All in one go...

i haven't been updating about my life lately.. so here it is! (ps, this will be a long post sooooo get ready)

The Body Shop
This may be late news to all of you... but it was recently discovered by me and cousin while going into Lush this past weekend. She was looking for a tea tree water spray for her face which she researched online and found the product impressing by reviewers and I think so too. A perfectly skinned young man came up to help us out. We told him that we usually use the Body Shop's tea tree oil as a face cleanser. He gave us a sour look and told us that the product is unproductive. He said that since L'Oreal bought the Body Shop, they stopped their opposition to animal testing. Can I just say, wow!?!?!?
I use the Body Shop a lot. I use their tea tree oil face cleansing products since I was a pre-teen when my older sister introduced it to me. I use their face make up all the time because I find their colours and foundations aren't as radical as other make up brands out there. I pride - used to pride myself of being a Body Shop fan because they take social responsibilities seriously, like funding for breast cancer, against animal testing, having lines of natural products and of course, being green friendly.
When I found out that The Body Shop was taken over by the cosmetic guru, L'Oreal, I was shocked. I was disapointed and adamantly lost in words. Once I got home, I found that all of my newer products didn't have the "against animal testing" line on them anymore.
Because of their irresponsible business move, I have decided to not buy anymore Body Shop products. (Well, I'm going to finish all of the products I have now first, then move on to something new.)
With this being said, I think I'm going to move on to Lush's products since they are all natural and basically just better products than L'Oreal's chemically induced products. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my make up though... If anyone knows any brands out there that are farely natural and take responsibilities to social issues, please let me know :)

My Convocation


Yes! I have finally convocated from York after being with them for 4 and half years! Do I feel proud? Nope. Do I feel like I achieved something? Nope. Why? Because I don't feel like I have achieved what I wanted to achieve for the past year - to graduate as a designer.
Let me start with my experience as a York Dork.... Firstly, I was reading my cousin's final GCM blog and felt as thought I've been jipped of my university status. She had so many great memories at Ryerson with such a closed-knit group of friends who she calls them as the GCM family. I didn't have that. And it's not just her, but everyone else who graduated from university as well.
Even though I feel this way, I do not regret meeting one of my very close friend, rhea in second year. She has been an inspiration to me to progress and develop my art further than I have imagained!
(My co-worker just interrupted my train of thought so I forgot where I left off. I 'll just continue what I was thinking of..)
(Ah yes, my convo..) My convocation was all together really fun! There were a lot of graduates from the Faculty of Fine Arts including design, theatre, film, dance cultural studies and my program, visual arts. I noticed that the theatre and film departments were cheering their classmates on whenever they got up to get their degrees but no one cheered for anyone at Visual Arts. With this being said, I go back to my previous point - See, that's the thing with visual arts. It's such an independent and competetive field that no one wants you to suceed as an artist because 1. they're biased - not a lot of artists are that opened minded 2. they think their work is better than your's. So that's why I feel as though my friendships at York aren't as strong because artists do judge you, and they judge you by how well your art is. And yes, I admit, I have that mentality too but it just kinda sucks that that's how the visual arts is.
Other than that, I am finally done with fine arts! FINALLY! I've been waiting to leave the program since the York strike and I guess I do feel a sort of accomplishment. I can say that I have finished a Specialized Honours program in Visual Arts :)

UP :)



*****
This was a great movie! I love how newer cartoons are coming out in 3D which is a great experience! The movie itself was great, excellent, and everything else in between. However this is why I didn't give the movie straight 5 stars:
It dealt with a lot of adult content - for ex., the mourning and death of a loved one - children do not have these type of mourning emotions like how adults feel. Children do not know what dealth is because, well in fact, they have not experienced it as often as adults do. With this being said, the movie seems like it was targetted for adults more than for children
And yes - like my cousin warned me - it was incredibly sad. I was crying, practically for the whole movie! Especially when the Ellie couldn't get up the hill.
But yeah, not to spoil it for anyone else, you should go watch the movie in 3D. It's worth your money. :)

Study Week
Finally the last topic I wanted to blog about. It's finally my study week aka reading week! I'm soooo relieved to have this week off! I asked my supervisor if I could get any more shifts and now, well I regret asking. Right now, I'm working until 5pm today... and the next time I'm scheduled to work is a week from now! Which means, 6 days off of school and work! yaaayyy! Yep, I'm gonna take up that offer and not work because I deserve it :)
I had lots of planning this week but it seems like the rain is dampening my plans. I'll probably stay home and do some house chores, go to the gym and watch all of the tv i want! hahahah I can't wait! :)

Rhea's Birthday!

This past weekend was Rhea's birthday. On top of going to Rockwood and having the usual blast, Rhea and I ventured out to Vaughn to try the new Chilli's restaurant there. Review? Food's good, our server sucked bum.
But anyhow....

Happy Birthday 23rd Birthday Taaallisssaaaa!

*muahz

Ok, until later! *tata!

Creeper on the Bus

Last week, I was going home from work. I hop on the bus and sit in the front, minding my own business. This asian guy comes who was sitting right in front of me comes and sits right beside me. He looked and my shoes and asked, "oh, those are pretty shoes. Are they your's?"
"Yes," I replied.
As he inches closer and closer to me, he says, "oh, that's such a pretty skirt. Is that your's?"
At this time, I was feeling a little uncomfortable but didn't know how to leave.
"Yes..." I replied.
He looks at my shirt then to my chest, starring at it, and says, "that's such - "
I jumped out of my seat and immediate ran to the back where this really big black guy was standing in hopes that if he went near me, he would knock the shit out of the other guy lol
He quickly jumped -literally - jumped from his seat to the seat he was originally sitting in. Throughout the whole ride, I felt incredibly uneasy. The guy kept looking at me - starring - I wasn't sure if should've left and have the chance of him following me or stay on the bus in hopes he would leave the bus first. I didn't have much time to think because there were only a couple of blocks until the bus turns around and forces everyone to leave the bus.
Thankfully, he left 2 blocks later.
Today, my bf calls me at work which was strange because he never does that. I told him this story right when I got home because I was absolutely freaked, disgusted, uneasy... I just felt like I was being violated in many different ways. My bf said he read an article today in the "Metro" newspaper that said that there was a man that matched the same description as I experienced who masturbated in front of a female on the bus in Scarborough! FREAKY?? YEAHHHHHH!!!!!


People out there are obviously mentally disabled. I used to have some sympathy for them but after that incident, I just felt like I was betrayed. I felt like I was being violated - even though I wasn't physically harrassed. I felt like - actually - feel like I can never trust anyone on the bus anymore.

New Developments in & around Toronto

Friday night, I was bored from playing poker and decided to check the local news to see if there was anything interesting in thestar.com. I'm interested in things such as urban planning and criminal acts - not a political person or business person whatsoever. But anyhow - there were a few things that the city of Toronto is planning to do in just a few years:

Proposition to the Gardiner


There have been talks where the city will be tearing down one of our major highways to the downtown core - the Gardiner. Yes, currently it is pretty horrid-looking and it does detract away from the beautiful harbourfront but at the same time, it is a neccessary highway where commuters are pretty much very dependant on.
On June 19 2009, the city had a meeting to listen to any suggestions to see what they can do with the Gardiner instead of closing it down. Architect, Les Klein came up with a great idea to not tear it down, but to build a park on top with bicycle, walking paths and also street vendors. YES! I think the city should really do this! For one thing, I love the idea! It's just common sense! To have a bicyle root, commuters can bike ride their way to work while enjoying such a scenic view of Toronto. It's definately an idea that Toronto can consider!

Thumbs up to Les Klein!

The New Streetcar

The city has also looked at replacing the old streetcars downtown to this new European streetcar. The just have to finalize the final funding from the Federal governement. So far, the ministry of finance - or something like that position - hasn't approved it because their proposition was not related to "creating or developping jobs in Toronto." To tell you the truth, no, doesn't it. It makes the city look modernized but it certainly doesn't help creating jobs etc. I think the municipal government jumped on this proposition to see money from anywhere they want. And yes, why not do that?! Give it shot, right?
HELL NOOOO!!! It just makes Toronto look like it's spoiled and can bully all other cities - hahaha - which i'm pretty sure it does anyway! ashahah
But on this term, I'm not even sure if these streetcars are even beneficial? Yes, they are green but is it worth it?
I say, keep the same streetcars we have now and MAKE them green?! Our current street cars give this charm to the city, and why not keep them? Even though they are dingy and sometimes smell like pee but I still love them!

The New Asian Mall
Lastly, there has been huge contreversory (well, just on thestar.com) from readers about this new asian mall that a Toronto billionaire is planning to build in the heart of asianville (markham).
Rudy Bratty is the 53rd wealthiest man in Canada - according to the Canadian Business Magazine and is planning to get this project underway.
The 800,000 square feet property will be home to a luxurious mall, hotel and condos. It also has an exterior urban design with fountains and walking paths.
As mentioned earlier, there has been concerns by readers about this mall. Here are some of their arguments:

This proposed Asian Mall has the potential to create thousands of jobs for Canadians of all ethno-cultural backgrounds; not to mention the huge boost to the local economy - John Lipka
- Agreed. In 2007, 47% of immigrants came from China (that's why there's a huge chinse population in Toronto). With this type of new asian mall, it can get immigrants to start working in their home tongue and once they are comfortable with English, they can certainly be qualified for any other jobs out there.

As if the traffic congestion (and risk of accident) isn't bad enough in that area already. - Mista Chin
- Agreed. The traffic around Steeles and Kennedy is ridiculous! I try to avoid going that route because well, it just sucks being in traffic.
Instead, like Scarborough Town Centre and Yorkdale, I think the city should develop an RT type route for any body who doesn't want to be stuck in traffic all the time.

You're wrong, Medley [in repsonse to another reader].
First, your comparison of Little Italy and Greektown to these Chinese malls is ridiculous. The merchants in these areas FULLY understand the need to be inclusive, and they rarely (if ever) post signage in their mother tongues only. Conversely, these malls have virtually zero English signage, and that makes them both a safety hazard and an affront our ethnically diverse community. (How are EMS, police and firefighters supposed to find a business that displays its signage in Chines only???) These business DO discourage non-Chinese clientele by excluding the use of (at least one of) our OFFICIAL languages, and I certainly won't set foot in a place that doesn't appear to want my business. Unlike the other ethnic groups in this city, these malls are clearly designed to appeal to one ethnic group only. - Rossvegas
- When I first read this comment, I felt like punching whoever wrote this. There were TONS - and I mean TONS of racist comments that are yes, 1. arguable but 2. just descriminatory!
I would agree with RossVegas that yes, you can't compare this new area to Little Italy or Greektown. I would agree, Little Italy doesn't exclude any other races out there because their signs aren't in their language... BUT this reader obviously hasn't actually been in Pmall!!!
I'm not Chinese myself but I go there. It's a decent mall and I can certainly speak to anyone who works there in English.
Secondly, the signs - especially emergency signs - are all in English! All signs in pmall are all in English (and Chinese writing follows)!
Thirdly, there have been mixed races roaming around pmall. The market in pmall isn't only inclusive to the Chinese but to all races. Why would you think that a BUSSINESS would reject consumers from coming in and purchasing their product??!?!?!?!??!!?
I can't believe people are actually disputing that this mall is racist. I really can't believe that!

So I guess in conclusion to this whole asian mall thing, I think it would be a great way to boost tourism and also build a more modernized "chinatown" as you may call it, just as long as the traffic and congestion in the area is resolved.

Oh and yes, the city of Toronto workers are on strike. No more garbage pick up nor babysitting. Is this strike neccessary? Yes. Is it good timing? Nooooooooo, not at all.
My friend, Sam works for the City of Toronto. He inspects the quality level of surrouding water bodies in Toronto. He agrees with his union. I agree with them.
I think the city didn't take the union seriously when they proposed to keep these bank sick days. Hey, I say why not let them keep it?! I mean, these city workers work hard like any other jobs out there and they should be qualified to keep them. They are the backbones to the city so I say, appreciate them.

random.random.

I've been wanting to blog about this new mall a billionaire is planning to build in replacement to Market Village (cuz there's so much controversy about this new addition to "Asian" malls) but I think I'm going to re-organize my thoughts first. I can get very heated when I'm passionate about something (aka da vinci code) lol. 

So in other terms, I'm spending the weekend working on my week-before-study-week assignments/projects and midterms. 

So far, I have TWO illustration projects I have to do on illustrator... and I have no clue what I'm doing. The first project,  I have to draw a face. YES A FACE!!! wtf??!! This is an intro to illustrator class and all of a sudden, BOOM! DRAW A FACE MOTHERFUCKERS!!! MUAAHAHAH <----- that's my very very laid back teacher. hahah 

on the other hand, this past week has been pretty laid back.. and yes, I was procrastinating. I know, I suck..

Katelyn is officially gone on her vacation! 

See you back in 4 weeks! :) 

Other than that, I heart twitter. Me and Lil haven't seen each other in ages.. nor did we even talk! However, because of twitter, I know that she's currently busy with school :)

&& I didn't know that my cousin was heading out to london until she twittered it! hahaha I was gonna ask her to help me with my illustrator project but nm :) I figured it out anway :D 

oh btw, my face project that I'm current working on now...? I'm getting the hang of it!!! hahaaha I mimicking Mac Make-up's Barbie campaign from a few years ago.... :D I'll show you once I'm done :) 

ok ok tata for now :)  

HANGOVER!

Yesterday after school and getting my hair diiidddd (I'll blog about my hair later), I met up with my cousin at pmall to shop for my grad dress.
While shopping and chatting with her, I came to the realization that:
1. I'm graduating from York after a long 4 and a half years of hard-produced paintings and rants with my buddy, Rhea - I miss that.
2. I'm turning really old and my career as an aspiring graphic designer is starting up... aka a HUGE milestone for me
3. I love and appreciate my cousin so much!


*****
HILARIOUSSSS!!!!! I was a little reluctant to see the movie because everyone - and I mean every single person - who has seen it said it was sooo funny! and it's true! I usually have high expectations with movies who had incredible reviews but this definately met its expectations!
The movie's humour is actually different than movies like, Superbad... The jokes aren't as dirty at all and the movie was consistently funny!
There are definately some lines that I remember:
"RA-TARD" hahaah
"I didn't know that the Holocaust gave out rings!" HAHAAHAHHA
and some other ones I can't remember at the moment. It is definately worth watching :D





Ok, so I wrote this whole spazz about the 3 points I indicated earlier and it didn't save!!?!? wtf!?? I guess you'll never find out about it unless you ask :)

Ok, back to work..

*tata! :)

Hello everyone!

With much anticipation (well, not really) I have migrated my blog from xanga.com/linh29 to MizTran!

So, starting to blog :)

My weekend was very much relaxing! I didn't do any homework (since I only have a few things that I just have to finish up) so this weekend was all about moi :)

I will be leaving for China on June 27 (date may change upon availability) to escort my mother to see her friends who is diagnosed with some sort of cancer. Yep, free trip to China? YEAHHHH! hahaha I'll be leaving for only 10 days :)
My friend, Katelyn is also leaving for vacation - going on a Mediterranean cruise for 10 days, then heading out to Germany for 2 weeks - so we decided to plan a date for shopping for our trip :) After class and doing errands with my parents, I headed dt on Queen to shop. To tell you the truth, I am very disapointed with the selection they had :( Nonetheless, I bought 4 dresses :)
I then met up with Katelyn at Eaton's centre. We shopped around a bit... and then headed out to Everest to enjoy the summer evening outside in the patio :) We had a pitcher of white sangria to ourselves :) hahaha
After, we headed home.. holy crap! did anyone know that the subway stops working at Eglinton, going north?!?!?!? We had to leave the subway and head out to this overly cramped shuttle bus that brought us to Finch Station! Damn you TTC! hahah it's ok thought, we youtubed the whole way up
The next day, Joo and I had our weekly date (this is where we spend time alone with eachother, either for dinner or doing something active - and eventhough we do spend a lot of time together, it's mostly with friends. We wanted to see the free cirque-du-soliel show at the Harbourfront which was part of the Luminato festival. We couldn't make it on time so we just went to a show that I found online.


*****
5/5 stars! Yep, that's what I gave it! Incredibly spectacular! Unfortunately, we went to their last show in Toronto so you're unable to see it.. but if it does come back to TO, then I would definately recommend you seeing it! Just think of the dark musical Sweeney Todd but in a live theatre (and well, the plot is obviously different).
I liked every aspect it! The costumes were incredibly suiting to the dark comical musical, the music was appropriate and at times catchy... and the choreography was left to your imagination!
I would have to say, out of all live shows I've been to - two cirque du soleil shows, blueman group a few others, I love this one the best! (well except the blueman group, that was more entertaining thus.. i guess you would categorize it differently)

After the show, we headed up to Destiny to chill with Kleenex (lol, dorky, if you don't like me call you and Mr. Ing Kleenex, let me know :) ) We had some major big 2 competitions and of course, Alex takes the night with most of the wins, then me, then Kaleena and poor jooyong was last! haahah whatever, he was being cocky about it so he deserved all of the shitty hands! hahaha

On Sunday, me, Joo, Justin and Riyad ate brunch at cora's then headed out to a driving range! I didn't know that there was one near my house! lol I got to practice my non existant golfing skills. I think I'm going to buy a set of cheap clubs to practice my golfing skills. I'm very excited :)

After the range, we headed over to Joo friend's house to chill and enjoy the warm weather again. I had to go home a little bit to celebrate my father's birthday then headed out again.

So far, I love summer weekends :)

ps. I love how blogger saves your blog every like, 2 mins!