A-Z Challenge 2016: O for Optimistic


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On the first day of this challenge, I wrote I’m daringly optimistic. Yes, I am an insanely optimistic person and often times, that optimism led to disappointment. Like when I go in for a job interview. As I exited the room, my gut was already telling me I won’t get the job and meanwhile, images of how my life was set to change began to play in my head. I took a deep breath to make it go away but instead, the images just became clearer. It is INSANE!!!

Another time was one week before I was set to move out. This damn optimism cost me a week of sleep. Every minute of everyday, images would play in my head of how I can do whatever I want, how I can finally change my hair style, dye it, curl it, cut it, and how I can finally go anywhere I want. I kept reminding myself, “You might not move,” but there was no competing with my other half which was telling me, “You need this.”

The moment I hung up the phone after telling the landlady I was no longer moving was the moment when the wave of disappointment crashed upon me. I wasn’t upset or relief. I felt nothing other than the ping of what felt like after a child’s told he/she’s no longer receive a toy he/she wanted for Christmas. I think at times, being optimistic is good while at other times, it’s sort of like a curse.

Optimism is sometimes a bad thing, don’t you agree? 

Click here to catch up on my latest A to Z Challenge entries. 

Image Credit: Google

Dinnertime


Ah, at last, a photo challenge about food and boy oh boy, do I have something to share.  Continue reading “Dinnertime”

A-Z Challenge 2016: M for Moment


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Well, I’m not sure if my destiny was shaped but last week, I made the decision to continue school for one more semester after graduation, just one. I know I said for the past two months how I couldn’t wait to get a job and move out but by doing this, it’ll increase my odds of getting a higher paying job.

That’s why I have decided to go for a graduate certificate in information system and technology. It’s somewhat of a mini-Master degree in Information system. I don’t need to take the GMAT to get in and it cost less than a Master degree. So I guess in a way, it’s a win-win. Besides, I think it’s time for me to go for something I actually enjoy doing.

In the meantime, because I’ve somewhat turned my back on my mom, she’s now planning on my cousin’s future. She wants him to learn to fix airplanes or even pilot one. On the phone call to her sister, she says she doesn’t care whether he wants or not but her tones implied otherwise.

Me? I don’t think that’s what my cousin wants to do even though being a pilot does sound cool. I think it’s his decision to decide what he wants to do and no one else should make that decision for him. They’ll just make him miserable.

Click here to catch up on my latest A to Z Challenge entries. 

Image Credit: Pinterest

A-Z Challenge 2016: L for Limits


Emotional Limit

I couldn’t find a great quote on this one so I’m generating my own with my own picture. Continue reading “A-Z Challenge 2016: L for Limits”

Share Your World – 2016 Week #14


If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?

If I can hire someone to help me, it would definitely be cleaning and yard work. I enjoy cooking, so having someone to cook for me would just make me feel miserable that they would have all the fun. Cleaning and yard work, that’ll be great. I hate getting on my hands and knees to clean the floors, pull the dirt out of the vacuum filter, and don’t get me started with pulling the weeds. Ugh.

What makes you laugh the most?

It’s easy to make me laugh, simply tickle me, that should do it. What makes me laugh the most though is when I watch physical comedy. I’m sure those would make anyone laugh.

What was your favorite food when you were a child?WU-0103_mac-and-cheese_s4x3

One of my favorite food when I was a child is Macaroni n’ Cheese and not the kind from the box. It’s the kind made from large soft elbow macaroni pasta with runny cheese. The only place I could get it was at school and that only became my favorite food after coming to the U.S. In China, I was consumed by the desire to get fast food that all other foods just became bland to me. Unfortunately though, I didn’t get a lot of fast food in China as you can read here.

List at least five favorite flowers or plants.DSC00520

  1. Tulips
  2. Irises
  3. White rose
  4. Yellow rose
  5. Daisy

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Share Your World Challenge

Image Credit (except noted): Google

A-Z Challenge 2016: K for Kindness


Kindness-Quotes-3 Continue reading “A-Z Challenge 2016: K for Kindness”

A-Z Challenge 2016: J for Journey


Journey

A few weeks ago, I participated in my Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) – Accounting Club – annual food drive. Continue reading “A-Z Challenge 2016: J for Journey”

A-Z Challenge 2016: I for Intuition


Intuition Quote Continue reading “A-Z Challenge 2016: I for Intuition”

Trip to Redwood Forest


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The last time we visited Northern California was way back in 2011. Continue reading “Trip to Redwood Forest”

A-Z Challenge 2016: G for Greed


Greed Quote

My mom often complains to me why others can relax while she has to spend all her time working. “What did I do to the world?” She’d ask. “To deserve such a hard life?”  Continue reading “A-Z Challenge 2016: G for Greed”

A-Z Challenge 2016: F for Friendship


Friendship Quote

You kinda knew I would do F for friendship, didn’t you? So anyway, I can definitely relate to this quote .

As I’ve said on day three of this challenge, I visited my friend, Kat during spring break. At her home, there were posters of pretty girls taped against her kitchen wall, she said it’s there to serve as her inspiration. I avoided looking at that wall during the remainder of my visit. Looking at pictures of half-dressed girls made me uncomfortable.

That night, after finishing my regular TV hours, I returned to my room to check my texts. Kat had flooded my tablet with texts about how she wanted me to do the Master degree program with her and then we could open a tax firm. Then the following text became about how I have to diet and lose weight, then about how I have to fix my teeth with implants, and how much I need a nose job.

The texts reminded me of my mom and how she’s constantly trying to plan my future for me not to mention, she criticizes my appearance too. It made me wonder, is Kat embarrassed by how I look? When I decided to be her friend, I didn’t realize it would require a change to my physical appearance. I guess what I’m trying to say is like the quote says, I’m not looking for anyone to fix me. I don’t need to be fix or my future planned for me. I just need someone who will be there for me.

Click here to catch up on my latest A to Z Challenge entries. 

Image Credit: Pinterest

A-Z Challenge 2016: D for Don’t Stop


Confucius Determination quote

I think this is a good quote for the topic because it kind of stand for what I’m doing at the moment. As some of you know, I was to move out last month but I chose to stay due to financial troubles and sometimes, I still regret my decision because I thought if I move out, I could forget everything and focus on myself for once but the truth is, with so much worries of financial troubles, I couldn’t focus on anything.

At the moment, I’m planning on December because that’s when I will finish my second undergraduate degree and hopefully have a better job. I know that December is still a long ways to go but I know that time can speed up if it wants to and I also know that as long as I don’t stop and keep pushing, I will eventually achieve my goals.

Click here to catch up on my latest A to Z Challenge entries. 

Image Credit: Pinterest

A-Z Challenge 2016: C for Change


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Did I tell you about my new friend, Kat? I met her in school a few weeks ago and at first, I was very happy because making friends had never been easy for me and it’s been a long time since I’ve had a friend. We hit it off and during spring break, I secretly visited her. I’ve been doing so many things secretly lately that I’m starting to get a rush.

Anyway, her home was extremely simple, few furniture and decorations. However, I noticed she had a few posters of pretty girls taped against her kitchen wall. “What’s up with those?” I asked.

“I want to be like them.” She replied right away. Why, I asked her. “I want to be beautiful!”

At that moment, I felt puzzled. She’s already beautiful. She has a husband who loves her for her, who allows her all the freedom she desires, not requiring her to go to work, let her buy whatever she desires, so why would she want to go through the trouble of changing her appearance?

Click here to catch up on my latest A to Z Challenge entries. 

Image Credit: Google

Share Your World – 2016 Week #13


Are you left or right handed? Right handed.

If you had only one TV, would you prefer the TV in the living room or another room?

I only have one TV and it is all the way down in the family room and I think that’s a good place because my room is very small.

A female road runner runs down a road at dusk at Independence Pass.Have you ever participated in a distance walking, swimming, running, or biking event? Tell your story.

Oh, have I? I’ve participated in a jump rope contest when I was in China. Not much a story there other than it was a huge embarrassment for me because even though everyone in school knew I didn’t know how to jump rope, they still made me and while everyone did 100+ repetition per minute, I only did six. I think the teacher was just a big bully to choose me for such competition.

I also participated in a 50 meter dash in middle school and although I was racing against the slowest person in school, I still lost because something happened at the last second which force me to slow down. It was the strangest thing. I began feeling dizzy, weak, and breathless. It was like I couldn’t breathe. I think it had something to do with my heart but I never found out. I just knew my heart had some minor problems back then. Let’s just say I was once again humiliated.

Complete this sentence: Love is… .

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Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

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Share Your World Challenge

Image Credit (except noted): Google

A-Z Challenge 2016: A for Aspirations


aspirations quote Continue reading “A-Z Challenge 2016: A for Aspirations”

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Alley, Driveway, and Parking Lot


I don’t have any dirt road pictures, so I’m excluding that from the title. Here is one of each: an alley, driveway, and parking lot. Continue reading “Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Alley, Driveway, and Parking Lot”

Safe Haven


As few of you know, I’ve been seeing a therapist since the beginning of this month and I think it’s time I update my current mental situation.  Continue reading “Safe Haven”

Marooned to Salt Lake


Have you ever been to a dog park and seen the dogs run wild and free while their owners sat on the sideline chatting? They look just so happy, don’t they? Being off the leash? Continue reading “Marooned to Salt Lake”

Share Your World – 2016 Week #12


Wanting something to quench your thirst, what would you drink?

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Cool water (not ice cold but not room-temperature warm)  but if it’s very hot outside, I’ll take an ice water. Then, I’ll drink the water and rub the ice against my skin to keep cool.

What made you feel good this past week?

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I finally made a trip to the Family History Library in Downtown Salt Lake and learned how to search for my family. I’ve been wanting to go to that place for a long long long time because I’ve been super curious about my genealogy and now that I’ve gone, I know how to continue with my search.

When you’re alone at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?

I’d always go barefoot, that is unless I’m on hard floor. Otherwise, on carpet, I’d be barefoot. I’m not really a fan of wearing shoes because I’m clumsy and wearing shoes would just increase my chances of tripping.

Would you rather live where it is always hot or always cold?

Uh, how about neither? I don’t like either of those extremes. I think somewhere in between would be just fine.

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Share Your World Challenge

Image Credit (except noted): Google

Share Your World – 2016 Week #11


How many siblings do you have? What’s your birth order?

I don’t have any siblings but if I did, I’d be the second child. My mom had a miscarriage before me. So if that didn’t happen, I’ll be the younger sibling. Actually, I wouldn’t even exist because of the one-child rule in China. So consider me the lucky one.

In a car would you rather drive or be a passenger?

I would rather drive because I think I’d see more as a driver than a passenger. As a passenger, I’ll more likely fall asleep.

When you lose electricity in a storm, do you light the candles or turn on the flashlight? How many of each do you own?

I have a lot of candles at home, boxes and boxes and they’re all from a while back. We buy rare candles from thrift store and our friends gave us a few boxes. Also, some people collects coins, some collects stamps, my mom collects candles and candle houses. I bet you can’t even tell that inside that house is a candle, right?

However, I like flashlights better, at least a flashlight does not have the risk of a fire.

List at least five of your favorite types of animals? (any animal to domestic to wild to marine life).13911322_21n

  1. Dog
  2. Cat
  3. Panda Bear
  4. Bear (black/brown/white)
  5. Sheep (year of the sheep)
  6. Koala Bear
  7. Kangaroo
  8. Lioness (not a fan of the mane) or young lion
  9. Tiger

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Share Your World Challenge

Image Credit (except noted): Google

All About Conflicts


No Foreshadower today. I know some of you are really looking forward to another episode but I just didn’t get to it even with my week-long break. So instead, I’ll post the comics I did this week for my Behavioral Management class’s group project. It is all about the chapter we are set to present on Thursday, Conflicts. Hope you enjoy.

The links for each comic is below the image, that is if you’re having trouble reading the texts.

Third-Party Intervention
http://bitstrips.com/r/CD3NK
Work-Family Conflict
http://bitstrips.com/r/17Z4K
Conflict Resolution
http://bitstrips.com/r/6094K

Share Your World – 2016 Week #10


What would you ask for if a genie granted you three wishes?

  1. Be smarter, flexible in the mind, and cunning
  2. Be braver, courageous, and able to stand up for myself (have more guts)
  3. Be more daring and adventurous in life

What experiences are most meaningful to you?b12993eea56a2173bfa75028e3bc4c11

Probably one of those things I may never achieve (the quote). A meaningful experience is something unique (out of routine), new, memorable, and in the moment. Like going bowling for the first time or for me, trying new foods for the first time.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a lot of things. My dream career kept changing as I grew up. First, because my mom was a teacher when she was in China, so naturally, as a kid, I wanted to be a teacher too. I got a taste of that and I hated it. Next, I wanted to be a singer and then a movie director, and then it was a graphic artist. At the moment, even at nearly 25, I still haven’t achieve my dream career. It’s still evolving and may never stop.

Complete this sentence: The best day of my life was….

There has been quite a few best days and one of them resurfaced last week during my therapy session. When I was in Texas and living with mymilkshake2 step-grandparents, we would go to church on Sundays and then after, we would stop at a fast food joint and they would get me whatever I want. My favorite place was Burger King.

The sizes at the Burger Kings in Texas are different from anywhere else. Its smallest is a medium, and then large, and king. The medium were plenty big, at least bigger than what I have at the Burger Kings in Utah.

Anyway, I would have the Big Fish and a milkshake and I was the happiest girl in the world. I no longer cared of how ridiculous I looked in high heels, dress, and make-up, at that moment, I was in a different world and this is why it’s one of the best days of my life because I got to forget temporarily how screw-up my mom and step-dad were and how they couldn’t stop fighting.

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Share Your World Challenge

Image Credit (except noted): Google

Nature’s Art


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This picture was taken at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada last September. I stopped there on my way home from Las Vegas. It was incredibly hot that day, almost 100°F and it was dry heat so every breath I took in burned in my lungs. I enjoyed the desert landscapes anyway.

I’ve chosen this picture to represent this week’s photo challenge and discover challenge because I believe the word, harmony, has a lot of different meanings. In my mind, harmony is a group of people, animals, and even objects come together in peace and create something amazing and to see, well, that’s invoking a sense, right?

When I look at this picture, it reminds me of this. In a way, this desert landscape is a work of art created by mother nature and this is how I see it:

Each time a gust of wind goes by, a group of sandstone particles would volunteer to surrender their place, they would choose to explore elsewhere even though they knew that once they leave, they’re never coming back. Over time, as more and more of these sandstone particles choose to move on, to travel and find a new home by means of the wind, a gaping hole would be in their places and sooner or later, the rock will look more and more like a block of Swiss cheese or it will transform into a peculiar sculpture that looks like the upper half of a man’s body.

Daily Post Photo Challenge – Harmony

Daily Post Discover Challenge – Blogging the Senses