Posted by Tiff at 12:30 am | Categorized under Icons, Textures, Updates
Mood » 
Bland
Music » “Scavenger” by School of Seven Bells
Novel » Brida by Paulo Coehlo
Really surprised I still get more views on this site than on Tiffany Bee, but I guess I’ll use this to my advantage. I actually updated! Now to actually return comments from practically a year ago & sort through some other things. Well, since I just powered through 2 seasons of Suits as I’m still on summer vacation, I might as well do some other productive things around here…& socially too. 
Absolutely fantastic show with great characters & acting. SUIT UP. Anyway, I hope everyone had a great summer & I hope my few visitors find my new content of use. 
Posted by Tiff at 2:48 pm | Categorized under Blog, Textures, Updates
Mood » 
Chilly
Music » “Maze Feat. Tyler Sherrit” by First State
Novel » Genie by Russ Rymer
I’m not going to make up any excuses for my absence because I’ve been just as busy before in the past & still made room for AI. I have felt disconnected with this whole blogging atmosphere & even more so, I haven’t replied to 50% of the comments I received, but I will get to them eventually. The reason behind my disconnect is still unknown to me, but I’m fighting it! I feel like a total jerk ignoring so many of my readers/visitors. I really didn’t mean to. 
After I get some of my academic items finished, I will try my best to get to returning comments.
I really think I owe a huge apology to those that are still waiting for a review, a comment returned, & all of my affiliates that I haven’t kept up with. I’m sorry! At least I come bearing some gifts!!
Updates
Happy holidays everyone! Just in case I don’t update for another 3 months. 
I’m here to stay, just don’t depend on any weekly updates, sadly.
Posted by Tiff at 5:21 pm | Categorized under Blog, Contests, Icons, Stock Images, Textures, Updates, Wallpapers
Mood » 
Exhilirated
Music » “The Love That Carries Me” by Jonezetta
Novel » Misguided Angel by Melissa De La Cruz
As a college student, most of us have heard of Adderall. It is a pill that is often prescribed to those suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to increase alertness & concentration. However, roughly 6.4% of full-time college students use Adderall even though they don’t have ADHD. 
Usage of this drug amongst those without ADHD have reported to increase concentration, libido, & decrease daydreaming & fatigue allowing for all-nighters without any interruption by Facebook.
Some of you may be thinking, “what a bunch of cheaters!!” while others ponder, “HOW DO I GET MY HANDS ON THIS?!?! TIFFANY, CAN YOUR MOM SELL ME SOME?!”, but that’s not the point. I won’t deny that I haven’t wanted to experiment with it myself. I waste so much time not studying when I should & it affects my grades. How could anyone blame me or anyone else for being curious? Wouldn’t you jump at the person that offered a pill that would allow you to stop procrastinating for hours & focus on studying instead? It’s made me wonder if I have the ability to find the concentration & focus for 6+ hours sans fatigue without the drug.
I spent a total of 24 hours working on this “Holiday Cheer” themed layout. The CSS occupied me for 23 hours for 3 days. I didn’t take any pills to focus so intently on my work, it was out of my own will & strive for “perfection” that I worked tirelessly without random play from 7 pm to 5:30 am on Thursday. My personality type is a “perfectionist” & it’s pretty much the reason why I was able to work 10 hours straight on something that wouldn’t benefit me in any shape or form. My brain stimulated its own dopamine, without the help of drugs, similarly how Adderall sparks motivation & concentration.
It’s difficult for me to apply that same drive to studying. Studying is not something I enjoy 
& as much as I hate coding, I enjoy seeing the end product of my designs. However, if you can produce interest in your studying or other necessary tasks, you will concentrate & perform better. The reason why I did so well in my Biological Anthropology lab was because it fascinated me so I was willing to spend hours studying every single bone of the human skeleton. 
Some of you may need a stimulant like Adderall to focus, but others who have been able to work on something tirelessly for 6+ hours without lollygagging, have the ability to generate your own mind stimulants. You have the ability to focus on your work without surfing the web for things to roflcopter at. Harness your attention to the assignment & find motivation to do it, whether it’s because you might flunk out of school or get punched in the face. 
Instead of sitting there loathing your assignment, relax, take deep breaths, & find something about it that interests you. Set goals, reward yourself, & don’t pretend to like the subject; truly believe that you find it riveting. Only then can you retain all the information you need to know & focus for extended periods of time. 
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Posted by Tiff at 12:39 pm | Categorized under Blog, Contests, Icons, Textures, Tutorials, Updates
Mood » 
Irritated
Music » “Only Girl (In The World)” by Rihanna
Novel » Dracula by Bram Stoker
As a by product of two first generation Vietnamese Asian Americans, I am heavily exposed to Vietnamese culture. 
My parents hope that I will one day embrace my culture & pass it down to my children. Unfortunately for them, I do not express much interest in my culture partly because I find most of their traditions a bit silly. Regardless, I embrace that I am Asian. I truly admire my parents for becoming so successful after they had to abandon their country to start over in a foreign land where immigrants were “deplorable”. My parents, like other first generation foreigners, worked really hard to afford the luxuries they pass down to us.
Although I am unlikely to bestow Buddhism or Vietnamese traditions to my children, I will not allow them to be anything short of diligent & studious little minions. Despite my mother’s belief that my children will lose their heritage because of me, all is not lost. There is no doubt that my children will inherit my parents’ work ethics & my father’s adventurous nature when it comes to trying new food, traveling, &–here’s my Anthropology major at work–my love for learning about new cultures.
Since I enjoy so many dishes that are native to me, I realized that many others find what I eat on a regular basis as “exotic”, “weird”, or something they’ve never heard of. So I present to you some of my favorites to expand your horizons. Be sure to click the pictures for more.
 Multicultural — Oysters |
Oysters are one of my favorite shellfish next to scallops. I enjoy them raw or cooked. These shellfish have been called an “aphrodisiac”, but they aren’t. Perhaps it’s because you have to slurp them to enjoy them. If you’re willing to try them out, I suggest a hint of Ponzu sauce & a squeeze of lemon or lime. Oysters are a bit “stronger” in taste than most shellfish & if they are overly fishy, they are not to be consumed.
Where can I eat this? Most seafood & Japanese sushi restaurants. Ritzy restaurants are bound to have oysters cooked &/or raw.
Price Range: Pricey at an average of $1.25+ per oyster.
 Japanese — Tuna Tartare |
Tuna Tartare boasts a huge flavor profile when made Japanese style. Chopped raw tuna is mixed with onions, spices, & Japanese mayonaise. Raw fish does not taste fishy & that’s how you know it’s fresh! This appetizer is loaded with flavor, but it is not overwhelming. It’s just perfect! 
Where can I eat this? Most Japanese sushi restaurants will have this item available as well as ritzy restaurants. The Cheesecake Factory offers tuna tartare on their appetizer menu.
Price Range: Pricey as portions vary. Often it is $10 for at most 2 tablespoons of tuna tartare at extravagant restaurants.
 Japanese — Sushi (Nigiri, Maki, & Temaki) |
I ♥ sushi! I love all types: Nigiri (a filet of fish on top of rice), Maki (rolls), sashimi (filets of raw fish), & Temaki (handrolls). All raw fish is frozen overnight to kill parasites, thawed, & then served to customers. Sushi is my all time favorite & it would unquestionably be my last meal on Earth. Spicy scallops handrolls are my main squeeze! Nicole & I have convinced Becca to try sushi & she loves it! sushi can be treated as an appetizer or main course, depending on you. Not all sushi is raw! The sooner you understand this, the sooner you can experience divinity. 
Where can I eat this? Any Japanese restaurant that sells sushi. Sometimes your local grocery store will even have sushi to-go, but I do not recommend purchasing that for your first experience.
Price Range: Sushi is a bit of a luxury meal ranging from $25+ per person if you order right. There are all you can eat sushi places that will definitely get your money’s worth, but there are also a few places in Beverly Hills that charges $450 per person for 20+ dishes of fine Japanese cuisine.
 Italian — Beef Carpaccio |
Yes, I realize I eat a lot of raw food. I’m not afraid to try new things so don’t cry about being scared of something that is slightly uncooked. Our ancestors did it, so can we. MAN UP. Let’s get to the point: Beef Carpaccio is thinly sliced raw beef topped with capers, parmigiano reggiano, olive oil, & the dressing varies. In this picture’s case, sprouts, pine nuts, & a mustard sauce were used. Absolutely devine!
Where can I eat this? Not Olive Garden! You can find this at most fine dining Italian restaurants & some ritzy American restaurants.
Price Range: Generally about $10+.
That concludes some of my favorite “exotic” appetizers! Stay tuned for my favorite “exotic” entrées. If you thought any of this was disgusting, pause for a second. Have you ever tried it before or are you casting it off because of your preconceived notions of what it would or should taste like? In both cases, you are being ignorant–excluding those with food allergies. We are entitled to our own opinions since we have different tastes, but to jump to the conclusion that the above mentioned are revolting when you haven’t even had a taste is ill mannered. Travel the world, try new things, embrace our diversity. We only live once, we might as well find new favorites &/or dislikes.
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Posted by Tiff at 1:21 am | Categorized under Actions, Blog, Photography, Textures, Updates
Mood » 
Content
Music » “Heart-Shaped Glasses (When the Heart Guides the Hand)” by Marilyn Manson
Novel » The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
 Tuna Sushi |
Yes, I like raw fish. No, not all sushi is raw. The place I went to enjoy this was not all that great, but it looked artsy, didn’t it? Happy birthday to Nicole! She turns 17 today. 
I told Kat that I would help her advertise her new awards site. Please participate in this contest & nominate some of your favorite sites under some categories she has such as “Awesome Layouts”, “Interesting Blogs”, “Best Resources”, & more!
ALSO, please help Faye raise money for her NSPCC event in which she will go skydiving! NSPCC is a group that raises money to stop child abuse. Help her by donating whatever money you can & $4 will get you a spot on her footer for 3 months. Help stop child abuse by clicking this link & donate!
This past week has been a bit of a rollercoaster for me with its ups & downs, so please excuse me for not writing a more profound blog. Sometimes you just need a break from your emotions & it’s quite difficult to when your judgment is clouded by irrational thought. Finding clarity is much more difficult than hurling your anger at someone. There are days when I wish life were as easy as force quit & backspace, but if you don’t make mistakes, if you don’t fall, how will you truly experience happiness if you do not know what it is to suffer?
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