ode to lovely

just here, rambling

Trying to get through a long week. A very productive week, yet, somehow it just feels like a very heavy week. I can't believe tomorrow is already the first of May. This year is flying by. I wish I could just stop time. Or better yet, just record my time better. It's pretty obvious I've completely stopped my old love of documenting my life through pretty papers with words and pictures glued on. I wish I had more time to create, to document, to remember. But to say I don't have time is just an excuse. I could always make time. I know this. I just have more important things to do right now. I wonder if I'll ever get back into it. If I do, it will never be what it used to be. The obsessive paper buying. The endless hours spent on blogs and websites. Trying to use "cool new" supplies. I realize what a waste of money that was, especially now that all my supplies are collecting dust. And even though I don't think I will ever go back to that level of commitment, I really do miss it my old nerdy hobby. 

Ironically, as I was typing this post a friend of mine sent me a text saying: "want to scrapbook next week?" Hmm...is it a sign? Ok, back to ANTM.  

it's all about the greens

Thanks to the veggie truck that rolls through my neighborhood, I eat fresh veggies almost daily. The ones in the picture above are my favorite, but I have no idea what they are called. I satay them with some some oil and garlic and they're good to go. Easy, fast, healthy, and tasty. The perfect lunch for my crazy schedule. 

an old love

Been reading a lot lately. The first few months here, I barely read anything. I guess I was just overwhelmed with school and trying to figure things out. But now, I have rediscovered my old love of books. I've finished this book and this book in the last two weeks. I highly recommend both. And after YEARS of persuasion, I have finally given in to the Harry Potter books. I have no idea why I have refused to read Harry for all these years. I guess I just don't like to follow book trends. But who knows, at this rate, I'll be reading Twilight in the near future. Now, back to Mr. Potter's adventures.  

i didn't go alone

There were drinks. Most of them with fresh mangos. BEST drinks I've ever had.

 

There was digging holes and digging Simon in said hole. 

 

There were boat rides. And snorkeling. And parasailing. And underwater photos.

There was a yellow raft that was pulled by a speed boat. Best 15 minutes of my life. 

There were breathtaking sunsets. And late evening ocean swims.

And of course, there were several jumping shots. 

 And that my friends, was my trip to Boracay. Happy weekend!

boracay, philippines

Home, after 4 amazing days on the island of Boracay. I've been to several beautiful beaches around the world but there was something so magical about Boracay. I loved it so much that I kept inquiring about buying real-estate there (I like to pretend i have lots of money and that I can afford vacation houses around the world). If you ever get an opportunity to go, I would highly recommend it. I definitely plan to go back. Hopefully with my boy next time. More pics later.

doesn't feel like easter

When you don't seem Peeps and pastel-colored candy in every store front, don't have your parents constantly reminding you about going to church, and live in a country where the predominant religions are Buddhism and Taoism, it is REALLY easy to forget about Easter. So, today, I spent my day unlike most Easters...at home all by myself. I've been glued to my computer all day, first writing more grad school essays, and now writing an essay (in Chinese) about the causes of the current Credit Crisis. Last week for class, I wrote about the economic and social hierarchical classes found in Bolivian society. Saying that I feel overwhelmed as to how fast I am learning Chinese is truly an understatement. 9 months ago I couldn't even count to ten without messing up my tones. Now look at me go! As soon I finish my essays, which could take me a while, I plan to curl up with a glass of wine and my new book. Happy Easter to all!

my brain is full

• I keep misspelling really easy english words. Like surface, for example.
• I insert Chinese words in most of my English sentences. 
• It makes matt laugh, but my family thinks I'm weird. 
• I wish I could put a video camera on my head during my bike rides home from school. Riding home during rush hour is freaking insane. I wish I could capture the craziness on tape.  Just imagine me, on my bike, weaving in and out of cars, scooters, trucks, busses, pedestrians, and other bikers. 
• I haven't told matt that I'm going to the Philippines yet. I think he's going to be sad that I'm going there without him. 
• Not until 2 days ago did I realize this weekend is Easter Sunday. No joke. 
• I almost got a puppy the other day. I was THIS close. 
• Lastly, happy birthday to my bestest friend in the whole wide world, who I know never reads my blog, but I love her anyways. 

and then out of nowhere

I was riding the bus today and out of nowhere, I had this crazy idea that I should write a book. The book ideas started rolling in so fast I hardly had time to write them all down. Even the title came to me. And now I can't get this idea out of my head.  I am totally not a writer, and in fact, most of the time I hate writing. But I feel like I really want to do this, for reasons I can't explain. Strange, right?

In other news, I booked a flight to the Philippines today. It was totally last minute, but the deal was too good to give up. I'm so happy that I could start tap dancing right now. I leave in one week. Wheeee!

the island was green, and therefore was called, green island

I went to Green Island two weeks ago with some friends from school. There I learned to ride a scooter, discovered that I wasn't the only pre-teen who was obsessed with Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High books, and experienced my first trip to Taiwan hot springs. It was a great trip, except for the turbulent one- hour boat ride to the island that had me questioning my love of the ocean. Let's just say that it took every once of strength in my body to not throw up my lunch that day. Luckily I survived, and I now know that next time, I will fork over the extra cash to take the plane ride over. That's all for now. Happy Tuesday!

one year

One year ago, I quit my job as a compliance analyst. A job that left me unsatisfied and always questioning my reasons for being there. It was a place where I learned about unfair bosses, angry and jealous coworkers, and the true meaning of endless paperwork. Of course, I also have good memories from there. Most of which involve my boy and our daily soda breaks. But I will never regret working there, for the lessons learned (and bi-weekly paychecks) far outweighed the negatives. 

As I step back and look back on the last year, I am so happy as to how far I have come, both figuratively and literally speaking. Since then, I travelled to 5 different countries. Moved across the world. Studied chinese. Applied to grad school. And pushed myself beyond my limits. I've succeeded at some things. And failed at others. And although I might go back to cubicle life one day, I am just happy to no longer be in my old one.