Welcome to my first ever post of a recurring series called Five Senses Friday!
Here, expect me to share things that delight my senses—films I’m watching, books I’m reading, activities I’m doing, music that I’m listening to, food that I’m devouring, and so on.
Before that, I’d like to ramble about how hard it was to set up a website and newsletter. The interface is so simple but the work it took to build it is a tad more complicated than it looks. I am no techy person, but I was forced to be one for a few days. I was just so excited to have this up and running.
Anyway, here is your Five Senses Friday, last week of January edition!
Touch (e.g. activities, random items, “budols”)
- Writing about what being “smart” truly means
I’ve been searching for the true definition of “smart.” Growing up, I considered someone smart if they barely study but still ace their exams. It makes sense, right? You put little to no effort in studying but somehow outperform those who do.
Having matured and grown cynical of the culture that worships effortlessness, this definition does not ring true to me anymore. “Oh, she’s so effortlessly beautiful!” “He makes it look so effortless!” What’s wrong with effort? What’s wrong with being upfront about your dreams and doing whatever it takes to achieve them?
The definition that resonates with me the most is this: Being smart is having the ability to get what you actually want out of life. I love this framework because it gives utmost value to agency. It empowers me to go out there and chase my dreams, and make 0 excuses when I don’t.
Obviously there are things out of our control, but they are fewer than we think. Yes, you can’t control if someone falls in love with you, but are you going out and meeting new people? Do you ask to be set up on dates?
If there are two tenets that I abide by, it’s agency and gratitude. Might explore and write about this further in the near future.
- Writing about Taylor Swift’s greatest song
For my next publication, I’m writing about Taylor Swift’s greatest song, the original, 5-minute version of All Too Well, which is now sadly obsolete. I haven’t stopped thinking about this ever since she canonized the ten-minute version as thee version of All Too Well. Obviously, the song is great, and it has its moments that pierce through the heart, but the five-minute version is a masterclass in storytelling.
- Budol of the week
I’ve finally found the foundation makeup of my dreams: Artdeco’s Perfect Matte Serum Foundation, the neutral shade. I’ve never been one to spend on makeup but I justified its price by telling myself that a) this is also a skincare product, and b) the halo effect is real.
Sight (e.g. books, films, TV series, artwork)
- Film: Anora (2024), dir. Sean Baker
Watched Anora alone in a theatre on a Saturday afternoon. I gotta say, it’s my favorite new film in recent memory. I can’t remember being truly captivated by a new release since Dune Part 2. Anyway, Anora was shot beautifully, is perfectly-paced, and is hilarious, until it’s heartbreaking.
You know how when a film is set in a specific location but somehow it doesn’t capture the essence of the place? When you feel a distance between yourself, who’s sitting in the theatre, and the place being shown in front of you?
While watching Anora, I felt immersed in Brighton Beach, this rowdy Russian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn. I’m in my Udemy era trying to expand my knowledge on my day job, but I’ve thought about purchasing a filmmaking class, not because I’m intending to make my own film (for now), but to learn about the process of making one so I could pick apart the elements that make me feel the way I feel while watching films. It fascinates me, how the way a camera moves can affect my perception of the story.
And Mikey Madison is a superstar. I’m glad to share her name!
Taste (e.g. food and beverages)
- Home-cooked adobo
For the longest time, I’ve been on a quest to perfect my adobo recipe, and I can finally say that I got it. I’ve got the perfect ratio of soy sauce: vinegar: cornstarch, and discovered the secret ingredient: lemon. You’re welcome.
Hear (e.g. music, podcasts)
- Music: Talking Heads
I’m in my Talking Heads phase. They were an American rock band that rose to fame in the 80’s-90’s by spearheading new wave music, combining elements of punk, art rock, funk and pop.
This obsession started when Lorde, who was my favorite musician for a long time, had a one-on-one interview with Talking Heads frontman David Byrne for Rolling Stone, and I was rather charmed by him.
Once in A Lifetime is a banger and never fails to uplift my mood. I’m a pop girl, I obviously love a good pop melody. A captivating pop melody, is by far the most transcendental art form there is. More than any film, book, TV show, sports event, etc., a great pop melody transcends multiple generations, cultural/religious differences, and geographical divisions. So when I hear a great pop song, I’m always reminded of how great life is. Once In a Lifetime happened to do that for me.
I have to be better at discovering great music, though. I’m not listening to as much new music as I intended to at the beginning of the year. I fall back on my old reliables. But I do plan on listening to every album on Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums list to broaden my musical palate and to write about it!