about 5 years ago, i went snowboarding with a couple of friends and we decided to all race down the mountain. somehow my dumb self ended up going off a jump at too dangerous a speed so my board got caught and i started tumbling down the mountain. i landed on my back and my leg muscles felt like there was some insane cramp goin on…we laughed a bit and when i figured out i couldn’t get up, my smile faded. i later found out my femur snapped in half and the bone was centimeters close to poppin out of my skin. snow patrol came to the rescue and cut open my beloved snowboarding pants with a pair of shears. i couldn’t see what the commotion was but the dude was like “um..we gotta get you to a hospital NOW”. i didn’t understand the severity of the injury so thinking of the outrageous hospital fees, my stingy chinese self refused. when he explained my leg was the swollen to the size of an elephant’s leg i gave in.

once at the hospital, i underwent 2 surgeries where they placed a titanium rod the same length as my femur into my thigh and stayed there a week to recover. though my lungs collapsed and i had to get some blood transfusions during surgery, it was an overall uncomplicated one. im sad to say i really miss boarding and hope my leg is strong enough so that i can feel that wind burn against my face once more. i was inspired to blog about this post because i recently saw my xrays again. combined with the arrival of my new scanner *woot* and not having seen these xrays in so long, i figure i’d share my story. here’s a glimpse of what went down in my bones.

the break

the titanium steel rod and screws put in during surgery

my apologies for the bad quality scans..the xrays are old and dusty =X

so a while ago, i went to jun’s studio, arudima to get my first tattoo. it was a pretty big piece considering it was my first so it took a total of 3 sessions. i showed you guys my progress in this first and second post and i’ve been lagging showing the final work of GENIUS. yeah that’s right..jun’s an artistic genius. all photos courtesy of jun.

what to get for my nxt piece? something to do w/ dozer perhaps

detail

remember those days…those days when oversized windbreakers screamed cool? remember the hightop converses, doc marten-esque boots, and bright-colored tights? remember nautica, metal gear solid, coolwater, anchor blue, and death row’s greatest hits? and who can forget the insane bell bottoms, sanrio, calvin & hobbes, and contra?

i’ve been reminiscing about the younger years, when all we had to worry about was matching socks and which colored scrunchie to use. i was strolling through nordstrom the other day. mind you, i have not shopped clothes ever since i moved out several months ago so i was in desperate need to buy something nice aka waste some money. i feel like recently, i’ve had some very particular taste so i really didn’t see much that i HAD to have…that is, until i laid my eyes on some birkenstocks. i believe this moment is what sparked my trip down memory lane cause i remember when i wore these comfy sandals in elementary school. of course in those days, i was so much more fashionable and wore socks with the birks.  thinking of the good times put a smile on my face so i snatched those suckers up and brought them home with me. yeah, i have to admit they’re a bit granny-looking but for those who know me..that’s what i love.

it was a coincidence to come across the birkenstocks and remember soooo many wonderful things about our childhood…the sandals were more than just sandals, they acted as a time machine that transported me back to the k-12 years. to think it’s been so long since then is definitely a reality check but i can’t say i’m unhappy with where i’m at right now. just gotta keep on truckin’ and be motivated. cheers to these birkenstocks for bringin me back!!!

photo courtesy of zappos

is like a box of chocolates? no, definitely not. it’s such a heavy, complicated, happy topic. i’d like to think i’m completely content with my life but that would only be true if i’m doing exactly what i want and doin’ it successfully.

i just recently went to the doctors for a routine checkup and they weighed me on that dreaded scale where they have to push that stupid weight to the right, to the right, more to the right. W.T.H. let’s just say i gained 10+ lbs compared to last year. i think it’s due to a combination of moving out of the parental’s house and moving to an office that caters breakfast and has happy hour. damn you, panera bread! though both moves were really great, it’s not so great when the fat just stays in and around my belly. why do i not have those taiwanese stick skinny girl genes???? ok wait, i have to confess. i also eat past midnight so that might be the main culprit.  that is totally my bad so to say i’m not content with my life is really just all my fault.

time to take control. when i celebrated new years with the fam, my mom, the spiritual, always-improving woman she is, had us go around the table and say our resolutions. when it got to my turn, first thing was…lose 15 lbs. second thing was…learn more photography and go out and take more pictures. OMG…i just looked down at the bottom right corner of my screen and realized it’s already freaking APRIL!??!?!?!?!?! wo de ma ya…

4 and a half months ago, those were my goals. what have i done since then? i don’t want to admit it but i actually gained 2 lbs i think…and photography? well…that’s slowly brewing. the real question for myself is will it become a profession that can support my lifestyle or remain a hobby and fun, random gigs. (let’s do dis, tiff!)

i think this post was more for me, a reflection of what i’ve been doing so far in 2010 and what really needs to be done. like now, at this VERY INSTANT.

anyway, i work well under pressure so i have a little over half a year left to complete my goals. like in college, i might just lag until the very end but regardless, i’m confident i’ll get my shit done.

and because i believe every blogpost should come with some visuals, *whisper* and because i’m at work so i don’t have access to my home computer files *end whisper*, here’s a pic i found on my oldddddd photobucket account.

no, my finger is not up dozer’s butt. 2007 – a year i was 10+lbs lighter

finallyyyy…after ordering so many different things on amazon, got my desktop all setup. all i need is a mousepad. thanks to erico for letting me use his amazon prime. 2 day free shipping ftw, baby!

also upgraded to photoshop cs4, and a 1.5tb hd…finally!! thanks guh! love the 24 incher…considering getting another one. ahh i’m so greedy. oh, and see that coaster on my desk? shout out to uni4rm for protecting my table.