Monday Sayings: Plot Twists, Stress and Dogs

Happy Monday everyone!

Just wanted to share some quotes I found online.

May they make you think, smile and make your day a little brighter.

Xoxoxox

When You Try To Look Cute

The past few months have been hectic. I work 2 jobs, work 6 days a week, and had been studying for part one of my state board exam.

I've had NO time to really socialize, get dolled up and go out because I'm always tired or always studying. Boo.

Today, I had some free time after dinner and decided to bust out my lipsticks that I haven't touched in ages. Since no one was home, I took the opportunity to take multiple selfies. Oh come on, you know you do it too. Hehe ;)

I put on the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Blackberry Sorbet, one of my favorite colors.

In my attempt to look cute and mysterious, I ended up looking scary! LOL

Well, I tried. 

HA!

Til next time...

xoxoxo

My 7 Month Blog Dry Spell

Why hello there!

I've had quite the dry spell in the blogging world!! I haven't blogged since September of last year, about 7 months ago. Dang, that's almost a full term pregnancy.

When I last left off, a lot was going on in my life. 

The job that I love lost its funding so my team of 12 became dismantled. Many were placed in other programs within the agency, few were laid off. I was placed in a position where I had to take someone else's job due to seniority (union policy). It was awful! It was a difficult transition into my new job as my new colleagues had dearly loved the employee whose job I took over. I was not welcomed and had to give 200% to prove myself. And 7 months later, I am still trying to do so.

Not only was I starting this new job, I also had started a second per diem job at an emergency room on Saturdays from 3:30pm to midnight.

I, in a nutshell, started two jobs at the same time, trying to juggle both training schedules. 

Now that it's mid-April, I am finally [somewhat] settled. 

Throughout my blogging career, I've had many dry spells. As much as I love it, I am very bad at keeping up with it. It's just really hard to do so with two jobs and studying for my state board exam. I give props to those who can juggle all of life + blogging. 

I will try to keep up as much as possible. My following may not be large, and I'm probably the only one reading my blog (LOL), but I hope to find time to blog anyway. This is a form self-care and my own personal diary. It is quite therapeutic. 

Xoxoxo

One Thing At A Time...Life Pause

Hello all!

I have not written since the beginning of August. My life kind of turned upside down with heartbreaking news at work.

My beloved pilot program that I have been with for more than 2.5 years had lost its funding. The team that has made me the happiest in a workplace would be dismantled. And we were devastated. It sounds dramatic to say devastated, but my team of 12 workers and 3 bosses were so cohesive and so tight knit, we finished each others' sentences. In some weird, crazy way, it feels like a death in the family. We are still grieving and processing the loss of something we poured our hearts into. We were a dedicated, passionate bunch who genuinely believed in the work that we did. 

Four of the 12 would be laid off. One of the three was let go. 

I'm currently finishing one case in one program, transitioning out of my program that lost its funding, and training in a new program within my agency. My seniority allowed me to be placed elsewhere.

My mind is in all kinds of places. I find myself asking others to repeat. I find myself spacing out. I feel like I am on a different planet.

And to top it off, I am soon to start a new per diem hospital gig in the next two weeks.

As you can imagine, my brain is not all there. 

I haven't gone to yoga in weeks because I'm so tired after work. Currently splitting my time between three programs that demand full time dedication is exhausting.

As sad I am to see my current program officially end October 16, I am looking forward to life finding balance again.

I am exhausted. I am emotionally and physically drained.

Once life settles down again, I hope to get back onto blogging. And I do look forward to catching up with some of my favorite bloggers.

Til next time,

<3<3<3

Saying Goodbye 10 Years Later

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I've had most of these makeup items for almost 10 years (MAC Wonder Woman for 4), a whole decade. I know, I know. That's like makeup hoarding up the wazoo and I'm finally saying goodbye. 

Part of holding on to them was because of the nostalgia. I bought the Clinique palette in college while a sophomore at UCLA. I remember exactly how it went down.

I went to the Clinique counter in the UCLA store. I was intimidated and did not want to admit I was new to makeup. I told the Clinique saleswoman that I left all my makeup on the train. I think she knew I was totally lying when she was asking me questions about what I had lost, what kind of foundation I used, if I was oily or dry, what shades I liked. Internally, I was like WHA? but what I blurted out was I can't remember. My mom bought them for me. I am sure she saw right through me.

I bought the Clinique palette and the Urban Decay eye shadow (far right, second from top). The rest my sister gave me. They were her old make up which probably means they're most likely at least a decade old. 

It was hard to let go of these treasures. They remind me of starting out in makeup. I probably didn't blend well and certainly had no idea what I was doing. 

I've learned so much about makeup in the last few years. And despite knowing I should have thrown these away, I just somehow convinced myself I would go back to them, although knowingly I knew I wouldn't because they were so old.

I've summoned the courage to say goodbye. After all, they're only taking up space for new goodies, right?


<3<3<3

My Summer Fashion Essentials

Summer is in full swing here in Los Angeles. Though this weekend, we experienced some weird tropical weather reminiscent of the Philippines and Hawaii: extremely hot one day and thunderstorms and rain the next. I'm not complaining :) A break from the scorching heat is happily welcomed!

This summer, I've been grabbing certain pieces from my wardrobe that have become my summer essentials of 2015. These are my go-to, I-don't-care-how-many-times-I-wore-it pieces.

CLOTHING: Long Draping Cardigans 

Forever 21 Kimono

Pink Melo Cardigan (purchased from Ross)

FOOTWEAR: Flip flops

Dollhouse (purchased from Ross)

Mossimo (purchased from Target)

ACCESSORIES

Floral Sunglasses (purchased from Ross)

Target Earrings 

What have been your summer essentials?


<3<3<3

Real Talk: In A Rut

I've been in such a funk in the past year, more so in the past few months. I have not been feeling good about myself. My home life is a mess. My health has hit some road bumps. I found myself surrounded by negativity and got stuck in it. I've eaten up my sorrows and gained weight that made my clothes fit a little tighter making me feel more insecure about myself. It is as an awful, vicious cycle that we all go through.

I feel lost. I feel like I have lost a sense of self. I am angry and irritable all the time. I sleep early to not be awake. These ruts that come and go are normal I suppose, but it really does not feel good.

Last week, I decided to take charge and do something about it. 

This rut, this funk has to end! I've been feeling sucky for too long. No more drowning in my sorrows. I AM STRONGER THAN THAT.

I am slowly taking steps in getting reacquainted with who I am and fixing the brokenness I feel inside. 

I've started to detach myself from negative people. Negativity and pessimism are highly contagious when you're feeling weak. I've started to open up (very very slightly!) to my mom and tell her that her actions are destroying the family instead of bringing us together. I am telling myself that ruts are temporary. I've been in them before. There is no reason why I cannot get out of this one. 

Instead of parking close, I park further away (if it's safe) to get my body moving. I bought a Groupon for 10 Liberation Yoga classes. I read about it before I made the purchase and it made my eyes water. I hope it gives me the inner and outter peace I am seeking.

From their website, just a few points that stood out to me:

LIBERATION YOGA IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING

• HEALTH soundness, especially of body or mind freedom from physical or mental disease or pain, a condition of well being 
• PEACE inner contentment, serenity; peace of mind the absence of war or other hostilities
•  FREEDOM the condition of being free from constraints, exemption from an unpleasant or onerous condition, ease of facility of movement 

 As bloggers, we tend to highlight the happy and the beauty. We sometimes forget that behind the computer screen can be a person who is suffering, who is hurting. A person who is human and experiences happy moments and sad moments. 

Here's to my journey ahead of reacquainting myself with myself (as funny as it sounds). I am looking forward to finding myself again and finding my happiness. 

And with that, I will leave you with one of my most favorite quotes. I am not sure where it originated from, but I heard this line in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding:

"It is the character that is the strongest that God gives the most challenges to...And take that as a compliment."

<3<3<3