JonasApproved's Xanga

ProjectRunway.com

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:05:44 GMT

We just launched the new Project Runway site and it's looking good!

This is what I've been working on during the past couple off weeks. I've been so busy that my online and offline social life has dwindled down to checking my email and Facebook messages and going to the gym.

Even though we all stayed until almost 11pm this time, it still beats last season when we all stayed until 5am! Next time, maybe we'll shoot for 9pm? Anyway, I'm really happy with how the site turned out. My skills in front-end development has grown a lot during the past year.

I lost 5 pounds in one week and you can too! Follow my schedule for a full-proof way of losing weight without even trying:

Get to work at around 9:30am and work non-stop. Do not break for lunch.
Leave work around 8pm and go home for a short rest
Eat something light so you won't be too full and go straight to the gym
Shower
Repeat

By the way, yes, I get the inside scoop on Project Runway, not that I care too much. :)

I think I'm ready for a vacation.

I'll be back to my regular blogging schedule soon.

Make the Most of Your Time

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:38:47 GMT

We all say we're always busy, but in actuality, "busy" really means "I'm too busy for you" and "I'd rather do other things." Part of today's message at church was about how we invest our time: We have a finite amount of time in this world and how we use our time defines what's important to us.

I took a nap and woke up to a Facebook message from Pency telling me that our friend Tony died. No reality check hits you harder than the death of a family member or friend. Other problems just become miniscule.

I started thinking of the old days - the way things used to be, the people I hung out with, the things we did together - and wonder how things ever changed. I've only hung out with Tony a handful of times since college despite us being in the same city or me driving past his house at least once a week.

I don't know about you but I admit I don't spend enough time with certain friends though I claim I value everyone's friendship.

Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 90: 12 (NLT)
R.I.P. Tony Tang
May 10, 1982 - July 11, 2008
Xanga | Online Memorial

Natasha Bedingfield, The Veronicas, Kate Voegele

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:58:29 GMT

After a long and grueling week of work, I was able to enjoy my Thursday night at The Verizon VIP Tour starring Natasha Bedingfield with special guests The Veronicas and Kate Voegele at The Fillmore. San Francisco was the last stop for their tour, so that's something to feel special about.

From the way they all talked, all the girls seemed really sweet and down-to-earth. The concert opened with Kate Voegele with the crowd still mellow, just enjoying the music.

Next up was The Veronicas. The crowd was more pumped during their performance. I wanted to backhand Fat Asian Guy and Thick Asian Girl. They were both pushing their way towards the front without even an excuse me. TAG got past me but I wouldn't budge for FAG. Not only were they rude but they also acted like 14-year-old girls. I heard FAT scream, "Oh my god! Lisa [from The Veronicas] looked at me!" Uh, no, she wasn't looking at you - she was looking at the general public, fool!

Finally, Natasha Bedingfield was up. The crowd was really hyped by then. Two White Girls saw an opening near me and politely asked if they could get through and I gladly helped them through. That's what happens when you're courteous. Anyway, The crowd was really hyped up, and though I wasn't a real fanatic like the people around me I hyped myself up as well.

One cool performance was when Natasha called out the winner of a contest she and Verizon did. The winner, Samantha from New York, had a duet with Natasha, performing to Pocketful of Sunshine. Samantha was shy at first, but she eventually let loose. Natasha also sang Madonna's Ray of Light, which was a fun surprise. And of course, the last song was Unwritten.

After seeing Natasha Bedingfield perform and listening to her lyrics, I am now a fan. Her lyrics are just so inspirational.

Unwritten
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Freckles
'cause a face without freckles is like a sky without stars
Why waste a second not loving who you are
Those little imperfections make you beautiful, lovable, valuable,
They show your personality inside your heart
Reflecting who you are

Pocketful of Sunshine
The sun is on my side.
I take it for a ride.
I smile up to the sky.
I know I'll be all right.
I know I'll be all right.

VIEW THE FULL ALBUM ⇒

On the Bright Side ...

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:22:25 GMT

Getting into traffic isn't so bad when you're driving a Prius because there's at least one thing to look forward to: better mileage.

Waiting a long time for your food is sometimes a good thing.

Albert: The food is taking a really long time.
Jonas: Maybe everything is made fresh. You know how usually they already have potatos pre-made?
Albert: Yeah, they're probably probably peeling potatos in the back right now. //End sarcasm

At the end of the meal, we peeked into the kitchen and some guy really was peeling a potato.

In LA, Day 4

I woke up and went to Porto's Bakery for some Cuban food for lunch. I grabbed some stuff to bring back to the city too.

And of course, a JonasApproved trip to LA wouldn't be complete with cupcakes! Yummy Cupcakes in Burbank is one of my favorites now.

Unfortunately, not even my a/c at full blast could save the cupcakes from the long, heated drive back to SF. Of course I still ate them.

Now, it's back to work for me. It's hell week as I have to get the new Project Runway site up, but on the bright side, this week is also Natasha Bedingfield's concert. Hope you had a great 4th of July weekend!

Traveling Alone

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:36:12 GMT

A lot of people are scared to travel alone. That sucks. They're all missing out. How else can you do everything that you want to do instead of what other people want to do? I'm not saying I don't enjoy other people's company, but I'm just so much more productive when I travel alone. You guys should try it. Yelp is pretty much all you need nowadays when traveling in the US, as long as you know how to find things on that site. Thanks to Yelp, I started and closed my day with two of the best meals I've had this month. I love mac n cheese.

Let's cut to the chase. Brunch with Albert and my cousin's youngest son at The Kitchen - JONASAPPROVED!

Frozen yogurt after brunch at Yogurtland, my most favorite froyo ever. JONASAPPROVED!

A visit to the Japanese American National Museum to visit Ken. Sure, he's JONASAPPROVED too.

Round two of bbq-ing at my cousin's house because it takes so much time and effort to set up the grill to bbq for just one day. JONASAPPROVED!

Hung out with Diana, Yvonne and Hannah at Tasty Garden. Free refills for milk tea and some of the best egg puffs I've ever had. JONASAPPROVED!

Midnight meal with Nick at Pete's Cafe & Bar. I love this place. Where else can you get a steak, bleu cheese fries and some of the best mac 'n cheese out there in the middle of the night? JONASAPPROVED!!!

I'm going back to SF tomorrow. Goodbye LA! See you again ... Labor Day?

Jerk

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:10:51 GMT

Don't you hate it when people stand in the background of your photos and ruin a perfectly good shot? This is how that first picture really came out:

By the way, I only do this to people I know. I am not a jerk.

In LA, Day 2

After lunch at my cousin's, I had some of the best soup dumplings ever with Albert at Dean Sin World in Monterey Park, and for only $5 for ten pieces! That's a steal! That place is tiny and still pretty new. I hope not too many people discover this restaurant because I want to be able to go back every time I'm in LA.

It was such a hot day that some froyo (from Nubi) and black tea (from Tapioca Express) was sounding good ... not that it needed to be a hot day for me to want that stuff.

I went back to my cousin's after for a bbq. The kids also turned their jacuzzi into a mini pool. Too bad I didn't bring any swimming trunks!

After that, I partied with my SF girls at Vanguard, then I stole Shannon and Debbie away and we had some more soup dumplings and other stuff at Dragon Mark, some drinks to go from Phoenix Inn, and some carne asada fries from Alberto's.

Pack Carefully

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:41:57 GMT

When packing for a trip, take your time. What happens when you rush? You forget the little things, like your belt, your towel, or your sleep clothes. I think my pants should it fine without a belt, and I used whoever's towel that was in the bathroom (and coincidentally it was an American flag towel), but now I have to lock the door to my bedroom so that no one walks in on me asleep in my underwear, and I have to be sure to get dressed right away after I wake up before I open the door. Such a hassle!

In LA, Day 1

I decided on a last minute trip to LA for the weekend. I left the city at around 4pm and was just stuck in traffic for the longest time. That's when I decided to go online and started looking up places to go and taking notes. After about two hours of driving, I traveled less than 100 miles and already had to take a nap.

This was my first time driving during the day so I saw the windmills along the 580 for the first time.

My favorite stop has got to be at Buttonwillow. This city has every single gas station and at the lowest rates, and every single fast food joint plus more. I finally tried that Indian restaurant, Taste of India, that I kept seeing signs of along the freeway. I ordered a chicken biryani wrap and there was barely any chicken! I felt jipped. gipped. gyped. Why don't know I know how to spell a kindergarten word?

I got here close to 11pm, checked out a 24 Hour Fitness in Pasadena which was just horrible, then grabbed some boba at 85C Tea House to go since they were closing. The kids wanted some but when i got back to the house with their drinks, they were already sleep! Three extra drinks so i drank them all. J/k! They're all in the fridge.

Hopefully I can keep up with updates for the rest of the week. Happy 4th of July Americans!

If I Was a Superhero ...

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:26:09 GMT

It looks like I'm about to talk about food, but you're wrong!

I just saw Hancock. I thought the whole movie would be completely predictable based on the trailers, but there were a couple unexpected twists. Overall, it was entertaining. It doesn't compare to the real superheros out there, though. You know - Spidey, Iron Man and all them other superheros we all grew up with.

If I was a superhero, I'd want my outfit to be like Hancock's. Black, leather jumpsuit that makes me look buff yet slim. No colors for me because colors are too seasonal. No cape for me - We all know what happened in The Incredibles movie. I'd probably want shades too because a mask would mess up my hair.

Okay, you were right. I really am going to talk about food. I had banana cream pie earlier from Mission Pie and it was good, but I already knew it would be since I've had it before. I'm still thinking about it. My church growth group is so lucky to have me because I always bring dessert, and I'm lucky to have them because they all appreciate food.

Is it just me or is "Hancock" just asking to be turned into a porno?

Life Update: Work. Health. Food.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:33:42 GMT

Work picked up like crazy again thanks to Project Runway Season 5 airing July 16. I have to revamp the site by mid-next week for client review (as well as other sites). It's gonna be a crazy month for me, and the cycle repeats in August for Season 6. (On a side note, does anyone want to audition for Project Runway Season 6? Project Runway Season 6 is now casting.)

I've been so busy these past couple days at work that I've been too distracted to snack, and since I've been eating pretty healthy during the day, I figured I'd keep it up at night too. My body fluctuates like crazy. It's only been two days and I'm already seeing results.

Note: That picture might or might not be of me.
I still have a long way to go. I can't wait to see how I end up by the end of the week. Or forget end of the week - How about tomorrow night! I wonder if I could keep this up for another week.

And then Linda just had to bring me these macarons from Boule. Who could resist? Such great friends I have to always think of me.

Grace

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:03:32 GMT

grace -
the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
(Source: Dictionary.com)

I started reading What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey. It started off with a true story that Yancey recollected from his past. It goes a little something like this:

A sick, homeless prostitute admitted to renting out her two-year-old daughter to men interested in kinky sex. Her daughter simply made more money in an hour than she could make in a night, and she did it so that she could support her own drug habit.

When Yancey asked if she thought about going to a church, she was shocked and replied, Church! Why would I ever go there? I was already feeling terrible about myself. They'd just make me feel worse.

Has the church become a place for judgement rather than refuge and grace? I like to think of myself as a gracious person, but if that same prostitute came to me, I would have judged her in a heartbeat - Cya! I guess I'm not as gracious as I thought.