Category: videos

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 78)

February 3rd, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), videos 17 comments - Tags: ,


1.

It’s the last week of January on Totes Awesome Channel, which means free vlog week!


Youtube Link

I’m sick and I tell you how I got sick. I also explain a few Asian Wedding traditions, tell you what I’m reading, and show you my breakfast.


2.

Yesterday while at work, I received this creepy prank call.

No idea who it was. Probably a friend messing with me. I suspect I was extra spooked because I had just seen this picture and am reading a book about psychopaths.


3.

I’m sure you’ve heard about Susan G. Komen pulling funding from Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings, but have you signed the petition?

I won’t be “running” their race again this year.

Update: I love the power of social media and how it has changed the range of activism. http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/02/komen-apologizes-for-recent-de.html


4.


I really loved the blush one shouldered dress I wore last weekend for a wedding. You can’t see my shoes but they matched perfectly with a shimmery giant bow to the side.

I can’t wait til enough time has passed and there’s a reason to wear it again. (I admit I don’t like repeat outfits in my Facebook albums unless enough time has passed.)


5.


Tonight I’m meeting up with Anita and Ashley. I’ve never met Anita before but she’s going to Bloggers in Sin City and lives in Austin! We’re gathering for a girls’ night in to get to know each other before our trip! I just discovered that Anita is involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America like I am and also share the same favorite cupcake establishment.

Anyway, I’m excited. I haven’t seen Ashley since July!


6.

I think about Bob a lot when I’m at work. Is that normal? Alan and I left Bob with Deesh and Bing and their dog, Rogue over the weekend. You should have seen us laying in bed in the hotel room and flipping through pictures of Bob. We were THOSE kind of dog parents.



7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ BFF coming to a close on her Masters ♥ making chicken and rice porridge for our sick selves ♥ submitting a grant at work without any drama ♥ February is here! ♥ Girls’ Night with Anita and Ashley tonight ♥ authentic Chinese food date with Bing and Deesh ♥ a mellow dog ♥ completing my Sketchbook Project on time ♥ online chat with an old friend ♥ John Coltrone ♥ chocolate croissant ♥ going down memory lane both horrified and tickled by inappropriate wall postings after getting Timeline on Facebook ♥ date night


Question: What are you looking forward to?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 76)

January 20th, 2012 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), videos, wanderlust, We Blog We Vlog 24 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we discuss our Myers-Briggs personality types.


Youtube Link

I’m an ENFJ. What are you?


2.


January 20th is Penguin Awareness Day! Did you know that? Last year with We Blog, We Vlog, we honored the day by vlogging about a long journey we plan on embarking on in 2011. This year we’re doing it again! Anyone can participate. Find out how here.


Youtube Link

I mentioned the trips I hope to take this year (Pittsburgh, Marfa, Vegas, Seattle, and somewhere in Kansas) and my more abstract journey is to find that dang calling.


3.

I’ve been spackling up my life. Made that dreaded dentist appointment. Scheduled more walking time in hopes to flirt with a more active life. Morning pages are written more often than not. Finally logged into my LinkedIn account and uploaded a profile picture and accepted all my invites. I love baby steps and breaking down big goals into tiny actions. I want this year to be a great year and that’s going to require a lot of due diligence.


4.


I cut my finger yesterday. I did not respect the knife or the lemongrass stalk and the knife rolled. Thank goodness my nail was in the way because I think I would have cut off my fingertip had the nail not slow it down. My oldest half brother actually cut off his fingertip. If I do it too, it might mean something. Anyway, I never made that lemongrass chicken but plan to try again tomorrow? I’m a little skittish now. Hope it heals quickly! Putting pressure on it is unbearable. I couldn’t buckle my jeans this morning!


5.

Speaking of jean buckles, my jean button fell off during work this week. I borrowed a graduate student’s belt to keep my pants up. Oh and I got a parking ticket. My life is in shambles!


6.

This quotation is why I have a standing Take 7.

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”
– Andy Rooney


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ puppy snores ♥ Madam Mams with Cindy ♥ Madam Mams again to help me eat my feelings after I cut my finger ♥ date night ♥ registering for Bloggers in Sin City ♥ one particularly well-timed hug ♥ having a belt available to borrow after the button to my jeans fell off ♥ our president signing Al Green ♥ Rick Perry withdrawing from the race ♥ reading time ♥ cookie butter ♥ 4 day work week ♥ green tea ice cream parfait and tonpei yaki at Kome


Question: What small tasks have you completed that is setting the tone for grander things?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 70)

December 2nd, 2011 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Bob, videos 36 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

It’s the last week of November which means free topic week over at Totes Awesome Channel!


Youtube Link

I demonstrate some dance moves in this video and tell you why I’ve never really been a fan of Christmas.


2.

This is why Bob can’t have nice things.

Lucky for that dog, that pillow he destroyed is not the dog bed I recently made him. He sleeps on that pillow when he’s in the kennel! Now what are you going to sleep on, Bob? Huh?


3.

Today marks the 2nd day of my Do-It-Yourself December. I’m dedicating this month to being creative and making stuff (or crap). My personal rules are as follows:

  1. Make something (anything even if it’s crap) everyday.
  2. For the days I don’t have anything to make, I must work on at least one page of my Sketchbook Project.
  3. I also have 2 free days because I made Bob that doggy bed and tried my hand at coasters (crap coasters). Thus, for every extra project I attempt I get one free pass for busy or uninspired days.

Doggy bed and crap coasters:



4.

Adding on to Take 3, since yesterday I was uninspired, I finally started working on my sketchbook for Sketchbook Project 2012. They’ve sent me this sketchbook in July and I haven’t done a thing with it til yesterday.


I painted my sketchbook covers! Kind of neat how I went from not having any earthly idea what to paint to having a cover I really like in just minutes.


5.



National Blog Posting Month is OVER! It was a lot easier than it was the first time I did it, which I guess isn’t saying much. Still, it was a lot easier which proves to me that sometimes just sitting down in front of a blank text box (or sketchbook) and just start typing (or painting), you might come up with something!


6.

I’ve tried almost 50 recipes this year. I think my success rate is about 90 percent. I had a very bad miss this week.

8 hours in the crock pot was WAY too long for that poor chicken dish.


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ National Blog Posting Month is over! ♥ nutella milkshake with chocolate covered pretzel crumbles (can I mention this twice?) ♥ delicious American Kobe beef burger with brie and arugula and caramelized onions ♥ my bad dog pushing his boundaries ♥ finally starting my sketchbook ♥ video chat with Alan’s friend in the Philippines (we haven’t seen him in a year!) ♥ got my niece and nephew crossed off for Christmas ♥ my emergency fund (seriously, accrue yourself one!) ♥ unintentional 4 day work week (a silver lining of having car troubles) ♥ annual work chilli cook off ♥ caffeine ♥ Christmas lights ♥ nutella milkshake with chocolate covered pretzel crumbles


Question: What’s on your Christmas list?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 69)

November 25th, 2011 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), holidays, National Blog Posting Month '11, still-frames, videos 8 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we gush about the Internet.


Youtube Link

In this video, I talk about all the neat things I’m able to do because of the Internet. Things like meal plan and grocery shop but most importantly, maintain friendships. If you watch, you get to see Bob show off his skills.


2.


I’m in Houston for the long weekend! I had a fantastic Thanksgiving day. My cute friends organized a picnic outside. I then followed that up with catch up time with my college roommate and then a late night dinner with my family.


3.


Here’s a video of Thomas announcing our picnic spread. The audio goes out in the end and I’m at a loss at how that happened. Luckily, the good stuff is all there.


Youtube Link


4.


Weekend To Do List
  1. Make a dog bed
  2. See a billion people
  3. Learn how to make a chicken dish from momma
  4. Build a fort
  5. Blog (Damn you, National Blog Posting Month!)
  6. Drive back to Austin from Houston
  7. Eat a ton
  8. Write 2-3 letters

    9. What’s on your weekend to do list?


    5.


    Yesterday, I finished Thérèse Raquin (affiliate Link) (published in 1867) and loved it. It was a random find; I picked it up not knowing a lick about the book or the author. Zola turned out to be a major historical figure in French literature. I read up on his life and was riveted. I recommend the book. Some warning, it’s dark. It’s a good read but doesn’t make you feel good.

    What are you reading these days?


    6.

    Spray painting lace is hard.

    More about this abysmal craft project tomorrow. Suffice it to say, Martha Stewart lied to me!


    7.

    This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ Suki had a dream where she ran into Ryan Gosling, took pictures with him, and then had him tweet me ♥ reading in bed with dude ♥ only 5 more days of #NaBloPoMo ♥ scheduling out a few posts to help time management in Houston ♥ reading time with Alan ♥ fort making date with Kim ♥ momma’s food ♥ catch up time with Aishah and sister ♥ guest vlog on TAC ♥ performing a successful group random act of kindness that involved throwing about a 100 ice cubes ♥ sewing lessons from mom ♥ hugging mom ♥ starting to read a collection of short stories on Thanksgiving day and having the first story take place on Thanksgiving day


    Question: What do you love about the Internet?

Weekend Recap

November 14th, 2011 · · Austin, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, National Blog Posting Month '11, Uncategorized, videos 11 comments - Tags: ,

On Friday, I cooked dinner for Selina and we had our first one on one time in at least a year. She treated us to cupcakes from my favorite cupcake place in Austin.

Saturday, I woke up super early to drag my little from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America to a We Are Girls conference. It was a great experience and I learned a lot in just three workshops. I hope to hammer out a recap this week. There was a lot of information I want to help spread out into the world.

Then I did some Christmas wrapping.


And finished the evening doing #WinetoReach with my VEDA (Vlog Everyday in August) friend, Treavor. He was visiting from Dallas! We had our first date not too long ago where I introduced him to bubble tea. This weekend, I asked him if he was down for crepes and when he said he had never had crepes, I knew in my heart that we were about to start a tradition.

On Sunday, I woke up super early again and “ran” the Susan G Komen’s Race for the Cure 5k.


Brittany then suggested we go to Juan in a Million (a local favorite) and when she told me she never been, I couldn’t get us there fast enough.

It was a treat to see most of the people at Juan in the Million were wearing their Race for the Cure t-shirts too. We felt like we were part of a community.

Not pictured from the weekend:

Walking another 3 miles in the afternoon with my friend Brandi and my dog. (Leaves me quite sore this morning!)

Picking up the boyfriend from the airport. Just in time! I was missing him.

A few episodes of Felicity.

Lots and lots of chores.


Question: What are your weekend highlights?

How to Make a Satin Bow [video]

November 12th, 2011 · · How to, National Blog Posting Month '11, videos 10 comments - Tags: , ,

One of my first paying jobs in high school was gift wrapping at a china and silverware store. It was there that I learned how to make pretty and professional looking satin bows to top off presents. It takes less than 5 minutes and looks impressive! I made you a video demonstrating how.


Youtube


Question: Have you started on your Christmas shopping yet?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 67)

November 11th, 2011 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, National Blog Posting Month '11, videos 9 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

This week on Totes Awesome Channel, we discussed what we wish we can experience again just for the sake of experiencing. And by we, I mean Ashley Riordan and myself. The other girls are busy visiting each other in Boston and taking care of a new born! We did convene to make a welcome to the world video for the baby.


Youtube Link

I admitted in my video that I was very lucky and granted a once in a life time opportunity to see Nelson Mandela speak. I wish I could experience that opportunity again because as a 16 year old, I remember not respecting the experience and actually being bored and not listening. Bad, younger Linda!


2.


I have 2 more days til Race for the Cure. I’ve raised $460 towards my goal of $500. (Thanks to a lot of you! ) If you’re just tuning in, care to spare me even just five dollars towards raising money for breast cancer research? I’d be so grateful.


3.

Tomorrow, I’m taking my little from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America to a We Are Girls conference.

I worry about her a lot. She’s juggling a lot of heavy issues. Self image, boys and friends not respecting boundaries, bullying. It breaks my heart sometimes to hear her talk about her life. I’m hoping us attending this conference together will help empower her and give us a great platform to discuss these issues even after the conference.


4.


I knew Alan will be gone for a bachelor’s party in Vegas this weekend. I love him dearly but was looking forward to this “gift” weekend for months! I envisioned fun girl time and lots of time on the couch by myself. (I miss time on the couch by myself, y’all.) However, I think I got overzealous with the planning and packed it too fully. Meaning, less couch time.

Tonight I’m making dinner for Selina, a friend I haven’t seen but once this year. Tomorrow, I have that conference with my little. Sunday, I have a 5k to walk/maybe run, and also another walking date with the dog and Brandi. Oh and chores this weekend. Lots and lots of chores.


5.

Danielle invited me to share a post with her for her weekly Five Fav Fridays series. This week was about books and I was all too happy to talk books with her. I picked 5 of my favorite books that I’ve read in 2011. Go to her blog to see my list and her list. We both chose Hunger Games for one of our five!

What are some of your favorite books this year?


6.


I still don’t know how I’m going to budget Christmas. I think I’ll be making a lot of gifts this year. I did buy my first gift! It’s for my parents. They barely know what Google is so I think it’s safe to share that I got them both electric toothbrushes and a slew of toothbrush heads. I went for practical this year!

Have you started on Christmas shopping?


7.

This week’s moments of bliss: ♥ dinner date with Deesh ♥ fetch with Bob ♥ Christmas lights ♥ inadvertently parking in handicap at school for half a day and not getting a ticket ♥ catch up phone call with BDF (Best Dudie Friend) while walking our respective dogs ♥ making it to day 11 of NaBloPoMo ♥ BFF coming out of blogging hibernation ♥ postcard from Spain ♥ letter from California on pretty peacock stationary ♥ morning time with the dog ♥ scholarships to We Are Girls conference ♥ waking up as loudly as I wanted this morning (didn’t have to worry about waking up the sleeping beau) ♥ no football for a weekend!


Question: What would you like to experience again?

Mad Libs Monday

November 10th, 2011 · · National Blog Posting Month '11, videos 6 comments - Tags:


Youtube Link

There’s a new and fun project run by @Rachelskirts called Mad Libs Monday. I saw some of my cute Youtube friends participating in Episode 1 so I jumped on board for Episode 2. Episode 3 will be uploaded on Monday. Stay tuned and if you have a webcam, join in on the fun!

Time Capsule Vlog

November 1st, 2011 · · National Blog Posting Month '11, videos, We Blog We Vlog 4 comments - Tags: ,

The lovely people at We Blog, We Vlog is hosting another fantastic vlog topic today. They are calling on bloggers and vloggers to create a time capsule vlog, encapsulating what life is like at 2011 to be viewed in 2031.


Youtube

For those of you who can’t view videos, I ramble on about where my life is currently. To make an almost three minute vlog shorter, I’m happy but still searching.

I encourage you to create a vlog and submit it! Just upload to Youtube and share it using these hashtags, #wbwv #timecapsule. Or comment! I’d love to see what life is like for you.


Question: What is your life looking like these days?

Austin, Texas Has Bats [Video]

August 20th, 2011 · · Austin, VEDA, videos 4 comments - Tags: ,

Today’s VEDA (Vlog Everyday in August) topic is to vlog something neat from your hometown.

Well, I find it mighty awesome that Austin, Texas has bats.


Youtube Link


Question: What’s awesome about your hometown?