Most beautiful time of the year

I cannot believe it is almost end holiday season! Christmas time is my favorite time of the year, mainly because my dear friends come back to my hometown to visit and play. And of course, no school, and cold nights which calls for warm sweaters, pea-coats, leggings, boots, beanies--I simply adore winter wear. Also, you cannot forget about them holiday parties, filled with hot chocolate, and peppermint lattes from Starbucks, Christmas lights, oh my. It's simply my favorite time of the year.

Thanksgiving just passed, which means BREAK!! Caught up with old friends that I haven't seen for a while and hung out with new ones. It felt extremely nice and relaxing to not think about school for a few days. The only bad thing is, it got me into holiday mode already so I can't seem to focus on anything. I just want to be home for the holidays. But before that can happen, need to survive FINALS :(

I just finish signing for my classes for winter quarter. Hopefully it is as painless as possible and filled with many hours of sleep (aka the thing I always seem to need) #lifeofcollegestudent. I could be in bed right now, catching up on the zzZzz's since I finish my biochemisty homework early for once but I am online blogging my heart out. #latenightpostsarethebest. I miss my tumblr for that reason

Black friday shopping. Boots (in both pictures) are from Macy's. Red beanie from H&M, blue collared shirt from brother

Caught up with my babygirl, Magie. Treated her out to some dim sum as a belated birthday gift

Spontaneous trip to get some shaved snow. We tried almond snow with fresh strawberries, green tea mochi drizzled in condensed milk

Dinner with Jimmy, whom I haven't seen for over a year despite how close we lived to each other. Our school schedules were always opposite. Super spontaneous boba + brick toast (post dinner snack) with these fools. Joey and Jessica came down to visit us, hehe

Just some snapshots over Thanksgiving break. Time to hit the books again to ace those finals. See y'alls in a couple weeks or whenever I refuse to study (or sleep early)

With lots of TLC,

Denise

Happy happy thanks

It's thanksgiving! four fun filled days at home. I am quite thankful for a lot of things in my life, but this year I want to take a different approach to it. Every year I always thank the people in my life for supporting me and giving me love. But this year, I want to focus on me. I thank myself for being so strong willed and determine, for not taking no for an answer, for not taking anyone's crap. for being independent and hardworking when I need to be. because every day I see my dream. I want to thank myself for not giving up, especially a lot of times this year when shit got real. i want to thank my body for being healthy and happy (i know this year, my emotions were a wreck compared to other years) and i want to thank everyone else who put up with my bullcrap. my parents (because i gave you a lot more attitude this year than any other year) my boyfriend who was always so patient) my brother (for dealing with my parents when i'm not around and for doing my shit) my temple (who always welcome me with open arms and support me with whatever I need) circle k (for being the shining star in my life) and buddha. I recreated a path of buddhism for myself. I reflected and reach deep within myself and gain a sense of who I am. going back to temple was one of the best decisions i ever made. to be surrounded by those kids who are the bright stars of my sundays, to teach and give up after all these years of taking knowledge, to not be afraid of the future, and life after college. I am not afraid. you have given me strength and i thank you for it. this post is probably one of my worst posts because I am typing as I think, and not even bothering to capitalize and all that good stuff. but i am typing all the thoughts that flow out of my head and my heart. onto this blog. happy thanksgiving everyone. hope you are all safe with your families tonight. (or if you're out at black friday already, good luck and be safe and warm)

Love, denise

Straight from the heart.

I know I'm only twenty and the future is unclear but I say this with all of me. I hope you're the one.

cause all I need is a beauty and a beat

Fall training conference this week was so amazing! I spent a wonderful one and a half days at the beautiful campsite in Sonora, California. Everything about FTC was amazing, from our spirit to our transformer masks, to the long car rides, the workshops, the wondergames, the food, the dance... I don't even have the right words to describe how I felt this weekend. It was pure ecstasy. I am so proud of my club and Metro for repping it so hard during our general sessions and spirit battles with other schools and divisions.

  

My most memorable moments would have to be the spirit battle after our first general session, Alex's dance workshop, t-shirt fashion show, crazy car rides, spending time with my boothang, taking pictures, and skits. I've met so many people without feeling awkward or fake. Everyone was extremely nice and genuine and I can't wait to see them at our next district event. I really want to go to DCON but it is the weekend before finals so everything is still up in the air for that.

I wish I finished writing this post earlier this week when I had so many feels. But back to reality. All in all, I had an extremely fun weekend, and I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to explore again what FTC has to offer. :)