my brother saying my biceps r small... :(
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Beauty
I read the article on the Dove Campaign for real beauty (why has this thing stuck around for so long...isnt social media supposed to be instantaneous) in urban today which talked about how unscientific it was to get above average looking women to critique their own features and from that derive that we are all overly harsh on ourselves. What if instead it had been below average women or women who wear alot of make up? Ok actually to be honest I think that all the response articles I've read to the campaign so far have been sort of dodgy, I always agree with a few points but then I disagree with majority of what else is being said.
Really I think that the message that we shouldn't overlook the beauty that is in us is a good message. Which brings me to the question what is this beauty?
without going into some horribly pretentious ki reminiscence, I think what the Dove Campaign hinted at was a thing we like to call surface beauty (because, after all the got the FBI dude to sketch out what the women LOOKED like) and also (and this is why all the response articles get confuzzled and messy) a deeper kind of inner beauty eg. eyes that "lit up" or a "warm smile" which suggests that the person is a nice person ON THE INSIDE.
so surface and below the surface.
And i think that was the point of the video- to remind us that when people look at us they try to see the person that you ARE rather than the person that you LOOK LIKE, so in a sense the two drawings were comparing surface beauty & surface+inner beauty. The women's faces didn't change, it was the beholder and the eye of the beholder and the perception and all the biases that come with that perception that changed. so you see because we all judge beauty based on what we see- it depends if we are ABLE to see beyond the surface to see both inner and outer beauty.
Often, when we look at ourselves we see only the surface, but real beauty is beyond that. that's why it's impossible for me to say any of my friends aren't pretty because i know them- I know who they are and all that they are comes bubbling to the surface so that when i see them i see all of them. (hahahhaha like in avatar I SEE YOUUUUUUUU)
And yet, there is a danger in how the message that "inner beauty is true beauty" / "beauty comes from within" is widely accepted and very easy to swallow. Because people generally like to think that although the features they were born with are out of their control (save plastic surgery and certain medicines) they can also be considered beautiful by working solely on their character and personality, by becoming a "good & nice person".
I love the idea of inner beauty of course! I mean who doesn't want to be thought of a beautiful person! And I'm not saying that beauty doesn't come from within, I'm just pointing out a flaw with the idea of MAKING out insides more beautiful on our own strength. Because if the motivation for me wanting to make myself a more beautiful person is so that people will think me a beautiful person, then by default I cannot be a beautiful person. My motivation for working on my character, greed and covetousness for other people's approval, would already make me ugly even before I start looking "beautiful on the inside".
so you see you can't attain inner beauty by trying to BE BEAUTIFUL on the inside. much the same as you can't achieve surface beauty on your own without the help of a plastic surgeon.
We are all messed up people. And we can't save ourselves.
So when I think of striving to be a beautiful person, let me remind myself that it will only lead to more ugliness. Comparisons. Discontent. Self-righteous pats on the back. Delusions. And let me not strive at all, but submit to the hand of the surgeon who I trust to change and transform me to the most beautiful person there is - Christ.
Because the beauty that is in us, the only beauty that we shouldn't overlook, is Christ working in our lives, whether we know it or not.
Really I think that the message that we shouldn't overlook the beauty that is in us is a good message. Which brings me to the question what is this beauty?
without going into some horribly pretentious ki reminiscence, I think what the Dove Campaign hinted at was a thing we like to call surface beauty (because, after all the got the FBI dude to sketch out what the women LOOKED like) and also (and this is why all the response articles get confuzzled and messy) a deeper kind of inner beauty eg. eyes that "lit up" or a "warm smile" which suggests that the person is a nice person ON THE INSIDE.
so surface and below the surface.
And i think that was the point of the video- to remind us that when people look at us they try to see the person that you ARE rather than the person that you LOOK LIKE, so in a sense the two drawings were comparing surface beauty & surface+inner beauty. The women's faces didn't change, it was the beholder and the eye of the beholder and the perception and all the biases that come with that perception that changed. so you see because we all judge beauty based on what we see- it depends if we are ABLE to see beyond the surface to see both inner and outer beauty.
Often, when we look at ourselves we see only the surface, but real beauty is beyond that. that's why it's impossible for me to say any of my friends aren't pretty because i know them- I know who they are and all that they are comes bubbling to the surface so that when i see them i see all of them. (hahahhaha like in avatar I SEE YOUUUUUUUU)
And yet, there is a danger in how the message that "inner beauty is true beauty" / "beauty comes from within" is widely accepted and very easy to swallow. Because people generally like to think that although the features they were born with are out of their control (save plastic surgery and certain medicines) they can also be considered beautiful by working solely on their character and personality, by becoming a "good & nice person".
I love the idea of inner beauty of course! I mean who doesn't want to be thought of a beautiful person! And I'm not saying that beauty doesn't come from within, I'm just pointing out a flaw with the idea of MAKING out insides more beautiful on our own strength. Because if the motivation for me wanting to make myself a more beautiful person is so that people will think me a beautiful person, then by default I cannot be a beautiful person. My motivation for working on my character, greed and covetousness for other people's approval, would already make me ugly even before I start looking "beautiful on the inside".
so you see you can't attain inner beauty by trying to BE BEAUTIFUL on the inside. much the same as you can't achieve surface beauty on your own without the help of a plastic surgeon.
We are all messed up people. And we can't save ourselves.
So when I think of striving to be a beautiful person, let me remind myself that it will only lead to more ugliness. Comparisons. Discontent. Self-righteous pats on the back. Delusions. And let me not strive at all, but submit to the hand of the surgeon who I trust to change and transform me to the most beautiful person there is - Christ.
Because the beauty that is in us, the only beauty that we shouldn't overlook, is Christ working in our lives, whether we know it or not.
Something I've been thinking about lately
Something I've been thinking about lately
the things that boys shouldn't say
the things they should never mention
well not to girls anyway
the mention may be warranted
it might even be the truth
but girls are fragile creatures
so especially in their youth
imagine a huge axe
that fells a tree
blow by blow by blow
each time the ax falls the tree breaks a little
one word and she breaks a little more
a tree may be a strong thing
it might stand pround and tall
it might never show any sign of pain
but
blow by blow by blow
down the tree falls
========
even if we are friends
even if it's true
even if I ask for it
or if I say I'll still love you
never never never
never tell me I'm fat
never tell me to wear make up or go running or any of the rest of that
I'm not blind or stupid
I can see for myself who I am
When I ask for your opinion
I'm really asking you to be man
Because who is to say,
that I'm ugly or fat or dull
Im only uglier than her or her
or fatter than them all
so if you understand that
don't compare me to the rest
you're not lying if you tell me I'm beautiful
you sense of beauty is just correct
the things that boys shouldn't say
the things they should never mention
well not to girls anyway
the mention may be warranted
it might even be the truth
but girls are fragile creatures
so especially in their youth
imagine a huge axe
that fells a tree
blow by blow by blow
each time the ax falls the tree breaks a little
one word and she breaks a little more
a tree may be a strong thing
it might stand pround and tall
it might never show any sign of pain
but
blow by blow by blow
down the tree falls
========
even if we are friends
even if it's true
even if I ask for it
or if I say I'll still love you
never never never
never tell me I'm fat
never tell me to wear make up or go running or any of the rest of that
I'm not blind or stupid
I can see for myself who I am
When I ask for your opinion
I'm really asking you to be man
Because who is to say,
that I'm ugly or fat or dull
Im only uglier than her or her
or fatter than them all
so if you understand that
don't compare me to the rest
you're not lying if you tell me I'm beautiful
you sense of beauty is just correct
healthy eating
After being sick for three days,
I have decided to try and be nicer to my body by eating more healthily.
I suppose while I'm still working at the restaurant I cant reeally avoid eating the restaurant food (which isnt the healthiest but I love the kitchen people so much I wouldnt want to offend them and anyway I like eating in the kitchen and talking in chinese) but otherwise, Im going to try and avoid sweet sweet deserts like my favourite brownies, ice cream, cupcakes and cookies and Im going to try and eat HEALTHY SNACKS LIKE
nuts
ok honestly that was all I came up with when I was thinking to myself, what else can I eat besides sugary treats as snacks. Nuts and fruits. BUT NUTS AND FRUITS R SO DEPRESSING
but then...guess what I found
ahhahahah
STRAWBERRIES N YOGURT YUM YUM
-you just dips half or whole strawbs in vanilla yogurt and freeze em and TA DA!
OR BRUSCHETTA!!
-miriam makes this all the time with just diced tomatoes/herbs/olive oil/salt/pepper ++ I think I'll add guacamole to mine for snacks when Im really hungry :) :)
of course there are also healthyish cakes like the wholemeal banana cake im eating now which is really really good hehehehhe & my normal go-to appetite suppressants, green apples ^yay^
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/quick_and_easy/arugula_and_bulgur_stuffed_tomatoes.php
JUST LOOK AT THE TOMATES Im gonna make em.
one thing about uni im really looking forward to is COOKING MY OWN MEALS hehehehhe i think i will just stuff my cupboards with tomates cheese and pasta thats all i need forever so many things you can make with these three.
and strawberries.
they're expensive but I'd give up all my deserts for a constant supply of strawberries.
I have decided to try and be nicer to my body by eating more healthily.
I suppose while I'm still working at the restaurant I cant reeally avoid eating the restaurant food (which isnt the healthiest but I love the kitchen people so much I wouldnt want to offend them and anyway I like eating in the kitchen and talking in chinese) but otherwise, Im going to try and avoid sweet sweet deserts like my favourite brownies, ice cream, cupcakes and cookies and Im going to try and eat HEALTHY SNACKS LIKE
nuts
ok honestly that was all I came up with when I was thinking to myself, what else can I eat besides sugary treats as snacks. Nuts and fruits. BUT NUTS AND FRUITS R SO DEPRESSING
but then...guess what I found
ahhahahah
STRAWBERRIES N YOGURT YUM YUM
-you just dips half or whole strawbs in vanilla yogurt and freeze em and TA DA!
OR BRUSCHETTA!!
-miriam makes this all the time with just diced tomatoes/herbs/olive oil/salt/pepper ++ I think I'll add guacamole to mine for snacks when Im really hungry :) :)
of course there are also healthyish cakes like the wholemeal banana cake im eating now which is really really good hehehehhe & my normal go-to appetite suppressants, green apples ^yay^
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/quick_and_easy/arugula_and_bulgur_stuffed_tomatoes.phpJUST LOOK AT THE TOMATES Im gonna make em.
one thing about uni im really looking forward to is COOKING MY OWN MEALS hehehehhe i think i will just stuff my cupboards with tomates cheese and pasta thats all i need forever so many things you can make with these three.
and strawberries.
they're expensive but I'd give up all my deserts for a constant supply of strawberries.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
highlights
instead of ombre bronde which, considering the length of my hair now, will probably turn out something like this
Im thinking about blonde highlights againnnn, look its so nice!!!!
chestnut brown with golden highlights
I just love the messy tasseled blend of colours...
hair for when Im older
Im thinking about blonde highlights againnnn, look its so nice!!!!
chestnut brown with golden highlights
I just love the messy tasseled blend of colours...
hair for when Im older
POPIAH PARTY
I'm having a popiah party for my birthday!!!!!! hehe I love popiah so muchhhh
But bcos I have yet to inherit the popiah recipe from my AMA, I'm going to order popiah delivery either from old long house qiji, fortune food or kway guan huat. still trying to decide which is the best...
and IDK if i should get KUEH PAI TI COS I HATE EM
but my friends like em (ew)
looks ^ so fried and crunchy and HOW ON EARTH DO YOU EAT IT STUFF THE WHOLE THING INTO YOUR MOUTH?!
This is a clear example of "I don't know how to eat this food" = "I don't like this food"
ooh ooh but Im also thinking of getting pork belly buns
sooooooo goood amgggggggg
hehehehhehehe I love planning the food
my only plan for party entertainment is...sleep HAHAHHA
idk its a hang out and eat party
QUE SERA SERA~~~~~
But bcos I have yet to inherit the popiah recipe from my AMA, I'm going to order popiah delivery either from old long house qiji, fortune food or kway guan huat. still trying to decide which is the best...
and IDK if i should get KUEH PAI TI COS I HATE EM
but my friends like em (ew)
looks ^ so fried and crunchy and HOW ON EARTH DO YOU EAT IT STUFF THE WHOLE THING INTO YOUR MOUTH?!
This is a clear example of "I don't know how to eat this food" = "I don't like this food"
ooh ooh but Im also thinking of getting pork belly buns
sooooooo goood amgggggggg
hehehehhehehe I love planning the food
my only plan for party entertainment is...sleep HAHAHHA
idk its a hang out and eat party
QUE SERA SERA~~~~~
Monday, May 6, 2013
Books books books
Need to recommend this book-
Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Yes the same guy who wrote Never Let Me Go, but he wrote Remains of the Day first (I dont know why it makes a difference but it does to me)
He also wrote When we were orphans which i borrowed from the library ages ago but never finished because i was too busy and it had to go back :( need to take it out again!
anyway,
i love his writing and really im so jealous of the J1 kids who are doing this for a levels because it is so easy and so lovely. (actually come to think of it maybe its better not to have to tear it apart for a levels analysis)
I could literally feel the themes jumping off the page at me (first time i've ever had such an experience) and guessing which passages would be key a level ones/ potential text based questions...maybe these are lit student withdrawal symptoms (i have them all the time :( i wrote a poem at work once about my sadness over choosing not to study lit at uni...sigh i love lit alot)
And after reading this book i came up with an idea for a research paper for uni if i do IR! haha it was called International Relations in the Great English House - examining the success of diplomacy and political maneuvering done behind closed doors in the private homes of Lords and Ladies between the two wars, & how it can be applied/ lessons we can learn to aid to the public, international discourse of the UN today.
Today i also sorted out the bookshelf and found SO MANY GEMS
so many good books in my own home that I havent read so my aim for the year is to read what i have before i buy any more books haha (which was quite fail because after deciding that I went out for lunch and bought a book *which i justified by saying i would give it to a friend as a present which is true*)
right now Im reading another booker prize winner called Amsterdam by Ian Mcsomething
and right NOW im supposed to be doing research on binomial theorem questions to send to my tuition kid for him to practice aaaa
hence,
goodnight
Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Yes the same guy who wrote Never Let Me Go, but he wrote Remains of the Day first (I dont know why it makes a difference but it does to me)
He also wrote When we were orphans which i borrowed from the library ages ago but never finished because i was too busy and it had to go back :( need to take it out again!
anyway,
i love his writing and really im so jealous of the J1 kids who are doing this for a levels because it is so easy and so lovely. (actually come to think of it maybe its better not to have to tear it apart for a levels analysis)
I could literally feel the themes jumping off the page at me (first time i've ever had such an experience) and guessing which passages would be key a level ones/ potential text based questions...maybe these are lit student withdrawal symptoms (i have them all the time :( i wrote a poem at work once about my sadness over choosing not to study lit at uni...sigh i love lit alot)
And after reading this book i came up with an idea for a research paper for uni if i do IR! haha it was called International Relations in the Great English House - examining the success of diplomacy and political maneuvering done behind closed doors in the private homes of Lords and Ladies between the two wars, & how it can be applied/ lessons we can learn to aid to the public, international discourse of the UN today.
Today i also sorted out the bookshelf and found SO MANY GEMS
so many good books in my own home that I havent read so my aim for the year is to read what i have before i buy any more books haha (which was quite fail because after deciding that I went out for lunch and bought a book *which i justified by saying i would give it to a friend as a present which is true*)
right now Im reading another booker prize winner called Amsterdam by Ian Mcsomething
and right NOW im supposed to be doing research on binomial theorem questions to send to my tuition kid for him to practice aaaa
hence,
goodnight
This gets addictive
Need to make a list of all the movies I want to watch!!!!!!!
Great Expectations
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
My Week with Marilyn
An Education (omg this has been like on my lists foreverrrrrrrr)
Atonement (ditto)
Mildred Pierce
Doubt
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
A Dangerous Method
The Reader
Anna Karenina
Moonrise Kingdom
Into the Wild
The Rum Diary
Albatross
Little White Lies (french movies are the best)
Lovely, still
lol this will take me foreverrrrr
and a lil bit more of miley cos this song is just so funny
Auburn hair
I actually really like Mileys backyard sessions
and come to think of it, her hair
WHAT COLOUR IS THAT MAYBE I SHOULD DYE THAT INSTEAD
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