e x e g e s i s

2010-01-15T03:22:00.003-05:00

2009 Quick & Dirty Recap

Jan: trip to Singapore with its usual awesomeness
Feb: watched In the Heights on Broadway (new fave)
March: first visit to Liquid, begin application process for UK work visa
April: work work work, moved out of the East Village :(
May: moved back to NJ, completed application for UK work visa
June: watched Hillsong in concert, trip to Maui
July: trip to Oahu, surfed for the first time :), VBS, UK visa effective, "I've Got a Feeling"
August: GI Joe was awful, Chans from Sac visit NJ, ton of BBQ's
Sept: ran first official 5K, Nana visits NJ, watched U2 in concert, participated in Bubby's Pie Social
Oct: Tempest, watched Bright Star and This is It
Nov: London calling, watched New Moon
Dec: trip to London, watched Avatar

2009-11-30T22:14:00.001-05:00

"Singing lets them imagine their way out of their misery." (Smart People, 2008)

2008-09-05T13:30:00.004-04:00

Word

"...and in this business, where everybody has to be a %&$#ing genius..."

I was reminded of one of the reasons why I love doing what I do. I learn a lot being surrounded by colorful characters who go through life with their eyes and minds open. No doubt there are some people who rub me the wrong way, but this week I've been quite tickled and enlightened by the company in the control room. Few other industries would attract people with such wit, strength, creativity, showmanship, intelligence, self-scrutiny, and vulnerability.

2008-07-15T10:03:00.002-04:00

Make Your Own Chocolate Bar

I'm not exactly sure why, but I'm just so tickled by this gift! It might actually be the cutest and most perfect present for a chocoholic like me!

As you can see, I just dove right in the first chance I got and then realized too late that I should take a picture of this gorgeous thing before I completely devoured it.

2008-05-25T13:54:00.004-04:00

Memorial Weekend

Good 'ol fashioned American-style barbeque.

Burger bar, courtesy of the 'lil sis.

By the way, yes, this means I got a new camera to replace my lost Sony DSC-P10. A Canon G9 now lives with me, thanks to the never-ending generosity of family and friends!

2008-05-07T03:44:00.003-04:00

The Forbidden Kingdom

How disappointing that two of the most popular Chinese actors of our time finally got together to do a movie only to have it be a half-hearted attempt that caters to high school boys.

2008-04-13T21:57:00.000-04:00

Haenyo - women sea divers, sea women, mermaids

2008-03-04T14:50:00.001-05:00

Camera

It's been a week since I lost my camera and there's no sign of its return. :( I've filed a report with the powers that be and I've been calling the restaurant and lounge where I might have left it and still--nothing. Been feeling like I'm walking around without my left arm. Oh poo.

2008-02-12T12:55:00.001-05:00

Home

It's always good to be home. And it's wonderful to have a hyperactive 2 1/2 year old around to play with me. Now if I can get him to stop smacking me in the face, I'd be a happy camper.

2008-01-02T01:48:00.001-05:00

Year in Review

Jan. - worked quite a bit and saw Jersey Boys which re-inspired me to tell a powerful story, whatever form it may take.
Feb. - went back to Singapore and visited Bali for the first time. Was rushed back to work where I (once again) questioned my decision to stay in NYC and do what I do. (i.e. work vs. family, am I a selfish robot for choosing work?)
March - worked. A lot.
April - Had to reassess career progression. Worked a bunch.
May - Spent 25 days in L.A. and worked a heck of a lot.
June - Worked, but also got a decent amount of family time.
July - finished major project while starting a new one. New roomie moves in and all the chatting leaves little time for TV. Went whitewater rafting and saw another John Mayer concert.
August - Worked like a madwoman which left little energy for social graces, but miraculously people still wanted to talk to me. Saw the Lion King again and it still moved me. Started to really crave a vacation where I could be completely unreachable by people who call me only because they want something.
Sept. - culmination of hard work spread over two years! Worked a bit.
Oct. - faced a few personal challenges and yet still laughed like it was going out of style. Worked a smidge.
Nov. - finally got that vacation that I've been itching for and visited the Philippines for the first time. Came back rested, full, and happy.
Dec. - spent first half of the month either congested and or coughing up a lung--at work, no less. Met one of the people who inspire me the most and had the best Christmas break ever because I looked around me and realized that it is possible to have my cake and eat it too. Even if it's just for a brief moment.

And then 2008 began (cue thunder and ominous music)...

just kidding.

I hope.

2007-10-27T02:05:00.000-04:00

Grey's Anatomy-The Heart of the Matter

"'Cause people are stupid and just want to be loved. That's the only reason anybody does anything."

"You didn't love her because you don't destroy the person that you love."

2007-10-22T17:35:00.000-04:00

Central Park

Every time I step into the park, it never ceases to amaze me how uplifting and beautiful the place is.

2007-09-06T12:22:00.000-04:00

It's Finished

The movie's done, we've seen it, the soundtrack is being pressed and packed as I type this, and the reviews have already started to roll in. I've loved it and now it's everyone else's turn to love it.

On to the next adventure.

2007-08-09T02:53:00.000-04:00

Soundtrack Release Date

Finally, a release date has been announced for the Across the Universe soundtrack! I know what I'll be doing come September 18.

Correction: Oops, it's now Sept. 14th.

2007-05-30T01:36:00.000-04:00

Grey's Anatomy - Season 3 Finale

"We do not get unlimited chances to have the things we want."

2007-04-24T05:13:00.000-04:00

Run Easy

A couple weeks ago, I noticed a giant Reebok billboard by Macy*s facing Penn Station with a picture of a runner laying down on the track and grabbing her ankle looking like she's in excruciating pain. The copy reads: Congratulations. Now you can't walk. Run easy.

Is it just me or does someone else take that to mean, "Don't try so hard. Be mediocre."? It's the wrong campaign for this city. I can't even believe that someone somewhere signed off on it!

2007-04-22T05:31:00.000-04:00

Singapore Day

Who knew there were so many Singaporeans and people interested in the culture to make the first annual Singapore Day such a big success? I would never have guessed that so many people would show up. And the event was very well organized with an excellent cleaning crew, patient and hardworking food vendors, and entertainers who kept trying to keep the audience captivated (with little luck). I'm also surprised that there was so much food and drinks being given away for FREE! Of course, no one paid any attention to the minister of something or other and most of the people who gathered in the area that was designated to showcase Singapore's latest developments were mainly there for the shade. But it did feel a little bit like home and I was happy to be able to share that with friends and family. Hopefully next year they'll host it in NYC again instead of London or L.A. like they mentioned.

2007-04-13T03:29:00.000-04:00

"Anything is Possible"

There was a reason why I held out so long in getting the CD for "Anything is Possible" but I've completely forgotten what it was. It's Debbie Gibson's third album and it was the only one that I had on cassette and nothing else so I haven't heard it in at least 6 years. It was also the one of the few albums that kept slipping into my thoughts every so often with it's melodies and lyrics. Well, I finally gave in to the nagging desire to procure this CD and finally got to listen to what I've been missing for such a long time. It was filled with an emotional depth that helped to lay a foundation for my education in the complex, ever-changing nature of real love in the real world. She was, and I believe still is, one of the most talented singer-songwriters of our time. Unfortunately, in this day and age, that doesn't guarantee anything.

2007-04-12T01:44:00.000-04:00

Pan's Labyrinth

I heard someone once say that a director shouldn't mess with the audience just because they can and I agreed wholeheartedly. I felt like the scene where the girl stops to eat the grapes was a classic example of messing with the audience just for the sake of it. Also, the movie relied very heavily on visual effects to make the audience wince and squirm. It's a visual masterpiece for sure, and a good story to boot, it just didn't put me over the edge of exhiliration like I expected it to.

2007-03-11T17:57:00.000-04:00

I'm still young/naive/crazy/daring/stupid enough to dream.

Good to know.

2007-02-20T23:10:00.000-05:00

Yep, I've been back for a day and I'm homesick already.

2007-01-01T04:20:00.000-05:00

Best of 2006:
- seeing Cayden and Kayden for the first time and the trip back home
- having an "I can do this" moment when I really needed it
- continuing to work on ATU
- Cayden's first visit to the U.S.
- trip to Italy

Every year I say to myself, "Things are going so much better than I would have dared to dream. I hope my life and career hasn't peaked already." And then the next year comes along and once again I'm left flabbergasted by the situations I find myself in. I'm grateful beyond words to be blessed with these opportunities and hope that I'm making the most of them all.

2006-11-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

"I don't think reverb is funny."

2006-11-05T05:31:00.000-05:00

Frail Boys

Just saw a great video that my cousin linked to in her blog. Great song and an unusual story. Paolo Nutini's "Last Request".

Another good video that I've seen lately is James Blunt's "Goodbye, My Lover". His shaky singing has always put me off but this beautiful video makes it bearable.

2006-11-04T05:39:00.000-05:00

Writing for 14-Year-Olds (in a 26-Year-Old's Body)

I finally get it. Now I understand their love. I can feel the way she feels about him. It's amazing how music can take you somewhere and show you something you couldn't see before. For someone who watches way to many romantic movies for her own good, I can't believe the love story in this movie took such a bloody long time to click for me! I must be slipping. Must watch more quality movies.