Change of Plans

As I was sitting in my first class of the day this morning at 9AM, I realized my professor (for my 12PM class) requested two copies of the assignment I threw together last night. Silently screamed inside, but it's okay. The great thing about college is the ability to choose your schedule. I just so happen to have a lovely gap after my 9AM class and I am now back at my apartment, typing this up AFTER I printed my second copy :) Normally I hang out at the library for the 1 hour and 45 minutes of spare time that I have on Mondays and Wednesdays. I happen to really like SJSU's library. It's shared with the public (meaning non-students residing in San Jose) and it's gorgeous! I volunteered at a library for 5 years prior to college and SJSU's library just looks amazing compared to the ones I've worked at.

Anyways, check out my basil and forget-me-nots! It's only been one week!

The pots are only about two inches tall. So cute!

Update

I have created 3 new pages! Recipes, reviews, and my wishlist. It's a much better strategy to keep my posts organized. I will continue to update the list as long as I keep posting!

Review: Up&Up Maximum Strength Acne Medication Benzoyl Peroxide Gel

-- picture coming soon--

Up&Up is a Target brand and it's great because it costs a lot less than other leading brands such as Clean and Clear or Neutrogena. This is the first Up&Up product I bought to be used on my face. Benzoyl peroxide creams tend to be really drying so it's crucial to moisturize right after. I use my favorite Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. This spot treatment dries my face like a snake shedding its skin! I know, it's gross. All I can do is wipe my face gently with a tissue. However, I do find the cream to be somewhat effective. After one thin layer on my face, I notice my pimples are minimized enough to be noticeable. 

The bottom line is, I probably won't purchase this product again because it severely dries my skin. This might be great if you have oily skin, though. The cost is really affordable; I think it was about $3 when I bought it from Target. 

In the meantime, I'll be looking for more acne creams... I'm getting desperate! 

More Than Four

For four years, I have loved you, secretly 
Stealing glances at your lovely smile. Four 
Years have I had my heart pounding like the rain, 
Secretly wishing you were mine and
Secretly planning my way to your heart.

Every night, I prayed to God you would fall 
In love with me. Or at the very least, 
Look my way. Every night, I recite the 
Speech I put together, confessing my 
Hidden feelings for you. And every night, 
I wonder why I couldn't find the words

As I stood close by. After those four years, 
I moved two thousand miles away, heartbroken 
To never see you again and even
More heartbroken to know you'll never know. 

How could a boy like me be so shy? Why

Would a girl like you notice me anyway?

I indulged myself in the waters; the 
waves slowly washed my feelings away, but 
Never completely. Then, I fell in love.
Though she was not perfect, I always hoped 
she was the one. I soon realized she
did not deserve what I gave her and your

Image ran through my mind, lingering behind 
Every thought. The truth is, she was never 
The one. It was you all along. You became 

The air I breathe and my new hope for love. 
You became a part of me. Together, 
We will laugh and cry. Together, we will
Promise to love each other 'till death do 
Us part. Let my voice guide you on rough days.
Let my hand guide you when you are lost. Let
Me love you for eternity and more. 

This is a true story. I am the girl the speaker (my boyfriend) was and is still in love with. I wrote this poem for my creative writing class and the challenge was to take on my boyfriend's perspective. I really had no idea someone could like me for so long... and keep it a secret! He told me after we started dating after a while and it just melted my heart. Secret admirers are the cutest. I just didn't think it would happen to me! And that is my inspiration behind this poem :)

I Have Plant Neighbors

Man 1: You're a plant!
Man 2: YOU'RE a plant!
Man 1: You photosynthesize!
Man 2: You're mean!

Oh gosh, apartments are such fun. Especially since you can hear every word spoken.

Wishlist: So Totally Clean Everyday Cleanser Sensitive Formula

Image taken from here

I have been wanting to try this toner + cleanser for a while. The only places I found that sells it are Walgreens and Ulta. However, the Walgreens that's semi-close to my apartment doesn't have it :( and I most definitely do not want to pay $5 shipping if the product itself is only $5.99. I've only stepped into an Ulta store maybe twice in my lifetime. I know they have a lot of good brands and products, but there just hasn't been one close enough to anywhere I live. 

I can't wait to try this one though. I've read so many good reviews on it! 

Happy Tuesday!

Today is also my good friend Sue's birthday! She has taught me so many things about life, friendships, makeup, fashion, you name it.

Anyways, the bulk of this post will be updates with my life since I didn't get to post much for the past week. Last Friday, I had a midterm in my Asian American Studies class and right after that, I took the train back home to spend the weekend with my boyfriend at his uncle's house. We ate sushi, Taco Bell, pho, In-n-Out, and McDonalds. I know, all fast foods. But I don't get any of that where I live! My apartment in San Jose is located in the residential area and the closest fast food place is 0.6 miles away. Not bad, but without a car, walking that far in this hot/cold weather for one hamburger just isn't worth it anymore.

Here in San Jose, it's starting to cool down. We do still have the occasional hot weather. Time for scarves and boots! If only I have the time to go back to my house and dig through my clothes for my scarves. Yes, I did spend my weekend in my hometown, but I did not go home! It was a secret getaway with my boyfriend ;)

Two Saturdays ago, I got mild food poisoning, unfortunately. It didn't last very long, but it was TERRIBLE. I was home alone and didn't know what was happening or what I should do, so I just sat in the living room until one of my roommates came back. In fact, I didn't even know it was food poisoning since I never had it before. I've always been careful about what I eat and now I'm even more careful. Yesterday, I went grocery shopping and the majority was vegetables! I did buy meat (I think that was what made me sick), but only a little bit.

Then I went home and made pasta. Pasta (corkscrews), pasta sauce, ground beef, spinach, salt and pepper. Easy, cheap, and filling. I wish I added white mushrooms, but they weren't on sale :(

Next topic... The Simpsons: Tapped Out. Yesterday, there was an update in my newest iPod game addiction. A Halloween update! It will end on October 31 (obviously), but totally worth it :) There are zombies to be squished, treats to be collected, and toilet paper and eggs to throw (at your friend's houses!). I can only imagine the Christmas update! I loved watching The Simpsons since when I was little. It was one of those things my brother and I enjoyed doing together, even though he was in the stage of "ew, girls." Of course that's changed, now that I'm in college and see him about once a month or so. We always looked forward to new Halloween and Christmas episodes; they never let us down. I wish I had a TV here in my apartment so I can watch it this year :(

It has been a while since I've written a long post. Enjoy!

In Search of a New Blogger Template

My current template is from Blogaholic Designs, but I'm ready for a change! I'm looking for something cute and simple. I've Googled a bunch of times and have not yet found "the one." Any site recommendations?

Wishlist: Handmade Leather Journal

Image taken from here

Why is this the cutest journal I've ever seen? And why is it $50?! This blank journal is from Shanghai, China. The eBay.com seller states it is handmade, but I can't tell from just looking at a picture.

I love the bunny pendant and the simple strap design. But I just won't spend $50 on a journal, no matter how cute it is. :( $50 can buy a lot of food. Good food. Maybe one day when I become rich, I will cross paths with this journal again and it shall be mine.

Christine

Though years have passed, you have yet to slip my mind.
Anger and tears could never wash the memories away
As now I am the one standing alone. The kind
Smiles we used to greet each other. The days

We spent sharing love. How did we end
Like this? I miss the laughter and hope
We gave each other. I miss the friend
I saw in you. But now, all I can do is sit and mope.

High school was our roller coaster ride
Though it was not enjoyable. It was a time
Of change and identity. To pick a side
And distinguish where we stand. It would be a crime

To speak up and say I was not happy. So I
Kept silent and watched my best friend turn
Into someone I don't know. It would be a lie
To say it was easy, but my stomach churned and churned.

Because years have passed, I have let the pain
Wash away into the sea. Because years have passed,
I am ready for a new friendship after the thunder and rain.
Because years have passed, I found myself at last.