Belinda Dao

It’s that time again! The Australian Open. It looks like these next two weeks I’ll be staying up late into the wee hours of the early morning. Who really needs to be awake during 8am class anyways right? I remember last year during this time, I was on my week long interview marathon on the East Coast traveling from Cleveland to Boston to New Haven with layovers in Chicago. It did not matter where I was, what I was doing, or what time I had to be awake the next morning, A and I would stay up and watch the Australian Open. How could we not? This year, I will not be traveling, but I’ll be in my apartment, in my living room, with my school books spread out in front on me, and I’ll be watching the Australian Open. I’m looking forward to the return of Justine Henin, tennis outfits, classic matches, and, as always, the fist pumps of Nadal. Vamos Rafa!

No Comments | In: Happenings | tags: Australian Open, tennis. | #

I know I have been MIA for the past several months, but it was not intentional. School has been overwhelming to say the least. I know the separation period was abrupt, long, and sad, but I appreciate your patience and I want to assure you that I am still here. I am still alive. No, my fingers did not fall off of my hands. As far as I know, they are still intact. I can still type. I can still blog.

As my 2010 resolution (I know, I’m a bit late to announce it), I’ll be blogging more. This separation period will not happen again (or at least I hope not). I certainly have things going on in my life that I would love to share. As I have said before (or you can just glance over to “About Bdao”) … Look out world! Twenty-something trying to make her mark on the world (for the better). Along the way, things are seen, things are heard, things are thought about…and then things are written about.

Will you accept my apologies?

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No Comments | In: Notes | | #

One part of my very large birthday lunch at Javier’s Cantina and Grill at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, CA.

1 Comment | In: Food, Photography | tags: Javier's Cantina and Grill, taco. | #

U.S. Theatrical Release Date: February 10, 2010

So I was catching up on my daily gossip when I ran across this trailer for the movie Dear John. It looks utterly romantic in a non-cheesy way (okay, maybe not). It stars Amanda Seyfried as Savannah and Channing Tatum as John. I’m not a big Channing Tatum fan (though I did enjoy She’s The Man), but this role seems completely different from other roles he has taken on and I must say his acting does not look that bad in this trailer (we’ll see about the movie). In case it matters, this movie is based on Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.

No Comments | In: j'adore | tags: Amanda Seyfried, Channing Tatum, dear john, movie. | #

Take a moment. It’s a big deal. Some would even say their lives changed dramatically on this today. Because of the arrival of this one person. Me. And today marks the day. It’s my 23rd birthday.

1 Comment | In: Happenings | tags: birthday. | #

No Comments | In: Photography | tags: outside, PS. | #

Off of Hot Fuss, “Smile Like You Mean It” brings back the memories. Be sure to read about The Killers. Bren Events Center. Irvine, CA. 09.15.09. Also, for my latest video uploads of the concert and more, subscribe to my YouTube page.

No Comments | In: Happenings | tags: Bren Events Center, concert, Smile Like You Mean It, The Killers, video. | #

An amazing opening to an amazing concert. Be sure to read about The Killers. Bren Events Center. Irvine, CA. 09.15.09. Also, for my latest video uploads of the concert and more, subscribe to my YouTube page.

No Comments | In: Happenings | tags: Bren Events Center, concert, Spaceman, The Killers, video. | #

“Jenny Was A Friend of Mine” – This was the first song I heard from The Killers when they performed on Pepsi Smash way back in 2004. It was unique and different from anything I had previously listened to and I loved it. I remember listening to Hot Fuss all summer and into fall quarter when A and I drove to school together. I remember rolling down the windows and singing “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” along with A while everyone else around us had no idea what we were doing. There was not a single song on Hot Fuss that I did not enjoy. It sounds cliché, but I really did like them all. Also, as lame as it may sound, when A, my friend R, and I played Hangman or Pictionary on the whiteboards in the library study rooms, A and I would always use the song titles off of Hot Fuss. It was hilarious to watch R, who had never heard of The Killers let alone any of their songs, struggle with getting the right answer or seeing her perplexed face when the answer was “Mr. Brightside”. There just were so many good memories associated with The Killers/Hot Fuss that I got disappointed every time I missed out on a Killers concert.

Well, fastforward five and a half years to Tuesday night, September 15, 2009. A and I finally got our chance to see The Killers live in concert at the Bren Events Center in Irvine. It was beyond A-MAZ-ING! Although the opening bands were a bit on the disappointing side, all was forgiven when Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, and Ronnie Vannucci took the stage. Although the Bren is a small venue, it did not hold The Killers back from putting on a big show. Unlike a lot of singers who sing live, Brandon Flowers actually can sing and he does it very well. What you hear on their CDs is what you hear in concert and then some. The Killers performed a good mix of songs including my beloved songs off of Hot Fuss to Sam’s Town to Day & Age. It was definitely nice to hear the older songs because it brought back so many memories of where I was and what I was doing when I heard it. Overall, I loved this concert and I love The Killers. Come back soon!

A, with her steady hands, was able to video a lot of songs (and in HD quality too!), which I will be posting soon. (You can also check out my YouTube page if you’re impatient.)

No Comments | In: Happenings | tags: Bren Events Center, concert, The Killers. | #

So I spent these past two weeks watching the 2009 U.S. Open anytime I could even if it meant tuning into the matches during class (thank you www.usopen.org) or rushing home to watch the end of the day matches or staying up late to watch the night matches even though I had 8am class the next morning. Why did I put myself through this two week juggernaut? The answer is simple. It has always been the tradition in my family to do so and, yes, I admit, I am a tennis junkie.

This year’s tournament was no exception. I am extremely happy about the return of Kim Clijsters, classy on and off the court, who made it through to the finals and won the whole thing by beating up-and-comer Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-3. I’ve been a longtime Clijsters fan and I am glad to see her win her second Grand Slam of her career and to do it after becoming a mom (a rarity)! Sadly, I think this win was overshadowed by the controversy from her semifinal’s match against Serena Williams. (Foot fault or no foot fault, there’s a thing called sportsmanship in the game of tennis.)

As for the men’s side fo the draw, it was a surprise outcome.  A surprise that Juan Martin Del Potro dominated Nadal (Vamos Rafa!) in the semis and then went on to top 5-time U.S .Open defending Champion Roger Federer (undeniably one of the greatest tennis players to live) in a thrilling five-setter 3-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 6-2! Clearly, Del Potro is making his grand entrance onto center stage. Hopefully, he’ll be able to stay and not fade away like some past winners (ahem, Andy Roddick).

All in all, through rain delays and major upsets and surprising wins, this year’s US Open was once again a fun two weeks for me.

No Comments | In: Happenings | tags: Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, Juan Martin Del Potro, Kim Clijsters, New York, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, tennis, U.S. Open. | #