hair

I never understood why the majority of females are so attached to their hair. It's obvious from the picture above (that's only during 2009 to 2012!) that I am very fickle with my own locks, and gathering from my many hair posts on this here blog you can tell that I am also very impatient with the process of growing it out. Now that I think about it, I guess it's because of the fact that my mom was studying cosmetology when I was younger. Growing up, I've had perms, pixie cuts, bobs, waves, streaks, highlights...I was my mom's living, breathing hair mannequin--maybe that shaped my hair-fickle ways. The fact that I have very thick and heavy hair probably added onto it as well; I'd often be plagued with massive headaches due to the weight of my hair, especially during hot weather. In any case, I have no hesitation when it comes to haircuts. If anything, it's a tendency if mine to cut my hair pixie-short after growing it out for a year or two. Honestly, it's a pretty exhilarating feeling! I absolutely love taking risks with my physical appearance.

2KAY13

Without fail, I'm late with my New Year's greeting yet again. Think I've pretty much made it somewhat of a tradition--it ain't New Year's if Hannah isn't missing from the family get-together of dduk-gook (to gain another year full of luck) and Sae-bae dohn (the juhl included). Seems I'm not doing much to ease that filial guilt that plagues me. What am I gonna do with myself?

And yes, my guilt grows deeper with the fact that I rang in the New Year indulging in the same, almost-abandoned vice of mine and that I really missed the family tradition because I was reeling from the after affects of the damned thing. Heck, I guess I've been served a poetic justice since I spent this whole week in the fetal position with my head next to the trash can and my stomach unhesitant to empty itself of its contents. Way to go, cosmic energies of the universe. I applaud you. *claps hands slowly*

BUT, even though I rang in 2013 in similar fashion of 2011, I have a strong sense of faith in myself. I've neglected my self-discipline and indomitable spirit (국기백절불굴!) that I prided myself so much for--it's high time I got off my lazy, unmotivated ass to finally do the things I love and can't live without!

2012 was a year of passivity and stand-still. I can't believe I really wasted three hundred and sixty-five days of just barely going through the motions--fucking pathetic!

2KAY13. It's cliché as fuck when people exclaim that the new year will be theirs, but that's how I feel about this one. A new chapter in my life, a fresh start, a chance to reinvent myself and fill its blank pages with many more memories and experiences.

I don't believe in resolutions, so I'm just going to say this: let this year be a year full of travel. Of taking risks. Of being fearless. Of following my heart and ignoring my over-analytical head. And of course, let this year be full of love, joy, friends and laughter!

Oh, well, I guess I do have one resolution this year. GET MY DRIVER'S LICENSE BEFORE FEBRUARY!

So happy New Year's, everyone! I hope this year is filled with amazing adventures for each and every one of you.

emotions

it's a little psychological fact

that all emotional pain lasts for only twelve minutes.

anything longer than that is self-inflicted.

i don't quite know how to take this newfound knowledge.

ramen, ramen

before my short shoot with my friend catherine,

she took me to a ramen spot in echo park that blew me away.

seriously, i think this place is way better than daikokuya in little tokyo,

but that's just me.

she got the vegetable ramen

i got the spicy chicken tonkatsu ramen,

and because i'm a fatass i made mine a combo

and it came with

a small salad with their own dressing

and a spicy tuna bowl (a choice among three)

and since it's another gray day,

i think i'll go there again for some damn good noodles.

flock shop, los angeles

When I came across this cute little store in Chinatown, I instantly fell in love. From toys to flasks, sunglasses to restored vintage dresses, jewelry to art prints, this store had it all! Located in the Old Chinatown Central Plaza, Flock Shop is the physical manifestation of Etsy.com. Its owners are Michelle and Chad Corros, the husband-and-wife duo who strive to keep the arts and the culture of locally made goods alive and well.

Flock Shop's doors first opened in August 2007 and has been maintaining relationships with local artists, providing the public with a beautiful, not to mention absolutely unique, array of merchandise. Doubling as a gallery space and store front, Flock Shop is the place where artists can display, and also sell, their artistry and fruits of their labor. Much like the artists whose creations are showcased in this adorable location, Michelle and Chad both created and renovated the whole space themselves, making Flock Shop (which was once a storage unit) what it is today! I got a chance to sit with Michelle and Chad to get to know them, and the store, a little better. Click the jump to read the interview!

fedora head

stuck in a cubicle for the last three hours of work.

then it's another three hours spent in a meeting,

and it's fine with me because they're gonna feed us.

late nights

there's been a resurgence in me

and a restlessness has settled in my soul,

filling me with an eagerness i haven't felt

in a long while.

now, it's not a nightmarish insomnia

that plagues me from my dance with sleep.

now, it's a desire to create that fuels me and

satisfies my being.

tonight's no different, i find myself

wide awake, filled with inspiration and

a need to satiate this thirst--

i'm excited to see where it takes me

while i turn away from slumber once again.