Scheduling my flu shot this week reminded me that we have gone through two seasons of a pandemic. Every weekend that goes by, I am still left questioning how we even got here. I remember coming home from Thailand back in March and thinking that I would have been back at my office in June. Instead, there may not even be an office to come back to. Getting my flu shot made me think of something that people have also been doing routinely – getting the COVID test. After 7 months, I still haven’t gotten one. It’s not that everyone is required to get one. My take is that if you feel like you are exhibiting symptoms or for whatever reason are planning to see a group of people then you should absolutely take one. For myself, that hasn’t been the case for me yet.
I did a poll on Instagram and nearly 60% of people said they have taken the test while 30% have not. I think I expected those number to be reversed and when the results came, I wondered if I was doing something wrong! With the election around the corner and cases continuing to rise, there’s a lot to be anxious about. Whatever the case, I hope the election is in our favor so that we can take the steps we need to on getting a handle of the virus. Please stay safe, stay healthy and remember to vote!
We first wrote about “Over the Moon” back in June when we heard this film was coming out. An animation with a Chinese lead and an all Asian cast? What’s not to be excited about? I thought I had an idea of what the synopsis was going to be about, but was pleasantly surprised watching it myself yesterday. It surpassed my expectations and was much more enjoyable than I thought. We may have shed more than a few tears, which we also didn’t expect! I hope you all spend some time watching this this weekend and enjoy all the beautiful visuals and songs.
What We’re Listening To: MAMAMOO – Dingga
Even though it’s a pop song, it has a very laid back dance to it. The dance to it is also pretty cute and we’re debating whether or not we should learn it!
I like these leggings so much that I wish I had bought more than just one pair! The level of comfort and flexibility in these is unmeasurable in comparison to my other leggings. I especially love the small pocket holes which make it ideal for runners. Though I am not one, I am hopeful that one day I’ll have a use for the small pockets!
What We’re Eating: Whole Cakes Pastries
One of my favorite treats to myself is running to Whole Cakes – an Asian owned bakery in the city and picking up a handful of things for the weekend. The pandemic has really ignited my love for sweets and comfort foods. And honestly, who can choose between a slice of cake, assorted scones and cookies? Why not have them all?
Some may say that it’s not healthy to always be watching the news. Okay, that someone is me and that’s what I say to my own parents, but in recent weeks, it seems like COVID-19 continues to grow far more distant. With the looming election, it seems like that has taken precedence over the pandemic which has now been with us for seven months. For me, I can’t forget about it that easily. Even though San Francisco has been doing reasonably well, it’s not a time to be arrogant. We could very easily be in the same situation has cities spiking on the east coast right now.
From time to time, I watch videos like these for a few reasons. It’s important to know what’s happening and to have an understanding of how we got here. I’m not going to pretend that this doesn’t exist anymore even if I know some people would prefer that. And at the end of the day, these are the things that remind me how little we have held our President accountable for. We’ve got some work to do.
I’ll be the first to embarrassingly admit that I take social media too seriously. It’s hard not to when these platforms are responsible for instant validation. I could write a chapter on this, but tonight I want to talk about this photo and what I did last night. Those close to me know that I’ve taken the risks of COVID-19 seriously. I refuse to get on a plane, to be in groups larger than four, to eat indoors, etc. It took four months to be okay with eating outdoors even after it was acceptable. When outdoor dining was announced, I personally took a stance against it sharing my own reasons.
It’s four months later and while we’re all on our own timelines and naturally will loosen our own restrictions, I can’t help but feel some guilt. The guilt is going back on my word despite the time frame, guilt for friends of mine who also won’t eat outdoors, and those that are currently still being impacted by COVID-19 and have lost loved ones. It’s tough to know what’s right when the administration doesn’t lead by example and we’re left to fend for ourselves. The reality that I feel is that I’m going to be anxious about this for a long time. I’ve always been honest on all of my platforms. There was a part of me last night that considered taking the photo down. At the same time, it’s important to reflect on these type of experiences as they occur.
I’d be taking the easy way out if I deliberately left these moments out. These next few months with the election and the rising COVID-19 cases won’t be easy. This may likely be the last time I eat outdoors for the rest of the year as our heat wave ends. How anyone can possibly do everything right in this situation is impossible.
Usually we start these posts on Friday or earlier in the weekend, but today’s post will actually cover all the things I’ve already done.
What We Watched: BLACKPINK – Light Up the Sky
When we learned that Netflix would play host to the BLACKPINK documentary we were thrilled! I actually watched this the day after it premiered and before the weekend hit because I couldn’t wait any longer. It surpassed every expectation I had for the documentary. If there was one thing I wish were different, it would be that it were longer than just 79 minutes. The documentary itself felt like it flew by and while director, Caroline Suh did a phenomenal job of capturing the four individual personalities of the girls, there was more that I wanted to see. This was, however, the first documentary I watched that covered the trainee process for South Korean entertainment companies. A documentary on that subject alone would also interest me. So far, Light Up the Sky is sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
What We’re Listening To: Seori
During a K-Drama I watched this week, I had heard Seori’s Fairytale for the first time during a dance sequence. It was a refreshing sound to hear after weeks of K-pop after K-Pop after K-pop. We went down a short rabbit hole of her discography, but are really enjoying it so far!
Technically, we don’t have this in our possession yet, but it’s on the way! The pandemic has showed me that a lot of the pieces I own are better suited for going out or being a part of an overall look. Not all of it is comfortable and in general, not all clothes have to be. However, since I am spending most of my days at home, comfort is something I’d rather optimize for. At home, nobody cares what label you’re wearing or how much it costs. These things don’t matter that much in the real world anyway, but it is something we think about. I think if I had seen this dress at the store, I would categorize it only as lounge wear and therefore not serve me much purpose. Now that my environment has changed, it’s perfect.
What We’re Eating: Beretta
Since Beretta entered the neighborhood, I have been spoiled by their pizza. Their Margherita with Burrata is one of my favorite things to order in the city. While the weather is nice, my friends and I took advantage by dining out at the restaurant’s pop up on Divis. We ordered both the Margherita with Burrata Pizza and Prosciutto Pizza with Crab Arancini and Eggplant Caponatina. If you’re looking for a refreshing cocktail, I also recommend the Diablo!
This year’s election decision should be an easy one. The notion that it isn’t for some people is still jarring for me at times, but I understand the importance of clarity and seeking understanding. I’ve spent time watching the Republican National Convention and reading posts and tweets from conservatives. I’m not going to come out and say that it’s easy, but we do it anyways. Like many of you, I’m sure you also know people in your life that are voting differently from you and the kind of tension that can bring to one’s relationships.
This year, my company is giving every employee election day off to be used as paid time off. There are a number of things you can do whether it’s voting yourself (as we know there is voter suppression occurring) or to volunteer the day of. I plan to vote by mail, but I remember clearly how distracting that day was for me. As a result, I’m planning to not use it for the election, but as a mental health day. The last time we did this, the day itself was anxiety inducing and the day after was miserable. Knowing what I know having gone through this, it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. While I have been clear about my views in the past, I do recognize just how important it is to be able to have the right to vote. I still have plenty of friends who can’t exert that right. Earlier this year, someone said to me that this year’s election is really just “voting for the lesser of two evils. It might better to just not vote at all.” That person couldn’t have been more wrong about the statement they made and I hope none of you actually believe that.
What We’re Watching: BTS Map of the Soul ON:E Virtual Concert
We’ve been looking forward to this all week long! Even though the concert is starting at midnight Pacific Time (way past my bedtime,) it’s exciting to know that it is being streamed live. I forgot what it felt like to become a fan of new music or a new band or artist. In some ways, we may be too old for this. On the other hand, music has always been a universal thing bringing people together and it’s almost better that something like this has no bounds. I’m going to be awfully sleepy tomorrow, but I can’t wait to be watching the concert from the comfort of my own living room.
What We’re Listening To: JUNNY
I first discovered JUNNY’s music by listening to an unreleased track of his on TikTok. At the time, I didn’t know anything about who he was as an artist, but with TikTok, it’s quite easy to go down a rabbit hole. While his sound reminds me of BTS, it’s not exactly in the same genre. There’s a balance of lyrics both in English and Korean, I would also probably categorize him as being more R&B while BTS can do any genre. His last album on Spotify is from 2017, but if you’re looking for something to check out, I would start there and work your way back through his discography and singles.
Running a brief errand this morning, I stopped into a new-ish store in Hayes Valley called Vepublic. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but that’s often times the most dangerous mindset to have! Having heard about Girlfriend Collective and being more aware of activewear brands, I wanted to give it a try. I didn’t see much harm in trying on the sports bra, but that almost led me to buying a second and a pair of leggings. The fabric is so buttery soft! I also love that this isn’t as cropped as a normal sports bra and also not a full tank. It’s right in between.
What We’re Eating: Gimbap
After a day of errands, I also stopped by the Korean market and since we’re watching BTS tonight, figured we could make a whole day out of this to celebrate. I’ve actually never had Gimbap/Kimbap before so I’m excited to try it for the first time!
It’s been a minute since we’ve come on here to write a piece like this. As we inch further into fall, closer to the election, and nowhere near towards the end of COVID-19, I have had a lot on my mind. The first is that this isn’t what I thought my content would look like in 2020. We were supposed to have too many weddings this year. So much so that before the pandemic, I had to make a spreadsheet of where my money was going with regards to weddings and all the gifts I was purchasing for them. I discovered that working 100% remotely is not a lifestyle I aspire for.
Like many of you, I am tired, burnt out and frustrated. Every week, there is a new event or happening to be upset over. I don’t always share this and it’s not because I’m turning a blind eye to what’s happening in the world. In fact, I sometimes feel much deeper in my feelings about what’s going on that it would be detrimental to express. If there is any place where I’m more open about my feelings, it’s here. For me, it’s not appropriate to be popping off on social every chance I get. It’s also not very healthy both for myself and the viewer.
If you’ve been following for awhile, you know my content hasn’t been that much different. However, during the pandemic, there has been more emphasis on TikTok, K-dramas, and now BTS. In lieu of expressing rage for world events, I’ve chosen to share the things that brought me light in those darker moments. These are things that distract, bring me joy and make me laugh. I recognize they may not resonate; that it looks like I’m going into strange territory, but they are the things that keep me going. When it comes to content, there isn’t a right answer really.
Ahead of the show’s release, “Emily in Paris” was supposed to be a modern day “Sex and the City.” A couple of episodes in, I’m not seeing it. However, I am surprised at how quickly the show is growing on me. Lily Collins as “Emily” is your typical American girl from Chicago. Initially, she’s not likable. I find her fashion sense to be questionable for a show that’s supposed to be somewhat focused on fashion. What we like though is her intelligence, her ability to be quick-witted and her values. Overall that sort of beats the fashion and the Americanism, doesn’t it?
What We’re Listening To: BLACKPINK – The Album
After the premiere of “Ice Cream,” The Album is the refreshing release we needed. Though we’re only getting eight songs, two of which debuted over the summer, the album shows great potential. This is the girl group’s first full album release and next to BTS, they are the 2nd most successful South Korean group at the moment. Next up? Looking forward to their Netflix documentary out later this month covering their rise to fame.
Now that fall has arrived, there are plenty of opportunities to wear my first ever faux leather jacket. I’ve considered buying one for years, but never truly thought I could pull it off. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year was a good excuse to finally make the purchase!
What We’re Eating: Sweet Corn Ice Cream Sandwich
We’re getting past the point where it’s acceptable to still be eating ice cream sandwiches as we’re heading into the colder months, however, I saw these at a Korean market recently and had to try it for myself. I’m constantly amazed that this ice cream sandwich looks exactly like and tastes like corn with real corn pieces. It’s not as weird as it sounds. There’s even a thin layer of chocolate so that there’s no confusion that what you’re eating is sweet. As much as I consider corn my favorite type of vegetable, I never thought it would be good as ice cream. Turns out, it’s better!
