Electric Chair

Warhol: Electric Chair
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

I find this piece so creepy and beautiful at the same time. I feel confused!

The Adventures of Online Dating

Online dating... it just sounds wrong. I can't say it's even dating. It's more like online judging-one-another.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Amy, my big sister purchased a month subscription to e-harmony for my birthday this year. She found her husband via e-harmony, so she thinks it would just be the cutest thing if I found my husband through e-harmony. I guess the main problem is I'm not even sure I want to get married, but I decided to go for it and see what happens. It took me a while to actually get my profile set up and dive into it because they ask a gazillion questions and I couldn't help but feel tired of myself as I went through the process. It took me about a month to even "get started," and even now, I'm not sure I'm actually 100% into it. However, the experience is interesting and thus has led me to an entry.

My observations:

• The most popular picture for a guy to post is a picture with nephews and nieces. I know it's supposed to be sweet and probably show he's sensitive, a family guy, etc. but for some reason, it kind of annoys me. It's too nice and fluffy.
• I don't like most of my matches. Maybe I'm too shallow or want the wrong things. The truth is, I find it quite satisflying to click that "Close Match" button because it makes me feel like I'm being more organized. Like clearing out my closet. That sounds terrible, but it's how I feel.
• Guys who are way too serious on their profile scare me.
• It's weird when guys don't post their pictures. I think either they're really not good-looking or they think they're super good-looking. Either way, "close match."
• I feel constantly judged.

Well, I still have a couple of weeks left of my subscription so I guess we'll see what - if anything - happens. Happy dating!

My 2010 Coachella Experience

Gorillaz + The Clash!
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

- Getting into the camping ground took longer than the whole drive there. and it was the most poorly planned thing I've ever experienced. I had to hear Vampire Weekend from the parking lot. JJ got so frustrated, he eventually just drove to the RV line with his hazards on proudly saying, "We look legit!" I noted that the security people were pointing at us. This resulted in a heated argument and the security guy saying they were going to call the cops. So, JJ told them to. After about 17 minutes, they let us in. We made it, just in time for..
- Jay-Z: charismatic. I was very impressed and found myself kind of falling in love with him. Too bad he's already taken by Beyonce, who can definitely sing. I was also impressed by her amazing voice. Overall, he had great energy and it was a great start.
- the Almighty Defenders: They came out screaming in choir gowns. That pretty much set the tone for the energy of the entire show. Good funk, soul and rock.
- Portugal, the Man: was such a pleasant surprise. I wasn't too familiar with them before Coachella, but fell in love with them during the show. It felt good to the soul.
- the Raveonettes: most of their band members were stuck in Europe because of the volcano, but I liked the stripped down versions of their songs. The show felt intimate.
- the XX: pretty sounds, but I'm not sure the crowd really appreciated them. It may have been better in one of the tents. I still liked the mellow show.
- Hot Chip: I felt like I was back in a club in London, which is a good thing.
- MGMT: Besides the fact that I almost died because people nearly got trampled towards the front rows, this was a fantastic show. They sounded wonderful.
- Muse: Caught a bit of the show, but at this point, taking a shower was imperative. I've already seen Muse.
- 2ManyDJ's: these Belgian guys can spin! They seamlessly transitioned between Pink Floyd, MGMT, Gossip, P.Diddy... ended with Joy Division. Pure radness.
- King Khan and the Shrines: good sound, but I think we had to leave to go ... I don't remember where. We heard Sly Stone came out and was doing high kicks. Sad we missed that one.
- MUTEMATH: just caught a couple of songs
- Mayer Hawthorne and the County: enjoyed the range of music. We wanted to stay longer, but had to go see...
- De La Soul: my favorite part was when part of the band had to go pee, so the DJ just dropped a beat and De La Soul went at it. I wish the whole show would have been like that. Overall, it was a fun show.
- Julian Casablancas: I find him so dreamy and he sounded good, but I wasn't too impressed. He sounded the best when he did Strokes songs.
- Charlotte Gainsbourg: she's pretty and sounds pretty.
- Sly Stone: Remember how we heard he was doing high kicks at King Khan's show? As soon as someone said that, JJ prophesied, "Oh shit, that's not good news. The last time I saw him, he was in a wheelchair." He didn't show. Crowd reactions: "Get your shit together, Sly! Stop doing dope!", "Why? Sly? Why?"
- Phoenix: Solid, fun show. There were so many people and everyone seemed to be having a pleasant time.
- Pavement: seemed to be having a blast and they sounded good.
- GORILLAZ: an experience. The story, nautical outfits, flow, string orchestra, guitarists from The Clash, guest artists, two drummers, backdrop... It was all just amazing. I think Damon was having just as much fun as we were. They sounded amazing and it was an overall spectacular show.

So many artists I wish I could have seen... I guess there are always more festivals.

these days...

- There's a man who does the landscaping near the civic center. He's an excellent whistler and singer. I enjoy listening to him as I walk to work.
- I think I like running? It's odd because I've hated running ever since I was a child. I recently started doing it to get my mind off of feeling blue. I like how my heart beats uber fast after I run.
- Floating and existing: trying to stay in the present moment and not get lost in wasteful thoughts.
- I keep having bad dreams. It's very tiring.
- Listening to a lot of Ingrid Michaelson. Her songs make me feel giddy or wistful.
- Started journaling again.

grace

It's always something that's hard for me to understand and accept.

It's difficult to show grace as well.

This especially sucks because my name is Grace.

My dream is to live up to the name given to me.

I'm afraid I fail too often.

Today is

Today is
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

Being sick makes me feel sad and weak.

Breaking the Rules

Breaking the Rules
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

Rules and guidelines exist to protect us.
But, why is it that when something is forbidden, we want to do it more?
---
I wish I could live in equilibrium.
A guy I was dating for a short time a year ago said this to me during his emotional freak-out... wait, I think he was breaking up with me. Anywho, this is what he said:

"You increase the entropy to my equilibrium."

Who says that?! Well, moving past the oddity of someone saying that in the first place, the statement did get me thinking. I always thought I was a pretty balanced person, but I'm beginning to think this may not be the case. I guess I don't mind it so much. I don't know what reminded me of this incident, but there was something about the picture that triggered this thought process.

Chargers vs Vikings

Jonathan: So you know, it could be San Diego and Minnesota in the Super Bowl this year.
Me: Oh wow, I don't know who I would cheer for. I'm a San Diegan, but my heart is Minnesotan.
Jonathan: If JJ and I were in a burning house, who would you save?
Me: Good grief.

---
I told JJ this episode today and he simply stated, "I'll kick your ass if you root for the Vikings over the Chargers."

$.97

I had a pleasant time with Mama Liu for a couple of days during Christmas break. We did a lot of reflecting, debating and of course, laughing.

During one of our talks, she mentioned Christmas of 1996: this was the year she read through the entire Bible for the first time. (Since then, she reads through the Bible at least once a year. Usually twice. It's very admirable.)

In '96, I had to buy a 2-liter bottle of soda to take to a church potluck. My mom didn't have the money. She said we kept driving by the bank to check if my dad had put in money, but he hadn't. My mom felt so sad. That night, she asked me, "Did you know that we are sinners?" I replied, "Of course Mom. That's so rudimentary." She stated, "I didn't know until this year." I feel sad I don't remember this conversation because it's the first time my mom shared about her faith.

That night, Jina, who was like a big sister to me, bought my bottle of soda to take to the potluck. I have always been surrounded by people who have generously loved me. I am so thankful to have a mother who is so content and strong in her faith.

In all circumstances, we can always be grateful.

Lots of movies and documentaries

I took last week off. I pretty much slept, ate and caught up on my Netflix queue.

• Killer at Large: a good documentary about obesity. My favorite person was the Militant Lunch Lady.
• The Trials of Henry Kissinger: that man was crazy.
• Frost Nixon - Watergate Interviews: the actual interview. Nixon was another crazy man. It's scary hearing him talk about the incident and take no responsibility whatsoever. He truly believes he did nothing wrong.
• Miracle at St. Anna: I liked the story, but maybe it was something about the execution of the story.. I wasn't too impressed.
• Sweet Bird of Youth: Tennessee Williams and Paul Newman can do no wrong.
• King Corn: two guys decide to grow an acre of corn. It's disturbing to see how farming corn has turned into a huge industry where nutrients are not really valued. It's more about production and turning the corn into unhealthy things we put in our food.
• After Innocence: documentary about men who are exonerated. Working on reentry issues, this was an enlightening documentary. There are so many resources for those who are released from prison, but none for those who are exonerated. It makes no sense.
• Frontline - Inside the Meltdown: an analysis of the economic meltdown.
• The Natural History of the Chicken: this turned out to be a surprisingly good documentary. It looks at different ways of raising chicken and what this means for the consumer.
• The Devil Came on Horseback: documentary about a military official who goes to monitor the peace zone between Sudan and Darfur for the African Union. He starts documenting what he sees. I liked the documentary because it portrayed the situation in a personal and real manner.
• Darfur Now: This documentary looked at the genocide in a more big picture perspective. It analyzed policies and was shot beautifully.
• Confessions of a Superhero: documentary following four character actors who take pictures with tourists on Hollywood Blvd. It's kind of depressing. Overall, a solid documentary.
• The Machine Girl: Japanese movie about a girl who gets her arm chopped off, gets a machine girl as a prosthetic and seeks revenge against all the bullies who killed her younger brother. Yep, it's so bad, it's good.
• The Host: I didn't really like it. I don't know why it did so well in Korea. Ryan's take on the movie: "Everyone was so overly-dramatic. Even the creature was dramatic. You Koreans and your drama and your soaps." I had no response.

letter

Training to be a ninja?
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

My father wrote me a letter. It was quite nice.

Even when I was a little girl, my father would write "Miss Grace Liu" on the envelope of a birthday card. It made me smile to see it on his letter.

Overwhelmed.

Looking up
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

Line of Leaves

Line of Leaves
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

While waiting, waiting, waiting...

Miss Art

Pollock!
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

I helped Ryan study for his art history exam last weekend. During college, I always enjoyed making art history guides the most because there were pictures.

Is there a job related to just going to art museums all the time where the only requirement is that "one must appreciate art in all its forms"?

I don't want to be an art critic. I am an art lover.

How do you tell a man kindly that you don't like his facial hair?

"So, do you like it?"

"Well... I like to see more of your face."

"Well...... Too bad!"

Fail.

Best Break-Up Ever?

I think it really was though.

Especially compared to the Joaquin fiasco earlier this year.

Ryan and I both grew through the relationship. We're just in different places. So cliche, I know. But, it's the truth. We both knew it; we were both surprised it lasted as long as it did.

We talked about what we appreciated in each other, encouraged and thanked each other. I know in my head, it's the right thing. But, I still feel sad. In the end, I know I'll be okay.

But for now, I picked the scab from where I got hurt the last time we spent time together. I don't mind the scar.

I posed the question:

Koala so cute
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

What could be cuter than a baby panda?
(simultaneously)
Mon: a baby wombat!
Me: a baby koala!

They're relatives!! This was possibly one of the greatest moments in our friendship.

Summer Boyfriend

My parasol
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

Is it true that a boy can tell when the girl is going to break up with him, and that's when he turns his game on? I heard this the other day and wondered.

And, why does the boy I don't like always call/text me?

Boys.
Boo.

Ah, forget it.

"Let's go see The Killers and make out in the bleachers."

Weekend of Love, Discovery and Play

Clive seeing Amy for the first time in the wedding dress
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

Thursday/Friday:
Amy's wedding was the most perfect wedding I've ever been to in my entire life. I may be biased because it was Amy's wedding. But still, it was definitely beautiful. I love seeing Amy and Clive together. I enjoy hanging out with Clive's family and I appreciate how they've adopted me as a sister too. Throughout the rehearsal and wedding day, there was such warmth. I'm not the biggest fan of marriage, but experiencing being a part of a wedding broadened my perspective. I saw how amazing it is when two families unite. It's so wonderful to see the amount of love in such a room.

Saturday: hung out with mama, which was fun because we haven't played in a while. We talked about silly things, laughed and ate. I always assess the plants at her place. We talk about them like they're kids.

Sunday: had breakfast with Jonathan and for the first time, actually verbalized my plans for applying for grad school. It was nice to share ideas and get some feedback. I'm uber excited about the possibility of going back to school. Oh, how I missed it so. We went thrift-store hopping and I bought five books for $6!!!
- Modern One-Act Plays
- A Mercy by Toni Morrison
- The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
- Lake Wobegon Summer 1956 by Garrison Keillor
- The Complete Book of Vitamins (I may give this one to my mama because she's obsessed with health, especially vitamins.)

Sunday night: pleasantly surprised by a visit from Ry. Late night sushi dinner with his best friend and his girl. It's funny to watch how Ryan and Will (Ry's best friend)'s mannerisms are similar. They've been friends since junior high. Their pet peeves are pretty similar too. It's neat how friends become more like one another. Or, do we all just start out there and navigate towards those who are like us?

Overall, a jam-packed weekend of fun.

Bloom!

Bloom!
Originally uploaded by gliuoo

My mom and I potted a few plants over the 4th of July weekend. Most of my plants died while I was away in New York, so I needed new ones. The only one that survived was the persistent succulent plant. I really like succulents and cacti because they survive through anything. But, I needed a bit more color in my place, so I got a couple of flower plants. I truly enjoy them so and can't wait to come home to see how many more flowers have bloomed.

My place finally feels like my home.