Tag: playlist

Happy TunesDay: Collection 25

Happy TunesDay: Collection 25

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

As usual, I forgot it was Tuesday.  I need to get some kind of system that alerts me of what day it is.  Like…a calendar…on my phone…which is something I already have.  So just ignore that entire train of thought.

Ugh.

This week, it feels like I’m a college student cramming for finals.  I present my research on Friday for UCI’s Ethics Center.  Even though it’s pretty low-key, I am nervous because I don’t even remember the last time I spoke in public about my own work.  It’s a weird thing to be searching for academic definitions to use in my presentation when I know what the definitions are, but because I don’t have a Ph.D yet, my own definitions aren’t valid enough.

But alas, it’s part of the process and I’m just trying to go through the motions so I can prove that this work is worth it.

This week’s playlist is a mix of soothing, poppy beats to help me get through this grind.  I don’t know what genre you’d categorize it as, but I dig it.  There’s also a little bursting surprise of k-pop goodness in there.  Dedicating it to my good friend, Seonyoung who got married this past weekend to Jung in a beautiful ceremony.  Love to you both!

Tell me your thoughts!

xoxo,

Christina “I’m not Korean, but my Uncle told me I was so I thought I was adopted” Ong

Background image from Pinterest.

 

 

Happy TunesDay: Collection 24

Happy TunesDay: Collection 24

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“Better late than never” is what they always say, right?

I really need to work on consistency and timing for my TunesDay posts, but at least I didn’t skip completely!  That’s something, at least.

This week, I compiled some of my favorite mellow & jazzy Spanish songs to keep me focused on learning Spanish and to keep me motivated before I leave to Costa Rica in June with two of my good friends, Diana and Cesar.  The tunes are from all over Latin America and the Spanish-speaking diaspora.  I included a band based in Portland, Y La Bamba.  Honestly, they’re one of my fav bands, and it totally makes sense that they’re based in Portland because their sound is so relaxed & effortless, yet incredibly funky.  For a good English song of theirs, try November.

Anyway, if you don’t know, I’ll be returning to Mastatal, Costa Rica for the third time to work on a bird preservation documentary.  Diana, Cesar, and I have all been to the community of Mastatal twice before through UCI’s Costa Rica Program, and we have the immense privilege to return and work with Marcos, the founder & owner of Finca Siempre Verde.  Once created, the film will be donated to La Cangreja National Park & given to the local primary and secondary schools as an educational resource.  We’re incredibly excited, nervous, and super ready to return to Mastatal and the community that has welcomed us so warmly time and again.

Learning a language is incredibly difficult, and I’m super grateful to my pals, Diana & Cesar, because they will have to be amazingly patient with me as I practice my Spanish in Costa Rica!  Even though I don’t have a lot of time to brush up on my Spanish, I’m confident I’ll get by…maybe.

If you have any favorite Spanish songs, please recommend them!  I’m open to all genres, but if you have any indie/pop/jazzy vibes, that would be tremendous.

pura vida y muchas gracias mi amig@s,

Christina

Happy TunesDay: Collection 23

Happy TunesDay: Collection 23

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Even though it’s only May, it already feels like summer here.  And with summer, comes newly graduated university kids, fresh-faced and ready to take on the real world.  I’m already weeping for them.  But only because no one tells them how difficult it’s going to be adjusting to a whole new kind of life.

They have some time left.  And hopefully they’ll be able to adjust in healthier ways than I did. I still think I’m adjusting, constantly.  But maybe I’m just being more introspective recently.  And with introspection, comes a whole lot of “what the hell am I even doing with my life and in this world?”.  It’s part of the territory, I guess.  I probably should have taken some philosophy courses in school, but that also might have made things worse.

I feel like the only consistent thing in my everyday life is TunesDays.  I keep searching for new and interesting music to incorporate into new playlists, but I’m reaching the end of my wits!  If you have any recommendations or genre preferences, let me know! I’m on the hunt for more fun tunes for your listening ears.

 

Background image comes from Pinterest this week.  If this is your artwork, let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!
Happy TunesDay: Collection 22

Happy TunesDay: Collection 22

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I skipped last week. I did, I’m sorry.

My excuse is good though!

I spent the past week in Boston reconnecting with some high school friends (thanks for letting my broke-ass stay in your apartment for free) and meeting some really incredible new pals at Hive.  It just reaffirmed in me the belief that good, reciprocal relationships with people are the most important things in life.  You can come from all walks of life, but when you find a real connection with someone, it’s a spark that ignites everything within.  I definitely felt a lot of warm & cuddly feelings this weekend, though I could have done without all the hugging.  And while relationships fade in and out, as they should naturally, you learn a great deal about yourself when you’re around other people.

I don’t know if I’ll maintain a lot of the connections I’ve made because life forces us to make cutbacks we don’t want to make, but the past week convinced me that I am capable of a lot more than I thought I was.  In specific social contexts, I’m usually terrified of “networking”, but it was surprisingly a lot easier than I anticipated once you strip people down from their professional titles, socioeconomic status, or whatever defining features you usually come up against when meeting new people.  I learned that first impressions, or second or third, are actually quite compelling.  To think that others who only knew me for brief moments in the totality of my life could find something worthwhile in me was uplifting in ways I didn’t expect.  So, in all, I’m grateful for the experience and will try my damnedest to keep this newfound, or maybe rejuvenated, sense of self & appreciation at the forefront of how I live my life.

Anyway, to get to the music, this week I mega-amped it up with some tunes that I’ve heard in grocery stores and at the mall, so you know it’s going to be pretty great. It’s an amalgamation of r&b, electronic, pop, and happiness all smushed into one great playlist, if I may say so myself.

This week, try to listen and let life take control.  It shouldn’t take a week-long trip to Boston to make you realize your worth and the value of actually connecting with real-life humans.  Listen, live, and listen more.  You’d be surprised at what you’ll hear.

With love and peace,
Christina

 

Background waves image found on Ultralinx.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 21

Happy TunesDay: Collection 21

by christina ♥ 1 Comment

Traveling makes me feel uneasy.  I always think I’ll forget something–often times I do.  I never think I’m prepared enough for whatever circumstances may arise.  What if I did need that extra pair of socks?  Or maybe I’ll need a hat, despite the fact that I wear hats a whopping three out of three hundred and sixty five days of the year.

But, the truth is, no matter how much we over prepare or try to think of every possible circumstance we may encounter, no one is ever 100% aware of what’s to come.  Sometimes we just have to walk into the abyss that is the unknown and believe that we are capable and strong enough to figure out life as it comes.

Even as I type this, I’m slightly skeptical of my real life problem-solving skills when in places I’m unfamiliar with.  However, this week’s TunesDay set brings me peace of mind and will help me on my travels.  Hopefully it does the same for you too.

 

Background abstract image comes from Brenna Giessen + Design Love Fest.

 

Happy TunesDay: Collection 19

Happy TunesDay: Collection 19

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Once again, the close of a month!  I don’t know why I’m always surprised when these final days roll around–it happens literally every several weeks.

A short post this week, as I’m trying to catch up to the day.  Waking up late is great in theory, but in retrospect, I’m thinking of how much I time I wasted.  Let’s just blame the cute kitten who slept in my bed in the morning.  Yeah, we’ll blame her.

Have I mentioned that we’re fostering a kitten? SHE’S ADORABLE.  People say cats are weird, and they weren’t exaggerating.  Boxes, plastic bags, mirrors…everything is a toy for her.  OH, TO BE YOUNG AND EASILY ENTERTAINED.

This week’s tunes are an amalgamation of hipster-esque indie rock.  Sending productivity and youthful exuberance your way.

Cute cactus background made by Isabel Davis and found on Design Sponge.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 18

Happy TunesDay: Collection 18

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Spring has officially sprung!

This week, I’m trying to keep busy as can be with research, scheduling interviews, and catching up on some reading.

With a new season, I’m feeling more focused and refreshed.  But maybe it’s also because I bought new natural face products from Lush. (Can I just say how much I love that store?  If they ever want to give me free things, I’m totally fine with that).

To keep my motivation going, this week’s playlist is packed with electro-pop fun.  I’m especially fond of track 3, Madeon ft. Passion Pit.  I forgot how much I enjoyed Passion Pit.

What kind of music keeps you motivated?  Sound off & let me know!

A big ol’ spring thank you to Brit + Co for the pretty floral background.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 17

Happy TunesDay: Collection 17

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I always forget how much I appreciate the notion of home.  Coming back to my hometown is usually a much-needed break from the monotony of everyday life.  Being home reminds me that I am not always the independent, sometimes haughty adult that I feel like I need to be.  It places me in the context of other people who knew me before I was who I am now and loved me even when I was a tiny mass of skin and blood and bone.

It is reassuring. Coming home, wherever that home may be for you, is clarifying and brings joy you may have forgotten you needed.

But, it also reminds me that I have grown- physically, mentally, and spiritually in some ways.  Sometimes that growth aligns you with your home, but sometimes it also distances you further.  It is a natural occurrence and though it’s sometimes surprising or overwhelming, everyone is an amalgamation of their past, present, and future–the people and places that comprise every aspect of each moment, and to me that’s a lovely thing.

I hope you all had a rejuvenating weekend, wherever you may have been.

Love and laughter to you and yours,
Christina

Background image from Design Love Fest made by Juliet Meeks.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 16 – Int’l Womxn’s Day

Happy TunesDay: Collection 16 – Int’l Womxn’s Day

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Happy Tunesday and Happy International Womxn’s Day to you all.

I’ve always had issues with days dedicated to specific things we celebrate–shouldn’t we celebrate the achievements of womxn and other minority groups everyday, and not just on a specific day or month?

But, as I’ve grown a little and seen different perspectives, I know how necessary it is to have a day that we consciously recognize our contributions to society–where we take up space and have our presence known in physical and non-physical (like the Twittersphere) places.  It is crucial that we as womxn acknowledge our own strength, abilities, and intelligence.  Having a day where the whole of society is forced to reckon with that reality is a small, but important step.  I hope that it doesn’t stop there, though.  Because on every day of every month of every year, I know womxn who struggle, persevere, and refuse to give up in the face of adversity.  We deserve human dignity and respect on every day of our lives, not just in rare moments of societally-pressured clarity.

With that said, I hope this week’s playlist puts you in a good, loving mood.  We all need a healthy dose of love, whether you identify as a womxn or not.

And to all my sisters in the world, know that you are important.  Know that you are stronger than your weakest thought.  Know that whatever has happened to you in the past, however many hurts you’ve faced, you aren’t alone.  We are all survivors, not victims.  I refuse to be perceived that way, regardless of how many backhanded, slut-shaming comments we get.  I won’t give up on creating equitable spaces for us to finally, truly feel safe, and I hope you won’t either.

With all the love a small womxn can give,

xoxo Christina

background image from The Lovely Drawer.