random – Page 21 – This is Another Story

Worst Quality?

Published on December 12, 2015 by Yinglan9 Comments

What are my worst qualities?

If you ask different people, they will tell you something very different. For example, my mom will probably say my worst quality is that I’m lazy while if you ask, say, my driving instructor, he will probably say I am too careful which apparently is not always a good thing when it comes to driving.

Me myself?

I think one of my seriously bad quality is procrastination. Oftentimes, I will tell myself, “Okay, the assignment is due in two weeks. You better get a move on and finish it this weekend.” Then I will relax and then three days before the assignment is due, I will panic. The weird thing is, this only happens with school assignments. I don’t procrastinate at work. I don’t know what my deal with procrastination is.

My other bad quality is that I often find myself running my mouth off. Mom is often mad at me for this. I mean, it’s not like I’m not trying. I try to filter my thoughts but it seems to make everything worse. It’s like before, these were just random thoughts but now, these thoughts have gone from random to ridiculous. Maybe I’m trying too hard to filter my thoughts to act mature. I don’t know, all I know is I’m better when I’m not thinking too hard.

All image credit: Google Image

Daily Prompt – Flawed

I Spy…

Published on December 10, 2015 by Yinglan5 Comments

Let’s play a game of I Spy! Continue reading “I Spy…” →

Major Changes

Published on November 19, 2015 by Yinglan23 Comments

I was going to wait until next month to do this project but I couldn’t wait since I already have a theme picked out and everything. All there’s left now is to update the pages. Continue reading “Major Changes” →

A Little Sunday Motivation…

Published on September 20, 2015November 22, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

I hope you find these quotes inspirational and motivational with whatever you’re doing on this Sunday. Enjoy. Continue reading “A Little Sunday Motivation…” →

A Little Sunday Humor…

Published on September 20, 2015November 22, 2015 by Yinglan5 Comments

Happy Sunday, everyone! Continue reading “A Little Sunday Humor…” →

Random Thoughts About Writing

Published on September 19, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan14 Comments

Writing’s an art, in my opinion but this wasn’t what I thought until about two years ago. Before that, my relationship with writing was merely obligatory, just a requirement to fulfill a task assigned by teachers, tutors, etc. Continue reading “Random Thoughts About Writing” →

If I have the chance…

Published on September 17, 2015 by Yinglan17 Comments

If I have the chance to be reborn again, I would choose to return to my own body. I would live again and right the wrongs of my first life. Continue reading “If I have the chance…” →

Quick Thoughts

Published on September 12, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan14 Comments

When was the last time I’ve written something by hand? How about Continue reading “Quick Thoughts” →

Blogging Recognition and Advice

Published on September 6, 2015December 25, 2015 by Yinglan15 Comments

First of all, I must say that I am lazy when it comes to award posts. I like to do them in bulk, combine several awards at a time and I think this is bulk enough for me. This last week, I’ve been nominated for the same award by not one but three bloggers, Little Calico’s Journal, Jordan from Call Me Incorrigible, and Norma from Emovere. Continue reading “Blogging Recognition and Advice” →

Share Your World – 2015 Week #33

Published on August 20, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan9 Comments

What are some words that just make you smile? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2015 Week #33” →

Share Your World – 2015 Week #32

Published on August 12, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan12 Comments

Are you a collector of anything? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2015 Week #32” →

Share Your World – 2015 Week #31

Published on August 8, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan2 Comments

Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2015 Week #31” →

Allergic to “E” Challenge

Published on June 15, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan18 Comments

I knew it! I knew this would happen to me, just didn’t know when and who. I woke up yesterday morning and saw a notification on my tablet, Alka Girdhar from Magnanimous Word had nominated me to participate in the Allergic to “E” Challenge. Continue reading “Allergic to “E” Challenge” →

Photo101: Street and Established Shots

Published on June 10, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

Yes, I have joined Photo101 but unfortunately, I couldn’t find a picture of home, well, unless, I went on pinterest and just find a picture but that wouldn’t be Photo101, would it. Then Day 2, I could’ve just gone outside and taken a photo of my street but everyone’s already seen that and it wouldn’t be fun to see it again and again. So I chose one from my archive. Continue reading “Photo101: Street and Established Shots” →

I Just Had to Write About This

Published on June 8, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan1 Comment

Today’s prompt: What’s the strangest place from which you’ve posted to your blog? When was the last time you were out and about, and suddenly thought, “I need to write about this!”?

Strangest Places? I’m not sure what you mean by strange. There are a lot of things in the world that can be classified as “strange” like that tower to the left. Posting in a strange place, no, I don’t think I’ve written posts in strange places yet.

In the meantime, I can answer the second question. I have encountered several circumstances when I just have to write about it. When was the last time? That is a good question. Let’s think.

Still thinking…

Ugh, I can’t think of anything with my work in the way. I’m hoping to complete my translation work today so I don’t have to have it hanging over my head for the rest of the month but I don’t think that is likely to happen since I have to seize the opportunity and go work for my other job today.

Still thinking…

Ha, here we go, I can think of two circumstances.

The first “couldn’t wait” post is called, “The Unwinnable War“.

It was written and publish about 13 months ago. So basically, last summer. Now that I reflect on this post, last summer was probably the worst summer in the history of all the summers I’ve had counting the ones as a kid in China. When I wrote this, I felt like I was literally about to blow.

Two weeks after graduating college, mom was making me go back to school. Every conversation we had led to a fight because it’s always about me not finding a job, don’t want to go back to school, not wanting to work, not wanting to study etc. You get my point.

I remember my hands were literally slamming the keyboard when I typed that post. Mom was still bursting into my room every 5 minutes telling me how useless and worthless I was while occasionally throwing something at the back of my head. 2014 had really been a dark and miserable year for me but it’s behind me now and it looks like 2015 is getting better already.

The second “couldn’t wait” post is called, “Is this a Library or a Freezer?“

I don’t know, why don’t you click and find out?

I was literally freezing my ass off in there. When I worked as an ESL tutor, every week, there was one or two days when I couldn’t be in the classroom. The classroom was shared between me, mom (Chinese teacher), and the Spanish teacher. I couldn’t leave the school’s premises and so I had to find another place to go.

Anyway, there’s no thermostat in there and as I sat there trying to do my homework, it would get colder and colder. Even with a t-shirt underneath plus a sweatshirt plus a light jacket plus a large ski jacket (I’m not joking), I still felt cold in there. That room was colder than outside. I couldn’t do much homework in there so I decided to write.

Anyway, I hope you will click the links to the posts and check them out. Although they’re more than a year old, I’m sure they’re still quite relate-able to some people. Looking forward to your likes and feedback on those old posts. 🙂

Green leaves with pink elephant ear roses

Vivid Flowers

Published on June 6, 2015August 9, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

So, I want to ask, do you remember this picture?

Do not worry if you don’t. This was taken at the end of March. Why am I asking? It’s because I took the photograph below two days ago.

I hope you see the tulips are gone and it’s replaced by the roses. What a difference in just three short months!

But this isn’t about that, it is about these pictures which are my contribution for this week’s photo challenge: Vivid. I hope you enjoy.

F.Y.I: The pictures of the roses and whatever those magenta flowers are were taken with my Note 10.1 tablet and then I played with it in pixlr. The other pictures were taken with my old bad-battery camera.

Love-Hate Challenge

Published on June 5, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan9 Comments

A brand-new challenge (Love-Hate Challenge) is coming around the blogging circle and my name has been tossed into the ring by Humaaq. Continue reading “Love-Hate Challenge” →

Spread the Love of Blogging

Published on June 5, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan5 Comments

I was tagged by Francesca Smith of A Smith’s World a couple of days ago for the Share the Love Challenge but as always, procrastination takes over but since it’s on my mind right this second, I’m doing it.

Continue reading “Spread the Love of Blogging” →

Catching up on Awards

Published on May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

Wow, over the past two weeks, I had so many award nominations that I lost count. So that means it’s time for another award wrap-up. I went back through all the comments and ping backs I received and counted, five (recent) and one from a long while back. I just forgot about it. That makes six nominations! Wow, thanks guys!

So the first and second one is The Creative Blogging Award. Thank you so much, Izzy-Grabs-Life, Nortina Marciela, Lrod’s Blog, for nominating me for yet another award.

The rules are to thank the blogger, put up five facts, and nominate 15 to 20 blogs. Wow, that’s a lot. I will save the nominations for another day. As for the five facts, I will combine it with the Infinity Dream Award below and that makes seven facts. Too many awards, have to be flexible.

The second nomination comes from Geethu of Chococurrent and it is the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you so much.

Since this award only require to nominate 10 bloggers, I will save that for another post soon or never. It depends on my level of procrastination.

September 2014 The third nomination is from Frederick of Fredtotherick and it is the Sisterhood of World Bloggers Award. Thank you, Frederick.

The rules are to answer the ten questions given by the blogger, come up with 10 other questions of my own, and nominate about 5-10 bloggers. Again, I will save the nominations for later.

versatile-blogger Last nomination is from Nortina Mariela and it’s a triple nomination as sort of noted wpid-infinitydreamsaward with the Creative Blogger Award. The Versatile Blogger is from both Nortina and LadyLeeManila. The Infinity Dreams Award is a new one, I shall put that on my Wall of Achievements. Thank you so much, Nortina and LadyLeeManila.

Seven facts about me:

As you read above, I am also a procrastinator. I love to complete stuff early but I often end up doing it at the last minute.
I enjoy writing about Supernatural creatures but lately I seem to enjoy reading Young Adult novels about life and adventures.
I just finished the first draft of my novella. Yay! However, I found out it’s missing a beginning. So now I have to write the beginning and connect all the strings to make sure everything make sense.
I enjoy proofreading things (essays, novels, anything). Is that weird?
I consider myself more American than Asian. Mainly because I have already spent more than half of my life here. Although I’m proud to have Chinese blood in me, it sometimes annoys me that people still consider me to be pure Chinese. Hello? What about the American side?
I’m running out of facts here. Um, I enjoy listening to pop rock, the older the better, and probably a little of the modern EDM. Is that what it’s called? With the DJ mixing the track thing?
My last fact is a wish that my novella will be published and eventually becomes a TV show or a movie. You’ll never know.

Now, for Frederick’s questions:

Which philosophies/quotes/life lessons/cliches/phrases do you find most applicable to you now? Elaborate. When I first stepped off the plane at LAX, my mom told me that all Americans believe in this phrase, “Never say I can’t.” That all I can say. I never thought I can write anything more than a thousand words but look at me now, 20,000+ words. So Never say I can’t.
What is your worst trait? Definitely procrastinating. I’m not lazy, I just don’t like to do things I hate.
What age would you like to live to? I’d like to live forever but that will be too boring of a life so maybe 90 or 100?
Which famous person do you think you can swap identities with, without anyone suspecting anything? I don’t want to swap identities with any famous person because what if the camera got me at a bad angle? Then I’d be a joke.
List out all your hobbies. Blogging, Writing, Reading, Sleeping, Watching TV, Wordsearch, Sudoku, and Jigsaw Puzzles.
Which of the five sense do you think you cannot live without? Why? Definitely sight. Without sight, there’re no colors.
In a good cop-bad cop interrogation situation, (google it if unsure) which role would you prefer to play? I’d play the victim. Maybe the two cops will fight and the victim will go free, you’ll never know.
If you were forced to participate in a talent show, which of your talents would you feature? Probably singing. I’m a high soprano, so I can hit high notes, I guess that’s a talent.
If you were to choose one- Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry- which would you choose and why? I’d choose fiction because in the end, I know it’s not real.
What legacy would you like to leave behind? I’d like to see my work published and land in the children reading list or perhaps even made into a TV show. Something with my name on it.

Thanks for all the nominations, guys. I will take my sweet time to nominate bloggers for each award which more detail will be announced in future posts.

Have a great day! 🙂

Freestyle Writing Challenge

Published on May 30, 2015November 22, 2015 by Yinglan16 Comments

When I saw almost every blogger I’m currently following are being challenged one way or another to participate in the Freestyle Writing Challenge, I knew it would be a matter of time before one of my favorite bloggers tosses my name in the ring. Continue reading “Freestyle Writing Challenge” →

Random Photos of a Rainy Day

Published on May 21, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan9 Comments

I hope everyone’s Thursday is going well. Continue reading “Random Photos of a Rainy Day” →

Award Nominations Part 1: Liebster

Published on May 9, 2015August 12, 2015 by Yinglan17 Comments

This puts me at Liebster x2! Thank you so much, Altocumu!

The rules are…

Answer the questions that your nominator posted for his/her nominees.
Share 11 random facts about yourself.
Make up 11 new fun questions for your nominees.
Give some love back to your nominator and link back to his/her post.
You must nominate 5-11 bloggers.

Questions Time:

Why did you start blogging? I love to talk and tell stories but most of all, when my days go bad, I have no one to complain to. I used to complain to my mom but we’ll just fight. I’m tired of fighting.
What tips have you learned while blogging? Read read read as well as comment comment comment! If you don’t, no one will follow or read what you write. That and don’t go tag-crazy. Stick to <15 tags.
What/who inspires you? Things that inspire me are books, and reading other bloggers’ posts. Sometimes when I read something, anything, ideas would pop into my head.
What is your favorite meal/food item? I really like Subway sandwiches or other submarine sandwiches.
What is ideal day for you? Wake up, breakfast, work, lunch, dinner, TV, sleep.
If you could talk to someone famous who would it be and why? Hmm, that is a good question.
What makes you laugh? Watching sitcom, not much make me laugh. I live with my mom so I kind of have to be immune to laughter.
Where do you see yourself in five year’s time? Five years, that’s 2020. I see myself in a loft-style apartment in another state with a steady job and faraway from my mom.
What are your passions in life? My passion? It used to be singing but now it’s writing.
What major saying or moto do you live by? There’s always tomorrow. 🙂
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the blogging world? The same as what I wrote for #2.

11 Random Facts:

I learned to play the piano and guitar when I was in 10th grade. I quit guitar after one lesson because my tiny fingers couldn’t reach the strings. Piano, if I have a chance, I’d like to play it again.
I like music from 90’s and early 2000’s. At the moment, my favorite song is Slice by Five for Fighting.
I used to hate taking pictures but now I’m addicted to it.
Because of my bone disorder, I only grew 5-inches from when I was 10. 😦
I love to keep things organized though I hate cleaning.
I’m a major procrastinator. I often wait until the last minute to do anything even though my heart is dead set on completing the task early.
I absolutely do NOT know how to write a happy ending though I’m working on it.
My favorite color is lavender.
Sometimes, I get angry at people stating the obvious.
If I can go anywhere, I’d go to Europe.
I don’t have a cell phone, not a smart phone at least, just a basic pre-paid flip phone.

Now for my 11 questions:

What made you start blogging?
Something you learned through blogging.
If you can go anywhere, where would you go?
If you can be anything (occupation-wise), what would you be?
One-word you like people use to describe you.
One-word you dis-like people use to describe you.
What are some sounds you dislike?
Who do you look up to?
If time freezes for 24 hours, what would you do?
Are you motivated by hope or fear?
What/who is your inspiration?

Nominations:

Congratulations to all nominees and have fun! 🙂

#AtoZChallenge – X For X

Published on April 29, 2015November 23, 2015 by Yinglan3 Comments

These last three letters are going to be hard just because I’m already having trouble thinking up with words that begins with the letters X, Y, and Z. Therefore, I’m going to highlight the use of the letter X. Continue reading “#AtoZChallenge – X For X” →