tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57924368239703400992012-01-08T21:10:41.274-05:00chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-72246665909063769762012-01-08T21:10:00.000-05:002012-01-08T21:10:41.284-05:00

When the oldest sister of the camping family told Meredith that she would take the head of family decision and when she told her younger brother and sister about their parents' death, I cried really hard. When Adam in 50/50 told his psych how scared he really was about death I broke down.I've always loved a good sad story or tragedy, but I feel more connected to people's misfortunes than ever. On

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-38482873001225090342011-02-10T16:12:00.002-05:002011-02-10T16:15:12.416-05:00

Where I live is not something I'm proud of.  In fact, I don't want to invite my friends over.  I've been wanting to move to a house for a while now. I'm not proud to say that I likely spent about 3 hours a day on design and home decor websites. But I don't have to look at other people's apartments or houses to know that mine sucks. First, it's a cookie cutter apartment with lots of problem and

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-47507380357438922172011-02-08T18:00:00.000-05:002011-02-08T18:00:27.036-05:00

West Elm's Hand-Blocked Saree Stripe Quilt + ShamI want this set of bedding badly lately.  It's in my favorite color and will brighten up my life without breaking my wallet.  I want I want!

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-6314279333100683192011-02-02T15:57:00.001-05:002011-02-02T15:58:00.457-05:00

Gaiam has a great list of creative ways to reuse your old yoga mat.  Too bad I couldn't really use my mat for any of these because there's cat pee in it... but next time I will keep my old mat around to cut it into useful tools like coasters, grip pads, sitting pads or kitchen shelves liner! http://life.gaiam.com/article/50-ways-reuse-your-yoga-or-fitness-mat

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-72326591212189501142011-01-15T23:01:00.000-05:002011-01-15T23:01:05.136-05:00

我這麼幸福 沒任何權利不滿足 我說不出 怎麼敢埋怨那不存在的苦 活像一個湖 沒有起也沒有伏 我說不出 這到底可以算是禍還是福 該怎麼形容 (心)像一個球又像一個洞 它越大越滿卻越空 剩一點力氣 一點勇氣 來面對孤寂 相信自己還有放棄的能力 要一點力氣 一點勇氣 心裡的空隙 不斷壓抑 無論跟誰在不在一起 都只有自己 I should be happy I don't have the right to be dissatisfied I can't say I daren't complain about the bitter that doesn't exist Like a lake With no wave no movement I can't say Whether this is bad or good How to describe My heart

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-68125241904198803222011-01-13T15:05:00.000-05:002011-01-13T15:05:37.664-05:00

I'm drifting helplessly down a river of sadness and uncertainty.  Rocks and logs that I previously held to gave ways to the quick current.  I drank a few mouthful of water as a result of that, and now I am angry at myself for holding onto the wrong rock, and question my survival instincts that I used to be so proud of.  I see people standing along the river, some watching me with pitying eyes,

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-71669272429505678362010-12-15T16:20:00.001-05:002010-12-16T10:39:09.232-05:00

 In rural parts of China, it is typical for children to travel a long way or cross a rapid river to get to school.  This bamboo bridge school in Xiashi is beautiful and practical without being invasive of the local and natural aestheticity of the town.  It not only makes the school a much more attractive place for children to learn, it also brings people together by transforming into a public

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-87778980795541819682010-12-09T16:00:00.000-05:002010-12-09T16:00:55.294-05:00

I had a one-on-one black and white printing lesson at Toronto Image Works with photographer Stephen Brookbank yesterday.  Since the TIW uses paper processors I didn't get to play with chemical.  Instead I learned how to operate the machine, how to adjust contrast and focus, and how ot analyze a photo and selectively adjust contrast, brightness, and color composition to make an image look better.

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-39099362242580488662010-12-07T15:49:00.003-05:002010-12-07T16:01:56.906-05:00

I like antique and vintage. I'm not very good at finding real antique or valuable stuff from a pile of junk or at a yard sale, but I do love go to antique market and vintage shops and look through things. Ever since I was a teenager I've always loved to look through my mom's suitcases of her clothes from the 70s and 80s and try things on. We'd go through her photo albums and ooo and ahh at her

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-50270873244962061182010-12-07T15:07:00.003-05:002011-01-14T09:39:12.043-05:00

Black Swan is my most anticipated film of all the films at TIFF.  One of my favorite actress Natalie Portman dancing my favorite classical ballet piece directed by one of the best directors of our time.  Now I just need to book a time in Y's schedule so we can watch it before our vacation. And the limited edition posters of Black Swan are just brilliant! Source

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-31837943917025985262010-11-24T17:48:00.001-05:002010-11-26T15:55:33.904-05:00

It's almost time to cut my hair short again.  It's tricky to have short hair cut when you have a flat head and a round face like me.  But I think I found the cut I want! Ginnifer Goodwin has a roundish face and round eyes.  I can probably pull this off, me think. (from Dailymakeover.com)

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-22223138192720362512010-11-24T17:21:00.002-05:002010-11-26T16:03:13.437-05:00

As a gift to my cousin for his marriage and new addition to the family, I've decided to make something special.  I want to make the baby a mobile with my newly adopted "skill" - needle felted animals.  Oh and how nice would it be to make some clouds too!  Here are some of my inspirations: 1. ECAB 2. Conversation Pieces 3. Donna Wilson 4. Etsy (Lovely Friend) 5. Etsy (Leptitpapillon) How pretty

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-15311488805176065872010-11-11T17:47:00.001-05:002010-11-26T16:08:31.805-05:00

I don't know what got to me this year.  But it's like discovering art for the first time in my life, I picked up a paint brush and started experimenting with painting, drawing, collage, and needle felting.  I was surprised by how easy it is to paint during my first painting lesson 15 years.  With nobody judging or giving me marks, I created a couple of not too bad first pieces on canvases and

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-44290540888929201622010-09-23T00:16:00.000-04:002010-09-23T00:16:55.471-04:00

So I think I made a lot of decisions that seemed to make sense to me at the time but now seem like some really selfish and bad decisions.  Our life is reaching this point where, in front of us, there are several paths that lead to different directions.  We are not sure where each path will lead us to but we kind of have an idea what we want to achieve in the longer term.  There are voices that

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-73122535099844920662010-09-13T18:17:00.001-04:002010-12-07T15:57:03.884-05:00

I'm quite pleased with our film choice at TIFF this year.  We got some of our first choices like the First Grader and the Cave of Forgotten Dreams, and I was less of a risk-taker this year to choose films basing only on its name.  We saw 2 over the weekend and they were both based in Africa, though very different in theme and nature.  The first one we saw was "State of Violence" by Khalo Matabane

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-17116420809476498752010-09-13T18:00:00.001-04:002010-11-26T15:57:59.288-05:00

Being a photographer is more that knowing how to take photos with your DSLR though. This much I've learned.  As someone who is too careless/carefree with her camera, and an "assistant" to the boyfriend who has a passion for his 50D, I decided to learn photo editing.  By learn of course I mean self-learn.This is my first more serious photo editing project.  I never learned to edit photos with

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-38996394411543760182010-08-30T13:29:00.000-04:002010-08-30T13:29:16.137-04:00

What does it feel like to be out of control?  I'd like to know.  To let loose of my emotion, to properly express my feelings, to spill it all out without worrying of being judged. Life goes on after I came back to Toronto last March.  I live my day to day life pretty much like I used to.  I mean, I'd talk about it with close friends and I think of her constantly.  Sometimes I'd cry in Yves'

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-5666841262997992452010-07-15T14:51:00.002-04:002010-11-26T16:09:13.552-05:00

1. watch this movie: http://www.sekaihatokidoki.com/ 2. go to NYC and have a popicle: http://www.pop-bar.com/index.php 3. learn Spanish in Spain for 2 months 4. paint 5. master Lightroom and organize our photos 6. Fan ring from Urban Outfitter 7. I want to see everything like I've never seen it before, and be curious.8. Have you visited Google today?

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-56631445561790344842010-07-02T14:20:00.000-04:002010-07-02T14:20:16.607-04:00

I'm excited about the double exposure project Nikko and I are going to do this summer. Excited and a little worried. The LC-A is still like a little monster to me. Sometimes I still have no idea how to get the exact color/look that I want. We'll see by around September how the films will turn out! I adore summer in Ontario. Someone once told me that a cold, dreary winter is what makes summer

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-72650996050304429472010-06-29T23:40:00.001-04:002010-06-29T23:41:20.019-04:00

This house and Her look

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-52973790225762503582010-06-25T15:15:00.001-04:002010-06-26T00:59:09.801-04:00

http://www.thismovieisbroken.com/

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-88223653194812963032010-06-24T16:55:00.000-04:002010-06-24T16:55:18.942-04:00

We had a little fun near Ossignton with mm the other day. And then we picked some basils. 

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-36636300773615891642010-06-23T17:05:00.001-04:002010-06-26T00:59:33.819-04:00

At about 1:45, our building started shaking.  Shaking left and right, rather than up and down like last time when the wall next to Salad King fell.   If you felt the quake like I did, tell me.  What were you thinkingWhose face did you have in your mindat that moment when the worst could have happened? Was it a face of your loved one? Geography you took in grade 10?  Was it your cats at home? Or

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-1080969626251587802010-06-23T16:58:00.002-04:002010-11-26T15:56:44.874-05:00

Let me tell you about my perfect weekend.  Because we didn't use our Canon 50D, I can only describe. Restorative yoga with Catherine was relaxing.  I felt my entire body resonating with everyone at the end of the practice.   And the energy was so powerful it stayed with me for the entire weekend. Baked this dreamy cream scones for a brunch at Lori's house. Learned to eat with one hand while

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-47358982121926522602010-06-18T00:54:00.000-04:002010-06-18T00:54:59.454-04:00

1. I read about this store called Smash that does savage arts and design.  We must visit soon.  The Lambretta in their window is screaming CUTE! 2. The red snake quilt decoration Mom bought from Beijing ages ago has been hiding in the storage for too long.  It's time for me to retrieve it.  I have a perfect spot for it.  It'll look so nice with the two paintings we bought from Xi Tang.  I'll

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-21121196288255184202010-06-16T21:07:00.000-04:002010-06-16T21:07:28.935-04:00

This frame I stole from Devon has been sitting around purposelessly for way too long. This day I finally decided to bring some purpose to its life. 1. Paint the frame white. Here I use Sherwin Williams' Quali-kote in Extra White. 2. Let it dry overnight. 3. Cut a piece of chalkboard sticker paper the size of your frame. These ones I got from DeSerres were perfect for my frame. 4. Stick the

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-10065336118884698822010-06-16T15:17:00.000-04:002010-06-16T20:20:10.630-04:00

One of the reason to start this blog again has to be to store and share beautiful things I see online. It's so easy to make me happy since so many things are pretty to me. You see, I'm not very good at making pretty things, so my jaw drops every time I see something nice on Etsy. Such as the ceramics made by Cynthia Vardhan, recently featured by design*sponge.   Photo from http://

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-61526607608382094532010-06-15T13:34:00.003-04:002010-06-15T23:40:53.190-04:00

I don't use Twitter.  But I do like birds and branches. through here: http://www.notcot.org/page/699/ ~~~ I'm sorry my darling Linus.  I love you, I promise. Tonight, however, you are sleeping in the bathroom. You've been spraying/peeing on the ground a lot recently. You even sprayed on Yves' yoga mat and my Club Monaco clutch. We know it's not your fault that you weren't neutered,  but

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-35004780010035600602010-06-15T00:53:00.000-04:002010-06-15T00:53:55.987-04:00

Ingredients that make a good Sunday: ~Nice weather ~One or two of my favorite people or cats ~An outfit that makes me feel pretty and comfortable ~A good cup of coffee ~Usually start with a good brunch ~one of: farmer's market, craft sale, Urban outfitter, vintage shop ~ My cameras ~And it almost always happens on Queen East, Queen West, or Kensington Market.

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-56323016083708527712010-06-12T21:30:00.002-04:002010-06-16T20:19:45.668-04:00

drawing - still life Originally uploaded by chirpy birdThursday, I attended my first art class at Maria's studio. Maria: What would you like to paint. Me: I don't know. I haven't painted for a long time and I used to get a D in art class. Maria: It's ok, perhaps we can start by drawing with charcoal? Me: (Not sounding convinced at all) Okee. Maria: here, draw this marble head. Why not the

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-8161943712471313492010-06-12T19:42:00.007-04:002010-06-12T21:32:21.675-04:00

With the new job came an extra 2 hours to my weekday and even more free time to my head. All of a sudden there's a rush of creativity in me looking for a gap to vent. So one day I bought a small quart of white paint and looked around the apartment for things to paint on and broken things to mend. So there's this: and then there's this: stenciling: Conclusion: I need some art classes.

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-72061846030914430052010-06-12T18:30:00.002-04:002010-06-12T18:32:41.399-04:00

It took me 31 yearsto realize thatbirthday is a celebration of motherhoodbeing born is worth celebratingbut if not for my mom who nurtured me in her for 10 monthsthere wouldn't be much to celebrateI miss her dearlyBeen imagining her sending me an emailand perhaps a card as wellcalling me in the morningwhen she's sure I'll be homeI wish I realize earlierhow much she's done for meand how little I

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-46723003317109404492009-06-29T00:26:00.002-04:002009-06-29T00:34:14.013-04:00

I find myself continue to ask myself, how can I ask the Chinese government for an apology for 6.4, if I don't even ask him if he thinks he's wrong. I really hope that we will all hate him together. At this moment, I feel like I we did not do her justice.

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-57668393380019741352009-06-21T21:35:00.004-04:002010-06-15T20:54:15.947-04:00

Environment issues were brought up in various conversation recently. I had a glimpse of how the Americans see things during my time in New York. I never truely appreciate how much more environment concious the city of Toronto is compared to many places. For example, the government has installed those garbage/recycling bins on the street for almost ten years. We get rebate for switching to a

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-48811365663893460862009-06-03T23:01:00.006-04:002010-12-07T16:23:25.038-05:00

I was never an artsy person.  Even though I like to think that I have an eye for good design and appreciation of good art, I never got high marks in art class in HK.  But my beloved Merchants of Green Coffee hosted a short documentary screening + collage party fundraiser for a film production team which sounded very interesting, so I decided to invite my colleague Leanne to come with me.  Leanne

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-47219058305638199262009-05-24T01:27:00.002-04:002009-05-24T01:54:24.229-04:00

We went to Riverdale farm today for the first time.  Not sure why we never came here when we lived in the neighborhood.   The farm is right in downtown next to a busy highway, but once you are in there you'd forget that you are in toronto.  Parents bring their kids here to see the animals, the see the real sheep, pigs, chicken, horse.  There are spots for picnic, baseball, organic vegetables,

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-61773527678883760282009-05-21T16:54:00.004-04:002009-05-21T17:02:54.612-04:00

"要是沒有活著，也就看不到人生的千迴百轉。沒有活下去，也永不知道曾經以為無法承受的痛苦原來是會過去的。當你以為你的心已經一片荒蕪，有一天，它卻會出奇不意地開出一朵漂亮的小花兒。那一刻，所有的荒蕪都成了往事。"From AmyBlogger.How I wish I could show you that happiness is right there if you just choose to see.

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-85309781016591904792009-05-09T22:33:00.006-04:002009-05-09T23:59:36.541-04:00

Before he left he wrote me a message that says "Have fun the next few days." I was very upset when I saw the message. How do I "have fun" while there's no one, nothing to distract me from thinking in my head? How dared he say this to me when you know I'll be facing mother's day on my own?Things don't always happen as planned. The dark morning sky told me that it's not a good day to ride the

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-44528652006584351942009-04-26T14:12:00.004-04:002009-04-27T19:39:07.457-04:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm just a person who is good at creating this image of myself. I am just someone who can't stand being criticized and hated. And what I'm most afraid of is, people'll find out one day that I'm this way.

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-4308334709199994352009-04-26T12:11:00.002-04:002009-04-26T13:10:47.405-04:00

Being a Gemini means I'd like to know something about everything, which means there's always a list of things I want to learn. Here is my current list:SpanishPhotographyGuitarJazz - dancesqlPhotoshopJazz - singBalletKnitCookBakeDraw

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-23833954401390794822009-04-23T22:29:00.004-04:002009-04-23T23:29:20.833-04:00

The society applies this standard on you. A standard which tells you whether you are successful or not, whether you make enough money, whether you are good or bad, chubby or skinny, handsome or ugly. I remember in my previous society I was not bright at all and no one would expect me to make a lot of money. My family still think they should give me money because I am finally on my own and

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-41651872259477185662009-04-22T23:14:00.004-04:002009-04-23T00:45:47.726-04:00

How do you judge a person? How do you judge me?They say I am data queen, he says I am dumb.You say I am smart, I say I am slow.She says I am resilient, I think I am cold blooded.You say I am cool, you say I am passionate.They say I am pretty, you say I look common.I thought I was pessimistic, I think I am optimistic.They say I am tough, She says I am a coward.You think we are poor, I think we are

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792436823970340099.post-26964581728329070122008-09-06T15:31:00.000-04:002008-09-06T15:55:53.317-04:00

I miss the time when I used to write. I used to ponder on things about the World, about people around me, about myself; then translate these thoughts into language, into paragraphs, which sort of make these random, intangible thoughts into records of these bits and pieces of pictures. Words are proofs that these thoughts once existed in my head. They are evidence of why I who I was and I am

chirpypighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914473897884549324noreply@blogger.com0