THE INTERNET… IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT

So I found this photo set someplace and found it both terribly accurate and also not…

Nope! Here, watch this: The Sociology of Gossip: Elaine Lui at TEDxVancouver.

I agree with this one! I really dislike when this happens.

Not quite so straightforward. I am one of the people who is afraid of change but that doesn’t mean that I’m not capable. I have problems with anxiety and possibly depression so I don’t think it’s fair to just write all of us who are afraid of change as unsuccessful people.

I believe this one is mostly correct. But what of in the case someone is ACTUALLY to blame for something you failed in? Okay, okay, I guess I don’t just mostly believe this one is correct- it completely is because you should probably be able to rise up out of whatever you failed with…

YES!!!

DOUBLE YES!!! This is pretty huge.

But remember! There is not such thing as forgive and forget!  “This week’s episode is about “Forgetting and Forgiving.”   Frankly, though,  the ‘forgetting’ part is sort of throw-away.  You should never forget  the wrongs done to you.    Why would you want to?  Forgiving, though, is another thing entirely.  When somebody wrongs us, negative emotions can eat away at us.  If we let go of our anger and resentment, we experience healing and reconciliation.” – Ken Taylor, from To Forgive and Forget | Philosophy Talk.

Thanks for checking me out, guys! More later.
♥ Jen

Starbucks Secret Menu – Summer Drink Edition!

So I was reviewing Starbucks drinks on my Instagram but I found that I had a little too many compiled in my phone that I forgot to update about so I’ll just quickly do it here to avoid spamming people!

Key Lime Pie Frappuccino

The recipe for a grande is as follows, taken from http://starbuckssecretmenu.net/:

• Start with Cool Lime juice to the bottom black line
• Whole milk to the second black line
• 2 pumps white mocha
• 2 pumps vanilla syrup
• 1 pump of cinnamon dolce syrup
• Whipped cream blended in
• Top with whipped cream and toasted coconut if available

THIS WAS GROSS. I don’t actually know what key lime pie tastes like but I would NEVER make this again or suggest it to anyone. It was like drinking lime milk. Now imagine drinking lime milk. Eugh.

Red Velvet / Red Tuxedo Frappuccino

Ingredients from the website:

• Half White Mocha/Half regular Mocha Frappuccino
• Add raspberry syrup (1 pump tall, 2 grande, 3 venti)
• Blend and top with whipped cream!

I am not really someone who ever willingly orders the default Java Chip, Double Chocolatey Chip or Mocha Frappuccinos but I would suggest this to anyone who is into the chocolate Frap flavours. It was actually kind of nice =)

Last one! For now! And then I’ll try to keep it to Instagram. ^_^;

Raspberry Milk Tea

I was aware that something like milk tea could be made at Starbucks but this is the first time I had heard of this one and needed to try it.

Recipe:

• Iced Black Tea made w/ Half & Half instead of water
• Add an extra pump of classic syrup
• Add toffee nut syrup (1 pump tall, 1.5 grande, 2 venti)
• Add raspberry syrup (1 pump tall, 1.5 grande, 2 venti)

I would have this again, but make alterations to the recipe. I made a tall and it was SUPER SWEET. I think I might play with this one to see what balance I like best. I thought it was really strange to be drinking so much half and half… And the toffee nut syrup sounds really strange to have in it but when you taste it… It makes sense.

So that’s all for now! More later 🙂

♥ Jen

Advice & Love for Others- Not For You

I just want to share an important realization I had this morning at like, 6:30AM, right after my manfriend left for work.

A little less than two years ago, I asked who was once a close friend for advice. I asked her things like how she knew she loved her boyfriend. She told me that if I had to ask, I probably wasn’t in love.

I have come to learn that for some, she was possibly not wrong. That advice, however, was very wrong for me. Still, I took it and took faith in it and I have realized just now, almost two years later, that I have been mislead. This isn’t really her fault, because that is how she viewed thing through her lens of life. Still, this advice I think has made my perception of my relationship a lot more critical than it has had to be. Not anyone’s fault, but still the trouble lies.

The reason why this advice was a wrong fit for me was realized after I looked at her life growing up, and mine. Her family and upbringing generally seemed more loving and free, so I feel she had a better general idea of what love was and what it felt like.

I didn’t have it the same way. My family’s methods were and still are questionable. I only just got close to my now-seventeen year old sister in the last five or six years. My relationship with my own brother needs work and I struggle to be with my parents when I am around them. I had a very controlled life growing up as a child and then even more so as a teen. It was still controlled when I was in university. The people who said they loved me did, but had a very strange way showing it.

This is why my old friend’s advice did not apply. I cannot speak for her but it seemed that she knew what love looked like, so she was able to say “If you have to ask, you probably aren’t in love.” What of the person who doesn’t know what that look like?

Moral of the story:

1. Be careful- both critical and open- to the advice you ask for and receive. Even if it comes from someone you once held highly- think about what they say.

2. Be careful with the advice you give. It would be best to put a disclaimer on it, as a reminder to the advice-taker. “This is just the way I see things, man. It could be different for you.”

3. Love is not the same for every person. Even with this, I wish you all the best in maintaining the relationships you have or finding the ones you dream of. ❤

All the best,

JEN! 🙂

♪ WordPress vs. Blogspot ♪

A LITTLE HISTORY

I’ve been a blogger for a long time. I remember being introduced to the Xanga platform in grade seven. I played with other sites such as the once all-popular MySpace, and then eventually Blogger, Tumblr and WordPress. I’ve had four Blogspot sites simultaneously but have deleted, re-created and deleted and now have two that are more or less dormant. I have one WordPress site that started as an experiment and is more marketing/advertising based, and another one I just made a couple of days ago in an attempt to revive my blogger life. Even still, I am debating whether or not I’d like to return to one of my dormant Blogspot sites that I’ve pooled so much time and effort into. I am conflicted and I would like to settle this once and for all! So for this blog-post research article, I would really like to hash out who prevails as the ultimate blog platform of the moment—Blogspot or WordPress.

WHY WORDPRESS

• It’s free! Well, kind of. You can choose to invest in server and domain costs if you so choose.
• Supposedly one of every six websites secretly runs on WordPress, making it seem like the popular choice
• There is a great variety of plug-ins and themes available to users
• Is a great platform for both casual users as well as businesses
• The WordPress people have been around for a while. They have been in operation for more than ten years and have been good with making improvements and updates so you can bet that they are constantly trying to embellish the platform.
• People Magazine and the Wall Street Journal have blogs on the WordPress platform

WHY NOT WORDPRESS

• It’s complicated! Because it can do so much, this also means that there’s a whole mess of things to play with that some people might get overwhelmed by.
• To really harness the power of WordPress, you would probably invest in it in terms of hosting—and these costs can add up.
• Yes, the ability to customized is great—but you should also probably know how to code. AKA You should know how to code.

WHY BLOGSPOT

• It’s also free!
• Blogger set the precedent. It was a big part of bringing blogging to the forefront of the public eye. It’s been around for long enough that this group REALLY knows what they’re doing in terms of platform stability.
• It’s easy to use Google AdSense because it’s built in. (However, it is important to note that a Google AdSense plug-in can be applied to WordPress.)
• Experimenting with code won’t kill your site.
• Because Google manages Blogspot, they know a thing or two about hosting and security
• Twitter and PostSecret use the Blogspot platform

WHY NOT BLOGSPOT

• Unfortunately, the downside of being able to experiment with code that won’t damage your site also means that it’s customizability is limited
• It takes work to set up a domain name
• This platform is very limited in terms of themes and design
• There isn’t a lot of feedback available when it comes to plug-in support

VERDICT WordPress is ultimately recommended for people who are looking to blog professionally or for businesses that are looking for a professional-looking and functioning blogging platform. Blogger is recommended for more laid-back bloggers and people who prefer a much simpler platform. … I don’t necessarily like things being complicated—but I am willing to go sift through the complicated platform that is WordPress just to be able to have increased customizability in terms of design. When I had first read that an advantage to Blogspot was the Google AdSense feature, I was thinking about switching back to Blogspot because I like the idea of one day being able to make money off of the fruits of my blogging labors if it ever got to that point. But then I realized that it is very possible to just acquire a Google AdSense plug-in and my qualms were resolved! So it has been decided! I am going with WordPress as my platform of choice!

[ SOURCES: https://www.udemy.com/blog/best-blogging-platform/ ]

MAKE-UP YOUR MIND

I’m a girl but I don’t wear a lot of face stuff. One of my new years resolutions is to understand this medium more. And so I thought it would be interesting to archive what things I own at the moment and to give SUPER BRIEF reviews of them. Here we go!

Nailpolish

• Revlon in 211 Charming ⋆⋆⋆⋆/5
• Revlon in 732 Graffiti Top Coat ⋆/5
• Revlon in 736 Elusive ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Looks pretty but doesn’t go on as nice as it looks in the bottle. Matte.
• Revlon in 933 Chameleon ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Good shade, but needs lots of layers.
• Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in 360 Diamonds and Rubies – ⋆⋆/5 – Nothing special!
• Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in 100 Invisible – N/A / 5
• Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in 300 White On – ⋆⋆/5 – Needs layers!
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in 140 Quick Sand – ⋆/5 – UGLY!
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in 340 Cinna-Snap – ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆/5 ♥
• Wet N’ Wild Wild Shine in 424A Black Creme – ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆/5 ♥

Lip Stuff

• Aquafina Flavour Splash Lip Balm in Citrus Blend – ⋆/5 – Taste like garbo 😦
• Avon Glazewear Liquid Lip Colour in Crimson – ⋆/5 – Super sticky.
• e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil – ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Only kind of does the job. But it’s cheap, so I guess you can’t expect too much. ($4)
• Make Up Forever Moisturising Soft Shine Lipstick in Rouge Artist Natural N9 – ⋆⋆/5 – Colour didn’t come across too well. Felt greasy, too.
• Prestige Waterproof Lipliner in 08 True Red – ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Does the job!
• Smashbox Be Legendary lipstick in Legendary – ⋆/5 -TERRIBLE. $20 for a lipstick that barely lasts.
• Softlips Tint Tinted Lip Moisturiser in Sweet Rose – ⋆/5
• Sugar Lip Treatment in Fresh – ⋆⋆⋆⋆/5 – Smells nice!
• Victoria Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Punchy – ⋆/5 – GREASYYYYYY AUGHHHHH
• Wet N’ Wild Fantasy Makers Lipstick in black – N/A / 5 – Haven’t really used it yet.

Foundation-esque

• Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser, Oil-Free – ⋆⋆/5 – Does its job. Don’t really know if it’s good for what it is though.
• e.l.f. High Definition Powder – ⋆⋆/5 – Cheap, does the job.
• Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer – ⋆⋆⋆/5
• Shiseido The Makeup Concealer – ⋆⋆/5 – Like any other drugstore concealer.
• Shiseido The Makeup Dual Balancing Foundation – ⋆⋆⋆/5

For the Eyes

• Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in 73 Black ⋆⋆⋆⋆/5 ♥
• e.l.f. Flawless Eyeshadow – ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Provides informative instructions and comes beautifully designed.
• e.l.f. Precision Liquid Eyeliner – ⋆/5
• Essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara – ⋆⋆/5
• Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black – ⋆⋆⋆/5
• Marcelle Eyebrow Pencil in Luscious Black – ⋆/5
• Maybelline Eyeshadow in 240 Night Sky – ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆/5 – Lasted me forever!
• Revlon Colorstay Shadowlinks Eyeshadow in Pearl – ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Okay colour for what it is! Cheap cheap cheap =D And buildable!
• Revlon Colorstay Shadowlinks Eyeshadow in Satin – ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Okay colour!
• Rimmel Scandaleyes Gel Eyeliner in 001 Black – ⋆/5
• Sephora Full Action Extreme Effect Mascara in 04 Blue – ⋆⋆⋆/5 – Not as extreme as the name implies but has really good colour that people have actually noticed.
• Wet N’ Wild Coloricon Pencil Eyeliner in 651 Black Black – ⋆⋆/5 – Kinda melty 😦

Misc.

• Nair Moisturising Hair Removal Cream for Face & Upper Lip with Sweet Almond Oil – ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆/5 ♥ – I LIVE OFF THIS STUFF
• Secret Scent Expressions Clear Gel Antiperspirant in Pasion de Tango – ⋆/5 – I WILL NEVER BUY GEL AGAIN.
• Splat Hair Chalk in Silver Moon – N/A /5

And that’s all for now! More adventures later ~

♥ Jen

Anime Revolution 2014

Its been a very long while since I’d gone to an anime convention. If I recall correctly, my last time was at Anime Evolution in 2007!

But yeah, for this I had pre-ordered tickets in December 2013 (the best deal you will get!) Forty-nine dollars for three days versus up-front ticket prices– $55 for Friday, $60 for Saturday and $50 for Sunday.

I have mixed feelings about the event because I am not a gamer, nor am I an avid watcher of anime. I was not selling art, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t have much money to be spending on artwork and other such interesting merchandise that was being sold.

Overall, though, I am grateful that I had told myself to go those many months ago when I was contemplating pre-registration. It got me asking important questions about body positivity, being opinionated and how to go about it in a healthy manner, money, getting back into watching anime, and most importantly, refreshing in my mind the importance of drawing and creating in my life. I saw old friends, fun costumes, and had a nice chat with some artists.

I’ll leave it at that for now and share with you some of the few pictures I took. I was going to take my DSLR but I just wanted to focus this con on taking it all in and remembering what it felt like.

SUS

FLAT BEAR

CON BREAKFAST, IN A VEHECLULAR

WAITING IN BETWEEN EVENTS WIT MA HOMIE

THANKS FOR THE ♥ AR, SEE YOU NEXT YEAR ! :’D

Vancouver Island, August Long Weekend.

I hadn’t been to the Island in five years. My best friend proposed that I join him in visiting his family a couple of months ago and a remember shrugging. Sometime after, I nervously accepted. I’m glad I did. I did things I’d never done before, been to places I’d never seen. It was an adventure and I am appreciative. 

~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camping!!

I went on my first camping trip in a long while just two weekends ago. It was hilarious because it pissed rain all over us but we all remained happy campers. It was a two and half day adventure (June 27th to 29th) wherein our itinerary was as follows:

• Friday: Leave Deep Cove and paddle in canoes and kayaks for about an hour or two to Twin Island (Indian Arm Provincial Park) and camp there for a night,
• Saturday: Pack up in the morning and canoe for three or so hours to Granite Falls, another camping site, for a night and
• Sunday: Pack up in the morning and canoe all the way back to Deep Cove.

It was super lovely and I’d do it again although I have to say I’ve got my fill of canoeing and kayaking for a little while. It was interesting because I hadn’t properly kayaked before and I had an opportunity to do that with my best friend on the last day. 

Some little things I remember:

• My long-time friend Jane brought two bottles of wine and a bunch of wine glasses and I have no idea how she did it but our dinner times / evening snacks were so class. She did us a service, haha!
• Water-proofing is a pain in the butt.
• It’s not fun waking up to a tent floor that is very wet and has soaked through sleeping bags but it gets funny after awhile.
• Somehow, my best friend and I managed to fit in my teensy one to two person tent.
• CHUNKY PEANUT BUTTER AND NUTELLA ON TOAST IS AMAZING
• I’ll add more points as I remember!

Now photos! 

My view from my canoe on the first day. That’s a bunch of phones in a water-proof box!

Oh, it’s me lulz >_>

Good friends.

View from a kayak.

All our boats.

Two new friends, and Jane and I.

Those clouds tho’.

I’m gross. My friends aren’t at all though, luckily.

Some random cute kid.

I’ve known these two for 10 years! Check out that white wine 😉

Camp n0ms.

Best friend, gross me, old friend, new friend!

Beer, because beer.

Craft Beer Market – Shock Top

I wish I remember what this tasted like. I remember it being goooood. 🙂

BEER FLIGHT!

BEER FLIGHTS!

What was on top…

What was in the bowl underneath! This is Craft Beer Market’s Coconut Curry Steamed Mussels.

Our heated discussion on mozza cheese. Pahaha!

#100HappyDays – Day 2

Day 2

(Note: Technically, today is my Day 4, but hush– I got this. LOL.)

—

I understand that this challenge is very much one that is aimed to be accompanied by pictures, but I don’t feel this happiness-bringer would be best paired with one, versus me just talking about it. So here it goes.

People are just so nice. I have had difficulty putting faith in people as of late, but it’s interesting to observe how the universe reacts when you tell it what you want. I had a teacher of mine check on me after knowing I was sick. My sister is helping me take care of my health. People who I don’t know super well at school are willing to help me when I reach out and ask. I am finding kindness in places I didn’t think to look, properly. So, thank you to these people. When it’s easier to be disbelieving of humanity in general, you are giving me reasons to question this belief. Thank you, thank you, thank you.