rooting for the antihero

truth be told, i can’t delete this blog. tumblr was a huge part of my life back in 2010-2012, and even though looking at it now makes me want to vomit, i feel like i would regret it it i deleted it. and i’m tired of regretting decisions i make when i don’t feel okay.

(a little update: i am currently in my third year of university, my migraines have gotten worse, and i am currently deep in the pits of hell.)

I liked him.

but time passed and a new semester came and we ran out of things to talk about. we grew distant. 

I liked him. I might have even loved him. so I told him how I felt. he didn’t feel the same way. I wasn’t too surprised, but I was still a little devastated. 

and then there’s you, this boy who I’ve never actually had a simple, casual conversation with. I had two classes with you last semester, and you were the smart kid in your circle. very smart. I’ve always admired smart people. you weren’t so bad-looking, too, so I admired you quietly, from a distance. I never really thought that I had a chance because you were a year older, and let’s be honest, I wasn’t the prettiest girl around.

but then your friends started pointing me out whenever I walked past, and they’re telling me that you like me, and it’s freaking me out. I don’t want to believe them, because they seem like the kind of guys who would go messing around with people and making fun of them afterwards. 

it’s freaking me out because I do like you, but I can’t tell you like me back too, unless you tell me yourself. but you’re ridiculously shy and difficult to talk to and I spend way too much energy thinking about it in my spare time.

I would just ask you myself, but if I do and it turns out that this whole things was a giant prank, I’d look like a fool, and I don’t want to go through that again.

Long time no see, Tumblr.

Have a few photos from my very short trip to Hong Kong in December 2014. It had been over 3 years since I my last visit, but it's still as hectic as ever.

We'd hopped onto a double decker bus and sat in the front of the second floor (of course) and rode around for almost an hour before we realized that it wasn't going to take us to Victoria Peak -- nope, it took us in the opposite direction.

(A photo taken from my Instagram feed; see it on the Herschel Supply website here)

Prior to this, I was using a very utilitarian Hawk backpack (something like this, but entirely black) for school. It only had two compartments, but I liked it. It was just ... boring.

Enter this. You all know how much I have been lusting over Herschel Supply's bags for a while. I don't remember how I came across them in the first place, but I was sold. This particular one I asked for as a Christmas gift from a family member who's living in California.

The Pop Quiz silhouette wasn't my first choice. I was strongly drawn to the Mid-Volume Little America. Then the Heritage. Then the Retreat -- this one I seriously considered, but I finally settled on the Pop Quiz because I wanted a big front pocket. But then, I had a difficult time deciding which design I would go for (it was either a nondescript gray one, or this rather loud design). The detail I was most worried about was the pleather bottom, because it might break easily.

Fuck it, I said. It looks so pretty! Get it!

Here we are.

I've had this for around four weeks. Now for the actual review:

1. This bag is much bigger than I thought it was. I'm kind of small, though -- around 5'3". The size might overwhelm you as well if you're on the small side. It does mean more room for more stuff, so I'm fine with it.

2. The canvas-like material it's made out of is tough, thick, and a tad bit stiff (it's softened up since I got it, though). Some people might like it, some might not. I'm kind of in-between. I like knowing it's very sturdy, but sometimes it can be a bit rough my skin. The zippers are also kind of stiff and difficult to open at first, but you get the hang of it eventually.

2.5. Because the canvas is thick and heavy, the bag itself is heavy. Not a problem if you're already used to heavy bags, but it's something to keep in mind.

3. The underside of the straps are very rough and scratchy. I attempted to use this backpack while I was wearing a sleveless top -- not a good idea at all. It painfully chafed my arms and shoulders. Another thing to consider.

4. After only a week, a small tear in the pleather bottom showed up. My initial reaction was "?????" because I did my best to take care of it. I e-mailed Herschel Supply about it, but they told me to avoid placing the bag on rough surfaces (I already do this) because they haven't yet created a protective spray for it. 

Here are a few photos:

(If anyone knows how I can patch this up to avoid any further damage, I'd appreciate it!)

5. I am a fan of the not-so-hidden sunglass compartment. Anything I need access to quickly (like my ID or coin purse) goes in there. I am not a fan of the headphone slot, because my headphone jack looks like this and it doesn't fit through the hole. My laptop (a 15.6-inch beast) doesn't fit in the laptop sleeve, either, but having a separate compartment is nice to keep stuff organized. I assume a 15-inch Macbook Pro would fit in there.

That's pretty much it. Despite the negative stuff, I've mentioned, I do like this backpack a lot. If I were to get another Herschel Supply bag, I'd probably go for something lighter like a Settlement (look at all those colors!) or maybe even the Retreat.

No more pleather bottoms, though.