Category Archives: Rant

December 20, 2012 · 10:14

The Uptown Girl

Posted by: Stacey Maka

Communing is a pain

A lot of us dream to live and work in a city. Tons of television shows are based on people making it in the big city. These shows portray the struggles the characters go through (even though their stress is not- so- convincing a lot of the time and with quick overnight fixes). Their lives seem 10 times cooler than they really are. In reality most of us wait years to achieve a goal while literally ripping our hairs out of our heads. Perhaps I didn’t realize how influenced I’d been either when I told myself “Pfff…yeah right that happens!”. Maybe deep down I wanted to believe it was real. I’m not saying it can’t or won’t happen, but it will not appear to be glamorous or fast when getting to where you want to be.

Whether we like to admit it or not, there is a certain pride in saying, “I work in the city”, when being asked in a conversation – well at least for those who were brought up outside a city. Here’s the thing, being in the city is linked to silently saying, “I’m young”, “I’m successful” and “I’m making it happen”. And for those who live outside a city, it is usually seen as a negative thing. Maybe I can’t fully understand the negativity because I’ve only ever lived in a suburb, although not that far away from the city. Certainly not your typical “boonie town” but even I get teased often about living outside the city. For this reason I’ve been associated with “not dreaming big enough”, or “not thinking outside of the box”. But in fact, I’m one of the most courageous, creative, goal-oriented, and open-minded people you’d meet. I’ve travelled around the world a lot, immersed myself in different cultures, and even took the scary leap of quitting a job to figure myself out for an entire year. I’ve completed and continue to complete dream goals that not a lot of people even living in a city have the privilege of doing.

Going back to my point – I’m considered to be suburban girl working in the city even though I don’t see it that way. The commute is quite draining physically and mentally yet I still fight for it. We all fight for something we want to stay in our lives even if it’s a struggle to get it. Perhaps I hold on so dearly to my current city job and take pride in it because I want to be seen as an equal to the city dwellers – “I’m young”, “I’m successful” and “I’m making it happen”. Or at least getting there.

Uptown Girls image via ew.com.

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May 28, 2012 · 18:47

Career: Making A Change

Posted by: Stacey Maka

It’s a horrible feeling when you find out  what you studied in school or once wanted to do wasn’t what you thought it would be like once you entered the workplace.  So now what? Should you make a change or settle? I never thought I’d be in a position where I wasn’t sure of myself and the path I wanted to take. I’ve always been a creative person and til this day I torment myself with regrets of not just going with my gut feeling and following my true dreams. These unsure feelings of mine started 2 years ago. I worked with such a lovely company. I loved my co-workers to death, and the environment was always enjoyable, so I couldn’t understand what was wrong or missing. There was this empty gap that haunted me every day. I took the big step of quitting my job to figure out what I really needed and wanted to do with my life. In that time, I got a chance to be my creative self again. It felt so natural, like I was in my zone. But as money started to dissolve I had to look for work again. Of course friends and family told me to just stick with what I studied, so I went back to the same field of work. I also told myself, “I’ll just give it a try again. Maybe things changed and I’ll like it better this time around”. How very wrong I was. Waking up and going into work every single morning was such a burden. It was only this year I discovered what I truly needed—a career change. It’s a lot scarier than most anticipate so I can see why a lot of people don’t actually go through with it. But I can’t help let my heart overrule logic. No one can stop me, not even myself. Being the somewhat stubborn person that I am, it is my mission to find and love what I want to be doing in life. If you’re going through a career change too and feel what I’m feeling, here are some pointers:

Figure out what you’re good at or enjoy doing. A lot of times those hobbies of yours turn out to be great career choices. What I’ve noticed are the most successful people are the ones who started off with a hobby, and wonderful things just happened for them. I believe it is healthy to nurture the things you’re good at doing. This is why when parents see their kids have a talent in something they try to encourage it to better their kids skills. Sure, you can use many famous people as an example, but that’s the one percent. Although, I happen to know people I grew up who are still doing what they have loved since they were 5 years old. Some have gone off to become singers, dancers, web designers, and even a professional pianist/keyboardist. Using the people around you instead of what you see in the media is a bigger inspiration in my opinion. If they could do, so can you.

Get educated. Research away! You’re going to have to do some serious homework with this one. If you have a passion for something, figure out the steps to get there. If you think going back to school, taking a course, interning or volunteering at a company is going to better yourself, then by all means go for it. You have all to gain with the experience you will be getting. Having a good knowledge and understanding of what you’re getting into will help you in your career change. Find someone in the industry you’re interested in and get to talking with them. Weigh out the pros and cons to decide whether there’s a possibility that it’s the right career for you.

Don’t wait for something to come to you. Don’t we all wish someone would just notice our talents and hand over our dream job? The worst thing you can do for yourself is to dream without taking any action. The world just doesn’t work that way. We have to go out there ourselves and fight for what we want. You are going to experience rejection multiple times but it’s actually better than not giving enough exposure for yourself.

Find your support group. This is super crucial to have on many obvious levels. Good supporters applaud what you do and wish you all the best. Look to close friends, family, or better yet, others you know who are going though the same thing as you. You shouldn’t have to hear constant negative feedback when you are trying and doing your best. If you are the supporter reading this, here is some advice: Never tell them, “You’re not trying hard enough” when they really are putting in their best efforts. It may seem like a good way to push someone but it’s not showing them any consideration. They came to you out of everyone else they could have talked to because they trust you. They’re already going through a lot so the best thing you can do for this person that reached out to you is to help or give some advice and show them that you’re there for them. Finding the right support will make this difficult journey a little bit easier knowing your loved ones are behind you.

Network. Show people what you’re doing and introduce yourself in the title of your new profession. Let everyone know who you are and what you do. They might know someone who knows somebody that knows somebody, etc. Speaking from experience, I do suggest carrying a pen and your business cards around with you. It’s pretty embarrassing struggling to find a pen while grabbing a scrunched up paper from your bag to write on. They don’t have to be fancy cards either. Customizing and printing ones out at home are just as effective.

Don’t get discouraged. You’re going to have competition no matter what. Even the people you are competing with have competitors. Just keep trying and don’t give up. In the past, I’ve been lucky enough to get call backs and good feedback at interviews, but this time around I’ve never experienced so much rejection. It’s most likely because my previous career was not as competitive as the one I’m trying to break into. The feeling of applying to hundreds of jobs and not hearing back is such a letdown. It makes you question yourself as a human being. It sucks, but in times like this you need to keep your head up and continue to have faith in yourself. Never sell yourself short. Be the absolute best you can be and people will notice how you shine. If you keep going and show your dedication, things are eventually going to come your way. Leading into my next point…

Have patience. I know, I know—I hate this part too. This is pretty much what I’m going through right now. The days are feeling like months and the waiting game can be quite irritating. “Why haven’t they called or emailed me back yet?! How long will I have to wait??” It could take weeks (if you’re lucky), months, even years to achieve something we want. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Don’t have your mind set on just one company.  I admit I do this sometimes and end up in disappointment when they aren’t hiring at the moment or I just never hear back from them. Keep looking and you’ll find something just as good.

It takes a lot of courage to drop everything and start over again. It is a big headache applying to jobs and internships and not hearing any response back, but don’t give up. I know I haven’t. I’ve been on a constant rollercoaster already but I believe I’m making it closer to the top with each effort. There’s going to be a lot of hard times and frustrations from waiting, but keep a positive lookout on your situation. You are trying to improve who you are and you care enough about your future to make necessary changes. And know in the end it’s going to be okay.

Image via givetwoweeksnotice.com.

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May 23, 2012 · 02:46

When was the last time you heard yourself breathe?

Posted by: Hana Gabrielle

Pardon me. I apologize – I haven’t blogged in a few weeks. Let’s just say I was out-of-commission. For the last couple of weeks, putting words on a paper, or I should say putting words on the screen seemed a somewhat daunting task. I’ll tell you why.

Candid, I normally am. But, just recently I am actually shy and embarrassed to admit for once that I found myself in a deep, dark, lonely and crippling hole. I felt so incapable of controlling once closeted fears, so much so that I was paralyzed, unable to fight the dark thoughts that clouded my mind. I was so forgone in my own mental, emotional and  psychological chaos that I forgot and was afraid to live. I am and probably still undeniably so, experiencing a state of constant anxiety and panic. Anxiety and panic over what? I’m not quite sure.

I can’t quite pinpoint my problems (if any, even exist or if they are merely a figment of my imagination).

I consider myself the average person, going through the natural worries of being a freshman in adulthood. A quarter-life crisis, is what they call it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who raises the questions: What am I going to do for the rest of my life? How much money am I going to make? Where am I going to live? When will I get married? How am I going to survive?

Typical, I reckon.

So why the exaggerated stress over worries that are quite common? I think it may be how one handles stress. Not everyone can cope with stress in nonchalant ways. I’m definitely not one to do so.

Looking beyond doctors and medicine, the question really is: how do I deal with magnified stress on my own?

Answer #1: Speak, Read and Educate yourself

I was searching online looking for forums and blogs that would help me understand this anxiety I had. People that could relate or at least share advice on how to handle stress. It is quite helpful and there’s someone always willing to talk to you. The most interesting piece of information I got, was when I was scrolling through my twitter feed and came across a tweet that read: “If you’re stressed, read this.” This blog post was absolutely brilliant and thought provoking. It made me really dig deep when it brought up the question, “when was the last time you heard yourself breathe?”  (click image below to read the post).

Answer #2: Yoga

I can’t believe I am only hopping on this wagon now. Yoga, is anything and everything I was missing in my life. It’s unfortunate that I only realized its value in decreasing with the potential of eliminating stress all together in my life. For all those searching  for peace and tranquility, this Hindu practice of mental, physical and spiritual discipline will be healing and rewarding. I’m no pro yet, but the desire to be or at least on par with other yogis is definitely there. My good friend, Sarah Mariano (www.sarahmariano.com) who is a fitness and yoga instructor is kind enough to teach me the power of yoga and all its benefits. In my next post, I’ll show you guys how I’m keeping up in that practice.

Answer #3: Breathe girl, breathe

That is probably the most simple, yet idiotic answer I can share with you. As a person who has constant anxiety and panic attacks, I know how it may be when you’re having an episode – inhaling and exhaling may not always seem to work – the panic, worry and anxiety are still there. It irritating when people say to “breathe” or “relax”. It’s easier said than done, I understand. Your mind is so powerful that it can work for you and even against you. That’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? But to get over an episode and even to overcome stress or a stressful moment is to breathe (no huffs and puffs here, but slow breaths…count if you must). Call it cliche or amateur advice if you will, but your mind, body and soul will thank you for it. I’ve already received my thank-yous.

Breathe. I’ll be back to post again soon.

Happy image via momzynoor.tumblr.com, relax image via angelinapillay.tumblr.com, and breathe image via va-nilla-c-o-l-a.tumblr.com.

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May 20, 2012 · 11:05

Going The Distance: The Truth About Long-Distance Relationships

Posted by: Stacey Maka

I’ve recently watched the romantically dramatic film, Like Crazy. I thought it was going to be your typical “love is found in the end” kind of film, but I was pleased with its more realistic approach to a long-distance relationship. It showcased (without sugar-coating the good times and the bad times) a relationship’s dedication but also infidelity, and when love hits you hard but also when it fades away. This subject is close to my heart considering my experience in a long-distance relationship in the past. The duration of my relationship was no longer than 3 years. I’m not saying they never work out since there are some, and I emphasize SOME success stories. Some people just work it out well together while the majority of us just can’t keep up. When I talk about long-distance I’m not talking about the next town over. More like, in two different continents with big time zone differences. My midnight was their noon time and when daylight savings came around it made things even more complicated than they already were. Here are some pointers I’d like to share from my own experiences, observations, and mistakes. If you are or have ever been in a LDR, maybe you feel or have felt similar sentiments:

Never have expectations. My mistake when flying 13 hours to meet up with my love interest at the time was “this was it”. We are going to work this out and be together. We all probably have made this mistake, when we find something different and out of our zone. It excites us and we think this is our final destination in life because it’s so out there and not many people get this experience. It’s okay to dream a little dream but remember to keep your feet on the ground as well. I get the excitement of having a rare moment but with these types of relationships, you need to think ahead especially if you start to develop strong feelings for one another. I had those days where I felt unstoppable like the world was going my way, but I was actually dreaming more than living. My long-distance relationship took over my mind. I constantly daydreamed and checked my phone for any new messages every free second I got. It’s not easy to meet up any time. In fact, it took me months to save up money for my trip. Even though every moment spent together was amazing, experiencing an entire new world was still emotionally stressful, especially as my departure day to go back home was looming. It was really exhilarating but sad to see how he lived, stepping into his fast paced life, all the people surrounded by him, plus the rising success in his career.Although, it was very overwhelming. So what was next? In the end we just didn’t have mutual feelings and ended our chapter together once I got home. It was a very heartbreaking time and I didn’t see it coming since I had all these plans planted into my mind. Just know what you’re getting into and keep a level head.

Eventually one has to give up their life for the other. Like they say, ‘something’s gotta give’. I’ve had plenty of times where one of us stayed up til six in the morning just so we can “be together” and feel like crap at work after getting only 2-3 hours of sleep. You both might already have stable jobs, and all your family and friends are always hard to leave behind. If it’s easy to pick up and go, good for you, but the norm is most people already have their life together and the thought of starting a new one especially for love can honestly be scary. There are always the positives and negatives of ‘what if?’ that floats around in our heads. Also, if your significant other is from a country where you know limited to nothing about the culture or language, it’s going to be ten times harder getting used to the lifestyle, making your own friends, learning a new language, and finding a new job. It’s not an easy process to get through. I can understand those who fight for love since I am one. You want to prove it to yourself that you can do it—be with this one person and prove the doubters wrong. In some, and maybe most cases, at least one person is fine with making the big jump into an entire new life. After all, it is fascinating, and when you’re in love you’ll do anything for that person. But just a warning, reality does hit. If the person is worth it, you will have no regrets, but it still does take a toll on you mentally. Just don’t expect smooth sailing.

Interaction is key in a relationship. You can conveniently video call all you want and it may seem to work well at first, but it just isn’t the same as physically being together to go out and share experiences outside your homes. Not being able to feel your significant other’s touch is really hard since you’re not able to express your affections for one another and feel it in that sense.

It’s easier to have slip-ups when you’re so far apart. You might actually be the loyal type, but is your partner? You really wouldn’t know and there are a lot of temptations. You are not the only amazing and attractive person out there. From time to time we see eye-catching people in passing, compelling us to do a double take–it’s just human nature. Normally we don’t act on these feelings when we are with someone in a non-LDR since we get time to spend together, instead of constantly missing one another. We are less likely to make a mistake by trying to temporarily fill this void out of loneliness. Our boyfriend/girlfriend still has us under a spell and is still number one to us. In a LDR, times do get lonely and you or your partner might wander off looking to fulfil those needs. It’s hard for me to believe anyone who says they’ve never had a slip-up while in a LDR.  It’s so easy to lie to one another when you don’t see each other often and don’t know each other’s body language well enough. You’re not there to keep eachother in line and all you have to go on is hope and trust. Sometimes you’ve worked so hard to keep it together that you don’t want to give up so easily.

Not to put down LDRs, because there are those that work out if both parties are dedicated and give one hundred percent effort. For an LDR to work, it has to be balanced just like any relationship in general. It is a lot harder, but definitely interesting. With my long-distance relationship, we’d sms/email each other pictures and short videos of things we saw and thought were funny or interesting throughout the day, to make it feel as though the distance wasn’t as big between us. It takes a little creativity and a ton of effort, but when it’s worth it, it’s worth it. But you can’t say I didn’t warn you.

Image via travelettes.net.

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May 16, 2012 · 12:00

An App For Every APPorunity

Posted by: Stacey Maka

That title is courtesy of my cheesy brilliant sister. I recently entered the world of Android, and like with any new phone relationship, we have been attached to the hip since day one. Being that I was a Blackberry user for the last 3 years, I never had a wide range of fun apps and games. My Samsung Galaxy S II is keeping my fingers and eyes occupied in search for the next great app. It’s hilarious what you can find when you type in any random word, and trust me I would certainly know from this experience. From the enjoyable to the just plain weird, here are my findings while exploring the Google Play Store.

Poop Diary

The name is pretty much self-explanatory. You record when you went to the toilet, your turd’s colour, shape, and consistency (did you throw up a bit in your mouth yet?). When an app like this pops up you know Asians were behind this crazy operation. I can’t really pin point the obsession and fascination Asians have with poo, but all I know it is glorified as something healthy and oddly cute. If you go to any Asian store you will find “poo” in various forms such as hanging off keychain charms, hand knit plush dolls, and you can even find them shaped into pillows with a face happily smiling back at you. But we’re not here to judge about this one. Maybe people just like having this record in case they need a reminder.

Nose Dose

This is the most messed up app I have found so far. I don’t really see the entertainment in an app like this. For obvious reasons, I did not purchase nor would I ever purchase such an app that promotes drugs as a fun game to share with friends. And what type of moron actually buys the Nose Dose app for $1.95 (yea it is a lot cheaper than the real thing but that’s not the point!!). Things like this that sends out bad messages…super thumbs down.

DECOPIC

This brought back memories of my trip to Tokyo so I was very happy to discover this app. In Japan, purikura (the short form of Purinto Kurabu or in English, Print Club) is very popular among young people. In these photo booth machines you are given the choice of adding fun and girly filters, stamps, super cute (or as they say in Japanese, cho kawaii!) characters, as well, you have the choice of adding in your own text or handwriting with tons of vibrant colours to choose from. You basically have full control of how your image will turn out. You end up with multiple photo stickers for friends to share and stick into notebooks, cellphones (keitai), etc.  If you can’t go to Japan, bring Japan to you!

HauntedFace

I have seen the ZombieBooth many times but never have I seen HauntedFace before. I know, I’m definitely behind on this one but it’s still sinking in for me. I’m terrified of ghosts but this one sets my fears aside a bit since I can take a picture of anyone I know, see their haunted alter-ego and having a good laugh at what is generated. I’m relieved to say I’m not a scary-looking ghost at all!

 Animating Touch

If you have time to kill this app sure frees you of any boredom. Let your creative side run wild and have fun animating little mannequin and stick figure characters into any motion you want. With the paid options there are a lot more to choose from such as creating your own characters or adding more items into your scene, but using the app free is still pretty entertaining even with the limitations.

Sumooru Kyara Kame

Is your flask looking a bit dull? Why not make it interesting by adding some eyes to it! Yes this is another wacky yet extremely amusing Japanese app. You think it’s a little silly at first but then you find yourself constantly trying to look for objects around you to add some funny cartoon eyes onto. There is quite the range of eyes to choose from – flirty, batting eyelashes to ecstatic happy eyes. I also like that you are able to show off your images on facebook or twitter. There is no English option for this app but I’m sure if you play around with it you can figure it out on your own.

Psychological Test

Yet another app to cure your boredom on the bus and train ride home, waiting in the dentist office, or just those plain lazy laundry days. There’s always something very enjoyable about psychological tests because they do make you think twice about your decisions and the paths you take. In this app, there are multiple tests to choose from, such as discovering your personality traits based on your favourite animal. The one I like the most is, “A walk in the woods”, which gives you certain situations and with your chosen actions describes the inner meaning. This app is in Korean but there is the option of changing the language into English.

I love discovering new apps so if you have any to share please feel free to leave a comment. Happy APPing!

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May 5, 2012 · 02:29

Confessions of a Shop-a-holic on a Budget

Posted by: Hana Gabrielle 

As I have mentioned in prior posts, I am, like many other women out there, into style, fashion and beauty. This comes as no surprise. I am also, like many other women out there – a shop-a-holic. No, this is not so much a  full blown Compulsive Buying Disorder (though, there are elements of that). Put simply, I just find enjoyment in shopping and perhaps even see the antidote to day-to-day problems  is by expanding your wardrobe and decorating your wrists, ears and neckline with sparkly things.  However, often synonymous with being a shop-a-holic means you gotta break the bank. And, that’s simply not true all the time. Forgive me, but not all of us have the luxury of being the daughter of a wealthy banker or the wife of a NBA star. Money doesn’t grow on trees for most of us.

Even with this fact, finding enjoyment in shopping and spending money on things that make us feel and look great are not experiences reserved for the wealthy. Unless you’re going for the “I’m all brand baby” look, being true to style doesn’t mean there is need to spend $5,672 on that Prada bag when you know you can find something almost equivalent to it somewhere else, for less the price. On that same note, being a shop-a-holic, I confess I have splurged on over priced Wilfred tunics at Artizia and sheer blouses at Club Monaco. However, I too, have made the conscious and creative decision to buy and wear secondhand clothing. I am a bargain hunter or a shop-a-holic on a budget. I am a Thrifter (by choice).

Cringe and shudder if you must, but like many co-thrifters, we see value in this type of shopping – it’s affordable and unique. Where else can you find high waisted Levi’s cut off shorts and crochet belly top tanks? Oh, Urban Outfitters? Sure. But, I paid under $10.00 for both at my neighbourhood thrift shop and not $10.00 on just taxes. While some may find themselves staring at the other girl across the bar on a Saturday night wearing the same pencil striped skirt from Forever 21, the thrifter could be wearing that vintage styled pencil skirt you’ve never seen before anywhere else.

Thrifting is not a new phenomenon. As a kid, I remember my sister who is 10 years older than me, was doing some of her shopping at Value Village and Salvation Army. However, thrifting I believe, has grown in appreciation especially in the fashion realm where everything that is old is considered new, again.

While there are many thrift shops in and around Toronto, Stacey and I decided to hit up the thrift shops super North-East of where we live. There is a common assumption that downtown has all the treasures, but we discovered that its just simply not the case. Everywhere, all over the city, the reality is people throw away good things. They often say, “one (wo)man’s trash is another’s (wo)man’s treasure”.

Dropping by two thrift shops in suburbia, going through rack after rack, and shelf after shelf, Stacey and I stumbled upon pieces of clothing and accessories reflective of current pieces found at higher end retail stores. On this adventure, we took home about six pieces we thought were distinctly original, justifiably priced and within our spending budget for the day.

An intricately woven leather belt (shown far left in above photo) with a touch of a cowboy wistfulness cost us only $3.99. While, a pair of  vintage Guess denim jeans, that we later want to cut up into shorts cost us only $0.99. Trending all over the city streets and magazine editorials are long skirt and Stacey and I, couldn’t help but fall in love with a warm orange coloured and a rich forest green silk ankle skirts that cost us only $4.99/each. The finishing touch to any outfit is the accessory and the brown vintage clutch for $5.99 acts as that perfect asset.

Stay tuned to see how we put these thrift finds together to make a Spring/Summer 2012 outfit…

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April 30, 2012 · 19:29

Films That Didn’t Need a Remake

Posted by: Stacey Maka

Why can’t Hollywood just leave perfectly good movies in their original state? Not only do they butcher already wonderful films but scar what love we had for the originals. The way I see it, there are the two types of remakes. 1: The directors attempt to improve the film. Though the success rates aren’t high, there are the rare ones that are even better such as Let Me In (originally from Sweden: Låt den rätte komma). And 2: The typical Americanized version. This can mean anywhere from being more provocative, unnecessary extended scenes, to dreadful acting (or simply just don’t live up to the original cast).

These are 5 films that shouldn’t have touched the goods:

The Experiment (Das Experiment)

I admit, I watched the remake for about 30 minutes before I started to skim through it. It’s just another American remake trying to make an impact by exaggerating the story and characters when it was perfectly fine to begin with. Why do these people forget a little goes along way? In my opinion the original was a lot more raw in action and emotion than the remake. It was almost too polished that it lost its authenticity. I do give a thumbs up to Adrian Brody’s outstanding performance though. I will probably get hate for this but I did like his performance better than the original actor (Moritz Bleibtreu). Either way the German Das Experiment is still a lot better and worth the watch.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)

The time when I first heard Tim Burton was doing a remake on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory I thought the movie was going to turn out amazing. But once the movie posters for the film were released I was kind of disappointed, mostly the way the oompa loompas looked.  Something looked a little too familiar…

Though the visuals were amazing it still didn’t live up to the original. It was probably not even Burton’s intentions to do so, but just to play around with a classic and bring some joy to a new generation. It wasn’t completely horrible but I wasn’t too fond of this version and especially the ending (I’ll leave it at that in case you still haven’t even seen it). I don’t think it’s a bad idea to watch both but like they say do watch the original first before the remake.

My Sassy Girl (Yeopgijeogin Geunyeo)

Americans are well-known for butchering a lot of Asian horror films and romantic comedies are no exception. I was surprised how much or if not all of the exact same script was used for the American version. Asian humour is a lot different than American humour so certain jokes that are translated into English just don’t make sense or have the same effect than in its original language. Watching My Sassy Girl in English is super awkward. So awkward that to Americans this movie can appear extremely cheesy but to Asians this is a typical romantic comedy. It is also difficult being convinced by new actors that they can emulate the original characters (this being said from a girl who has watched the Korean version over 5 times). Don’t even watch this remake. Deal with the subtitles (reading is good for you anyways) and watch only the Korean version.

Psycho

First off, who dares touch an Alfred Hitchcock film? I do love his films even though I wasn’t even around at the time when they first came out. I actually watched the remake first with my parents in theatres and didn’t really have an opinion of the film. My dad argued the original still being much better so I decided to watch it and couldn’t agree more.  The original was just so beautifully done (yes, a beautiful horror film!) and all the scenes were set in such an astonishing and imaginative way, while the remake was just plain vulgar. After seeing both makes, the original Psycho has absolutely no competition. This remake just proves that you should never mess with a classic ever.

Death at a Funeral

It was basically the same movie but with an obnoxious cast. I personally don’t think this remake was THAT bad but was very unnecessary. The UK original was released in 2007 while the American version was released in 2010 so I can’t understand why a remake was needed that soon for a film that wasn’t even close to being outdated. I can see how American youth would enjoy this film for it has your typical black comedy and a hot naked James Marsden (it’s a known fact young people like things dirtier), but for the more mature crowd or the ones who already love the original this version will not do. The original just had the right amount of wittiness while the remake tried too hard to overtake the British one without succeeding.

 

The Experiment/Das Experiment images via listal.com & subtitledonline.com, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory/Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory images via lonelyreviewer.com & collider.com, oompa loompas/Britney Spears images via mediocremama.com, My Sassy Girl images via listal.com & wolvesinwinter.wordpress.com, Psycho images via vvaughn.com , hitchcock.tv, Death at a Funeral images via jaredmobarak.com.

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April 24, 2012 · 11:13

Things No One Tells You About Growing Up

Posted by: Stacey Maka

In school we learn how to multiply, about Christopher Columbus’ discoveries, how the periodic table works, how to make a gargoyle with paper mache, etc. But we were rarely taught about real life situations or about what to expect once you enter into adulthood. These are just some of my observations and realizations so far that I never heard as a student.

Boy Band Boys Don’t Exist

It’s hard not to be charmed by a guy who serenades you with lyrics like “I’ll never break your heart, I’ll never make you cry” (-Backstreet Boys). In my 90s generation, boy bands such as *Nsync and 98 Degrees were our untouchable boyfriends and practically our rated PG-13 escorts. They told us what we wanted to hear to made us feel good, sometimes gave us a little shirtless show, then afterwards took our money, emotions, and ran. I now like the whole concept of boy bands being THE ultimate dream boys in our lives as young girls (or guys). They did help us get a head start into finding what we liked but at the same time left us all confused once we got out into the real world of dating. The “perfect” guy with all the right things to say doesn’t naturally exist (known as “smooth talkers” but every smart girl knows to not be fooled). But the right guy for you doesn’t have to say swavey things to impress and steal your heart away. Actions do speak louder than words. So a warning to the new generation out there and with the return of the boy bands such as One Direction; don’t be fooled by their swanky lyrics and cuteness for they’re just like every other young boy out there, naive hormonal crazed beasts!

Save! Save! SAVE!

Anything is possible: You move out, pay for college/university, start your own business, buy a car, buy a house, get married, or start a family. Even though you’re not even close to any of those it doesn’t hurt to just save any money you make now. I think not saving earlier is one of our biggest regrets. It’s fine to spurge and reward yourself once in awhile with more of your wants than needs, but always remember to put away that money too. We don’t think it’s important when we’re younger to save much because when we get our first job we’re excited about just even having our own money and being able to buy anything without parental permission that we often take it far and forget to save. If only they kept reinforcing this into our heads growing up, it could have changed a lot of lives. Saving accounts can be quite amazing. If you just leave it alone and let your money grow, then next time you check up on it you’re in for a treat.

Your Social Life And Status Isn’t Everything

“Blame the media” is a cliché but movies and television do put these ideas in our heads of what we should look like, be like, and have in our lives. We all have tried it at some point as a teen to fit in with a clique we thought was cool. And if you passed all tests and got accepted as one of them sometimes it was hard to decide if you really wanted to stay or leave. There were those who just continued to be what they’re supposed to be even if they weren’t happy, but there were also those who broke away and stuck to their gut with being their unique selves. You may lose friends but if they can’t accept you for who you really are then they weren’t truly your friends to begin with. The clique we belonged to was so important and continues to be for teenagers till this day. But even if you were one of the popular kids in high school it was all forgotten once you graduated. In the working world no one cares about who you were back then, who your friends were, how you dressed or what music you listened to. Growing out of that confusing time made us realize that being popular wasn’t the world.  It is what we make of ourselves that counts. If I could go back in time and talk to 16 year old me I would tell her to stop worrying about not fitting in…and do your homework.

Being In Your 20s Are The Most Difficult Times

Having a quarter-life crisis is the new mid-life crisis. Being in your 20s is that awkward puberty stage all over again but without the training bras and discovering hair growing in places they never did before. It’s all about finding your place in life. You’re not a kid anymore, but you’re not a full grown adult either so with that being said you still make a ton of stupid *** decisions. You’re still figuring out who you are, who your friends are, where your relationship is going, and questioning if what you’re doing now is the right career decision for you or if you need to go back to school again. And you do all of this aggressive thinking while working at a crappy job that pays peanuts. Overall it’s just a horrible time as a young adult. And it’s hard to not be discouraged when you see someone around your age find their luck and fortune in a career they enjoy. Don’t feel as if you’re the only one out there who hasn’t figured it out and got it all together because those lucky ones who do are rare (and if they didn’t have rich parents to support them then they worked hard and earned it so you can too!).  We definitely have those days where everything seems impossible, but the best thing you can do is use those successful people for inspiration and keep a positive outlook that things will turn out, because they will if you believe they will.

 

*Nsync image via sodahead.com, Abraham Lincoln bill image via freemoneyformulax.com, Clueless image via merigoesround.com, and 13 Going On 30 image via filmfresh.com.

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April 9, 2012 · 22:31

Ditching a Toxic Friendship

Posted by: Stacey Maka

Most of us have found and moulded our friendships that we still have to this day from elementary school and high school. And as life goes on, everyone graduates/gets jobs, and eventually some of you lose touch with each other. However, there are the few that you at least try to see regularly or on the little free time you have. With these friends that you do continue to grow with sometimes things change along the way too, and they often do. Into your 20s you are developing as a young adult figuring out your needs and wants constantly. There are a few friends I needed a break from or in some cases just had to drop. It is a weird feeling knowing this friend you once couldn’t get enough of and shared so many experiences with just isn’t doing it for you anymore. We use this excuse of, “but I’ve known them forever,” to try to convince ourselves this is why we should keep them in our lives. We keep this debate and just stick it out, but the fact is we are making it worse on ourselves, and it’s also unfair to your friend that you feel this way about. They might think everything is ok but behind their back you’re complaining about them to others. So first things first, talk to your friend and if that doesn’t help and things just aren’t going to work out…you need to dump them. I mean with any type of dumping, they are no pretty results (literally).

It took me a long time to decide to dump a friend or not. I was a “but I’ve known them forever” person. But just weighting out the pros and cons helped clear my mind. How does she benefit in my life? What has she done for me recently? Does she make me feel great about myself? Why does she annoy me so much now? What changed…or didn’t? I also kept in mind that I might lose more than one friend from this since we shared the same friends. Yea I know it sounds pretty shallow but it’s the cold hard truth. We’re scared of not belonging somewhere or having no one and that’s perfectly normally. But if you choose to keep putting up with it when you know it’s not good you’re just lying to yourself. I did have to give up a lot after my friend break-up, but I felt as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and that I could move on. The friendship was always on and off, and it was a continuous feeling of stress having to look out for her and giving advice she rarely or never took. I was emotionally drained. If you feel stress from a friendship you need to get the hell out. But in seriousness even if I was the one who broke it off it still affected me emotionally. I did just loose a friend that I thought would be there till the day I die…or she dies (lol). Just tell yourself that there is nothing wrong with change. What kind of person ever wants to be in an unhealthy relationship anyways? If you have an instinct that something doesn’t feel right you should listen and do something about it. These are some warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored: A good friend would never…

  • Give you backhanded compliments. Friendships should be about respect and support for one another. A true friend would never make you feel as if you’re not good enough.
  • Not look out for your best interest. If they don’t care what you do and let you do something stupid when they know it’s stupid themselves, they’re in it for the drama and to see you go down. Dump them immediately.
  • Keep conversations one-sided. I think we’ve all encountered the “me show” type of friends who rarely ask questions about you and go on yapping about themselves. You know more about them than they do know about you.
  • Backstab. This is a big one. Trust is a huge issue, so if you’re friend is talking behind your back they sure as hell don’t respect you.

I know, it’s easier said than done. If you’re unsure, you can gradually create a space between you both. And if your friend notices then go on to explain how you feel. Hey, it might actually work out but if not and they don’t come to acknowledge your feelings then it’s another sign you need to evaluate again or even end your friendship. But to end things on a “good term” (*wink*), the truth is you grow up and realize that this person just isn’t a part of this stage in your life anymore. When it comes down to it genuine friends will bring out the best in you.

 

Image via fanpop.com

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April 8, 2012 · 00:03

Didn’t Mama Teach You Better?

Posted by: Hana Gabrielle

It may seem something of an irrelevant topic to tackle, but I have a question for you dear readers: Are manners still important today?

Perhaps it may be too broad of a topic to dwell on whole-heartedly but I wanted to touch upon it because I witnessed two incidents over the past week relating to that subject.

I recently started working at my former restaurant again as a server. Those who work in the service industry, constantly interacting with different people will understand that it is inevitable that we cross paths with “interesting” characters.  That’s what makes working at jobs like this rather entertaining. While, those who know me, will agree that I am easily amused – I, in fact didn’t find myself chuckling at an incident I witnessed take place at a few tables away from my section.

Here was this tall brunette with a cute bob cut and perfectly shaped bangs, wearing a classic black blouse, skinny tapered jeans and 3 inch heels to add to her already model-like height. Wine class in hand standing next to the door, arms crossed, tapping her feet – I passed by her aiming for my section when she stopped me and demanded I do her a favour. In a somewhat bootleg Demi Moore mixed with a chain-smoker type of voice, she exclaimed why I should explain to my coworker who was serving her table, why it’s OK for her to split from her blind date from hell (perhaps, she was looking for another woman’s perspective on the situation). Perplexed, I looked at my coworker with a “please clarify” facial expression.  In a nutshell he told me, “She is unfortunately unhappy with her blind date, does not want to go back to her table and she is requesting that I drop the bill off so that he leaves and she doesn’t t have to deal with him.” He did not look happy about having to do this (I mean, I wouldn’t be either. You question now where do you draw the line; you have to please customers and as much as you want to say, “Bitch, handle that **** on your own”, you just can’t).

Here’s the kicker. She hid in the woman’s bathroom, claimed she was waiting for one of her girlfriends to join her at a new table and urged a host to get her jacket that she left at the table.

I was stunned. Are you serious?  You’re a grown woman and you’re running away from a date?  Not to mention making servers and even bystanders, do you’re dirty work. That’s classy.

Granted, there are two sides to every story and maybe the guy was rudely inappropriate or a nut-job.  (For the record, the server of her table noted that this “date from hell” was really just a “date from Star Wars” – that’s at least what he observed.) The problem I saw with this was not the fact she had a bold opinion on the matter, but more so just the way she handled the situation.

In all honestly, maybe I’m being bias here because I felt bad for the guy. Here he was, round figured man with generic glasses and a little receding hairline, who was patiently waiting at the table for his date to arrive from a 20-minute washroom break. In my opinion, I’ve been on terrible dates before but that’s no way to treat another person. What you have to remember is it’s a date. It’s not marriage and sometimes, you just got to bite your tongue and pray to God that it ends soon. That’s it. Or she could have gone the blunt, but classier route and thanked him for paying for dinner but apologized for having to cut it short.

I understand there may be different opinions on this. Some may commend this woman on her “realness”. Fine, one point for her on being “real”. But the topic I’m dealing with is manners. And, there was lack of any in this situation. And frankly, it was painful witnessing it.

What I think you can gauge from this topic is this: I appreciate people who have manners and a virtuous civility.  A simple, “thank you”, “I’m sorry”, “Excuse me”,  “Pardon me” goes a long way. You know when you open the door for someone and they don’t say, “thank you” – it irks you. You end up shaking your head, rolling your eyes or murmuring “*******” under your breath. Come on, this is elementary. Didn’t your mama teach you these things when you were a kid?

This situation I’ve mentioned here regarding “the runaway dater” is just a detailed, more intense scenario of that ill-mannered person. Perhaps that situation also falls under the category of “Dating Etiquette 101” or “How to Stay Cool, Calm & Collected”.

Regardless of which, this situation has spawned the question of: are manners still important today? The answer to me is they should be and in times like these, when we’re so consumed with different things, we sometimes forget about the subtle differences manners make.

Take for instance another scenario I witnessed. From a distance, an old fragile man with his wife approached someone he knew to greet him, but when he reached out to shake hands, he simultaneously took his Oliver Twist cap off with his other hand as a sign of respect. Am I the only one who still thinks this is admirable? Call me old-fashioned and conventional, but forgive me if I think it’s refreshing to see, hear and know that some people are still having the decency to be polite.

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