Cardinal

I see a figure far off in the distance
Hair catching twigs, insects, debris
The wind is ceaseless in the sea of sand
Obstinate, firm, but always changing

The woman has no colour
She wears raggedy linens washed with dirt
I see her stumbling sideways like an inebriated crab
The wind is blowing from the east, the east

It shifts to the north, but she tries to go south
Every step she takes is futile
Inside that heart of steel rests a fragile candle nearly
Gone with the wind

Her robotic movements are staved off by the wind,
Adeptly parrying every step, every perspiring limb
You can hear it howling with delight
It's like placing a palm on the forehead of an angry child trying to punch you

She furrows her brow against the barrage
In a fit of fury, she runs, pushes against that invisible wall
Lets out a dry, throaty war cry
Trumpet call

It won't matter, doesn't she know?
The wind bullies me along towards her
As she slumps to the ground
The candle waves adieu

I run while there's a chance
Letting her enemy carry me
It seems surprised that I would not resist
Feeling used, it leaves, sulking as it goes

I reach her - she's ice cold
I fumble in my pocket for a match
Pry open the door to her iron chest
Emblazen the wick

Her eyes flutter, lips parched, blink
Gulp for air
I help her to her feet and turn her 180°
I catch the wonder on her leathery face before she's swept away.

IRIS: A New Species of Asian Drama

I started watching IRIS yesterday, a relatively new Korean drama about secret agents, assassinations, and backstabbing in politics. I think this is really my cup of tea because I don't have to watch the same old cookie cutter storyline for 40 episodes only to watch the one fated kiss happen ... 50 times in all sorts of angles and zoom.

The male lead, Kim Hyun Joon (played by Lee Byung-Hun), can actually act. He's not the typical prissy rich pretty boy who likes to give the nice girl a living hell, he's 100% man and quirky and realistic. Why can't dramas stick closer to how real boys are instead of giving millions of girls headaches and false ideals? It's a pity because it's been said that Byung-Hun won't be starring in the next season IRIS 2 : ( Even his English is impressive, but it confounds me that some of the Europeans even have strange Asian-like accents. And don't even get me started on some characters' awful attempt to speak Chinese.

The whole show is only 20 episodes, so it's short, sweet, and there's not a second wasted. The main lady, Choi Seung Hee (played by Kim Tae Hee) is not a damsel in distress, but rather a pretty, butt-kicking agent who knows how to flirt and talk back. I usually give up hoping for character development, but there is some serious acting going on here and I love it. Jung Joon-Ho plays Jin Sa Woo (I personally think he looks like Matthew Perry's Korean twin) and is pretty darn good at playing the shy, modest best friend hide-tanner. One character that confounds me to no end is the effeminate super-killer with the well-groomed eyebrows and baritone voice (T.O.P.?) ... Asian dramas can't settle for being normal now, can they?

I like that this show also appeals to boys. Perfect for snuggling up with your honey bunny and hearing him not complain for once, but rather enraptured in the boom explosion blood splurt. My inner tomboy is enjoying the visual vacation.

Everyone's so well dressed in sleek blacks and the romantic parts aren't too mushy and drawn-out, but rather tasteful, surprising, and smile-inducing. Oh man, this is going to rival Fated to Love You in my book. I'm only on Episode 4 and I'm certain that I'll be grabbing onto the edge of my seat til the very end.

If you're interested and need English subtitles, Mysoju is the place to be. I also discovered www.dramabeans.com, a site that spills the beans on gossip and news pertaining asian dramas and gives picture-filled episode recaps. Grab some ramen and get in on the action!

Favorite Perfume: Victoria's Secret Endless Love

I highly dislike perfume. It smells froofy, old, too musky, too flowery, always wrong. Body sprays are usually more bearable because of the fruitiness, but I never happily wore a scent until I found this: Victoria Secret's Secret Garden Collection's Refreshing Body Mist in Endless Love.

My boyfriend thinks it smells like candy, I can't even put a finger on what the true scent reminds me of, but it's sweet, not too sugary, not too flowery, not too high-end old-lady perfume. Victoria's Secret describes it as: "An irresistable blend of pomegranate and apple blossom with peach and ylang ylang." Sounds quite agreeable, doesn't it? In case you're wondering, ylang ylang is also know as the cananga tree or perfume tree, and its oils are extracted for use in aromatheraphy. Olfactory bliss.

I'm crazier about some of their scents than others, but below is the description list for all the scents in the Secret Garden Collection (click on the image to zoom in).

The Hydrating Body Lotion is also fantastic and very moisturizing. You can purchase these items at any Victoria's Secret or on the website. Both products are $9 for 8.4 oz. They will last you a long time! Currently, there is a sale: 3/$24, 5/$30, or 8/$35. Stock up while you can and enjoy!

Forever 21 Trend: Military and Biker Jackets

For Winter 09-10, Forever21 has been offering a wide selection of military-inspired jackets, complete with hook-and-eye designs across the front and gold buttons to give off the 18th century England vibe. While the blazers and vests are not the most feminine items on the market, they are slimming and give off an air of command. From the sheer number of designs and styles in stock, I would say that these jackets are quite popular, but I personally haven't seen anyone wear them. (Left: Metallic Fleck Military Blazer $34.80. Right: Military Jewel Jacket $32.80)


Could they be a tribute to Michael Jackson, somehow? The 50-year-old King of Pop recently passed away but many fans are not ready to let go. They live on in his music, his passion for dance, and his fashion sense. For about $35 a pop, you can get a lovely rendition of his unstoppable style and moonwalk your way out of the mall.

When I search "military" on Forever21's website, I get 48 results - mostly jackets, some tshirts, dresses, even leggings. These dark-wash, slimming jackets will keep you warm, while showing everyone who wears the pants.

On the other side of the scale lies the biker jackets. I have been craving one of these rough-and-ready, rebellious babies for a while now, and there's nothing that says HARDCORE better than faux leather with lots of zippers where they shouldn't be. The angled collars and back-to-black give a little kick to our styles. Load on the black eyeliner, tie a super high ponytail, strap on the boots and you're ready to go. It doesn't matter if you're going to the movies, to Grandma's house, or to the dirt bike trail, everyone will think you just stepped off your still-hot Harley.

Again, these jackets go for about $30 and are incredibly stylish.
(Row 1 from left: Zippered Snap Moto Jacket $32.80; Faux Leather Vest $27.80; Row 2: Biker Style Vest $32.80; Harley Boot $36.80