Lady Gaga Cake

This inspires me to take professional cake decorating lessons!

*photo and cake from cake hero

Happy World Peace Day!

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a
reality.

-John Lennon (my favorite Beatle)

I BELIEVE.

I believe that we can all live together and coexist peacefully one day.

I think it is something that we all strive and hope for, but ultimately struggle with.

But if we all take a deep breath together and not take anything too seriously, I think we can do it.

I hope I live to see the day!

Long live absolute world peace.

apartment hunting...

...doesn't bring out the best in people, or so I've learned.

Don't get me wrong, I am just equally as guilty as my new roommate. Looking for an affordable home in a city where rent is unreasonbably inflated requires a lot of disposable time that neither of us have. Just another lovely perk of living in Manhattan.

We've found 3 really great apartments that fit our budget and are considered "steals" and have lost them all.

I just stumbled across this article that sums up the hell that is apartment hunting in the Manhattan area and it is so funny yet so on point. Read here.

Ah, laughter amongst stress.

We just applied to a great apartment and our application is pending. Cross your fingers!


**And just to show you that we're not that miserable and we still love each other, here is a picture of Darien/roommate and me with a heart-shaped ice sculpture in Times Square... Another wonderful perk of living in NYC. :)

intelligentsia

I'm not a big coffee drinker, though I find myself constantly surrounded by them. Maybe my phamily and friends need the caffeine to catch up with my energy? Who knows.

While in Chicago, we had Intelligentsia Coffee. I had never had it before, but it is supposedly one of the best coffees according to Morgan and Sasha.


Speaking of...



I'm not a big coffee drinker, but it was a pretty good, decent cup of coffee.

First we went to Floriole Cafe & Bakery where they also serve Intelligentisia.

Cappuccino was good. But the macarons were better! They had three flavors: chocolate, orange blossom (?) and lemon lavender. The lemon lavender macaron stole the show! The texture and flavor combination was delicious and is worth a trip back to Chicago. I'm serious! It even had real lavender leaves on top of the macaron.

Next, we visited the actual Intelligentsia Coffee. My cappuccino was excellent and made with care. I forgot to ask for soy at the register and the barista accommodated me in the nicest way possible! #kindnessgoesalongway

I tried their chocolate, vanilla and pistachio macarons and they were OK. A bit on the chewy side and not as light as the ones from Floriole. But they steamed a soy heart in my cappuccino. So life balanced itself there, like it always does.

Lollapalooooooza

Last month, I flew to Chicago to see some old college friends #omg, I can't believe I can say that now?


But also to attend Lollapalooza ... and it was such an awesome time!!

My musical highlights were Lady Gaga's Monster Ball set, the crowd chanting to "Wake Up" after Arcade Fire's colorful performance, swaying to Stars and dancing to Kaskade in a field completely dedicated to raving. Awesome.

But really, all the acts we saw were great and it was such an amazing experience. Probably not the same as it was back in the early 90's ... but still lots of fun.

An unexpected surprise was the culinary lineup! There were two food courts that featured a lot of delicious organic, vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options. It also made me very happy to see that a lot of items sold out, meaning that there is a demand for particular eaters like me!

Things I'd like to see change: Budweiser was the official sponsor so naturally that was the only beer that was sold. I don't know anyone that would want Budweiser to have a monopoly on such a grand scale.

Well, maybe my daddy. :)

Dreams Do Come True

So yes, I saw the Backstreet Boys again. And yes, it was just as amazing, if not better.

Not because it was the same exact show. And not because they replaced their awkward opening act with their super cool dj who spinned a set and basically turned the concert into a mini rave.

It was because Nick Carter touched and acknowledged me!!!

After the concert, we waited on the other side of the building for the boys to come out. We saw the tour bus and strategically stood near the bus door. When Nick came out, he stopped where my friend Jenna and I were standing and that was when I touched his hand!!! Our fingers intertwined and I felt him wriggle his fingers free from mine. :)

That's not all. We started following the bus down the street and Nick turned down the window and started staying stuff like "AJ has pink eye!" I screamed, "I want AJ's pink eye!" He laughed and said, "No, you don't!"

*photo of Nick and AJ on the bus talking to me :)

This was seriously a dream come true!!

ps- I've washed my hands since then. I didn't want to, but I did.

Controversy

Have you heard about this Florida pastor's plan to burn the Koran on 9/11?

I love Lupe Fiasco's response on his twitter:

"If they burn a book have no worries...the book will feel NO pain so neither should you! Rules 2 Rule"

No matter how deeply you feel, hate crimes are never OK.

Religion is scary sometimes.

I wish everyone could just get along.

photo taken during a leisurely walk through the upper east side of manhattan

Airport Visit

When I landed in Dallas way back in July, La Beast was supposed to be flying out to London that same day. So she came way early to the airport so we could spend some quality time together before we parted ways again. She's such a great friend.

Ever since we graduated high school, we don't ever get to spend as much time together as we'd like due to college and first jobs. But we make it work with these little visits. One day, I am confident that we will find a way to live in the same city as adults. Because life is always better when she is around!

Is this part of growing up? Having to leave behind your childhood friends and phamily to chase your dreams? During interviews, I am frequently asked "What is the biggest sacrifice that you have had to make so far?" And I always answer with not being able to be around my phamily and friends all the time.

During college and even into my first job, I make frequent and lengthy phone calls/emails punctuated with visits during the holidays. And I think that's enough for me (obviously, I would love more) because things don't seem "different" or "awkward" when I visit home and it's almost like I never left. I think that's the best part.

I'm Not Your Babe

Last Friday, Kat, Darien and I woke up at 5AM (I know) to go see Lady Gaga perform at Rockefeller Center for the Today Show. Apparently over 18,000 people showed up, but we braved the crowds and the big fat raindrops, and it was so worth it.


You can always count on her to make an entrance!


This is Darien hiding under a stranger's umbrella to protect his delicate curls. Haha, seriously couldn't resist posting this picture. Love you Mama! xoxo

Home

Picture is of my mom and my two darling little cousins, Gene and Ivy, from this past weekend in Dallas, my hometown. I visited for my parents' anniversary and got to hang out, watch fireworks and eat my weight in my mom's cooking. It's always so great to visit home. I miss it already!

Happy 25 years to my parents and the Phamily!

Don't get me wrong, the Phamily has had its ups and downs. But it's nice and comforting to know that there are those that will be there for you in the end. I guess this is what some would call a commitment. Still can't believe we made it to 25! I say 'we' because I was there for 24 of those years. :)

Here is something that I learned. 25 years is silver. 50 is gold. 75 is diamonds. My mom obviously is holding out for the diamonds.

This was my contribution to our dinner that my sister and I made for Trinh (mom) and Son (dad). Who doesn't love Bruschetta? Do such people exist?

KTBSPA!!!

I love music. Music speaks to me. Sometimes it magically lets me know how I'm feeling. And it almost always puts me in a great mood.

So there shouldn't be any shame in that right??

I love the Backstreet Boys. Like L.O.V.E. them. Even through their days of straightened hair, notable weight gain and drug addictions. (I understand fussing over hair; who doesn't love a huggable teddy bear; and recovering from addictions show us that we're human). And this love affair that started when I was 10 has shown no signs of stopping.

I recently saw them two weeks ago in New York at Hammerstein Ballroom. It was general admission so a couple of us got there early. We waited while the clouds shifted slowly and gave us some shade from the hot sun and then some rain. But it was OK. Because we sang BSB songs and played BSB trivia and friended other life long fans. I felt so safe. The show began and I loved every second of it. They played their new album and integrated all their classics; while not taking themselves seriously at all. It brought back so many fond memories and good feelings. I wish I could say more to describe how amazing it was.

They are doing another show in August and I just got my tickets in the mail. I canNOT wait!!!

Is there anyone that you have seen a billion times and can't get enough of?

KTBSPA!!!

I'm Back!!!

Hi All,

After a brief stint with mobileme's web account, I've decided to go back to my blogger home. Now with this fancy new and improved layout, I hope to update more. If not, feel free to ask me to :)

But seriously, sorry I'm so MIA and I promise to blog more frequently.

Love love,

jen

now now a DIVA is a female version of a hustla

Check out my commercial!!! It already started airing on VH1 as of last week. But if you're not into crappy reality TV, click on the link below!

FYI, this is my first gig EVER!! We should all take a moment to note this important time in history.

DIVAS STORIES: Jen from Vinny Lopez on Vimeo.

Now, I'm sure you're wondering, "How did she get the opportunity to star in this amazing commercial?" I applied! I wrote a short essay and got picked! This is my proof to you that anything can happen. Someone has to be chosen; why can't it be YOU?

In case you didn't know...

Watch this.

Do You Remember Junior High?

"The only place that being like everyone else is cool is junior high." -Taylor Swift on Oprah

Junior high was THE most awkward time in my life. I have the pictures to prove it. I'd post them... but that was before things went digital (I feel old). Oh, well. Too bad. TOO BAD. Glad that is over and done with.

I also love Taylor Swift. She is such a talented songwriter, a great role model and she's so cute (in a "I look like a mouse" kinda way).

BREAKING NEWS: Jennifer Pham Is a Grown-Up

Or getting there at least. Why the sudden realization/awareness/materialization, etc? I got blood drawn yesterday... for the first time ever. Ever. EVER.

I must backup.

As you may or may not know, I am originally from Dallas, Texas (which I am so ashamed of right now: read HERE) and I moved to New York for school. But as far away from home as I was, I was still able to go to the doctor and dentist during summer and winter breaks and whenever else I was able to visit home, with my mother by my side, of course. But what did I do when I was severely sick and didn't have a trip to Dallas planned? Let's be honest, I have never been a big fan of going to both the doctor and the dentist.

But if we're going to be really honest, when I was really sick, I simply waited for the sickness to go away, which was not as simple as it sounds. This included, but not excluding, crying, overdosing on TheraFlu and annoying the crap out of my beloved roommate, Sasha/Ma.

Well, it's now been almost a year since I graduated (Holy crap!) and I find myself starting my career/life here. So it was finally time for me to start establishing myself in the Big Apple (I love apples btw). Like getting a full-time job? Check. Like getting my first apartment outside of student housing? Check. Like doing laundry at the laundromat? Check. Like going to the emergency room by myself when I fractured my ankle whilst falling down a flight of stairs (this may or may not be explained in a later post)? Check, check. Like going to the doctor to get my first check-up by myself without Mommy? Big fat CHECK.

Lucky for you, I remembered the entire experience (minus the whole passing out part). Here goes:

In traditional Jennifer Pham-fashion, I am late for my appointment. Twelve minutes late to be exact. Sigh, I swear one day I'll try to fix that. But that didn't really matter because Doctor is a little behind schedule. So I do the whole filling out papers, fronting the $20 copay and reading health magazines for a good 20 minutes.

Then, I finally get called in.

Doctor is a little old jewish lady that's sweet with a little sass in her bones. She tells me what the check-up will entail. Things like measuring my height and weight, feeling for my lymph nodes, taking my blood pressure, pee test, and oh, a blood test. I immediately enter panic mode. I explain to her that I have an INTENSE fear of needles and get overly queasy around blood. She says it's a free country and that I don't have to, but then explains the benefits of the blood test. I say I'll think about it, and she says, "Well, don't take too long 'cause I have other patients, too." (Sass.) When she takes my blood pressure, it is raging high and I can't seem to bring it down. This is of course because I am still thinking about the blood test. So now I have to go back in three months for her to check my blood pressure again.

We eventually come to an agreement: I'll allow for the blood test if she will administer it herself in the room (I would normally have to go downstairs to the laboratory). She starts to tie my right arm and I start crying. She injects the needle into my vein and I let out a LOUD scream. I am not embarrassed. She tells me not to look, but I look anyway. I see the blood escaping out of my body and I black out. Next thing I know, Doctor is waking me up and telling me that I passed out a little but I'm done and gives me some apple juice. After giving me some time to recuperate, she asked about my medical history. She soon found out that it's been well over a decade since my last tetanus shot and that she wanted to give me one right then. She then realized that she had pushed her luck with the blood thing.

It was a triumph, to say the least.

Or, you know, just one of those life transitions.

Life Lessons of HSM3 (but not really)

Last night, I saw High School Musical 3 at the Dollar Theater with this awesome chica, my sister and her friend. I felt like I was babysitting (even though it was Taylor's and my idea to go). This was also my third time to see it, but my FIRST time paying to see it.

OK, so none of that really matters except for the fact that Disney did a great job with HSM3. The Made-for-TV movie turned big screen blockbuster was really professional. The music and choreography were flawless, making all three viewings more than tolerable.

My only complaint is that I didn't see any Asians! My sister and I briefly discussed the matter on the way home. It really struck me that she noticed. As an Asian woman (omg, I'm a woman?!?!) pursuing a career in Media, I often think about and notice the lack of Asians in the Media all the time. Is it intentional? Are Asians being discriminated against by casting? Or is it because Asians have chosen not to be present in Media, and have instead chosen to pursue a career as a doctor, lawyer or ambiguous business person?

Whatever the reason is, I hope I get to change all of that down the road. Having my own talk show is a dream, among many, I've had since high school, a time where you focus a lot on "what you want to be when you grow up," an ongoing theme throughout the film. And while I don't think I'll start feeling like a grown-up until Monday (when I start my first job out of college!), I just realized that all I have is now. Post-graduation, I am free to dictate what I do and pursue what I want. After high school graduation, four years of college stood before me. Now, to take from Natasha Bedingfield, I am staring at the blank page before me. I will be honest, the general lack of direction really got to me. I had good days, and I had bad days. But now, I am learning to embrace it. And learning is a part of life, right?

But the lack of me doesn't take away from HSM3, so GO SEE IT!

November 4th

Obama is elected our 44th President!!!  I hope that I am not breaking this news for you.  Anyway, this post is just to note my special experience and complete happiness on election night.  

On November 4th, 2008, I worked at the Associated Press (my little side gig that I have going on).  All freaking night.  And while I understand that I was part of the news, I was still a little sad that I couldn't watch the suspenseful election night coverage with the rest of America.  So I got people to text me updates throughout the night.  I can't even begin to explain how unnerving it is to get a text saying that McCain is in the lead.  I started plotting my move to Canada (I know, threatening to move to Canada is such a cliché thing to say but my aunt currently lives in Toronto so it's not so out of the blue).  I am so glad he didn't maintain that brief lead.

I was done at the AP around 1 AM and left so I could go home, sleep and come back at 10 AM.  When the subway came and the doors opened, passengers cheered and applauded.  It was very unexpected since the only voices that you ever really hear on the subway comes from the homeless people pleading their case on why you should give them money.  It sent chills through my body.  That happened at each stop and you could feel the happiness.  It was amazing.

It's been well over a week and I still can't believe it.

November: National Blog Posting Month

Dear Beloved Blog and It'll Be Ok Readers:

I am so sorry that I have neglected you for the past two months. Life became busy and priorities shifted. You had to take a backseat, but please know that I love you just the same.

I just learned that November is National Blog Posting Month, a commemorative month of observance invented by the blogosphere community to help people build a habit of blogging everyday (including weekends!). And while it is almost mid-November, I will start now anyway and I promise I will try my best.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Pham