Prop 8: A Fearless TV Ad Response

The Supreme Court upheld Prop 8. Sign the pledge to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California: http://www.couragecampaign.org/Equality

This provocative new TV ad was created in the spirit of Harvey Milk's call to "come out, come out wherever you are" and proudly tell the stories of the people most affected by the passage of Prop 8 -- in moving images set to the beat of Regina Spektor's beautiful song "Fidelity".

This video has been viewed by more than 1.2 million people, making it the most-watched video ever in the history of California politics.

Join the movement to repeal Proposition 8!

Get hit in the face with DIRT!!! FREE COOKIES!!!

WE NEED YOUR TALENT!!!! (In exchange for FREE COOKIES!!!)
Facebook Event: http://tinyurl.com/dirtintheface

Some friends and I are shooting a commercial on Saturday, May 30th for the Cannes MoFilm User-Generated Content Initiative, judged by Spike Lee!

Come get hit in the face with dirt, and we'll give you free cookies! We are making a video montage of 100 people reacting to the goodness of dirt in their faces!!!


The commercial is for Omo, a Unilever laundry detergent brand and one of the top 12 brands in the world.

Meet us in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 5th Avenue at East 82nd Street) on the steps at 9:00am for our first shoots. Or call us throughout the day to see what our location is in Central Park!

I will be updating my Twitter and Facebook statuses with our location on the day of the shoot! So, if 9:00am is too early to wake up for you, just check in on my status and see where we are! Or call me at 870.565.5200!

If we win the contest, you could become famous, as the video would be shown at Cannes! Woooo! So, come join us for some dirty fun!!! AND FREE COOKIES!!!

RSVP on the Facebook Event: http://tinyurl.com/dirtintheface

Pepsi's Throwback with YouTube Poptub

I'm not much of a soda drinker, and I'm usually not in-tune with what soda companies are up to. But, when Pepsi started their new branding campaign last fall (as pictured above), I took note. But furthermore, when I discovered Pepsi Throwback today, I was pretty intrigued. Unfortunately, it reminds me of Xanadu, my Mom's favorite movie. Scarring.

Anywho, I thought I'd share Pepsi Poptub with you. It's an innovative way for a brand to interact with a group of fans via social media. Basically, Poptub's mission is stated as: "We make YouTube videos about YouTube videos on YouTube. It's not that complicated." Of course, we all know the real mission is to engage an audience in the Pepsi brand in order to achieve higher sales. But who would say that? That would be blasphemous.

On a positive note, I think the new branding campaign that's been underway since October 2008 is well-integrated. They have the new brand image. They're tying monochromatics with retro vibes and throwbacks. But at the same time, they've got the refresheverything.com thing going on, as well. So, they've got a neo-retro vibe going on.

Regardless of my sarcasm, you should check out Pepsi Poptub. Take a look at the imagery below for a taste test!

(Above: YouTube.com/PopTub)

(Above: Pepsi's website, refresheverything.com)

(Above: Limited edition Pepsi Throwback in can and bottle)

Apartment Jargon: Pied-à-Terre

A pied-à-terre (French: "foot on the ground") is a small living unit (typically an apartment or condominium) typically located in a large city (such as Paris or New York!). It typically is used as a temporary second residence, either for part of the year, or part of the work week.

Specific to New York City: Many co-op buildings in New York City prohibit pieds-à-terre because they want full time residents.

Best Pied-à-Terre Cities: A 2007 Forbes magazine article deemed Manhattan and Hong Kong as the top choice cities for a pied-à-terre. Woot woot! Go New York!

Stuff Thats Going On in NYC

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CamelAmmo: Waging War on the Front Lines

(Above: CamelAmmo product sample)

Hey All! Remember my post about Kamelflage? (If not, check it out here.) The ladies over at Kamelflage have rebranded and launched a new website. They are now known as CamelAmmo. What is this product you may ask? Well, it's a panty insert that helps you "Wage war on the front lines". That is, it prevents the dreaded cameltoe. Basically, for all you gals out there who have a pair of spray-on jeans or tights that you just can't seem to stop wearing... this product is for you! It keeps that area looking smooth.


Product Review:

I tried the CamelAmmo with just my undies, and I have to say it's a pretty interesting idea. On the positive side, it hid any trace of a cameltoe, as you would imagine. Also, the pink camoflage is a really great design for the branding effort. Well thought out, ladies!

Admittedly, I don't have pants tight enough to need CamelAmmo, so actual product testing was a little difficult. However, I found a pair of black tights that I have yet to wear. You know, the ones that all the hipsters are wearing with plain white tees? I haven't found the courage to wear them yet. I probably won't ever get around to wearing them, unless I find a top that covers my toosh. BUT, nevertheless, I tried them on with CamelAmmo and can report 100% coverage on the front lines. Thanks, CamelAmmo! If I ever get around to wearing these tights, I will be needing some friendly coverage!

Overall, I think this product is well-suited for anyone with a love of tight pants or tights. Ladies, if this is you, get to CamelAmmo and buy one for the low price of $10! If anything, you'll get to have fun with it like I did and maybe even right a product review!

How to Open Wine without a Corkscrew

Above: All you need to open a bottle of wine is a screw, screwdriver and plyers!

Have you ever gone to open a bottle of wine, but then suddenly realize that either (1) you don't have a corkscrew or (2) you can't find the friggin' thing?! I have! And that's why my boyfriend (Weikai) and I got inventive with our household tools and discovered a way to open wine without a corkscrew!

All you need is (1) a screw, (2) a screwdriver, and (3) plyers! If you have those things, you'll be good. We found out that it's actually better to have (1) a screw and (2) a hammer with a claw. However, we couldn't find our hammer at the time!

Below we'll illustrate just how it's done!

1.) Insert the screw into the cork and screw it with the screwdriver.

2.) Use the plyers (or hammer) to pry the cork up.


3.) Once the cork is almost out, use your hands to pull it out.


4.) And voila! You've done it! Your wine is ready to enjoy!!! Now, maybe you'll go all MacGyver on your wine more often!


Enjoy the new tip!!! Let me know how it goes for you!

China Care Foundation Launches New Homepage

During my four years at NYU, I had a huge involvement in the China Care Foundation. My roommate, Alice, and I, along with three other friends, founded the NYU China Care club. During my time there, we helped dozens of children receive life-saving surgeries and feel loved from thousands of miles away.

This week, China Care launched their newly designed website: www.chinacare.org. It is much more user friendly and explains in detail the new program that they have with Half the Sky, their new partner. We even have a whole new Youth Empowerment section dedicated to clubs, in which I'm actually featured in numerous sections! NYU is listed as a recipient of the first annual Club Awards(in which I won an Outstanding Leadership award); they used an NYU photo for the Fundraising section (which features our Treasurer Amanda Fuller, as seen above); and they even feature the newsletter story about my 2008 summer internship with Saatchi & Saatchi (which you can read about below, or click on the photo to go to the webpage), in which I led a team to create a pro bono ad for China Care that was placed in CosmGirl magazine!

I hope this new homepage brings lots more attention to the China Care Foundation, as they touch not only the lives of they children that they save, but also the lives of so many others, like myself, that help in the process.

Don't Balloon this Summer!

Today I saw the oddest advertisement for Yushi Bento Bar, a Japanese restaurant in New York. Floating down 8th Avenue was a balloon that read "Don't Balloon this Summer! Yushi." I believe they were trying to say something like, "Don't get fat over summer, you disgusting pigs. Eat sushi at Yushi and stay lean." But somehow, I'm not sure it got across.

Interestingly enough, the balloon holder was stopped by a police officer and asked for identification and a permit to float the balloon down the street. When I first saw the balloon, it was actually floating down the middle of the street! Then, as the officer approached, the balloon holder was escorted to the sidewalk.

I'm not sure exactly how effective the balloon is, though, because it says nothing about what Yushi is. The only reason I looked it up was because I'm an advertising fiend.

Hopefully it turns out for the best. And if anything, I was just excited to chase a balloon down 8th Avenue to catch this picture!

I'm a Gilman Scholar! Are you?

Above is an interview that I did with the Institute of International Education about my experience as a Gilman Scholar. I discussed my Gilman experience as an NYU in Shanghai study abroad student in China and offered advice to current applicants for the Gilman Scholarship. Wish I was more interesting! I need to start reading a dictionary!

To learn more about my time abroad, check out my China Adventure website.

Why do we still wear academic regalia?

According to my favorite unofficial source, academic dress or academical dress is a traditional form of clothing for academic settings, primarily tertiary and sometimes secondary education, worn mainly by those that have been admitted to a university degree (or similar) or hold a status that entitles them to assume them (e.g. undergraduate students at certain old universities). It is also known as academicals and, in the United States, as academic regalia. I'd like to go with regalia, as I love sounding pretentious!

Above: The pickup area for NYU academic regalia.

I picked up my academic regalia a few days ago, and the matter left me wondering about how this whole tradition came about. Why are U.S. graduates still sporting gowns, caps and tassels at their commencement ceremonies? I had to get to the bottom of this.

First, let's start with an overview of the main ingredients, compliments of academicapparel.com. I also found a great diagram. Click it to enlarge!


Robe or Gown: The three types of degrees each have a different style gown. Bachelor's gowns have pointed sleeves, and are worn closed. Master's gowns have oblong sleeve, open at the wrist, with the base hanging down, and rear part of the oblong cut square while the front arc cuts away. These robes have fasteners so they can be worn open or closed. Doctoral gowns have bell-shaped sleeves, also designed with fasteners so it is worn closed or opened. For the doctor's robes also have trimmings including velvet panels down the front and three bars of velvet on the sleeves. All three gowns are usually black, though some colleges and universities use the color of the school.

Hood: Academic Hoods are black, made from the same fabric as the gown. They vary in length depending on the degree from three feet to four feet, and the doctoral hood is wider. Lined with college or university colors, they typically have one field color and one chevron color, though sometimes there are school specific variations. The edge of hoods are velvet in the color of the degree subject.

Cowl: Cowls are typically made from velveteen rather than velvet, and are used for Associate Degrees. They do not display a degree or discipline color, just the institutional colors on the lining. The outside is generally black.

Tam: Tams are typically used for Doctoral degrees, though some Master's programs do use them. Tams are made from velvet, and usually have a ribbon over the fabric, and in black. Color variations do occur with some colleges. The number of sides vary, and can be four, six, or eight sided. eight, six, or four sides. Four sided is usually only used for Master's degrees, while six and eight sided are used for Doctor's degrees depending on which the University prefers. Tams are "poofed" at the top instead of flat, and come with a tassel usually in gold, with one or two buttons and sometimes in a gold bullion color.

Mortarboard or Cap: Mortarboards are flat rather than "poofy" at the top, are not made from velvet, and are also usually black but come in a variety of colors and variations are more frequent than with tams. Mortarboards have only four sides, and typically have a tassel with a single button at the top, usually in the color of the degree-granting institution.

--------------------------------

Ok, so let's get down to the good stuff! Why are we still wearing these garbs? Where did it all begin?

Think of the two schools in the world where you might expect such habits to have originated... If you're thinking Oxford and Cambridge, you got it! This crazy practice all begin during the formation of Medieval universities in the late 11th and 12th centuries. These very traditional universities even have prescriptions for what students wear under the gowns. Uptight, right?

Let's dig a little further now. How did this all come to the United States? I mean, do we always have to copy Europe?

Apparently, its history in the U.S. all begins in Colonial American days, when the first colleges were formed. The time period is coined the Colonial Colleges period and refers to the time before the American Revolution in which nine college institutions were formed. They include the present day Harvard University, The College of William and Mary, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Columbia University, Brown University, Rutgers, and Dartmouth College. Students of most colonial colleges were required to wear the "college habit" at most times - a practice that lasted until the eve of the American Civil War in many institutions of higher learning. The academic attire was highly influenced by European practices and styles.

After the civil war, academic regalia was generally worn at ceremonies or when representing the institution. There was not, however, any standardization among the meanings behind the various costumes. In 1893, an Intercollegiate Commission made up of representatives from leading institutions was created, to establish an acceptable system of academic dress. The Commission met at Columbia University in 1895 and adopted a code of academic regalia, which prescribed the cut and style and materials of the gowns, as well as determined the colors which were to represent the different fields of learning.

Random Fact: The color of purple, as seen in the NYU gowns, is actually the color code for the Law discipline. Interesting...

Now, of course, academic attire is rarely worn outside of commencement ceremonies, and that's what makes us so balla on that special day! Happy graduation to all my NYU Class of 2009 peeps!!! Can't wait to look awesome in academic regalia with you on May 13th at Yankee Stadium! WHAT?!!??!! Oh, yeah! That's how we roll. CHEERS!

College Time Line.

My friend, Cheng, sent me this via email. It's a timeline of college. It's completely fitting, being that I just took my last final last week and I'm graduating in two days. Cannot wait! Enjoy this perfect illustration of what college is really like!

Every New Semester:

After 1st Week:

After 2nd Week:

Before the Mid-Term Exam:

During The Mid-Term Exam:

After The Mid-Term Exam:

Before the Final Exam:

Once We get the Schedule of Final exam:

7 Days Before Final exam:

6 Days Before Final exam:

5 Days Before Final exam:

4 Days Before Final exam:

3 Days Before Final exam:

2 Days Before Final exam:

1 Days Before Final exam:

Night Before the final exam:

1 Hour before the final exam:

During the final exams:

once walk out of the examination room:

After the final exam during the holiday:

That’s College!!!

30th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival

The 30th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival will be held today -- Sunday, May 3, 2009 -- at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (at East 47th Street and 2nd Avenue) from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

The day long celebration of Asian Pacific American culture is the longest running and largest Pan Asian heritage festival on the East Coast. The festival is free and open to the public, including Asians and non-Asians alike who want to see, hear, taste, and interact with Asia America!

8,000 visitors are expected to come hungry and sample delicious bites from all over Asia while taking in the work of renowned artists in calligraphy, Mehandi art (painting designs on the skin of the hands and feet) and other unique folk artists. An exciting range of cultural performances on the main stage include Bollywood Axion Dance Company (Western/Indian dance), Jack Lords (Hawaiian/Urban music), COBU (Japanese Taiko Drumming/Tap), Polynesian dance and much more. This year’s Children’s Corner will give kids a chance to try their hand at Japanese kite making, Korean doll-making, Pakistani rugs and more, plus get their faces painted in beautiful designs.

For the Asian American community, prominent Asian American social groups will also be present to educate the Asian public about numerous valuable services available to them, as well as volunteer opportunities and non-profit avenues to get involved in the community.

For more details on the event, go to: http://capaonline.org/eventschedule.htm.

Also, check out the organization on a wealth of social networking sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and Twitter.

See you there!!!