Upset

I am having a really hard time getting into this one particular chemistry class. I tried to register online last week but the system wouldn't let me register for the class because I took it 16 years ago! So I call the registrar and they said I have to go to the first day of class, get an add number from the professor and they will add me.

Chemistry classes are highly impacted and they fill up fairly quickly. By the time the first day rolls around the class is full. So if this is the process of trying to add a repeat course, then who is to say that there is a guarantee I will get in this semester or the next or the next? There is no guarantee. This will set me back god knows how long? Being a science major especially pre-pharmacy the courses are in a series and you can't jump to the next course without taking the pre-requisite of the previous one.

The registar's solution wasn't enough for me. So I emailed the Department Chair of Chemistry and he said I needed to pick up a repeat course approval form from the registrar's office and have it signed by the Dean of Math and Science. Great!

But I look at the schedule and the chemistry class is completely FULL. All the labs and lectures are full. It's now full and classes don't start until mid August!

Sucks for me. This means I'd have to go to the first day of class and attend every lab and lecture hoping the professor has room to add which is a big pain in the ass.

Crap.

Wanna Know How Much of A Makeup Addict I Am?

Last night I set my alarm for 8am to get first dibs on the UD Naked Palette. Soon this bad boy will be in my possession...

photo via temptalia.com

The palette is a steal which is why I'm going crazy! You get 12 full sized shadows for $44! One full sized shadow cost $17.00 each. $17 x 12 = $204. Included with the palette are 2 24/7 eyeliners which retail for $17 each. You also get a mini bottle of primer potion which retails for $18. Do the math!

You can now get it online at urbandecay.com or wait until August 1st to get it in store at Sephora or Ulta. For UK folks, it will probably launch there in September.

Wishlist

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Limited Edition - Release Date: August 1st - This is a neutral eyeshadow palette and it was made for me!

I want to build my perfume collection. All I have is the one Avoca perfume that HopAlong gave me for my birthday last year. I really love the smell of Avoca's perfume but I'm afraid of running out and I don't want to get sick of it by using it all the time. I had Thierry Mugler's Angel at some point but I lost it.

I love fresh, sweet fruity or tropical scents for the day and sweet musky smells for night. I can't stand straight powdery floral perfumes, they give me a headache. One day I hope to have all these (sigh...)!

Sunessence by Thierry Mugler - Limited Edition - Notes: Frozen Star Fruit, Patchouli, Vanilla, Ginger Flower - This is basically a lighter version of Angel.

Tobacco Vanille - Tom Ford - RARE!!! - Notes: A modern take on an old world men's club. A smooth oriental, Tobacco Vanille opens immediately with opulent essences of tobacco leaf and aromatic spice notes. The heart unfolds with creamy tonka bean, tobacco flower, vanilla and cocoa, and finishes with a dry fruit accord, enriched with sweet wood sap.

Black Orchid - Tom Ford - Notes: Bergamot, Citrus, Mandarin, Black Gardenia, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lotus Wood, Orchid, Spicy Floral Accord, Orchid (Tom Ford Black Accord), Patchouli, Sandalwood, Incense, Vanilla - I have a sample size of this. This is a perfume people really love or really hate. At first I didn't like it because the musk was overpowering, But throughout the day it would slowly release its notes bit by bit, I kept smelling my wrist and falling in love with it more and more. It totally compliments my body chemistry. I can see myself wearing this day or night in the winter or at night in the summer. This is a very unique and delicious scent. I want it!!!

Miss Dior Cherie by Dior - Notes: Green Tangerine, Violette, Pink Jasmine, Patchouli, Crystalline Musk, Strawberry Leaves, Caramelized Popcorn, Strawberry Sorbet.

Flowerbomb - Victor & Rolf - Notes:
Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, Patchouli - This is lovely, the right hint of floral and sweet.

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Abricot - Top: Jackfruit, Abricot Papaya; Heart: Papaya; Base: Tahitian Vanilla, Sugar Candy - Wear this only if you want men to follow you around with a fork, it smells like cake.

Blue Agava & Cacao - Jo Malone - Notes: Inspired by the rhythm and vibrancy of Latin music, a sparkling citrus melody of lime and grapefruit leads to an exquisite heart of the blue agava flower. A sensual blend of vetiver, cinnamon and the primitive rawness of cacao, make an unexpected and surprising harmony. - This smells like chocolate!

Nectarine & Honey Blossom - Jo Malone - Notes: A youthful and fruity fragrance, inspired by the delicious scent of just-ripening nectarines and a taste of refreshing peach sorbet. Mouthwatering nectarine and peach with hints of plum, blackcurrant and vetiver are combined with the sweet warmth of acacia honey in this truly seductive combination.

Dark Amber & Ginger Lily - Jo Malone - Limited Edition - Notes: Created as a modern interpretation of Kohdo, an ancient Japanese incense ceremony, Dark Amber & Ginger Lily is a sensual and calming blend that encourages a sense of tranquility.

Ralph Lauren Hot - Notes: Mandarin, Almond Blossom, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Orchid, Maplewood, Honeysuckle, Mocha, Fig, Milk Notes, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Vanilla. - This is perfect to wear on a beach holiday, has a slight coconut smell.


Love Rocks by Victoria's Secret - Top notes: bergamot, peony, raspberry sorbet; Middle notes: sandalwood flower, jasmine, peach nectar, plum, stephanotis; Low notes: golden amber, violet, cashmere musk, vanilla- Winner of the 2010 Fifi Fragrance of the Year Award. Fifi is like the Oscar for perfumes.

These are just body sprays. I'll probably pick them up next week when I'm in the city. They are on sale 3 for $21!!!
Island Escape, Room 504, Good Day Sunshine - Secret Moments Collection - Victoria's Secret

How to Chill Out and Relax

"Weird" Asian Snacks

I went to the Asian Supermarket today and picked up a bunch of unusual snacks. Stay tuned for reviews!

The Flamenco Diaries: Week 7

Class was cancelled because everyone was watching legendary Manuela Carrasco perform in Berkeley.

Cardio Overkill

I have just come back from 2 hours of torture at the gym. One hour of spinning class and an hour of zumba back to back!

I - AM - KNACKERED!

I don't think I can walk for a week. This was my second time trying out spin class. The first time was a couple of months ago and I really hated it. My ass hurt and my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest, I was gasping for air. I didn't feel so good.

This time around I was expecting the worst but determined to plow through it. It wasn't too bad actually. I didn't feel sick like last time. My ass didn't hurt so much thanks to the chamois, and I kept an even breathing rhythm which helped my stamina a lot. Granted, I'm a lot more fit than I was 2 months. Now I LOVE spin class and intend to take it 2-3 times a week.

Yay!

The Flamenco Diaries: Crazy

I was practicing turns in the garage until 2am last night. I woke up the next morning at 7:30AM and practiced footwork on the backyard deck. I probably woke the whole neighborhood up too.

Random Facts About Me

Decade of birth
1970s

Dream job
Food critic

Where do you see yourself in three years?
Married and in Pharmacy School

What do you spend most of your money on?
Cosmetics: drugstore, Nars, MAC; Food

Favorite way to procrastinate
Watching YouTube videos

Shy or extrovert
Shy

Mac or PC
Mac

How many books do you own
50

Fanta or Tango
None, yuck

Worst school subject
Calculus

Best school subject
Anthropology

Pet hate
duckfaces

Currently have a crush?
Yes… :)

A country you want to explore
Japan

What will you do after filling out this questionnaire
Sleep

Most cherished life experience
Living a year in West Africa

Favourite place to be
In HopAlong's arms (cheezy but true)

Drink you always order
Arnold Palmer

Blue or black ink
Black

Currently addicted to…
Youtube makeup tutorials and reviews

Something that excites you
Dancing

I get many compliments for
My hair

Early bird or night owl
Night Owl

Something you do not understand
text speak

A trait you dislike in people
selfishness

A trait you admire in people
Empathy and open-mindedness

Something you want RIGHT now
For HopAlong to be here :(

Worst feeling in the world
Rejection and failure

I get criticized for
My negativity

The Flamenco Diaries: Week 6- Vueltas

I thought flamenco class was cancelled today. I walked up to the studio and discovered that it was locked. The lights were off and nobody was there. I was not thrilled at all as I had to travel into the city to get here and it was a complete waste of my time. If class were cancelled, the teacher would have emailed us. I checked my email, and no email from teacher.

I decided to walk out to the corner on market street and wait. About 20 minutes later, I saw my teacher leave a cafe nearby walking to the studio. Phew! Class is not cancelled. I followed her. She too discovered the door was locked and she didn't have the access code. She called the studio owner for the code, all she got was a voicemail.

More students were showing up as we were waiting for the call back. The teacher jokingly said (or maybe not jokingly), "If we can't get in, we'll just have class outside. The concrete will do wonders for our knees."

The owner finally called and we were able to get in the studio.

There are some days when you are having an "on" day. You're in the zone and everything just clicks for you. Today wasn't one of those days. Talk about being humbled. I felt like a downright idiot. The teacher introduced us to vueltas (turning). She broke down the turn for us and showed us how to spot. Spotting is where you focus on a "spot" in front of you and when you whip your head around you go back looking at that same spot. This prevents you from getting dizzy and from being off balance.

I hate turning. Turns are my major downfall. Even back then when I was taking flamenco 5 days a week, I still had trouble with turns and would get intimidated when we had to do them in choreography.

So she made us travel across the floor doing vueltas, switching sides after a set. I don't know if I was psyching myself out or what, I just couldn't do them. And these beginners who've NEVER taken flamenco before could do them. This makes me lead to believe, either I've picked up a bad habit or it's a mental thing.

My teacher approached me after class and said, "I notice when you are turning you are using your head as momentum to get around. You need to use your core." I told her that turns were my weakness and the other teachers I took classes from never bothered to break it down. They just had me do them without proper technique. She goes on to explain that some of her advanced students don't even know how to do turns for this very reason. And she said my spotting is perfect and to stop psyching myself out. I'm guessing she saw my frustration and felt the need to approach me after class.

After class, I wanted to kick myself. I hate it when I don't get something. Anyways, now I know what I'm doing wrong. It took years for someone to point this out to me and I'm so thankful for it. Every week my teacher proves to me that she is an amazing teacher. Most flamenco teachers can't be bothered.

I vow to practice every day until it becomes second nature. I'm going to get it, hopefully by next week when she makes us go across the floor again.

It's Eva Again...Dancing Like She's Possessed (As Usual)

Brilliant! I can never get enough of her!

Hangin' With My Peeps

I took this pic last year.

Every year in June the Filipino community throughout the Bay Area celebrate a festival called Pista sa Nayon.

The tradition of the Pista sa Nayon dates back centuries to the rural areas and towns of the Philippines. During Pista sa Nayon (a Filipino phrase translated “town festival”) Filipinos would gather for a fiesta in the middle of town to celebrate a good harvest, and it would be a time for people to focus on their neighbors, family and friends, solidifying the sense of community and hard work. -www.pista.org

I went to one today in my hood. Here you see lots of vendors, food, musical entertainment, comedy acts, food, food, food and more food!

Since we're on the subject of food...

I drank fresh coconut water which is a rare treat for me. So perfect for a hot summer's day!

Did you know that..."Coconut water is the second purest water next to water itself and is an isotonic solution which replaces the fluids and minerals that the body loses during physical activities. For this reason, many athletes and persons who work out regularly are encouraged to drink coconut water to replace all the minerals and fluid that they lose while working out? Coconut water is also almost identical to blood plasma and this makes it easy to use for blood transfusion. In cases of emergency coconut water has been used as an intravenous hydration fluid instead of the standard IV." (from associatedcontent.com)

In a nutshell, it's a natural sports drink!



I also indulged in Mango and Ube ice cream! Ube ice cream, a purple sweet potato used as an ingredient in many Filipino desserts, is a very popular flavor in the Philippines. Don't let the purple color fool you, it is delish!



It was a great today! I'm so glad that summer has finally arrived! I had been waiting impatiently because it sure took its sweet time getting here!

Shindiggers for Spin Class

which I will start taking next week. It has a well padded chamois so my butt doesn't hurt as much.

The Flamenco Diaries: Week 5

Teacher walks up to me after class and says...

Teacher: You've danced before!

Me: Yes, but I haven't danced in 4 years.

Teacher: How long were you dancing flamenco?

Me: About 5 years.

Teacher: I can tell. You need to move up to a higher level.