Author: amisampat

This and That

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It’s been ages since I last updated the blog. The main reason for my lack of posts is the fact that I recently started a new job. I’ve been busy adjusting to a new schedule, the commute, and of course the job itself. I just finished two weeks there and I’m happy to report that I’m loving every minute of it.

When I’m not at work, here are some things I’ve been watching, reading, and listening to.

Watching: Scandal, Thursdays at 10 PM on ABC: Created by Shonda Rhimes of Grey’s Anatomy fame this show is about a crisis management firm in DC. It is loosely based on George H.W. Bush’s crisis aide, Judy Smith, who also dealt with the Monica Lewinsky scandal. It’s a really fast-paced show and I’m loving the fact that the main character is a woman.

Reading: I finished reading Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, death, and hope in a Mumbai undercity. I don’t normally enjoy non-fiction books, but this was an eye-opening look into life in a Mumbai slum. As I was reading it, I had to remind myself that this is not a fiction book and that everything Boo writes about is factual.

Currently I’m reading The Girl Who Played With Fire, the sequel to The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. I’m only a few chapters in but I’ve already deemed it my commute book, rather than the one I read at night before I go to sleep. The subject matter is really dark and disturbing, although it promises to be an interesting mystery/thriller.

Listening: Here are some of my current favorite tracks, which I’ve been listening to on repeat. The beats are so catchy that I have to restrain myself from dancing while on the train or at work!

Justin Bieber’s Boyfriend (Don’t judge!)

Culture Shock ft Nindy Kaur – Save the World

What have you been reading, watching, listening to?

By the way, I recently wrote a guest post on the blog, Lipstick and Politics which you can read here.

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Boston: Architecture

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I’m really loving the architecture here in Boston. I have never seen anything like it in California. The old style buildings are really beautiful and instantly transport you back to an earlier time.

The houses in Beacon Hill

Massachusetts State House

The Charles River with Boston in the background

Boston

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I arrived in Boston yesterday. It was a last minute trip, but I’ve been having so much fun in the city! It’s my first time here and it’s pretty cold, but I’ve already done quite a bit of exploring.

Eating at Chutney, an Indian style Chipotle

The Harvard Library

Driving by the Cheers bar

So do you have any recommendations for things to do/places to eat in Boston and Cambridge? I’d love to hear them!

Movie Review: The Hunger Games

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Via Google Images

Oh Hunger Games, you had me…until the very end.

Let me back up a bit. I tend to be really nitpicky when it comes to books-turned-movies. So before I saw The Hunger Games in theaters, I mentally prepared myself for all the changes that were likely to be made.

And of course, there were plenty of changes. Such as: the mockingjay pin was given to Katniss by her sister, Prim, rather than the mayor’s daughter, Madge, Katniss’ nails weren’t painted, Peeta’s leg wasn’t amputated, and so on. I was willing to overlook all of these little things because I really enjoyed the enhancements that were made to the film.

The book is told from the point of view of Katniss, but the film gives you a well-rounded look at the Games. You get to see President Snow and Seneca Crane talking, Haymitch convincing sponsors, Ceasar Flickman narrating the Games, and my favorite part, a behind the scenes look at how the Games are produced. I thought these additions were a brilliant idea to give the viewers insight into what is going on outside of the arena, while also making it easier to follow for those that were seeing the movie without reading the book.

My biggest issue with the movie came at the very end. Katniss’s affection for Peeta in the arena was mainly for show, and a way for them to get sponsors and ultimately stay alive. In the book, as they are on the train back to District 12, Peeta, who genuinely cares for Katniss, learns of this deception and betrayal. This was such a crucial part of the book and part of the reason why I quickly started reading Catching Fire. It would have made for an amazing finish to the movie as well, instead of the anti-climactic ending that we got.

As with all the other books-turned movies, The Hunger Games movie did not live up to the book. I liked seeing the Capitol, the ridiculous outfits that everyone wore, and the Games/arena itself. I just wish they had spent a bit more time developing Peeta and Katniss’s relationship as it is central to the trilogy, especially in Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

What did you think of the movie?

Weekend Snapshots

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The forecast for this weekend was rain, rain, and more rain. But this time I didn’t do what I usually do when it rains.

Instead I went to San Francisco, enjoyed a Thai lunch, and spent the rest of the rainy afternoon in a cozy wine bar. If you had to be out and about in the rain, that was the place to do be. I was obsessed with the sheep-shaped artwork on the walls. So cute, right? I also saw The Hunger Games. I had been waiting for the movie for what seems like the longest time and I plan to share my thoughts in a separate post!

So yes, it was a great weekend despite the weather not cooperating. How was your weekend?

Vacation Blues

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I can’t believe that was my life a mere few days ago. Now I’m back home in cloudy, rainy weather. I’ll be looking through my vacation pictures this weekend, as it pours, so that I can look forward to days of wearing dresses, flip flops, and soaking in the sun again. I hope it comes soon!

How was your week? Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Book Review: Love Walked In

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“Even if someone wasn’t perfect of even especially good, you couldn’t dismiss the love they felt. Love was always love; it had a rightness all its own, even if the person feeling the love was full of wrongness.”

Yes, I admit it: I’m twenty five years old and I still love reading chick lit. My favorite authors of the genre are Emily Giffin and Sophie Kinsella, but I recently picked up Loved Walked In by Marisa de los Santos.

The novel opens up with a handsome, tall stranger walking into the coffee shop where Cornelia Brown works and changing her life forever. I know what you’re thinking: the stranger and Cornelia meet, go on a few dates, some drama occurs, and they fall in love and have their happily ever after. Let me just say that no, that is not how this book goes.

Instead the readers get two parallel story lines of Cornelia and a young girl named Clare that intersect in a story about all kinds of love.

I found de los Santo’s writing style to be incredibly engaging, poetic, and all the while an easy read. I look forward to reading her other novels: Belong to Me and Falling Together. Much like Kinsella and Giffin’s novels, I can see Loved Walked In being easily translated onto the big screen.

What are you currently reading?

The Accent Nail

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A recent trend in manicures has been the accent nail, when the ring finger is painted a different color than the rest.

Since I was heading out of town for the weekend, I was tempted to do something bright and fun with my nails. Nothing in the winter collection seemed to match my mood/the amazing weather. I had a few remaining nail strips from Sally Hansen in Glitz Blitz, which I paired with Essie’s Cute as a Button. It was also a great way to use up those pesky nail strips, as they come in a pack of sixteen.


I was really happy with how it turned out and I loved how well the gold sparkle and the pink went together. The accent nail is a great way to add a special touch to an otherwise simple manicure.

What do you think? Do you like the accent nail trend? What’s currently on your nails?

Mm, chaat

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Sev Dahi Batata Puri 

Chaat is my favorite food group.

I could eat it all day, every day and not get tired of it. It’s bursting with flavor – sweet, spicy, crunchy, with each bite packing a punch. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by so many Indian restaurants so that I am always able to satisfy my chaat craving.

What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this week?

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Less is More

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Whether it’s a simple morning beauty routine…

or a leisurely afternoon spent with a good book, a cup of tea, and a pastry..

Less really is so much more, don’t you think?

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo DaVinci