Be Bold, Be Fly, Be You!

It's not about what you wear, rather it's about how you wear it.  As my sister always tells me confidence can go a long way.  Last week, I was felt like being expressive with my outfits and willing to take a fashion chance.  Things worked out in my favor.  I absolutely enjoyed working it (walking around on campus).  My attitude throughout the day was definitely a positive one.  I'm glad I put to use some items that probably would have just stayed in my closet for months.

The Big Move: From MD to VA

As many of you may know, I am attending Virginia Tech to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.  Over the five (5) months, I had been finalizing things for the big move to Blacksburg, VA.  When the time finally arrived, I packed my bags into a rental car (since I didn't have a car of my own for now), rode with my older sister and brother-in-law, snapped some pictures along the way, and made my way down to VT Land.  Upon my arrival this past Sunday, August 11th, I met my new roommate, who is very friendly, personable, and down to earth.  She even showed me and told me about some great local spots, like the Y Thrift Shop (YMCA Center).  The Thrift Shop (pictures soon)!!! You already know.

Yellow Foldable Shades

I found these sweet foldable shades at Walmart for only $5. I have another pair of white shades that I got from Forever 21 last year (on clearance for $1.80!), but they're bulkier. It was time for another addition. They're cheap, save space, and fashionable. That's a win-win in my book with these foldable shades!

Family Day at the National Cherry Blossom Festival

The Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival took place the last few weeks (March 20 - April 14).  Tourists form other states and countries waited around for the blossom peak positions to come to fruition around April 4-6th, but nature said otherwise.  I wanted to take a trip down to the National Mall myself to snap photos of the beautiful scenery, but in light of the peak date, I waited until the last week to visit.

I invited my mom, sisters, and nieces and nephew for a family day at National Cherry Blossom Festival on last Saturday (April 13th), and boy, what a beautiful day it was!  My mom and older sister didn't have to work, my cousin from DC joined us, and we even got my little sister to come - who originally was going to stay at home.  I had the chance to spend time with family, see the Cherry Blossoms, and take beautiful photographs.

Here's how our day panned out:

Photos on the Mall (while waiting for cousin to arrive)

Visited the Museum of Natural History (for the kiddies)

Naturalista In Me

Summer Flat-Twist Updo (Natural Hair)

My Paris Bucket List!!!

Visit the Eiffel Tower (go to the top) and take pictures in front of the tower and the rest of the city

Visit and shop on Avenue de Champs Elysees

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral

Visit Sacre Coeur

Take multiple pictures of the Arc de Triomphe

Stop by the Moulin Rouge area

Go to the Louvre Museum

Take picture in front of famous stores (like Chanel, D&G, Prada, etc.)

Louis Vuitton

Swaroski

Mercedes-Benz

Take picture with a cute French guy

The Crepe Man!!! He's very fond of Maryland.

He was such a nice guy and he made the best crepes with love!

Beauty is more than skin deep.

Take lots of food pictures and fashion

Unchecked Items

Visit Place du Tertre (dome) and Versailles

6.26.11 Paris: Day 4 - Leaving Paris

Well Sunday has finally arrived and it's time to head back to Metz (my home away from home). I can truly say that these past four days have been the most exciting days I've had since I've been in France. We were a little exhausted at the end of the day, but we practically got to see everything that we wanted to.

We saw all the major landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame, La Seine River, Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur, and The Louvre Museum and its big triangle. We saw everything (for the most part). And I was able to check basically everything off my Paris Bucket list, which is even better! I took pictures of famous fashion brands (Louis Vuitton), visited all the major landmarks, ate many delicious and affordable French cuisines, and took many pictures of my "punished" plates. I tried my best to capture glimpses of French fashion and culture. It was great.

I had pink wine twice (I like it; I didn't drink more than two glasses but that's alright with me). I ate Hagen Daz. They seem to have a lot of shops near the Sacre Coeur. And to top all this, Anthony was such a great host! I know he was tired at times or didn't have as much money (running low on cash; poor baby has been here a whole month and hasn't laid hands on his check from his internship - come on; help a brother out (Black Power!!!)), but he gave me and Zaide so much. He let us stay with him in his dorm, he lent us his metro pass so we could explore Paris while he was in lab (I think I perfected my technique to cheat the system), he took us to all these really cool places and really nice (and cheap) restaurants. Everything was just great!

Before I left, I wrote him a little thank you note to show my appreciation. I thought about writing it on behalf of me and Zaide, but I don't want to speak for her or force her to do perform any gesture that she doesn't want to do. I suggested the idea to her though. And besides, I'm a little selfish (lol). I slipped him a little €20 to help him out a little. I knew he wouldn't take it if I gave it to him directly. The secret note adds a little bit more of an interesting twist to the story anyway (:).

All in all, I just give all praises to God for allowing me to see everything I did, for being able (physically, mentally, and emotionally) to experience all that I did, and for being merciful by protecting us all while we were all so far away from home. I cannot give the credit to anyone else but Him. Well this has been great. I feel refreshed and restored. This trip was just what I needed. I've got one more month to go. I've got to work hard at GTL this last month, get published, get that recommendation letter, and start showing up earlier (i.e. by 9:30AM). It's never too late to change. Change is inevitable.

6.25.11 Paris: Day 3 - The Louvre Museum and Food Babies

Inside the Louvre Museum; time to purchase tickets!

My English tour guide

The Louvre museum took all day and I didn't even get to explore the whole museum or all the exhibits that I wanted to. I really like the Greek sculptures and the paintings during the romanticism era. I like to draw sometimes when I am inspired. I took many photographs of details of facial features and body proportions. I hope to apply them to my sketches. These artists are so talented.

I took so many short breaks while exploring the museum.  The museum is so FRICKIN huge.  It's like a massive mansion.  Lunch at the Louvre was great and of course I punished it.  I had steamed salmon with a side of rice and Orangina (which taste really good, unlike the Orange Fanta here).  All of that for €10.70.  That's pretty reasonable for a meal and a drink in a very famous museum.  I was very satisfied after eating it.

There was one particular painting that I looked at for a good 5 minutes (that's quite a long time compared to how fast I was moving around the museum).  The painting is called "Les Licteurs Rapportent a Brutus Les Corps de Ses Fils" by Jacques-Louis David.  Translation title is "The lictors bring Brutus the bodies of his dead sons."  Something about it struck out to me. I could see the emotion in the face of each character in the painting.  The emotions that I felt while looking at the picture reminded me of my brother, who passed away last year.  I just thought about how much it hurt to lose him or to even see him at his funeral.  Imagine what my family was also going through.  I definitely could relate to this painting.

The Mona Lisa painting is smaller than I thought it would be.  People were pushing and shoving to get a good shot.  I don't think the painting is going anywhere people (lol).  I am very grateful of the man who decided to take a picture of me in front of the painting.  God bless his life.

The Mona Lisa Crowd

At the end of the day, I took plenty of pictures in front of the pyramid.  

Then we headed out to the streets of Paris, off to Notre Dame which was open to the public. We walked across the Pont Des Arts Bridge also known as the Love Locks Bridge.  It symbolizes the everlasting love of two people for each other.  Usually, couples place the lock on the bridge and throw the key in the water.  This is the most romantic bridge in Paris (so cute).  There were some pretty decked out locks.  I kind of wish I had one to throw in for my future love (lol).

We had this lasagna in St. Michel and more pink wine (i had 1.5 glasses).  This lasagna was so good.  See for yourself. I gave birth to a food baby afterwards.  I wasn't even in need of a dessert afterwards.  My last night in Paris couldn't have been any better.  I'm definitely grateful of the experiences I've had while I was here.  I did many touristy things, ate great food, and just soaked it all in.  I'm going to miss Pahhh-reeeee! <3

My food baby (for food baby reference check out http://brain-food.tumblr.com)

The Crepe Man!!! He made the best crepe especially for me!!! :)