Thoughts and Hopes for 2017

Happy belated New Year! 

↣ 2017 ↢

Before I start off this post, I am going to do a quick recap of 2016. 2016 was the Year of the Monkey (Chinese New Year; my birth year, 1992), so despite the prediction of it being my worst year ever...it was proved wrong. I got a new job and started a 401(k), made new friends, went to my first beerfest to visit my big sister in her new home, got my DRIVERS LICENSE (finally!), went to Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, went to my second country concert (solely for my bffs birthday), took unforgettable vacations with the fam, went on my first Tinder date where I met the sweetest man I know (boyfriend, Andrew), witnessed my bff get married, celebrated my 24th BIRTHDAY with $2 margaritas, discovered LuLaRoe leggings, voted for the president of the United States, ate my first gobblerito at Mad Mex, had countless blessings to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, had a very giving and blessed Christmas, and a peaceful, stress-free new year!

What, a year! So I do have a few resolutions: 

• Move out of my parents house into my own apartment
• Learn how to speak Spanish
• Exercise more and eat healthier
• Learn how to play the guitar
• Travel more
• Try new things
• Make my own sushi
• Go to Church more --PRAY
• Read more books
• Stay humble and kind

Although some of these resolutions may take years, the ultimate goal is to better myself everyday as an individual since my own competition is myself. As Mother Teresa once said, "In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway." 

I have hopes for the world this year, and as much as I want certain things to change, I cannot, so I must accept this life I was given. Such as the political rants, including people not giving Trump a chance ,or people who are just ignorant to the news and closed minded by opposing views. Do me, yourself, and humanity a favor, say a prayer for America and the world, maybe then we can achieve world peace, or at least have inner peace with ourselves, and our peers.

Do you know that feeling that you have so much on your mind and you just don't know how to express yourself properly? That's how I've felt the past couple weeks and that's why I am finally catching up on my blog today - to FREE MY MIND (per say). 

Welp that's all for now. Make it a good week :), I cannot believe that January is already over...! 

Welcome Fall

wow, time flies. Whether I was just applying for jobs or not, I did get a new job and have been working ever since. I started my new job in the beginning of May 2016 at PNC. I like it so far. This summer really flew by because of that, but I did get to go to Bonanaroo! Roo was an awesome experience, so much positivity and music in one place. Roo will always have a special place in my heart. Here's a pic from the festival...

15 years of magic was the theme, and boy! it was sure magical! I would advise everyone, if they get the chance to go to Bonnaroo, don't pass it up! Radiate positivity ~~~~

Every time I think of summer ending, I think of this song ...

It's sorta depressing and with that being, this summer was the palest I have ever been for summer.

 But at least my favorite season, and my birthday month is coming! 

Happy almost fall!

Back to Square 1

      It has been more than 2 weeks since I got laid off from my job at a web design/development agency.  I had to start over and job searching became my career thus far.  I updated my resume and cover letter to prepare for applying for jobs.  At first, I was sad about the situation.  But it truly was for the best.  I have been growing my skills, so I do feel more confident while applying and interviewing for jobs.  

     I was lucky because when I got laid off, I went home applied for jobs, and went on vacation for a week, which was very relaxing and helped take my mind off things for the time being.  But being on vacation did not stop me from applying for jobs, of course.  I had help from my whole family assisting me in writing cover letters and applying for jobs.  It really is all about networking.

     This past week, I went to a career fair downtown. After that, I went back on my LinkedIn game and searching for hiring companies that I had met at the career fair.  I have been busy.  I had some interviews, I feel confident and grateful for those opportunities that have led me to this point in my life.

    Being laid off sucks, but I would rather happen now then later when I have a family to support.  I thank God for the choices he has made in my life because....

Be thankful for your life, no matter what troubles or problems come your way.  If God brings you to it, he will get you through it! Stay strong. Have a great ending to your week! <3

Beautiful Body & Face, Full Stomach, Can't Lose (Weight) - A Tribute to National Eating Disorder Week

National Eating Disorder Month is February...so those binge eaters, false perception creators, unconfident,body shamers - this ones for you, yes, I am talking about all of us!  All of us can be super critical to our bodies or other people's body by calling it unpretty. There are no guidelines for what makes a person attractive; beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder.

Everyone can be beautiful on the inside and out by shining their genuine selves to their full potential for the entire world to see.     

                      

A wise philosopher, Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi) once said...

Isn't that the truth! Haters are going to hate, no matter what.

Keep your head up.

There are hundreds of major celebrities (models, actors, singers) with eating disorders, so you are not alone.  One of my recent favorites is Amy Winehouse...yes, that one who sang that one song about going to Rehab (and she was all like NO, NO, NO!) Then the world lost an angel, who wasn't cut out for the fame and the harsh paparazzi.  I wanna advise you to go watch her documentary, you will get the FEELS! Here's the link, Amy, you can stream it for free on Amazon Prime. Amy was not only a tremendous jazz singer, but a philanthropist.  She was a cry for help for all celebrities.  She was also known for being a drug addict and alcoholic, which led her to an eating disorder...she was always extremely thin; she suffered from bulimia.  

People of all body types, male or female, can suffer from eating disorders.  STAND UP for them and don't be afraid to compliment people when they look pretty today, as long as they are healthy, it shouldn't matter.  People should see others from their personality and not just their looks....

It reminds me of a time my family was all home at a restaurant for dinner and my mom was going around the table saying what she liked about each of her 3 daughters, she started with my oldest sister, "She's really smart", the next one, "She has a lot of good things going for her in her new job", and then to me (best for last, right ;)), "You're just really pretty". Ok? like am I not smart, then, thanks mom.  

Looks aren't everything. 

It's crazy because people judge people in the first 15 seconds or something like that of seeing them. Another good movie about body image is America the Beautiful. Some closing notes are to be yourself, love yourself, and show kindness.  Support National Eating Disorder Week and know that you are not alone! Happy hump day! Shine on and stay golden! go do you!

DID YOU KNOW?...

New Year, Same Me...well sorta

Hiya! It has been a long while since (the coon's age but not really) my last blog post - a lot has been going on in my life.  Follow along, I'll try not to bore you...

Well where to start...Christmas came and went, I started taking anxiety medication, broke up with my boyfriend, worked at the web agency job, threw a New Years Eve Party, visited friends, went out A LOT, downloaded new music legally, read a great book, got a haircut, treated myself at Rite Aid, Amazon, and TJ Maxx, got a new bedroom, experienced my grandpa's 82nd birthday party, got a random virus, tried to take more naps, try new food, and go to concerts.

Life is good. I feel like a weight got lifted off my shoulders over the past few months, I've been trying to figure out what I want in life.  I am lucky that I am still young.  My mom says I turned into a new person because I now am the neatest freak 47 that I have ever been, I even make my bed on the daily, I guess you could say I am truly happy. I love my new room.  My life has kinda been a mess lately, but I still have a job and a loving family (that will hopefully never kick me out), which are some of my blessings.

I cannot get over how cool it is that one of my friends is across the world right now as she is travelling at sea for a semester.  How lucky am I to know someone as adventurous as her <3

The book I read was amazing, I would say life changing, but philosophy alone changed my life...here's the cover and a link to buy it: http://www.amazon.com/Lao-Tzu-Ching-About-Power/dp/1570623953  I would tell you some of my favorite quotes, but I don't want to spoil it. It is an easy read because it's formatted as poems with Part 1, Part 2 and analyses in the footnotes and in the back of the book.

Well my room is neat, super colorful with lots of knickknacks, pictures, electronics, and books.  Much art. Such me.  I am happy I go to a ton of concerts and events because I finally made a shadow box with tickets like I have always wanted to!  You can see it on my Facebook soon.  Life has been handing me a lot of tasks to manage this year, oh yeah HAPPY YEAR OF THE MONKEY! See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil this year for luck to be on your side :) I have noticed I am somewhat a wallflower, so that's pretty neat.  I find myself to be more of a listener than a speaker, I like to hear people's ideas, thoughts, and hopes and dreams.  It gives me something to believe in, even when they may not even believe in themselves.


I guess you could say I'm shy, but I am still the same person I have always been.  I will never change who I am even if I am one of the weirdest people I know! <3 You do the same. Thanks for reading, Now go do good things for people that you would be proud if someone did for you because...

Have a good week! 

The Never-Ending List of Quotes

Hello, it's been a while! Sorry about it - October has been the busiest month, much to do, many people to see. But I am back, well at least for now. I have been inspired the past two days, just thinking of life lessons/philosophies of life (or even more shortly, QUOTES < b/c who doesn't love a good quote) and thought it would be cool to post them and some have a relation to various songs or some with images.  Comment more on the bottom with your own favorite quotes or songs that relate to quotes somehow and maybe I will add them, if they are appropriate and accurate in most people's lives.  These are just here to guide people, there's a lot - truly never ending, but maybe the one you read or come across is the one you need the most in life to get through a problem or gain another life skill.  Some might be kinda corny, so sorry about that.  I tried to be clear with them - short, sweet, and to the point.  If you have a need to know why I put these ones and not others or vice versa, they really were just the ones that instantly came to my head at any time in the past two days that I wrote in my "Notes" on my cell phone (yes, I am a nerd and use that frequently). Hopefully you see your favorites - quotes or songs.  I have no rights to these sayings, authors or speakers have probably wrote or spoke them before me, but there are some that I created, or the songs from YouTube. I tried to order them in a somewhat correlated scheme.  So hopefully they are appealing to the eyes, but sorry about the spacing errors and formatting errors, Blogger can be dumb (maybe I should get WordPress). Some quotes are similar, I just liked them all! Carry on...and happy reading, best of luck there's at least 100 of them!

• Think different

• Be the change you wish to see in the world 
• Time heals all wounds
• Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations (Love, God)
• Do everything with meaning and love
• Don't be bashful - get what you want
• Your hard work won't go unnoticed 
• If you can dream it, you can do it
• Don't judge a book by its cover
• Always ask too many questions
• Challenge yourself 
• Follow your dreams
• You become pieces of the people you surround yourself with
• Do your best always 
• Use your imagination

You get what you give
If you don't speak no one will know what you're thinking about
Believe in yourself
• Keep calm and carry on
• Look both ways before you cross the street 
• Carpe diem - seize the day

• God will never give you more than you can handle - have faith
• Everyone makes mistakes
• Everything happens for a reason
• Don't bash anyone's religion or shove your religion done other persons throat - people will always have different beliefs, values, and lifestyles 
• Dance like no one is watching

• Don't be so hard on yourself
• Do what is right, not what is easy 
• Put others before yourself 
• What doesn't kill you makes you stronger 
• In the end it is between you and God - do good anyway

• Follow the 10 commandments 
• Don't underestimate yourself - don't sell yourself short 
• Have hope in humanity 
• Express yourself through every medium 
• Explore and discover 
• The night is young and so are we 
• Time flies - participate in life, instead of just watching it pass you by...
• Treat others how you want to be treated 
• Kiss your significant other hard and still be able to get butterflies
• Speak up, people care about what you have to say...even when it doesn't seem like they do 
• Listen more and understand 
• Do better 
• Enjoy the little things

 

 

• Be strong even when all hope is gone 
• Keep shining
• Don't be afraid to be a leader
• Stand up for yourself 
• Stay golden - stay sweet and stay beautiful  
• Be humble 
• Laugh until you cry 
• Listen to your teachers- they will give unforgettable life lessons that you will never expect
• God is your only judge 
• Keep learning and work harder 
• Teach yourself new things 
• Never forget who you are or where you came from 
• Surround yourself with people who are going to take you higher
• Forgive always 
• The best part of your life probably hasn't even happened yet - be patient 
• Be a lover, not a fighter 
• Watch too many movies and tv shows/Netflix with people you love
• Try not to complain when you have a life better than others do
• Appreciate what you have 
• Be thankful for  everyone
• Smile
• Don't be better than anyone else,  but yourself 
• Be open minded and don't be afraid to understand other people's view - everyone thinks differently 
• Love a lot

   

• Listen to the universal language, music, there's so much of it...and listen to it loud 
• Agree to disagree in big or small arguments, but make sure you try to understand the other person's view
• Be spontaneous with your plans and your actions 
• Learn good jokes 
• Don't be afraid to meet new people - be open 
• Expect the unexpected 
• Be in the moment and experience the paradise 
• See the beauty in every person and everything - living and non living 
• Forget regret or life is yours to miss

• Think before you speak
• Live life everyday as it was your last 
• Be eager and excited when looking for jobs or life itself 
• It's ok to cry, everyone has feeling
• When you're out with people, pay attention to them and only them (not your phone) 
• Volunteer 
• You are capable of anything you set your mind to
• Don't be cheap - with money or actions or tasks, always put forth your best work
• Always overuse I love you, you never know when you will see the person again 
• Let people know you are thinking about them 
• Have different groups of friends 
• Don't be afraid to do your own thing - you are the beat to your own drum
• Remember that there is no one else like you
• Be good people 
• Be careful trusting people 
• When you see a dress or shoes you like that fit you, then buy them - you never know if that style won't sell next year 
• Send thank you notes
• Recycle anything you can 
• Be self sufficient

• Don't let people tell you that you can't do something 
• Drink coffee/caffeine only if you need it
• Always use your manners- people will notice when you say please and thank you or when you place your napkin on your lap
• Put your family first - they will love you unconditionally like no one else will and know everything and more about you 
• Thank your parents for giving you life and everything they had given to and given up for you - you basically owe your parents your life, so make it count
• Walk in like you own the place
• Be confident, but not cocky 
• Remember you might fail before you succeed
• Do what you love 
• Don't let anyone tell you what to do or make decisions for you/control you 
• Be YOUnique/be yourself 
• Stay weird, it makes life more interesting - no one likes a boring person 
• Travel more and look at a map everyday 
• Write your thoughts or feelings down somewhere 
• Try to be healthy with a somewhat balanced diet, but hey no ones perfect - well except for Beyoncé

 

• Don't be afraid to try new things - be brave 
• Get the right amount of sleep and nap, if you want or have time to 
• Be witty when you can, but have the ability to be serious at times 
• Never look back when you walk or run, that's all in your past - unless you forgot something, then you probably should go back and find it 
• Try to remember your dreams 
• Avoid negativity
• Be positive and always look on the bright side of life 
• Eat chocolate everyday 
• An Audrey Hepburn quote just deserves its own pic...

• When you lose something, look for it until you can't look anymore 
• Never give up 
• Sharing is caring 
• Love yourself/love the skin you're in 
• Nothing is impossible 
• Act important
• Read or watch the news - it gives you something to talk about 
• Always give yourself me time
• Don't get mad easily 
• Be easy going and relaxed when you can
• Don't worry, be happy 
• Remember you are always communicating 
• Go with the flow
• Pray and thank god every day you wake up alive

• Only say sorry when you mean it
• Silence is ok at times, be at peace with life in those moments 
• Don't let anyone tell you to go on a diet, unless you're willing to 
• Take more pictures - but at social events, appreciate the people and the moment more without a  phone in your face, no performer likes to see that, they want to be engaging and give you all the feels 
• Make good choices
• You make it happen 
• Have the time of your life

 

THE END

Congrats you made it to the end! Now, go out and live! Thanks for reading <3

Idea Technology in the Social Sciences

Yesterday I was in a team meeting at work, where my boss usually shows a TED Talk to introduce the meeting.  Yesterday's TED talk was called "The way we think about work is broken" by Barry Schwartz.  Check it (video or transcript) out, if you have a chance --- if not, you're missing out and will be spoiled if you read this post... (warning: important parts mentioned in post)

Schwartz's words made me reflect on my time as a communication major undergrad, starting with when he mentions the concept of "idea technology"... 
What do you think he means by this?  Well, not to mean to brag, but I learned about that so-called "idea technology" during my last semester.  So what does it mean...? Well, my professor (who is now retired :( ) described it as how Google or some of the most profitable industries in the world house their ideas and data, but no products in their corporations.  Companies like that thrive on ideas, creativity, and hard work.  There is no ultimate product involved just mass amounts of data and ideas for projects that cannot physically be taken away. 

 

"This is the role that ideas play in shaping us as human beings, and this is why "idea technology" may be the most profoundly important technology that science gives us," speaks Shwartz.  What type of science is he even talking about you may ask, well BOOM!, it's the social sciences (not the usual importance of natural sciences)! My proud moment of being a communication major happened here...or even if any of you readers studied or are studying any of the subjects below... (sorry about the  bad internet quality), yes I am talking about you! 

Small Sidenote:
Also, I love when Shwartz mentions that "idea technology" is special in comparison to just regular technology, the "technology of things".  Ideas are irreplaceable, things are replaceable.

Shwartz ends with an inspirational statement, "The distinguished anthropologist, Clifford Geertz, said, years ago, that human beings are the "unfinished animals." And what he meant by that was that it is only human nature to have a human nature that is very much the product of the society in which people live. That human nature, that is to say our human nature, is much more created than it is discovered. We design human nature by designing the institutions within which people live and work. And so you people -- pretty much the closest I ever get to being with masters of the universe -- you people should be asking yourself a question, as you go back home to run your organizations. Just what kind of human nature do you want to help design?" Like wow, where do you even go from there?  Well, I was speechless... seriously I think I just wrote the SPOILERS (important parts) of the TED Talk. 

Not only was this an inspiration and proud moment as a past student of the social sciences, I hope it can benefit you because your idea matters as a human being, so "design" away!

Have a happy hump day!

Thanks for reading :)