Unbearably Exciting Moments of Hand-Holding

AHHHHH!!!!!!

Hey guys!!!!!!

Guess what. Guess. Guess what. Did you guess it? What I did for Thanksgiving. You guessed it didn't you.... THAT'S OKAY 'CAUSE I WENT HOME!!!!!!

Yup, I got up at 4 in the morning on Wednesday and went to the airport to fly all the way home for Thanksgiving and it was so worth it. I did awesome things like go to school and see amazing speeches and eat forbidden snacks and just experience overall amazingness. 

Then, on Thursday, there was fun turkey eating, home being adventures. All around good times. On Friday, I basically just hung out at home and then on Saturday I hung out with Jen.

It was a really weird experience going home and being back after two months gone. It was interesting to be able to compare what my life was like before. I mean, in the sense that there were so many things that I was doing before I got here that I think that I really want to get back to doing. I've definitely lost a lot of the cool things that I used to do, so my new goal is to get back to how the things were before. 

Anyway, on Saturday, our adventure was cool. It involved spontaneity, which then led to this. 

So yeah, that all happened. I have two more legit weeks of school left, then a finals week. So close. And as excited as I was to go home, I don't want school to be a place that I dread to be. I want to make the most of my time here, so that's what I'm gonna try to do. 

Oh yeah, and guess who read three more books?!?! THIS GUY!!!! That's more than I read in the past, like, 4 months. I read Son of Neptune, Mark of Athena, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. They were all good. That's all I'm gonna say because I'm tired and I still have some work to do tonight. Okay, whale, I'm off. This week was cool. Only a few more days of NaNo left and I'm GOING TO FINISH IT!!!!! Kay, bye guys!

Books Read: 15 (WHAT WHAT!?!?!??!)
Free Meals: 49 (Thanks bah!)
Why This Week Was Awesome: HoooooooMMMMMeeeeeee!!!!!
Song Stuck in My Head: "I Will Wait" by Mumford and Sons

ZOH-TER-ROH

Hello! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and a nice little break from school! This long weekend was indeed filled with good food, great people, and lots of reminders to be thankful for what I have. Yep!

So, let me see if I can remember what I actually did this week...joking! Okay, because it was a short week, there really weren't any "highlights" in my classes besides the fact that I TOTES ACED MY ECON MIDTERM #2 WHOOO!!!! *happy dance left and right with me guys* Sorry, I have to celebrate because you guys have no idea how much I've been struggling with myself and the content for the past several weeks. I did not do so well on Midterm #1, but this is definitely not only going to get me on track for the rest of the semester but it's also a great confidence booster! I finally did it so hah! Take that you Econ Deities! Seeing the score on my EconPortal account was really great because now I have proof to myself, after weeks of doubt and frustration, that I can really do this. Whew! I'm still nervous for the final exam the week after next but at least I know that it is not at all impossible to do well! 

In addition, Rebecca and I, I think, are going to start this new thing together where we go to The Curb on Tuesdays after work. Oh, The Curb. Thank you for providing us with reasons to be glad to be in school on this beautiful island. That's all I'm gonna say for now.

Moving on to Thanksgiving, this was the first year that my mom let Shayne, Josh, and I have free reign on the food. So the three of us planned the lunch menu which was fun but it was kind of hectic pre-meal. Our family eats non-traditional Thanksgiving lunches without turkey. If there is turkey, it's defs not the start of the meal. You're welcome, turkeys. (What? We're Filipinos, we don't really eat turkey...they used to walk around freely in my backyard and I used to be scared of them...). So I went grocery shopping with my dad on Wednesday afternoon/night to get everything that we needed. Because this Friday also just happened to be what would have been my grandmother's 89th birthday, we decided to celebrate her 40 Days, her birthday, and Thanksgiving all at once, together as a family with aunts and uncles and our one other cousin on the island. It was nice remembering her on the same day that we give thanks for the lives we lead now because none of us would be here without her. So, yes, good thoughts, good people. And don't forget the amazing (if I do say so myself) food! We didn't want to go with a specific cuisine so we just did everything. Shayne made baked penne with roasted vegetables, sweet fire chicken, and shrimp scampi with asparagus. Josh baked some yummy mushrooms au gratin and I made herb roasted potatoes and onions and jambalaya. Ok, not to brag or anything (which means that I am bragging right now) but that jambalaya was no-words delicious. Just saying haha! And then Shirley Temples all around. I think I'm getting into the whole mocktail (virgin cocktails) thing, for some reason. I don't really know why. But I'm definitely planning on doing one or two (or three??) of them for our family Christmas meals next month. Maybe margaritas. Or mojitos. Mai tais and lava flows anyone? So yes, food was great!

Black Friday was...Black Friday. Usually, I feel bad about spending money on clothes. If it's food, like when I go grocery shopping or when I eat out, I have no problem paying whatever it costs, however expensive it may be. But clothes? Come on, $95 for jeans? $80 for a top? $70 for shoes? Yeah, call me cheap or something, but it just doesn't make sense in my head to fork over that much money for a piece of clothing (but maybe it doesn't make sense either that I don't have a problem spending that much money on food...). BUT. I don't know what came over me. I spent way too much money on just clothes this Friday. For the record, however, Barnes and Noble was the first store that I hit so you can’t really say that I was a complete materialistic teenage girl on Friday. So no more splurges for me until the end of freshman year. I can spend, but no more splurges, Jen!

And then Saturday was Kendall Day! It was a good day because we kind of just took it as it came along and drove to places semi-spontaneously. Although we did have a hard time coming up with places and things to do. Anyway, I will let Kendall talk about that because I’m sure he’ll blog about his Home Adventures as a whole!

This weekend was fun and I hope that this week will be even more fun, especially because it’s the last stretch for NaNo. I’m really going to try for about 5,000 words per day in the next five days. Which is why I’m working on a paper that is due on Wednesday right now (I already finished the paper due on Tuesday) so that I can just focus on noveling the whole week. And Kendall’s close to actually finishing a full-fledged novel guys! So yes, wish us luck and send us some positive vibes por favs.

And that’s about it for now. I have to go back to my Zotero (which, I now believe, should be a staple in every student’s laptop because it makes research so much easier and it AUTOMATICALLY creates your citations and bibliography/works cited for you as you write your paper!) so that I can finish the first two pages of one of my final papers by tonight!

Bye guys! Until next time? Yep, we’ll be here, and you guys can always count on that.

Risks: 34 (Mmyeah, I think I'd count Kendall Day as a risk.)
Hugs: 0 
Current food obsessions/cravings: NO MORE FOOD
Playlists on Repeat: Split
Books Read Since Graduation: 6

Must Sleep Now

I apologize for the quick and un-formatted blog but I cannot keep my eyes open a minute longer. Blame Rigoberta Menchu. She is amazing and inspiring and a Novel Laureate, I know, and I would definitely be interested in reading her stories about her life in Guatemala in its entirety. But alas, that day is not today. The sleep-deprived and beaten college student in me would very much like to sleep now please and thank you.

I will be back to revise and add on to this post tomorrow when I am wide awake. I have much to share! For now, consider me BEWTYful. Good night awesome people.

---
11/19 2:58pm ADD-ON!

Hey guys. Okay, I still feel tired. I don't know why but I'm hoping "One Night" can wake me up (which it usually does...it's about the only song that works now guys...). Okay, I need to make this fast because I have to go and meet Rebecca in the arch building so we can go to University Square to run errands. 

This weekend was extremely fun because I spent most of it at Camp Erdman in Waialua. It was for the Relay for Life retreat and not only was it a great experience but it was also a good way to kick-off our committee's work. We did an Amazing Race (which was a clue-scavenger-type thing around camp) and we also did the Odyssey Ropes Challenge. It was a bit like the Timberline ropes only way more intense. We were about 35-40 feet up in the air and when we weren't standing on planks or logs, we were in the ropes. I'm counting the entire thing as a risk guys so I can finally add one more! Also, zip-lining down. Guys. Zip-lining all the way down. We also had a dance and games and we watched Magic Mike. The point was to do a mini-Relay for Life event where everyone is supposed to stay up all night. But no one made it. I conked out after the movie at around 2:30ish. We didn't get back until almost 1pm on Sunday afternoon.

Relay for Life is a fundraising event that takes place in April for the American Cancer Society. It's basically an all-nighter out in the track and field where registered teams have to walk around the track all night (members take turns and switch off) in order to show their support and raise money for cancer. At the same time, there will be dancing, games, prizes, food, and more fun stuff so that NO ONE SLEEPS AT ALL. There will also be special ceremonies to celebrate and honor not only those who have passed but also those who have survived and those who are still fighting. Anyway, I joined the Relay for Life committee which is the committee that plans and puts on the entire thing. And I'm excited! I'm on the publicity committee. Like I said, EXCITED! (Kendall, from what I heard, UW is a HUGE school for Relay. Like, it's a big deal. Like, people apply and choose to go to UW just because they wanna be part of their Relay for Life committee! You should form or join a team and do it!)

Okay, I gotta go get ready to meet Rebecca over at Upper Campus. 

Bye guys!

Risks: 33 (BOOMSHAKALAKA! That was my team's cheer throughout the ropes course...)
Hugs: 0
Current food obsessions/cravings: none...so full...
Playlists on Repeat: One Night on endless loop
Books Read Since Graduation: 6

Heart and Soul

Hey guys!

So this week was fun, right? Whale, after classes on Thursday, I got on a bus that went down to Jaime's school to go see the Breaking Dawn premiere. And, I mean, it was classic Twilight material, you know? Not good, but a fun mindless read/watch. However (oh and spoiler alert...) there is a part in which they COMPLETELY changed the movie from the book. Now, I'm not one to get upset about differences between books and movies, but this was completely cray cray. I have to say that this was probably one of the greatest mindblowing situations I've had in a while. Good job Twilight moviemakers. But at the same time, I hate you.

Then yesterday, I took an impromptu trip to my aunt's house. I got a hair cut and ate food. Good times all around. Now it's Sunday. I have a math midterm on Tuesday and a 5-page paper due on Wednesday. I'm not worried though. I'm just way too excited that I can't even help it. I won't say why I'm excited, that's a part of the surprise. But just know that I am. Okay, whale, I'm gonna go read now. Until later? 

OH, AND WANNA KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE MAINLAND THAT IS REALLY UPSETTING. IT'S LIKE 4 o'clock RIGHT NOW, AND GUESS WHAT? IT'S ALREADY DARK!?!?!??!?! LIKE, WHAT????

Books Read: 12
Free Meals: 48
Why This Week Was Awesome: Out and aboutness
Song Stuck in My Head: "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran

I AM ASHAMED

Fun Fact: If you Google "so much shame in my soul," The Chewy and Fruity List is one of the top results. Google, you're definitely doing it right...especially because I now have to add to the ever-increasing level of shame that we, apparently, cannot help but harbor within the confines of this blog! 

Guys, I missed yet another blogging day of BEWTY, and I apologize. Excuse me while I go and momentarily turn into a giant squid of anger...

You guys probably know this by now, but let me say it anyway: our irresponsible lack of blogs on some Sunday nights do not, in any way, reflect our indifference toward you. Because there is no indifference, none whatsoever! In fact, we have the opposite of indifference! We have.....difference? Okay, no, basically, what I mean is we CARE! We do!

And nothing shows you guys that we care than a picture of cute kitties!



Okay, all fluffy and adorable mammals aside, I really do apologize for failing to blog yesterday for the week. I remember telling myself I had to do it on my phone (because I was  without Wi-Fi this weekend at Kunia), but I got caught up in other stuff, those "other stuff" being 1) writing a novel, and 2) the grilling madness.

Whenever we go home-home for the weekend, all the way on the other side of the island, my dad gives Josh free reign on the grill. The last time, we had a seafood thing going because we made shrimp and squid kebabs. This time it was pork. And lots of it. And, also, Josh got this Italian herbs and spices rub that was really good. Yeah, he also gets to spearhead the prepping of the chosen protein. He's pretty good at it, really.

Besides being able to enjoy Josh's amazing grilling, going home-home for the weekend is also good because I get to sleep without the crazy noise outside that characterizes city life--which was great because of my sickness! Yes, I was sick for most of the week. I had felt it coming last weekend but waved it off, thinking that I would get over it in a day or two. NOPE. It got worse and I was forced to take a day off on Thursday so that I can sleep. But that ended up being a bit useless because I had to stay up that night, studying for my second econ midterm of the semester that following Friday. But after that was over and done with, I could finally sleep as much as I want. That's precisely what I did this weekend. 

I actually functioned like a normal person for once: work on novel during the day, and sleep at night. WHAT IS THIS LIFE?

Risks: 32 
Hugs: 0
Current food obsessions/cravings: agua por favor
Playlists on Repeat: Split/Starred
Books Read Since Graduation: 6

CODETASTIC

Hey guys!

So, this week was cool. Right? Was it.... Umm, okay, well, on Friday, Jaime came to visit. Actually, she's still here. We don't have school tomorrow that's why. Yesterday, we saw "Wreck it Ralph" and it was really good.

Also, on Friday, I FINALLY finished "The Casual Vacancy." It was really really good and I enjoyed it a lot. It was sad though and I wanted to throw something at J.K. Rowling. FEELS.

Okay, also, I've been a little bleh on the writing recently, but I'm not too worried, I think that I'll be able to manage.

Gavin's mom came in to visit today also. That was a fun time. Yup.

Okay, sorry for the skimps. I need to go eat a hot pocket. 

Books Read: 12 (FINALLY!!!)
Free Meals: 48
Why This Week Was Awesome: Finished book!!!
Song Stuck in My Head: "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift

We Started at Zero

Hello everyone! I am typing this from my phone so my format may be messed up and/or not my usual purple Georgia font.

This week was exciting because it was filled with writing and beautiful days and pumpkin carving fun and tea and awkwardness and excitement!

On Halloween, I went and pretended to be an architecture student and had some pumpkin fun. I carved my very first pumpkin and, being the nerdfighter that I am through and through, I carved the iconic 'Okay' cloud design from TFiOS. I was so glad that I actually finished. REBECCA MADE AN ANGLERFISH! She is defs awesome.

November is here! NaNo has started! I am up to over 8,000 words so far so I'm just a bit behind but I'm not worried. I have Election Day, a paper and a midterm all this week so I will do my best. No worries guys. Along with NaNo, we are also vlogging on weekdays this month, really informal videos from yours truly and Kendall!

Yesterday, I volunteered at a robotics tournament. I felt bad that I was not able to go to the one hosted by my old middle school due to debate judging, but I made it up to my past coach and friend, Kashi, by being the almighty scorekeeper yesterday haha. I also manned the timer for the robot matches, the rockin' music, and the overall scoreboard that was visible to all the teams. That was fun.

Saturday was also full of Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I can't wait for Monday's video. Gah FEELS. Also, Slender and Zombie Frontier. And writing until 3am for NaNo haha!

Today, I had lunch with Yun Ji and Kirsten because Kirsten came home to surprise her boyfriend and her sister for the weekend. It was so nice to see her again. Kirsten, I'm so glad to hear that you are loving Pomona! I can't wait to see you again in December, love!

Okay, I will keep this short.

Also, I will add the bottom stuffs later when I am on an actual laptop.

Bye for now everyone!

Risks: 32 
Hugs: 0
Current food obsessions/cravings: none (oddly, I haven't been eating a lot lately just because I feel full most of the time)
Playlists on Repeat: Split/Starred
Books Read Since Graduation: 6

Cider!!!

Hey guys!

This week hasn't actually been that eventful. Other than a Halloween spent in the dorms, the beginning of NaNoWriMo, and our first vlogging adventure, not much has been going on.

Yesterday, Gavin and I took a short walk to the nearest mall because I needed to get a new phone case. While we were there, I also bought my first knife, which is really exciting, a pomegranate, and a mixing bowl. We also got chocolate and strawberries. So when we got back to my dorm (and after Gavin sharpened my knife) we melted the chocolate with Gavin's croc pot, dipped the strawberries in, and let them harden in my fridge. 

Not gonna lie right now, they are delicious. 

Yup, now, I'm off to work on homework, write a little bit, eat a lot a bit. 

Kay, shoots guys!

Books Read: 11
Free Meals: 47 (The lack of free meals in college is so depressing) 
Why This Week Was Awesome: New Stuff 
Song Stuck in My Head: