I made sushi!

Everyone look at the beautiful sushi I made:


wahh for crappy lighting. but still nomnomnom!!

First double post in a day.

Winter Break so far

It's only been around a week of break, and I am bored with still three weeks left. So here is some stuff I've been doing so far.

Snowboarding
First time snowboarding! Drove up to Northstar at Lake Tahoe for two days, where I took my first snowboarding lesson after seven years of not skiing. Getting up on the board is actually very tiring as I realized the next day. Despite this, I did manage to get on a ski lift to my first green hill and ride down a few times.


I looked something like this. No, really.

It was a lot funner and easier than I expected, almost like ice skating. Unfortunately our group had a bunch of uber pros, so I was very noob.


can you spot the noobs?

Caroling
First time caroling too! We actually did it on Christmas Day, instead of Christmas Eve... nonetheless, it was fun because I sang soprano, when I'm normally an alto. Some of the notes got a bit high for me... but at every house we hit, they stuffed us with various food items. Caroling for dinner is not a bad idea :D


what an awkward non-acapella formation.

Other than that, I've also been programming, practicing my cubing, and resisting sales. I want to go to the library soon and get some books maybe... any recommendations?

How to Shop Like an Asian

I started writing this a while ago, but now that it's Christmas season it's more relevant than ever! On other blogs I've been seeing all these lists on how to get gifts for people when you're dead broke (ie. college student), and they go kind of like this:

1. Make something
2. Provide services (no, not that kind)

Since I'm not 12 anymore, I'd rather not make Popsicle-stick frames for everyone on my list, so here are some handy ways to fork over less money than other blokes for the same things. Can't call it saving money because I've heard that buying stuff on sale ≠ saving money.

1. Shop Online
This is getting more and more convenient. In the comfort of your own home, you can have any fabulous thing be sent right to you! But be warned, you should not shop online to the point where you have your credit card number memorized.

In many cases shopping can save you loads of money and energy. Never buy anything at retail price online; you can always find some sort of coupon code in forums like Slickdeals. If you're worried about sizing, go to the store and get an idea first. Familiarize yourself with the store's return policy. In some cases you can just order a bunch of extra stuff to qualify for free shipping, and then if you don't want it go return it in-store.

There are also these sites like Ebates that give you money back for stuff you buy online... initial $5 for signing up!

2. Be patient but alert!
It takes a bit of stalking around on places like Slickdeals and The Bargainist to find something good. Be patient! But you should also familiarize yourself with different stores' inventory, and what you would want to buy from them. That way, when a deal pops up, you already know what you wanted and can jump on it fast. You either have to make very very fast good decisions or be very very patient.

Many times I have missed out on a good deal because I considered for too long (Seagate 120GB portable drive, $30 was it?), but other times I ordered too early and the price went down the day after.


Try to be like a cougar... stalk around, but always be ready to pounce!

3. Use Customer Service
That's what these people are here for. For YOU. Use them, either in stores or by calling their Customer Service line. Although the agents always seem to be Indian women (in India), most of the time they are very nice and helpful. Amazon has excellent Customer Service, by the way. If you think you got jipped on a purchase, call them and speak to an agent. Normally they will try their best to compensate. After all, you are the customer and you are ALWAYS RIGHT. Fight for that extra dollar!

This applies in stores too. Don't be afraid to ask the salespeople about discounts, sales, promotions, return policy. Smart shopping says inspect your merchandise before purchasing. If an item is damaged, point it out! They will most likely offer you a discount if it's the only one left in stock. I once got a $10 skirt for $5 because of a tiny rip.

4. But still be Asian!
Which is to say, after reading this you'll probably start seeing fantastic deals everywhere. That doesn't mean you should just keep spending and spending. Remember to still look at quality and usefulness and practicality and all that jazz. Do you really need another $6 microSD card? Do you really want to buy crappy clothes/jewelery at Wet Seal even though it's like $1?


Ask yourself: Do you really need a Nose Pencil Sharpener?

But of course, if you're just buying gifts for other people, this tip doesn't really matter. Who cares if it falls apart later as long as they like it when they open it?

Well I hope these helped! Have a good break everyone.

I need more interesting topics

So I will use the new additions to our quote big post-it board:

Stephanie: I just saw Vincent on the bus!
Me: Oh cool. He just sent us an email.
Stephanie: No wait. Not that Vincent. The other Vincent. Victor-Vincent.
Me: what...
Stephanie: Oh wait, his name is Victor.
Me: *feels sorry for Victor*

Stephanie: hey, how do you spell analyzation?
Me: ...you mean analysis?

Random pretty thing:

gorgeous photo by Nicoline Patricia Malina

throw rocks at them

After much consideration and debate, us girls of the apartment decided to change our router name from something a little too promiscuous and revealing to:

boysaredumb

What a nice philosophy that all four of us can share. except of course, we love Erik.

And in an attempt to recreate last year's quote wall, here is our first addition:
Christina: Our internet router's name is boysaredumb!
Stephanie: OMG YAY!!!