The Religion of Gaga: a Guide of Sorts!

Oh, Gaga. You may hate her, you may love her, but let's face it- she's doing something right. What makes her so appealing/popular, and more importantly:


how can I be like her?!

Alright, not exactly like her. Wearing latex and lingerie concoctions in freezing NYC weather hardly seems like something worthy of emulation, but you know, how can a girl be like the Gaga that her fans see? A fiercely independent and caring icon that uses her influence for things she believes in? Does the answer lie in her purple teacup or platinum blonde wigs? What about her armadillo heels or maybe... her-her-her-telephone?! Okay, I'll stop. But I have a few tips here that might help bring the inner Gaga that we all have, out into the world.


1. Don't be scared of changing things up a bit.
Think of her predecessors Madonna and maybe even Christina Aguilera. Their looks changed so many times they all looked like completely different people! Sometimes I give myself crap for not having a definable 'personal style' yet and that I'm all over the place, but that's a process that takes time and experimentation! Some days I feel like wearing a maxi dress and flats, and other days I just want to be all primped up in heels, skirt, and blouse. Deal with it.

 2. Stand up for your beliefs.
Gaga's all for the gays- and that's pretty much indisputable. It's in her songs, in her speeches, she even uses her fame to reach the goal! (Which makes me feel a little denied of my Gaga attention- let's not forget about the fabulous heterosexual fans who put you there...) So whatever moves you to take action, adopt it wholeheartedly. Not to the point where you argue with everyone you meet that might not completely agree because that's downright obnoxious. Here's a few things I believe in: Christianity, Vegetarianism, Nerdfightaria, and Superforest.

3. Sometimes, making sense just doesn't matter.
I don't need examples for you, do I? I mean, what the dookie is "Alejandro" even about? And who the heck is Roberto? Fernando? ... Cilantro? Forgo all of the things that were told to you about common sense (That's super easy for me!) and drive the super long route to work. Who knows, maybe the scenery will be nice. Wear heels while walking the dog just because it makes you feel pretty. I think we've all deserved our moments to be completely irrational.

4. Be upstanding & GRATEFUL!
Have you seen her Tweets or Twits or whatever they're called? Just about every one of them is for her "Little Monsters" or fans. I'd prefer to be called a Monster than a Lamb by Mariah Carey. Just sayin. She's never lost sight of how important the fans are to her which makes her such an amazing performer. I know that she goes around clubs doing things I never ever want to know about, but when it comes to other people, she will do anything. Here's a little trick I learned: instead of saying "I have to" just change it to "I get to". I get to go to school, I get to go to work, I get the opportunity to do so many things.

5. Don't doubt yourself for a minute.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that 99% of us doubt ourselves just about every day. We're never completely confident about something, but we can work towards it. If you're wearing your favorite maxi dress or heels to class and get some weird looks, brush it off. You're a G. :) Although I hate the slightly accusatory glances I get when wearing my favorite things from Goodwill, I secretly love it because it makes me stand out in a non-negative way. I'm wearing a vintage batwing dress that makes me look like a Chinese schoolgirl. So-freaking-what?! It could be so much worse, and you can't blame me for being myself.

picture creds: one two three four five six

There you have it. You just Gaga'd yourself. And if you didn't realize by now, I do like Lady Gaga. And if you don't, I hope that this post eased your hatred... I do realize that this has been pic overload but you have to agree that it's entertaining to see her outfits, no? :) Have a beautiful day, dear reader!

-SOY

To Soyoung, 2011-2012 (A Challenge for YOU!)

I hope you all had the most wonderful holidays, I certainly did. More pictures to follow in a different post :)

But right now I'd like to introduce a little tradition I've created and have you guys join in too!

So since 2008, I have written myself a letter TO THE FUTURE!! (ooooohhh aaaaaahhh) Basically, I address it to myself a year from now. I review the year and give myself advice and whatever else... 

THE CHALLENGE TO YOU: Do eeeet! It'd be great if you mentioned who you got it from, but no worries :) It's all to help YOU out! Set goals, tell yourself what you learned about you or others, or life in general. You don't have to make it public, just do what feels right.

Picture via Inifinite Photography

My letter from last year is right after the jump, if you need something to help you get started!

Epiphany- You're Not Stuck Up If You're Great

*UPDATE* Whoa, this was featured on IFB's Weekly Roundup?!  I'm trippin' balls. http://heartifb.com/2010/12/23/links-a-la-mode-the-ifb-weekly-roundup-33/

I love this dress, it was originally marked at $10 (At Goodwill?! Still expensive for me) so my brother paid for half and I thought that was a much better deal. He's cool. I just freaking love this dress!

 Outfit Details:

Dress- Goodwill

Flats- DSW

Sweater- Mom's

70's Necklace- Vintage, my dad collects

Also, my brother's a pyromaniac, so he always has some kind of firework handy. Palm trees beware:

Yesterday was really boring- nothing to do, friends on vacation/working, felt lazy, etc. So at around 9 at night I texted my friends telling them to get over to my house because I was making my world famous crepes. Two of my close friends came over and we did what girls do best- we talked. I have never really talked for that long. It was 5 hours straight of talking about our lives, our problems, our issues, blah. I realized that a great deal of girls in the world are really, reeally self-conscious. We honestly do not realize the level of self-pity going on unless we truly dig deep and let it all out. I was concerned at first, because I thought I had a mental disorder where I didn't see all the positive things other saw in me.

Truth is: almost everyone doesn't realize how beautiful, talented, and kind they are. It really taught me a lesson. Whenever I'm complimented, I feel uncomfortable and quietly thank them or change the subject which might make me seem snooty and pretentious. I am the exact opposite- I'm not especially fond of the attention. But we all have to realize how special we are. Take for instance, one of my friends Bee (not really her name, do not pity her!)- she is so beautiful, incredibly athletic and determined and so outgoing and sweet. She doesn't really think so, and I thought she was crazy because she did not see it at all. I didn't understand how she did not realize how she was so pretty.  Even when we think we have healthy self-esteem, we really do not. I think it's because of society/media. I never really thought that I was being pressured about my looks because I was always content with how I looked- I'm not excessively pretty or ugly, I should be happy about it, right? But we don't realize the gravity of the situation.

I think it's a crying shame we don't see what others see about us. It's hard to start believing that you really are amazing and beautiful when you make yourself think you're not. We all have our own problems that stand in the way of that. However, some people have a little too much ego with no justification (something I learned through our talks). Just look at it this way- You're not stuck up if you're great. Don't you want to be great? You already are.

So basically, what I'm trying to say is to never compare yourself with those stupid ads on TV or magazines- they're downright evil. Focus on the individual quirks that define you and make you one in a million. Look in the mirror and point out one thing you REALLY like about yourself every day, and maintain that motto in your head that

 "I'm freaking great. So whoever thinks I'm stuck up can suck it."

-SOY

There's Infinity

My backyard is just teeming with life! It was invigorating, after being cooped up in the house pretty much all week, I went outside and took a picture of our beautiful blossoming peach tree.

It's all good.

Oh, these rants don't come very often!

I've only too recently discovered who I am and what it takes to be oneself.

There will be many roadblocks and breakdowns in my life, but I refuse to change for someone else just to please them. God made me who I am, and I am lucky to know even that bit of information.

I DON'T cuss.
I DON'T do drugs.
I DON'T have sex before marriage.

I AM a Christian.

I love others.
I dress really odd.
I spend a lot of my time doing homework.
I care for the happiness of others.
I love to rant, obviously.
That's who I am.

Also, I will not be too quick in judging someone.

I'm so sick of people that judge me. I am myself, can you figure me out by looking at me? Everyone is a puzzle, just waiting to be solved. Some mesh well with other puzzles, some don't. But even if you do or don't, you know what people need to learn? Some freaking respect. Respect for others and their feelings, and the fact that everyone is different.

If someone doesn't respect you and your differences, that is just an absolute, downright shame.

Love everybody, absolutely everyone and everything.

And: Be yourself. Fully and uncompromisingly you.

Step to Happiness: Valentine's Day

Let's get rid of any negative connotations associated with Valentine's Day.

It's a beautiful day. Who doesn't love love? There should be more days dedicated to things like love. Many people relate Valentine's Day to romantic relationships, but that's just silly if those were the only things that are celebrated!

So go give everyone you love and care for a big ol' hug and tell them you love them and always will.

Things I LOVE:

1. I love my parents. They love me soooo much, and I am soooo lucky to have them. They dedicate so much time and effort to me!
2. I love my brother. He is SUCH a good brother, and I mean it. He always does anything to help me, and is so caring!
3. I love the REST OF MY FAMILY! We're a big family, and I love them endlessly, each and every one of them. There's some perks in being in my family, automatic love! :]
4. I love my friends: From old friends to new, I love them because I know they will be there for me, which is all that matters.
5. I love God. (Haha, that should have been number one. :]) I love everything He has given me and am thankful everyday for every single blessing put before me!
6. I love my life. We are all extremely blessed to be living here at this time. Some people aren't as fortunate, so we should be spending our time helping them as much as we can!
7. I love music and art in general. It keeps me sane!
8. I love being weird. It helps me be open-minded and it adds a little flavor to this world!
9. I love love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Steps to Happiness, pt. 3

After a long, hard, grueling, frustrating day, what can people rely on to calm the spirits, and reset the day, so the speak?

yoga. :]

Yes, I've really uncovered the power and awareness that yoga can help unveil. It's pretty glorious. The problem with yoga is that the western culture has made yoga a physical exercise. Contrary to that belief, yoga is a spiritual practice in which physical fitness is just a benefit. The whole purpose of yoga is to focus on the present moment. Focusing on the breath, meditating, is another way to achieve some peace throughout the day.




So look it up. It provides a refreshing break throughout the stress of the day! :]

In Joy In Life,
Soyoung.

Happiness pt. 2

Ah, on to our next tip.





Write.





To yourself, to others, to imaginary people. Writing, for me, has helped me curb a lot of frustration and anger I've had in my life. I honestly think that if I had never written for myself, I would be more anxious, stressed, and pretty much completely insane. (I mean, I still am, but, at a more decreased level than if I wouldn't have..) You don't even have to be good at it, which is why I like it so much. Just express what you feel, and as accurately as possible on that piece of paper. Write letters to family or friends- the letter is now an act of kindness and is surprising for the people who receive it, and they appreciate the time it took for you to write it.


Here's some activities that you can do:

1. Blog


2. Write a letter


3. Keep a journal, write in it daily


4. Write a short story, or novel


5. Just write for a minute straight, never letting your pencil come off the paper


6. Write a poem, song, etc.

Steps to Happiness.

So I decided to add a new section today.

Steps to Happiness will be my journey to add little tips and suggestions to basically make you and the world happier. Just small things- baby steps can go a long way.

So Step 1: Hug someone.

You remember the 'Free Hugs' guy:

How do you feel when you receive a hug? Hugs are actually proven to help reduce stress and increase a feeling of happiness? Makes sense once you think about it. So go ahead. Go hug some strangers. (If you're feeling less ambitious, your family and friends are a good start.)

This was me and my brother waaay back. We used to hug all the time. I mean, I still would, but you know guys these days.. afraid of losing their man card.. so he tries to crush me and make me never want a hug... it's working. But I'm giving him mental hugs.

ooOOooOO (little hug little hug big hug big hug x2)

in joy in life

Soyoung