Story Time

The Disciple

When Narcissus died the pool of his pleasure changed from a cup of sweet waters into a cup of salt tears, and the Oreads came weeping through the woodland that they might sing to the pool and give it comfort.

And when they saw that the pool had changed from a cup of sweet waters into a cup of salt tears, they loosened the green tresses of their hair and cried to the pool and said, "We do not wonder that you should mourn in this manner for Narcissus, so beautiful was he."

"But was Narcissus beautiful?" said the pool.

"Who should know that better than you?" answered the Oreads. "Us did he ever pass by, but you he sought for, and would lie on your banks and look down at you, and in the mirror of your waters he would mirror his own beauty."

And the pool answered, "But I loved Narcissus because, as he lay on my banks and looked down at me, in the mirror of his eyes I saw ever my own beauty mirrored."

-Oscar Wilde

Past, Present, Future

image via amazon

Strega Nona was my favorite book as a child. I think I checked this one out every time I went to the library. It had an unusual plot compared to most other books about bunnies or puppies, and I loved the illustrations (especially of the overflowing pasta). I remember reading it and actually being able to smell the spaghetti. I wish I had a hard cover copy of it today.

I've been wanting a cat for awhile now. I want to adopt one when it's this small and let her grow into a slinky housecat. 

image via flickr

There's definitely a cat in my future family. We'll name her Rio and maybe make her wear a little bell on her collar.

As for the present:

 

SHOES. Shoes. shoes.

I don't think I've owned a pair of tennis shoes since middle school. In the last 10 years, everything I've bought has fallen into 4 categories: ballet flats, sandals, high heels, boots. So I was a little excited when I saw these on Topshop awhile back. My only hesitation then was that I wasn't sure how I would incorporate them into my wardrobe. I'm still not quite sure and so I'm thinking of returning them. Ah, but I really love the contrast of the soft canvas and silver studs...Any suggestions??

Claremont

One of our favorite places. Lazy week, enjoy the soundtrack:

Dreamers

Pleased to meet you,

Hope you guess my name.

I Love, Love, Love My New Lens

I also love the look of Euclid St. in Ontario, especially the huge community park that runs through the middle of the street. There's so much character! Happy Weekend :)

Life List Updated

Learn to speak another language fluently

Sing karaoke in front of a large crowd

Fall in love

Bowl at least a 200

Go to a rave

Get married

Camp out for Black Friday

Write a short story/book

Have an elaborate birthday celebration

Start a blog

See/swim under a real waterfall

Learn to play piano

Visit Versailles

Take a rowboat into the middle of a lake

Take a dance class

Master the art of photography

Take classes at OTIS.

Buy a photo booth for my future home

See a show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris

See Tom Petty (perform) live

Brandon's Diner

I like to consider myself a french fry connoisseur. I am OBSESSED with them. One of my particular favorites are of the diner variety. I mean I really don't think I ever have a problem grabbing a meal at a diner. One of my favorites is Cafe 50s in Santa Monica (which I wish I had some pictures of to share), but while we're on the subject of Riverside, I thought I'd share another "gem" of the city. It certainly doesn't look like much more than a rundown, whole-in-the-wall, late-night taco shack, and it sounds pretty unusual for a diner to sell American and Mexican cuisine, but the food here wasn't bad, especially the french fries. Cheap food and a delightfully nice waitress, definitely stop in for a quick bite if you're in the area.

Hidden Gem

While waiting for my car to get serviced, Best Friend and I took a mini-road trip through Riverside. We both had a negative image of the city in our minds. Insatiable heat, "Bros" in lifted trucks, lack of entertainment, etc. While some of those assumptions hold true, we were both pleasantly surprised to find an area with so much character. I like to consider myself a country girl at heart. Though I've never actually lived or visited the countryside, I feel like I could adapt to the lifestyle very easily. After driving aimlessly through the older side of town and ooh-ing and aah-ing at every charming old neighborhood we passed, we would up in Arlington Heights. Think 1940s-California-orange-groves-palm-trees...Maybe that's a weird description but it was darling and isolated, and the closest thing to the countryside I've seen in Southern California.

*This state park consisted of huge fields full of different government-owned plants/crops/trees. I'm not sure why it says "Chino Hills" on the sign.

Untouched

This is what Chino Hills looked like 20 years ago when my family first moved here. When the Canyon Corral still stood as a local landmark, before the community park was torn down to make room for the Shoppes, when most streets smelled of manure, and a when town of 78,000 people didn't need 2 CVS pharmacies on the same street. I hate the recent commercialization of Chino Hills, but I guess we're still lucky to have some untouched parts.



I had to throw in the picture of a guy on a tractor.

My Morning Through Illustrations-- No, I'm not 5 years old

It's a pretty slow day at work, so I thought I'd put my time to better use and share my morning with the blogosphere. And since this is one of the few times I don't have a camera on me, (or my choice credit card, I spaced at the post office yesterday and threw it away with my receipt, didn't realize it til later that night --> no online shopping for the next 10-12 days :/ ) I went for the next best thing: illustrations.

• Highlights of 93.1 this morning: Tom Petty, Collective Soul, Elton John, Steppenwolf

• Too many calls for the wrong number...
  

• Me, bug-eyed from staring at the computer for too long. From my drawing, you'd think I stuck my finger in a socket and got a nose job.

How professional, right? Sitting at my desk doodling. It's a good thing my boss is my dad. If anyone's wondering, my dad owns Jack in the Box franchises in San Francisco and Southern California, and I basically do any/all office and paperwork behind keeping those stores in operation. Wow, that was boring. But it's a nice temporary gig, with great benefits: Enviable hours, leaving me with free afternoons to do as I please, take pictures, watch tv, sleep, go out, whatever; I can't really get fired (I hope..lol); I have a 5 minute commute; Free Jack in the Box whenever I want; Things like Facebook, Gchat and Blogger aren't blocked on my computer at work; It's cool to help your parents, no matter how un-hip that may seem :)
Of course there are cons (spending too much time with my parents, working a job that has absolutely no correlation to what I spent 4 years of college studying), but I think those come with most positions.

Look at that, it's time for lunch!

Simplicity

One Year Older...

...and perhaps none the wiser

Freedom

Who doesn't love '90s supermodels?

Let Them Eat Cake

Birthday celebrations were officially kicked off last night. Thank you to all my sweet friends that came out for the night! I thoroughly enjoyed your company. As for the next couple of days...Family dinner tomorrow night, and for the actual birthday (Tuesday), Best Friend and I will be frolicking around Disneyland like 12 year olds. Although part of me just wants to sit at the beach all day and eat cake. Which sounds better?

Currently Lusting Over...

Ray Ban!

Through the years, my adoration for Ray Ban has been growing. I'm not sure if it's the vintage styles or the fact that they compliment practically every face shape, but I never get sick of this brand. Between Best Friend and myself, we have a quite a collection. The Aviators I'm wearing below are his (or should I say were his, r.i.p. sunnies...there's a funny story behind this) -- I always thought they looked better on him though. I can't say the same for my Retro Cat Eyes (2nd picture) that I've been wearing from March 'til now. Not pictured are his Classic Wayfarers that I debate stealing every time they're in sight...

Anyway, I'm ready to add another pair to the collection. I've been eyeing (ha ha, ok enough with the eye/sight/glasses puns) these Club Master Wayfarers for a few months. I think they'd be a darling addition to our little Ray Ban family.

(image via Nordstrom)

I'm between black (not pictured...sorry, got lazy) and beige, but steering towards beige. What do you think?

Funny Story: Best Friend and I were arguing one day. Not so much arguing as we were irritated with one another. Neither of us could get over ourselves and listen to the other, for reasons you really don't need to know. So we're sitting there on some bench at some park (both wearing our awesome Ray Bans; barf for matching), and if I remember correctly, Best Friend was trying to change the subject and cheer me up but me being my awful, stubborn self, refused to grow up and move on. The poor guy is sitting there trying to so hard. He finally gives up and we're basically having the most depressing staring contest at this point, when pop, out comes one of the lens from his sunglasses. It took all of 2 seconds before both of us were laughing hysterically. It was the absolute best timing, exactly what both of us needed. The universe is funny like that sometimes. So thank you, Ray Ban, for breaking the tension on that awful day :)

This was taken shortly after it happened. A matter of minutes until I was back to my normal self and couldn't let this photo op pass. Too perfect.

Man-u-al

More random shooting. My 5 year old cousin made one of these bracelets as gifts for each of my sisters, my neice and myself the last time she visited. So adorable.

Mad Men

Any Mad Men fans? I don't really watch the show but the idea of making a little 1950s version of yourself is too much to pass up. Aren't they a cute couple? Maybe I should start watching...

Gold

I apologize for the boring subjects, but I've just been trying to use my camera in the Manual setting only. The above pictures were all taken completely manually! It may sound like nothing, but somewhat of a feat for me. Whenever I try to use the manual settings, I end up over/underexposing and eventually get frustrated enough to cheat and use the Program mode (and sometimes even Auto...).

 

Anyhow, Happy Monday everyone! Only 3 days 'til the birthday celebrations begin!