A year gone, another year ahead.

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Today I took a three hour nap. It wasn't intended to be such a long nap, and I felt so useless when I woke up and realized that it was dark outside.

For the first time in what feels like a long time, I had a day where I didn't do anything. Right when I got home from college, I was thrown straight into the pits of retail hell and had little time to do much else (but totally not complaining, I like making a good buck when I can). Even on my days off, I had another obligation that racked my mind. So naturally, today I had my own mental to-do list that I unrealistically thought I'd finish off, one check mark at a time.

And now that I think about it, it's kind of silly of me to think that I'd clean, read a novel, cook, and bake on a day that I deemed as a "lazy" day. I've been overworked and over-stressed all year, did I ever consider that I need a break? And a true break, because this is my winter vacation, after all. After a long day, whether from work or from school, I imagine myself doing all these things to "relax," when in reality what I actually do is just stare into my Macbook screen and then pass out from exhaustion. In my free time all I do is collect dust in front of my laptop, and it's a cycle that keeps on going.

So that three-hour nap might have been much needed. Maybe it was a sign that...I just have to chill out. Mentally and physically. And I suppose today is an apropos reflection of this year.

2011 was an incredibly tough, yet incredibly rewarding year. I've cried as many happy tears as I did sad ones. I faced many fears and my limits were tested. I've had to stay strong when some foundations in my life totally weren't. And despite some of the sadness, fear, and uncertainty, I've come out of this past year and a much stronger person. I'm not as weak as I thought I once was, and on a good day, I really feel like I can do anything. And that has never happened to me before.

I've traveled to beautiful places and experienced many wonders this year, but I don't think anything compares to my realization that...my family and friends really are everything. I used to be at the edge when it came to my family, but now more than ever I've grown closer to them and find comfort in their presence, no matter how seemingly annoying they are. Adversity has a funny way of bringing us together, even if the odds might seem to be against us infinitely.

After a year of college and being away from home, I've also realized who my real friends are back home. I had a feeling that I might not speak to my high school friends after graduating, but I think more than anything, absence has made us an even stronger group of friends. They are my go-to girls, and I wouldn't replace them for anything. I feel so honored to have such beautiful, hard-working, intelligent friends who keep me in check and make me realize that...life really isn't as bad as I can make it out to be. And I made friends with equally beautiful, hard-working, and intelligent girls in college too. It's amazingly humbling and wonderful to be surrounded my such great influences in school, because they make me strive to become a much better person.

I read my 2010 post from last year, and I must say that I really am a much different person than I was exactly a year ago. I'm not completely confident in myself, but really, who isn't? I've done so much in the past 12 months and learned such invaluable things that there was no way I could leave 2011 an unchanged person. Everything has affected me positively, even the bad. I definitely have a better sense of who I want to be and what I want to become. Perhaps I am a bit more fearless and more willing to just say "fuck it!" and just...take a chance. Sometimes I look like a fool in the end, but nothing beats a lessoned learned, right?

I don't think anyone needs to change only at the beginning of a new year. Why do you have to wait till January 1st to become something better? Can't you better yourself at any time in your life? But I like to use the beginnings and ends of years as checkpoints in my life. It gives me a chance to properly reflect and look back. Of course, I won't have any resolutions for 2012. Like every year, 2012 will be what I make of it. And I hate having too high of expectations, but my God, 2012 is going to be fucking great. I can just feel it. I have so much to look forward to, so much going for me and my family and friends. How can it be bad? From scoring an internship to studying in London, I have a lot to work for. And I am eternally grateful for that.

Cheers to all in the fabulous new year. Enjoy life because quite frankly, what else could you do with it?!

The Lemon Detox

Even though I wasn't mentally in a slump at the beginning of this week, my body totally was. That's right, I'm feeling under the weather despite the beautiful weather yesterday! The unpredictable weather is taking a toll on my health, and my busy college life has been wrecking havoc on my sanity. I have the stress acne to prove it!

Yes, I have a major case of the sniffles and my head spins from sneezing a dozen times a minute. Not only do I feel fatigued, but the changing weather is beginning to dry out my skin and I'm getting stress pimples left and right. What's a girl to do?!

I do have one idea, but it doesn't entail any ointments or pills. My family has always been a strong advocate of natural remedies, and we always try those before resorting to any harsh medicines, especially when it comes to skin care. When I was younger, I had to drink turmeric juice to help heal my stubborn eczema patches. Somewhat effective and healthful, but tasted horrible.


I've been hearing about this Lemon Detox for quite some time, but I haven't really had an urge to try it out until now. It's such a simple regimen: lemon + water, lights out for bedtime, and repeat. Not only is the lemon water supposed to purify and cleanse the body, but it also can clear skin, aid in digestion, and boost the immune system. Who knew so much could come out of a lemon?

An hour or so before I went to bed, I added half a lemon (juice + zest/pith) to a mug of hot water. I also added a dash of sugar to cut some of the strong acidity of the lemon. This could also be done with cold water, but I think that hot lemon water is probably more calming at night. I plan on continuing this detox every night for a few days and hopefully I will see some results in my health and stamina.

Until then, bottoms up! Or should I say...pucker up.

Merci pour les voyages

In my art history class a couple of weeks ago, we were learning about Renaissance art, and one day in particular was dedicated to the Venetian Renaissance and the Veneto-Byzantine styles of San Marco Basilica. Bright and early on a Friday morning, my weekly section class discussed San Marco, Titian's masterpieces, and the innovation of oil painting. It brought back fond memories of this past summer as I strolled through the narrow alleys and abundant canals throughout Venice. I personally connected a lot to the subjects in art history class, mostly because I either had a chance to see some of these artworks in person, or I just had a fondness for Baroque or Classic art in general. Anyways, I shared a few of my personal insights on Venice and the basilica. It felt kind of nice to speak about my travels, mostly because they are some of the most memorable places I've ever been to.

As much as I love learning from books and classes, it's just simply the icing on the cake to be able to see some places that I had always dreamed about in travel books and atlas. I still have the whole world to see, and one corner of the world means very little in the scheme of things. But I have learned a lot when I travel to different places, not only outside of the United States but within country borders as well. I am grateful that I have been to several places, and I cannot wait until I can go even farther and around the world.

{{Paris}}

{{Milan}}

{{Venice}}

{{Lyon}}

Tie it up: scarf headband DIY

If I attained anything from my mom, it's definitely her penchant for silk scarves. She has a hanging organizer in her closet that is overflowing with silk scarves in all hues and prints that she collected from many places. I remember when we went to Paris together a few years ago, she would constantly stop to look at all the pretty silk scarves to buy. And she'll always find a way to incorporate a silk scarf into her outfit, which always comes out super sophisticated and timeless. Nothing "chics" up an outfit quite like a silk scarf.

I may not have an impressive scarf collection like my mom, but I'd like to think that my collection is gradually growing. Unfortunately, I haven't had the financial ability to shop as I please, but I make do with what I have in my scarce wardrobe for now.

One of my favorite scarves is quite possibly a gold and navy vintage-inspired print scarf I got in Paris, and it's usually my go-to scarf when I need to add some life to an outfit. But in all honesty, I've been getting a bit...bored of just tying the scarf around my neck and calling it a day. So how can I incorporate this scarf into my outfit but with a different spin?

And I figured it out. What better way to wear my favorite accessory than to wear it as my second favorite accessory: a headband.

Turban headbands have been en mode for a couple of seasons now and they've been emulated on the runways in shows from Prada and Missoni. It may seem easier to buy an actual turban headband, but it's much cheaper and more fun to make your own using a scarf you already have! I used this tutorial to make mine, et voila:

Excuse my messy hair! My scarf headband is thinner and a little looser than the one in the tutorial, but you can adjust it to your personal liking. I tucked it underneath my hair, but next time I might have it wrapped around over my hair. It's my first time wearing my scarf like this, so I will continue experimenting with this. The next time my mom inspires one of my outfits, I can now add my own personal twist to the classic silk scarf.

Halloween Treat: Chocolate Truffles

I may be in college, but I will forever be a little 8 year old girl deep in my heart. Besides the "horror" factor of Halloween, I absolutely love everything about the holiday. The costumes, the innocent, family-friendly movies (Halloweentown, anyone?!), the brisk trick-or-treating nights. And most of all...the candy!

Like many people, I have a terrible sweet tooth. I love sugary snacks the same way I did when I was younger, and quite possibly even more so!

Though I must say, as I much as I love candy, I like to switch it up every so often. And the Halloween candy available in stores starts becoming a bit...repetitive. How many chewy-fruity-juicy-explosions of tropical flavors and nougaty-caramel-peanut-butter-coconut chocolate sensations can we possibly have?!

Sure, they are all delicious, timeless, and I certainly will still munch on them even in the post-Halloween season. But there's certainly nothing wrong with bringing sweets to a higher level than those shiny wrapper-concealed candies you got for Halloween.

And thus I present...truffles! These rich, decadent chocolate concoctions are named after the wild mushrooms that they bear a resemblance to, and although they might look like simple chocolates, it's so easy to jazz them up and make them even more appetizing than they already are.

Here are some truffle recipes with added pizzazz and fun that I think would be incredibly simple and delicious. I wish I had the resources to make these chocolates when I'm at school, but I definitely plan on making these in the near future! If you have a quiet Halloween night planned but still want some indulgence, these will easily satisfy your palate.

{{Classic chocolate truffles}}

{{Oreo truffles}}

{{Pumpkin cheesecake truffles}}

Thankful Friday

TGIF everyone! I tried to blog consistently this week...but that didn't work out. It has been a hectic past few days, and all the craziness paid off when I had the honor to meet author, blogger and overall amazing woman Demetria Lucas when she visited my university and spoke to the many students in attendance. After intense planning, we pulled off a successful event and I can't be any happier about it!

My weekend will, as usual, consist of lots of homework, studying, and soccer watching. Not only will I have to keep myself motivated throughout the weekend, but I have to be sure to stay extra toasty and warm. According to the weather forecast, Philadelphia is supposed to get a modest amount of snow with a high temperature of 43ºF. Say what?!

I love that the weather is getting cooler, and this wouldn't be the first time that we get snow in October. But I'm a bit apprehensive about the possibility of snowfall. We'll see, I suppose. Until then, I have to check off the myriad of things that are on my "to-do" list today.

As I stated last week, I will write about something I'm thankful for in my life once a week until Thanksgiving. And after this very long week, I can sit back and realize that I am incredibly grateful that I have an abundance of opportunities given to me, and that I am in school and enjoying my experience in college.

I may complain about the workload, the stress, and the annoyances. I may be lazy, and I may have no control over my emotions and unintentionally let out my anger on people. But deep down I love college and I love being here. I constantly think to myself: "thank God I didn't go to school somewhere else!" for many reasons. And I would not have met the amazing people that I work with and am friends with here if I went to school elsewhere. Times may get tough, but I love learning and I love my school. Philadelphia is a great city and it's nice to be able to experience this place in a new and more mature way.

I've never been a big "school spirit" type of person, but I have no shame in showing my college pride here.

I Can Do It!: Halloween Edition

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a relaxing and fun weekend. My weekend at home was much needed. Even though I spent my time doing homework, I somehow found some time to get lots of naps and many hours of sleep in that I totally missed out on during the week.

Halloween is coming up in a week, and I may be too old to go trick-or-treating, but I still enjoy the idea of getting dressed up and eating lots of sweets. I must confess: I haven't actually dressed up for Halloween since...8th grade. I remember I was Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's that Halloween, and it was probably my favorite costume ever. Since then, I haven't had much time to think about putting together a costume.

I probably don't have time for Halloween fun this year either. But I'd like to think that I could have a little costume idea anyways. I went to the Rally for Insanity and/or Fear last October and I remember seeing several girls dressed up as Rosie the Riveter and a light bulb went off in my head. I just knew that this would be a future Halloween costume. Why didn't I think of this before?!

I may have the red lipstick and the dark hair all set, but I still need the iconic red polka dot scarf, and possibly a denim button-down shirt. To my dismay, there's no way for me to actually get some arm muscles for this costume. Such a shame! And with my super busy schedule, I don't know if I have time to pick out any costume pieces. Even if I'm not able to actually dress up as Rosie this year, I still think it's a lot of fun to think up of costume ideas and shop for fun accessories. No matter how old I am, I will always enjoy some Halloween fun.

And plus, who can say no to free candy?

Happy Weekend!

Another busy week basically finished! Although I have a lot of work to do over the weekend (and still some work I need to finish from last week...oops), I will be productive in the comforts of home. I love living in the city, but I need a break from the craziness that I have to deal with at school and just spend time with my family. Not to mention, I get to enjoy a flat screen HDTV and mom's homecooking...can't complain!

Since Thanksgiving is coming up in a month, I've decided to dedicate one post every week until Thanksgiving to something that I am most appreciative of in my life. And I can't think of a great way to begin this than with my own family!

Last year, I rarely ever went home on weekends. I was super busy with school-related obligations on campus to have time to go home, and I also didn't really want to. I just wanted to be an independent girl on my own in college. But this year, with many changes happening with my family, I feel like now is the best time to be with them and catch up on lost time, so to speak.

I may fight with my parents a lot, they may be so irritated with me often, and I may threaten to leave my house plenty of times, but they are still my family. More than ever, I realize how lucky I am to have parents who care so much and have siblings who I can inspire and guide throughout life. We may not see eye-to-eye on many things, but they are such a big part of me, and I truly feel blessed that I have a family that loves me and keeps me grounded. Sure, they have a tendency to be harsh on me in some aspects (a reason why I never felt "good enough" throughout my whole life), but it makes me stronger and I know better now that I am control in my own life. And if anything, my family has taught me that no one is perfect. They're human too. They have their flaws. No family is "perfect." That in itself is really comforting.

Without my family (the good and the bad), I'd be nothing. And I can't be more thankful for them.

Bottoms Up! ...with H2O

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Today, for some reason, the skin on my face felt a bit taut and uncomfortable. Mixed with my exhaustion and lightheadedness, I eventually realized that it could only be one thing: dehydration.

I'll admit, I never really drank enough water daily. Since I also drink coffee every day (and the occasional soft drink), I definitely need to be hydrated more often. I know that the "8 (ounces) x 8 rule" (a cup of water eight times a day) is a standard that has been reiterated multiple times. But in middle school health class, I actually learned that the proper way of determining how much water you need to drink is to take your weight, divide it in half, and that would be roughly the number of ounces of water you need to drink daily.

So I did that little calculation (and no, I won't share my weight...tsk tsk), and I do not drink nearly as many ounces of water that I should. So how to remedy this dehydration? Plan and simple....have water on me at all times!

I have an aluminum reusable water bottle that I used on a regular basis, but unfortunately its use has only been dwindled down to the times I go to Zumba class (which, also unfortunately, has dwindled as well). Making a habit of carrying water with me will ensure that I will not be dehydrated throughout the day. Plus, it's eco-friendly and super convenient, how could you beat that?

Also, having the water bottle will prevent me from getting sugary drinks when I'm picking up lunch, since I have a drink with me anyways. Not only am I staying hydrated, but I'm also cutting out a lot of unnecessary sugars and calories that are in sweet drinks.

So if you are feeling parched, load up on the water! Even though hot chocolate may feel nice during the dry, cold days of fall and winter, be sure to have some water on the side to keep your body properly hydrated.

Don't be a slouch!

I was flipping through my pictures of my time in Paris, and I came across one photo of myself that made me feel a bit uneasy, more so than I usually am whenever I look at pictures of myself. This particular photo annoyed me especially so much because...I was slouching horribly. My body looked like a stump sitting at the Luxembourg Gardens, and though I seemed happy, my posture didn't look it.

I know, I know...everyone slouches. Well, maybe not everyone, but it's pretty common and I'm not the only person who does it. But I can't help but feel a bit bothered at my horrible posture.

So for a week I've been trying to snap out of this slouching stance. Slouching has never been something that I take notice of when I'm sitting down, but I made sure that took note of it this past week. Whenever I caught myself slouching in my seat, I would snap out of it very quickly and straighten up my back and slightly drop my shoulders down to a relaxed but poised level. At first it felt a bit weird, but gradually I made a habit to straighten up and it didn't take me long to notice whether I was slouching or not.

And I must say...not only am I saving my back from developing a hunch in the future, but I also am lifting my psyche when I sit with better posture. It's as if I feel stronger and more in control whenever I sit up straight. This all may sound silly, but simply sitting upright can shape my mood significantly. Besides that, I felt like I looked better. From the outside, I might even look like I have some confidence in me!

Even a friend pointed out that I had "superb" posture the other day when I was sitting on an outdoor bench. People take notice!

So remember: to get out of that slump, don't be a slouch! If you need to find your inner Duchess of Cambridge to do so, then so be it.

Guilty.

I'm guilty of a lot of things. Eating too much ice cream, washing my colors and darks together, forgetting to floss...and avoiding my blog.

Time hasn't been my best friend lately. And I've been going through the same humdrums of college life, but with a little emotional "quarter-life crisis" kick.

Times are a-changin' and I need to change myself. No more whining! No more crying! It's time for me to pick myself up from these rocky few weeks and start creating positive constants in my life. Which will include bringing this blog back again. And hopefully as I enjoy this academic year, I will have lots of life to give this little site.

P.S. I will eventually finish my travel writings! I'll be darned if I don't!

Travel post a little late: Paris, part 1

Paris, in all its majestic and historically-rich glory, is one of the most breathtaking places in the world. And it is personally my favorite place. Beneath the abundance of cigarette smoke and funky odors drifting around the metro is a city like no other. Paris does get some schtick for being a hoity-toity, pretentious metropolis (and in MANY ways, it certainly is) but it only seems so if you are consumed in all the stereotypes too much. When you are enriched in all the culture and history and are opened to what the city has to offer, it truly is a wonderful city. Simply wonderful.

Like any big tourist-attracting city, the locals may get a bit snobby towards visitors. Some people still don't pick up their dogs' crap from the sidewalks. And of course, you can never ever be too mindful of your belongings. But all the cobblestone streets lead to such great adventure. You can strip away all the bad and have an amazing experience.

I spent six days (!!!) in Paris, which gave me time to explore many things that I haven't seen before. I've been to Paris a few times before, but certainly not like this. The first two days were spent with a family friend, and the last four were spent with a cousin (whom I hadn't seen in almost 15 years!!).

My stay with the family friend was spent seeing all the big touristy hot spots. Sure, I've been all of them before...but Paris can't be complete without the Eiffel Tower!

I started my day at Musée D'Orsay, one of the famous art museums in Paris. I had visited D'Orsay the last time I was in Paris, but did not have enough time to see all the art. After some time at the art museum, we spent some time relaxing on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower and then visited Paris Plages, which is a strip of "beach" right by the Seine. There is a stretch of sand by the river so people can sunbathe or kids can play in the sand. There's also many activities and events that happen on Paris Plages, like water aerobics (did I mention there is a pool right by the Seine as well?).

The second day started off in Montmartre to see the Sacre Coeur, which is the second highest point in Paris, the Eiffel Tower being the highest, of course. Then we took a waterbus up and down the Siene, making stops at many points throughout the city, including the Champs Elysees.

It was nice seeing all the familiar places, but I think that I'm done with all the touristy things for a while. Luckily, I explored some fresh, new places in Paris during the remainder of my stay. Until the next post!

Travel post a little late: Tortosa

On Friday (July 22), I took a day trip to the lovely village of Tortosa, which is a Catalan town roughly 170 km away from Barcelona. The village is rich in culture and is a landmark of the Spanish Civil War, as well as the medieval times.

I happened to visit Tortosa during their annual festival, which lasts about four days. There were many vendors set up throughout the village streets and people were dressed in Renaissance attire. Children with drums and costumes paraded through the streets for the celebration.

Tortosa is right by the river, so there is always a cool breeze wafting through the narrow roads.

It seems that further into my stay in Spain, my Spanish became more “accepted” by the locals. Of course, I’ve had my “boba” moments where I misplace “cual” with “qué” but I pretty much seem to get my point across most of the time. I also watch cartoons dubbed in Spanish with my little cousins, and I suppose my Spanish comprehension is improving as well, and the cartoons are enjoyable. Well, perhaps they are just more enjoyable after some Sangria.

Friday was my last full day in Spain, and I left for France on Saturday morning. Even though I was only there for a few days, I felt as if I was there for ages. Being in this country made me even more excited to study in Oviedo next Spring.

Travel post a little late: Barcelona

I arrived in Barcelona early Wednesday (July 20^th), and before you could say “bienvenidos,” I was already whisked off to see much of the city with no time to tidy myself up after a long flight.

Like a smart traveler, I wore jeans on my flight. Unlike a smart traveler, I didn’t think to change into something more comfortable; thus I trekked throughout Barcelona in jeans with my hair and makeup a mess. Luckily, the city isn’t as hot as it usually is during the summer, but I would have much preferred a pair of shorts to jeans. Despite the heat and the blisters on my feet, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Catalan capital. And I saw QUITE a lot for one day. Since I did not take a bus tour, most of my travels on Wednesday were on foot, so it was much more walking than I anticipated. Needless to say my feet are incredibly sore!

The city was bustling and lively, not only with tourists like me but also with locals. I started off my day at La Rambla and the Christopher Columbus statue, and wandered through tiny alleys and walkways to see quirky little stores. Of course I saw the big landmarks, including the Cathedral of Barcelona, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and La Sagrada Familia. But perhaps my favorite part of Barcelona was Parc Güell. Even though the long walk to get there hurt like hell, the view of the city and the Mediterranean was just…simply breathtaking. I had to pinch myself to see if it was actually real (as queso as it sounds) because quite frankly, I still couldn’t believe that I was in Barcelona. I loved sitting on the swerving mosaic bench and looking at the gorgeous view. Since Parc Güell is located up in the hills, the wind was just perfect and cool.

Of course, the food was FANTASTIC. We did stop at La Boquería early in the day, and it was buzzing with foodies and tourists alike. I enjoyed a fresh jugo de fresas y piñas and snacked on some delicious jamón Serrano. The first thing I saw upon entering La Boquería was all the jamón hung up throughout many of the meat shops, and I knew I had to have some. I’ve eaten so much of it in Spain, and I honestly can’t get enough of them. For lunch we enjoyed some tapas, which included more jamón, some salted fish, mussels, cheese, and a Catalan “pizza” of olives, eggplants, and peppers. Tapas in Barcelona cannot go without a classic: a dish of bread slices that are drizzled with olive oil and rubbed with fresh tomatoes. All were so delicious that naturally my aunt had to order us seconds!

Even though Catalan is considered the “main” language in Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia, I took whichever opportunity I could to practice my Spanish-speaking skills. I have been studying Spanish for about six years, so I suppose that I’m somewhat proficient in the language, despite not having anyone at home to practice with. My Spanish may not be perfect, but I thought that perhaps my effort would be enough to endear some Spaniards. In reality, I wasn’t treated as nicely as my French-speaking relatives were, and truth be told, I don’t know why. Is it because I’m a tourist? Not just a tourist, but also a try-hard tourist? I personally don’t think trying to speak the native tongue in a certain language makes me a try-hard, but perhaps that’s just how they see me. Even the man who sold me the Spanish flag that I bought was very rude. I cannot lie; I was a bit hurt at how cold some people in Barcelona were to me. I even got uncomfortable glances from locals on the metro. Maybe I smell bad? I guess I’ll never know.

Though so far I think that Spaniards outside of Barcelona are much nicer to me. On Thursday I spent some time at the marina in Delta de l'Ebre, which is a town about an hour and a half away from Barcelona. People there were much more accepting of me (and my Spanish), which comforted me a bit. The area around Delta de l'Ebre is known for their rice fields (fit for paella!) and it is also home to great wildlife like flamingoes (and mosquitoes…I have the bites to prove it!)

Barcelona was absolutely wonderful, and I hope that I’ll be there again in the future! There is still a lot to see and explore.