Tag: soundcloud

Happy TunesDay: Collection 15

Happy TunesDay: Collection 15

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Sometimes, I just want to slink away, pack a few things, and lay out under the stars in a place where I can actually see the stars, not lights from too many cars and streetlamps.

I want to drink crap coffee from a thermos and cozy up next to a campfire, be wrapped in a flannel shirt and sweatpants.

I guess I should learn how to start my own fire sans lighter first.  But, I’ll figure it out later.  No time this week!

I take the GREs tomorrow (cue gasps and mandatory wishes of luck) and I’m utterly terrified, but need to find some way to keep my resting heart rate at a relatively healthy level.

This week’s set of tunes is an alternative, indie, folksy getaway from the stresses of our everyday.  There’s some non-English surprises in the mix, so let me know how you feel about it!

Wherever you are or whatever you have on your plate this week, take some time to try and relax.  I’ll be drinking lots of coffee and pretending my apartment’s scented candles are a campfire until this week passes.

Lots of love to you all,

Christina

*Special thanks to Design Love Fest for the whimsical campfire collection background*
Happy TunesDay: Collection 14

Happy TunesDay: Collection 14

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

February is soon drawing to a close.  Already.

The constant rate at which time progresses never ceases to amaze, and horrify, me.  I always have to remind myself to take advantage of the days ahead and not sleep my mornings away.  But, dreaming is such an appealing alternative to living the life we want, especially when that life is seemingly confusing and full of decisions to be made.

Hopefully this set of tunes will jolt us all out of the sedentary lifestyles, both physically and mentally, and remind ourselves to seize every opportunity possible.

Several Tuesdays of 2016 have already come and gone, and there are so many more wonderful Tuesdays ahead–we just have to remember to not be weighed down by the everyday.

Tell me how you keep motivated and focused during seemingly stressful & overwhelming times.  Does music help?  Does having company & friendships help?

Keep on moving and grooving until next Tuesday, friends.

xo,

Christina

Thanks to Jessica Chow for the sophisticated marbled background image.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 13

Happy TunesDay: Collection 13

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A long weekend always gets me in some type of mood.  I’m anxious for the upcoming weekend, but know I shouldn’t be since I just had such a good break.

This past weekend was full of quality Galentines fun. For those of you living under a rock and/or have not ever been exposed to the wonder & awe that is Parks & Recreation, Galentine’s Day is celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day and is supposed to celebrate friendship with your best and closest gal-pals.  Seeing as I don’t have a typical romantic Valentine, I spent the long weekend amongst my close friends.  I gave myself some proper self-care and rejuvenated myself in the presence of those I love.  We ate good food, drank coffee, shopped, strolled the beach, and fell asleep lulled by the simple company of truly wonderful people.  I am, for lack of a better term, lucky.  I don’t know how else to explain the reasons for why I am surrounded by magnificent and good people–like truly good and brilliant people. (s/o to my roommate and old roommates and their friends and sig. o’s.)

Despite the hardships that come and pick at me, weekends like this past one remind me to be grateful and to take advantage of the time we have together with our friends.  They are, after all, the family we get to choose.

This TunesDay, I put together some feel-good tunes that hopefully get you through this minimized work week so you can spend the upcoming weekend fully present with those you love.  I know Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day is over, but that doesn’t mean the lovin’ has to stop!

How will you keep the love going this weekend and beyond?

xo,

Christina

Big thanks to the lovely Piper Winston for the simply wondrous background image.

Happy TunesDay: Collection 12

Happy TunesDay: Collection 12

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Starbucks rolled out a limited edition line of Valentine’s Day inspired drinks.  I guess like the multibillion dollar franchise, I’ll hop on this love bandwagon.

This week’s playlist is a series of tunes that I turn to when I need to feel hyped up about this little thing we call love.

Just as an aside, my playlist for heartbreak and sad, mushy feelings is entirely different, but maybe we’ll save that for another time.

To listen to some lovely tunes, click below!

Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or it’s complicated, love yourself and treat yourself right! How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

As per usual, credits for the fun background image goes to Design Love Fest.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 11

Happy TunesDay: Collection 11

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s February, it’s February!

I apologize for not sending out a TunesDay collection last week.  Things got hectic (read: I got a little lazy and didn’t want to push out a TunesDay collection too late in the day).

But, a new month means new tunes and hopefully I won’t fall behind at all.

Last week was Peace & Justice Week at UCI, so I was busy with that.  But to keep the social justice goodness going, this week’s music is inspired by some amazingly talented and soulful artists that remind me to push on and persevere through the world’s craziness.

What are some songs that keep you motivated and down for the cause?  Let me know in the comments below!

*Beautiful banner background by Kristine Claghorn via Design Love Fest*
Happy Tunesday: Collection 10

Happy Tunesday: Collection 10

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Sorry for the Tunesday delay.

Normally I like uploading my posts in the morning so we all can have fun jams for the day, but life has other plans, we don’t schedule things correctly, and we have to shuffle things around.

I spent some nice time with friends, got breakfast, and was surprised with a parking ticket. But I shouldn’t let that get me down!

Here are some fun tunes to get you through your semi-midweek slump.  It’s only 2PM and already so much to do!

I’m auditing an upper-division anthropology of development course for the next couple of months.  While I’m excited to get back into the classroom, I’m nervous about being held to higher expectations since I’m not technically a student, but still have to do the same things as my peers.  Today is my first day back in the saddle, so to speak, so wish me luck!

What are your plans for the week?  Embarking on any new adventures?  Let me know in the comments below!

Happy TunesDay: Collection 9

Happy TunesDay: Collection 9

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s 2016.  It’s 2016.  It’s 2016.

I have to remind myself over and over when I write the date, or else it becomes some weird 5 with a messy loop at the end.  Y’all know what I’m talkin’ about.

This week has been particularly difficult for me to focus already (I know, it’s only Tuesday, for the love of all that is good.)  I’m sick and just want to sprawl in my teensy twin bed all day.  But, this week’s tunes will hopefully help me gather what energy I have and refocus on my tasks for the week: studying for the math section of the GREs, reading some books on poverty & violence for my research, and finally doing some errands (grocery shopping, cleaning my room, and sorting out my medical benefits situation).

I hope your week is as or more productive than mine!

Sending lots of love and good listens your way,

Christina

*Cute watercolor graphic for my featured image comes from Angie Makes.  Send her some love!*
Happy Tunesday: Collection 8

Happy Tunesday: Collection 8

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Back to work and back to reality…What that means for me is more dedicated studying for the GREs and for my research fellowship.

In the new year, I’m trying to be more consistent and thoughtful in my short and long-term goals.  I would say I am a dreamer, and while my passions are far-reaching, I have a tendency to jot down notes for future ideas and never follow through.  Hopefully I’ll be able to change some of those habits into being more fruitful.  This year I am doing my best to put my health and well-being first, including surrounding myself with friends and family that challenge me & push me to be better.  I’ve had a good run in 2015 with new friends and chances to reconnect with old.  But in 2016, I’m hoping to solidify those opportunities and really express how grateful I am to have those people in my life.

In that spirit, a lot of this week’s tunes go out to my good friends Lia & Alyssa who introduced me to more of Troye Sivan’s music.  Good, good stuff.  A talented musician and so young.  It’s people like him that make me question my entire life.  He’s 20 and is already so accomplished.

I guess in 2016, I should also try and stop making so many comparisons of myself to other talented people.  I…will start doing that next week.  I can only focus on so many things at once!

What are some of your goals for the new year and are there any songs that you are already digging in January?

with gratitude & affection,

Christina

Happy TunesDay: Collection 6

Happy TunesDay: Collection 6

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Winter Solstice is today…I celebrated with my grandma and we paid respects to our ancestors by making traditional Chinese soup and lighting incense.  It’s usually pretty low-key for our family, but it was nice to make food with my grandma and learn some of her tricks!  My lovely mother provided translations for me, which was super helpful so I could understand my grandma telling me that I’m going to be an old maid.

Love you too, Gramms.

 

Anyway, this Tunesday is full of some electric, house-y, upbeat sounds to perfectly combat the chilly & stormy weather.

Happy Tunesday, friends!  How do you celebrate the Winter Solstice or did you even know it was today?  Let me know below!

 

Credits to DesignLoveFest for the wonderfully sparkly background image!

Happy TunesDay: Collection 4

Happy TunesDay: Collection 4

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Tuesday is such a whatever kind of day.  It’s not the beginning, not the middle, not the end.  It’s just sort of…there.

Make the most of your whatever days by listening to good tunes.

Tell me what kind of music you want for your whatever days!

*credits to DesignLoveFest & Lindsay Gardner for the lovely background of my TunesDay image*