As 2017 comes to a close, I have to take a moment to appreciate the amazing year I’ve had. All the generosity I’ve received, the beautiful people I met, and the wonderful experiences simply can’t go unmentioned. I can’t think back to this year without a smile, as it was a marathon of priceless moments, … Continue reading 12 Amazing Experiences I’m Thankful For in 2017
The only choice we can have, as internationally-traveled, educated, and privileged American citizens, is to make it our daily duty to defend those who are alienated and disrespected by their nation.
Every American should go on a road trip to the West Coast, and we weren't gonna let the lack of dough stop us.
In this page you will learn about what it's like to volunteer for the Red Cross, and why people "Keep Austin Weird."
I've grown to like New York a lot, despite the smelliness, the filth, the mean people and the expensiveness. But last week something happened to me that has changed my life.
Happiness is a perspective -- Nothing is worse than having everything you need and want, yet still always yearning for more.
Nothing makes you appreciate your "college days" more than experiencing a full-time job for the first time. Although I do love not having to worry about work after 5pm or pulling all-nighters to finish assignments, I do miss sleeping in and being allowed to skip classes every once in a while. Miraculously getting two … Continue reading The New York routine
If you ask anyone who's ever lived in, visited, or even touched New York, they'll probably all tell you one thing: It's expensive. Upon arrival, I've spent more money than I would for a whole month in Bloomington. Even Goodwill and thrift stores, which are usually my safe haven, are much pricier and stricter. (Another … Continue reading Eating just enough for the city
My arrival to New York has been a whirlwind. I went from awkward uneasiness to falling completely in love with this city. I was greeted with impeccable rudeness from workers in the supposed "customer service" industry upon arrival. The employees in subway stations are the most unhelpful people on the planet, and they will be … Continue reading Culture shock
In less than 48 hours, I will be at the capital of the world, the Big Apple, the Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of where there's nothing you can't do. As a spontaneous decision, my friend and I decided we wanted to go to New York this summer. Neither of us had any internships, … Continue reading Nervous excitement
I was blessed with the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. and witness my first Presidential Inauguration! After 3 full days of constant red, white, and blue, I feel more patriotic than ever. It was also a surprise to see Obama's face literally plastered on every product in D.C. It was like nothing I've ever experienced, … Continue reading Patriotic spirit
Nothing looks better on photos than colored powder and happy people. Last October I volunteered to photograph the annual JB5K, raising awareness for the disappearance and murder of Jill Behrman 13 years ago.
I was doing some spring cleaning of the virtual world before a new semester begins when I stumbled upon some old photography I did for my photojournalism class back in the fall of 2011. The Nikon D3100 malfunctioned while I was there, so I was unable to submit these photographs to my class as it … Continue reading Dancing in the dark
I've always had this weird, slightly perverted, attraction toward vacant buildings and abandoned remains of the past. In the cold of winter, with all the trees wilted and bare, I couldn’t help but glimpse at the limestone blocks that have become exposed by the highway. With most of the buildings constructed by limestone, and the end … Continue reading The Quarries
Considering I'm still on lazy holiday mode, I decided to add another "random of the day." Maybe it's because my tummy is still in holiday mode, I either feel hungry or am thinking/talking about food. On our trip to visit our grandparents in northern Indiana, we dropped by the Old Spaghetti Factory for my biannual … Continue reading Random Delicious Spaghetti of the Day
(This Christmas also marks my first time decorating a real Christmas tree, instead of those plastic "toilet brushers.") I am not a Christian. As someone who grew up in an Asian country with absolutely no exposure to even the slightest touch of religion, it is also, at this point, impossible for me to convert. I've … Continue reading Christmas Spirit
Things I do during winter break: a. Watch as many shows on Hulu as I can physcially endure. b. Meanwhile playing Tetris Battle on Facebook. c. Soak in the refreshing holiday spirit. This Christmas I am going all out with the presents. Last year we failed - there were only few presents and they were … Continue reading Went a little crazy with the ribbons…
When it comes to snow, I don't think we'll ever "grow up" about it. Even though it comes too soon and leaves too late every year, something about the first day of snow brings a strange sense of nastalgia, almost smacking you with the realization that, holy crap, it's been another year. In a week, my third semester of … Continue reading Snow doesn’t count as snow unless it leaves white fluffy stuff on the ground.
Monday is at my doorstep. Time to finally put on some pants. Twas the pleasant and much needed Thanksgiving break this week. We drove up our usual route to Chicagoland to visit my family, accompanied by the usual crop of windmills that we always pass by. It feels like it was yesterday when I saw … Continue reading Families and Fat Cats
Something about the leaves falling and the temperature decreasing, there's a sudden feeling of gloom that I'm constantly overcome with. Maybe I still miss the warmth of Taiwan, maybe it's the lack of sleep, maybe it's vitamin D deprivation, the season of S.A.D has once again begun. Something about trees has always intrigued me. It's … Continue reading Isolation
Some describe the Homecoming weekend to be just as disastrously fun and wild as the Little 500 weekend. If you don't know about lil five or homecoming, let's just say the IU Police Department gets themselves ready in full force. Every rent-a-cop and even shopping mall security are called to roam around the city, making sure … Continue reading Halloweekend (and things much scarier than ghosts)
Suffering from the wrath of J344 and at my desperate attempt to find a subject to produce 50 pictures by Monday, I'd spent my entire Saturday morning (waking up early, by the way, a great sacrifice for a college student) scrounging stories in Bloomington. I'd attempted a pumpkin patch at a church, a little league's … Continue reading Occupy Bloomington
I never knew one could get so busy. There's more obligations than the physics of time. My stress is mainly coming from J344, my first Photojournalism class. Every Monday, a new set of 50 pictures fitting my professor's specific theme are due. With my wedding catering job occupying most of my weekends, only a small … Continue reading Photojournalism
My cat serves few purposes in the world - she sleeps, she poops, and she's my essential daily fix of adorableness. *Yawn* OK. Sleep now.
I've never really been able to fall asleep in public. During 12 hour flights, I'm usually able to survive through 4 or 5 awful movies. Perhaps it was the breeze, the trees' calming rustle, or the fact that college has completely deprived me of sleep, I'd fallen asleep in a pretty odd and public place … Continue reading Nap Time with Nature
Lena Morris 