Tuesday, December 20, 2016

10

I saw you in that old, rustic building
A night of French cuisine and booze
The night still as young
A sip of champagne
A glass of wine
A giggle
I fall asleep at the table
As the story goes

Monday, December 19, 2016

Some More LA Restaurants

Places that embody a fun night with memories well made:


Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the Silverlake district. It's a smaller, communal style of dining with a simple 1-pg menu. They serve wonderful Taiwanese, American, and Chinese fusion dishes. I love the spicy shrimp won-tons and the beef noodle soup. A clean and quaint dinner option!

Image result for pine & crane 


Image result for pine & crane



"A Funky bistro with Singaporean shophouse feel, serving Euro-accented Asian eats, craft beers & wines." I love the variety of food choices and the restaurant atmosphere. The food goes without saying. It's delicious.

Image result for little sister restaurant los angeles

Image result for little sister restaurant los angeles


Manuela, named for and inspired by owner Manuela Wirth. Located right by the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery, it's a place where "art, community, education, sustainability, and food unite." I love that.

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Image result for manuela restaurant downtown

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Departure

who they are
isn’t found
in the arrival.
it’s how they depart.
their truth is in
the leaving.
LittleMitchPoetry, poem “TRUE COLORS” from Tsu-Nami: On Desires & Disasters & Other Things That ‘Quake the World

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

It Is Better To Give Than To Receive


Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. -Philippians 2:3

Reading list: Listen, Love, Repeat by Karen Ehman

Friday, October 7, 2016

Golden Years by Dia Frampton (Lyrics)



Castaway songs
In the dead end night
Blades like air holes
That I light on fire

As the smoke rises up in the city
Our bodies are tangled and torn
All the world spins
Until we are dizzy

We want more
We want more
We're in the golden years
Don't tell me what the damage is, oh
We're in the golden years
Don't tell me how hard we got hit

Some days, most days
And most nights too
Can't sleep or shit
I can't escape bad news

Nobody knows, nobody knows
Nobody knows what I go through
Nobody knows, nobody knows
Nobody knows where I turn to

We're in the golden years
Don't tell me what the damage is, oh-oh
We're in the golden years
Don't tell me how hard we got hit

We're in the golden years
Don't tell me what the damage is, oh
We're in the golden years
Don't tell me how hard we got hit
golden years dia frampton song lyrics popular music the voice



Friday, August 12, 2016

Inspirations


^ a beautiful mix & match of colors and textures

^ classic strappy heels and jeans

^ no compromise of comfort and style

^ simple elegance with geometric shapes

^ bold rust orange accents

x Sola

Thursday, June 30, 2016

New York Take Two


  1. Strand Book Store
  2. Momofuku Noodle Bar
  3. Peter Luger
  4. Ippudo NY
  5. Katz's Deli
  6. Hess' Triangle
  7. Washington Square Park
  8. High Line
  9. Gallow Green
  10. Roof at South Park
  11. Gantry Plaza State Park

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

House Inspo

Looking up some ideas for the new room:


^ simple, but with a sense of old character. Love neutral, rustic colors.


^ comfort is a must. Not looking for elaborate furniture that doesn't feel like 'home'


^ Enjoying the little greens around the house - adds life!


^ working to downsize my closet, and his. Only storing things worth keeping.

Corner Store Record Rack by Urban Outfitters:
^ would love a corner for our favorite trinkets. Books, magazines, etc.

Pinterest - Home Decor: https://www.pinterest.com/sallysolalee/home-decor/

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Thursday's Thoughts

To be fearless in a world that is constantly ringing fear and doubt in your ears...

We were formed for something greater than mediocrity. We weren't made to be duplicates of each other, or competitors of mankind, inhaling each others' success and perceiving it as some distant, greater talent compared to ours. There is something about an individual that naturally sets him or her apart from others. For some individuals, it's easier to notice: appearance, intelligence, kindness. For others, it requires more profound searching: diligence, loyalty, commitment. Whatever it is that makes you shine, cherish it and produce something good out of it.

Often times, we look back at our lives and evaluate our worth by what we've accomplished, which we say defines who we've become. Reflecting is a great habit, if you're just stopping by to reflect on and learn from past attempts. But if we get stuck in this mentality that what we've done is who we are, we forget the rest of the years that lie ahead in our lives. The reality is, what we choose today will inevitably dictate who we are tomorrow. With that said, your past matters, but it's not everything. In fact, the great thing about living is that each day is a new day to embark on new adventures, new goals, and new accomplishments.

I often find myself thinking, "I wish I had known what I know now back when...(fill in the blank)." Or even worse, "I wish I started trying when I first had that previous thought." As the Chinese proverb goes:

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now."


We hesitate and wonder if we made the right choice - if we're even capable as we once thought we were. The truth is, we are as capable as we make ourselves. As we have heard, dreams don't happen overnight. But many times, we expect perfectly planned, guaranteed results. Is there anything like it? If a dream is worth something to you, it's worth failing for. We fail only to get back up and achieve again. If we listened to our guts piercing us to try, hope, dream and achieve as much as we turned to outside voices telling us we can't, won't, and will never be - I wonder what kind of generation we could be. Because you can, you will, and you definitely have it in you. After all, you are a product of the mastermind and Creator himself.

x Sola

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

사랑이 다른 사랑으로 잊혀지네 - 하림


언젠가 마주칠 거란 생각은 했어
한눈에 그냥 알아보았어
변한 것 같아도 변한 게 없는 너
가끔 서운하니
예전 그 마음 사라졌단 게
예전 뜨겁던 약속 버린게
무색해 진대도
자연스런 일이야
그만 미안해 하자

다 지난 일인데
누가 누굴 아프게 했건
가끔 속절없이 날 울린
그 노래로 남은 너
잠신걸 믿었어
잠 못 이뤄 뒤척일 때도
어느덧 내 손을 잡아준
좋은 사람 생기더라 음 오오

사랑이 다른 사랑으로 잊혀지네
이대로 우리는 좋아보여
후회는 없는걸
그 웃음을 믿어봐
믿으며 흘러가

다 지난 일인데
누가 누굴 아프게 했건
가끔 속절없이 날 울린
그 노래로 남은 너
잠신걸 믿었어
잠 못 이뤄 뒤척일 때도
어느덧 내 손을 잡아준
좋은 사람 생기더라 우워어~
사랑이 다른 사랑으로 잊혀지네
이대로 우리는 좋아보여
후회는 없는걸
그 웃음을 믿어봐
먼 훗날 또다시
이렇게 마주칠 수 있을까
그때도 알아볼 수 있을까
라라라 라라라
이대로 좋아보여
이대로 흘러가
니가 알던 나는
이젠 나도 몰라
라라라 라라라

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Friday, February 19, 2016

C'est La Vie


We are struck down on every side, drowning in our emotions and shame, growing faint in heart and beat down...C'est la vie.

Whenever I'm brought to this point, it makes me wonder if it's worth pursuing and whatever happened to my self-worth. The ebb and flow of the constant emotional tide we all feel at times weighs heavy on my shoulders today. I grow tired of feeling the same pain, burdens, and sadness. Does it ever feel like you're trying harder than you ought to, but everything only causes a slight dent in the situation? 

There's a poem the internet claims originated from Mother Teresa, titled "Do It Anyway." It's carries a powerful message. The overall idea is clear: do your best regardless of people's responses. I love that.

Do It Anyway by Mother Teresa 

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.


There's a similar passage in the Bible where Paul addresses the church of Colossians. He writes in verse 22:
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Anyway, I realize that every step of a journey people will critique, disapprove, suggest, and much more. But, somewhere along the way people will appreciate, compliment, encourage the things you do. It'll lift your heart! But know that it'll be only a moment before another disapproval comes your way. So live for your own purpose, belief, vision, and don't let other's views of your life lead you astray. We can't live to please everyone - because then, you may have pleased some, but you wouldn't have pleased yourself.

"If you live off a man's compliments, you'll die from his criticism."

Monday, February 1, 2016

Mamma Mia! Monday

This morning was one of the worst morning commutes I've had. Two of my top fears simultaneously occurred in the span of 2 hours: being terribly late and being lost in direction.

The night before, I forget to charge my phone, leaving the device at a mere 5% battery by the time I left home. About halfway to my destination, I double check my Google Maps only to find a dead black screen. Oh no. Here we go again.

Of course, I forget which exit I need to get off, and I get off at the next immediate exit. I turn into the closest gas station (I despise you rude 76 cashier lady), and try to ask anyone who'll help me with directions. No luck. (Well, I did find a man who only spoke Spanish and didn't know how to work his Maps app.) Tears start rolling. I have 10 minutes till my clock-in deadline of 8:30am. I crouch and just breathe in the cold air. Why do I live so far?

Not time for wailing just yet. I get back up and start driving. The next stop turns out to be ARCO. I approach the only person who is there, which is the cashier guy. He speaks limited english and doesn't have a phone, but he can sell me an iPhone charger. Better than nothing, right? I take it without hesitation.

Feeling more hopeful, I rip open the charger package (well, had to run back for help because it was so stubborn!) and my phone turns back on. Hoorah? Sigh...I wish this was the closure to a happy ending.

It charges just 5% before it dies again. Damn crappy gas station chargers! I should've known. I pull over and turn on my emergency lights. I do nothing for 5 minutes (wait for charger to resurrect) then head over to another gas station (do I ever learn?).

I ask around for directions, but no one knows where the hell this is. I'm thinking "where are all the local residents?!" Anyway, I get back into my car and see a young man walking his dog. He has to be a local, so I pull over and ask if he can help me find directions. HE KNOWS WHERE WE ARE. I follow his lead, get on the fwy, pray that I can recognize my exit this time, and get to work 45 minutes past on-time.

Thank God for grace at my office.

And that's my Day 6 story at the new company. To better days ahead!

x Sola

Monday, January 11, 2016

Wave After Wave

Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips...

This is from the depths of my heart. I'm stuck on these lyrics from How He Loves:

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh,
Oh, how He loves us,
How He loves us all


Even when I rejected him and turned from his ways, he pursued me ferociously, because his love surpasses anything I've known. It chokes me up to think about how much it must have hurt to watch his beloved run away from him, turn in disbelief of all he's done, drown in shame and guilt, and conclude I could do better on my own.

This all sounds cliche, but I can't deny it. Has the world ever known a lover who embodies perfect peace, love, endless grace and everything in between? Does anyone come close to the way God loves and cares for us? Looking at myself, my long-term devoted parents, the most chivalrous man on the planet - no one dares to come close to my living God.

It was God who sent my family to speak truth and kindness into me when I needed support, not judgement.
It was God who carefully planned each step of my life, so that I would eventually praise His name.
It is God who heals my aching heart, although I often get swallowed up in the pain of my own mistakes and past feelings at times.
It is God who holds me tightly, as I face the unknown of marriage and commitment.
It is God who is shaping and chiseling our character, as we learn to deal with one another's differences and weaknesses... it's hard, but so rewarding and worth every step. I think this one's going to be a life-long process!

All in all, I'm trying to wrap my head around all the incredible people and events surrounding my life. Six months ago, I saw myself in an entirely different place than where I am. I guess we never know where life takes us, and we're not always aware of all the big and small things He's doing in our lives. As for me, I'm caught in the mystery of his unraveling plan for me! I look back and I'm amazed at the beauty of his perfect plan.

I want to learn to be joyful, to the depths of my soul, because I have a savior I can hold fast to anytime, in whatever season, for all the days of my life.

x Sola

The xx - I Dare You