Voila!

Dave Chappelle - Women And Their Feelings

2009-09-22T00:09:00.001-07:00

Kings of Leon- Knocked up

2009-08-28T12:18:00.001-07:00

Hot Chip - My Piano

2009-08-28T10:29:00.001-07:00

Kings of leon only by night manhattan

2009-08-26T11:16:00.001-07:00

Roksopp - Eple

2009-08-07T14:59:00.001-07:00

in germany!

2008-05-30T08:02:00.001-07:00

so check out my OTHER blog from here on out until the end of summer...

www.niharikaineuros.blogspot.com

danke!!!!!!!!!!

(thanks :)

MIA concert!!!

2008-05-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

in S:F: was freakkkkkkkin crazy....... i definitely got elbowed in the face. anyway.. some pics follow

great Arch / design blogs

2008-05-07T03:22:00.000-07:00

http://urbanpalimpsest.blogspot.com/

http://theartofwhere.blogspot.com/

because i don't know how to save them on my page so i can check them easily and regularly.

anyone know how? john?

the gazebo at central park

2008-05-07T02:44:00.000-07:00

is my favourite thing... i want to be there tail end of winter wearing a red dress that had a large skirt and corsette top, with my hair in a classic french twist, with pearls on, and i want to be photoraphed in it. or photograph someone in it.

The vibrancy of the red will pop out sooo much against the drearily inviting backdrop... I don't know why I love New York so much in the winter time... or any time at that.

The reason I rememberd the gazebo is because I spoke to a friend today briefly who was visiting ny.. he was "throwing a ball around w/ some friends" at CP (lol so modern-berkeley of me to make an abbreviation out of that) and then was "lying around on the grass". He's a med-school-student at U Michigan so he doesn't get to do much of either of those things, let alone be outside in the sun due to Mich's harsh weather conditions so i was pretty stoked for the guy...... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous, too - I love Central Park....I wish I could've been there too. Ugh it's freaking ridiculous how much I freaking love New York and all that the city is about.

NY just has such energy to it. Even though the park and 5th ave are obviously different, they both have such strong vibes that attract me and keep me intrigued no matter WHAT. Part of it could just be the fact that I don't live there... I have decided I want to live there at least some point in my life, preferably before grad school no matter where I do that at, whether it be colombia or whatever... And while I'm there I want to work for shop architects. ( http://www.shoparc.com/ ). how effing cool would that be.

--

Or maybe when I'm in Germany this summer and I check out Zaha Hadid's BMW factory, steal one, and drive to london some how and beg her to let me work for her. And then I'll open up a firm for her in NY! And i'll be set for life. fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkk yeah. and then I write a book about how fucking amazing it was to work for her, and become a millionaire. travel the world. and do all sorts of good things for the impovershed people of the world and help them help themselves by giving them schools and more importantly food so that they don't have to skip school to work to make money to buy food to eat.

the end.

ps. i really like the following blogs:

http://urbanpalimpsest.blogspot.com/

http://theartofwhere.blogspot.com/

Crash via lack of Calcium

2008-05-07T02:43:00.000-07:00

2 of my nails broke today.

i haven't been drinking milk lately.

therefore, my nails are breaking and brittle because I haven't had enough milk.

that makes sense, right?

finding an apartment.. in GERMANY

2008-05-07T02:34:00.000-07:00

If you thought finding an apartment in Berkeley was a bitch, try finding one in Munich. in GERMAN.

www.freetranslation.com is my best friend right now.

http://www.wg-gesucht.de/1-zimmer-wohnungen-in-Muenchen.90.1.1.0.html?max_miete=&min_groesse=&zwischenmiete=0&frei_ab_Day=01&frei_ab_Month=05&frei_ab_Year=2008&zeitraum=0&frei_bis_Day=01&frei_bis_Month=08&frei_bis_Year=2008&filter=1&moebliert=0&haustier=0&ot%5B2123%5D=on&x=37&y=13

that's the site i'm using

if anyone cares to help me:

max miete (rent) = 500 eur
min miete = 200 eur
part of munich : Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
furnished please

siggghhhh.......

Mentoring in Richmond, Ca

2008-05-06T01:17:00.000-07:00

Sooooo I'm a mentor in Richmond, and it's been very interesting, to say the least. We've been teaching high school students about city planning and how to analyze sites. We have used various pedagogical tools to get these ideas across, and we're very please with the way things have worked out!

They will be presenting this Thursday in Richmond at the MLK Community center, so as usual, my Thursdays will be completely booked. But, it's for a good cause! So, rock on Richmond!

Anyway, we will be doing a "helping-hand-activity" which I came up with... so I got to use photoshop today after quite some time and it felt lovely.

The program I'm working through is called Y-PLAN, and its been in conjunction with a class I've been taking here at UC Berkeley: City Planning 190b-290b. That's right baby, graduate seminar. And though it takes up more time than any other 3 unit I've taken aside from ED 4/1 (first "studio" at UC Berkeley for architecture majors) I've loved it and would definitely recommend that anyone who is interested in bettering their surrounding community through the community itself should take this class.

Care for more info? Post a comment on the blog and ill get back to you asap.

Speechless

2008-05-05T01:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/05/03_wootton.shtml

The chancellor made a statement about the brutal and senseless killing of Christopher Wootton...

This is surreal.

the amount of violence in berkeley is disgusting..

2008-05-04T01:27:00.001-07:00

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=11120

for all the press releases that the cops do.

fucking po. i wish a little more could be done around here...

R.I.P. Chris Wootton...

2008-05-04T01:00:00.001-07:00

L - R

Me, Ryan, Mel, Chris, Sid, Ty

So I just found out that a friend of mine passed away last night around 2 am.

He was stabbed by a student at Berkeley City College.

WTF is someone from BCC doing with a knife outside of a fraternity house!

I can NOT believe that this has just happened... Like you hear of people getting robbed at gun-point, raped, beat-up, but i've never heard of anyone actually being stabbed! And this time, it's not just anyone, it's someone I've known and have hung out with and partied with like for the past 3 or 4 years of my life!

And he was going to graduate in only 2 weeks! He was studying nuclear science and got into the masters program at CAL! That is such a hard program to get into!!

This guy really had it going on....

The AUDACITY of these people is just so ridiculous...why do you need a knife with you i DO NOT understand. Sure, berkeley is violent at times... and rather dangerous. but why do you have to bust out a knife over a stupid argument?

I just can NOT believe that this is seriously happening!!!

And to think, I just hung out with the guy YESTERDAY!

and then the next thing i know, he is gone!

I just can't believe it... PEOPLE! STOP THE VIOLENCE!

passport pics are poopy

2008-04-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

i'm gonna go take one today. my old one was really good and i always got compliments at the airport. but it got annoying cuz they'd be like: "oh you look really good HERE, but what happened now? are yout ired?"

so, now

i wanna get a really shitty pic so that they can be like, "oh, you look like shit here, but in person you're gorgeous!"

hahahhaa... i'll let you know how they turned out.

and jen's bananas... they're still not ripe.

B.A.N.A.N.A.S. , this shit is

2008-04-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

sooo

jen's bananas haven't ripened and its been about 2 weeks.

soooo i put my really over ripe banana next to hers so that the green ones would get cooties from the yellow ones. I'll let you know how that worked out.

Lauren is in pain. She needs to stretch

2008-04-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

hahahhahahhaha.... so we went to the gym a few days ago and she did the inner thighs & the hip adductor business and all that jazz, and she didn't stretch after even though I told her to!

Anyway, so now she is in pain and this is what she looks like. It may look like she is relatively happy. However, as usual, looks are deceiving, and she is actually hiding a painful face under there.

So, therefore, note to all:

REMEMBER TO STRETCH AFTER YOU WORK YO'SELF OUT.

ugh. NOT hot.

2008-04-28T18:03:00.001-07:00

apparently mr. sexy pants has a girlfriend.

me = sad :(

Hotties of Cooper Union, NY

2008-04-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to actually talk to a friend of a friend today for the first time since we met over a month or two ago, and realized that I've developed a slight "kinder-garden crush" on him (a term which I learned from Will, Real World LA. lol ). I'm crushin' mostly because he is SO CUTE, is a great conversationalist, is a hot ethnic mix, and because he seems to be rather intelligent. And, today, during our 45-or-so minute conversation, I found out he apparently goes to COOPER UNION!

COOPER UNION!!!

How amazing is that! He's a fourth year in the architecture program. Which is freaking amazing. AMAZING!

I (almost) feel like I've met a celebrity. No, I pretty much DO feel like I've met a celebrity.

For those of you who don't know, Cooper Union, http://www.cooper.edu/, is an amazing school and has a great (Accredited) program for Architecture. Oh, and its FREE.

The process of getting accepted to the school is extensive, to say the least. You have to write an essay and all that to apply, and then if they like you, they send you a test which you have a month to complete, and then if they think you've done well, you get accepted. And if I'm not mistaken, only 20 or so students get in per semester.

This is the second person I know to have been accepted to Cooper, and both of the students that I know there are males. I'm begining to think they may be sexist.... Hmm...

Anyway, I think its really awesome that he goes there, and I hope to get to know this guy a little more. After all, the only thing more attractive about a guy than his bod is definitely his brain.

(Both of which are hottttttttttttttttt...........................)

Shrooms, Neil Patrick Harris, and Aladdin

2008-04-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Almost took some this weekend- but didn't. I'm glad I have the ability to say "no".

Or am I?

I watched Harold and Kumar 2 this weekend and after seeing all that NPH saw, I second guessed my decision.

However, after doing a little research, I guess I'm glad I didn't:

Namely because: the stuff that's in shrooms stays in your brain forever after and can be re-released at any time and you can have a trip even after 5, 10, or 20 years. Now, that may seem awesome, but say you were a lawyer and you were in the courtroom defending a client and all of a sudden you saw little leprechauns running around everywhere?

Or what if one day when I was in an airplane flying somewhere, the change in pressure induced the re-release of shroom-age in my brain and I had the sudden urge to jump off the plane because Princess Jasmine and Aladdin wanted me to join them on their flying carpet through the clouds?

Knowing my obsession with Aladdin it is very likely that something like that could happen.

Therefore, overall, glad I didn't partake in the festivities. Thanks anyway, Berkeley!

real world - LA

2008-04-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

First, jealous that I'm not on it, too.

But, what is it about the real world that makes us want to watch 24-7?

Second. The people. As of watching the first episode:

Greg - he thinks he's too cool, but i feel bad for him. He is already singled out because he's the "internet winner". I hope he gets closer w/ everyone because that would suck for him to be the outsider.

Sarah- manipulative, immature, likes attention.

Will - very cute. considerate. thoughtful. All about his music. But, poor guy is already whipped by sarah.

...

more later.

Making a Website

2008-04-23T15:21:00.001-07:00

If Galen has one, I need to have one.

Unfortch, though my proposed deadline for myself was end of April, that doesn't look too promising right now and it definitely won't be done by then. Simply because of the fact that I don't know where to upload that shit to.

Someone help me. Or, Norbert, lets figure out a time when we can get together to work on that shit.

xoxo

Body Conscious Design

2008-04-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

So. Galen Cranz has a website.

We all knew it would happen, I just didn't realize it would happen so soon!

bodyconsciousdesign.com

It's full of fun stuff that she has either designed or created or found and is using the website to promote a more body conscious way of life.

Rock on, Galen!!

This week, we have a meeting at her house where we will see how she lives a more body conscious way of life. I'll post about how crazy amazing her place is. And apparently she's making us guacamolllleeeeeeeeee

Everyone is a Prima Donna

2008-04-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Why it's so hard to find love at UC Berkeley.

My roommate Lauren and I headed over to Bears Lair on Thursday night, our on-campus bar, to celebrate a close friend's birthday and to do a little drinking. Naturally, the other reason we went was to check out the boys; if you meet someone at the Lair it means you already have one thing in common: a shared love for a beer (or two).

We bought a pitcher for John, the birthday boy, and enjoyed each others' company at a table on the patio. Since I had an early flight the next morning to Orange County I didn't want to drink too much, and so I walked around the patio to "baby-sit" my beer for a bit. I ran into some old friends and we chit-chatted about plans for post-graduation, girl-friends, boy-friends, and the like. Meanwhile, I noticed that a very attractive young man across the patio was clearly checking me out.

Let me preface the following situation with the fact that it's not that often that that someone that I might actually be into is checking me out - so I was thrilled, to say the least. We made eyes at each other for some time, and when I thought he would be inebriated enough to forget anything silly that I might do or say, I went over to say hello.

"Hey, palm-reader," I said, reacting to what his shirt claimed he was. "What's mine say?" I asked. With a coy little smile I showed him my palm and anxiously awaited the answer.

Ideas of what he might say ran through my head... "That I'm the man of your dreams," "That you just met your match" "That you better watch out because I'm so smooth" were just a few of the phrases I thought this hopefully not only cute but clever boy would come up with.

You can guess my excitement when all he said was "uhmm.... uhmmmmm....... uhm...."

I giggled a little bit, smiled, and in what I thought seemed like a friendly manner said " 'Um.. Um..' don't think too hard now," playfully mocking him just a little bit.

Ego: bruised
Self esteem: broken
Defense-mode: intensified.

The guy gave me a mad/ hurt look and after I told him that I was just kidding, I gave him another chance to "read my palm".

But he wouldn't have it, and he kindly asked me to "Fuck off".

Talk about a great way to start a relationship!

But, that was three years ago, and now we are getting married.

NOT.

Ok. So, after he reacted so poorly to my advances, I told him I was just kidding, asked him to calm down a bit, and emphasized that I was "just kidding." He reluctantly accepted my apology and I peaced-out to to say hello to another friend standing nearby.

I had no idea what to think of our brief interaction. After all, "fuck off" is a pretty straight forward way of saying "Hey ass-hole, I'd be happiest if I never spoke to you again in my life"

Though I knew this, I felt bad and didn't want this one to get away. Like I said, it's rare for someone who i might actually be interested in to be checking me out, so after chatting with my friend for a bit, I went back over to the palm-reader to apologize for my impatience and inability to believe in his abilities. Upon noticing how bad I felt for upsetting him, he also "admitted" to having been joking about telling me to fuck off.

Even after accepting his apology, I was still a little blown away that someone had actually told ME, a relatively attractive girl, to fuck off (the exact meaning of which still is rather perplexing to me). I went back to Lauren to tell her what happened. We both giggled about it and she helped me realize that I had literally laughed at the poor guy in his face, but then commended me for apologizing as it "shows that I'm not insecure and don't have an ego problem... though he might."

Anyway. The point of it is: he did not seem like he was going to come up to me... After all, for a majority of the night I was hanging out with my friend the birthday-boy, and I was pretty dressed up for Bears Lair, and there were a lot of sorority girls there that I was chatting with as well so maybe he thought I was one of them - and we all know what people think about sorority girls... Or, maybe he was intimidated, or maybe he had a girlfriend, or maybe he just wasn't interested. Though I can't imagine why someone would be checking someone else out the whole night if they weren't interested.

Either way, the fact that I went up to him defnitely says something about me and my personality. If I were a guy, I would love if every now and then an attractive girl was hitting on me.

We ended up talking again later that night at the bar, and he offered me a beer, which I didn't take, then offered me a sip of his, which I did, and we made some conversation. Turns out he's from Irvine, went to the same high school as one of my friends, and is graduating this semester as well, and he's staying in the bay after he graduates. It would've been perfect. I'd love to end this by saying "and he overall he seemed like a pretty decent guy," but I really can't say that since he did, after all, ask me to fuck off.

And no, we didn't exchange numbers.

So much for that "cute guy at the bar" situation. Things could've gone so well.

See what happens when you can't take a joke? Freakin' prima donnas.

Exasperated Ant

2008-03-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

I'm in the AIAS - U.C.Berkeley Chapter, and I love it. I love being involved at my school and all that jazz, and I love having a say in what happens with my future profession. It's a great feeling and I intend on remaining close with those who I've been on the board with.

We had elections today for who would be on the board next year, and everything went great! There was a descent turn-out, like 25 people, lol, 1/4 of the actual club (including officers - sad...) and everyone got to vote.

Don't you love a democratic society?

I sure do.

Unless I'm the one who is counting the ballots.

At first I thought I had the easy job, but then when I saw the look of a potential officer's face after she thought she didn't make it on the board, I felt so bad for her! She really wanted me to just tell her whether she had made it or not, and maintaining integrity, I told her it would be unfair of me to do so & to tell her before everyone else got to find out too.

She was pretty upset, to say the least.

Anyway, the question is, should I have told her or not? I wasn't the only officer who knew what was going on. The right thing to do would've been simply to not count the ballots near where she was, but everything is different in retrospect so...

I think I did the right thing - I think it was unfair of her to ask me to tell her. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of this, but I think she actually made a bigger deal about it by getting so upset instead of just waiting until ALL the officers found out simultaneously who made it.

Either way she'll find out tonight. So though curiosity may have killed the cat... hopefully anticipation won't exasperate the ant!

foreign tampons.

2008-03-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

coming soon.

hint:

"a missile of uncomfort"

niharikahablani.com

2008-03-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

i can't wait to put up my website!!

it is going to be amaaaaaaazingly architectural. I wanted this whole blog thing to be really anonymous at first, but I guess its okay if its not...

But i am NOT excited about the fact that I have SO much studying left to do for my history midterm.. uggghhhhh...

I'd better get to it.

xoxo

TWITCH

2008-03-05T23:54:00.001-08:00

so, i've been very stressed lately, and i have noticed that i have developed a twitch just under my right eye. it is invisible to others, but quite possibly the most annoying thing since the inception of earth.

the body is a magnificently confusing thing. why, in God's name, would it cause a portion of one's body to TWITCH when one is irritated? this seems rather counter-productive.

as amazing as the body is, it still has some major flaws. Yes, such as my new twitch.

And, it is for this reason that I believe in evolution.

In Merriam Webster, the third definition of twitch is " to undergo a brief spasmodic muscular contraction"

First of all, we must ask what the first definition is:

1 : pull, pluck (twitched at my sleeve)

Second, we must ask what the second definition is:

2 : to move jerkily : quiver

I cannot understand why those two definitions would come before the third definition. It seems to me that the most relevent information would be that which concerns one's own body, no matter what the word or etymology.

Therefore, I propose that Merriam is fired, and that all of those who believe that God created us are killed to meet their maker, while the rest of us can finally stop twitching because of all that is ridiculous with the world.

an apology

2008-03-03T00:37:00.000-08:00

to those who actually stumble across this.. i started the blog swearing tat i wouldn't write anything particularly personal in here, but it is TOUGH to avoid. especially because seometomes that is actually more interesting than anything else.

but anyway

later i want to kind of evaluate why drama is sometimes more interesting than something intellectual.

so much shit

2008-03-03T00:29:00.000-08:00

soooooo I'm scared to go to Germany. there is so much that needs to be done!!!

1. talk to american embassy in germany

2. talk to german embassy here

3. get all the visa stuff taken care of... etc

aghhghghhghg

i am sooo stressed out right now - the main reason being 1. aias. and 2. maxii's class.... aghghghhghg soooo much to dooooooooooooooo

hindi:
lagta hai ki mein ek work-a-holic hoon. mera life boring lagta hai agar mein HAR CHEEZ nai karrahihoon. kabhi kabhi mein sochti hoon ki jab mein mar jaaungi tho ek bhi cheez jo meinei shuru kiya, vo long list se, koi bhi cheez meine khatham nai kiya.

mera goal is saal ka hai ki mein JO shuru karungi, khatham BHI karungi.

shaiyad isliye mein itni pagal horahihoon germany ke peechay. Aur isliye bhi mein itni pagal horahihoon maxi ke class mein, kyoonki mujhe har sabh ko dikhaana hai ki mein jo shuru karti hoon khatham bhi karsakti hoon.

dekhtehoon kya hota hai.. mujhe abh sirf seekhna hai ki ' naheen'' kaise bolte hein.

until then, i'm stoked by freakin nervous about germany. SO MUCH TO DOOOOOOO so little time.... but i am always talking about how much time i have!!

career fair the other day went awesome awesome awesomely... i of all the architects i emailed how many will get back to me. i just hope that the one i want gets back to meeee but idk if i should start working right now... as long as they have me in mind though sooo whatevvs.. and he totally sounded like he wanted me to work for him! so hopefully that works out...

i also want to really start working on the art projects w/ jen so that we can start selling to the organic fair trade place, and sf moma too. that will be FREAKING AWESOME.

so many things to do !!

handle germany

the meeting

art projects

hw!!

i am team-leading this week AS WELL

jeeeeeeeeeeez so much shit is going onnnnnnnn ommmgggggggggg

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

HIP HOP IS DEAD...

2008-02-18T00:38:00.001-08:00

...Or is it just in a coma while its spirit remains to intertwine with all other genres of music existing today?

As someone who has experienced music from the 80's 90's and the new millenium, if you asked me how I felt about hip hop today vs. from "back in the day" I would definitely tell you that I miss A Tribe Called Quest , Salt-n-Pepa, and Queen Latifah...

HOWEVER. This doesn't mean I don't appreciate newer rappers/ hip-hoppers.. But it's hard to say that someone is only a "rapper" or a hip-hop artist, because music genres today have been intermixing with each other creating more Melatos than ever before.

If hip hop is dead, what do you call the music that Kanye West is making? Lupe Fiasco? Common?

If we are not calling the music these artists create "hip hop" then we have to analyze what exactly it is they are creating and give it a genre..

So we've got this new thing where rap artists pair up with rock / alternative groups and create some fabulous new combination of both types of music.

You have Jay-Z with Linkin Park, Jay-Z in the Gray Album with The Beatles, Kanye West and Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Timbaland with various non-hip-hop artists on his Shock Value CD, Lupe Fiasco with Matthew Santos, and the list goes on...

Clearly, this is not your typical hip hop.

Let's start with Jay-Z & Linkin Park.

"Collision Course"

They obviously know that what they're producing is new and revolutionary. Often deemed as "mash-ups" I don't think this term gives enough respect to what is actually being creative.

I advocate that we call these new combos "hip-rock"

The name is simple, yet explanatory. Just as hip-hop stems from what the dance-patterns were while listening to this type of music, hip-rock does just the same, simply and succinctly.

Dirty Geometry & Dirty Writing

2008-02-18T00:18:00.000-08:00

It's really frustrating when you can't understand what you're reading.. especially when the person who wrote it probably didn't learn english as their first language, and yet is using HUMONGOUS words that don't make any sense strung together the way they are.

It's different when that person is speaking to you - at least then you can sort of figure out what is going on by seeing their body language, using context, knowing background from previous conversations - but when you're just reading what is written it really is quite irritating.

For example:

I have to read a piece titled "Dirty Geometry" for a class I'm in regarding architecture and geometry....

Aside from the fact that the grammar, and all the plurals and the connecting words are all mixed up making the piece difficult to read, some of the vocabulary used is being utilized in ways I have not heard before making me question the meanings of the words themselves. In a way I suppose it's good because in these circumstances one is forced to really close-read the piece presented. However, if you do click on the link and read even the begining intro paragraph, you will notice that the writer teaches at Colombia University.

This affiliation makes me wonder about my desire to attend that school at any point in the future, and frankly, just plain pisses me off that a prestigious school such as Colombia who no doubt hires only the best of the best professors still does not emphasize that people should have their work EDITED. ALWAYS.

----

a list of words that I had to look up.

Thanks dictionary.com. At least YOU'RE always there for me.

(currently listening to http://netmusique.com)

CALIBRATE

1.	to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements).

2.	to divide or mark with gradations, graduations, or other indexes of degree, quantity, etc., as on a thermometer, measuring cup, or the like.

3.	to determine the correct range for (an artillery gun, mortar, etc.) by observing where the fired projectile hits.

4.	to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc.: a sales strategy calibrated to rich investors.

INSOFAR
adverbto the degree or extent that; "insofar as it can be ascertained, the horse lung is comparable to that of man"; "so far as it is reasonably practical he should practice restraint"

How much should an intern be paid?

2008-02-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

Apparently, the editors at DETAIL think that 500 Euros a month is sufficient for a first-time intern's starting salary. Unfortunately, as an intern at an architectural firm here in the U.S., I made more than that in one week. Granted this internship would be in Germany and therefore ridiculously amazing, I can't help but feel like I'm getting jipped...

So. Over the course of the next few weeks, I am going to do a little research starting at the German Embassy to figure out a few things:

1. The average cost of living in German and what that means exactly.

2. How much an intern should be paid

3. Where and how I should go about finding housing

4. The best places to party in Munich.

Looks like I have my work cut out for me!

More later.

Germany!!!

2008-02-17T12:57:00.001-08:00

So. I found an internship for the summer at DETAIL Magazine, in Munich, Germany.

I am beyond excited, but also a little scared..

In case you didn't know, Germans are said to be... how should I say this... umm...

freakin' RACIST!

And considering the fact that I do not have blue eyes, or blonde hair, I think I have a right to be a little scared.

I also do not know ANY German. I mean, sure, I know "gazuntheit" or however the F you spell it, but I doubt that "bless you" will get me very far when some white guy is trying to put me in some camp because I don't look the same way he does.

...

Alright. So maybe they're not THAT racist, and I'm exaggerating a bit, and all that....

Anyway. So it should be amazing to work at a magazine.

:(

2008-02-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

I posted the pic on Arj's page and he didn't approve it.

WHAT A BUMMER. looks like he doesn't approve pic comments.....

Anyway.... Enough of that..

Mission Accomplished!!

2008-02-16T00:25:00.000-08:00

I saw Arj Barker perform tonight in San Francisco @ PunchLine Comedy Club.

it was SO AWESOME!!

But I am tired and a little tipsy.. so more later. But CHECK OUT THAT PIC!!! haha.. i <3 him.

mia, back in action

2008-02-14T00:41:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, my freshman year at college, I found out about an amazing artist, MIA, bought her album and was blown away.

Four years later, she is back, bigger and better than ever before, and finally OVER-GROUND!

Her music is amazing, she's friends with diplo, she's from sri lanka, and she's HOT. If you don't know by now, you may never know.

If it seems as though I'm a little obsessed with her, you might just be right.

Arj Barker.

2008-02-14T00:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, back to Arj.

For those of you who remember, I myspaced him some time ago wondering if that was ACTUALLY him, and also if he wanted to meet up. Lame, yes, okay, but my roommates and I think he is HILARIOUS so I had to give it a shot.

Besides, what if he said yes?

Anyway, this weekend, Friday to be exact, we are going to see him perform LIVE. He is a comedian and I am beyond excited.

punchlinecomedyclub.com

or livenation.com

for tickets.

See you there!

The Shoe!

2008-02-13T23:52:00.000-08:00

background:

At U.C.Berkeley, being a senior is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Especially when you're done with your requirements and are taking classes because you're actually interested in them.. Luckily, I qualify as one of those people, and I was fortunate enough to take a class with Galen Cranz, and amazing professor.

She is teaching a course on "body concious design" and this week, we had to design a shoe which was not anatomically harmful, yet was still culturally acceptable. Take a look at what I did :)

THE SHOE
Anatomically Safe, yet Culturally Acceptable

In this day and age it’s tough to look good, feel comfortable, and be less harmful to the environment ALL at the same time. Luckily, with the new “sustainability” trend, everyone seems to be enthralled with the idea of any new item on the market which is recycled and not as harmful to the environment as it would otherwise be.

This new “shoe” (in quotes because it is more of a boot) is based on the fact that rain-boots, though necessary in the wetter months of the year, are not always the most comfortable. Personally, I have a very high arch, and none of my old rain-boots ever had any arch support, enough padding, and were always too cramped in the toe area for me to be comfortable for any lengthy period of time – lengthy meaning for over 10 minutes.

Therefore, the basis of my argument is that even when it is raining we should be able to be as comfortable as we would be in our favorite pair of flip-flops.

To make my point, I have:

1. I used my most comfortable pair of flip-flops. They have adequate padding, arch support, and are black – a very sexy color (I also happened to have bought them for a very small price from the men’s section at my local Target – just goes to show that if you want a shoe you can wear, you might have to venture a little further than you normally would).
2. I attached “bondage” in the form of yellow ribbon, so that they are more securely fastened to my foot.
3. I attached a recycled plastic bag to create the water-proof aspect which rain-boots provide.
4. Attached a ribbon near the back of the heel to give the boot some shape, creating “sex-appeal”
5. Used a ribbon at the top of the plastic to allow the boot to be adjustable. An elastic band would cut off circulation, and no one has the same size calf so the ribbon was to take away the generic, one-size-fits-all approach to life.

And thus, voila, I formed my shoe. Comfortable because of the generous support provided by “MOSS shoes”, and in-style thanks to the multiple recycled items used to create this beautiful piece of technology.

Rain, rain, no need to go away, I have my WPF-boots, and they’re here to stay!

MIA paper planes

2008-01-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCFN1XwDOqE

M.I.A. LYRICS

"Paper Planes"

[x2]
I fly like paper, get high like planes
If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name
If you come around here, I make 'em all day
I get one down in a second if you wait

[x2]
Sometimes I think sitting on trains
Every stop I get to I'm clocking that game
Everyone's a winner now we're making that fame
Bonafide hustler making my name

[x4]
All I wanna do is (BANG BANG BANG BANG!)
And (KKKAAAA CHING!)
And take your money

[x2]
Pirate skulls and bones
Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
Running when we hit 'em
Lethal poison through their system

[x2]
No one on the corner has swag like us
Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless
We pack and deliver like UPS trucks
Already going hell just pumping that gas

[x4]
All I wanna do is (BANG BANG BANG BANG!)
And (KKKAAAA CHING!)
And take your money

M.I.A.
Third world democracy
Yeah, I got more records than the K.G.B.
So, uh, no funny business

Some some some I some I murder
Some I some I let go
Some some some I some I murder
Some I some I let go

Everyone is an Entrepreneur

2008-01-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

And my roommates and I are no less... We will be selling funky OBAMA 08 shirts and donating our proceeds to the OBAMA campaign! Anyone interested should email:

nihaaarchitect@gmail.com

for further information.

How much would you pay for a nap?

2008-01-23T22:03:00.000-08:00

In this world of over-achievers and anti-Christs, I find myself struggling to be staying alive, staying alive. As a young American, my own growing responsibilities both at home and at work make it difficult to be even moderately healthy, and I find myself sleeping less and less each night.

Luckily, MetroNaps is to the rescue.

http://www.metronaps.com/

They sell naps in "sleeping pods" which you can use to doze off in for 20 minutes at a time on the 24th floor of the Empire State Building in lovely Manhattan, NY. But that's only if you happen to be in NY when you're tired. If you're at work, or at school and you happen to find yourself in need of a nap, then either buy yourself a ticket to NYC, or buy yourself a sleeping pod.

Sounds easy enough, right?

WRONG!

Each pod costs over 12,000! $12,485 to be exact. And that doesn't even include the shipping&handling, insurance, and the installation. But hold on, before we get too crazy here, let's not forget the redeeming 10% discount if you're ordering for a University or non-profit.

How does this make any sense???

And there are actually universities who have PURCHASED these things. Am I the only one that sees something wrong with this? I'm sorry, but you want ME to pay YOU so that I can take a nap during the day? Not even on a comfortable bed with memory foam, but in something that looks like a mutated cross between a dentist's chair and the cockpit of a plane which doesn't even cover you completely? And you want me to pay TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS for it???

No Thanks...I'd rather buy a vespa. In fact, I could buy five for that price, and instead of taking a nap in a retarded recliner, I could go for a nice ride around the block with refreshing gushes of air in my face.

The idea of napping in the middle of the day is a great one. Also providing these sleeping pods for people in Manhattan is not only revolutionary but a great idea from a business point of view: selling naps! Where the client is producing his own product to purchase - only $14 for 20 minutes, and you are gently awoken with a slight vibration of the chair, and if you'd like, a spritz of water. You can also extend your 20 minutes if you please, and you can even listen to music catered to proper napping patterns.

An amazing concept. However, clearly, this is only revolutionary if you are IN New York and near the Empire State Building. If your business or university is out of state, then I just have one thing to say:

Buy a comfortable couch.

m.i.a. - boyz

2007-12-05T03:58:00.001-08:00

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZv-G7IISgs

young folks

2007-12-04T23:29:00.000-08:00

www.youtube.com/watch?v=48hcp-zDpg4

Dealing With Design Instructors

2007-12-04T17:31:00.001-08:00

When designing something in a design studio, its tough to gauge exactly what style instructors appreciate.

The best way to understand is, I think, by taking a look at their website or checking out past work that they've done, to get a feel for who they are and what their style. It's important to do this because that way a student knows how to frame their argument when talking to their instructors.

I would imagine that this is an important skill to develop for designing in the real world - architects need to understand their clients and their needs before they can even think about designing. If the designer's product doesn't identify with the client in some way, then the designer is shit out of luck for any future work with that client or with any possible clients that client could have referred the architect to.

This semester at UC Berkeley, in 100b, there were 5 instructors - 4 male - 1 female - and being the forward school that Cal is, the female was the head instructor.

Listed below are the instructors, their websites + contact info.

Raveevarn Choksombatchai - http://veevdesign.com/ - rloom@berkeley.edu

Eric Olsen - http://ericolsenarchitect.com/ - http://sitemaker.umich.edu/olsene/files/olsenecv506.pdf -
eric_olsen@post.harvard.edu
t (303) 913 - 0423

Kory Bieg - http://kbieg.com/

Robert Shepherd

Maximiliano Spina - maxispina@berkeley.edu

Top Architecture Firms in the U.S.

2007-12-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

As a graduating undergrad in architecture, nothing is more intimidating than "the real world."

And I'm not talking about drama-filled-reality-tv.

Luckily, for a student with great ambition, I have found a link which lists architecture firms IN THE U.S. where young architects are being supported and recognized for their innovation in design.

'U.S. cliental are seeking original ideas and American cities are confronting a reawakened consciousness to meet the demands of the 21st century. As a result, young U.S. architects are experimenting with shapes and materials, as well as analogies and relationships with their surroundings, to produce unique projects international in flavor. “Being a classic immigration country gives the USA a cosmopolitan tradition,"

Most importantly, it's nice to see that Americans still have some sort of redeeming quality, even though our president has made a complete joke out of politics. It is especially nice to see that the redeeming quality has to do with design: my (our?) forte.

Anyway, I'm hoping this website and the listed architecture firms (organized below by location) work out as future employment offices for myself and my classmates in the near future.

http://www.interiordesign.net/id_newsarticle/CA6450169.html

NY
AB Architects, NY;
Christoff:Finio Architecture NY;
Della Valle + Bernheimer Design, NY;
Leven Betts Studio, NY; LTL NY;
Lyn Rice Architects, NY;
MESH Architecture, NY;
Miloby Ideasystem, NY;

nARCHITECTS, NY;
.....http://www.narchitects.com/

Obra Rachitects, NY;
Predock_Frane Architect, NY;
Richard Rosa Architect, NY;
Roy Co. design, NY;
ShoP Architects, NY;
Slade Architecture, NY;
WORK Architecture Company, NY.

CA
Dan Hisel Design, Palo Alto;
Johnston Marklee & Associates, Santa Monica;
Studio Atkinson, Palo Alto;

MI
PLY Architecture, Ann Arrbor;
..... http://plyarch.com/

WI
Johnsen Schmaling Architects, Milwaukee;

TX
Bercy Chen Studio, Austin;
Miró Rivera Architects, Austin;

MA
Stephen Chung Architect, Boston;
Studio Luz Architects, Boston;

WY
Terry Boling Architect, Wyoming;

animal crackers & modernization

2007-09-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine came to our architecture studio today with animal crackers, stating that since they were pink and white and had sprinkles she immediately thought of me. (since pink sparkly things are pretty high on my list of all the things I love in this world). I couldn't contain my excitement and had to have one right away.

When I got my hands on one of those beautiful, sparkly, pink elephants and took a bite, I expected nothing but heaven. Unfortunately, heaven tasted a little differently than I remembered; somehow the clouds of cotton candy had become hard. Not stale, but hard. I felt like I was eating plastic!

After taking a quick look at the nutrition facts I realized why: trans fat.

The thing is, after being in Berkeley for 4 years, though many have resorted to living their lives on burritos, nachos, and chilli fries, I have become one of those who have realized the importance of a healthy diet. Now, that's not to say that my alcoholic tendancies over the weekend followed by innumerous amounts of drunk-binge eating could ever be considered healthy, but hey. I'm a college student. And I do try really hard to eat 5 fruits and veggies a day (its 3:30 and I'm at...zero, unless rasberry jam counts as one). I also have been able to (relatively successfully) eliminate trans fat from my diet.

That's right. Like the modern state of New York, I too have banned trans fat from my life. (1)

Why you ask? Well, why don't I let the experts tell you.

" There are four kinds of fats: monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat, and trans fat. Monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat are the "good" fats. It is generally accepted that consumption of saturated fat should be kept low, especially for adults. Trans fat (which means trans fatty acids) is the worst kind of fat, far worse than saturated fat.

Partial hydrogenation is an industrial process used to make a perfectly good oil, such as soybean oil, into a perfectly bad oil. The process is used to make an oil more solid; provide longer shelf-life in baked products; provide longer fry-life for cooking oils, and provide a certain kind of texture or "mouthfeel." The big problem is that partially hydrogenated oil is laden with lethal trans fat.

Trans fats cause significant and serious lowering of HDL (good) cholesterol and a significant and serious increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol; make the arteries more rigid; cause major clogging of arteries; cause insulin resistance; cause or contribute to type 2 diabetes; and cause or contribute to other serious health problems. " (2)

And since I'm of Asian-Indian descent, my coronary arteries are already smaller than the arteries of Americans, putting me at even higher risk of clogged arteries and ultimately a heart attack, where the mortality rate of Indians because of this is already 40% higher than our white counterparts in America. (3)

So, if you were to ask me whether I'd rather have a heart attack or a healthy snack, it wouldn't take my rocket-scientist of a father to figure out which one is healthier. Bye-bye sparkly pink elephant...

(1)(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16051436/)

(2) http://www.bantransfats.com/abouttransfat.html

(3) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T10-4GSSPBF-1&_user=4420&_coverDate=09%2F15%2F2005&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000059607&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=4420&md5=af150a17fedece69727b4c9a21d219d6

The Dismissal of Arj Barker & Homage to Myspace-Spamming

2007-09-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

I was never one of those teeny-boppers screaming their heads off for boybands; I didn't go to my first concert when I was twelve; and I've never been to any KIIS-mas, MTV, or Nickelodean event.

I have, however, fallen for my first "celebrity".

Arj Barker.

And, I have made him one of my favorites on my myspace. In fact my best friend is pretty pissed that she is now #2 on my top friends list.

The internet has convinced adoring fans that we can "contact" our favorite celebrities, bands and band members, comedians, singers, and actors. However, most of the time the myspaces that we view as direct windows to the soul's of celebrities aren't even run by them. But, we as fans look past that obvious fact and become infatuated with the idea that our favorite celebrity could actually be the one reading all that junk fan mail that we keep spamming their myspaces with.

Yes. You know it, and we all do it: Spam our favorite celebrities.

I am not going to lie and say I don't, because I do, and I have. I officially spammed my first celebrity. I am officially a celebrity spamming non-virgin.

I messaged Arj Barker. I couldn't help it! The idea that a "celebrity" is just one click away is simply TOO irrisistable for me to ignore. I messaged him and I told him how cool I thought he was, and that since he was in San Francisco and since I was in Berkeley (only 20 mins apart) we should hang out and get drinks. In fact, I even offered to buy him drinks realizing that he probably had tons of better things to do.

So I waited for a reply. And checked my mail. I continued to wait, and I continued to check.

Nothing.

One should not have to wait a WHOLE HOUR for a response from their favorite celebrity.

Okay so it's been more like 52. But seriously, 2 days is a long ass time in myspace time. That's like 2 years in human time. What the hell is wrong with him? Does he ACTUALLY have better things to do?

And, for God's sake - I offered to buy him drinks all night! How can anyone deny free drinks?

Freakin' weirdo.

So, dear Arj, even though that may not even actually be your myspace, and you probably are too busy doing htings which are actually worth you spending your time on, I don't care and I am going to be offended that you haven't messaged me back yet, and you are officially dismissed.

That's right, Arj - you're fired!

arj barker

2007-09-13T01:54:00.000-07:00

okay. so i FINALLY found out who the silly indian(?) guy is on flight of the conchords. THAT'S RIGHT. arj barker! and he's from san francisco! i want to meet him so badly! arj barker if you're reading this somewhere out there, you seriously need to relieve me of all this econ homework i've got, and let's go out for a drink. on me. even though you probably have a larger cash flow, you probably also have a lot more you've got to do, so to create some sort of incentive (as if the prospect of meeting a gorgeous girl wasn't enough) I'm gonna buy you a draaannnkk,, shawwtaayyyyy

get over here if you can handle it!

oh and ps. some of your photography is actually pretty flippin good. i especially like the ones you take of the GG bridge.. or g dub as i like to call it.

spiffy.

now hurry up and marry me.

http://www.arjbarker.com/

CHEMISTRY

2007-09-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

searching for chemistry, she prowls the streets-
scowling at every other one she meets
searching desperately for what she had before
giving up [again] she trudges home and locks the door.