2019: The one post to cover it all.

I guess this is my last post of the decade (unless you’re like the RAE and believe the decade ends on December 31, 2020. If it is, oh, well. *shrugs*)

Thought a yearly recap (and kind of an update) was needed (by me, not everyone else :D)

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Last year was definitely better for a number of reasons *cough* Taylor Swift, driving. However, nice things ALSO happened this year.

Since I blew off the chance of writing different posts (because I’ve been reading The Witcher 👀 sorry, Pat. This is Lee’s fault) this is going to be a relatively long one. Buuuuuut, I’ll divide the post on different parts. If you’re interested in my life (wHY) that’s the first one, right here. If you want to read about my favorite books this year (it was uneventful- a LOT of romance) that’s the second one. You’ll see it. If you want to know about my favorite shows, that’s all the way to the end.

I hope you enjoy this post! ❤

So… First of all: Stuff that happened to me this year.

2018 was a bit more eventful but I did enjoy 2019 a lot.

• Traveled with friends (twice) I already talked about this, but these experiences are some of the best I’ve had in my life.
  • I traveled to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with by best friend (tried Butterbeer and loved it! Almost cried seeing Hogwarts for the first time!)
  • I also went on a cruise with friends which was something I never thought I would actually do. 
• Finished my Goodreads reading challenge 30 books, and PROUD.

GUYS pic.twitter.com/02TJ69tjB4

— natalie (@fearlesslynat) December 14, 2019

• Learned how to dose insulin Okay I know this is like… required for my profession, but I wanted to know how that worked and now I do and I’m so proud.
• Remember how I said on a tweet that I had accepted my hair (on 2017?) That was a lie THIS is the year when I accepted my curly hair as it is.
• Booked a trip to Spain!!!! with my friends next year. EXPECT LOTS OF PICTURES. I’m finally going to travel out of this continent!
• Practiced at a hospital (and loved it) And if I don’t end up working at a hospital at some point of my life, I’ll be so sad.
• Watched two musicals live. Hamilton (WITH LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA!!!) was pure perfection and I’m sure I’ll never forget this experience.
• Anastasia has been my favorite musical for so long and the fact that I got to watch it with friends was even better.
• Painted my room!!!! I’m aware this isn’t as exciting as the other stuff on the list but it actually means, guys… that we’ll probably move next month. I don’t want to jinx it but !!!!!!!!!

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As for books:

My top 10 is as it follows: I read A LOT of romance this year, and it shows. Some of the books weren’t released this year but still, here it is!

• Red White and Royal Blue: This book became so special to me in so little time. I believe it will be one of the books I’ll read every year, along with Graceling (WHICH I DIDN’T READ THIS YEAR HELP 😭)
• Kingdom of Exiles: I already said what I would say about this book. IT WAS SO GOOD and I can’t wait for the next one.
• Geekerella: Ashley Poston is the queen of the fangirl books and I vow to spread the gospel (aka her books)
• Her Royal Highness: I needed something that healed my Red, White and Royal Blue- hole in my heart. This wasn’t quite it, but close. This story was so CUTE and I do wish I could read more of these books. (please?)
• The Hating Game: You can already tell, right? Enemies-to-lovers is my JAM. So this book was something I was eye-ing for a while. And the payoff was WORTH IT PLEASE GIVE ME MORE OF THEM.
• A Prince on Paper: Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series, aka one of the series that surprised me. I couldn’t stop reading!
• Heart of Iron: I’ve told you. Anastasia? My obsession. A sci-fi Anastasia retelling written by one of my favorite authors ever? Yup. It’s time. READ IT. Ana + Di = Nat’s OTP.
• I Wish You All The Best: Ever since Mason Deaver said they were writing this book on Twitter, I knew I needed it. It was ALL I ever wanted and more. Ben and Nathan’s story was so cute and important and I can’t wait for what’s next. ❤
• Get a Life, Chloe Brown: Same as the last one, I’d been waiting for its release ever since it was announced. The CUTENESS and the story made me want to read more and more about these characters. ❤
• The Reckoning of Noah Shaw: I can’t believe this book ended up on this list. However, Noah Shaw has a way into my mind and heart and this book’s ranking is proof.

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My TV show journey!

So… I watched sooooome shows on 2019, here are some of my favorites, divided in categories because I wouldn’t be able to choose otherwise:

K-dramas (Because of course!)

I won’t discuss the plots because the post is too long as it is, but you can @ me anytime!

Side note: While writing this I realized there was kind of a pattern on the dramas I enjoyed: Most of them were about women with power and that was AMAZING.

1. Search: WWW

I must admit, this one took me by surprise. I watched it because I loved Lee Da Hee on The Beauty Inside and also because I enjoyed Im-Soo-jung’s performance on Chicago Typewriter. However, it genuinely surprised me, and I frankly couldn’t wait until the evening after my practices, when I would be able to sit down and watch these women’s amazing story.

2. Hotel del Luna 

I missed IU since I watched Scarlet Heart: Ryeo and she did NOT disappoint. (also, her music this year? PERFECTION. But that’s not what we’re discussing here) Although there were many similarities with Goblin, Man-weol as a character managed to be both hilarious and heartbreaking. I can’t wait to watch it again.

3. Graceful Family

Look, my mom had to literally sit me down for me to watch this one. But once I started it, I literally couldn’t stop watching. Good thing was that I watched it slowly, and by the time I was about to finish it, all the episodes were out so I could binge them. The storyline is amazing, the characters are well-written and it manages to be both serious and funny when it has to.

**Also, the Korean voice of Elsa plays the main character’s mother. I didn’t know who she was until I listened to the Frozen Korean album while studying, and her voice is FLAWLESS, okay I’ll stop

4. The Fiery Priest

… Mom also convinced me to watch this one. (simply showing me the scene from this gif lol) And if you read what it’s about you probably say “uh… what? An angry catholic priest who fights crime?” I. Did. TOO. But it WORKS. It’s hilarious! And Kim Nam Gil manages to make us root for his character while he has some serious anger issues (which are understandable if you watch the drama.)

5. Angel’s Last Mission: Love

This drama was deliciously HEARTBREAKING and perfect. I watched it because I personally LIVED for Thirty but Seventeen and I wanted to see if Shin Hye Sun would do it again. And she did. Her character was so different, but her story was just as beautiful. And Kim Myung Soo isn’t far behind. Like- It’s difficult for me to describe the sheer beauty of this drama. Please watch.

Honorable mentions!

Doctor John

Would definitely be top 5 if the first 5 weren’t perfect as it is. (probably isn’t because of the main character’s awful ponytail. UGH.) But seriously, Ji Sung’s performance? Magical. 5/5 would recommend

Her Private Life

As I said on a previous post, doesn’t have much plot, but Ryan Gold makes up for it with charisma and chemistry with Deok Mi. (Seriously. There’s this one scene where it looks like they’re not acting. ASK DRAMA TWITTER IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME)

Secret

EVERYONE told me to watch it. I avoided it like the plague because I wanted to keep Ji Sung from Kill Me, Heal Me on my memories. But oh boy was it amazing!

Currently watching:

Crash Landing On You

I swear, if this drama disappoints me like Memories of the Alhambra did, I won’t ever watch a Hyun Bin drama ever again. (except for Secret Garden because I will not torture myself that way) I’m so invested on their story already and although I understand how it would be difficult for them to thrive, I NEED them to achieve happiness! (also it low-key reminds me of DOTS which is a PLUS!)

Chocolate (aka the one where Nat has to swallow her tears at least once per episode)

When I say that, I mean it: It’s a melodrama. IT IS. DON’T EXPECT ANYTHING LESS THAN A SEA OF TEARS. Buuuuut, since I already started it, I’m committed to finishing it. And if they don’t end up happy after EVERYTHING, I’ll march at dawn.

Love With Flaws

I’m two episodes behind on this one but I’m committed. I’ll finish it, although I like my other ones better. Choi In Ha was such a good actor and I’ll miss him, though.

As for shows in English (lol)

1. The Good Place

Because duh, it’s my favorite show and it will remain that way

2. Fleabag

It’s a masterpiece. That’s all I have to say.

3. Good Omens

David Tennant + Michael Sheen. I already spoke about it and I want to watch it again!

4. The Mandalorian

I don’t particularly like Star Wars, but this show? I don’t know how they did it but I got so invested on this story. I genuinely can’t wait for next season. BABY YODA FOREVER!

5. The Witcher

TOSS A COIN TO YOUR WITCHER, OH VALLEY OF PLENTY. Just like that earworm, the show became a rapid obsession. I ended up starting the books, so *shrugs*

Honorable mentions:

1. You (season 2) Only ONE thought: What in the world was that?
2. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (SO GOOD!) I still need to watch the new season, though.

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Well, that’s it, folks. The last post of the decade (which was waaaaaaay too long!) I hope you have an amazing NYE with your families, and that your 2020 is everything you want it to be. ❤

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

-Nat

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To a long lost friend

This post is a little bit different. It’s a letter -kind of like the one I posted years ago– These are the things I want to tell someone who hasn’t been in my life in a long time, but I miss them so much sometimes that I wish I could see them at least one more time.

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Hi, friend.

It has definitely been a while. I’ve asked a lot of people about you and no one seems to know anything. I wonder if you are okay, if you have finally found what you wanted to do with your life, or if you always knew and never shared it with the world. You never shared many of your thoughts and dreams, only pieces. I probably overshared, but you always -or at least most of the time, when we weren’t fighting- listened.

I remember our last conversation- or at least where it was and how it felt. Do you? Probably not- I’m well aware you were a bigger part of my life than I was of yours. It felt peaceful, friendly again, like it hadn’t been in almost a year -or probably more. Sadly, I do not remember what we talked about- it has been 5 years since that day, and I would have paid more attention to it if I had known I wouldn’t see you again.

I wonder if you know that I do not want to be a doctor anymore -or at least a medical doctor, and that I’m studying to be a pharmacist. Can you believe this? -I most certainly wouldn’t… Did you hear about that?

I wonder if you know that I finally got to go to a Taylor Swift concert! That I made my dream come true- I remember you bought me Speak Now as a birthday gift-, and that I faced my fear of traveling alone. I wonder if you know that I don’t read as much anymore, that I don’t have the time, and that this makes me so sad I want to cry sometimes.

I wonder if you know how much I appreciated our friendship- no matter how much we fought- and that you are one of the people I care the most for, even after 5 years.

Anyway, I miss you. And part of the reason I keep my social media updated and public is because if you somehow found me, you’d be able to know how I’ve been, if you cared. Now that I think about it, it seems like a lomg shot. You abandoned social media long ago, and it seems unlikely that you would come back, but still. Hope never dies, I guess.

I hope to see you again someday, and that I get to tell you these things in person. I miss you so much!

Natalie

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(And I just realized this post sounds like they’re dead. For the record- no, they’re not. They just haven’t been in my life for years, and I am pretty sure I won’t ever see them again.)

 

The feeling of home

Hi, everyone! I have been MIA for a while for various reasons- mainly because of hurricane Maria (and more recently, I haven’t had much time to do anything but study.) Still, I wanted to share this. I wrote it around 3 weeks after the hurricane hit.

Before you read it, just know I’m kind of in a better place emotionally now, since uni has been an amazing distraction. I’ll probably write more about that later- but for now, here’s this post.

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I might have listened to Bridget Mendler’s ‘Hurricane’ more times than it is socially acceptable during and after a category 5 hurricane.

Okay, bear with me. You’ve more than certainly have heard about Maria’s passage through Puerto Rico during the past 3 weeks (?) Things were rough, they still are. And even I tend to forget that.

I lost my home’s roof in a category 5 hurricane and I forget that. How is that even possible? I have had more than a few thoughts about leaving.

Listening to the news and hearing about people crying while getting hot meals? Listening to the news and hearing people begging for water!

Puerto Rico’s economy was in a crisis, a bad one. And Maria made it even worse. A catastrophic hurricane hadn’t passed though my country in almost a century… and then we lived my grandmother’s stories about that hurricane that basically traumatized her.

I probably will remember those sounds for the rest of my life. The feeling that it wouldn’t ever end, that we were stuck on a loop.

Sometimes I wake up and think everything is normal until I see my surroundings and remember it’s not. That I don’t have a (physical) home anymore. And that sincerely sucks.

Category 5 hurricanes suck. And 3 weeks after that? Yep. Still does.

“At least we have milk”,
“at least we have gasoline”,
“at least we have ice”
“At least-” and we start comparing our situation to other people who are literally living without a roof or access to water, or food with no outside help whatsoever. I honestly hate this. I might -MIGHT- be okay, but this whole situation took a toll on me. And it has been almost a month, and some things have normalized, but I still have to enter my (former, destroyed) home- house to search for things I can salvage- several times. Honestly, seeing my room in such a state left me almost numb. I started looking for things almost methodically, without any feelings, until that was not possible at all.

I see the post-it’s from people who sent me messages- ruined. I see some of my books- the ones I couldn’t save- ruined.

And then I think- I should know I am lucky. My extended family lent us a house while we can rebuild. I have an apartment rented that’s basically intact, I am going to start classes again this week.

But still- intend to forget. I lost my home. And how do you go on from that? From the memories, from their childhood innocence that made you think things were better than they were?

I still don’t have the answer to these questions. I probably never will, but it’s nice to write these things.

I have cried a couple of times after Maria, for several situations but it mostly accounts for one thing: the loss of a feeling I probably won’t recover for a while: the sense of home.

Somehow, I’m back. *waves*

 

When was the last time I posted? *checks*

Uh-oh. I can’t believe you’re still following me after my inactivity these past months! Still- I’m back! And I even changed my About page a bit *winks along with the hint*

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The possible strike I mentioned in this post? Yep, it happened. And that’s why I took my last final last week. In JULY. Writing July on my class notes and exams was a surreal experience to say the least 🤗 but we survived… and my last grades were worth it. Even though I didn’t have to finish my degree to start classes in August.

It’s also why I’m graduating(!!!) in August instead of June, when we were still taking classes to catch up. My graduation is also the night before my orientations start at my new uni- so watch me try not to fall asleep the next day. I’ll try and keep you informed. 😂

I didn’t do much but read and watch TV shows during those 2 months I was at home -I even caught up with my Goodreads challenge… only to lose my winning streak when Uni started again. *shrugs* Let’s see if I can at least catch up during the next 3 weeks :3 I guess I should have caught up with my blogging as well, but it was my procrastinating self’s (read: my) fault.

I also decided on an apartment to live in for the next year while I study and met my two roommates. I have high hopes, people! I think it will be an Experience… even though I am honestly scared to death. I’ll really try to keep in touch the next months as I get used to the place and to being in a graduate school, living away from home… and to being called a student pharmacist. (eeeep!)

Bye bye, 2016.

2016, a year for the books, right? I’ve been thinking a lot about what to write… and now that we’re two hours away from saying goodbye (here in Puerto Rico, as I’m writing this), I guess it’s time to think about what happened to me during this… eventful year. Shall we?

This will be sort of a numbered post since I don’t have much time… 😀

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1. First sleepover: Some of you will roll your eyes to the back of your head with this… but this was a milestone for me. Being invited let alone the fact that I was allowed to go? That was huge for me. That was one of the best nights of my life. I’m so glad it happened.
2. PCAT: I took it. I survived. And I’m currently waiting after I submitted an application to a pharmacy school. Is this scary or what? That was also the time of my second sleepover. Will there be a time where I stop counting them?
3. Time to get my GPA up! And it did. It totally did and now I’m finally competitive enough for at least a chance. I’m so happy… even though might not be enough, I’m still up for a fight.
4. Turning 21: It was not as exciting as how many people experience. Probably because I don’t drink? But it was still a milestone. And what made it a happy day for me was that my friends actually remembered and made it special.
5. And as for the sad part, more death in my family. I still have no clue why this all keeps happening… but it did. Again. And the distance between my extended family and I feels kind of unsurmountable right now. Let’s hope for new beginnings next year? 
6. (NOT) finishing my goal amount of books? I accepted some months ago that I wouldn’t make it this year. These past semesters were kind of brutal… I am lucky I could finish SOME books… I’m hoping this perpetual slump could end ANY minute now…
7. Becoming obsessed with k-Dramas. It was bound to happen. *shrugs* I can’t imagine myself without them now.
8. Speaking of obsessions…

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I wanted to say something else, too, before the year ends. I missed lots of things, things I could have blogged about… and I did not. I could say I did my best for my blog, but I didn’t. I am not going to promise to post more. It would be pointless… But I’m still going to try. I deserve it, and you deserve it too. 2017 is so important, you see. I FINALLY graduate during next year! And whatever happens… I want to share this next stage with you all. Like I said, I’m going to try. Let’s see how it goes.

Signing off for the year;

Nat.

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P.S. 2016 IS FINALLY OVER, BITCHES!!!

Catching Up! :)

It’s been a while, WordPress. I’ll refrain from apologizing… maybe read my last post (if you are wondering why) 🙂

Still, I did not post during certain important days and that’s kinda sad. Last semester was full of work… I did tell you that I was taking an unusually big amount of classes -BUT I SURVIVED!

Let the catching up begin!  

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I still haven’t quite recovered… although my grades were something else! (I mean… for a semester when so much happened to me) I still have no clue as to how that was possible, but I’m thankful. I’m so, so thankful. I also missed posting on my birthday (my 21st birthday…) which I spent at uni taking classes… and since my brother was sick, I couldn’t do much but eat pizza that night. (Needless to say, pizza was more than enough for me)

But it was definitely okay… my friends were there and they did not forget and it was a really nice day. I had a happy birthday… even when I had to take biochemistry.

Apart from my birthday, though, November was FULL. OF. WORK. Like… I did not think it would all end, until it somehow did.

In the spirit of wrapping up this semester  (and forgetting that it ever happened). (yeah, right), a class by class round up:

• Biochemistry- taking it was… interesting. Basically full of self-study… since… well… I didn’t understand anything while taking it. 😀 My professor gave me a letter of reference, though, which was definitely awesome. 🙂 (Also full of memes and gifs my friends and I sent to each other while taking it xD)
• Statistics- This gif will suffice. There was no time for this and I studied the day before for all my tests.

 

• Economics-

My professor was sick and he was absent basically all semester so he only sent us two projects. Life. 

• Life cycle seminar: “The professor you chose will not give you your class! The hardest one will!” “Let’s get all into groups to talk about how our cousins and aunts and parents somehow relate to the topic that we’re covering!” “Let’s do a portfolio about health service centers that’s worth 45% of your class grade!” “Let’s not forget about sending your professor your project at the wrong email and finding out an hour later!” Don’t ask me how, but it all worked out in the end. I still don’t know what happened.
• Conversational English- Incredibly… It was my favorite class this semester. I was so worried about the presentations and the dialogues and I was regretting choosing it from day 1, until I met my professor and my group. It was our safe space this semester… no judgement, and everyone was so kind to one another! If I could take it again I would in a heartbeat. 🙂
• Developmental Psychology- I was so confident I would get an A at first… and then the second and third exams happened. xD I spent hours  working on that final project, and it all somehow worked out in the end. *basically cries with relief*

Aaaaaand, the round-up is over! Which means where back to present day. Which probably could mean one thing: Stray thoughts:

Christmas has been great; Dad is here until the 4th, I’ve been watching k-dramas and movies during these past 2 weeks…! I’ve taken lots of pictures and even posted some of them. Everything is awesome… except for… the slump. I have not been able to finish a new book since I read Ari and Dante a month ago. (Except for “The Rest of Us Just Live Here”, but it was so meh that it does not even count… sorry.)

*By the way, guys? You should totally read Ari and Dante. It’s beautiful!*

Still, today I worked with my Goodreads shelves and loaded a couple of books to my Kindle. Let’s see if I can get out of this slump.

Also, did anyone watch the Sense8 Christmas special? That was AMAZING! And I can’t wait until May when I’ll probably binge watch the whole season in one sitting. I’m also anxiously waiting for season 4 of Sherlock and will probably watch it along with my friend. 🙂

If you’ve somehow read until the end of this post, thank you, and I hope you had a Merry Christmas. 🙂

… *Sings* And a Happy New Year!

Apologies.

Greetings. *dances my way into your Reader*

I’m back. You didn’t expect to hear (or read, for that matter) from me so soon, did you? *winks* I’m pretty sure this post won’t be as messy as the last one.

I also forgot to acknowledge that my (second!!) blogging anniversary was this past August. This has been a wild ride and I can’t wait for what awaits us, my dear followers!

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I have been thinking a lot about apologies and forgiveness lately. Sincere apologies are hard to come up with, unless you’re talking about me. (read my previous posts, for example. You’ll see most of them tagged with some sort of apology. 🙂 )

Me, 99.9% of the time.

I apologize about literally everything, from sneezing to accidentally bumping with someone. It’s second nature to me. It’s a wonder I don’t apologize for breathing!

There were lots of times when I apologized for things that were either:

1. Outside my control
2. Part of who I am as a person

I have recently understood why I’m like this. It has to do with the fact that I always believed I was less than everyone else. Less smart, less clever, less funny. I felt like everyone had this chip or programming that helped them act on certain situations, and I didn’t. Others simply knew better and I had no choice but to follow. I did not understand why people acted in a certain way.

It was frustrating to always wonder why I was alone. This was why I felt like I did not deserve to have friends (or at least, that I had to come out of my usual behavior or way of thinking to have them.) I felt like I had to apologize for simply hanging out with them. Or stop being myself, in a way. More than one person has expressed their concern about this to me. Someone literally said they hated hearing the words “I’m sorry” from me.

their reaction when I immediately apologized for apologizing too much

And I got why. Eventually.

“Apologizing does not always mean you’re wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.”
― Mark Matthews

This quote has much to do with my previous MO when it came to apologies (even though I hadn’t read it before researching for this post). I say previous, because these past few years, I’ve learned a LOT about myself. I’ve learned what I like and what I don’t. Most important of all, I’ve learned that I don’t like feeling like less than other people. And most of the time I valued relationships/friendships more than I valued myself! I did not realize how much I was hurting myself. Having to apologize frequently… it took a bit of myself every time I did it.

Don’t get me wrong, there are times when an apology is needed. When not apologizing makes you literally an asshole. The person who apologizes shouldn’t feel pressed by the one who will receive the apology, though. (By this, I mean: you can tell the person directly that you feel hurt by what they did… after explaining what they did. But the apology should come directly from that person.) The whole point of the apology is that it has to be genuine, sincere… and pushing someone to apologize would take that away from it. It would be wrong, in a way.

Still, an apology is always a good way to fix things, and it’s nice to know that a genuine one can help rebuild a relationship. 🙂

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I am aware that this post might make me sound sort of selfish, but I’ve realized these things about myself along the way… and this blog is all about discovering myself. It’s interesting how, even being almost 21 years old, I keep discovering things I did not know, and somehow growing into a person I did not expect becoming… even though I sometimes realize I’m not as good a person as I thought before. Thanks for reading! 

Any thoughts? Suggestions? The comments are open! 🙂

*gasps* A new post.

Welcome back to my blog! I’ve been deep into the study- and-KDrama-watching cave (If you follow me on Twitter, you should know that I’m basically obsessed with Moonlight Drawn by Clouds. Sorry to all of those who find it a bit lacking? I don’t! *is hopelessly in love with Park Bo Gum*). So that’s why I have not been here… since JULY. I’m here to basically procrastinate before studying for my statistics exam! On the bright side, you get to read about me…! I don’t think that is truly a bright side… but still… It’s so good you’re here!

PS. I’m aware there was a new post alert during the past week… I posted something by mistake and deleted it quite quickly 🙂  

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You might be wondering (probably not): What has Nat been up to these days?

The answer is… about everything and nothing all at once. I might have to divide this post in sub posts… If I don’t this might get messy. 🙂

I took my PCAT.

(I did tell you I was going to try to be an adult these months… I am turning 21 this November, you know) Remember how I said I would study a lot? And exercise a lot?

And you probably reacted like this?

I only got to General Chemistry and worked from there. But my results were quite good! So I still haven’t lost my touch. (Except for Math.)

I should have written a post after taking the PCAT. It was honestly an experience. At first we couldn’t reach the place because our GPS wasn’t working. We got there 15 minutes before my friend’s testing window began. I had 15 more minutes to prepare… and then it was my turn. (We shall NOT talk about the picture they took of me. It was honestly awful).

Those next four hours are now pretty much a blur… but I remember being so anxious because I was running out of time at so many of the sections! TWO of the lectures on my Critical Reading section had to do with literature. That was nice, especially as they had to do with culture and what could be considered as a national literature. I was honestly so interested on that topic!

I basically smiled like this. The proctor must have been quite worried about my mental sanity.

And then Math arrived. Those were pretty much the worst 45 minutes of my life… only overran by my first Pre-calculus 2 test on my freshman year. Oh, boy, was that a disaster. Although I could have done a bit worse? I have no idea.

My friend and I went to eat afterwards… and then arrived to a mass/baptism/wedding. -At first I thought it would be so long and I was so tired already…! But my romantic side came out quite quickly, the wedding was so cute, and seeing them be so excited about marrying? That made me so happy, even if I had no idea who they were. -We then got to my friend’s home and watched movies and Coffee Prince. It was nice. (And I cried with one of those movies. María, I know you’re reading this. I still hate you. :D)

So I’m now working on my application. (oh, well… I started it today. Happy?) I still have to ask two of my professors for letters of reference… and that scares me to no end. I mean, who should I ask? I don’t think any of my professors likes me enough to make a nice one for me. I’ll try, though. Maybe one of them can surprise me. I also have to write an essay! I need to see if my writing skills are up to par with what they are asking for! 🙂

Blackouts and funerals

There was this huge blackout in Puerto Rico. You MUST have heard about it on the news (or at least seen it somehow online?) It lasted about 2 days and a half and people either played Pokémon Go on the streets or watched the stars. They looked amazing! There are beautiful pictures people posted online because there wasn’t any light pollution. I basically used my family’s flashlight to reread The Assassin’s Blade and rest. (I had not rested at all during the PCAT weekend. I was exhausted).

The day after it started, I got the news: My aunt (she was my deceased aunt’s twin sister) had died that morning, and I hadn’t found out because we were all out of battery. So my dad called from Texas, and both my grandma and my aunt’s sister arrived at the same time. That was when I realized something was wrong. I literally started shaking, and my mom couldn’t stop crying. I think that moment will be stuck in my mind for the rest of my life… especially as it was only 4 days since my grandma’s death anniversary. My dad came home for a week, then, after I booked his tickets. It was nice, since he’ll come back again this Christmas. I mean, the circumstances were rough but there was a bright side to all of this.

Stray thoughts…

So… basically, some things have changed, but a lot has stayed the same. I’m taking six classes this semester. (Please remind me of WHY I took this decision?) Some of them are easy, some of them are harder, but all of them take too much time from my hands! Time I could be using for blogging… (Who am I kidding? I would use it to be online, watching TV shows or reading.

I’m also still quite excited about my Instax camera! It feels like I’m creating these tangible memories when I take those pictures. I’m planning on decorating one of the walls of my room and fill it with instant photos. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see if I follow through with that promise. 🙂

So here I am… listening to the Descendants of the Sun soundtrack and simply writing to procrastinate. I might have some more things to say quite soon, so please come back and check if I have posted my latest rant.

*signs off with a Park Bo Gum gif*

“I’m Alive!”-Sia

*runs towards all of you, screaming “I am NOT GONE yet!”*

Hello! Long time, no see… (Since Valentine’s Day! Whoa…) *wonders if people are still interested in my posts*

This semester was draining… but good results came from it, so that’s great! *smiles at my brand new GPA*

Summer has now arrived (finally, after finals were postponed a week because of my uni’s strike…*), and with it a sense of happiness and peace I hadn’t felt since forever. Incredibly, I have not finished any books (apart from one I read during finals but that one didn’t count), so if you have any suggestions as to what in the world I can do to get rid of this horrible reading slump, they are mostly welcome. A little more than a month ago I tweeted a poll (see below)

What should I read next?

— natalie. (@AelinsFireheart) April 24, 2016

and I still have to keep my word. I’ll keep you posted on if I like Lady Midnight. I’ve been trying to listen to the audiobook… (trying being the main word. Perhaps it will work when I start working out this summer? Only time will tell)

Since I can’t read much because of the slump, I’ve been watching Korean dramas. My mother basically passed on her addiction to me. I’ve been also watching Les Interprètes, a Chinese drama, which is SO GOOD (and extremely addicting, so please do NOT do as I did and watch it slowly. Do not binge on 14 episodes in one day. It’s not healthy and you’ll run out of episodes soon.) I did not think I would enjoy something like this so much, but I love how it involves both languages in such a natural way!

A lot of things have also happened. My dad came here for 2 weeks… during which I was on my finals so I did not get to spend as much time as I wanted with him (boo…) BUT he did promise he would try to come here more often. I was not able to go to my brother’s graduation (Thanks, Developmental biology) BUT I did get a good grade on the class so it was (kind of) worth it.

In other words, I’m free, like Dobby (for the next 2 months, anyway), even though I plan on studying for the PCAT. *crosses fingers* I also have other plans for this summer… I hope I can do it all… (And keep this blog more updated, hopefully.)

*I guess that would have been a good topic for a blog post… but I did tweet about a lot of my thoughts… xD

P.S. Do you all like my new blog layout? I’m trying some things out. 🙂

 

 

New y- semester, new me!

Greetings, Earthlings (I’ve officially ran out of ways to greet you, guys. I need to brainstorm)

I haven’t seen you all since… my birthday, isn’t it?

The truth is… that not much has happened since then. This Christmas was bound to be kind of hard because of all the things that happened last year, but life goes on! *shrugs*. I did spend my whole break at home watching Netflix (I finished Buffy! That’s something! I’m still behind on House of Cards and Merlin, so shh with the spoilers!) and movies (like Star Wars. I still have to watch the original trilogy, Episodes VI and VII. I need TIME!). I didn’t read much, except for rereading the Shatter Me trilogy and the Throne of Glass books… I did go out with my friends on a hike. It was fun, but my legs hurt like crazy for the next week or so. Exercising this year is a MUST!

(When did WordPress create this collage thing, anyway? It is so cool!)

I guess the thing that changed the most was the fact that I decided to change my study (and general) habits for the better. I know, I know, I always say this. There’s always a start, and this is mine. I won’t take Physics this semester, but I’ll take Developmental Biology… which apparently is kind of hard? I’m hoping I can survive and live to tell the tale, like I always end up doing with you all, my dear followers. Hopefully I’ll get to blog more as I keep getting used to how life is happening.

Anyway, I have to go. Uni starts tomorrow, even though I’m in this huge denial pit.

*hugs*

Nat