BACK TO BLACK

Home is Korea, home was LA, and now for a week and a half home will be Chicago. Chicago's chills are already intolerable, but spending time with people closest to my heart in a city that I love is just perfect for now. With new seasons come new things and I suppose I jumped the gun with a hairstyle change. It is the slightest bit uncomfortable (I haven't had black hair for a very long time now), but I welcome change...always. For my hair, I used Color Brilliance Ion in "darkest brown" with 20% developer, both from Sally's Beauty Supply. I personally think any hair color is achievable from home if you purchase professional hair color (not sure how I feel about box dyes) and have a skilled friend. And for $12 you can revamp your look + throw a hair dye party over some good laughs and R&B tunes with a friend! Remember, for darker hair use lower developer and for lighter colors go brighter. Dark hair makes me feel more equipped for the winter season. Toasty and bold. And with that, off I go to the city for some Chicago exploration with  Californians who make me feel less bad about being a featherweight of the cold. Happy Friday!

DAY 4

A daily journal of my 5 days remaining in Los Angeles.

The highlight of my day was driving to Los Feliz (also known as LA hipsterville) for a long overdue catchup session with my friend Sorah Yang who has been busy traveling the world in pursuit of her dreams. [Can I brag? Let me brag. Check out her youtube channel here]. Sorah and I met at a dance studio in Korea in 2011 when she was an exchange student at KU and I was fresh out of college venturing into adulthood. To think that she has since stepped out of all that is conventional and certain to make life work for her is truly inspiring. It empowers my understanding that if I work hard and give it my all, whatever I will will happen. No plan B. 

Over lunch and board games we caught up and talked about life. Honestly, life seemed so much easier four years ago when we had dance parties in our matching pajamas over some random sleepovers in hongdae. But I'm glad I have someone to share headspace with (it's very rare these days), as well as someone I can look up to and laugh with (also rare). Sorah, here's to growth and the giving of ourselves!

Currently: Listening to Miguel - Leaves

DAY 5

A daily journal of my 5 days remaining in Los Angeles.

Today, I celebrate the fact that fall has finally arrived in Southern California with my denim jacket, emotion arousing James Morrison and of course, a selfie. It is absolutely bittersweet to think that my time here in LA is coming to an end but there's no time for sappy feelings at this point. I'm trying to enjoy it full throttle — and that includes daily palm tree sightings, which I think people take for granted the most. 

Considering that I have never really owned my own car (that ridiculous volvo in college does not count), I am very proud to say that I am successfully cruising through 60+ miles of driving every day. What I am not proud of is this newfound side of me which I have more so recently discovered: unruly road rage. I'm sorry. Justifiably so, the traffic here is agonizing at 1pm in the afternoon. 

This is the class schedule for this week. It is still wonderful and mind blowing to me that I have access to learn from all of these talented teachers/choreographers. If it were Korea, it would be $30-$50 dollars a class! Today I missed Isaac at 2pm (boo!) but had a ball with the rest, especially Anthony Lee. (Oh, and Kevin Maher is worth all the hype. He's amazing).

Currently: Listening to James Morrison- The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore