photoblog success

I have reverted back to the original template and spent the last 3 hours figuring out how to widen my blog perfectly so. I realized that photoblog is not what I was looking for although a lot of my posts consist of pictures. The difference is that photoblogs tend to not have sidebars. What I was really looking for is a simple wide blog that allows a balance of photography with a sidebar for my reading purposes as well. I browsed through hundreds of blogs, and stumbled on Blushing Ambition. Her blog has been my reference as her style is closest to mine...therefore, I want to credit my blog template to her. Thank you, Annabel!

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2 days earlier....

I am not satisfied with my photoblog right now. I know it's just me being antsy and compulsive, but I feel like this template isn't working for my purposes. I'm on the lookout for a clean, minimal template that can showcase photos, but also allow me to post poems and thoughts as well. These are my favorite photo blogs so far:

Blushing Ambition
La Couturier
Garance Dore

Any suggestions?

let's go!

"We’ll show you just how far your money can go, and prove that the greatest limitation of your adventures is not your wallet, but your imagination."

The bulk of you that know me, know that I travel as much as I can...whether I have the funds or not. This weekend, I'm setting aside a day to plan my BAR trip tentatively with my constant travel buddy Kat. It's called our BAR trip because this next summer, I'll be taking the BAR exam, and the minute I'm done with it, I'll be flying across the globe as far east as I can, and then finding my way back to Paris from there. I'm approximating [is that a word?] about 2-3 months for this trip, and tons of loans, but it will be soooo worth it. I do NOT want to wait 4 months at home, waiting for the results of the BAR.

I have used the Let's Go series religiously since I was 17 years old, researching for my backpacking trip throughout Europe. Since then, I have used Let's Go Western Europe, Europe, Vietnam, Peru, and South America. The reason I love Let's Go over all other travel guides is because they have the perfect balance for my kind of traveling: half tourist, half backpacker without being crazy bum nor breaking the bank. It gives you TONS of great tips on places are are off the beaten path, and I have found that my greatest memories are from these side suggestions.

I just picked up Let's Go Southeast Asia...and I am soooooo excited to crack it open to begin my planning!

Side by Side features

I'm super lazy when it comes to Blogger features. I like things to appear large, side by side, and all on one page. I've been looking at blogs that have the side by side feature, and I really like them, but my template doesn't have the space for 2 large photos to be next to each other. However, I did figure out how to put 2 SMALL photos next to each other without uploading the pics to Picasa or wherever else. This is my little reminder on how to do this:

1. Upload the pics normally in Blogger, with the size you normally load with. [Mine is usually 1200 x 900 for nice resolution on clickable images]
2. Under the Choose a Layout on the picture upload page, click on NONE.
   
3. The images will appear as they usually do on Compose.
4. Move the image from the bottom to the side.
5. Click on each image to Select, and then resize down until both images show up when you Publish. [Mine tends to be quite small] but when you click on the image, it appears in the normal uploaded size.
   

the invitation by oriah

This poeme pushes the edge and makes me reflect on what I value and treasure...

The Invitation by Oriah

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Ferry Building

The last day in SF was spent in the city walking and shopping. We went to Haight-Ashbury to shop, and I picked up pieces that are to die for at Kisha's Studio and Ambiance. Then we went to the Embarcadero while my friend went to an interview a few blocks down. When she met us up again, we browsed the Ferry Building to see what other knick knacks I can find. I didn't buy anything, but I did take tons of pics and tried on whatever I could. They have a Blue Bottle Coffee in the Ferry Building now too.

The Hat Store

The Tea Store

The Wine Store

The Crafts Store

The Olive Oil Store

Le Love

I check this blog [Le Love] every so often because it's just a beautiful site. Sometimes I browse through it very quickly, and other times I pause to read the posts. Tonight, this one caught my attention, and it really got to me. The post is called [ i ] and it made me almost cry.

home cooked meals

I use to live with all girls when I was in college, and we would make the most fantastic meals. Everyone pitches in, and has wine will we cook. I haven't had one of those nights in a long time now that I'm moved back home, but in SF this week, everyone being on a budget, we had one of those nights at Mi Ryung's fabulous pad. We brought home the Lail from Ma(i)sonry, and chilled it while we cooked and had appetizers.

Lillian and Mi Ryung turning the meatballs in the oven.

Me cutting basil to throw in EVERYTHING.

The appetizer menu: salami, everything crackers, frying cheese, apples, & brie!

The amazing caprese salad

The meatballs are made from scratch, and we had it with spinach and garlic angel hair pasta.

Good times with great friends: full of laughter.

Laughing our asses off

champagne grapes, anyone?

San Francisco Style

I heart San Francisco. Every time I go, I pick up something awesome. This time, I picked a few items that are to die for. This coat has a spectacular corset back and can be worn as a dress as well. It pairs well with colorful accessories but can be slick in all black.

Me and Lillian on the fountain in Embarcadero Plaza

Jessup Cellars

This is the perfect place to go if you are on a budget in Napa!!! We got a recommendation from a friend to go here since we were in Yountville. The tastings AND the cheese plate is FREE! They are also yummy too! I didn't buy anything since Ma(i)sonry set the bar high, but this place is great for tastings. The Table for Four was my favorite but it's an $80 dollar bottle. Boooo. Still lots of fun though since music was playing behind our table and we jammed to classic rock while tasting.

Ma(i)sonry

I've blogged Ma(i)sonry before, and I loved it so much I had to come back this time again. The Blueprint Lail is still my favorite white, and my new guests attest to its yumminess! We bought a bottle to go with our home-cooked pasta meal that night, and it was perfect!

The ladder outside the mansion

Lillian picking our flights

We love this wall

We love this mirror
Waiting for my tasting to be brought out!

I don't know what's going on here, but it's all fun

Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros is a chateau that specializes in sparkling wine. I love the Le Reve here and the tours are so fun. We sat out on the terrace overlooking the vineyards with the grande tasting and a cheese plate. I live such a hard life.

Happiest Place on Earth

I love Disneyland...when it's not crowded and hot. I finally got my season pass so I can go anytime now! My bros and I went for a few hours on Sunday. I need to come more often and take more pictures. I never get bored of this happy place!lines lines lines

Mr. Toad!

This is our favorite ride ... Space Mountain!!!!!