S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D is just D-E-S-S-E-R-T-S spelled backwards

We've reached that horrible time in the semester; when the list of "things that stand between me and Spring Break" feels a mile long.  I have three exams, a PChem lab report, and a PChem problem set due before I can get on the bus home.  I wasn't feeling stressed about it last night, but after getting back an exam and problem set this morning...it's starting to get to me.  Grades..are not where they should be.  So I'm feeling the pressure for these three coming up.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel however.  I've been getting spurts of happiness from food blogs.  While I'm still on a health kick, I've found some sweet recipes that I need to try soon:

Strawberry Fruit Tart from Easy Eats (recipe)

 Strawberry Scones from Confections of a Foodie Bride (recipe)

 

French Toast with Berries from queen of quinoa (recipe)

 

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Bars from Easy Eats (recipe)

So in the meantime, spending my study breaks on food blogs will have to suffice.

Currently listening to: "Madness" Muse

Too Much of a Good Thing

Today, the lineups for Bonnaroo, Firefly, and other summer music festivals were announced.  Coming off of the high of one amazing concert, these announcements were just adding fuel to the fire.  And I was loving every minute of it.

The 2013 Firefly Music Festival is the closest to my location, being in Dover, DE, and the lineup is incredible. Vampire Weekend, The Avett Brothers, Ellie Goulding, MGMT, Imagine Dragons...just to name a few.  And who can forget Passion Pit and Matt & Kim.  I really can't pass up the opportunity to see these amazing artists, so hopefully I will be there come June.

 

And of course, some summer festival fashion inspiration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not a big fan of summer weather/fashion in general, but I absolutely love festival fashion.  It's edgy, cool, and visually interesting.  The patterns, fabrics, and accessories give off a relaxed, free feel.  Expressing yourself and staying cool in the heat wave of people and summer sun, what more could I ask for?

Currently listening to: "Wake Up" Arcade Fire

"And I'll be yours until the sun no longer shines"

My Valentine's Day has been postponed to tomorrow.  I had an extremely busy day today, so the festivities will have to wait until tomorrow.  My friends and I are making pizzas in the evening and I'm making chocolate covered strawberries and hanging out with a friend hopefully later in the evening.

Valentine's Day at Spotlight Rehearsal!

Gifs are so much fun to make!  And super easy too.  :)

I hope everyone, whether or not you have a significant other, celebrated Valentine's Day.  At the least, I hope you'll take advantage of the candy and chocolate sales tomorrow!  :)

Currently listening to: "Baby I'm Yours" Arctic Monkeys

Year of the Snake

Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrated this weekend!

I was lucky enough to be able to go home for the weekend to be with my family.  Based on today, this coming year will be full of eating amazing food and being in transit.  One new year tradition is that the first day of the new year will be indicative of the rest of your year; meaning you don't want to clean or cook food on the first day of the new year.

Here are some pictures from my New Year celebration.

"Traditional" new year food, canh chua and thit kho (links to recipes and absolutely gorgeous pictures from The Ravenous Couple):

All food, before it's eaten, needs to be put out for our ancestors.  You always have to remember where you came from.

Games (and gambling)!  This game's called "bầu cua cá cọp", translated from Vietnamese to "squash-crab-fish-tiger".  It's a game of chance and dice; you bet money on whichever picture you think the dice will roll.  I call this gambling for the children...

..and here's the gambling for the adults.  This is a card game that's been played at family reunions for as long as I can remember.  It's played with four players and to summarize the game in a sentence, you rearrange your cards in a group of three, five, and five cards, trying to create your best three "poker" hands.

 And pictures of the family!

Currently listening to: "Locked Out of Heaven" Bruno Mars at the Grammy's

"Don't call me crazy, I'm happy"

Last night was the long awaited Passion Pit concert.  A concert which I bought tickets for...11 months ago.  And whose original date was...July 20th.  So needless to say, I was a giant ball of emotions.

I can't find the right words to express my thoughts in a coherent set of paragraphs, so I'll do it this way.  Photos are unfortunately not mine (except the ticket); I never seem to document life as much as I'd like to.

The Good:
- hearing Matt & Kim play songs I forgot I loved
- being back at the Norva
- getting out of campus and Williamsburg for a night
- hearing Passion Pit perform "Cry Like a Ghost" for the first time live

The Bad:
- the fact that personal space goes out the door at a concert
- the view, but that wasn't a surprise #shortpeopleproblems

The Wonderful:
- being there with the right people
- 11 months of waiting and anticipation being absolutely worth it
- that euphoric feeling you have when everything works out

Quote of the night:

"Better late than never." - Michael Angelakos

Currently listening to: "I'll Be Alright" Passion Pit

Happy February!

What's to come:

Passion Pit/Matt & Kim concert at the Norva

Going home for Chinese New Year

Weekly trips into CW for cider/hot chocolate

Staying active (Zumba classes, anyone?)

Choreographing for Spotlight!  (excited for the Les Mis medley)

Currently listening to: "Better than Before" Next to Normal OBC Soundtrack