Reflection

Taken on Nov. 26

Taken on Dec. 10

        The year of 2016 was filled with changes and new experiences. From high school to college, I had to adjust to a new academic environment. In between the transition, I was able to go to Hong Kong as a graduating celebration. Adventuring in Hong Kong was icing on the cake before heading off to college. I got to learn new things and see how other people live in a different country. It was a whole new experience living in a different country and adjusting to the humidity. It was definitely a crazy, wonderful experience to go on before a new academic adventure takes off.
        Being in college, I learned to be more independent on my own in a different atmosphere without my family with me physically. I was scared about going to college at first, worrying how I will survive college and adjust to the college life on my own. It was not as scary once I got to CSUF. I met such nice and friendly people who made my first semester in college a wonderful college experience already. I even met some people who I feel will be my friends for life. The friends I made definitely helped me through the semester by giving me great support. My family gave me great support as well along this new chapter of my life.
        Being home from college during the holiday times was different. Things at home change. New construction everywhere I go seems like. It is definitely a different feeling being home after being in college. I appreciate having family time a lot more and seeing their faces in person. I learn to appreciate the things my family does a lot more. Coming home, everyone seems to tell me that I am a happier person. I guess now I manage my stress better and live life a little more than before.
        With new changes, I know one thing is for sure. I learned what I really want to do with my life in the future. I discovered I need to do what I love and pursue it. With passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
        Keep pursuing what you love and doing things that make you happy. Someday is not an option. Here is to a great 2017 everyone!

New Year's Eve

        Happy New Year's Eve everyone! I hope everyone is having a great day before the new year starts! I was lucky enough to reunite with my tech friends: Vivian, Matthew, Jordan, and Amber. It has been a year and two days since we all got together as a group. It was nice to catch up one last time before the year ends. We went to Fosselman's to get ice cream because I never been there. I got black sesame in a waffle cone, and it was really good. Here's to many more memories with them in the years coming, starting with 2017.

Float Decorating

        December calls for float decorating time! I went with my friend Sandy again this year for two days of volunteering. It was great to catch up with her and do some good all at the same time. We have not seen each other since May. It was nice to share college stories and just to see her again.
        On Thursday, our first day on the job was not the prettiest. Lots of tedious work. We worked on Ming moss by getting all the moss off from the branches, so the end result the moss can be blended to make what will be placed onto the mouse of the float, "Books Bring Us Together," by the UPS Store. We also cut Christmas trees for the float, "Teammates in Life," by Donate Life. Cutting the trees was actually fun. It smelled really good as well.
        On Friday, the first job of the day was picking out all the stuff not lentils in the lentil boxes. This was not fun. Fortunately, we got a new job after we helped put the flowers inside the tent and were able to put carnations onto the float itself. The best part of the day. I absolutely adore putting the carnations onto floats. It is the best job ever of float decorating. We got to put carnations onto the Ragu's float, "Simmered in Tradition."
       Definitely going to try to do float decorating every year. Until next year for float decorating.

Hong Kong Trip Part 6

        Day 18: Movies + Shabu Shabu - We watched two movies today. First Jason Bourne. Then I went to watch Star Trek Beyond on mine own and they went to watch The League of Gods, a Chinese  film. The movies were so so good! We ate at Peking Garden for lunch. After I reunited with them after watching Star Trek Beyond, we had Baked Alaska at Sweet Tooth. Very sweet. For dinner, we had Shabu Shabu.

        Day 19: The Peak + Vegetarian Food - We rode the Peak Tram to the Peak. Once we got there, we shopped a little and then had Burger King for lunch. Everything there was really expensive, so we settled for a simple lunch. The view at the Peak was really nice. We also stopped by a famous place that is known for their egg sandwiches. It was definitely a great egg sandwich. The eggs were so soft and just amazing. I also got a red bean ice. It was so refreshing! For dinner, we went to Happy Veggies with our aunt's friend. The food was really good. It was healthy and light.

        Day 20: Last Day in HK - We went to Tim Ho Wan, a third time, for breakfast. So good! Really going to miss this dim sum place. Afterwards, we went to buy some snacks to take back to my aunt's place. Then for dinner we had seafood. Steamed seafood to be exact, making it more healthy. It was delicious! I loved it! I'm a seafood kind of girl so it made me really happy to have seafood. (: Then off to the airport we went. A summer without school in it finally. A summer I will not forget.

 

Hong Kong Trip Part 5

        Day 15: Lunch Buffet + Shopping + Bakery - We had a lunch buffet with another aunt in Hong Kong. After that, she took us to Metro Harbour Plaza to shop. After that we went to buy some bakery goods. A simple day.

        Day 16: Tai O + Big Buddha + Ngong Ping 260 - Off to Tai O! A place where you can find stilt-houses are built on the water. I found it fascinating how people can live in them and created a town by making little shops and restaurants around the area. Many visitors come by just to see this town and check out how they live as well. First we took a boat to Tai O with my aunt's friend. The first thing we did when we got there was buy drinks to quench our thirst. We also got cuttlefish balls. I got to hold a cuttlefish by the hook too! It was huge, I was so scared I'll drop it. After that, we walked around Tai O, all around on the walking path. It was a nice walk, with a little breeze every so often. Next stop, Big Buddha. It took about 15 minutes to get there from Tai O on a bus. We all walked the stairs to the Big Buddha except my aunt. The stairs seemed a lot, but it wasn't that much as long as you take two to three stops along the way. The view from the top was breathtaking. It was really nice. Walking down was a breeze. Then we reunited with my aunt and headed to Ngong Ping 360. It is a cable car ride on Lantau Island. It was so nice to just enjoy the green nature and a peaceful ride. Definitely a well spent day. Unfortunately, the next day I realized I got a sunburn... But it was totally worth it.

        Day 17: Fish Shabu Shabu + Shopping + Movie - I woke up late this day. Haha. I slept until 11. Once I got up, we headed to the Shabu Shabu. The fish we ordered had a duck type mouth. It was huge! The lemon ice tea was huge too! It was in a beer sized jar. After lunch, we went shopping again and then watched a Chinese film called Cold War. For dinner we had steak. It was SO good! I never ate a huge steak like that before back home. Makes me want to now though. I will soon!