twenty twelve

I seriously cannot believe that 2011 is over. It probably has been the best year of my life. It held six months of my senior year, the three weeks I spent in running around Taiwan with one of my best friends, the first semester of college, and the start of my first relationship. For my sake, I really need to start listing some moments: managing senior art show two, being featured in art show three, snowboarding with one of my friends and her mom, receiving the Stephen Jablonsky scholarship for my work in ceramics, prom, the after prom-party, the crazy sleepover following that party, graduation and the dinner afterwards, that beautiful afternoon at my aunt's country house in Yilan, those multiple trips to "Simon" (Ximending), clouds descending in Alishan, dinner at Red Bamboo with friends, the following sleepover, my best friend and her dad driving me to college, that random late-night drive around Lewisburg with the college friends within the first couple days of college, the beautiful starry sky of rural Pennsylvania, my art hanging in the Post and Lintel Fine Arts Gallery.

Yes 2011, you were very good to me. You marked the start of my legal adult life, and hopefully in 2012, there will be more wonderful experiences, opportunities, and memories.

thank you thank you

None of my friends seem to be able to answer my summer-long question, since they are all moving on to art college and in art college textbooks aren't required, "do I need a backpack for school?" I'll be moving into my dorm next week, and at this point, I am 80 percent sure that I will be need a backpack or just a bag sturdy and large enough to withstand the weight of my books. I've always been very against using backpacks. Most of the time, I feel they just look too elementary. However, once I factor in the health of my back and the limited options, I always end up using one anyway. Every time, I reach for the most rugged one I can find. During my senior year, I used this army green with a brown suede bottom Timberland backpack. My mom found it at a yard sale for five dollars. Heck of a deal, right? Years before, I used a color-blocked deep blue and white, square-ish backpack and Jansport army green one. All in all, backpacks are pretty dependable and come in abundance, but I really would like that to change in college. 

I've been looking for medium sized leather shopping bags and these by Cast of Vices are beyond perfect. Best of all, they totally represent New York City. It would be like having a piece of home when I'm away at college. The big downside is the hefty price tag of $255-265. Maybe I should keep my eyes peeled for something price appropriate.

heartstrings

College days are approaching exceedingly fast. I'm moving into my dorm next week. I can't believe this is actually going to happen. I am going away for college, away from my parents, away from New York City. My tight-knit group of friends from high school are all moving away for college--MICA, Pratt Institute, SUNY Purchase.  High school has gone by so fast. My closet was just renovated and I will only have exactly one week to enjoy it. I've already told my mother not to invade my parts of my closet. There is a piece of my heart touched with sadness. The rest doesn't know what to feel or expect. 

There are several groups on Facebook book made by incoming Freshman from my school. Everyone makes such a huge effort to connect beforehand. It makes me feel welcomed and happy. There is one particular group that makes me very excited. Almost fifty freshman girls banned together creating a "gym posse." How rad is that? There is so much talk about mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding/skiing, white water rafting, hiking, and the list goes on. It is so wonderful to see so many peers excited about maintaining healthy lifestyles. This is such a great opportunity to participate in such outdoorsy activities. Maybe I'll buy another pair of sneakers.

Make Yourself Athlete via Nike Facebook

college staples

My vacation in Taiwan was one of the best three weeks in my life. It made me realize how much I love the country. I now realize why my relatives refuse to move to the US. Life is so comfortable there. The cost of life, especially, is super low-cost. The Taiwan has such a sustainable, eco-friendly way of life. I truly admire that.

Anyway, it is time to return to reality. 

I will be off to college in three weeks. It is so nerve-wracking. Will I really be able to coexist with a roommate? Am I going to be crushed under the pressure of college work? In "less-important", materialistic aspect... What about my wardrobe?! I'm dwindling on closet staples. Lately, I've been really into simple solid tanks, tees, etc. with unique cuts/shape.

These Muji tees are ohh-so roomy, but have a feminine flair. The crewneck cut is perfect. This would be such a great shirt to throw on for lazy morning classes.

 I recently bought these trousers on sale. I've worn them a couple times already and I love them so much! They're actually the first pair of pants I own in which I can easily tuck my hands in the front pockets. That is a big plus.

Though I don't really consider this a staple, it is just too lovely of a dress to not share. The silhouette, color and texture is just so fantastic! It also comes in purple.

The Harley Davidson El Paso boot is such a dream, isn't it?

Beautiful shirt by Zara

And finally, this is probably one of the best shirts ever...A shirt you don't have to change out of when you wake up late on a school morning. Ahhh, life would be easy peasy with this shirt.

Where has the time gone?

Today, I was browsing through the many blogs I follow on bloglovin' and I stopped to read Jayne's newest post. One line really stood out, "It's a quarter through 2011 and I'm still wondering what happened to 2010". Immediately the thought, "where has the time gone?" popped up. Twenty-ten was one of the best years of my life. For once, my summer vacation had gone smoothly. I went to the beach a few times, drew a lot of pictures, enjoyed the sun and temperature (even the heat wave), and read a few books. Before I knew, it was September and I was in my senior year of high school.

Now, it's coming to a close. Just last month, I was managing one of the senior art shows, while working on my own. A little before that, I was still running around like a beheaded chicken, tying up loose ends in my college applications and applying for financial aid. It is all past now. There are many things to look forward to, but there is a part of me that fears adulthood. In a week, I will have made up my mind of where I'm going to college. In two weeks, I will turn eighteen. In a month, hopefully, I will be partying it up at prom. In a month and a half, I will be sitting in Alice Tully hall, in Lincoln Center, waiting for my name to be called to receive my high school diploma. In two months, I will be vacationing in Taiwan with my one of my best friends. Finally, in five months, I'll be attending college. BUT Where has the time gone? Am I having an adolescent-life crisis?