Social Media Blues

Being quarantined to a confined space really makes a person think.  It's been a while since I've had some time to myself to gather my thoughts.  I used to focus on the minute details of work and what is necessary to feel socially acceptable in front of my employees, my friends, peers, and colleagues.  As of late, I've been spending my days in pajamas, sweats, and trying to figure out what my next big career move will be.  Time and social isolation really changes people.  You start to miss the simple things in life, like hugging your friends.  As a society, we are supposed to practice social distancing from one another, which means we need to stand at least 3-6 feet away from the person next to us.  When you can't hug or have any means of physical contact with people you care about, it starts to eat away at you a bit.  For instance - I was not able to hug my own mother when I saw her the other day and it was emotionally wearing on me.  This is the price I pay for working in the medical field.  My parents wouldn't even let me touch my dog because they were afraid that he would catch Coronavirus as well.

I also noticed how frequently some people use their phones to check their social media platforms.  It's like an addiction to see who gets the most reactions on their news feed, or how many likes they get on their photos.  I used to be one of those people who needed to be liked across social media.  I used to want the attention of others to be "heard," but the other side of that coin meant that everyone had an opinion about you... and likely, you'd have haters.  Don't get me wrong - I love posting pictures about my foodie life and creating modeling content, but I realized along the way that those posts only showed a person I wanted to portray.  Instagram never showed my messy hair, my "I just woke up" face, or my runny eggs and toast for breakfast.  It showed the glamorous sides of my life.  After all of this mayhem that turned the world upside down and after knowing that so many people have died, is being on social media really worth it at this point?

Social media also creates an addiction to the phone.  You want to be liked by others.  You want people to notice you.  You want those same people to interact with you because they might think you're cool.  You post about the coolest places you've been to and how awesome your past vacations were.  In reality, you're still the same individual who needs to work and you have those daily stresses.  I feel like socially disconnecting myself for a bit to understand who I really am as a person.  I want to be liked because a person likes me, and not what I post.  I want to have real friends who will be there for me when I'm at my lowest and not when I'm just having a good time.  I want to be able to create memories with people who find the time to come out and have dinner or coffee dates with me, and not when we're just going to the next party.  Wouldn't life be a little more meaningful that way?

It's great to know that you can find your friends on Facebook and know they are okay.  However, Facebook is also spammed with fake news, as well as bad news.  I don't know how to react or feel when I hear someone else has passed away from COVID.  That news came straight from social media, and not my friends.  I've had instances where there has been a death in my family and other friends who found out posted about it before we had a chance to decide if it needed to be posted about or not.  Those things are very personal and private and shouldn't really shared on social media, unless the actual party involved decided to share it first.  I think people start posting about subjects and things because they mostly crave the attention.

I've been slowly shying off of Facebook and Instagram over the past few weeks because I just feel like it's mentally draining.  I don't get to interact with my friends too often, but that's what messenger and my cell phone is for.  If I keep looking at my phone every five minutes just to see who posted what or who liked my status, I think I'm going to drive myself insane.  I miss social interactions and I miss my friends and family.  I have begun to realize how much I've taken for granted as a young woman living in NYC and how much money I've spent over eating, going out, and being the adventurous spirit I am.  This quarantine makes me realize how important some people are in my life and how much I care about them.  I am sometimes afraid that if COVID gets to them, I may lose them and that's heartbreaking.  I can't always be there for them and that bothers me.

Do yourself a favor and hug someone you care about today, if you can.  You won't know when is the next time you will see them, so make sure it is a tight one filled with all the love you can give.  I only give one hug per day, so if you were lucky enough to receive my hug, that means you mean the world to me.

The Year of the Coronavirus

Hello!  It's been quite a while... I started this blog back in 2013 and I am realizing that it is in serious need of a face lift.  I will work on that in the meantime, but let's talk about 2020.  This year has started off with an interesting series of events, which has led to the world's current state.  We are currently under quarantine due to a global pandemic.  Non-essential employees are not allowed to work and 6.6 million employees have filed for unemployment.  I am currently one of the essential employees, since I work in healthcare.  However, the front liners are doctors, nurses, laboratory technologists, hospital staff, etc.  As of right now, most employees have been working from home and are trying to hold the laboratories together to avoid further contamination of this virus we call COVID-19, or Coronavirus.

The origins of COVID-19 are still unknown and researchers are working restlessly to find an antidote.  People have predicted that the virus originated from Wuhan, China.  However, other sources have come to wonder if this is accurate.  I personally don't think it originated from China, but that's another story to tell.  The virus is non-discriminatory, so it attacks anyone who is in close proximity with another person who has been infected (sounds like some T-Virus stuff from the Umbrella Corporation, right?) and will have an incubation state of 14 days.  There are symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.  Symptomatic patients develop a high fever, shortness of breath, dry cough, and can be lethal because it attacks the respiratory system.  Asymptomatic patients may be walking around and infecting others without even knowing they are positive.  So... due to the rapid spread, the world has shut down and advised the entire population of humans to quarantine themselves at home and wait it out.  Hospitals have been overbooked with unprecedented numbers of patients and laboratories have been working together to run PCR testing in order to develop a rapid response for patients.

So, what has Coronavirus led to?  Let's see...

• Panic buying over random items like toilet paper, household cleaning items, and paper towels
• A significant increase in racism against the Asian/ Asian American community... random people on the streets are hurting Asians or blaming the spread of Coronavirus on them - especially since Trump called the virus the "Chinese Virus"
• People all over the world are dying - especially the elderly
• Travel bans and border closing, which means an economic crisis due to the shortage of goods
• Lack of PPE in hospitals to protect healthcare workers from being infected and taking the virus home to their families
• Increased fear of sickness and death
• Many people began implementing the practice of proper hygiene and hand washing (though, I don't know why they didn't do this before... it makes you wonder) 
• Families being notified of the passing of their loved ones and not being able to retrieve the body or see them in the hospital because of fears of being infected
• Daily activities have been halted and people have retreated to their homes indefinitely, unless it is to go to the stores to buy essential products
• All department stores, malls, and restaurants have been shut down, unless you order online for take out or delivery
• Many employees are left unemployed and are wondering how to survive without pay
• Government tries to create a stimulus package to bail out the country from possible economic crumble

The list goes on.  I thought a new decade would bring change, but I didn't know the change would come straight out of the Book of Revelations.  In these times, I have seen and read many different stories and articles on Facebook, of which I've dubbed to be fake news.  However, one thing does remain constant... people feel entitled.  I say this because regardless of what the government tells their people to stop the spread, people still go outside due to cabin fever, they feel they can hurt others based on their irrational fears instead of actual facts, and they lie to nurses and doctors to get things done their way, which shows selfishness.  It's so sad to see who people actually become in times of crisis.  Healthcare workers are striving to work day in and out to protect and help others, and lying to them about where you've been or what you've been exposed to due to your own irrational fears of having the virus doesn't help anyone.  It's surreal.

During these times, I've been able to reflect a bit on what is important and what isn't.  I've become closer to my family and those around me.  I saw my mom for the first time in a month yesterday and I had to give her an air hug, since I had to be six feet away from her.  My mother is immunocompromised due to an autoimmune disease, so it is heartbreaking for me to not be able to hug her.  My dad offered me his elbow because I wasn't able to hug him either.  My sister is a nurse and has been exposed to the virus because her patient coded on her and passed away while she was doing chest compressions to try to save him (he coughed in her face, even with a mask), so she has shelled herself up in a hotel because she is afraid to come home since she lives with my mom.  My brother works at a pharmacy so he's dealing with patients daily, and you don't know who is sick and who is healthy.  He's also afraid of bringing the virus home to my parents.  My siblings and I have made arrangements for them to live away from home for a bit, and my parents face the reality that my brother and sister will have to grow up quickly (they're not happy).  This is the world we live in.

I miss human interactions with others.  I miss going out and hanging out with my friends.  I miss dinner date nights and laughing.  I miss hugs from people I love and care about.  Among all the things I miss?  I miss my freedom.  You don't realize how much you take for granted when you have it, but when things are gone, you end up thinking about what really matters.  I'll save that for the next post. 

Let's see what this new world will bring once this is over... 

Snowboarding Bliss

Hello all!  I made it a point to try new things when the new year started.  Call it a New Year's Resolution, I guess.  My friend wanted to go snowboarding for her birthday this year, and I knew it was the only way I'd be able to go.  Over the past four years, I've been wanting to try snowboarding but my ex told me it was too expensive to go (lift tickets, rentals, hotel, etc), but I told myself I was going to do this.  I was lucky enough to get a snowboard for Christmas from one of my close friends and I made sure to put it to good use.  After slowly collecting all the gear I needed for the cold, I was ready for the snow.  Personally, I really didn't know what I was getting myself into... but I'm sure glad I got into it.  Snowboarding for me feels as freeing as flying down the street on a skateboard back when I was 17.


The first time I strapped myself into my snowboard was a little strange.  I didn't really know how to shuffle around with one food locked into the binding and the other being free, but I learned.  I took many spills down the slope and almost suffered a few concussions (thank God for a helmet!).  I found it difficult to stop and slow down, but that eventually came with practice.  After taking a few lessons and practicing on the bunny slope at Hunter Mountain, I've finally been able to make it up the lift and down the steep green side without too much falling.  After one season, I can now do heel turns and toe turns without too much of a problem and I'm starting to learn how to carve the snow.  I'm not as scared to go down the slope either. 

I was also doing some research about snowboards and I never realized there were differences in boards.  I've ended up with two snowboards for two completely different purposes.  My Elan board is a freestyle rocker, which means it's a snowboard for advanced use.  This board is particularly good on the terrain freestyle parks and for doing tricks.  My instructor told me it's more like the "Ferrari" of snowboards, in comparison to most of the rental boards out there.  I pushed myself to learn how to ride this board and not allow the board to ride me.  On the other hand, my Burton Feelgood has a camber shape throughout, which allows for easier maneuverability and control as I glide down the slopes.  I love both my boards and I want to continue to learn by using both of them.  They're short enough for my height, but I ideally want to get a board that's slightly longer once I get better.  I posted a chart below to show the differences between boards, in case anyone was planning to get a snowboard for their own recreational use.

I've come a long way since January and I'm a bit sad the season is winding down, but what can you do... it's getting too warm for snow.  It's quite possible I can sneak in one more snow day before the season ends, but we'll see.  I'm going to have to find another hobby for the spring, summer, and fall before we can go back to this again!  We'll see...

Back from Hiatus

I'M NOT DEAD!!!

Hello all!  I took a long break from this website because I had writers block, no time, and no energy to do anything.  That sounds pretty bad, doesn't it?  I was so comfortable living life in a bubble with a boyfriend I loved and cared about, working from day to day, and spending all my money and energy on random stuff.  2015 was the year that turned my entire life upside down.  When you think everything is going well, someone decides to throw a wrench into your happy little bubble to pop it.  So... here's everything that happened in a quick nutshell.

• Having one job cut my finances in half and I was fighting for hours at the hospital (in case you didn't know, I work in a laboratory in a hospital - yes, I am a vampire that likes to take your blood... and other fun specimens).  
• I was unhappy at home, so I decided it was time for my boyfriend and I to take the next step and move in together (which in an Asian household, is definitely shunned upon).  This further cut my finances into almost nothing every month.
• I still tried to do the normal things in life, despite my inability to be financially stable... which resulted in more fighting with the boyfriend (since spending that extra money was pointless to him)
• Having said that, a build up of debt, being unhappy at work, and constantly fighting with my boyfriend led to... 
• a messy breakup after 4 years
• being kicked out of said apartment
• finding a new place to live in 48 hours without moving back to my parents home
• forcing myself to focus on the board exam I've been struggling to pass to get my career going in the medical field
• shutting everything out and depriving myself of sanity to focus on myself since my other half left me in the dark

Long story short, I've come to realize that all things have good and bad times... ups and downs, and even worse times.  Since all this has happened, I still haven't passed the exam but I've found my self worth again.  I've become a stronger person as an individual as compared to the person I was when I was in a relationship (someone who was dependent on their significant other for happiness).  Old friends came back to help me get back on my feet and become myself again.  I'm thankful for the new ones that came into my life to snap me out of my daze and I'm even more thankful for my family who helped me through my tough summer.  I went back to church and realized God really does work miracles on everyone, even when you've been away for so long. 

So after all that, you're probably wondering what happened to the ex.  Well, he came back to me... but we're just talking because I have too many things on my plate.  The year just started, so who knows where my life will take me?  After working 45 hours this week (now I've got an overabundance of hours), I've come to realize there is so much more to me and I need to find out how to tap into it all.  So... hello new year, hello to more blogs, and hello to life.  Let's start over and make it fresh.

Cheers!!!

Fitting In

Hello everyone... I've been MIA for quite some time.  It's been a hectic past few months, considering I started working at another job, started studying for my exam again, and took some time to work on myself at the gym.  It's been rough, but I'm slowly getting through it.  I want to start blogging again, so here's to me and myself.  Cheers!

I guess I'll start up by saying something I've kept inside for a long time.  I'm quite the lonely person.  I've always wanted to fit in somewhere, whether it be with my skateboarding friends in high school, the gothic kids, or the preppy polo-wearing students in AP class.  I was the quiet, hard-working, studious Asian who didn't really have many friends and didn't see any potential in anything.  I had high aspirations to become a graphic designer because of my love for art.  I wanted nothing more than to follow my dreams and turn them into a reality... but things changed for me during my senior year.  I had the opportunity to go to Cooper Union, an art school in NYC, but my mom told me she wouldn't pay for my school if I went for something "unsubstantial."  I ended up choosing a field they wanted me to choose, which was medicine.  I hated it.  I hated everything about it and my love for school became hate.  It wasn't who I wanted to be.  I wanted to be someone different, but I pushed myself to do something to appease someone else.  End result?  I'm stuck in a field I'm not happy in and I'm still alone.  Don't ever do something to be a people pleaser.

It took 26 years and two weeks (I'm turning 27 soon!  WOO I'm getting old!) for me to realize what I've been missing.  I've always wanted to please everyone and keep them happy around me.  I've always joined groups, clubs, and attended functions to get to know people and hopefully get them to know and understand me.  I wanted to meet someone who had the same goals and aspirations as I did, and get close to them.  Now that I look back on all of it, I never really had too many close friends who knew me well.  I can remember all the clubs I joined in high school... some clubs I joined were specifically used to show I was a well rounded person in college, while others were just because I had friends in there.  I did join two clubs for leadership... which were Art Palettes and Mathletes (social suicide, I know).  However, these two clubs meant something to me... they were my favorite subjects, so I wanted to prosper in those fields.

In college, I joined the Stony Brook Ballroom Dance Team, which I totally sucked at... considering I didn't really have a set partner.  It was fun, but I didn't find a group of people I wanted to spend time with.  I made "friends" with people on my entire floor, my building, and even in my quad... but none of them were as close to me as the select few I got so close to.  I had my roommate, who has always been my best friend (even though she's far away), my other friend (who moved to Texas), and... that's it.  I tried to make friends in Puso (Philippine United Students Organization) but that didn't really work out for me.  I guess I didn't drink enough and I didn't click too well with everyone to be part of that group... or maybe I wasn't Filipino enough... who knows.  College passed me by and I never really found too many people to call friends either.

By the time I got to my second and third college (I was a college hopper because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do for a while), I had joined two Christian clubs in both my schools.  I made some awesome friends who really showed me the light of Christ.  I developed real relationships with these students and we shared a bond together... but at the end of it, nothing worked out and I was once again alone by the time I finished college.  I wanted to make an impact on the world by spreading the Good News to others, especially people my age... and maybe, just maybe, I touched someone along the way... but I still felt empty inside.  Something didn't seem right in my eyes and I still felt lonely, no matter how many friends I tried to make.  I am very grateful to have walked a path along with them for a while, though.

Blogging has always been the one thing I could always be openly honest about and never have a problem.  My blog is where I can truly be "me."  However, things changed when I started making friends on Xanga.  I got more followers for my blog, but at the same time, I wanted to get close to these people having meet ups and get togethers.  I tried to make friends with them and impress them by having a completely insane party at a hotel for my birthday, but it sort of backfired and I guess I didn't really make too many real friends out of it.  I thought being the life of the party (compared to the normal quiet person I really am) would have them accept me into their group... but I was still the outcast at the end of it.  I happened to get close to a few people along the way, so it didn't really turn out to be a total bust.  However, being snubbed by a bunch of people really hurt me long term.  I had a barbecue for my birthday the year after and none of those people who showed up the year before came, even though they said they'd come.  It was a real slap in the face for me... and I was so embarrassed.  I never really got used to that lonely feeling.

At one point, I tried to make friends at work... but the people I work with really can't be anymore than coworkers to me... because if I leave that place, like all other jobs, those people continue to move on without me.  Even when you get close to someone at work, it doesn't mean you'll be close to them once you leave.  I don't hang out with 3/4 of the people outside of the workplace, even though we always talk about going out and doing other things.  With my new job, I just stay quiet because I'm a bit shy to open up to others.  I know I'll fit in nicely if I just stay quiet an do my work, which is something I've been trying out lately.  It seems to be working well for me... so I'll probably stick to it for a little while.  Besides, I don't know if I have anything to relate to my coworkers with.

I've used the internet to be part of something massive... which was what I liked to call the "Black Milk Cult."  I say this because most of the girls on the forums are obsessed with Black Milk Clothing and they just spend all their money on nylon.  I did it for a few months, but slowly began to realize that Black Milk's entire strategy is to make girls feel special about wearing their brand and to allow them to keep buying "limited" pieces, since it will no longer be made.  Most of these girls have massive collections of nylon clothing, which cost at least $70 per article.  I wanted to be part of the "OMG I have to buy all the BM pieces of I'm going to die because I don't have it" group... until I realized how stupid I sounded and how much money I was spending for clothes I would only wear every so often... so that quickly died out.  Once you come to a realization for things, the truth comes out and it shows who you really have become.  I became the fashion mogul wannabe.  Hah... so much for that.

After countless efforts of feeling lonely and looking for my own niche, I found one that keeps me sane. I started going back to the gym constantly because I was getting tired of people calling me fat all the time and I wanted to get back into shape.  Working out grounds me and shows me I can still have energy after I work all day.  I push myself to the limits just to see how far I can go.  I've set up goals I'm trying to accomplish before the end of the summer.  I've made a few acquaintances, workout buddies, trainer friends, and networks throughout the past few months at my new gym.  These people are there to help me, but I know most of them go home to a place where I am not remembered... but hey, if they're at the gym, I'll always stop by to say hello.  However, I've come to the realization that I really don't need to find a group of people who I fit in with.  All the people I meet are there for a reason, whether it be to be with me long term or to show me something for my future... but just because I met them doesn't mean I have to get close to them.  It was a hard concept to come to terms with, but that's life.

I love being myself... and I am aggressive, kind, caring, and quite blunt.  I can be annoying, a bully, and I can over react when things don't go my way... but that's the package you get when you get to know me.  If you want to stick around, then by all means... come take a seat and have coffee with me.

Food For Thought

I've been experimenting with cooking lately and I've realized I have a real knack for it.  I suppose you can say in a way, cooking is like art.  You have to have that special touch to make it taste just right for you.  I have always loved cooking food and eating it, which is ironic since I'm a personal trainer.  I should be creating healthy meals, but instead, I'm making pastries for the holidays for my side business. If I didn't work out every day, I'd probably be a very heavy lady.  It actually wasn't supposed to be a side business, though.  I was just baking for fun... until someone told me I should really sell my food.  Of course, my mom didn't like the idea of me selling homemade baked goods, but after she tried my cooking, she realized I could actually do it.  Who knows... maybe I'll open my own bakery one day.

In the meantime, here are a few of the cakes and pastries I've created.  I don't like my pastries too sweet, but the right consistency will play well on the tongue palate... and you can even accompany it with some white wine!  Let's get fancy!

This is the cake I am holding up in the photograph.  It's a dulce de leche swirl cheesecake with a vanilla pudding/fresh cream topping.  I topped it off with raspberries for decoration.

This is the first time I've ever made a pie... and it's an apple one, for that matter.  I took different types of apples and created an apple filling with the right amount of spices.  I let it cool for a day and made a homemade crust.  I layered the pie together, baked it, and used an egg wash to make it shine.  Not bad for my first try!  The only sad part was that I couldn't even try it.  Sadly, I'm allergic to apples... but I'm glad everyone else enjoyed it!  It was a big hit!

These are little white chocolate cheesecake bites, layered with fresh cream and raspberry filling.  They're good for a bite-sized snack if you don't want to eat a whole slice.

I baked this mouth-watering cake for my boyfriend's holiday party.  It's a chocolate marble cheesecake with a chocolate ganache pudding topping.  I finished it off with fresh strawberries to add a little bit of color.

As you can tell, I've been having a lot of fun with my time and these desserts are as decadent as they look.  My desserts were inspired by my love of foods and various restaurants in the city.  However, what really got me started was my best friend, Elena (find her here on her blog).  She is always so talented and creative.  Every time I come over her house, we're always baking her addicting chocolate chip cookies and I manage to take home half the batch.  Of course, the cookies don't last too long since my entire family gobbles them up... but they're still amazing when I get to have them.  I think one of the coolest things she's ever done and shown me was her hot chocolate pops from last Christmas.  She made these chocolate lollipops that had a marshmallow attached to it so you can just dip them in hot milk and stir them to make hot chocolate.  How innovative!  They were definitely on my "try to make it" list and I made some for my Christmas favors.  I can't wait to see what she's making this year!

I'm probably going to make some homemade cookies this year, which may include my white chocolate  cranberry walnut biscotti, peppermint pinwheels, chocolate chip cookies, and red velvet crinkle cookies.  We need some holiday cheer!  

If any of you would like to contact me about buying something for the holidays, please feel free to contact me here.  Please give me at least 5 days notice so I can have enough time to make it.  Same day or day before orders will be an extra $8.00.

Prices are as follows:

9-inch round cheesecake - $25.00

24 cupcakes or cheesecake bites - $20.00

Pies - $15.00

Regular 9 inch cakes (buttercream frosting) - $25.00

Cheesecake Flavors:

Original

White Chocolate (with raspberry compote filling)

Dulce de Leche

Apple Toffee

Red Velvet

Milk Chocolate

Dark Chooclate

Marble Cream

Pie Flavors:

Apple

Blueberry

Strawberry

Coconut Cream

Key Lime

Pumpkin

Chocolate Mud Pie

Okay, I have to get back to baking.  Have a great day, everyone!  

POPRAGEOUSLY AWESOME DAY!

Yesterday was a very fun day to remember.  I had the opportunity to meet the creator behind the LA based clothing brand, Poprageous.  Poprageous came into my life in the beginning of the year and was introduced by my friend Patricia.  She told me about a girl who liked Black Milk Clothing, but decided to make her own leggings.  There was a secret release coming out for a special pair of leggings that I knew I had to get.  I bought them and immediately fell in love with them.  The waistband was comfortable, the fabric was shiny and stretchy, I loved the design, and it wasn't too long around the ankles.  I didn't feel like I was suffocating with these leggings as I did with other pairs.  I ended up ordering two more pairs and I was quite content with what I received.  Even though I was happy, I still wanted to know the person behind the company... so I reached out to her.  Surprisingly, she gave me her hand.

Cher Park is fun, down to earth, and very upbeat.  She's a Korean American who resides in Los Angeles, CA and holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University.  She worked in finance for three years in NYC before returning to LA to do what she loved to do - fashion.  She worked in both Shoe Dazzle and Forever 21's headquarters before realizing she could create her own clothing brand and run it as her own.  She bought some fabric and attempted to make her own leggings by cutting out a pattern and sewing it properly.  Once she was done, she ended up posting it to the Black Milk California group to show her finished product to the other girls.  They all started giving her positive reviews by commenting, "Make me one too!"  She decided to find a way to make the ideas swirling around her head into reality.  Cher ultimately quit her job and started working to create clothing full-time, roughly about 7 months ago.  Upon doing so, she's created a fan base of up to 15,000+ people on facebook and over 31,000+ followers on Instagram.  Not bad, if I don't say so myself.  Throughout it all, she's gotten quite a few haters claiming she's been stealing ideas off of Black Milk since she was also a Sharkie, but after having a few conversations with her, that is obviously not, and ever will be, the case.

It started one night while I was having insomnia and I couldn't fall asleep.  I decided to message Cher about wanting to buy a pair of leggings that were out of stock and I was interested in finding out when she'd restock them in my size.  She was nice enough to message me back quickly to tell me she'd be getting them in soon.  We somehow got into the conversation about where her ideas for her work came from and what she was interested in doing with Poprageous.  She told me she wanted to create a balance between craziness and normal, so her clothing line would attract all people - not just one group in particular.  She wanted to see her fans and people all over the world wear her leggings because she thought of them as little works of art.  Each article of clothing had a story behind it.  She gave me the stories of how and why she chose those prints in particular... and I was very excited to see that she wasn't just doing it for the sole aspect of making money.

Cher has an artistic way of thinking - she doesn't just say, "This pair of leggings will be $75 and it will make me a profit," but instead says, "This legging pattern was inspired by Banksy's work with a boy holding flowers and a girl who couldn't trust him, which is why she holds a bat behind her back.  My rendition of it wanted to give the illusion of what happened next.  I wanted the boy to save the girl floating away from him, grasping on to show he cared about her."  I told a lot of respect for someone who thinks out of the box and who could tell a story through her work.  As a fellow artist, I know the cut-throat views of the art world and I know what it feels like to have people criticize you because they don't understand what you see.  Someone who owns a clothing company may just see future dollar signs after they've created their work, but she sees something more and that's the beauty of her fashion. It isn't just something to wear; it's art.  This is a girl I saw a lot of myself in and I knew I wanted to be friends with her.  We almost think and act alike, and I love that about her.

Last weekend, she called me to let me know she was coming to NYC to visit some friends and she wanted to know if I wanted to have lunch.  I agreed and I invited some of the Black Milk girls from the East Coast to come along because they too were also fans of Poprageous, but most of them couldn't get out of work.  One girl, Jonna, was able to come down and meet with us, so the more the merrier.  The three of us finally met up and we had lunch over at Freeman's, which was this small "hole in the wall" place that had some pretty good food (the burgers were a bit rare and salty though).  We discussed what were the next steps of Poprageous and what were her plans for the upcoming seasons.  We talked about how we hated customs fees and how we could avoid the problems of shipping costs and how she wanted to see Poprageous grow.  Jonna talked about her home country, Germany, and how different it was from the states.  We were like old friends catching up.  It was nice.  Once we were done, Cher STOLE the bill from us and paid for lunch, even though we tried to argue.  We then took some pictures outside on a graffiti wall and walked to Wafels & Dinges for some dessert.  After dessert, Jonna had to go back home, so Cher and I took the train back uptown to find some fabric she could use.  She got a few more ideas in her head and is planning on getting ready for the fall season.

I can say with confidence that Cher is a fantastic person and I think Poprageous is in amazing hands.  She knows what she is doing and has a good head on her shoulders.  She will be able to carry her team and take them to the top of the fashion world.  I'll be around to help her every step of the way.  All the haters can just shove a sock in their mouths because she really isn't trying to copy anyone.  She's trying to get things done her way and she plans on doing anything she can to get it right.  If anyone complains about her pieces looking "similar" or "identical" to Black Milk, they shouldn't complain because Black Milk's "original" patterns were actually just designs from iStock or fabrics from stores in the city like Spandex House.  Cher's artist series is also coming along nicely, where she collaborates with many artists and puts their work on her leggings.  I can't wait to see what she'll be coming out with within the upcoming months.  You might see some of my work up there too (**wink wink**).  I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak of a few things, so some exciting things are coming up along the way!  Get ready for it!  Keep a look out for this lovely lady!  She'll be popping up all over the place soon enough.

Visit Poprageous' website here.
Add Poprageous to your facebook likes here.

Training - My Life's Hobby

Hi everyone... I'm sorry I've been MIA lately... I've been studying for my board exam for my major and I recently went back to the gym to train once again, so I haven't had much time to blog.  It's almost 2AM now and I figured I'd update on a nice post for you all.

I remember being a flabby person back in 2007 because of the Freshman 15 which carried on through Sophomore year, having a toxic relationship which led me to constantly eat, and having a low self-esteem.  I was fat, heavy, and very upset I let myself go.  Stress was eating me away, as well as a horrible ex-boyfriend who made me feel insignificant.  I guess you can say it was a rough patch in my life.  I had a great friend who tried so hard to motivate me to move past the hurt and pain, but I couldn't wrap my head around feeling good about myself.  After two years of feeling overweight, I finally took the initiative to join a gym.  Weighing at 145 lbs. with no muscle tone, I was ready to find some peace of mind.  I didn't know anyone and I didn't have any friends who came with me, so this new place would be my sanctuary, known as XSport Fitness.  I worked out for a week and a half, trying to run on the treadmill and use the machines, but I could tell you I was a real "noobie" who didn't know the first thing about getting fit.  It didn't matter if I was a health science major... I didn't understand what to do and why to do it.  I then decided to seek professional help.

The person who initially signed me up for a gym was a personal trainer (who I am still good friends with to this very day).  He told me to try a training session out to see if I would enjoy it or not and I knew it was an easy sales pitch to get me to buy a package, but it worked.  The first session was grueling.  It consisted of planks, plyometric push ups, and crunches.  I was winded by the time the first 5 minutes were over.  It was at that time I knew I was out of shape, so I bought a package of 26 sessions, ranging from $45 a piece per hour.  I paid for every two sessions and I worked out with him once a week, while trying to do my own thing on the side.  The sessions consisted of circuit training, running, plyometrics, core, and whatever else he could conjure... oh, and I forgot - BURPEES.  I have never heard of a burpee in my life... but I was acquainted and we had a love/hate relationship for quite some time, up until recently.  I've learned to embrace the pain and how much they suck because they also bring me strength and muscle tone.  I went from doing 10 a day to about 40.  Big change, right?

I began to feel better after working out because it made such a difference in my stamina, my self-esteem, and my well-being.  I told myself my $35 would be worth it because I would force myself to go to the gym at least 4-5 days a week, so I wouldn't be losing my money.  The gradual body change became a constant once because I started taking classes on top of the training.  The different classes ranged from Zumba, kickboxing (which easily became a favorite), muscle max, ball conditioning, pilates, etc... you name it.  If I wanted it, my gym had it.  I got to know the instructors and I met a few other members who became close friends.  After a few months, I realized I really loved exercise.  From then, I trained hard and worked for what was most important - my body.  I lost 20 lbs. that month and I got rid of all the insecurities about myself, as well as the toxic people around me.  It was the best cleanse of my life!

After improving myself, I wanted to learn how I can improve others.  I dedicated half my time to schoolwork and the other half to the gym and everything paid off.  I made the decision to become a personal trainer, took the AFAA licensing exam, and passed.  I made sure I knew the muscle groups and how they worked and operated.  I took the time to learn each exercise in order to help my clients exercise effectively and safely, under my supervision.  I got a job working through the Fit Fem as an in home personal trainer, owned by my friend and fellow trainer Sylvia Nasser.  She and a few other amazing trainers taught me everything I know today.  I teach my clients the way I've been taught and I always give them positive energy so they can succeed and feel empowered after a training session.  I've learned to love training and seeing how each person I help progresses.  It's motivating to both my client and myself.

In recent days, I switched to a new gym and started working out every night after a three month long hiatus.  My old gym wasn't giving me the motivation I needed anymore, so it was time for something new.  As a plus, my boyfriend and a few other friends joined us as well to add to the motivation of the new place.  I actually love the place and my clients give me an incentive to work out and better myself. I'm happier when I go to the gym and I'd like to continue on pursuing my goals to become a great trainer.  So... as they say, you have to train differently to get where you want to go!

Ahhh... Cancun, Mexico!!!

Hi everyone!  I'm sorry I haven't been able to post - I've been sick and I haven't had much time to do anything.  I've finally had the chance to sit down, so I'll finally be able to blog about my lovely trip to Cancun.  My entire week was packed with things to do.  I barely had any downtime and the best part was that I was with my family and my other half.  We had our two family friends come down, as well as my aunt and uncle from California.  It was the best vacation I've had all year... and I've had quite a few already.  I wouldn't mind going back there to do it all again!

We left for Mexico the day after NY Wizard World on Saturday, June 29th.  My family and I caught an evening flight, so we were going to be getting to Mexico and passing through customs at the airport by 10PM.  We scheduled everything on Saturday so all of us would have some things to do.  My plans for the week went as followed:

• Saturday:  arrive at airport, unpack, and sleep
• Sunday:  morning on the beach, go to Wal-Mart, go to Sweet Club with Oscar
• Monday:  scuba diving and beach
• Tuesday:  XCaret Adventure Resort
• Wednesday:  relaxing, celebrating my aunt's birthday, and going to Senor Frog's at night
• Thursday:  ATV, ziplining, and swimming in the cenotes at Boca del Puma
• Friday:  Isla Mujeres and exploring Cancun
• Saturday:  flight back home

I haven't done anything crazy like that in a while.  We had something to do every single day and by the end of it, I was so tired and exhausted, but I had a lot of fun along the way.  Oscar and I went to scope out the water on Saturday night after we got to the hotel.  We stayed at my parents' time share at Casa Maya Resort.  It was my second time to stay there and I wouldn't change where I stayed.  Everyone is always so nice and it's right along the beach, so I don't have to drive anywhere.  The area is also convenient because the scuba shop is across the street and we can also just hop on the bus that'll take us to wherever we want to go.

5th Floor - Special Timeshare Members

Our Wristbands

Our Hotel Suite

We played around in the water on Sunday and hung out for a little while.  Oscar and I did some snorkeling while Michelle (my sister), Jackie, and Jaymie (sisters and our family friends) played in the sand.  Since we were time share members, we found out we could rent out the cabanas for the day and it was free, so we could lay around and put our stuff there.  Oscar and I saw some trumpet fish skimming the top of the shallow waters and a crab.  I love swimming down there because the water was a beautiful shade of blue and it was so warm.  After swimming and doing some tanning, we had lunch, showered, and walked around the resort.  There was a guy selling tickets for the Sweet Club for a $50 promotion and that included VIP service (no waiting on line, table, bottle service, unlimited drinks).  We had nothing else to do that night so Oscar and I decided to go for it.  We also booked a reservation for a boat to scuba dive the next morning.  I'm not sure if that was a great idea, but who said we were thinking about great ideas?

Almost Invisible Trumpet Fish

Can you see it?

All the adults ended up taking the bus to Wal-Mart so we decided to tag along.  My mom and her friends ended up booking our trips to all the different sites, so we had a busy week ahead of us.  We had to buy some toiletries and things, but it was very interesting to see that Wal-Mart never changes, no matter where you go.  Once we got back to the hotel, Oscar and I had dinner, took a short nap, and got up to get ready for the club.  I haven't been to a club in quite a while (even though I live in NY), so it was time to party.  Once the shuttle came to pick us up around 10, we got in and went on our way.  We were with four other people from Chicago whom we later befriended.  Once we got to the club, they let us in right away but all six of us were put into one table because the host didn't realize we were two separate parties.  Oh well, the more the merrier, right?  We sat down and didn't say much to each other, but one of the guys in the party of four was chatting lightly with Oscar.  The two girls and the other guy decided to just sit quietly until the bartender came around to get us a round of drinks.  I ordered my usual gin and tonic while everyone else had their own specialty cocktails.  After 15 minutes, he came back around and got us another round of drinks without us even asking.  10 minutes after that, he brought a nice big bottle of Smirnoff Vodka for us.

Sweet Club

By 11PM, the place was getting packed with people.  There were so many tourists around, as well as Americans looking to party it up.  Girls and guys were dressed in shorts and flip flops, all drinking and enjoying themselves.  I was hanging out by our table just sipping my pomegranate and vodka.  I'm not usually a drinker, and it's been a long time since my Xanga party days with some old friends.  Oscar thought after my third drink, it would be a good time to get on the dance floor and dance.  He and I tried to get around, but we could barely move because there were so many people walking by, trying to get through to their own destinations.  On top of that, it was cramped, so we decided to just dance by the table instead.  Besides, we had our own little space there and by that time, our tablemates have also loosened up a bit and warmed up to us.  We were dancing, chatting with them, and having drinks.  By 12:30AM and 7 drinks later, I was very drunk and having the best night ever.  We had almost finished the bottle and I realized there was a table next to us that was never inhabited with drinks on it, so I took the bottle sitting on their table and we drank that too (yes, I know... what a great influence I am).

The Fun Table!

We had a great time and I even watched a spectacle on stage.  There was a "Sexy Wet Girl" contest and the winner received $1000 USD.  Three girls went up on stage to strut their stuff while a shower ran down on them while the MC said, "Here are the rules - THERE ARE NO RULES."  I suppose they had a bit to drink, so it made things easier for them to take their clothes off on stage in front of everyone, but it was very funny to watch.  Oscar was on the floor while I was standing by our table on top of a stoop, so I could see everything.  He didn't even know what was going on, so I just kept it that way.  Contestant #3 won, and she showed her boobies and hooha to everyone there... but hey, she won $1000, so she's going home happy.  In the middle of that strange business going on, a fight broke out in front of Oscar, so he was trying to get away from them.  There was an argument between two guys and they just started punching each other, so Oscar was trying to get away from that.  He was not in the greatest mood when we left the club, but he had every right to be.

The club was great for their music and everything, but we weren't pleased about our bartender.  He came to us around 11:30PM asking for his tip.  We gave it to him and he ended up coming back two more times after that asking for more tip, claiming the bartender was looking for his tip.  He didn't give us anything other than ice and juice after the bottle, so we couldn't understand why he kept asking.  Even though we were drinking, we weren't stupid to give him all the money we had in our pockets.  I'm not sure why he kept asking for more tips, but whoever asks for a tip shouldn't be tipped at all.  A tip is something a customer gives to someone if they deserve it - and by the second time he asked, he didn't really deserve it.  Even though we had fun at the club, we probably won't go back there next time.  I think we'll try Coco Bongo's the next time around.  We left the club and got back to the hotel by 3:30AM, and of course I ended up getting locked out of my room because the key didn't work, so I ended up staying in Oscar's room for the rest of the night.

My parents didn't see me come home, so they went looking for me in the morning.  My dad knocked on Oscar and my brother's door and found me, so he wasn't really worried anymore.  Once Oscar and I got up, we grabbed our scuba gear and took it to the boat.  I wasn't feeling that great because of all the drinking, so I tried to relax on the boat and get ready for the dive.  I put on my new 3mm Aqualung wetsuit and strapped myself into my BCD.  Once the boat stopped, however, the waves got to me and I wasn't really used to the movement, so I ended up unstrapping myself and throwing up over the side of the boat.  Once I finally felt better, everyone had already gone into the water and I hopped in.  The water was still warm through the suit, but I'm glad I went in.  I had maintenance done on the BCD, however, so the buttons were a bit stiff.  The divemaster had to take me around the reefs because my equipment wasn't working properly.  It was a bit annoying because I kept floating up since the air wouldn't release in the vest, but Oscar helped me remove the air by shaking the air out of the emergency valves.

Lovely Reefs and Tropical Fish

I got to see some beautiful fish down at 60 feet and I loved the color of the reefs.  I forgot how calming the ocean was when you leave land and dive towards the unknown.  I swam through schools of fish and even found a sea biscuit (but I wasn't allowed to take it).  Even cooler (and a bit scary) - I saw a barracuda swimming about 10 feet away from me.  It obviously wouldn't be wise to touch that fish since they are actually very nasty and love to bite, but it was nice seeing them in their natural habitat.  Once we finished the dive, we got back on the boat and relaxed before the second dive.  I stepped on the boat and the waves got to me once again.  I threw up and I realized I couldn't dive anymore.  I was too sick to do anything, so I sat that one out.  I knew I would be losing my money because of the second dive, but I would rather be safe than sorry.  My gear wasn't working properly, I couldn't swim out on my own while diving, and I was feeling really ill.  I decided to fall asleep while Oscar and all the other guys went on the dive.  Once they came back from the second dive, Oscar ended up throwing up as well.  By that point, I threw up six times and I just needed to get off the boat.  We got back and just rested and slept the rest of the afternoon because we were so tired.  Oscar didn't feel good after that and it took him a few days until he could feel normal again.

We got up early the next morning and everyone took a bus to XCaret.  I wasn't really sure what this place was, but my mom said it would be pretty fun.  Once we received the map, we found out the place was very large, with various natural exhibits for animals.  The biggest attractions there would be the show and snorkeling in the underground river.  The place was about an hour away and once we got there, we had to wear biodegradable sunblock and mosquito repellant since it was a natural park.  Having chemicals on our body would disrupt the natural ecosystem of the area.  It wasn't like we needed much sunblock though.  It was raining half the time we were there, but we were wet anyway so it didn't matter too much.  We took our age group and swam through the underground rivers in the caves.  Since we had snorkeling gear, we ended up seeing all the tropical fish around the area.  Once we finished, we walked through the aquarium, took some pictures, and had lunch at the buffet.  It started raining once we were seated, so we stayed there for a while until the rain stopped.  Oscar found a flower in the men's bathroom and gave it to me.  Apparently, there was a sign saying, "Take a flower and give it to someone you care about."  Oh, how sweet.  :)

Two Fake Turtles...

...and One Very Real One

Flower!

We walked around half the time afterwards looking for a few things to do, but since it was raining, many of the places had the animals in hiding.  The butterfly exhibit was lovely, but it rained all over the butterflies so they were hiding underneath the trees and bushes.  We did get to touch and play with them a bit, though.  Oscar and I went and got some snorkel gear and decided to go swimming in the laguna, where we saw even more fish than we did while diving.  Everyone else decided to go shower and relax because they were just tired of walking the whole day.  We saw a beautiful fish known as the princess parrotfish, which was large and colorful.  If I were a fish, I'd be that one because it would definitely represent me.  There was even another barracuda in the laguna, so we went to the other side so it wouldn't try to bite us.  Once we were done, we showered, got dressed, and went to watch the show.  I have to admit, the show was really a great show.  They showed the history of Mexico with the Mayans and their civilization, as well as the different traditional dances and cultures of each part of Mexico.  All in all, it was a great day.

Mayans and the Mariachi Band

Viva Mexico!

Wednesday was a rainy day so we spent most of the day inside doing nothing since it there was a tropical storm hitting the beach.  Once the sun cleared up, Oscar and I went out for a walk to get our tickets to Senor Frogs and to take a bus to Wal-Mart.  We were going to a glow party that night, so that meant we were getting painted on.  I needed a shirt that would be expendable in case it got really dirty, so we both bought some shirts and souvenirs there.  We also found a liquor store where he bought wine, a Starbucks, and a really great bubble tea place called Snow Tea.  Who knew Mexicans could make better bubble tea than Asians?  They even had taro!  When we were done, we hopped back on a bus and took it straight back to our hotel.  I think the buses are safe to ride because we had no problems taking them back and forth.  Jaymie and Carlo were coming with us that night, so it was going to be very interesting to hang out with two of my family friends, whom we never party with.  Once the shuttle came and picked us all up, it all went downhill from there.  

Senor Frogs

We got to Senor Frogs and it was already packed with people... and it was only 10:30!  We got to our table and one of the members almost kicked us out, but our hostess said this was our spot.  Senor Frogs is a place where you just drink and become hot messes, unlike Sweet Club, which was a little more refined.  After the other night's fiasco, I wanted to just sit around and enjoy myself and take my time on drinks.  We had bottle service once again and unlimited drinks, and this time, no one was coming around asking us for tips every chance they got.  Carlo and Jaymie had a drink and we just danced, got painted on, and jumped around.  Oscar and I even got close to the stage and they threw paint on us.  Haha, you know the saying, "Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?"  Well, let's just say, "Whatever happened in Mexico stays in Mexico."  Everyone had a great time that night and we got home around 2:30AM.  The only problem was, our keys weren't working again... but that got fixed after another 15 minutes or so.  We had to get up early the next morning to go ziplining anyway, so it was a good thing we didn't come back too late.

Fist Pumping!

Bottle Service

Oh, the tequila!

Check out these crazy hot messes!!!

The shuttle picked Oscar, Jackie, Jaymie, Michelle, and I up from the hotel the next morning because we got tickets to go to Boca del Puma.  This place was strictly for ziplining and ATVing.  I wasn't too thrilled about the area itself because it was right in the middle of the forest and the place seemed to be a bit unorganized.  We had to use safety harnesses for ziplining, but the helmets smelled so horrible that I felt like I was going to get lice in my hair if I kept it on my head too long.  The bathroom was more of an outhouse and there were ants that bit you every chance they got if you stood near their hills for more than 2 seconds.  However, ziplining through the forest was awesome.  We were strapped and hooked up to five different lines all around the area and I even got to go upside down on the longest line.  The view above the forest was spectacular.  We were strapped for time in that area because we were only given enough time to do the things we were going to do, but it wasn't terrible after all.  

Family Photo! 

Low Hanging Fruits

 Three Upside Down Monkeys Swinging From A Vine

The other two were too chicken to try it out... 

After ziplining, they gave us a chance to swim in the underground cenote, which was a basically a natural sinkhole filled with water that was 60 feet deep.  We declined because there really wasn't much room to swim since the cenote flooded a bit and it was dark in the cave.  We ended up waiting for the ATVs and I have to say, that was even more fun than swimming.  My sister and I were put together so I could drive and we ended up going through the mud and dirt by ramming through it.  There was one point where I got stuck and hit a tree, but one of the guys on the road with us pushed us out so we could go on our merry way running through bumps and mud puddles.  By the time we were done, we were pretty gross, covered in mud.  Oscar miraculously didn't get muddied at all, while my sister and I were so dirty.  There's a new meaning for the term "dirty girl."  Jackie and Jaymie were also covered in mud, but they weren't as dirty as us.  We later found out the guide took us through an area where he really wasn't supposed to take us, but since we waited so long and we were the last group, he thought it would be a fun idea... and it was!  We used the cenote to wash ourselves down a bit so we weren't too dirty by the time we got into the van.

ATVs!!!  Who says girls can't drive?!

Chillin' in Front of a Banana Tree

I didn't even realize we were matching that day until now...

Once we got back to the hotel, it was about 4:30.  We didn't even go up to our rooms... we walked straight through the hotel lobby and went to the beach.  We rinsed off in the nice warm water and swam.  Oscar and I decided to try our luck again by snorkeling and we both saw a small spotted sting ray!  He even saw another barracuda lurking near the shore.  The water there is shallow up until a certain point, and once you hit that point, it's a steep drop down into the deep blue.  We swam and got a tan because the sun was finally out after three days of rain.  He and I found some seashells along the shore and once we were done, we cleaned up and took a trip out by the clubs.  We walked by the strip and took some pictures in front of Coco Bongos.  He was hungry and wanted to have some actual authentic Mexican food instead of Filipino food (my parents and family relatives were cooking all week instead of going out to eat since it was cheaper), so we found a place called Caminero's.  They served us some amazing quesadillas and tortilla tacos. 

After dinner, Oscar and I walked to the Mexican Outlet and bought some souvenirs, as well as a bottle of tequila with a worm in it for his uncle.  He went to a pharmacy to get some medicine for his stomach and we had a passion tea at Starbucks.  I was surprised to find out they accepted the Starbucks card there, which was very convenient for me since I use it all the time.  All along the way, we were taking pictures and enjoying the evening together.  It was a lovely date night for the two of us and a nice change in pace from all the crazy fun activities we were doing all week.  Contrary to the popular belief, Cancun isn't as scary as most people say.  I think when people refer to the drug cartel and kidnapping, they are talking about places like Mexico City and Tijuana.  Cancun seemed to have a better vibe, and we were just walking around and taking the bus or taxis to and from various places.  I think since that area is a tourist spot, you don't have the same problems as you do in other areas.  We ended up taking the bus home and got back for an early rest.  I was also feeling a little ill, so I wanted to get some sleep.

We woke up early on Friday and had a quick breakfast before taking a long walk to the marina to catch a boat to Isla Mujeres.  My mom and her friends wanted to see what was going on there, so they bought tickets to go.  I wasn't feeling too well, so I fell asleep on the boat.  I later took a Dramamine so I wouldn't have to feel the waves while we went snorkeling, but that wasn't a great idea because I was drowsy half the time I was there.  At least I got a nice tan while lying on the beach.  Oscar and I went snorkeling and found some more very beautiful reefs and fish.  He used his GoPro to catch some of the action down under the sea.  I even looked around and found a starfish larger than my head!  Of course, the princess parrotfish was there, and I found one larger than a foot.  The current pushed us along the reefs and we toured around with many other people until we hit the boat.  Once we got back, we splashed along the water, had lunch, and I took a nap for a little while since the Dramamine was too strong for me.  Oscar woke me up to take a walk around the area and we found gift shops everywhere. There was really nothing more than just a bunch of gift shops and the ocean, but the walk was all right.

Everyone got back to the hotel around 5PM and Oscar and I decided to take one more trip on the bus out to La Isla, which was a large outdoor shopping center that sort of reminded me of the Deer Park Outlets on Long Island, except there was water running through and there was an aquarium.  Jackie, Jaymie, and Michelle decided to come along so we left everyone around 7PM and took the other bus there.  We found this chocolate store called La Cacao and bought a few items there.  Every item in the store was made with chocolate... they even had a body cream and massage oil that had chocolate in it.  We all went to another Mexican Outlet and took some fun pictures there as well.  It was just nice to walk around on our last night without the rain.  I've been here before and not much has changed, but there were a few more stores around the area and Hooters was moved to another location.  I definitely liked seeing some new places.  Oscar walked into a store and bought a few things as well.

Jaymie, Jackie, and Michelle

My "Mexican" and I 

Funny Poses at the Senor Frogs Souvenir Store

On our last stop before catching the bus home, however, we found a store called Del Sol and they had these amazing shirts that changed colors in the sun.  What was even more amazing was that they had color changing nail polish!  I have a color changing polish called Ruby Wing, but they are only subtle changes in the sun.  This polish by Del Sol, however, changes dramatically from one color to the next!  You know what's coming soon, then... **cough "review" cough"  I ended up being a nerd and I got myself an Iron Man shirt while Oscar got one that specifically said Del Sol on it.  It was 11PM by the time we were done and we knew we had to big adieu to the lovely Isla, because we had an early flight to catch the next morning.  We all got onto the bus and took it straight back to the hotel.  Everyone went back to their rooms and packed their things.  I made sure I had everything and we all went to bed, just to wake up at 6AM the next morning to hop on a plane to go home.  Watching the sun rise with Oscar on the beach was the last thing we did before we went to the airport.  It was a lovely little moment before heading home, back to reality.

It was bittersweet to leave Mexico, considering I wanted to stay longer and have more fun in the sun rather than have to work the next day... but I'll definitely go back again in a few years.  I just have way too much fun there and it's always nice to spend time with my family and friends every so often.  I want to travel to more places like this.  Maybe next year we'll go to Colombia and see what Oscar's home country is like!  I'd love to go there... he was telling me about the beaches and how beautiful they are.  I want to do some diving when I have the chance as well.  We'll see how things go, but all in all, I had a wonderful vacation and I can't wait to do it again!  Phew... what a long post.  I hope you all enjoyed living vicariously through me on my expeditions!  Until next time!