s o u l i z b l o g

Full Moon in Paris (1984). Picked it up, even though I knew nothing about it, solely based on the fact that I love Rohmer. Louise was so complex and naive at the same time. Loved the dialogue, as always.

L’eclisse (1962). Switched it up to Italian. The story was a bit abstract, but I think that was intentional. Didn’t mind because Monica Vitti was so beautiful.

500 Days of Summer (2009). Boy meets girl story, but story telling technique to the classic plot was unique. Loved it. I really like Zooey Deschanel too. She’s up there on my ‘coolfemales’ list with Janet Jackson and Claire Huxtable for me. Not as high as J.Lo or Katharine Hepburn, but pretty up there.

Young Nak Celebration Church is currently going through a sermon series called “Hot Off the Press”. Learn more about it here. 

Every time YNCC starts a new series, the church revamps the stage with decorations relevant to the messages that are going to be spoken on. I’ve seen beautiful sets in the past with flowers, candles, vases, and other props. The set to “Hot Off the Press” is no exception to this aesthetically pleasing presentation: behind Pastor Michael are an arrangement of different magazines and newspapers. There is even an assortment of candy to create the feel of a real newspaper stand! Here comes my complaint:

Today when I was worshipping at the Olive campus (where a video of the sermon is shown on an oversized screen), I noticed Time, People, Us Weekly, and lots of other publicationon display, but no KoreAM. Upon closer look I realized that only one issue was up there, but it was hiding behind other magazines and placed in the center that was to be blocked by Pastor Stephen’s stance. Thinking that I must do something about this, I drove over to the Broadway campus after service and quickly rearranged (with permission, of course) the magazines just in time for the last service of the day to start. 

Hehe, see it now? I placed two different KoreAm issues in better view, one at eye level and the other at the bottom right corner. Considering that there are about ten magazines that are in clear view of the congregation, I thought that two of the ten should be a good number to gain exposure without overbearing the other strategically placed items. Especially with 1500 pairs of eyes looking at center stage every Sunday, I’m sure that this will bring better notice of the mag. Am I the best marketing intern or what?! …I hope the set decorating committee doesnt mind? Then again, i dont think anyone would care….not even you, readers, who made it all the way down this post…

The series is continued and ends next Sunday, July 26. Come to YNCC and learn how the Christian  faith is relevant to the headlines of today!

Audrey Kawasaki found me on Flickr and blogged about the CELERITAS show using my pictures. Been a fan of her work for a minute, so it was tight to have an artist I respect contact me. Click here to see the post. 

I was in that area because I was on my way to the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. I guess it’s all for good reason, but the security there is really strict! They had restrictions on what type of identification I had to have with me, where I can or can not take pictures, and even where I 
can or can not walk! This is a picture of the Loews theater they have on site. 

The lot was beautiful. Everything looked like a movie set (cuz it was), but what’s cool was that they had real restaurants and cafeterias assimilated into these sets. All the people dining looked really important, with their badges on and that ‘i have places to go, people to see’ look on their faces. Large company campuses always amaze me, I’m such a noob. The Rita Hayworth Dining Room here was really pretty, very art deco. 

I was working the entire time there, so I didn’t have time to walk around and explore, enjoy the free food or drinks. Aw shucks. 

I was there for the world premiere of “Silent Partners” and to photograph Lt. Dan Choi, one of the presenters of the film. He was so nice, and a reallly easy person to shoot. Very cooperative and a natural in front of the camera (haha, I can’t believe i just said that). After the photoshoot and the interview, he sat down next to me in the theater, and all these people were approaching him and trying to talk to him. It made me think about how tiring it must be to be famous. How does he keep a smile on like that? Very nice, passionate man. This picture is of me and him. I know my head looks HUGE, but watever. I’ll post pictures from the shoot after they make it to the mag (crossing fingers). 

Lezley Saar at the Walter Maciel Gallery. This canvas is ridiculous. The smooth juxtaposition of photographs from real life and the surreal images drawn as an extension of it was mind blowing. It’s an oxymoron achieved visually. I NEED this. I don’t care if it takes up half of my tiny room, i really need it. 

An amalgamation of useless material to depict a lonely dog. So cute, yet i could feel it’s sadness, it’s vulnerability of being able to fall apart at any second. Large in size, yet so weak in foundation? 

Celeritas @ SURU. What first attracted me to the show was the lineup of amazing artists: James Jean, Joe Hahn, Futura, Audrey Kawasaki, etc. Didn’t know what to expect so when I walked in and saw motorcycle gear, I was confused and had to ask the gallery attendants if i was at the right show. They laughed, and when I looked closer at the row of helmets I realized that each artist has designed one. I totally dug it. Brilliant artists of their own right uniting at a common canvas to support a good cause=awesome. This is what art is about, man. Collaborating, bringing fresh idears to the table, taking something innovative, not keeping it for yourself but making it more accessible for the public. When great talent like this come together, it inspires people of different backgrounds to unite as well. 

Video church. 

Me+Arie. 

GR2. Printed Matter VI. An overload of prints available to take home, sweet. 

Cheers to good company and good art. 

Bright colors were confined into the shape of a square.  Yet these squares of different colors were splattered all over the walls and echoed the repetitive squares of the canvases…The multicolored type also went along with a similar, playful theme against photographs depicting serious, real life issues.  

Wasn’t sure if this display at the front gallery was by Eine as well, but the shapes and patterns were very interesting. 

In the showcase space were works by Frerk and Marc C. Woehr. This work made by Frerk was quite beautiful, in my opinion. I love the whimsical quality of watercolor and the ways it can make one’s imagination into illustrated realities. Paint, colored pens, and other media can’t really capture moments of wonder like watercolor can. 

The usual food stops in new york were made: pizza, corn at cafe habana, omurice at kenka, banana pudding from magnolia, soup dumplings at joe’s shanghai, yummmmm. Tried some new places too. 

Chickalicious Dessert Bar in East Village. A very small space creating sweet concoctions in three courses, all in front of your eyes. It was cool to talk to the chef as he made our food for us. I forget the names of everything we had, but i remember everything to be really good. 

Next was Momofuku Noodle Bar. David Chang’s first restaurant of his Momoempire. Not only was the food delicious, their service was excellent and very laid back. I noticed the servers weren’t in uniform, but in their own clothes. Their recommendations were pretty good too. I loved everything I got: summer squash salad with tofu vinaigrette (top left), shiitake buns (center right) and the soy egg (center left). My friend got the prix fixe, which was also good and moderately priced. 

OMG this shortcake icecream was soo good. Craving it so badly right now.