"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Congratulations, Class of 2012!

Lacy black top from pacsun, black jeweled cardigan, floral skirt and gold leaf earrings are all  from Forever 21,  and wedges (not pictured) are a gift from a friend, sunglasses from St. John, bracelet is a gift from Sean

Makeup:  I had on a simple winged eyeliner, falsies mascara, concealer from maybelline-instant age rewind in shade 120 light,  lips-revlon's lip butter in cherry tart

Your long journey of high school is now OVER! Never shall you roam the familiar hallways of your high school, frolic under the shades of the trees and relax on the bright blue benches at lunch. You are now entering the real world! I applaud you for your efforts, but your journey towards higher education is not over; in fact, you've barely started! I dare you all to trespass on the lawns of your future with bright eyes and eagerness for learning. Keep an open mind. From now on, you are in charge of your own decisions, so make them carefully. Weigh out the consequences and never lose sight of your dreams.

On a lighter note, my brother's graduation was two days ago! He was on the GOLD side (left of stage, first row) which meant my family had to face the burning sun (just kidding, it wasn't that bad if you had shades on) to cheer for him. Security was poor this year. We heard the horns and vuvuzelas blasting in the air for other graduates (which was super annoying, btdubs) Sean was his official photographer for the day since my momma's camera couldn't take the far distance shots. It's HD quality so I'm not complaining.

Anyways, my mom treat us all out to dinner at a fancy schmancy Chinese restaurant (y'alls know how I feel about Chinese restaurants, LOL). We ordered a sweet&sour pork, some kind of leafy greens, a kungpao chicken, a sweet&sour catfish soup, a vegetable noodle and a beef&vegetables dish which wasn't that bad and greasy at all. After all that, we rendezvous back to my house so Sean can upload Daniel's grad pictures to my laptop. Over all fun night.

My brother is currently partying away at Gradnite right now. Let him have his fun until he has to buckle down and work hard like the rest of us. :)

Summer 2012 bucketlist

Summer is a time for relaxation, excitement, and everything in between.  Time to just enjoy the quiet beauties of life and fully appreciate what we've been taking for granted.  Just a list of things I want to accomplish this summer!

1. Make 10 new friends
2. Unicamp!
3. Trai He La Hau La
4. Attend brother's graduation
5. Graduation party anyone? ;)
6. Eat at some good korean bbq place
7. Read 3 new books
8. Attempt a new manicure
9. Film a haul video
10. Attend 2 bonfires
11. Dip in the pool
12. Run at the beach
13. Get my pharm tech license
14. Finish 2 seasons of shows
15. Learn a song on the piano
16. Shop 'til I drop 
17. Explore the wonders of OC Fair 
18. Funnel cake!
19. Buy a new camera (Canon s100 anyone?)
20. Get dolled up and go out at night
21. Lighten hair
22. Treat myself out to some brand name makeup ^_^
23. Play volleyball at the beach
24. Get a nice beach bod (should happen before summer, LOL)
25. Splurge on quality makeup (keeping my eye on Smashbox BB Cream)
26. Thrift!

Tv shows

• Glee season 3
• New Girl
• Friends season 1
• How I met your mother season 2
• Voice season 2
• Avatar-Legend of Korra

Movies

• Avengers
• The Hulk
• Ironman
• Captain America
• Thor
• Twilight: Breaking Dawn
• Dark Knight Rise
• Men in Black 3
• Prometheus
• 21 Jump Street

Food

• Milk
• Class 302
• Red Lobster
• M Grill
• Saffron & Rose ice cream
• Sprinkles Ice cream

Places

• Friendship Bell
• Huntington Botanical Gardens
• Hot air balloon ride
• Disneyland
• US open
• Griffith park
• City walk
• DTDisney

*list is open for updates!

**italicize=accomplish!

Keep calm, it's almost summer

So soon, so close. Only one final left standing in my way. Approximately 18 more hours until the breezy days and clear skies and warm beaches are mine. Everyone around me is done and moving out of the dorms. Everyone outside is all happy and chirpy, relaxed, dressed in khaki shorts and summer dresses. Everyone is pushing those moving carts because they are moving out, going back to home, wherever that might be. Everyone around me are happy, but I too shall soon join them. Second year, you've been good to me, but this summer, Summer 2012, will do me right. I can already taste it on my lips.

I am going to start studying for my last final. I took a five hour break earlier, cleaning my desk and drawers, packing stuff into boxes. Scrapbooking for my beloved Diane and Billy, but that shall be TBC. There are still a lot more I want to do, especially for the graduating seniors, but I don't have time right now. Soon, soon. :)

Amidst the post-labs and quizzes and finals

I am surviving. I promise myself that I would finish this quarter off strong and strong I must. I don't know how many late nights and all nighters and coffees I have to take in order to take on this daunting task, but I can do it. I will come out on top. And when that Friday comes, two weeks from now, I will jump and soar and be the happiest I can be, because FINALLY I will be on summer break.

I am close to finishing off my second year at UCLA. A year filled with ups and downs, tears, sweat, passion, faith, lost of hope, spiritual wealth, grueling work, serious fights, intense nights, early mornings, fun, spontaneous adventures, crazy weekends, diversity, love-making, fashion, photography, ambitions, falls, drama, sweet dreams. My second year has been EVERYTHING I could have ever imagined. I completed things I didn't even think I could, in a million years. Family head, Dance Marathon, UNICAMP, even Dance specialist, DCON talent act, FTC, Go West, ice blocking, prom, Masquerade Ball, Star of the moment, scored the pharmacy clerk job at my school's pharmacy...the list goes on and on. And yet, despite all this madness, my health is great. My grades could be better. My mentality at UCLA has improved tremendously, and I am more than ever deeply in love with my boyfriend of over 1.5 years. This is crazy, but it's happening. It happened. And it will continue to happen. :)

As a senior in high school, I felt lost, insecure, peer pressured. Towards graduation, I've never felt more confident, happy and carefree in my life. Going through my first year, I lost that sense of confidence and belonging. Instead, I felt miserable, unsure, stuck, out of place. It wasn't until the start of this year, 2012, that I regain that sense of belonging. Everywhere I go now, I feel loved, accomplished, and smart. But this journey is far from over. Although I am now sure of my future, I know the road there is tough and unpredictable. I cannot account for the twists and turns along the way, as I'm sure there will be many over the next couple of years. I am determined to pull through this, determine to get my Pharm D. to be a kind, and bright pharmacist, to bring light, hope and inspiration to hundreds of people that I will one day serve in my community. I believe I can get there. It may not be the route that I want to take, but the end result is the same. I see my name in shining lights. Best believe it.