Off the Designer Cuff

Reflections

2008-10-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

I learned a lot from this experience. I didn't realize how easy it would be to create a blog. It was also a great way to communicate with colleagues. It also brought out my creative side. My favorite assignments were Creating the Blog, Streaming Music, and Avatars. The lessons I learned from Web 2.0 will definitely carry over into my work and personal life.

Gaming

2008-10-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

I thought this assignment was fun. Who doesn't like to indulge in a game now and then? Although, my work keeps me very busy so I wasn't able to spend too much time playing some of the games. I can see how this would be a real appeal for teens as the gaming events always draw in a big crowd...

Maps & Geotagging

2008-10-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

I played around with Google Earth, and I managed to find my house. Although it was a small speck. I think this tool is very interesting and useful.

Online Applications & Tools

2008-10-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

I think this is a great advantage as it allows everyone to work online using applications in Word, Excel, etc. without actually having the software itself. I think this is long overdue.

My Virtual Self

2008-07-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

I had a blast creating my virtual self! I tried to come as close to my likeness as possible. I picked out skin color, eyes, glasses, clothes, shoes, etc. The only drawback was how the Meez site depicted Asian women. The only facial features I had to choose from were ugly. What's up with the eyes? The only eye selections were small, slanted eyes. I am Asian, but I don't have small, slanted eyes. In fact, I have big eyes... So I found this part to be irritating and offensive. I definitely think the Meez site should not perpetuate this false stereotype. Perhaps I should send in a picture of myself and have them create a Meez to my likeness...

Online Image Generators

2008-06-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Wow! This is definitely a two-part assignment. I downloaded a picture and stretched it, but I haven't finished adding the text to this picture. So stay tuned for my image in the next few days...

Search Engines

2008-06-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

What would we do without search engines? I peruse Google practically every day for research purposes or just to look up something or other. I can be classified as a googleaholic! Search engines are very familiar to me.

Podcasts

2008-06-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

I prefer the video podcasts as they are far more entertaining. I searched for fashion shows and found a few. I could barely hear the music though. This is a lot like YouTube. Podcasts are nice if you have all the time in the world to listen to them, but I don't... However, it definitely is a useful tool for our libraries.

OverDrive

2008-06-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

After I installed the overdrive console and upgraded my windows media player, I searched for audio books. To my excitement and glee, I found all my favorite Jane Austen books: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Mansfield Park. I love this tool!

Del.icio.us bookmarking

2008-06-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

I have created an account with del-icio-us and bookmarked 10 items. This tool is especially useful if you use different computers. I would use this more at home than work. Since I have a roaming profile at work, I can easily bookmark interesting sites and save them to my Favorites and access them from any computer.

Facebook

2008-06-13T15:39:00.001-07:00

I created an account with Facebook and uploaded some pretty pictures. I didn't have time to invite any friends, so I will do that next time... I definitely like this better than My Space because it is a more discreet forum.

Wiki Your Heart Out!

2008-06-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

I had a blast with this week's assignment. I created a fashion wiki and posted a message on a ride share wiki created by Orion Arising. My other gal pal, J and G's mom, created a camping wiki. These are the items I would bring on a camping trip (heaven forbid I go on one): pink sleeping bag and a camper complete with all the amenities a girl needs. And most importantly, several pairs of shoes...

Fun with Flickr!

2008-05-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is the picture I uploaded from the Flickr site. Isn't it pretty? I love the colors and textures. I have always been fascinated with the beauty of nature. I used Blogger’s photo upload tool to complete this assignment. I found it to be very simple and fun! As you can see from my blog, this is not the first picture I posted. So I have been lovin' this upload tool for some time.

Streaming Music

2008-05-16T16:10:00.001-07:00

Well, I finally created my playlist. It was no easy task! I listen to all sorts of music except rock and country. But I am more familiar with song titles than artists. So it was quite a challenge to put together this playlist. But here it is. Try not to LOL over my selections as did J and G's mom. I had to practically pick her off the floor because she was laughing so hard at my music taste.

Poetry Corner

2008-04-14T23:28:00.001-07:00

Since April is National Poetry Month, I thought I would share more of my poetry with you. Poetry is expressive and beautiful because it is a window to your innermost thoughts and soul...

Letting Go
With whispered earnestness, I confront my shadows.
Childlike images follow me mercilessly about.
As the light streams through the crack of the window, I am left in complete solitude once again.
The retreat of the darkness renders me helpless against the realities of my fate.
Hollow pain torments my soul.
Bringing back remembrances of another time.
I cannot delete memories of the past with a stroke of a paintbrush.
Or remove the canvas that holds the picture of my life's sentiment.
I must succumb to its sweet tranquility.
Peaceful acceptance, not of a loss, but a desire to move on.
Nothing stands to linger.
Except time, frozen amid my sorrow.
Cool breeze breathing life into my face.
I awaken from my reverie with the wind's gentle caress.
Its graceful movements guide me to the realm of the uninhibited, where dreams enchant and goals flourish.
No longer limited.
No longer powerless in your grasp.
With a final push, I am free...

Reach
My hand extends
Clasping freedom, serenity and will within my fingertips
Breezy rendition of a bird's hymn and nature's orchestra play throughout my mind
Capturing youth and innocence
While old leaves plummet to a withering death, new foliage establishes residency among the branches
The cycle of life enfolds
Trying to break free from the artificial movements of a routine existence, I reach
Crossing the mighty bridge which separates reality from fantasy

Middle Age
The sun sets while night protrudes from the horizons
Flowers wilt as summer season fades
For us, it's called middle age
Wrinkles start to appear on a once youthful face
Quickness and dexterity are a thing of the past
Like go-go boots and disco balls
Caution overrules instinct
Actions seem to carry a more permanent consequence of coming of age
While premeditation takes first place in the marathon of life
Forgetfulness ranks as runner-up
The hour spent in the parking lot in search of your car
Then the dreaded denial
I am not old
To prove that very statement, you imitate the style and dress of teeny-bopping adolescents
If you can't be younger, perhaps you can feel younger
When battle has been waged and lost
Tired, you succumb to middle age

RSS Feeds

2008-04-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have found RSS feeds to be quite useful. I am able to get the latest weather forecast. As you know, Washington weather can be very unpredictable. Winter weather in April? Yikes! As a true fashionista, I have to be prepared. So here are some fashion tips to survive the month of April:
1) Dress in layers (This way you can peel off excess layers if the sun comes out.)
2) Invest in a quality trench coat (Knock-offs just won't cut it. I recently purchased
a cream Via Spiga trench coat and am loving it!)
3) Sport some black ankle-high leather boots (Stylish and warm)

Who said you can't be practical and fashion forward at the same time?

I subscribed to three RSS feeds: Seattle Times, Unshelved, and The Weather Channel.

Chat it up with IM

2008-04-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

My experience with IM last week was positive. I chatted with two people simultaneously. The open discussion forum really appealed to me. I was able to let loose within reason... Be careful of the ENTER key. I type very fast, so I ended up pressing the ENTER key prematurely sending my incomplete thoughts out there for ridicule and criticism. I have to confess that this is not my first time using IM. I used to subscribe to AOL a few years ago, so IM is a familiar friend...

Haute Couture Paris Collection

2008-03-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

A Very Fancy Fashion Show

I am Fierce!

2008-03-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers,

I am Feisty Fashionista. My name originated from my love of fashion. As for the feisty part, you can figure that out. If you haven't already, you will... My love for fashion started at a very early age. I remember when I was only 12 years old, and I was sketching my first "pink" suit. There was a special occasion that was coming up, and I wanted to look my best. Of course, I couldn't sew at the time but that was a minor detail. Luckily my mother was an accomplished designer, so I knew I could give her my design and she would make it according to my specifications. Keep in mind, I was very young but I was a bit bossy. Still am...
So that's me in a nutshell.

Stay tuned for more fashion stories and tips from the expert...

Idyllic

2008-03-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

Oh luscious greens sweeping through the warm summer scenes
Scent of fragrant flowers and fresh linen, hung to dry, escape into the morning air
Lazy days with snail pace movements
The crunch of deadlines and hustle bustle of the mainstream fade away in a dream
New love holding hands
Suppressed passion seeking refuge in their eyes
Unable to reach out in the heart of their caress
High tides, low tides washing away the pain and anguish into the sea of forgiveness
The rays of the sedated sun cradle the most vicious tides
Weaning it to sleep in a lullaby