally walked into the new (it's still new to me!!) Sample building. OH MY GOSH DARN EFFING WHY didn't we have this while I was a student?! The Living Room was absolutely gorgeous and super classy. I think one of the couches costs more than my bed + desk + bookshelf combined. I'd like to think my tuition dollars paid for a couple of them. They should slap my name on one of those chairs or maybe on one of the slabs of marble that adorn the hallways.

my friend said we are spoiled. i had no response.

To My Brother!

2011-03-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Jay,

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

No matter what, I am always your little sister. Happy Birthday, Jay.

<3Y

P.S. I never bothered to tell you this (or anyone for the matter) but this blog is mainly for you. It's for you to know that your little sister is doing well. :)

2011-03-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

it's a problem when i don't even have enough time on my "free time" to finish blogging. hehe.

A day in the life of YFT

2011-02-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, I managed an event called BANANA 2: Visibility Viability Voice. It gathered together 200 people at CBS Studios in the effort to unify, empower and inspire Asian American bloggers. The event was successful and everyone is already looking forward to BANANA 3.

Whenever I do a major 100-300 person event, I'm on my feet for 15-18 hours at a time, I lose several hours of sleep and I'm super alert/sensitive to everything that's going around me (like spiderman mode). Event planning/managing/executing renders me immobile by the time an event is over.

So I need a day to recuperate. Today's my recuperation day. Wow, what a long intro. Since I have the day off, I decided I would document it - give you a play by play. I actually want to know myself. It'd be fun going back to this post and reading it several years from now. :)

---

3:00 am - finally filled out my Project by Project application and sent over to my friend, Eden. I want to help with their community relations. Great great nonprofit. If you're interested in volunteering, they need a graphic designer.

3:30 am - bed time

9:00 am - morning time. Ate half a bag of popchips (I'm addicted) while catching up on youtube videos. I love watching communitychannel (Natalie Tran). She's hilarious. I also follow 5AwesomeGays. I love them, too. I have a lot of love to spread. I also spent a good amount of time watching Arden Cho (see previous post) videos. She super talented, me thinks. I saw her at the KoreAm Unforgettable Gala last year - I should've introduced myself.

9:30 am - Put on a face mask (egg whites) because my skin felt blah. kept watching more youtube videos.

10:00 am - Returned phone calls that I've been neglecting because of the event. Called back mom. Made some work calls. Made some nonprofit-related calls. Called my friend, Cody, and made plans to hang out later - may go hiking. We'll see. The weather scares me. It hailed/snowed during my event on Saturday.

10:45 am - Took off face mask. Answered emails. Decided I will go grocery shopping in San Gabriel Valley area. Decided I will document my day.

11:00 am - Started typing this.

-more to come, will add appropriate links later. gonna go get dressed now.

Make You Feel My Love

2011-02-25T00:55:00.000-08:00

I'm head over heels in love with this rendition of "Make You Feel My Love." This song is already great - they make it even greater (a rare accomplishment).

I LOVE it and I can't get enough. On repeat.

P.S. I've always been a fan of Arden Cho. I had no idea she could sing, too. Talk about multi-talented.

rich chocolate comfort

2011-02-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

if i may, i'd love to have this in my life right now

I love sticks

2011-02-23T00:24:00.000-08:00

I was driving a rental car for the past 2 and a half weeks and I found that I actually really enjoyed the convenience of driving an automatic. I enjoyed being able to multi-task and zone out while driving - driving took minimum effort. My enjoyment reached the point where I started questioning my decision on purchasing a manual car.

However, the moment I returned the automatic and reunited with my car, the exact moment when I sped off, swiftly shifting gears as I accelerated onto the freeway, my little affair with the automatic became a distant memory. Something about being present while driving and having that extra connection with your car as you drive...I love it. I'm a stick kinda gal and I always will be.

oh my gahhh kill me now

2011-02-22T13:39:00.001-08:00

rain, you're making things very very difficult.

it's BANANA time

2011-02-20T16:41:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of BANANA 2: The Asian American Bloggers Conference, I made one of my favorite desserts of all time, Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding.

Photo from serious eats NY

This pudding is near and dear to my heart, because every time I eat it, I vividly remember several sweet memories of New York. My first bite was back in 2008 when I stayed with my friend, Bob, in Manhattan. I had cooked my pièces de résistance, korean spicy braised short ribs, for 10 of my close friends in NY as a special thanks for making my trip oh so wonderful. Erika and Rich brought the pudding and from what I remember, Erika fed it to me, and I instantly fell in love. With both Erika and the pudding.

Photo from that very night, the night we became wifeys

On Bob's roof. Yep, that's pudding my hands.

The second time I had it was when I went back to NY in 2009. I hadn't told any of my friends I was visiting because I was there for work and unfortunately had no time to meet with anyone. I was pretty bummed b/c I didn't have time for any of my favorite things - friends, levain cookies, magnolia's banana bread pudding, a long walk around nyc. My first night, I left my hotel on a quick search for bottled water and as I was crossing the street, I literally ran into my dear friend, Bob! and and AND in his hands was a plastic bag, and in that plastic bag was a big container, and in that big container was none other than Magnolia's glorious banana pudding. What I thought would be a boring night in NY ended up being eventful and tasty! We ended up watching Shakira perform at the Rockefeller ice rink while feasting on pudding.

Shakira @ Rockefeller center

My third time was in 2010 when I was back in NY for a business trip. Again, I thought I wouldn't have time for friends, but I think life just really likes me when I'm in New York, because!! The place where I was hosting an event for work just happened to be RIGHT across from the new Magnolia Bakery. I ended up walking there with my friend, Rich, and we indulged on all things Magnolia, which obviously included the pudding.

So many memories induced by this creamy banana pudding. Mmmm.
I shall now leave you with some photos I took today of my pudding making process. I love making desserts that don't require baking!!

first, i made the pudding. instant vanilla pudding mix + water + condensed milk

oh my dear goodness. whipping the heavy cream by hand made me sweat profusely and cry out in pain. it took foreverrr. word to the wise - if you want to whip heavy cream but you don't have a mixer, buy or borrow one. unless you want uneven muscle tonage (my right arm is now buffer than my left).

i folded the pudding into the whipped cream. i also had many taste tests. ;)

before making this, i already knew i wanted to share the pudding with several different friends. so i bought some fun clear plastic cups. how cute are they.

stacking time: cream, wafers, bananas. repeat, taste test, repeat, repeat. ;)

now the hardest part. letting it sit in the fridge for a day so all the flavors meld together.

Recipe from Grace Notes NYC

A Beautiful Morning

2011-02-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days where you feel like anything is possible.

view from Belmont Station

There is a strong, if not exact, correlation between the sun and my mood.

---

Los Angeles has bloomed.

view from 3rd street in Little Tokyo

A sneak peek into Hanami time in Japan. It's going to be AHHH!!Mazing. 3 guys and a girl. Who all love eating and exploring and explosions. Eatsplorsions, here we come!

---

I sometimes wonder what I'd eat if I were to be homeless and begging for coins on the street. I keep a mental list. It's pretty substantial. Today, I've added Trader Joe's 19 cent bananas to that list.

I got all of these for $1.14. Potassium for my belly.

I'm making Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding today. I almost forgot the bananas, but Trader Joe's saved the day.

---

Sidenote: I love watching babies and children eat. Not in a creepy way.

Dream journaling

2011-02-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

I had a dream last night that combined creating trees as art, the most random coworkers, the most random acquaintances, a maze-like subway, rural villages, busy city streets, major skateboarding action inspired by Far East Movement's Rocketeer music video, a Costco in Thailand and a USC campus that did not really look like USC but was definitely USC in my mind.

---
Sidenote: I like having hiccups. The surprise factor makes it fun.

happy

2011-02-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

happy valentine's day.

i celebrated valentine's day early last night with roomies, tacos from our corner truck and sweet potato fries. and a documentary on wolverines. they're pretty awesome. and by they, i mean tacos, sweet potato fries, wolverines and most of all, roomies.

Teach Me How to Desi

2011-02-03T19:23:00.000-08:00

Teach me how to dougie. Desi style.

And whoa. Possibly the largest identified case of human trafficking in the U.S.

Finally, It's Really Happening!

2011-02-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

i'm going to frolic around hundreds of sakura trees. hanami time, baby.

I've been telling one of my best friends from high school that I'll visit her in Japan...since 2003.
Long overdue, but it's finally happening.

YFT
in Japan.
in the spring.
Hecks ya.
Sugoii to the max.

<3Y

Just Ask!

2011-01-26T03:47:00.000-08:00

Ask and you shall receive.

I asked and this is what I got. :)

A few folks have inquired how I am able to experience all these new, exciting opportunities. In all honesty, all I really do is ask.

For instance, one of my goals is to open (or be a part-owner of) a couple of successful restaurants. So a while back, I contacted a restaurant owner, who I eventually found out was the master of an entire restaurant empire, and asked, "How do I get going with my goal?" Fast-forward back to today, and now he's my favorite mentor and a good friend. And he has given me the priceless opportunity of meeting other folks in the industry as well as be a part of his floor team for his new restaurant (open to public starting today). [Check out kevinEats for his experience at the restaurant.]

Of course, once the asking has been answered with an opportunity, you don't just receive and idly sit there grinning like you did something to deserve it. You get up and kick ass. You gotta be a go-getter not with just words but also with actions. Hiiiya!

<3Y

---

In other news:

-Hosting a private event tonight with guest speakers: Craig Robinson (Pres of KNBC TV), Ronald Litzinger (Pres of Southern California Edison), Jeffrey Kightlinger (CEO of The Metropolitan Water of SoCal) and Connie Tang (Pres of JAFRA). Stoked to hear stories and advice directly from the CEOs and Presidents. We're overbooked at 270 people!

-Heading to SF this weekend for work. Hope to fit in a visit to Apple headquarters! Also going to try stopping by my favorite tea shop.

-My team is hosting a APEX Cares Volunteer Appreciation Mixer, February 17. If you're seeking quality volunteer opportunities or interested in meeting people that share the same passion for helping others, join us at Fu-Ga in Little Tokyo! RSVP here.

-Putting together an Asian American Bloggers Conference, February 26th at CBS Studios (it's gonna be fun). Open to public! RSVP and more info here.

---

p.s. I can't wait until I wrap up all my upcoming events. Need sleep. And yoga. Stat.

Children and Parents

2011-01-25T14:24:00.001-08:00

"Dear Scarlet, Today you didn’t talk to me for 20 minutes after I cut your mickey mouse pancakes into bite sized pieces."

The Dear Scarlet blog, which has become my favorite blog of all time by the way, makes me so friggin' excited to have kids. To explore the world through their eyes and to introduce them to all the wonders of life will be freaking fantastic and mind-blowingly mesmerizing.

Which reminds me... My mom keeps a diary, in an unassuming notebook with a cover adorned with softened images of white and pink flowers, that I've seen around since middle school. Maybe she's had it for longer and I didn't really notice it until I was in middle school, but what I do clearly remember is that around that time, she told me that she was writing in it so she can share it with me one day.

Since then, I've seen it laying around on my mom's nightstand and I still see it to this day whenever I visit home. But you know, I've never stopped to take a peek. I'm just waiting until the day she wants to share it with me. And I can't wait.

---

P.S. I also can't imagine just how much my parents love me. I am lucky. I should call them.

Fly

2011-01-25T13:24:00.000-08:00

via National Geographic

Dear world,

I'm just gonna put it out there, in case someone else in the world is on the same wavelength and desired this as much as I do and would like to try it out with me or in case my future awesome boyfriend wants to surprise me with the most wonderful experience, my dream is to fly* one day.

<3Y

---
*Hang gliding is close enough I suppose.

Need a Vacation

2011-01-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

In the very real imaginary cave of Pause, they ate cookies*, danced like two awfully uncoordinated, highly excitable 5-year olds, ate more cookies** and fell asleep to the soft lullabies of Al Green.

---
*first batch from jamaica's cakes
**second batch from levain, of course

Bibimbap!

2011-01-24T10:13:00.000-08:00

Teacher: "What is your favorite food?"

10-year old Yulree: "Bibimbap. I would be bibimbap if I was made of food."

via Seoul Eats

Cliffhanger

2011-01-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

There are people in your life who know parts of you that most people don't know, such as your family and your best friends. I'm sure everyone can relate.

Well, just recently, one of these folks came back into my life after having disappeared for 8 years.

Do eeeet

2011-01-21T09:57:00.001-08:00

"Some people have ideas. A few carry them into the world and make them happen." - Mercer

Let's make it happen.

YFT of the day

2011-01-20T09:33:00.001-08:00

Today, YFT stands for Yulree Feels Tired. Can't afford to be sick! >< See you tomorrow, folks.

So simple, So good

2011-01-19T10:34:00.000-08:00

visually and gastronomically

more here

Back to Basics

2011-01-18T23:55:00.000-08:00

At some point or another in our lives, our daily actions, such as brushing our teeth and getting dressed for work, have become mundane to us. But more often than not, these daily actions, these seemingly unimportant acts, actually play quite important role in the quality of our lives. It's just a matter of altering our perspective.

Today, I decided to take 3 daily actions, actions that are never really given much thought, and made them the 3 most important things in my life for the day. .

They were:
1) Shower like it is my first time
2) Snack on an orange like it is my last
3) Sleep like it is the most important part of my day

My goodness. What a difference a change in perspective makes. Making these three "unimportant" actions into super duper important actions really resulted in some newfound appreciation for them.

When I showered today as though it was my first time, I gently shampooed and conditioned every strand of hair like it was my first time, I shaved my legs insanely thoroughly like it was my first time and soaped up like it was my first time, really enjoying how great the lather felt on my skin and how everything smelled.

When I snacked on an orange like it was my last time, I remembered all the fond memories associated to it. Like when my parents and I would pick boxes upon boxes of oranges from the trees in our gated community that once used to be an orange orchard, and we'd snack on it after every meal, never getting tired of it. I savored the act of unpeeling the orange, taking in the zesty aroma it released as I peeled. I examined the pulps with a revived amazement of how awesome it was that I could feel each individual pulp explode in my mouth. I chose to add this as one of my to-dos because I somehow lost my craving for fruits. I never craved it and thus, never ate it. But after this experience, I'm already looking forward to my next orange. :)

My final and most important to-do of the day -- sleep,. I've deemed this as my most important to-do because lately, I have been treating sleep as the least important thing in my life. I held this mentality that I can always sleep later, that there's plenty enough time to sleep some other time. It's been destroying my body, and not to mention my mental wellbeing. I'm hopping into bed after this post even though I'm not tired and even though I have a million of other things I can be doing. One thing I've noticed is that because my urgency to sleep has intensified, I naturally feel as though my time is limited and accordingly, I'm getting all my shizz done faster.

Yup!

Fortune Knows What's Up

2011-01-18T14:19:00.000-08:00

indeed

Nom Nom Nom

2011-01-17T15:20:00.000-08:00

You are what you eat.

When I don't consume inspiration for a long while, the part of the brain that carries creativity, motivation and critical thinking becomes malnutritioned and shrivels up like how spinach does when exposed to a hot frying pan. It pretty much loses all its integrity.

I'm ravenous for some inspiration. Haha, I need to practice my vocabulary more as well. I initially typed, "I'm ravished." Quite different from ravenous. See what I mean? I'm malnutritioned. Been consuming too much junkfood. Like youtube videos of girls talking about makeup.

---
In other news:
I did yoga amongst the stars and planets!
In the middle of the planetarium at the Griffith Observatory, to be more specific. Surprisingly, no one stopped to stare (though there were a couple of glances). It was quite liberating.

YFT reaching for the stars and planets, wearing an elmo shirt

Celebration of Life

2011-01-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

so blessed!

I want to thank you all, my wonderful dear friends and family, whether I haven't seen you in years or I just saw you yesterday, for giving me life.

Everyday, you have given me life through your hellos, your words of wisdom, sharing laughter with me, through pushing me beyond my limits, being my inspirations and my mentors, through comforting hugs, new adventures, prayers and guidance, being my silent supporters, through insightful letters and emails, through insanely funny texts and messages, through growing and learning together and much much more.

Thank you so very much. For the life you have given me. I am blessed beyond limits.

Essentially, a birthday is a celebration of life. And today, I truly celebrate my life with the utmost gratitude.

<3Y

Bird's the Word

2011-01-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

"Alright all you so called dancers out there - Take notes"

via Sora Explores

Go Outside & Breathe

2011-01-12T21:56:00.000-08:00

Today was an emotionally and mentally gruesome day due to a loss of a dear friend's father. I felt a bit trapped in myself, in my own thoughts, and it translated into a feeling of physical discomfort. My room felt abnormally stuffy, as though someone had just walked into the room and removed half the oxygen from it. I tried turning on extra lights to brighten the mood and also tried lighting some candles and brewing some tea. None of it really worked. So I resorted to my fool-proof remedy to all things too heady/heavy.

I went outside. Outdoors, to be more exact.

And experienced this:

Taking in the world on top of Griffith Observatory

A breath of fresh air will do you wonders.

5 things that make me happy

2011-01-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

When the year first started, and it took a while to admit this to myself by the way, I, for some reason or another, was not pleased. While others were merrily making new year resolutions or excited for new beginnings and new chances, I had a cloud of doom over my head. Of course no one really noticed because I'm a ninja. But really, despite all the loved ones around me and all the great things that were happening in my life, I just couldn't help but feel the weight of the negative things that had happened and were continuing to happen to me and my family.

This all changed a couple days ago due to a few words on some post-it notes I found. While I was sifting through a random box of journals and letters, I found a colorful stack of sticky post-it notes. Each post-it had a date written on the bottom right hand corner, the first date starting on August 13, 2009. More importantly, neatly written on every post-it was a list -- a list of 5 things that made me happy each day.

As simple and repetitive most of my reasons for being happy were in the past, reading them and remembering them made me appreciative and happy in the now. Funny how something so ethereal as memories and something so easily dismissed as a few happy words...can be so powerful.

I started writing these post-its again. Brene Browne was definitely onto something when she said in her TED talk,

"word choice determines thought choice, which then determines emotions and actions."

---

In case you were wondering what my lists looked like, I've typed them out below (I've been working on creating electronic copies of all my notes/journal entries/etc)

8/13/9

Making smoothies and edible goodies with the magic bullet

Nerdy, educational, story-telling podcasts

Getting thing's in the mail (Gen's postcards!)

Getting to know my coworkers better and vice versa

Comfortable, twirly skirts

8/14/9

My new apartment and how it's close to the farmer's market

Love my room smelling like banana cream pie

Unlimited amount of tea at work

Perfect weather for driving with windows down

Getting to know coworkers

extras: booking my flight home for thanksgiving, my brother

8/15/9

Brendan's talent and persistence

Dad!

Foxy and how she looks when her pink tongue juts out

Feeling energetic after work

BBQ and watching Shawn of the Dead with close friends

extra: plants! lots of pretty green plants!

8/16/9

Coming home to Foxy and plants

Having Korean food

Contributing for something good

California weather

Resolving fights quickly

8/17/9

Great customer service

An understanding boss

An overly caring mom

An unconditionally loving dog

Entertaining roommates

8/18/9

Going on lovely strolls with Foxy

Getting paid

Planning get-aways with MM

Eating a lot then actually working out

Being really productive at work

extra: using up products

8/19/9

Free food

Making new friends

Snuggling with Foxy

Warm bed on a cold day

Listening to podcasts while working out

8/20/9

Experiencing new things (picketing against racist movies)

Just resting with MM

When working out feels like it's making a difference

Bed warmer

Ear plugs

8/21/9

Foxy

Food blogs

Music

Pretty designs

Funny blogs

8/22/9

Being creative

Releasing stress through art

Driving on the 1 fwy by the beach

Shopping by myself and taking my time

Holga!

8/23/9

Getting acknowledged

Making good food

Eating healthy

Staying in bed and being lazy

Having excuses for eating chocolate

8/24/9

Making plans with people I love

Joking

Weekends! Weekends!!!

When Foxy wags her tail like mad

Sugar

8/25/9

Finding raw talent on youtube

Saying no to sweets. And then eating it anyhow.

Smart Foxy. Sneaky Foxy

Forgiving friends. Forgiving roommates. Forgiving Foxy

Disney songs on the way to work

extra: unplanned deep conversation

8/26/9

Random acts of kindness

Foodie friends

Lavendar+vanilla combo

Bumping into old friends

Cooking!

8/27/9

Really really really awesome musicians

Being able to connect folks together

Chapstick and yummy smelling lotion on a dry day

Having a boss who cares

Being part of something

8/28/9

My family

Cold showers on a hot day

Vanilla scented everything

Etiquette

Getting mail from friends all over the world

extra: applesauce

8/29/9

Successfully networking with key folks

Bonding with coworkers

Trying new things

Having parallel thoughts with MM

Sending out care packages

The Sartorialist Found in Korea

2011-01-10T10:06:00.000-08:00

멋진 남자

@ The Sartorialist

2011-01-07T11:51:00.001-08:00

everyone I've known, everything I've touched, seen, experienced, loved, hated, feared, embraced...

Today's Thanks

2011-01-04T13:34:00.000-08:00

Dear old friend of excellent musical (and other) talents,

Thanks for accompanying me during work today.

That's kinda essentially what music is for, isn't it? To accompany, to be a companion, for a moment or two or a million.

Cheers,
Y

---
Listen here: http://andrewandthebrots.com/

Question, Everyday

2011-01-04T11:04:00.001-08:00

Where does your heart lie today?

Cooking Storm

2011-01-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

Yay for finally having a full-functioning kitchen. :)

my warm blanket on a cold, rainy day

Felt nostalgic and was on the edge of a cold so I made me some Khao Man Gai today. It's the Thai version of Hainanese Chicken & Rice. Looks bland, but it's jam packed with flavor. I miss you, Thailand.

P.S. The scent of menthol always reminds me of Thailand.

I HAVE MOVETH!

2010-12-30T10:03:00.000-08:00

i'm back!

I've been MIA from life the past couple days because I've been packing, disassembling/reassembling furniture, hauling boxes and getting paint all over my hair. After 2 bruises and 3 days of major arm and leg workouts, I'm (almost) done moving!!

I love my room, I love my kitchen, I love my roommates. So happy. :) Now the only thing I have left to do is tell my mom that my roommates are actually guys.

---
p.s. Counted my bruises. 9 total. Geez.

Beautiful Holga

2010-12-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

ready to fly - november 2010

Life through the lens of a Holga becomes a different type of beautiful. When you're shooting, you really don't know what you'll get until it's been developed. It's like Christmas morning when you finally get to see the results. It's also quite like a box of nuts & chews chocolates (my favorite kind).

A YFT Christmas

2010-12-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

things i'm thankful for:

breakfast/lunch/dinner with family

oversized fuzzy socks

hot tea of various kinds

good reads (current read: Me Talk Pretty One Day)

waking up to a friendly furry face

friendships that keep getting better and better

compassionate bosses

letters from overseas, over mountains, over valleys

the Lord's grace and mercy (keeping us safe during accidents and rainstorms; keeping us sane during the holiday rush hours)

before she fell asleep, foxy told me that she also wanted to wish you all a merry christmas.

Reflect & Plan

2010-12-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

I get high from planning. I'm feeling a little light headed even thinking about it right now, actually. For me, planning for the new year is a gift in itself. Merry Christmas to meeee.

Just below are two major suppliers for my planning addiction. This is for my fellow planners/goal-getters.

1) The Perpetual Planner by {paper & type}

my new toy!

I've come across many planners in my day as a planner addict. I could probably even claim that I'm a planner collector seeing that I have about 2 boxes worth in my small studio apartment. That's like 10% of my space.
This, right here, is my favorite of them all. The Goldilocks of planners. Not too big, not too small, just the right size to carry around everywhere. And I love the simplicity and functionality of the structure. I love it so much, I wish we lived in multiple parallel universes so I can have a planner for each universe.

2) Annual Review by Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Non-Conformity

he's living the dream

This guy reminds me of a more artsy version of Tim Ferris. I'm sure they're friends. They probably hang out together during their 4-hour workweeks somewhere in the mountains of Tibet, Chris sipping on yak's milk while he watches Tim practicing Tai Chi with a 102 year old nainai. Oh, how I wish to join them someday.
So Chris - he's adapted the well known business practice of the annual review to plan and set goals for his life every year. He uses his own examples and also has a template for folks to use.

Yay! Let's all get high together!

All I Need

2010-12-20T21:25:00.001-08:00

all i need on a cold winter's night

Bright yellow sun dress - check

Soft white rug - check

Sound of raindrops - check

Gingerbread house - check

David Sedaris' short stories - check

Pitcher of sangria - check

Billie Holiday on the stereo - check

♥ Happy Holidays ♥

---
sidenote: I sent a friend request to my favorite chef, Ben Bailly, on Facebook today. I hope he accepts. Ee!