Tuesday, January 5, 2016

#BeBrave2016: Post Grad Plans + I'm Moving!

Photo credit: Jonny Hargrove 
I think that with my first post of 2016 talking about my goals and being brave, I think that it's about time that I update you all with my life lately.
As you know, I graduated with my Bachelor's Degree last month. I had a really rough last few weeks of school but I made it out alive (barely haha)!

Of course, the first thing everyone wants to know after someone finishes college is: what now? 

If you asked me this question a year ago, I would have said that I was going to get a job and work/save up to be able to travel and start saving up for my future. I was also thinking about working to make it so I could work for myself by the time I graduated.

If you asked me this question 6 months ago, I would have said "I don't know." I was thinking about probably going to get a job and work until Darell moves back from Australia then seeing what happens from there // or just moving to somewhere like Seattle, Washington and doing social media marketing there // or try to make it so that I can work for myself by the time I graduate. 

If you ask me this question today, I can give you an idea of what I will be doing in this season of post-grad, but there is nothing for sure. And it is definitely nowhere from where I imagined myself to be right now. 

Friday, January 1, 2016

2016 - Be Brave

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wow, I can't believe it is 2016, but you know what, I am ready for it! I kicked off the new year lying in bed because why not (I also have work on New Year's Day) and I'm not mad that I did. It was actually nice for me to chill & relax by myself. 2015 was a very hectic year and I want to embrace the rest that I can get before going into full swing for 2016. 
Anyway, it's a new year, so that means new goals! Here is my plan for the year: 
Blog Goals: 
[] Get back to at least 2 posts per week 
[] Send out a biweekly newsletter
[] Have Instagram following hit 1500
[] Have Twitter following hit 1k
[] Meet up with at least 4 other bloggers/influencers
[] Start selling something (whether physical or digital)
[] Make the move to self-hosted
[] Pose in at least one full-on photoshoot (with a makeup artist/hair stylist, photographer, etc) 

Personal Goals:
[] Go on a road trip with friends (carry over from last year)
[] Take at least two major trips (domestic or international)
[x] Move. away from SoCal (;  (I will talk more about that verrryyyy soon)
[] Read at least 6 novels for pleasure
[x] Go on a trip with Darell to anywhere
[x] Become fully self-sufficient (parents do not financially support in any way at all)
[] Take some kind of creative class (dance, crafting, etc)
[x] Regularly attend a small group
B E  B R A V E.
Last year, having "pursue" as my word of the year was something that I didn't fully realize until about October. It wasn't until very late in the year that I realized just what pursuing God was doing in my life. I was planting seeds for the whole year and I started seeing them flourish, funny enough, during the time of harvest. 
This year, I am deciding to have the word "brave" as my word of the year, but my phrase of the year will be to "be brave." This year is going to be a huge deal for me, especially because this will be the first time that I am not in school since I was in kindergarten. 
There are a lot of things happening in my life and I will be sharing them soon, but this year I need to be brave in everything that I do. Not only do I need to just do what I set out to do, but I need to silence the noise around me that is only tearing me down. I just know that there are things that will happen this year that will be unconventional in many ways and that people will have their own opinions on (good or bad), but I need to be brave enough to seek God and go wherever He leads me despite how crazy it sounds. As a people pleaser, this phrase will really test me this year (not to mention, it will also help me accomplish all of my goals on the list above!). 
If you want to follow along on my journey or if you want to join in and "be brave" this year, I'll be using the hashtag #bebrave2016 on social media throughout the year. I hope to see you join in on this movement with me this year! 
And with that, I'll end this post for now. Don't forget to #bebrave2016. 
Chau for now

2015: The Year of Making Things Happen - Review

Can you believe it?! 2015 is already coming to a close! This year has been such a rollercoaster ride in so many ways & I honestly cannot believe that I am where I'm at, at this point in my life. Through it all, God has remained good and faithful to me & I already know 2016 is going to be AMAZING. 
The end of a year always brings upon some reflection so I thought I'd look back at the goals I set for myself this year & see where I came out of it and how much I really accomplished. 
Blog Goals:
[x] Rebrand/redo the blog design (only tweaks, not a complete overhaul :)
[] Get back into #ootd posts, at least biweekly
[] Host at least one giveaway every quarter
[x] Have Instagram following hit 1K
[] Have Twitter following hit 1K 
[x] Attend at least two blogger events
[x] Develop at least 2 new blogger friendships
[x] Collaborate with more local brands and shops
[] Launch my two projects I'm working on by June of this year :]
[] Participate in at least one full-on photoshoot (with a hair stylist, makeup artist, a stylist, everything)
[] Get published in a large publication (online or print)
[x] Host my first blogger event

Personal Goals:
[] Go on a road trip with friends
[x] Get my own apartment!
[x] Learn to cook a Filipino dish that isn't lumpia
[x] Travel out of the country
[] Find a job that will give me a stable income (or at least have my current job give me a more stable income)
[x] Turn 21 haaaay 
[x] Have my first legal drink (after I graduate and am off contract from my school, of course #Vanguardproblems)
[x] Witness Darell graduate & receive his AA! 
[] Have a GPA of at least a 3.5 or higher for my last two semesters of college
[x] Go to Camp Whittle 
[] Go back to Royal Family Kids Camp
[] Read at least 6 novels for pleasure (since 12 didn't work last year)
[x] Go on a date with Darell where we look like tourists/too rich for our own good haha
[x] GRADUATE COLLEGE
Honestly, I could not be more ready for 2016. I think that things can only get better from here. It was a great year, but I believe that 2016 will be better. Happy New Year, everyone! 
Chau for now