Day 7: Day of the Living Dead

Maybe it's because I hung around Patrick, Qisti and the rest of the guys so much back in Malaysia, that my title for this post has become so cliched. L4D2 zombies definitely look better than me this morning... I woke up pissed. No, allow me to rephrase: I never slept. So naturally, my face exploded. My hormones' way of punishing me. Deep-set eyes, dark circles, and facial hair that seem to grow faster than weed. Maybe it's the coffee I had, but I felt nauseous the whole morning. I couldn't eat much without having my stomach prodding my esophagus every 2 minutes...

Anyway, here's what I wore today...

I'm starting to wonder about the combinations I can do with my six items. I'm trying to avoid similar looks from the previous week, but as the days roll by like newspapers on a printing machine, my creativity screen flashes "Refill Ink".

I have something planned for tomorrow, something I just mixed up and it looked... different. I'm not too sure about the color though... So I guess you'll just have to leave this tab open until tomorrow creeps by to find out.

P.S.: I don't know why I used 'creep' as my preferred verb choice. I blame Charlotte Perkins Gilman for her yellow wallpaper...

Day 6: Livid weals striping from head to toe...

No pictures today... That's because I wore the EXACT same thing as yesterday. Why you ask? Couple of reasons: 1. I woke up late. 2. I didn't exactly walk out of my dorm the entire day.

Well, until we had that false fire alarm... Then I walked out... in my pajamas...

Anyway, the title of this post came from one of my readings for Film Theory and Criticism. I just love the image produced by that sentence. I'm an avid collector of words and/or phrases that strike me as beautiful, even if it may seem morbid or morose to others. It's the construction of such descriptions that I seek to understand and apply myself. I attain euphoria just by witnessing language at work... Talk about some fetish...

Oh well, I'm keeping this post short. Long weekends make me wanna do everything, but achieve nothing. Though I'm glad I'm done and over with the lengthiest portion of my Film Theory class: 85 pages of sheer analysis on Classical Hollywood. Fascinating, but pure mind-fuck, as my British literature professor would put it.

Day 5: I'm such a procrastinator...

I'm incredulously late... I know some of you might be thinking "That's not in the list of clothes!" but that's because I'm wearing my pajamas... Yes, I have an inventory of regular clothes that I only wear in my dormitory. If I wear them out, well, let's just say it includes frizzy hair and sunken eyes. So yes, I didn't break any rules. Besides, the shirt doesn't make a statement... Besides my love for NYC.

Been pretty busy with my reading all day so I didn't go out. I think I'll keep this post short too...

Oh, and I've made a couple of discoveries by watching Pokemon anime. Apparently, Staryu is Ultraman; Jesse and James make me laugh despite their horrible puns; and Ash's mum always fusses about his underwear. Hmm... nostalgic. An awesome no-brainer during my breaks.

Day 4: Off to the Market!

Pretty bold today... I ALMOST broke the rules by wearing two black tank tops because I wasn't sure if I could walk out of my dorm, showing that much skin, without drawing too much attention to myself. It is times like these when I tell myself... "You think too highly of yourself". But hey, I like the end result. The colors of the scarf pop thanks to the tank, and the fingerless gloves seem to provide the illusion of a little extra coverage for my bare arms. Need I divulge on the shades? They stand out. Finally, something I can brag about.

At 10am, my entire floor went to the Haymarket to check out the goodies. Considering that the previous night was a Friday night, only five were out and about by 10.30am. Me excluded. It took me half an hour to finally convince myself I can go out with JUST a tank top and a scarf without feeling the burden of a thousand pair of eyes.

And the best part is, no one cares! Sure there were the occasional swivel-and-turn of the neck but, really, you have to be that self-conscious as to think people are watching your every move. I think I did a rather good job with the combination and who's to say I can't wear, what I want to wear?

This reminds me of a conversation I had with Jonathan Yam last night. Great friend, always makes me laugh no matter what he does. I need more people like that, cracking me up 24/7. So anyway, Jon goes jogging with a pair of shorts and a shirt he's worn for about 5 years. As he paces himself, he notices these people running around him staring, as if a huge tub of Haagen-Dazs splattered on his head.

Watched Inception? Remember the scene where Dom's subconscious representations of city dwellers glared at Ariadne? Something like that...

What's wrong with Jon wearing the clothes he's comfortable with? Is it wrong to put on a shirt that has been loyal for half a decade? If it's not in rags, why not? I don't have pictures of myself in gym clothes but I can assure you, they're not body-hugging like most other clothes I have. I want to feel weightless as I workout, I don't want my clothes to suffocate me as I do. And if my current clothes are satisfactory, why should I get a new one just because other individuals mentally demand me to?

I buy clothes because I want to, not because someone tells me so.

Here's a philosophy:

Do you fit your clothes? Or do your clothes fit you?

I talked to Jon for a bit more and he did feel better. I just want him to know that I'll always lend an ear if he ever needs someone to talk to.

Back to the Haymarket. Mere words cannot describe the euphoria I experienced smelling bell peppers and tomatoes. Maybe that's why I'm an English major... TO LEARN. There were some nifty items here and there but I managed to prevent myself from buying unnecessary stuff.

... Save for the three in the picture below:

Milk & honey lotion for $8, roll-on fragrance for $4 and honey for $7.50. I just... couldn't resist. But I did refrain myself from buying another gemstone I didn't need, dried flowers I couldn't display and peacock feathers I don't use. My fetish for peacock feathers... If only they could be made into quills... Oh well.

Another random thing: I finished my pineapple tarts. I completely forgotten to take pictures of the tarts. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Sweet and savory, yet untouchable, tarts will NOT adorn my phone display. Jane, if you're ever reading this... I know you're as depressed as I am.

Day 3: Out with the old, and in with the new.

Simple. Extremely casual. I didn't bother with layers and heavy accessories so a pastel blue shirt and a tiger's eye gemstone would suffice for today. Besides, the top pretty much speaks by itself... "I'm desperate for comfort." A must-have for any wardrobe, I believe. There are times when I want to put on something soft, without looking like I just rolled off my bed... Drooling.

Earlier this evening, I went for the Malaysian Students Association's annual general meeting. The routine was the same as last year's though I suppose everyone attended mostly because of the food, instead of the election.

The election. Happens during the start of every Fall semester. Last year, I became the Vice President. This year, I am but a humble spectator of things gone by. It is definitely refreshing to witness diversity in the committee this season. We even have a Vietnamese joining the ranks of leaders. We've gone international~ Awesome.

Aside from the brilliant cast chosen to take the lead, I'm surprised why people aren't taking the elections seriously. The AGM seemed casual, which was fine, but I hoped the audience would've been more cautious with their selections, not trigger-happy names.

These are the faces of Malaysia we choose to paste on the walls of UNL. Are you able to walk pass these images everyday without having to snicker in disbelief? Are you able to tell a friend that s/he is the president of your club proudly? Are you able to convince, yourself, that "I wrote his/her name on that slip of paper, and I don't regret it"?

Yes. No. Perhaps. Maybe. I don't know.

Put some thought into it. Read that embarrassing headline about racial disputes breaking out in Malaysia? Didn't want your neighbors in the dining hall reading the same article WHILE you're there? That's how you'll feel about the person you so jokingly positioned on the high pedestal of authority.

Personally, I am happy with the new committee this year. I don't deny that the process was frightening due to the lack of urgency, but I am confident with the new players joining the ring.

So to all new members, congratulations and I wish only the best for you. Prove to me that you can finally insert the geographic location of Malaysia in 80% of the population's head and I'll kowtow before you.

Until then, use Colgate generously for those pearly whites and you'll quickstep your way through campus life.

Day 2: Pretty chilly today...

Who am I kidding, it's cold! Not freezing, definitely, but the occasional gusts of wind is enough to trickle vibes down my spine. Oh well, at least I have a reason to wrap a scarf around my neck..

As you can see, I wore the shorts today. As you cannot see, I wore white flip flops. The rather preppy look worked but because of the cold weather, the pages I held in my hand during class kept shaking. A movement so subtle, that everyone in class notices.

Some of you might've noticed that most of the pictures I've taken are from my camera phone. Yes, the quality's nothing much... Though it does snap a couple of snazzy close-ups, like the belts and the necklace from yesterday's post. I always use the "Close Objects" feature on food, my way of tormenting myself whenever I'm feeling snack-ish...

For my Late American Literature class today, we studied the works of two regionalist writers - Sarah Orne Jewett (A White Heron) and Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (A New England Nun). The former wrote about a little girl, Sylvia, who had to choose between two loves while the latter entailed a frame of Louisa's life as she ponders about her future marriage. Both were vividly expressed and the color just threatened to erupt from the writings... Remarkable. One of my favorite passages from Wilkins's story is:

"When Joe Dagget was outside he drew in the sweet evening air with a sigh, and felt much as an innocent and perfectly well-intentioned bear might after his exit from a china shop.

Louisa, on her part, felt much as the kind-hearted, long-suffering owner of the china shop might have done after the exit of the bear."

Really! The image of Joe Dagget's exit couldn't be more adorable! I know my fiction writing professor, Emily Danforth (awesome, awesome instructor btw), says "adorable" or "cute" isn't a very nice thing to describe someone else's work but, come on, I keep picturing Yogi Bear walking out the door. No hat could cover my expanding smile.

Wilkins's story is about Louisa Ellis who reunites with her fiance of 14 years, Joe Dagget, and feels uncertain about her marriage to him. Both clearly still have feelings for the other, but neither is sure or ecstatic about "Here Comes the Bride" playing next month with chocolate-mouthed ringbearers running down the aisle. I somehow stereotype five-year-olds for the job... Both search for an excuse to call off the wedding. This is where town diva Lily Dyer comes in.

Dang it Dagget! Are you cheatin' on your woman?

Apparently not, as Joe remains faithful to Louisa, even if their love has waned. But in the end, Louisa and Joe separate. Are they still friends? Do they still call each other? Yes, yes, they do. It is an amiable separation. Oh btw, this is set in late 19th century, just so you know.

Our professor, Dr. Stevenson, then asked if there was any contemporary film or tv show that paralleled the love triangle. One answered "My Best Friend's Wedding", in which, I agree to a certain degree. But I think another tv show whose plot synchronizes nicely with Wilkins's would be "Drop Dead Diva". The love triangle in that show is insane... Here's my attempt at summarizing it:

Shallow Deb dies and revives in overweight, but super-smart lawyer Jane Bingum's body because of some mess up in heaven. Deb's fiance, Grayson, works in the same law firm as Jane but of course, Jane (who's really dead, but contains Deb's soul and memories) can't reveal her true identity to Grayson because that would be breaking multiple divine laws... So to speak. Anyway, Grayson meets this new girl, Vanessa, and after a while, proposes to her. Jane's heart implodes as just the other night, Grayson tells her that he couldn't get over Deb, which is Jane, in a size eleven.

Confused? Here's an easier equation:

Deb/Jane = Louisa

Grayson = Joe

Vanessa = Lily

So really, Wilkins would've been a writer for DDD, had television existed then. Don't believe me? Read "A New England Nun" AND watch DDD. You compare.

1st Month, Day 1

And so, this is what I wore for the premiere of the challenge. I really like the belt because it complements the geometric design on the cardigan. Who'd have thought that an overcast morning would be the prelude to a blazing afternoon. I almost regretted wearing the cardigan...

My hair was a complete mess earlier this morning... Hence, the cap.

Speaking of which, I forgot to mention another aspect of the challenge... I am able to have a multiple of any of my six items. For instance, if one of my six items was a black tank top, I can rotate between three black tank tops that look almost identical. But, I am not allowed to switch that black one for another in a different color. That would count as a different garment altogether. At the moment, this is the only thing I know I missed out on the requirements for the project. If there are further amendments, I'll post it.

As a side note, I would occasionally talk about other stuff in this blog that does not necessary relate to the project, but would be essential for the preservation of my sanity. The number of books I have to swallow each day can be chokingly delightful.

Until tomorrow, au revoir~