Korea Diary | Rainy Day Exploring (Day 2)

1:49:00 PM mandy 0 Comments

What to do on a rainy day?

We were forewarned of Korea's summer monsoon season but of course as travelers we hoped it wouldn't rain on us at all. When we woke up to see rain outside our window, we had to do some last minute researching for indoor activities. Luckily Bestie C had the COEX Aquarium on her to-do list and off to Gangnam we went.

The surroundings felt surprisingly familiar once we got out of the subway closest to the aquarium. Tall buildings, chain cafes and shops, and tons of people in business suits bustling to and from their offices. It almost seemed like we were back home in New York City. Guess most financial/business areas have a similar feel.

COEX Aquarium is actually inside of COEX Mall, which (I think) is a big building that houses a variety of stores, restaurants, and event spaces. To say the least, the place is huge! Since it was only our second day in Korea, our goal was only to visit and not to buy. We spent a good chunk of our day slowly enjoying the aquarium. If you're still tired from traveling and need something to do at your own pace, museums and aquariums are a great option! Tickets were ₩22,000 when we went.

South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul, traffic light aquarium
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul, phone booth aquarium South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul, sink aquarium
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, COEX Aquarium, Gangnam, Seoul South Korea, COEX Mall, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, Banhaneun Bossam Bapsang, Gangnam, Seoul
South Korea, COEX Mall, Banhaneun Bossam Bapsang, Gangnam, Seoul
Bossam & Rice Set Meal @ Banhaneun Bossam&Bapsang - 반하는 보쌈& 밥상

I'm going to consider this dinner the first sit-down meal we had in Korea. Can't go wrong with a restaurant in a fancy mall right? This place had the longest lines out of all the eateries we saw. It must be good!  ₩9,000 got us meat, rice, lots of side dishes, and even soup. I don't remember this meal being bad or anything but it wasn't one of the most memorable meals I had while in Korea.

South Korea, Gangnam, Seoul

Something I've never seen before. But it is definitely an interesting concept.
I wonder how many people find this handy?

This series is so long overdue. But better late than never!...?
Get ready for the upcoming travel log/photo dump.

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Project Make A Dent | Half Year Update

1:03:00 AM mandy 0 Comments

Project make a dent

The statement of updating monthly or quarterly on my PMAD progress fell by the wayside. Rather than me being too busy to blog or anything like that, it was in reality because I didn't really wear makeup as much as I thought I would. Nonetheless! Progress has still been made (barely, but there).

Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam highlighter Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam Half way results highlighter
Before
After
L to R: Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion SPF50+ PA+++ in Natural Ochre, Nanoce BB Moist Cream in No.2, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV in Shade 2, Benefit Highbeam

It is hard to tell if any progress has been made with these guys. Why opaque packaging? Why!
Out of these 4 bases, I reached for the nanoce BB Cream most often (most likely because I can actually feel it getting lighter and lighter). Even though I could use the extra coverage on spots and dark circles, I still don't reach for concealers in general. When I do use it, I tend to mix a little of the Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer in with the BB Cream.

Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush
Before
Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush
After
Only one item in this group looks like I made any progress with at first glance. But truly any progress made with powders is an accomplishment, don't you think?

Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent half way results
Before
After
mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Powder Buff
Ahh~ The satisfaction of seeing so much pan! Such a tease though, it will probably take another long while before this mark Powder Foundation will be all gone. I like the extra coverage this foundation gives but it's a little too powdery for me.

Before
After
Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way results
Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in 5 Lovely Pink
Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way results
Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade
Nowhere near seeing the bottom of the pan but the edges are visible! It helps that these two products require more swirling to get product onto brushes. This works well for me since I prefer to work in light layers and build up.

MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush half way results
Before
After
MAC Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle
Ermm, so I don't think I will be making a dent in this any time soon. This MAC Cream Colour blush didn't get any love until recently and I was immediately reminded how well it worked. I only need to lightly dab a brush to get a ton of color for both cheeks, otherwise my cheeks will end up looking very clown-like.

Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way update
Before
After
Maquillage Face Creator
Do you see it? The dips? I tend to grab this Maquillage palette when I want to highlight on a day-to-day basis. But it was also a great all-in-one option when I did some traveling back in April. Definitely saved me the headache of overpacking beauty-wise.

Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way update
Before
After
Esprique Precious eye palette
Even though this palette was very readily available for me to use every morning, I still didn't reach for it often. My subconscious must not be accustomed to the idea of wearing eyeshadows daily yet. Mental note: make an effort for the next half year please!

Project Make a Dent, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Livin Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics Project Make a Dent, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Livin Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics
Project Make a Dent before, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Living Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics Project Make a Dent before, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Living Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics half way update
Before
After
L to R: Cinique Chubby Stick in Woppin Watermelon, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick in Milky Pink, Living Nature Lipstick in Sandstone
As with the eyeshadow palette, these lippies were underloved too. Of all the items, the trio here looks practically untouched! Must try harder to make dents here.

I might make another update before the end of the year if I make bigger progress.
But anyways!! Any exciting pan sightings for you?

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End of a Chapter

10:33:00 PM mandy 0 Comments

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center outside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York

I know...it is super cliche. Nonetheless, graduation really does signify the end of one chapter in life. For me this commencement meant the end of my undergraduate years. Whether or not it is the end of my educational life is question to be answered further down the road.

Baruch College, Barclays Center, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, New York

Something that I have said constantly on this blog and just in general: time sure does fly by. It didn't feel like 4 years had passed even though it was staring me right in the face.

June 3, 2011, I was attending my Freshman orientation and getting my college ID card.
June 3, 2015, I was attending my graduation as a Senior for an undergraduate degree.

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York
Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York
Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York

Witnessed by closes friends & family members (+ thousands of other people) during such a surreal moment of life.

Many classmates talked about how commencement wasn't anything special, especially since our names wouldn't even be called. But just being in the stadium with fellow excited graduates & knowing that family members could physically see this moment in time was enough for me. Nothing like being in a cap and gown to finally feel like you've made it. (Of course it would have been great to be personally and individually acknowledged but it wasn't realistically possible.)

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York, confetti

While I can't be more happy that the days of school-related cramming, exams, projects, and sleepless nights are over, there are a new set of worries ahead waiting. Before graduation was in sight, I had already (tried) adopted the idea of letting the future play out as things come. Sure people get further with defined goals and everything but I guess that's just not how it happened for me? Maybe I'll share what happens/will happen to me after graduation in another post. I will be one heck of a story!

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