#051: The MacroRoom (Round 1)

So, while in a rather indifferent mood this afternoon, I took a photographic vacation around my room. You will discover that I adore macro! It's the only thing that I can't go wrong with. Sorry these aren't very good... I tried. It's times like these I wish I owned an SLR. This is round one, and it's only a morsel of what I have on my desk/in my area. I'll take more later... when I finish this darn lab report that I was supposed to have completed last night.

#050: May Angels Lead You In

photo | robert ott

I met you in first grade. E-17. You were the naughtiest kid in our entire class, and it made your name infamous. The first person to stand up when we were asked to sit down was you. The first person to yell when we were asked to be quiet was you. Compared to the quiet, serious, elementary-school version of me, I can't deny you were an annoyance at the time.

I had essentially no contact with you throughout middle school and high school years. I hardly, if ever, saw you at school. But because I still remember hearing you walk the stage at graduation, listening to everyone who applauded your appearance as you walked the line, you obviously meant the world to your friends. I feel most for those who loved you, only to have you slip away because of one stupid decision.

The way you died is the way hundreds, if not thousands, of teenagers die every year. No one ever imagines it happening in their midst unless the name on the headline suddenly takes the form of a familiar face. It's a peculiar thing. I would be heartless if I were to blame you for your own death, but that part isn't entirely true. Hopefully, you're making the right decisions wherever you are now.

In short, you meant the world to so many people, people who are patiently waiting for the day they'll meet you again. All the same, rest in peace. See you later, Roshan.

#049: La vie par les étoiles

(1) A guy in my Chinese class told me I didn't look Chinese. Instead, I looked like an African-American + Spanish (?) mix. I told my father. He told me to tell him to shut up, which, coming from 爸爸, meant he was clearly insulted by the fact that anyone would call me that. I was pretty surprised, because I've never received such a description before, but I wasn't offended. Though now that he's added me on Facebook, I've put off approving it.

(2) Speaking of which, I've never had eight friend requests sitting in my inbox before. I think being at NTU is some kind of lucky charm, besides the fact that I don't know these people, and am still debating on whether or not to accept them solely on the basis of mutual friends.

(3) Fact: eighteen people in a dorm room meant for four does not work.

(4) I am faithful with bringing my umbrella everywhere I go. No matter if it's a short walk to the LS building, I almost always have it with me. But the one day I'm late for class and run out without it, it's raining when I step outside. 新生大樓 to 大一女 is essentially 1/2 of the way across campus. By foot, it's a long walk, so I half ran and half walked back, and came home wet. Life has a way of working against me, just like the one night I didn't do my LP, Kerwin checked. One night. I never missed an LP or reading notes check besides that one.

(5) Recently, I've had a lot of trouble with people I don't know. It's nothing stalker-like, but I guess it borders on it. I won't elaborate, but it's been causing me quite some 煩惱 and I just hope the whole thing passes soon—of course I have to tell my father, who is being extremely protective with me, especially because I'm a daughter, I suppose.

(6) Taipei 台北 is gorgeous at night. Take a look for yourself: I took this picture on the rooftop of the LS building when B99 went to the roof on 中秋節.

Until next time~

#048: 椰林大道

I never knew people actually read what I posted... this makes me happy!

Two weeks have passed and I'm slowly getting back into school-mode... when people asked me how I was adjusting to Taiwan life the first week, I said I was doing fine, but now I'm not so sure anymore. I'm doing my best, but it's definitely not easy. Midterms are a good month and a half away, but I'm stressing myself out like I always did when I was little. Over little things, things that really are going to be okay, but that I can't bring myself to face. Schoolwork is the one thing I've been terrible at facing, but I can't (and won't) run from it anymore. I've had good days and bad days, but they do well to balance each other out.

多加油，盡力。

多用心，愛惜。

多微笑，開心。

Learning to live by these three things is a journey—a journey that is worth every footstep, every breath, every smile and tear and laugh.

Arrivederci!

p.s. 志豪 希望可以多幫幫你的英文喔 : ) : )

#047: Teenage Dream

this guy has brilliant covers. I'm officially addicted.

I also think sufficient credit needs to be given to the people producing the background music that makes his voice sound even more amazing. Kurt Schneider, you're wonderful!

#046: The Long Road

I don't want to be frightened. But I am.

我不想害怕。可是為什麼我心裡不安。。。

I haven't felt this uprooted in a long time. How can my feelings take over when I promised myself I would take control of them? I can't do this. I have to stop.

#045: This is for the record.

bonjourtaipei

for everything about school, about life here, about new beginnings. I'm not moving! I'm still going to keep this blog very much alive. I would like to know that I have a complete record of these four years stowed somewhere, though.

#044: New Beginnings

Well, here I am again, back in Taiwan. In short: NTU's great so far, I'm glad I'm getting used to Taiwanese heat, food, people, and environment, + I wish I had more time to take pictures. A small batch for now, another master post for later! I've had a lot to keep me busy lately, but it's been really fun so far.

#043: The Wonder Spot: Venice Lambourne

( © )

❝She was very thin and very tall—five foot ten in flat shoes. She almost always wore flats, one pair until they wore out, and then she'd get another. She didn't have many things—not many clothes or many possessions, either; she believed in owning only perfect things, or, as she said 'one perfect thing.'❞

❝It took her about thirty seconds to get ready. She didn't change her clothes—a robin's-egg-blue boatneck, white capris, and black flats, each a perfect thing—and didn't wear makeup, herself a perfect thing. All she did was wash her face.❞

I enjoy the idea of owning "perfect things"—at least when it comes to clothes. I guess I have Venice tendencies when I go shopping for them, usually talking myself out of buying something because of the little bit of extra lace, or how it's just a bit too short, or how I wish the top fell off my shoulders instead of staying halfway in between. I have impulse buys too, but those are bad and don't happen too often. Fewer things, each "perfect" in a unique way, is a really appealing mentality to me :)