That tetanus shot

I had to get a TB skin test and tetanus vaccine today for upcoming work. I am pretty darn sure I have had tetanus shot before, but it wasn't on my vaccine history so I had to get another one. Well, not a big deal, they can just give it to me right there at no charge to me. Easy breezy. Right? Not so much.

The nurse told me I might feel muscle pain at injection site and have flu like symptoms. I am not particularly afraid of shots and have never had bad reactions to vaccines, so I wasn't scared or anything like that. It was over fairly quickly and painlessly.

As soon as the vaccine was done I started to feel a little lightheaded. I thought maybe I was just tired and need something to eat since I haven't had lunch yet. So I head out and started walking to the elevators. I started to feel more and more lightheaded within that 1 minute walk to the elevator and by the time I was in the elevator full of people, my vision started to blackout and I couldn't stand up straight. I managed to say "I don't feel well" before crouching over, then completely face down laying on the floor. At this point, I couldn't focus my eyes or keep my balance. I felt nauseated and just overall sick. I remember distinctly as soon as I went down, the elevator went completely silent, which made me very nervous because I couldn't see anything. For a second I thought these people were going to leave me laying there. Then, a man asked me if I was lightheaded or something else. A women asked me if I have eaten anything, which I said no. I hope I didn't make them think I'm anorexic or something. I told them I just had a tetanus shot and I now I don't feel well. They took me back to the clinic and explained the situation to the nurses there.

The nurse lay me down on a bed, gave me some water, and just let me rest there for a bit. I have no clue what happened to me, but whatever it was went away as fast as it came. Within minutes I was fine again, felt a little weak but fine. The nurse told me to go get something to eat, which I did, and that was it.

Even though it turned out to be nothing serious, I was really scared at the moment. I didn't know what was happening or why I was feeling so sick. Almost passing out in public really is an... interesting experience.

|| [ 雪子 ] ||

Nails: gradient green

This one is inspired by nice plush lawn, the kind I will have when I have a house.

The color is a bit washed out, it's more dark green in real life

What I used:

OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
OPI Thanks A Windmillion
Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet
Seche Vite Fast Drying Top Coat
CVS beauty sponge

Apply OPI Thanks A Windmillion as a base color after base coat. Brush some Mint Sorbet on the top of a beauty sponge, use the sponge to apply color from the top of the nails towards the cuticles to create a gradient affect. Splash on some top coat. Done!

|| [ 雪子 ] ||

Diablo 3: Evil really is back

I have a confession: I started Diablo3 and now I can't stop.

I haven't touched my books or anything else. The first thing in my mind after I wake up in the morning is Diablo3. I am not level 60 yet, but I am getting there fast: after playing for less than a week my wizard is in the 40s, approaching level 50 fast with a vengeance.

Most people don't pay attention to the storyline, but I like to follow the story when I play games (even a game like League of Legends, in which the storyline has no effect on the game, I know most of the lores). SPOILER ALERT! I really like Leah, WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO BE EVIL AND DIE?! I was so sad! haha.

Anyways, feel free to add me Yukiko#1667 if you play. We can go kill some big bad bosses and save the world.

Here's my beautiful wizard with a ridiculous looking helm

|| [ 雪子 ] ||

Tag: This or That

I am bored. Here is a tag post. Enjoy.

MAKEUP:
blush or bronzer

blush
lip gloss or lipstick

lipstick, lip gloss doesn't last and most have too little pigmentation
eye liner or mascara

eyeliner because I have uneven eyes
foundation or concealer

foundation
neutral or color eye shadow

neutral
pressed or loose eye shadows

pressed. Loose shadow is too messy!
brushes or sponges

brushes

NAILS:
OPI or china glaze

OPI
Long or short

I like the look of long nails, but it's hard to grow out my nails since they peel and break
Acrylic or natural

natural
Brights or darks 

both! I can't pick!
Flower or no flower 

Not so much flower, maybe other designs
BODY:
perfume or body splash

perfume
lotion or body butter 

lotion
body wash or soap

body wash, but I would like to try Lush soaps since they look so adorable
lush or other bath company 

Ha! speaking of the devil. Not sure since I don't use Lush
FASHION:
jeans or sweat pants

jeans
long sleeve of short

short sleeve for Texas weather
dresses or skirts

skirts.. no, dresses... no, skirts... skirts, I think
stripes or plaid 

stripe
flip flops or sandals 

sandals
scarves or hats

scarves
studs or dangly earrings 

dangly
necklaces or bracelets 

necklaces, because most bracelets are too big for my wrist
heels or flats 

love the look of heels but have to go with comfy flats most days
cowboy boots or riding boots

riding boots
jacket or hoodie 

jacket
forever 21 or charlotte russe 

forever21
abercombie or Hollister

neither
saks 5th or nordstrom

saks 5th

HAIR:
curly or straight

straight because I am too lazy to curl my hair
bun or ponytail

ponytail
bobby pins or butterfly clips

bobby pins
hair spray or gel 

hair spray
long or short 

long
light or dark 

dark
side sweep bangs or full bangs

side sweep because I can't pull off full bangs :<
up or down 

down

RANDOM:
Rain or shine

shine, unless I am at home laying in bed
Summer or winter

winter, because Texas summer is hell on earth
Fall or spring 

spring, I have fall allergies :<
Chocolate or vanilla 

chocolate

East coast or west coast
west coast. 


Tag! You are it. Do it, or not. Whatever flows your boat.



|| [ 雪子 ] ||

Book Review: A Dog's Purpose/Journey

A Dog's Purpose and its sequel, A Dog's Journey, by W. Bruce Cameron 
  ★★★★★ for both books!

 

I've been just chewing through books this past month, but these two are probably the best books of the year. I highly recommend them to dog/animal lovers. I laughed out loud, by myself, like an idiot; I cried, real tears rolling down my cheeks. I was smiling and crying at the end of the second book, feeling so satisfied and happy. Best ending I can imagine for the story.

The story is told from a dog's perspective and follows him through several lifetimes. He finds a distinct purpose in each life, using the skills he learned in the previous life. He believes that he kept coming back because he has yet to fulfill his purpose as a dog, and in his last life of the first book, he believes that he has realized and fulfilled his purpose as the story comes to full circle.

The second book picks up where the first book left off, and introduces a new story arch. The dog, named Molly and Max in these lifetimes, follows a girl throughout her lifetime, and takes care of her. Yes, the dog takes care of her girl. This book will make you think twice: are you taking care of your dog, or is your dog taking care of you?

I love how the story's point of view. It offers insights to why dogs behave a certain way, do curtain things (such as chew up your favorite pair of shoes, which make me literally laugh out loud). I wanted to hold my dog the entire time I was reading this book; it makes me appreciate my dog so much more. Doesn't matter if you like the story or not, you will look at your dog differently after you finish the story.

Easy, fast, fun read. Pick up your copy NOW.

|| [ 雪子 ] ||

Book Review: Delirium, Pandemonium

Delirium Trilogy by Lauren Oliver

 - Delirium              ★★★★★

 - Pandemonium  ★★★

 - Requiem           expected publication: Feb 2013

Another young adult dystopia trilogy. I believe I have another YA dystopia trilogy in my to read list (The Chemical Garden). Seems like this is the "it" YA genre at the moment. 

Delirium takes place in future America. The government has decided that love is a disease, amor deliria nervosa, and have developed a cure for it. Every citizen will receive the cure when they turn 18, since having the procedure early can have dangerous side effects. The procedure does not just cure romantic love, it cures love for your family, friends, pets, everything. Each citizen takes an evaluation exam and is matched with their future spouse, job, and approved number of children based on income. 

There are those who don't believe in the disease, never cured, live on the outskirts of the cities, the Invalids. There are also people who are not cured by the procedure for whatever reason. They are the Resistance, the Sympathizers.

Lena is turning 18 soon and is looking forward to the cure because she is afraid of the disease. Like everyone else in the society, she has been brainwashed to believe love is dangerous and will make you go crazy, and eventually kill you. But of course, she falls in love before the procedure and begins to question her believes. 

When I first started reading the book, I kept thinking about what a society without love would be like. What motivates people, what keeps things in order, and how could people possibly believe that love is a disease. As the story progresses, I began to wonder what the world must have been like right before they proclaimed love as a disease, how much pain and despair the world must have felt for it to give up love. I am sure everyone has had bad break ups and heartaches, but I have never been hurt to the point where I want to give up on love. To think this whole society has been through something so traumatizing that they want to get rid of love once and for all, I started to pity them. 

SPOILER ALERT - highlight to read 

The first book is great all around. Writing, characters, plot, setting, all flawless. I was so drawn to Lena and Alex's romance. When Lena made the decision to go to the Wilds with Alex, my heart almost leaped out of my chest, you go girl! So, needless to say, the ending... torn me to pieces. I kind of knew Alex wouldn't be dead, but I didn't know what to expect either. It became clear in Pandemonium that Alex definitely wasn't dead, thanks to very obvious foreshadowing. My guess what that they gave Alex the Cure, Lena finds Alex and is heartbroken, and the stories goes on blah blah blah. But NOPE! It turns out to be a freaking Twilight wannabe typical YA love triangle. Why Lauren Oliver, why? The trilogy has so much potential, why must you go down that route? Although shocking, the ending of the the second book is extremely disappointing (reason for only 3 stars). Now we know the last book will be a very obvious will Lena pick Alex or Julian scenario. It takes away from the theme of the book, cheapens the book. 

Going back to the love triangle, I do hope Lena ends up with Alex. I feel so bad for Alex at the end of Pandemonium because, well, how awkward! He came back from prison after risking his life just to see the girl he loves in another boy's arms. I think I died a little inside... Yes, Lena believed Alex was dead and she is not at fault for falling for another boy, but poor Alex! Poor Lena! Poor Julian! Alex said "don't believe her" when Lena promised Julian they will be together forever. Did he say that out of desperation? As in, don't believe her because she said the same thing to me once and now she has left me? Or did he mean don't believe her because she really loves me and will stay with me forever? I wish Lena would stay with Alex and Alex would take her back. I think of Julian as a rebound. The moments Lena spent with Julian were tinted with Alex's presence. Like the morning she woke up with Julian, thinking she was in Alex's arms, and the moments Julian's face mergds with Alex's. I feel bad for Julian, but he never had a future in Zombieland to begin with. Not like he was going to get cured and matched and have a boring but good life. At least he has opened his eyes to love and know what freedom feels like.

Overall, I like the books. Disappointed in the ending of Pandemonium but will pick up the third one next year. I recommend it to all the dytopia trilogy lovers. Good story, good concept, but I am prepared to be disappointed in the last book.

|| [ 雪子 ] ||

Summer Fragrances

Most of my current perfumes are pretty heavy, night time perfumes. So for this summer, I got a couple of light, day time scents. Found some good deals at the Estee Lauder outlet store a couple of weeks ago and picked up Peace, Love, & Juicy Couture and Shi by Alfred Sung. 

Peace, Love, & Juicy Couture (0.5 oz) 

This is a tiny bottle, but I usually pick up small bottles because I've never finished a bottle of perfume. I got a sample of it a while back from Sephora so I knew I love this scent. So I was extremely happy to pick up a bottle. It is light, floral and fruity.  Based on basenote.net, the notes are:

• Top Notes
• Meyer lemon blossom, Hyacinth, Apple, Blackcurrant 
• 
  Middle Notes
• Sambac jasmine, Star magnolia, Malibu poppy, Honeysuckle, Linden blossom 
• 
  Base Notes
• Iris, Patchouli, Musk

I can pick up a little bit of apple and jasmine, but I cant tell what the rest of it is. I love the base notes, definitely can smell the musk and iris. It lasts all day on me.

Shi by Alfred Sung (1.7 oz)

This is a watery scent, very much like the once super popular Cool Water.

• Top Notes
• Water Lily, Fig Leaves 
• 
  Middle Notes
• Orange Blossom, Fragipani 
• 
  Base Notes
• Water Musks, Silver Birch

I liked it at first and I thought this would be a very good everyday scent. But I was wrong... This one does not agree with my body chemistry. It turns to a very baby powder scent after a couple hours of wear, and I do not like baby powder scent. Fades away to nothing around the 4 hour mark. I think I will only wear this on days I am just out doing short errand runs or something. Pretty disappointed in it.

My boyfriend got the male version of Shi: Hei by Alfred Sung (haha get it? Shi and Hei?). Hei smells great on him and lasts all day. I don't know if Hei is just better quality or if Shi just doesn't agree with me. Oh well!

|| [ 雪子 ] ||