And so it starts another trip around the Sun

Back in my apartment- booty's happy. This year I'm going to try and be who I used to be (the parts I like. the innocence, openness, thinking I could do anything).
I'm not going to go out much, talk to family and old friends when I need too, but not to the point where I take out my 22 year old frustrations on them. Work really hard for what I have, and be kind to myself.




At church, the guy subbing for Tim Keller was saying that When you think everything is going well in your life, you think it's all because of you, that's you're in control. It's only when things get tough that you realize how stupid it is to think you're in control, that all you need is you.

From Space Kitten Tumblr, on New York

Move here when you’re 18 or 22, maybe even 24. Come from somewhere else-the north, south, west, ... and come to realize that everyone living in New York is a transplant. Even the ones who grew up on the Upper East Side end up moving into a place downtown, which, as you’ll soon discover, is like moving to a different city.

...

Eat bad pizza but trick yourself into believing it’s good because it’s made in New York. Do the same thing with bagels and sex.

Meet people who will be your best friends for three or four months. They’ll help you transition into city life and take you to weird bars in Murray Hill. It will be like the blind leading the blind but once you get a firm grasp on things, you can stop returning their phone calls.

...

Encounter a lot of people crying in public. Watch an NYU student cry in Think Coffee, a business woman in midtown sob into her cellphone, an old man whimper on a stoop in Greenpoint. At first, it will feel very jarring but, like everything else, it will become normal. Have your first public cry in front of a Bank of America. Cry so hard and don’t care if people are watching you. You pay good money to be able to cry in public.

Work long hours at a thankless job. Always be one step away from financial destitution. Marvel at how expensive New York is, how when you walk out the door, $20.00 immediately gets deleted from your wallet...

Go home for the holidays and run into old friends from high school. When you tell them that you live in New York, watch their eyes widen. They’ll say, “Oh my god, New York? That’s so crazy. I’m so jealous!” Have a blasé attitude about it but deep down inside, know they have good reason to be jealous.

...feel relieved to be away from the energy of the city, that punishing 4:00 a.m. last call. Spend the first two days eating and sleeping, getting back to normal. Spend the last two days feeling anxious and ready to get back to your real home. Realize this city has you by the balls and isn’t going to let you go.

Starting over

The New Year is starting in a few days and I have a few things to think about concerning what I want for the next year....
listening to this song by my friend, and really liking it
I'd like to work harder, make more money, give more.

updated reel:

Can't wait to be with my scanner again so I can upload the sketches I've been doing since I came home. Pics of being home are in this and in my previous entry.
Have been brainstorming. And the Chen women got hair cuts.

Happy Holidays, love Paul, Ling, Oliver, Emily, Andrea and Booty Chen

Christmas Eve 12/24/2010

The Secret Garden is my favorite film

Someone recently asked me what my favorite movie was. I used to say Say Anything, back in high school. I like the idea of the story still, all that was on my mind was finding realness in movies, and love. But the acting, some of the side characters, and an overall dislike of the female protagonist has grown gradually over the years.
My favorite movie when I was a child and that I've always quoted growing up, and am watching right now, is The Secret Garden. Being home means that I've developed a deeper relationship with my netflix account. I remember when I first got the movie, it came with a promotional locket. That's why I've always been obsessed with lockets I think. Something secret and precious hung over the heart. And the soundtrack, I still can hum. The visual aesthetics really influenced my photography and sketches... just a really great film. So I hereby amend my answer- world. The Secret Garden

"They even had twin ivory elephants"

liz, what did you once say about acting?
hit your mark, stay in your light and do the same thing every time for continuity
see, anyone can do it.
(30 rock)

General Electric Green Initiative Commercial

I didnt know this was out until my sister was like "someone saw you on TV for this 'green' thing" lol. wait til the end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvQ_mqui2Bc
-"Idea Girl"





I can go out every night of the week... but it’s just a temporary high ’cause when I close my eyes
I’m somewhere with you, somewhere with you

Messing around with the guitar, really like this song.