A poem...

Yesterday, I saw a photo on Humans of New York's Facebook page of this couple lying on a meadow - I think in Central Park - reading to each other. Just then I thought, wouldn't it be wonderful to read to one's significant other? This outrageously romantic gesture is so rarely done nowadays. So I proposed to my boyfriend that we should read some poems to each other this weekend. After the proposal, I thought what would be better than a poem that I personally wrote about him, about us. So, voila. A poem of love.

Love is…

Love is your scent on the pillow long after you left the bed

Love is your fingers playing with my hair

Love is my heart beating when you kiss me or cry

Love is the spooning after the fight

Love is the stars and the salted sand on my eyelashes after the third piña colada

Love is when I slip my fingers through yours in the cool air and they just fit

Love is the silky touch, the murmurs and dimples as we dream

Love is the warmth of freshly stripped clothes scattering the floor

Love is a look, a song, a senseless comment in the middle of somberness

Love is the charge in the air that tastes like clean flesh, which makes me drunk

Love is the future in endless lists on our phones

Love is me and love is you

Love is you love me and I love you.

Happy summer! (Or spring, where I am...)

xx

Vanessa :] 

Music Monday: City Melancholy

*It's already Monday where I am! So Music Monday!*

Sorry sorry sorry for not posting for so long! Spring break happened, and then the new quarter, and a new novel I've been working on... However, deep down I know these are no excuses, so here I am, back and ready to give you guys some new music to nurture your starved ears...

Without further ado...

City Love from ness428 on 8tracks Radio.

xx

Vanessa :]

Braving the World: Eleanor & Park

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
My Rating: 4.5/5

"Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under." - Goodreads

I read this novel over the course of one weekend, at first one or two chapters at the time, and then just desperately gulping it all down. For me, this novel definitely picks up speed and strength as the story progresses, and then you truly see and feel and believe the love between Eleanor and Park, and how hard life is pulling them apart.

This story is about love, but at the same time about so much more. It's about life in the 80s, about adolescence, school, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, prejudices, and poverty. Written alternately from Eleanor and Park's points of view, this romantic, tender, but also very raw and true-to-life story slowly sucks you in, grabs you, pulls you under, until you just can't stop reading and can't stop feeling and can't stop yearning for more.

One thing about this book that touched me the most is its language. Simply beautiful, borderline poetic (I know that's technically not right but just bear with me please). Sentences like "There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises," and "'I don't like you,' he said. 'I need you,'" and "Park's face, asleep, was a brand-new kind of beautiful. Sunshine-trapped-in-amber skin." The descriptions are so evocative that you can't help but picture each character in your head and feel them come to life.

Another thing that I really loved (and also made me tear up) is the ending. I won't spoil it for y'all, but let's just say it's pretty indicative of how life gets into the way of first loves. The ending will definitely remind you of your own very first romance, and all the bittersweet things you felt, all the awkward and shy moments shared, all the distant memories refreshed.

By all means, read this book.

xx

Vanessa :]

Music Monday: To love

In honor of Valentine's Day being this Friday, this week's Music Monday is dedicated to mixes that celebrate love.

'For those who are in love, who never stopped for love, who never gave up for love, who always hoped for love, who did their best for love, who stood strong for love, who made somebody happy for love, who sacrificed for love, who love to be loved.'

Marry me, today and everyday from ness428 on 8tracks Radio.

sweet affliction from nxveen on 8tracks Radio.

Hold you. from It'sdan on 8tracks Radio.

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: top 10 movies to see this Valentine's Day Part III

Today I am going to finish the whole list of 10 movies to see with your significant other or some friends! You can find the first two segments of the list here and here.

7. Amélie (2001)

This is hands down the best French movie I have ever seen, and let me just say I have seen dozens of French movies. Lighthearted yet full of life lessons, Amélie will not disappoint for a Valentine's Day movie date.

8. Love Actually (2003)

Pretty classic rom-com that tells the story of eight different couples. I don't know why, but I love seeing how many different stories evolve and intermingle. Oh, and did I mention Hugh Grant is in it?

9. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Need I say more? Classic, classic tale that will make you cry and warm your heart. Watch this and see how one radio call changes two people's lives forever.

10. Mamma Mia! (2008)

What is better than a musical in a movie? This is more for hanging out with your friends, but if you got a boyfriend/girlfriend who loves to sing and dance, this can work for couples too! I always dance to the Dancing Queen scene anyway (shamefully walks away).

I hope you all have a wonderful, sweet, and cozy Valentine's Day!

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 movies to see this Valentine's Day Part II

Picking up where we left off last week (Part I), I am here today to introduce three more of my favorite movies that I think are wonderful for Valentine's Day. Today's movies share one thing in common - they are all animation movies! Some may say animation movies are specifically for children, but I guarantee you that is totally not the case if you have seen these three!

4. Frozen (2013)

I'm sure everyone has already more or less heard of the hype about this movie. At first I was like, Disney movie, princesses and all? Come on, people, go see something more original. BUT! After I finally went to see the movie with my boyfriend two weeks ago, it blew my mind! It is hugely hilarious, beautiful, and the songs are so catchy everyone in my dorm is playing them on repeat!

5. Despicable Me 2 (2013)

If you ask me what is the funniest animation movie, I would definitely tell you Despicable Me without hesitating. But after seeing this sequel to the first movie, I realized I was wrong - Despicable Me 2 is even FUNNIER! As if that's even possible! I mean, who doesn't like to see a former-villain falling in love with a villain-busting crazy woman, not to mention the three cutest girls in the world, and a bunch of yellow minions dance around and speak gibberish English?

6. Up (2009)

Let me tell you something: you can never go wrong with Pixar and Disney. Up is a movie with a perfect combination of naiveté, humor, beautiful animation, and.... unexpected romance!

xx

Vanessa :]

Music Monday: FALL in love

Hi y'all! I'm backkkkkk :D

Okay so quick update before I jump into today's music. Today marks the beginning of the third week of my life as a Northwestern student, and also the second week that I'm sick (yeah, really). I don't want to use it as an excuse for my lack of blogging, but being sick does suck a lot out of me...

Anywaysies, I'm getting better now (hopefully), and I'm back to share some music with y'all! At Northwestern, the temperature just dropped significantly over the weekend, and now leaves are on the ground, red and crispy, the air is chilly, the sky is high and clear... fall is in full swing. And *blushing a little* I'm falling in love.

So, to match the mood:

Fall in love from ness428 on 8tracks Radio.

Happy fall! Enjoy!
xx
Vanessa :]

Now that it's actually Monday (Beijing time)...

I can finally share with you my latest love on 8tracks. This playlist is truly a precious gem of love songs, both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Amazing for sleeping, stargazing, and just sitting by the window on a rainy day and thinking.

Songs For Indie Couples, true love will find you in the end from augustrush008 on 8tracks Radio.

xx
Vanessa :]

a happy Music Monday :)

I'm feelin' it.

Between the sheets from thechamberofsecrets on 8tracks Radio.

xx,

Vanessa :]

How to say goodbye?

This is a legitimate question: how does one say goodbye to something or someone one loves? 

As graduation looms nearer and nearer, I cannot help but contemplate this question. Recently I've been getting teary-eyed over the littlest things. I go to a boarding school, and although I don't love every moment of my days here (trust me the ups and downs are like a roller coaster), now I find myself unable to leave this place. Here I have friends that I LOVE. And by love I don't mean the kind that you write about in facebook photo captions (example: blah-blah is the best friend one could ask for! love ya!). Here I'm talking about serious love, love that makes you as happy as it makes you sad, this profound feeling that possesses you and engulfs you.

So, how do you say goodbye to a feeling like this? How?

Tell me.

xx

Vanessa :]

Cutesy indie love story: Ruby Sparks (2012)

Title: Ruby Sparks (2012)
Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Starring: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan
Language: English
My Rating: 4.3/5

"A novelist struggling with writer's block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence." (from Imdb)

This movie made me fall in love. It is hopelessly romantic, endlessly witty, and ridiculously funny. The storyline is, as cheesy as it might be at times, very VERY cute. Ruby is just this girl that anybody could love: carefree, beautiful in a totally non-sex-goddess way, and quirky--very much her own person.

The relationship between Ruby and Calvin is very lovey-dovey in the beginning (because, duh, Calvin wrote Ruby to be in love with him). As the story develops, however, more complications come into their relationship, which makes it ten times more interesting.

The cinematography is also great. This one scene where Calvin and Ruby is under water, it's just...breathtaking. With the music and light and body movement and the blue blue water, the whole scene expresses a secretive yearning, an innocent romance.

Would definitely see again.

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: top 10 fictional boyfriends

*Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.*

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is fictional boyfriends!!! asdjk;fahg;dlskdfhgj;adsd
Who hasn't fallen for a completely unreal boy on paper before? I believe this isn't some rare happening that only chanced upon me, so I'm gonna be open about it and introduce you to my top 10 fictional boyfriends ;)

*There is no specific order.*

1. Etienne St.Clair from Anna and the French Kiss 
(see my book review here)
Okay I lied. This hottie right here is actually topping my charts as of now. It's been over a month since I last hugged and kissed him (aka read the book), however I still haven't been able to get over him. He is just...SO AMAZING! French-speaking boy with sleep-mussed hair, an English accent, and an adorable fear of heights--voilà, you got Etienne alright!

2. Peeta Mellark from the Hunger Games 
PEETA!!!!!!!!!!!! the boy with the bread!!!!!! The lovely, strong, humble, kind, sociable Peeta!

Okay I'm done. I am. Really.














3. Augustus Waters from The Fault In Our Stars
Although cancer-ridden, Augustus is still hot! Messy hair, beautiful eyes, and that smart, flirtatious mouth of his! The way he contemplates the universe alone is more than enough to have all the girls in the world lining up for him. He is caring, understanding, and so tragically heroic. Ah. Let's just say this baby of John Green's earned buckets of tears from me.

4. Charlie from The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

He may be a little cray-cray at times, but he's seriously the sweetest, nicest, most committed boyfriend ever (if only he were mine, if only!).

5. Ron Weasley from Harry Potter
He may be moody sometimes, but you can't deny the fact that when he likes someone, he really likes someone! His dedicated (love-hate?) relationship with Hermione lasted through 4 books (3-7)--if that's not even to prove to you his commitment, then I don't know what can!

6. Four/Tobias from Divergent
(see my book review here)

Boy with a hot bod + a dark past + intense personality = ermahgerd I can't freakin resist thissssssss

Okie. Nuff said.

7. Miles Halter from Looking for Alaska
Your regular nice boy, a little uncool at times (but the uncoolness is totally adorable), growing up, trying to fit in, learning to love... sounds like a great boy to date during high school.

8. Eli from Along for the Ride
From the many Sara Dessen books I've read (more like tore through), I know at least one thing for sure--Ms.Dessen doesn't disappoint. (Ever.) Along for the Ride is no exception. Like Four from Divergent, Eli is also a boy with a past, with fears, with hopes and longings. Together with him, Auden (the protagonist, a girl virtually without a childhood) embarks on a quest for her childhood. Through somewhat immature yet extremely exciting experiences, their romance slowly blooms. Eli is the man. Oh trust me he is.

9. Jacob from Twilight
Why does he have to be so awesome? Sometimes he may still a little childish and reckless, but boy, isn't he a hottie. Perfect body + (sometimes immature) protectiveness of Bella = omg lemme date this guy

10. Nick from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
A little insecure, sometimes defined as a lower, Nick is in truth the go-to boy. He is smart, charming, obsessed with music, all of this and a little bit of shyness. Sounds like your guy-next-door type? Go for it, gurl, go for it ;)














Who's your favorite fictional boyfriend?
Let's hear it.

xx
Vanessa :]