my movie moment: bob marley chorus on the subway.

After a long and stressful work day, I left my client's apartment and headed straight back to Manhattan on the 5 train. About 2 or 3 stops in, these two men got on the train, set up 2 congas and a guitar in the middle of the car, and started shouting some things at the passengers. With the exception of the man across from me (who was far too excited), everyone rolled their eyes, looked away, continued their conversations with one another. Because I'm a fan of the conga (and other like percussion instruments), they kept my attention. The man across from me kept jittering and saying to his neighbor, "When are they going to stop talking and start playing?!?!?"

And finally they did.
As soon as they started, I couldn't help but smile -- and neither could the woman next to me or the couple across from her. Clearly, these men had chosen a very good song: Three Little Birds (the inspiration for this blog's title!).

By the end of the first verse, more than half the car was singing, humming, swaying, or tapping along. By the end of the chorus, everyone was grooving. One little boy even took a plastic maraca and played along. And as we hit the following stops it got more crowded but definitely more cheery. I swear when I say that people were smiling and laughing and singing, I really mean it was like a scene from a movie. I loved it.

At one point, the guitarist went around to grab the bills from people (he didn't even have to ask!). One woman just stepped on the train from the Wall Street stop and he said to her, "Excuse me, miss. You dropped something." She looked down and back up at him, confused and clearly unhappy with his presence. He smiled and said, "You dropped your smile! I saw it on the floor there and...there you go! It looks good on you. Don't lose that again, okay!" Haha, awesome.

Before they got off the train, they thanked New York and said, "Every little thing's gonna be alright, folks! Keep smiling and let's all try to make this world a better place with some love and happiness!"

Made. My. Day.

As Jay-Z said, "Rest in peace, Bob Marley."

the nehemiah band.

Just earlier, I heard my music-buff roommate playing this music video from her computer. She plays a lot of music and a lot of videos so I normally don't notice or inquire, but this time around the first verse of the song made my ears perk up. I heard some Christian-sounding lyrics, which is interesting since my roommate isn't a Christian, so after she finished I asked her about it.

The group is called The Nehemiah Band and were recently featured on MTV Iggy. I was really surprised and intrigued to see that they were an all-Asian group...I always think it's a big deal when Asian-Americans are visible in the movie/music industry. And I was even more impressed that they're a Christian band too. That's like a double minority in the industry!

Check them out:

cartwheeling it columbia style.

I was fortunate today in making good decisions, thus leading to a great day.

Fun times sitting at The Steps for hours with friends...soaking in the sun, the atmosphere, the people-watching, etc. And then another few hours cartwheeling (well, for me, learning to cartwheel...and for Beli, jumping/barreling/diving into people) on the lawn in front of Butler. Barefoot freedom!

(No pictures though, unfortunately...though Eric might have some footage on his camera of me plopping on the grass...)

Loved today. Gorgeous weather and awesome company.

this is too awesome not to reblog.

From Jeannie's blog: "Remember the 3-year-old who loved Justin Bieber so much that she cried? (And then she got to meet him on Jimmy Kimmel, ha!) Well, this one-year-old hates Miley Cyrus so much that she also cries-- awesome!"

After 3-year-old Cody broke my faith in the future of our world, this little one-year-old gives me hope.

Not only that, but she has IMPECCABLE taste in music.



Ya'll know my love for Bon Jovi.

givology: what would you buy with $50?

So this weekend was the opening of The $50 Campaign for Children in Uganda. Sadly, I couldn't go to the Friday night opening party (or after party) since I was here:


(Sadly, I did not have my dSLR with me)

But Saturday, Mark and I got a chance to visit The Station Gallery on Franklin St. I loved it and even made my first art exhibit purchases! (This is a big deal because I am super broke and have been quasi-fasting in order to save up for a new Macbook -- I am now slightly set back but it's worth it!) I will be sure to post pictures of my two prized photographs once I get them in the mail next week.



I definitely recommend checking it out! It's a small exhibit but it took me some time to read the many descriptions posted up. Some are endearing and hilarious! Mark and I were even fortunate enough to get a "private screening" of the video they showed opening night, which featured the artists/children of Circle of Peace School in Uganda.

It just makes me want to be there :) Love it. Plus, I met some pretty awesome people.



It's opened until Thursday so try to check it out!! It's really great! AND all the money raised goes to keeping The Circle of Peace School opened for kids to go to, and hopefully to bringing more of the children in the outside villages into the education system! Go support changing lives :) Hehe.

OH! And even if you can't make it down there, you can purchase a drawing or painting, or support a child, through the Campaign's website!

the invisible minority becomes a bit more visible (at least, in the fashion scene).

[Picture taken from Racewire.org]

Most people who know me know that I'm not that into the Asian American social analysis scene. Not to say I don't care, but it has never been as great of an interest to me as my fellow Asian Americans. I don't know why.

BUT my darling friend Kim just send me this blog post that made me very happy and somewhat proud: Asian American designers taking over Fashion Week (and the fashion industry in general).

Maybe it's because I love fashion and art. Or maybe it's because I've become more self-aware about race & culture. Who knows. But I do love the fact that Asian Americans (immigrants, 1.5ers, and hapas) are emerging and getting recognized in our still-unicultural society.

The invisible minority starts to get noticed...finally.

hearts all over the world tonight.

Actually, just SoHo. And more specifically Broadway from Houston down to Canal.










Houston to Prince (look for the one heart stamped on the Prada store, bt-dubs).

Battle wounds.




For more pictures and slightly more information, check out: Amalapropos or Newmindspace.

it pays to be nice.

Say hi to newest pair of shoes.

While shopping at DSW during its closing hour, I started to help put away and organize some of the mountains of shoes & shoeboxes I saw laying all over the ground. The guy working that section then began to make small talk with me as he sorted through piles and I ran them down. Casually, he asked me if I had seen anything I liked and I said I did but I didn't think it was worth spending so much for it. Not only did he show me that it was actually discounted from it's already "discounted" price (which was still pricey, IMO) but he offered his employee discount to me since I had helped him clean up the clearance aisles a bit.

The originally $90-something shoes became $20 through this process.

And he told me he worked at Zara too and to hit him up if I ever wanted a discount at either stores again. I told him to let me know if he ever needed help closing his section again.

It pays to be nice sometimes. Not that I'm encouraging anyone to be nice solely because you want things given or done for you though!