My version of the Ferris Bueller

See, Indigo? I totally took your advice and rolled better than the baker.

(yet another retro What's Lovely; who's ready for some more time travelin'?)

What's Lovely for (this past) Monday, May 10, 2010: Having three-- THREE-- guys help you out on three separate occasions while you're lugging around your suitcases around Chicago.

Occasion 1: Young man who kindly offered to help Pink and I scoot our five suitcases out of the train.

Occasion 2: I FELL UP THE ESCALATOR TRYING TO CARRY TWO SUITCASES WHICH WAS TERRIFYING only to have this six-foot tall dude standing right behind me catch my flailing self. Whew.

Occasion 3: Another young fellow who after some thought helped poor Pink carry a suitcase up the stairs.

Oy vey, how sadly damsel in distress of us. At least the rest of the day wasn't quite so hilariously pitiful (I'd like to think).

My facial expression doesn't nearly give our godforsaken task of carrying our suitcases around proper justice.

Bringin' out my inner Glamourai, what with being in the city and wearin' a kimono. Bein' fancy like that.

With a little coaxing, we had a mini photo shoot outside the Chicago Art Institute.

Shirt&Belt- secondhand : Scarf- gift from Pink! : Kimono- garage sale : Cardigan- TJMaxx (now LOST wtf) : Skinnies- Gap : Socks- magic? : Shoes- Old Navy : Purse- TJMaxx

That big black thing in my purse is my sketchbook: one of my most favorite things to do is take rough sketches of the works I see at art museums. Shut it, I'm deep like that.

Nearly two hours wasn't nearly enough to enjoy some of our favorite art-- like good ol' Toulouse-Lautrec, that lovable absinthe-soaked midget.

Forget the Da Vinci Code: we need to solve the mystery of Why is Adrien Brody Disguised as a Woman in this Painting.

I'm glad I managed to sneak in this picture; this woman's coat is a work of fabulous art.

When in Chicago, you must take the obligatory pictures at the Bean.

For lunch (and proper pre-shopping fuel), I had my first authentic Chicago deep dish. Shoveling into it with a fork and knife was definitely a challenge.

Pink's family friends' home (did you get all that?) is near the Baha'i Temple of Worship, which I had the fortune to take pictures of (only on the outside though, cameras weren't allowed inside).

Isn't the detailing amazing? I thought it resembled a paper cut-out, only strangely solid. And thus ends my adventure in Chicago. Much like Ferris Bueller's, only not. Funny thing, since I didn't even see that movie... woops.

Alive Again! Charlene "Chuck" Charles (part I)

I apologize for the crappy quality of these photos (I feel like I've already said that at least 5 times before). Mr. Sun had to be a bitch and not wait for me.

What's Lovely for Friday, May 14, 2010: Holding a sugar glider named Fondue... then having it fondue on me. Woops.

I know, I know, the What's Lovelies aren't corresponding with the pictures, but please bear with me. I'm currently spending the weekend near the beach in a town called Hua Hin, which translates to "I can't upload new pictures for the next few days." But WOAH, what's this? We totally teleported back to the American Midwest in one day! Suck it, Spock, I got this teleporting thing down. (just kidding, I love you, Spock)

This outfit is more peripherally inspired by the main fashionista of the scene, Charlotte "Chuck" Charles, rather than a direct interpretation like I did the other characters. I've been saving this cardigan for ages since I first bought it, not only because it was so sweet (have any of you ever done that? save a piece of clothing for that special debut?), but because it struck me as something the sweet Chuck would wear. Though we aren't similar in personality (Emily said that I was more of an Olive, which I'd like to think is true), we do share the same nickname-- "Chuck." Granted, only a few people call me that, but I say it counts.

Cardigan, Skirt- TJMaxx : Underskirt- Mom'd : Tights- We Love Colors : Flats- Old Navy

What's Lovely for today, May 15, 2010: Writing names and drawing sloppy stars in the beach sand.

One Night in Bangkok

What's Lovely for Thursday, May 13, 2010: Experiencing not so much culture shock as culture wonder on my first official day out in the neighborhood of Bangkok.

Hello, my blog! How I want to hug thee. *glomp* Call me silly or just jet lagged, but my blog is my baby, and babies need hugs from momma when she's been away. Though I'm still awed and amazed by Thailand (both by its culture and sweltering humidity), I'm very annoyed that I don't have a card reader--- meeeeeaning that this blog will jump back and forth in time (I need to catch up on my What's Lovelies and finish up my Pushing Daisies series, if anyone cares.... ahem). I still have pictures from Monday's day-long plane trip that I want to share, too... So the blog will time travel as well as travel-travel. Apologies, because my sense of time is severely off. I'll be blogging in Thai time, which is 13 hours ahead of the time I usually function on.

BUT I do have these pictures, so enjoy the sheer touristy pictures that I've taken around my friend's neighborhood!

Don't mind me, I'm just sniffin' that frangipani (isn't that the funnest name for a flower?) for all its worth.

Shirt- magic? : Skirt- Macy's : Belt- Walmart : Sandals- Nine West via TJMaxx

I ate Pink's favorite fruit for the first time, the rambutan. Which I believe looks more like a small creature or Pokemon than a fruit-- but it tastes yummy. Much like a Pokemon.

I hear Dragon Fruits taste like dragons. I hope to find out for myself later.

In Thailand, the oranges are GREEN. Woah. I find Thailand to be a fruitful experience. GET IT. Aha? Haha? No? No one? Eff you.

"Rod Song Taew" which translates into "Two Row Car." The more you know!

Experiencing technical (and timely) differences

We're like this naturally..................unfortunately.

What's Lovely for Saturday, May 8, 2010: Finding out that rolling your clothing really DOES help with packing economically. It's like packing became a game of Tetris.

&

What's Lovely for today, May 9, 2010: Staying up alarmingly late when I have to wake up alarmingly early. WOO.

Legit posts will come.... later. After. Stuff. Traveling, commuting. Sleeping. ... Yeah.

Apology: In which I try to make up for lost time

I lift the rubble and blink at the sunshine only to emerge (sorta) victorious. I'M ALIVE. IT'S OVER. And now to introduce the first (and probably not last) segment: Alternating Past What's Lovelies with Songs That Remind Me of the Summer.

It's the best I got with no camera. Please bear with me!

What's Lovely for Tuesday, May 4, 2010: Studying, studying... then totally not studying... only to realize that you're so totally not ready for that exam, omg. Good thing you can take it the next day.

What's Lovely for Wednesday, May 5, 2010: OHP NEVER MIND, STILL NOT READY FOR THAT EXAM. OR THAT ONE. Good thing there's still tomorrow...

What's Lovely for Thursday, May 6, 2010: FINALS ARE OVER. IT'S LIZZIE'S BIRTHDAY. OH CRAP, MICHELLE'S BIRTHDAY WAS ON THE FIRST. CRAP, GIFTS. AH, IRON MAN 2. AH, EPIC. AHHH. *passes out*

What's Lovely for today, May 7, 2010: Standing in your backyard and just standing there, standing and feeling the wind play with your skirt and smelling the sky heavy with precautionary rain.

Other good news: FINALLY got a tripod... before I got my camera. It's like buying a wedding dress without the groom (Liz Lemon, anyone?), but minus the super-crazy. But I'm so excited of all the summer photo shoots I'll do, only to be embarrassed by random passerby. Can't. Wait.

At this point, I'm feeling a little disoriented and nostalgic. Summer might have begun, but I still have a million and one things to do, just when it feels that friends are coming right when I'm leaving. I need to pack because I'm leaving Monday at 7 AM to go to Thailand for three weeks... wait. Monday traveling, three week venture... That's almost exactly what Lucy Marmalade is doing. Lucy, is there something that you haven't been telling me?

But yes, THAILAND. I wanted y'all to guess, but you DIDN'T, and I'm fairly disappointed none tried. Next time I ask everyone to guess, I really want you to guess! Good news is, this blog is taking a FIELD TRIP to Thailand with me, so I'm also very giddy about that. :)

Wow, I used caps a lot in this post. I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. Bye.

Distractions for you, you and YOU.

What's Lovely for May 3, 2010: Being distracted by Youtube clips while "studying" for finals. I thought I'd share the videos I've been distracted by with you, so YOU can enjoy the bliss of distraction as well. Enjoy!

Three words: Only in Japan.

Brett Ehrlich and VVFS, so awesome. This is also topical because I saw a bunch of people walking their dogs today. TEH CUTENESS OVERLOADZ.

This is the last clip Brett was talking about in the clip above. Oh, you didn't watch it? WATCH IT, PLEASE.
Three words: Death by puppies.

There are other gut-grabbingly hilarious clips from this series, such as how to defend yourself and how women should date. All satirical and TRUE, of course. x)

Speaking of finals... I'll be on hiatus for the next few days. AGH. THE END, IT IS SO NEAR. First finals, then a little break, then packing, then to Chicago, then... to Southeast Asia for a few weeks. I also have to thank everyone who wished me congratulations on the last post. It's so sweet, I smiled at each comment. :) See? Another smile!

What a joy, what a life, what a chance!

What's Lovely for Friday, April 30, 2010: One line that seals the deal.

This is what I said I was nervous about in the last post. All that waiting for two weeks culminated in one short, succinct line. But the main thing is: I got into my major!!! Exclamation points, woohoo. :)

Don't worry, that's just a prop cigarette. Well, it's a real one, just borrowed. Notice how obvious it is that I'm a non-smoker because I'm holding the cigarette comically wrong. Please try not to notice how much of a hot mess I am.

Shirt- American Apparel : Skirt- Forever21 : Necklace- borrowed? : Brooch- gift from Rome : Belt- secondhand? : Cigarette- borrowed from "Don Draper"

What's Lovely for Saturday, May 1, 2010: (Technically this poorly-taken picture was from Friday night, but it was probably taken around midnight, so I'll make it count) Mad Men-themed party where only two people remember to dress up in early 60s style. Woops.

Friday night was the end-of-the-year-last-hurrah work party, which was in short, a rollicking good time (I almost lost my voice singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" in its entirety in a rousing chorus). It was most bittersweet, due to some amazing graduating seniors.

This song doesn't really have to do with anything, but I find it so pleasant to sing. Can you do something for me? Can you read the lyrics and sing along? Please? Karaoke is good for the soul.

What's Lovely for Sunday (today), May 2, 2010: Celebrating the end of the year and getting accepted into our major with friends by stuffing ourselves with Vietnamese food, bubble tea and crispy fries. Lots of awkwardness and laughter were to be had in abundance.

AHHHHH FINALS WEEK. THEN VACATION OVERSEAS. GUESS WHERE I'M GOING, I DARE YOU.