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I drew hearts because I love you.

2012-02-23T00:11:00.001-05:00

FINALLY. A BRUSH SET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took me like a year to get this done. (Actually, 2 days. With several months in between.) Happy belated Valentine's day?

thirty (30) brushes
all under 100px in size
( made using PSCS4 + graphics tablet )
( compatible with PSCS+ )
( image pack included )

Go ahead and download this at my Brusheezy account right over......... HERE!

[Review] Etude House Shini Star Lip Balm

2012-02-21T19:53:00.004-05:00

Wanna be sweet? <3
Product

I bought the whole set off Ebay recently and decided to do a review. Hope you find it helpful! :) I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

I have never ordered makeup from overseas (I live in Canada) because 1) I don't wear makeup that much and 2) I have enough makeup to last me a lifetime (which goes back to my first point). Anyhow, I stumbled on this and kinda got all fangirly because it's a SHINee product. (FYI, SHINee members are modeling for Etude House.) Men modeling for women's products, you ask? I guess so! ㅋㅋㅋ Anyhow, it's just lip balm. Guys, you need it too.

I've never been particularly picky about something like lip balm. Anything is fine, as long as it keeps me from constantly licking my lips (terrible habit) during the long, dry winter. Hello, chapped lips!

On with the review!
I've been using the Peach lip balm (Onew's pick) for a few days now (the others haven't been opened yet), and I think it's safe to say that I like! 좋아해요. If you haven't checked out the product page yet (here), it shows 5 different flavours and lip colours. Now I thought the lip balms would be tinted, but they aren't ~~at all~~ that much. (At least the Peach one isn't because I haven't tried the others yet, but I'm guessing it goes the same for them too.) Check out the swatches below. I don't see any difference when I actually wear it though. Lips just look shinier and more moist as you would expect from a lip balm. (So guys can use it too! If you don't mind the girly packaging, that is.) This is good news if you want to use it anytime of the day (like before you go to bed). This is bad news if you really wanted it to add colour to your lips. I guess you could apply the balm first then apply a tinted gloss or lipstick on top?

Pros:
• It does what a lip balm is supposed to do - keeps your lips moisturized.
• It smells nice.
• The packaging is super cute.
• It does not leave a sticky residue on your lips. (That gooey whitish layer that usually peels off at the inner corners of your lips... ya know what I'm saying? Actually I think perhaps this can be avoided altogether by exfoliating regularly.)
• WHEN YOU FINISH IT YOU WILL FIND SHINEE MEMBER'S AUTOGRAPH AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER. Shawols will be happy. (When I'm done with the lip balm I'll be sure to take some pics to show you!)

Cons:

• The container can be hard to open. Since it's so small, it's hard to twist the cap off while holding the other end. Hopefully I'll get used to this soon.

Finally, here are some pics (pardon the bad lighting):

Onew - Peach
Jonghyun - Grapefruit
Key - Passionfruit
Minho - Cherry
Taemin - Guava

"SHINee Special Edition"

still unopened...

size comparison

Look how pink it is!

-bottom of container-
It says: Etude House / Shini Star Lip Balm / #1 Shining Leader O

Added swatches! (Peach only)

I guess you can see that IS tinted on my hand (which looks super awkward OTL).

Look at me, I'm pretty.

2012-02-16T11:52:00.000-05:00

~~~xoxoxoxoxo~~~
~~~oxoxoxoxox~~~

What am I listening to? (February)

2012-02-11T14:00:00.001-05:00

For a while now I've been almost exclusively listening to Asian music. I recently discovered this artist, 커피소년 (Coffee Boy), and I'm completely in love with his music! I don't believe he's very well known because it was hard to search for his songs. Anyhow, here are some I believe come in an album? His official site seems to be here, and I think the songs can be found there as well.

Coffee Boy's music is very relaxing and just makes you want to go take a stroll outside and say hello to each person you pass by. I think his songs are a mix of indie-style and ballads. Anyhow, just SO pleasing to my ears! *_* He sounds a lot like Onew of SHINee (the first time I heard his song 장가갈 수 있을까 (Track 4), I actually thought it WAS Onew). But the more I listen to him, the more I find uniqueness in his voice and quite different from Onew's. Anyway, listen for yourself! =]

Coffee Boy (커피소년) - 1st Single Album

Here is the original track list in Hangul (with my favorites in bold...basically all of them!):
Track 1 - 사랑이 찾아오면
Track 2 - 그대를 내 안에
Track 3 - 아메리카노에게
Track 4 - 장가갈 수 있을까 (feat. 내리)
Track 5 - 여드름
Track 6 - 상처는 별이 되죠

You can purchase this album from Yesasia HERE.

Luke Chapter 14

2012-01-30T22:14:00.002-05:00

Yay, more parables! (You can choose in which tone you would like to read that sentence.) Although there are quite a few more in this chapter, I will stick with the parable of the wedding feast in Luke 14:7-11. It's about humility. I don't know why, but I find that people always have to prove themselves. In other words, I find myself always having to show others that I am capable. Because I don't want others to look down on me. And, it feels good to be better at something than another, in certain circumstances. It may not even conscious. It's like a reflex to me... to make sure I don't end up last. To be good enough.
You know how the saying goes... you have to have hit rock bottom to be able to rise up again, stronger than ever. You have to be last in order to be first. This troubles me because I can't even think of a personal experience to confirm this.
What is to be humble? What does it mean to be last? I don't think there's a scale as to how highly or lowly you think of yourself, or how humble you think you are. "I am more humble than that person." Really? Does that even make sense? (Is that what you call an "oxymoron"?) Anyway, unless we stop comparing ourselves to others, we will never understand what being humble IS. As for me, I don't even think I get the concept of humility too clearly, because still I am easily intimidated by those who are "better" than I.
Sigh. I think this calls for a small group study...

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:3-7)

New Year's Resolution: DO YOUR DEVOS! + Luke Chapter 13

2012-01-28T08:43:00.000-05:00

It's early in the morning. And for the first time this YEAR, I'm going to spend some devotional alone-time with the scripture. It has been a while. Not only have I lost touch with this blog, but with God as the center of my life (or as anything, really). Nothing happened, in case anyone got worried. I haven't opened Photoshop in a while either... Needless to say, I've been preoccupied with other things (school mostly). A while back in 2011 I was so determined to do frequent devotions and this I have failed after a few months. Time to get back on track here! Some friends and I have been struggling to find time for daily devotions (REAL time, NO distractions) and we have decided to remind each other every other night. But still, it's hard to not be lazy...

Resources: How to Study God's Word and Great Principles of Bible Study

I guess this passage is a good place to restart. In Luke 13:18, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to (1) a grain of mustard seed, and (2) a leaven (bread dough). But not just those things per se. The small grain of mustard seed had to be taken by man and sowed in his garden before it became a tree. The lump dough had to be leavened by woman to produce bread.
I reread this passage several times. Why did he use these parables? The kingdom of God IS life. The real life, anyhow. And in these examples, as far as literature goes, I would think both the tree and the bread are symbols of life. There's this idea of transformation -- from something that, on its own, seems meaningless, but when added to something, it is changed. I guess this is how we come to desire God's kingdom. It begins with something small; perhaps a curiosity, or a need for truth, or an answered prayer. Then, with time, we begin to transform. It's like telling your testimony. How you came to believe and trust in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

These were my thoughts for now. It doesn't hurt to write down whatever comes to mind, even if nothing does come to mind when reading the passage. As long as you spend some time devoting on a piece of scripture, in some ways, as you delve into it more and more, new insights will be revealed to you. That's what I think and hope at least.

Love Is

2012-01-14T09:46:00.001-05:00

(A Walk to Remember, Nicolas Sparks. 1999.)
[1 Corinthians 13:4-7]

New Year Resolution: Be Adventurous!

2012-01-11T11:17:00.000-05:00

"Adventure is out there!"

(Disney's Up. 2009.)

Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!

2011-12-30T16:31:00.001-05:00

24 of 25 - Eve

2011-12-24T20:21:00.001-05:00

To the Eastern half of the world, Merry Christmas!
To the Western half... just a few more hours. ;)

23 of 25 - Hello Holidays

2011-12-23T19:57:00.000-05:00

Ice skating for some much needed exercise. And, FUN!

Everywhere I go it's people wishing their friends a happy holiday and a merry Christmas. :)
Wishing you a blessed holiday!

22 of 25 - Now, what?

2011-12-22T23:24:00.000-05:00

asdoifhaeoifhaeofhedfjjioeja. That awkward moment when you don't need to study for exams anymore. I am just DONE! La la la la la la la.......... whee~~ Happy happy holidays everybody!

I got the book "Purpose of Christmas" by Rick Warren (author of "Purpose Driven Life") for 5.00$ at Chapters today (HAPPY!). Going to read it now and perhaps blog about it later. XD

I think I'm starting to really know what I want for Christmas now... Peace. Within myself, with God.

21 of 25 - Jolly Joyful

2011-12-21T21:14:00.001-05:00

The holidays will begin in just a little over 12 hours. I'm living in a dark cave with my books. Yep. Almost time to come out and say hello to friends, family, and have my LIFE back! FINALLY!

20 of 25 - Christmas Classic

2011-12-20T23:51:00.001-05:00

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.
...
Jesus, Lord at thy birth. <3

Silent Night - David Archuleta

PS: David Archuleta is putting his music on hold for 2 years! Because... he is going on a missions trip! Cool, eh?

19 of 25 - Snowless Christmas?

2011-12-19T22:01:00.000-05:00

So... I guess we maybe might not have snow this Christmas. Not something I'm used to... Maybe that's why I don't feel in a very Christmassy mood, because it doesn't feel like winter.
Strange how the weather can change you.

18 of 25 - For Unto Us

2011-12-18T14:58:00.001-05:00

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 6:9)

17 of 25 - Peaceful Night

2011-12-17T23:19:00.001-05:00

Only a week until we "officially" celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Casting Crowns

16 of 25 - Almost There!

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Just one. more. week..!

Breathe, pray, breathe, pray.

Songs.

Christmas Time - Bryan Adams

PS: I just love bokeh.

Day 16. Christmas... let it shine for you and me.

15 of 25 - Ten Days, Really?

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas is so soon! And I'm totally not ready for it... Here I am hopelessly cramming for final examinations and I won't be free of them until December 22nd. And before I know it, or even have time to realize it, Christmas will be upon me and I just know it.
And as much as I wanted Christmas to come fast, I think I want it to creep up on me a bit more.

The First Noel - David Archuleta

Day 15. Christmas... the birth of the King is coming!

14 of 25 - Cheer Up

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to feel like winter.

The days are getting shorter. The weather is getting colder.

If it weren't for all the Christmas hype and Christmas shining lights, I think we would all become seasonally depressed. Thank goodness for the holiday cheer!

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Glee Cast (Kurt and Blaine)

Day 14. Christmas... always manages to make me cheery again.

13 of 25 - Freak out and throw stuff?

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

I will keep this short and sweet.

So I'm cramming for exams. Freaked out a lot today. I forgot to pray. AGAIN.

Thankful - Josh Groban

This is random, but...

Oh my. Je capote. I'm making brownies as soon as exams are over.

Christmas... please help me do well on my exams? Hehehehehe.

12 of 25 - Greatest Gift of Life

2011-12-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you.

We are the Reason - Tim 팀

11 of 25 - Artsy Fartsy

2011-12-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been feeling rather artsy. Not that I've been drawing or painting or anything like that. Not that I'm particularly talented in artsy things either. But I do enjoy playing around in Photoshop, and one thing lead to the next (aheum, this is called procrastination), and I ended up with a Tumblr web site. Whoop-dee-doop! It's still under construction though, but I will use it to showcase my so-called PS art. Because that's about the only artsy thing I'm good at. And it's sooper dooper fun, too!

Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat

Sigh. This picture is so cute and makes me want to learn how to knit fluffy things.

Day 11. Christmas... time to start new, fun and challenging projects.

10 of 25 - Snow is falling...

2011-12-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today: light flurries. Yay! Made me look up from my textbook and stare outside the window for a bit. Let's hope that the grass will be white by tomorrow morning.

Let It Snow - Glee Cast (Kurt and Blaine)

Day 10. Christmas... is not as Christmassy without snow.

9 of 25 - I think I'm a shopaholic

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Shopping, I adore. Spending money, not so much. Duh!
The mall is inevitable. It's cold outside. The bus isn't coming in another 25 minutes. Of course I'm going to go inside. It's go inside or FREEZE.
It's Christmas-time. There are gigantormous beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, ribbons, and all that sparkly attractiveness of the holidays.
I'm not just shopping for the fun of it. There's actually something I need to get. Isn't it frustrating that you can never find what you set out to get? Or maybe I'm just way too picky.
Anyway, this post is kind of going nowhere. Sometimes my materialism just takes over me. Like now. Sometimes I'm just tired and my brain is fried. Like now.

Hopefully this song gives you slightly more inspiration than I have to offer at the moment.
Melodies of Christmas - David Archuleta

Day 9. Christmas... is more than just sparkly, nice-to-look-at things.