Tiana Feng

The Strange Things People Search To Get Here

January 17, 2015Technology1 Comment

One of everybody’s favourite things about having a blog is looking through the stats. Specifically, the Google searches that have landed a person on their own blog. Most them here are quite normal. I get a lot of people who were looking for Adventure Time or specific restaurants.

But sometimes searches can be bizarre. Here are a few weird ones:

“Tiana disgrace”

How the hell did this lead you here?

“Asian stereotype”

I like to think I don’t live according to stereotypes

“What dog looks like a lion”

I don’t know. Do you?

“Elmo word”

Tickle me?

“How to draw nash”

Why would you want to draw my boyfriend?!

“Draw something cheat/nash”

Again a bizarre reference to boyfriend.

“I think I’m a hoarder”

That’s nice.

“Stress soup”

I don’t think you really need a recipe for this.

“internet pictures”

This could be anything?!

“What used to be cool”

I’d like to think I am still cool.

Let Yourself Do Nothing

January 16, 2015Books, Inspiration, LifeLeave a Comment

I’m a workaholic. I’m guilty of glorifying busy. I rarely let myself truly do nothing. I read on my commutes to and from work. I take my lunch breaks at my desk (so I can blog or get my work done) and when I get home I manage all my blog e-mails, edit photographs or write some more.

If I take the time to watch TV (without actively doing something else), or play video games, I feel a bit guilty inside. I feel like there’s always something more important I could be doing (including the newly added responsibility of household chores) or going (shows, friends etc). By the time I get to bed, I’m exhausted. Sleep is the only time I’m truly doing nothing.

This is a habit, I want to break. Recently, I read Jeremy Dean’s book Making Habits, Breaking Habits and in doing so I became more aware of the pattern of actions I take every day. I also learned that there’s only so many habits you can force yourself to do at once without a break, or it lowers productivity. Therefore, taking appropriate breaks are important and may lead to better output.

For now on, I’ll let myself have those mental breaks, watch an episode of something on Netflix, go for walks or literally sit in a chair and do nothing. Sometimes my best work happens during those types of events. In fact, I pretty much wrote this post in my head while showering.

Vlog Round-up: Cooking Calamari, Octopus and a Surprise Dinner

January 14, 2015Food, Recipes, Vlogs1 Comment

Last week, it was super cold so I stocked up on a whole bunch of groceries. The only problem was I didn’t buy anything “normal” people buy.

First I cooked calamari

Then Octopus

And lastly, Nash made me a surprise dinner!

Learning to Declutter

January 13, 2015LifeLeave a Comment

I recently moved downtown Toronto into my own bachelor apartment. It’s a tiny but a perfect place. Plus, it’s finally my own place.However, I’ve had to learn to downsize, in order to keep my place tidy and not clusterphobic. Here’s a few tips when downsizing to a smaller place:

Take only the books you need:
Back home at my parent’s house, I have so many books. Many of them, I’ll probably never read again but I linger on the possibility that I might reference them.

Throw out the packaging:
I’m a sucker of cool packaging and am guilty for keeping it all. Sometimes for this reason, I’ll leave things in their packaging for too long and they don’t get used. Open everything (if not than give it away), so there’s a greater possibility it will be used. Recycle the packaging if possible. This will also prevent you from buying future things with cool boxes.

Find Multiple Uses For Things:
My little sister bought me a miniature Christmas tree that’s been sitting on my windowsill. Instead of throwing it out, or taking up space in my closet, I think I will keep it on the windowsill and call it the “Occasion/Theme Tree” where we will decorate it with different things year round. If you really want to keep cool packaging, make use of it. They can be storage boxes for loose art supplies or a environmentally friendly way to wrap gifts. I also re-used this Christmas chocolate wafer tin to hold my pens.

Have you ever downsized? I’d love to know your tips.

I Bought This Beer Because It Has Robots

January 12, 2015January 12, 2015Drinks, FoodLeave a Comment

I had a party to attend this weekend so I trekked to the LCBO (it was -15 degrees Celcius so yes trek is the right word). I’m blessed that Toronto and has a great variety of specialty and craft beers and I decided it would be nice to try them all. I don’t drink that often, so I discover something new pretty much all the time.

This time, I settled for Hop City’s Hopbot IPA. How could I not? The packaging is so adorable. What I didn’t realize upon buying it was that it has a 7.1% IBA also that it has a bitterness rating of 70 IBU (which is more than I would have liked). I was also drinking the previously mentioned Chocolate Beer, so the bitterness was enhanced a bit when I drank one after the other. It does have interesting citrus notes. I wouldn’t recommend drinking it at a party that’s for sure. It’s more of a sit down and enjoy in the comfort of your own home while watching Netflix type thing. Going to do that now.

Google Your Name and The Word “Meme”

January 11, 2015UncategorizedLeave a Comment

I recently saw a post where someone asked people to google their name and the word “meme”. So I did. The majority of mine are Princess Tiana related.

But some are bizarre.

Some results were completely random.

What do you get when you google your name and the word meme?

Ride the Tempo Redesign

January 10, 2015LifeLeave a Comment

Today I was busy redesigning my music blog Ride The Tempo. It finally has a fresh new layout that looks like it’s from 2015 and a new logo designed by my friend Paula Lafleur.

Check it out at: ridethetempo.com.

Mexican Food @ El Trompo

January 9, 2015January 11, 2015Food, Restaurant ReviewsLeave a Comment

Back in August, I did some strolling in Kensington market with Nash and my friend Karol looking for a place to eat. We landed at El Trompo, a place that served authentic Mexican cuisine. We decided to order some things to share. Pictured above are the Spicy Tinga Chicken tacos.

We also had the Al Pastor tacos which are their specialty. They contained a lovely touch of onion, coriander and pineapple. We thought both tacos were very flavourful and the portions were generous. They were around $10 for 4 decently sized tacos, whereas most places you usually get 3 for the same price.

I couldn’t help trying the Chicharon de Queso, which essentially is a piece of crispy fried cheese. It was hands down my favourite part of the meal

The Pico de Gallo was simple but refreshing (for a summer’s day) and fresh.

We also split this cheesy Quezadilla. There was quite cheesy! It was around $4, but it’s smaller than most people would assume of a quezadilla, so I wouldn’t make this my only order.

Between the 3 of us, we actually thought we ordered way too much food. You do get the value for your money here. Everything was fresh, flavourful and authentic.

Wavelength Pop-Up Gallery

January 8, 2015Life, PhotographyLeave a Comment

I’m really excited to announce that some of my concert photos will be featured in Wavelength Music’s upcoming Pop-Up Gallery!

The gallery features posters, installations, talks, intimate concerts as well as photos. My shots will be featured in the photo show deemed “PRESENT” featuring images from 2013-14 Wavelength events.

Date: January 22nd – February 15th
Place: Huntclub Studios (709. College Street)

There’s a free opening party on January, 22nd at 8pm! See you there :)