Ginger Asian... huh?

I've got these strange freckles on my arms, and on my face.  Since when do Asians have freckles at all, let alone on their arms like a ginger?!  It's absurd.

On that note, my freckles can be cute.  Sometimes.  Know another Asian that has freckles?  Lucy Liu.

I've never found Lucy Liu attractive, leastwise not her face.  Is it so wrong that I'm upset Hollywood couldn't find another actress from the 1.something billion Asians in the world without such slanted eyes?  Small, sure, but slanted? Further, while I know the stereotype of the Asian body is flat and straight, scrawny and flavorless, there do exist others with figures and a face!  Or, maybe, that's exactly what Hollywood wanted to see - the stereotype that isn't quite so typical of the Asian population.  Again, Asians don't really have freckles.  So if they're going out of their way to find something unique then why her and why freckles?  Why not pretty eyes or curves?


No, no, I'm not being racist - how can one be racist against one's own kind?  Harsh?

Bah.  I'm just ranting.  But you can't deny it's true.

Lucy Liu just is not attractive.  Worst yet, she can't act.

Woe is me.


At least we can get that doll thing going on... right?  (Can't remember if I ever posted this, but here are the eye-opening CIRCLE contact lenses.)

Lenscircle.com

I'm scared.

Joe Weider's Olympia 2011

Last weekend I went to my first Olympia Expo and Mr. Olympia show held in Las Vegas, NV.  There was quite an array of people there, people I wouldn't have guessed to be interested and others I wouldn't deign to ever miss a show.  I didn't have a chance to take many photos but Ronnie Coleman, Tito Ortiz, and Carmen Elektra!

Phil Heath won!  What a fine way to go out for Jay Cutler, to be succeeded by his legacy.  The pair are, for lack of a better word, SO CUTE!  On stage, they were constantly posing next to each other, hugs left and right and words of encouragement.  It is a little sad that Jay is done but this gives others like Phil Heath and Kai Greene their chance at victory.  Obviously, I know little to nothing about bodybuilding but The Predator sure looked great.  His routine was awesome and I thought his physique looked amazing.  We think he'll have lots to show for in the future shows to come.

(Darn, I want to post a video about the Olympia competition but YouTube has taken them all down - they're being so strict on Copyright stuff.  /sigh)

Kai Greene, Olympia 2011

Jay Cutler, Olympia 2011

Brenda Song

On a side note, the clerk at Sally Beauty Supply told me I look like this chick and I'm not sure how to feel about that.  =/

I am thinking of studying how to put on hair extensions with the bonded weave technique.  This past July I had that technique used on me, but it was done in Vietnam so I'm not sure the states will apply that same methodology.  I actually prefer the bonded weave technique to the braided or clip-on method.  There is nothing like the fear of seeing your hair fall out in wefts, still debating whether I ought to add more glue or just remove it all and start fresh... or just go short.

Frightening - HBC for Marc Jacobs

I question the motive for this shoot.

What is the message Marc Jacobs is trying to convey here?

Sexy Wasteland - Peter Dawson

This is cool.

My Modern Met

Born In The '60s

Sometimes I wonder why I wasn't born in the '60s.  The style is so chic, elegant, retro, feminine and fun!

I will have to revisit the pin-up and '60s style makeup at a later date.  Perfecting that eyeliner and minimalist look on an Asian face have proven to be quite the challenge.  And while I love watching makeup How To videos from my favorite artists like Kandee Johnson, I realize the limits of their techniques given their facial structures are so.. well, structured.  The lines Kandee creates on her face and the illusions she projects cannot be exactly replicated on myself; my nose is not tall enough, my cheek bones not as narrow, my lips not as big, and worst of all my eyelids aren't as... liddy.  (Yes, I know that's not a word but somehow I know you still understand my point.)

So, future goal will be to test those bounds and hopefully have successful results!

Photo above taken from My Modern Met, September 20, 2011.  

Fairy Tale Chic

‎"If you aspire to the highest place, it is no disgrace to stop at second, or even the third, place." - Cicero


Lately, I've been in a sort of a rut but finally I am feeling more productive.  


Here's one of my favorite fashion look books of the year: Ulyana Sergeenko Autumn/Winter 2011, Fashionising.com

Ulyana, you may be my new favorite designer!  Fairy tale chic, LOVE IT!

Visit Ulyana's blog for more fashion fun =)

Money Can Buy You Happiness

I've said it before, and I stand by it still, money can buy you happiness.

According to a news cast by Yahoo! Finance, the top 5 ways to happiness can be bought through:

1. Experiential purchases
2. Spending on others
3. Enrolling in auto-pay
4. Investing in yourself
5. Small indulgences

Two-thirds of people regret impulse purchases (I don't think I'm included in that figure lol), and 83% remember their experiential purchases.  I spend heaps of money on others and I can attest that it does make me happy to see they're happy.  Not sure about auto-pay... the reporter claims it may alleviate pressure on individuals by not having to see a bill, but I feel a bite every time.  Investing in yourself with social activities, fitness memberships and toys are a great way to stay healthy and lower stress levels by engaging the mind and body.

Sugar's Effect on the Body

Being an extreme carbivore with a strong affinity toward sugar, my body practically seeps sweetness in my very breath, I'm starting to experience the point where sugar becomes toxic to the body.  So I've been doing more research and finally found a pretty good website, grammar excluded, on sugar's effect on the body.

Sugar's Effect on Your Health

Of particular interest to me was sugar's effect on insulin response, which regulates a great many things in the body including fat storage and calcium uptake.  Basically, the more sugar you eat the more fat you store, the more you have stomach issues, the less calcium you retain, the higher your blood pressure, and the more tired you get... among a myriad of other health problems.  Read more on insulin and insulin resistance to find out exactly how insulin resistance works.  It's enlightening.

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

• fatigue
• brain fogginess
• low blood sugar
• intestinal bloating
• increased weight and fat storage (metabolism is affected)
• sleepiness
• increased triglycerides
• increased blood pressure
• depression

devyn

Fashion Mantra of the Day

Whenever possible, try to dress like a mannequin.


devyn

Food Calorimetry

I've always wondered how scientists determine how many calories are in what foods, and the derivation of the source of calories.  From an article on Slate, laboratories freeze samples in liquid nitrogen then blend it into a fine monochromatic powder from which to test.  Removal of the nitrogen via the Kjeldahl process allows scientists to calculate the amount of protein.  Fats are determined through a hexane extraction, and carbohydates are what remains after fats and proteins are isolated.

Of course, one could always burn the sample and measure all the heat released as calories (in the chemical sense) and convert that to kilocalories, which is what we all call "calories."  All that is given off during the burn process, however, doesn't accurately describe the amounts that is taken up by the body.

While the FDA requires that companies publish nutritional facts on foods, it doesn't specify how they are to obtain those figures.  Companies may even guesstimate values based on the USDA's published tome of nutritional data, which is available online.

Wikipedia also shows an energy density table which standardizes food energy into values actually absorbed by the body.

Food component	Energy Density
	kJ/g	kcal/g
Fat	37	9
Ethanol (alcohol)	29	7
Proteins	17	4
Carbohydrates	17	4
Organic acids	13	3
Polyols (sugar alcohols, sweeteners)	10	2.4
Salatrims (reduced energy fat) [1][2][3][4]	25	6
Fibre	8	2
Erythritol	0	0

Pretty neat, huh?

devyn

USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory

Ten Anti-Wrinkle Foods

Here are some anti-wrinkle foods to eat that contain the necessary nutrients to nourish the body and fight against the effects of aging.

1. Red peppers - As much as I dislike peppers, I force myself to eat them because they contain 95 mg of vitamin C which is needed to make collagen.  As we all know, collagen keeps skin supple, firm, resilient, and moist.
2. Sweet potatoes - contain vitamins C and A, specifically carotenoids.  Carotenoids prevent the breakdown of collagen.
3. Sunflower seeds - contain vitamin E and linoleic acid.  Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting against sun damage when combined with vitamin C.
4. Wild salmon - Eat in moderation, of course, but this is a good source of protein which contain EPA and DHA (types of amino acids).  These protect from sun damage and prevent the onset of wrinkles.
5. Safflower oil - contains vitamin E and linoleic acid.  Assists with skin moisture and firmness.
6. Watermelon - contains vitamins A and C.  As an antioxidant, vitamin C can reverse UV damage to skin (according to the Academy of Dermatology).
7. Spinach - contains vitamins A, C, and E.
8. Oranges - contains heaps of vitamin C.  Prevents the sailor's blight, scurvy, and aids in maintaining moisture in skin with fewer wrinkles.
9. Tuna - source of EPA, DHA, and niacin.  Niacin increases collagen production.
10. Peanuts - great source of protein, vitamin E and niacin.

This information was pulled from LiveStrong.com, a great site with a wealth of information on health, fitness, diet and nutrition articles.  Sophie and I started monitoring our consumption and exercise using their MyPlate tool.  Mildly tedious because you need to be on the computer frequently or write it down and transfer later, the extensive database of foods and their caloric content make it worth it and I think are a pretty accurate measure of daily net calories.  MyPlate is available as an iPhone application, but not on the Android (yet) *sad face*.

Web MD provides a great wallet-sized printout for serving sizes as well as a healthy shopping guide and list.  I also really like Web MD's BMI Plus Calculator.


Let's get healthy and stay happy!    ^.^

devyn

Latyrx - Lady Don't Tek No

I'm stuck on this song by Latyrx. Awesome beat. They call it alternative hip hop.

My Horoscope Feat. Sarah Palin

LOL

Today's horoscope, featured by EyeWeekly.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 19)
Love is to a successful relationship as Republicanism is to Sarah Palin. It's for sure a basic feature, but not nearly enough to make a complete picture. Sarah Palin isn't just a Republican, after all. She's also a game-hunting, folksy-talking, newspaper never-reading, Alaskan hockey mom. And your relationship is going to need a lot more than just love to be successful today.

See?  Love isn't all I need...  But since the first premise isn't satisfied, the latter requirement is vetoed.

devyn

Blogging Convention

How a Basic Sewing Machine Works

http://i.imgur.com/xjHnk.gif

Two Is Better Than One

The song of the week, maybe month:
Boys Like Girls - "Two Is Better Than One" feat. Taylor Swift

Lyrics | Two Is Better Than One lyrics

Taylor Swift is back and what a great decision to work with Boys Like Girls on this song!

I love this song because it's so romantic.  Really I've never considered myself a romantic - far too practical for that - but my imagination and whimsical character do take over offsides.  After all, life's too short to give in to defeat. 

Dream big if you bother to dream at all...

devyn

Cutest flats of the Year

Mustard yellow flats with flower ornament by born
Nordstrom




Devyn


:: Droid Does ::

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock

I <3 The Big Bang Theory tv series. 


One of my best friends, Sophie, shares this sentiment.  She's a brilliant graphic designer.  Take a look at the text animation she created to illustrate the rules of the famous "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock" game played by Sheldon and Raj.

People, and by "people" I mean Sop, tell me I couldn't possibly live with Sheldon were he not a fictional character.  I argue otherwise.  Like Sheldon, I tend to like things orderly and neat.  Though I do not go to the extent of organizing my cereal numerically by fiber content, I certainly would appreciate its value.  Also, he doesn't argue with social protocol and will accept your convention of it since he admits he knows nothing about it.  I would allow him to be right about anything textual and scientific, and I would be right about everything else.  It's a compromise.  That is why I <3 Sheldon. 

(Oh, and did I mention...  He's tall.  I think I'd have to feed him more, so paper thin!)

devyn

The Last Airbender & Biotin

What's wrong with being Asian?

I wish I could answer that, not to say it's one way or another but...  Growing up with a racial background that stems from Asia but feeling wholly devoid of ties to it other than how others outwardly perceive me... feeling always like an American, plain and simple, no ties, no strings, just red, white and blue...  I've always had and still have identity issues, nothing really serious just.. you know.. here and there I wish people would go back to kindergarten when we all didn't even know what color was, no notion or concept of race.  "Race" which is a socially constructed word, antagonized and defined by each culture, embedding their biases, hatred, pride, and conceit into every word.

So what's wrong with being Asian?  Why, when the original animation includes an all Asian cast, culture, and fairy tale, does Hollywood have to go and remove the whole animation's universe and turn it white?  What's wrong with being Asian?  What's wrong with the original?  What's so unattractive that you don't think you could sell a movie, a huge box office, with an Asian cast?  Isn't a large majority of the world's population Asian?

Even though I'm slightly upset that Hollywood decided to rip the rights of the Asian story from Asian people, I still want to see the movie though I'm of half a mind to boycott it.  I can't help it - the Hollywood theatrics looks so convincing!  Check out the trailer for The Last Airbender.  To be even more dramatic, I feel like a child of two worlds, in neither of which I fully belong nor have a niche.  Fabuloso!

To be completely callous and irrelevant, if you'd like healthy, thick, shiny hair and nails, I highly recommend taking biotin vitamin supplements.  They come in liquid gel capsules which made ingestion infinitely easier.  I had to do some research on it for my mom who complains of hair loss and brittle nails.  The solution is here.  Nature Made Biotin, 2500 mcg.  That's the cheapest I've found it.  I'd give it about a week to see minor results and two weeks to be happy that it's working.  No, I'm not receiving any sort of compensation or commission on selling a product.  I'm just trying to be helpful.

Hope you had a great Easter weekend!  This is the first year in a long while I didn't do much of anything.  I did see How To Train a Dragon which was a totally cute movie.  I really would like a dragon now.  Pretty please?  I'd like the XXL one.

devyn

Our Gift to Her

My brilliant idea was a success. She loved it. The stick figures are just a temp for the real portait to come later, but she seems to love it all the same.

Yes, I am the artist. Lol

Devyn

:: Droid Does ::