Saludos desde Madrid

I could go on and on about the last few days but to sum it up, Madrid has been absolutely amazing so far!  Praise the Lord, the flight here wasn't bad at all and I made it to Barajas without any issues.  I've never flown this far so that in itself was an accomplishment for me (even in spite of the terrible jetlag!).

There are about ten of us here for the second summer session, most from the south or east coast.  Everyone has been really friendly and easy to talk to, something I appreciate greatly after not knowing what at all to expect from this program.  I can't say enough nice things about my roommates!  I live in a residencia (dorm) with two other girls, one from Texas, the other from Massachusetts. They're both so kind and have the greatest sense of humor--I'm very blessed.

The city itself is huge.  I wish I could put into words just how much there is here.  We've done a lot of walking and you'll be surprised just what you see.  There are stores, restaurants and shops of all shapes and sizes everywhere.  The metro offers access to even more.  We've spent a lot of time in an area called Puerta del Sol which is essentially the center of the city.  There you can find a lot of stores, bars and restaurants as I've mentioned, as well as the Plaza Mayor.

Today we took the train to Toledo.  Everything we saw there was absolutely breathtaking, including the cathedral.  We also saw El Greco's greatest masterpiece.  We weren't allowed to take photos there but you can find the painting here!  To say the least, the experience left me very overwhelmed (but in the best of ways, of course!)

We also spent some time this afternoon at Parque del Retiro, a huge park with a giant lake, lots of grass, trees and plentiful sunshine.  We sat on the grass for a while just chatting and joking around with each other and honestly, everything here has been just great.  It's so nice to feel so comfortable in a city so foreign to me and to feel like I have a group of friends that I can rely on, even after only a few days.

Tomorrow we're planning to trek out to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu to watch the Eurocup final on the big screens outside.  With Spain in the final match, the city has been crazy!  I can't even imagine what things will be like if the team comes out with another Euro win.  Will update soon--in the meantime enjoy the pictures!

21 Things I've Learned Since My Last Birthday

I can hardly believe it but it's here: I'm 21 years old.  According to the United States government, I have acquired the personal responsibility necessary for purchasing alcohol and gambling.  (Little do they know I'm probably still too immature for that...)  I figured today would be as good of a day as ever to take some time to reflect on how valuable the last year has been as far as a stepping stone for the future.  After a bit of brainstorming, I put together a list of some of the most important things I've come to realize in the last year.

So here you have it, 21 things I've learned since my last birthday (in no particular order):

1.  Your confidence, and more importantly, your sense of self should not be determined by others.

Feeling comfortable in your own skin is a tricky thing and frankly, it's something I'm still slowly but surely learning how to do myself.  It's natural from time to time to look in the mirror and not necessarily be satisfied with what you see and we all have bad days when we start to wonder if the hurtful criticism we've heard from others is really true after all.  Here's the thing though: others can be just plain wrong.  Granted, constructive criticism should always be welcomed but don't lose sight of the importance of the individual, that is, the things about you that make you unique, as a result of the voice of others.  You're exactly who you are for a reason.  Embrace it!

2.  Sometimes it's okay to say 'no.'

My apologies for what I'm sure is an overdone joke but sometimes 'no' is a far better response than 'YOLO' (okay, sorry. Had to make the reference--now I'm done. The moment's passed).  Never underestimate the importance of that feeling in your gut that tells you 'yes, go for it' or 'no, you really shouldn't do that.'  Taking risks is fine, if done correctly, but don't compromise your values or what's really important to you for the sake of carpe diem.  I won't go into the specifics of the DARE 'just say no!' spiel that I'm sure you've heard over a dozen times since grade school but really, if you feel deeply uncomfortable about doing something, or a given path just doesn't feel right to you, abandon it.  You don't have to do anything you don't want to do.

3.  Never be ashamed to ask for help.

I will admit firsthand that I hate having to call on others for help.  I want the satisfaction of saying that I've accomplished things on my own and that I'm independent enough to see commitments through without falling back on outside resources.  That said, sometimes there's a point when you can't juggle everything on your own and the answers to those tough questions you have aren't presenting themselves on their own.  I'm going to be vulnerable for a moment here for the sake of how it may or may not help others and reveal that I took advantage of university counseling services this year.  The truth is that the conflicts I was struggling with were not something I could handle on my own anymore and I needed an objective voice to hear me out and help me find a course of action that I could feel comfortable with.  What can I say, it's the best thing I've done for myself in God knows how long.  I'm not saying everyone needs to run out to a shrink and tell them their life story but if you ever feel overwhelmed, seek out even a family member or a friend and ask them.  Anyone who truly cares about you will be more than happy to lend an ear at the very least.

4.  Whenever you think you're alone, you're not.

This lesson is very much related to the previous one in that sometimes it's helpful to recognize that the spectrum of human emotion is a shared experience for us all.  F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, once said, "[The beauty of all literature is that] you discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone.  You belong."  Although Fitzgerald was commenting on literature as an art form, I think his words are an adequate representation of human existence.  Anything you've ever felt has been at some point experienced by someone else.  You are not alone in anything that you feel and the acknowledgment of that truth will make the experience of suffering a much more bearable one.

5.  Never regret the things you have done for another person out of kindness.

One of my favorite pieces of literature is a prayer credited to Mother Teresa called "Do It Anyway."  In its essence, the prayer encourages the practice of forgiveness, kindness and sincerity, even in the face of contrary behavior from those we encounter.  The final lines of the prayer say, "It is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway."  Whether you are a believer or not, the final message remains the same: never be afraid to show affection or perform good works.  Do not let yourself be held back by the negative response given by others.  You have been given a light worth sharing so give without reservation.

6.  Know when to reel back.

Another lesson connected to the former, it's very necessary to know your limits and to be able to identify when you are being taken advantage of by another person.  Of course, one should not do anything solely for the sake of what will be received in return, however, it is important to preserve yourself, at least to a certain extent, from hurt.  Know when a situation, relationship, etc. is no longer fruitful and take time periodically to reflect on the harm or good that comes from it.  As sad of a realization as it may seem, some people come into our lives for a brief yet meaningful purpose: to teach us the hard lessons we need to learn.  Be mindful of the growth that a particular situation is inspiring you to pursue but keep aware also of the potentially destructive effects as well.

7.  If you're not happy with your life, change it.

It's a classic but it rings true: if you're not happy with how things are going, it's time to make some changes.  Familiarity and fear can be two big obstacles in terms of attaining happiness but it's important when things aren't going so well to step back and try and understand why that is.  As scary as self-reflection can be, it's key for any sort of growth or change.  Don't settle simply because you're scared!  You deserve all of the happiness and joy the world can offer.  If you're not finding that, maybe it's time to do things differently.

8.  Plan ahead... but not so much that you would be devastated by an alternate outcome.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: I am a worrier.  When I was in high school, I had a detailed plan for my future:  I was going to graduate top of my class, head off to Stanford University, marry my high school sweetheart, graduate, get a job, have babies, you know, the whole shebang.  Flash-forward seven years and here you have me... a fourth year at UC Berkeley, single and surprisingly okay with it, studying Spanish of all things.  Believe it or not, I'm more than content that my little plan for myself did not at all follow through after all but truth be told, it took me quite some time to get there.  The most wonderful plan you have for yourself, guess what? God's got something in mind that will top it tenfold--just be patient.  The more you plan ahead without any anticipation of a few detours, the more likely you are to be disappointed or think you've failed in some way.  That's not it at all!  Take a deep breath, set out some goals for yourself but go with the flow!  Things will turn out.

9.  Honesty is underrated.

For some reason, there's a huge stigma in our culture of self-expression.  Often we are too afraid to express our true feelings to others or even to say something nice because there's just something taboo about it for some reason.  Why!?  If you've got something you need to share with someone, positive or negative, do it and do it truthfully.  Honesty is all-important in any interpersonal relationship.  Granted, one should tell the truth lovingly--don't dish it out in a hurtful way just for the sake of being 'truthful.'  By telling the truth upfront, you'll find yourself getting into far less trouble later down the road!  Remember: the truth always comes out... and I mean, always.

10.  Don't sell yourself short.

Doubt can be healthy in that it triggers a sort of personal evaluation.  That said, don't let your reservations keep you from taking action.  You're more able than you think!  Be realistic but don't let your fears damage your confidence.  Keep in mind your talents and your abilities and use them in a way that both brings you satisfaction and has a positive impact on others.

11.  It's okay to be scared but don't let your fears prevent you from pursuing the ambitions closest to your heart.

Fear can be paralytic.  If you get caught up in your thoughts just enough, you'll stay frozen in the same spot.  As I said about doubt, it's healthy to investigate your insecurities but remember: fear is a human reaction that protects us.  If you are too focused on your fears, you may find yourself running into a wall that you've created for yourself.  If you've got a goal that you've wanted to pursue or that you find yourself being called to go after (think about that 'gut' feeling I mentioned earlier), chase it.  If you don't, you may find yourself feeling unfulfilled and quite possibly, even filled with regret.

12.  Change is hard but ultimately it can have a positive outcome.

There's no hard and fast rule as far as how long it takes to build a habit but I think we can all agree from personal experience that it can take quite some time.  A change isn't going to stick unless it can deliver a reward that you actually enjoy and therein lies the conflict.  Change can inspire a series of benefits that we may not have been able to enjoy otherwise but it takes effort.  Think back to my seventh lesson: be aware of the aspects of your life that might in some sense be problematic for you and investigate ways in which you could do something about those conflicts.  Knowing doesn't necessarily make the process of change easy but it does make it easier.  Everyone struggles with making changes but once you understand where to start focusing, then you can learn about what steps to take next.  There is a place to start and once you start, you're on the path to success.

13.  Never tolerate more than you deserve simply for the sake of someone else's happiness.

I hope I'm not being contradictory here (maybe I should have grouped these lessons a bit better) but any personal relationship that you involve yourself in should ultimately be satisfying.  In my experience, relationships (whether romantic, friendly, familial, what have you) thrive best on the basis of reciprocity, that is, mutual exchange.  Compromise is necessary for these relationships to work, however, both parties have to be willing to take into consideration what is important to the other.  Do not think that you have to give up an essential part of who you are or tolerate openly hurtful behavior for the sake of pleasing the other person.  A person who cares for you will not subject you to anymore than you deserve and I cannot stress how firmly I believe that.  Be understanding but also know when to call it quits and cut your losses.

14.  There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

All humans seek happiness.  We want to be happy and we don't want that happiness to go away.  However, we also seek pleasure.  The problem with that is that pleasure is temporal, fleeting and can often be mistaken for true happiness.  Pleasure accompanies happiness but a distinction must be made: pleasure is not happiness.  If you abuse pleasure, you will not be happy.  Two of my greatest loves are sweets and television.  Cupcakes are great but if I eat too many, that's not a good thing for me, right?  Same with television.  If I spend the majority of my free time camped in front of the TV, am I really going to be happy (in a way that lasts)?  Take time to evaluate your excesses.

15.  Perspective is key.

I'm starting to see that many of these lessons are very much interconnected and here's another one for you!  The Dalai Lama states that shifting your perspective is not only a way to achieve happiness but it is also a way to overcome all of life's obstacles.  How you view a problem can affect how you approach it.  For example, looking at things from a wider view will make an apparent problem seem much smaller than it is.  In reverse, focusing on an issue or feeling can help discover solutions that you didn't know existed.  If you're struggling with something, try shifting your perspective.  If anything, a shift in perspective can help you become more aware of the blessings that surround you on a daily basis.

16.  There's power in numbers.

Another oldie but goodie, I saw this lesson acted out in full force through my involvement in St. Augustine Catholic Church of Oakland.  On the first Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mark surprised parishioners by inviting them to take home envelopes with cash.  Their mission was to multiply that gift to help raise funds to build a new dormitory for an orphanage in Kenya.  Ninety days later, at Pentecost, they returned considerably fatter envelopes.  As of June 5, the total raised--over and above the $12,100 distributed in the reverse collection--stood at $60,952.62.  Isn't that incredible!?  Parishioners tested their talents, pooled resources with people they didn't know well, and found themselves spreading the good news of their parish.  The point here is that your excitement has the potential to encourage others to participate.  Extend a hand and you may very well be surprised by the outcome of that invitation.

17.  Soulmates exist--they're just not always romantic.

I think there are certain people you will meet in your lifetime who you connect with more than anyone else.  Call it fate, divine intervention, what have you, you just know that the relationships you have with certain people are not typical.  You understand each other perfectly.  This person may not always be your 'significant other' or someone you connect with on a romantic level--it could be friend, a sibling, a parent, a teacher, whoever--but they will bring out the best in you and you will bring out the best in them.  I had the privilege in the last year to move in with a new roommate who I'm convinced is my kindred spirit.  I can be an idiot or express something in the most convoluted and complicated way but she'll get it and I thank God for bringing us together the way that he did it.  Be thankful for the people you encounter that you feel a connection with and do your best to keep those unions thriving.

18.  All will be well.

I know what you're thinking: it's easier said than done to accept the simple explanation that in the long run everything will turn out okay.  I hate to overuse clichés but for the sake of this lesson, I'm going to do it because frankly, I can't think of another way to stress the importance of this realization for me.  I'm sure you've heard the saying before: "Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end."  Take that thought and internalize it.  Think of a difficult situation you've encountered in the past and realize that you got through it and you're standing in a different position now.  All of our struggles seem great when we're passing through them but once you've braved the storm, you will find yourself surprisingly empowered.  Practice resilience to the best of your abilities and have faith that your circumstances will always improve.  Hope will take you much further than your doubts.

19.  It's important from time to time to pause and be appreciative of where you are at this very moment.

Recently I went out for a drive and found myself, almost inexplicably, at a nearby park.  I parked, got out of the car, grabbed my iPod and locked the door.  I wandered over to the track lining the expanse of green grass in the center of the park and with only my music, decided to just walk.  I looked around, saw the assortment of trees, felt the breeze ruffle my hair, saw children running towards the play structure, and you know what, I found myself smiling for no reason other than the fact that I felt I was in the right place at the right time, exactly where I needed to be.  Sometimes it's difficult to see but you are where you are for a reason and there is always something to be gained from the circumstances in which you've found yourself.  Blessings surround you always, just take a moment to count them.  You just might be surprised by the length of your list.

20.  It can be terrifying to confront the parts of yourself that you dislike but it is the first step to lasting change.

I'm realizing that a common vein in this blog entry is the underlying importance of personal evaluation and change.  There's always something to be learned and personal betterment is always within your reach.  As a Catholic, I've been taught about the benefits of the sacrament of Reconciliation, a practice of the Church in which I am called to evaluate my conscience and quite literally confess the negative actions, behaviors and practices that have come to be a part of my way of life.  I'll be honest, Reconciliation is not a sacrament of the Church that I enjoy but I think that's because it calls me to investigate why it is that I am ashamed.  About four months ago, I went to Confession for the first time in over a year and a half and I put it all out on the table.  It was embarrassing and I felt deeply uncomfortable but something inside of me told me I needed to do it.  When I left, I felt completely elated, as if a massive weight had disappeared from my shoulders.  Frankly, I felt empowered and ready to change (I started counseling shortly after this experience).  As a Catholic, this was a helpful exercise for me but even in the secular world, so to speak, coming to terms with the things about yourself that you don't like can be overwhelmingly cathartic and a starting point for your own self-improvement.  It's scary as hell but the benefits are innumerable if done correctly.

21.  TREAT YO' SELF!

I can feel all of the Parks and Recreation fans nodding vigorously with me on this one (and for God's sake, if you haven't started watching Parks at least watch this video so you at least know what I'm talking about!) and I just have to say, I think this lesson is quite possibly my favorite out of all that I've listed so far.  Sometimes the best way to handle tough times is to treat yourself.  You know what, sometimes even when things are good, you should treat yourself!  Think of it as a reward.  Just remember lesson fourteen--even Tom and Donna only practice 'treat yo' self' once annually ("It's the best day of the year!")

Coming Up

It's been a good month since I last updated this blog so I figured it was due time to take a break to write a little.  Since my last entry I finished my third year at Cal, saw three of my favorite bands live in concert (Ozomatli, Maná and Coldplay), started planning for my upcoming trip to Europe and found out that I finished another semester of school with straight A's!  The last few months for me have been filled with blessings and I'm overwhelmed with joy at all of the opportunities coming my way in the future.  In less than a month I'll be leaving the United States to spend a month in Madrid where I'll be taking two courses, living in a residencia with other international students, as well as local Spaniards, and of course, exploring the city when the chance arises.  After I finish the program, I'll be flying to Bergen, Norway to spend a week with our family friend, Claudia, and her husband.  I haven't seen her since she moved nearly a year ago (how time flies!) and I'm very excited to see her new home and of course, finally meet her husband.  Naturally, I'm bogged down by a bit of anxiety but the encouragement of friends and family, as well as some of the orientation tools that the study abroad program has provided for me, have helped a lot to calm and alleviate my worry.

In the meantime, I have a few more weeks at home with few obligations which has been very nice (at times, almost too nice!).  I've been trying to sort out some of my goals for my experience abroad and give a little bit more thought to my future.  I'll be graduating this upcoming academic year so the thought of post-graduation plans is nagging at me a bit.  I'm looking into graduate school programs in Spanish literature and after a push from a few of my professors I feel a little more equipped to pursue graduate education.  I've lived in California my whole life and I love the state, my home, and of course, my family, but I'm giving more and more thought to programs out of state, including a few private schools on the east coast.  In the past, I've been held back in many ways by my own doubt of my capacity to succeed in graduate programs but I'm trying to be a little more optimistic and confident in my potential. I don't want to be constrained by fear but of course, I also don't want an overabundance of self-confidence to prevent me from trying my hardest and pushing myself a little further.  The next few months will definitely be a negotiation of priorities and attempting to figure out what exactly it is that I want to do and where I want to go.  That said, for now I'm trying to focus on one thing at a time, get through the summer, explore and enjoy my experience abroad and then I'll make time to do some soul-searching.

This school year, this last semester especially, has been very much an eye-opener for me, in many ways that I still haven't been able to find the words to express but I'm very happy and in large part, very fulfilled.  It's been such a joy to feel so invested in my schoolwork, to grow more confident in my own sense of self and to feel such support and overwhelming love from my family and friends at home, in Berkeley and in other parts of the state and country.  It's nice to no longer be weighed down by former concerns and to look at the future with anticipation, despite not knowing what exactly is in store for me there.

I look forward to spending the next few weeks organizing, reading, writing, spending time with my friends and family, and knowing me, doing an awful lot of TV-watching.  Hope this post finds you all well!

Comienzos

A surprising silver lining to the cold that has left me more or less bedridden this week is that I finally have time to sit and write a long overdue blog update.  Since my last entry about our trip to the Mission District in San Francisco, I was able to enjoy a nice week away from school at home.  I almost wish I could say that it was an action-packed, adventure-filled spring break but it was actually very low-key.  In a way, I'm thankful that my week at home was not terribly eventful.  I had a chance to relax and indulge in my most favorite of pleasures (good 'ol TV) without the heavy guilt of procrastination.  I was able to start a new series that I've grown to love very much: Happy Endings. The series revolves around the lives of six friends living in Chicago: married yuppies Brad and Jane; Alex, Jane's ditzy sister; Dave, a food truck owner who used to be engaged to Alex; Dave's gay roommate, Max; and their chronically single friend, Penny. The series functions in a similar vein of ensemble comedies like Friends and How I Met Your Mother and is definitely a must-watch for anyone with an affinity for such shows.  If you're interested in watching, Sidereel provides links to stream episodes from the show's two seasons.

On a far more exciting note, I also received some great news during the break regarding my summer plans: I was accepted to study abroad in Madrid, Spain!  My very first trip overseas, I'll be flying out June 26 and spending a month (mostly likely with a host family) in Madrid while taking two courses at la Universidad de Antonio de Nebrija.  It's a dream come true to be able to go and I'm very grateful to both God for providing the opportunity and my mom for working so hard to make ends meet so that I can go after all.  I've been wanting to take a trip to Madrid since beginning to learn Spanish about five or six years ago and it's just incredible to be able to see such things come to fruition.  I'm nervous and frankly a little scared but my excitement at being able to go outweighs any and all fear that I have.  It's all happening so fast--in less than three months, I'll be in the city of my dreams!  Prayers and positive thoughts are much appreciated both as I prepare to go overseas and in my time abroad.  It looks like I'll also be able to make a trip to Norway after finishing the program at the end of July to spend a week or so with my good friend, Claudia, and her husband.  She moved to Bergen in July of this last year so it'll be wonderful to be able to see her and to be able to meet her beau!  I'm incredibly blessed to have such opportunities.

Other than that, I'm doing my best to prepare for the semester's end and the surge of due dates slowly but steadily approaching.  I was able to sign up for three out of four of my classes for next semester (the first of my senior year of college, crazy!).  I'll be taking a class on Spanish-American colonial texts, a survey of Spanish literature, pre-1800, and an English seminar on utopian/dystopian books and movies.  So much to be excited about in the next year!  God is good!

Una tarde en el Distrito de la Misión

It gives me great joy to proclaim that spring break is finally here!  After over a month away from home (my personal record even after two and a half years as a university student), I'm home for the week and very much enjoying the vacation.  My roommate, Kim, and I took the weekend to celebrate our brief respite from school, braving the rainy Sunday afternoon to make a trip to the Mission District in San Francisco.  I've never had a chance to visit the Mission District so it was a much welcome adventure.  The neighborhood is heavily Hispanic and the culture is deeply embedded in the area, from the language you hear spoken on the streets to the various Latin American tiendas and restaurants that line the sidewalks.

Although it was raining for the majority of the afternoon, Kim and I took our time wandering down 24th street, where you will find an abundance of very colorful and amazingly detailed murals.  We trekked back up to Guerrero Street to attend Saturday vigil Mass at St. James Catholic Church--it was a beautiful service.  After another trip down the hill, we decided to grab dinner to-go from La Palma Mexicatessen.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves hankering for some delicious Mexican food in the Mission District!

Here are some of my favorite photos from our day out.  Enjoy!

Leading with Trust

Recently, my roommate and I decided to give another parish in the area a try: St. Augustine Parish of Oakland.  This Sunday marks our fourth Sunday at the new parish and what can I say--it's been an absolutely wonderful and enriching experience.  What I've got for you today is an unbelievably crazy story that I've been hoping to share with as many people as I can.  Here it goes:

Last Sunday, the First Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mark says that he has been to Kenya and he wants us as parishioners to help.  Due to the widespread toll of HIV/AIDS, many, many children have been left orphans and are in great need of care.  In this particular village, there are already two orphanages, each housing about 16 children each.  The missionaries there would like to build a third orphanage that would house another 50 children and have laid the foundation for the dormitory, however, the total cost is $65,000 and they do not have the resources, nor the funds, to continue building.  They need money.  So you think Fr. Mark is going to ask for a collection, right?  Wrong.  Instead, he says that he is going to distribute money to us.  Get this: He orchestrates a 'reverse collection,' circulating envelopes that each hold between $15 to $150.  With this, he requests that each parishioner, over the Lenten season (the forty days leading up to Easter), take the money they have received and use it creatively as a way to bring back more money.  All he asks is that we get creative.

The baskets come around and I pull out an envelope--lo and behold, inside I find two crisp bills adding up to a total of $15.  My roommate discovers a total of $50 in her envelope.  Our close friend in hers unfolds another $30.  That morning, this parish church in the middle of Oakland gave away $12,000 in the hope and trust that we could do more.

Trust is key and I'm energized here to lead with my best self.  Through the kindness and generosity of a few friends, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, I have been able to raise about $50, but I am hoping before Pentecost Sunday when the money is due back to the parish (May 27) that I can raise at least $200, if not more.

I understand that we all have various financial obligations and this may not be the best time but if you can donate even a dollar to the cause, please do.  Here you will find a Paypal account that I have set up in order to accommodate online donations, however I am also very willing to receive donations through the mail (leave me a comment and I will make sure you have a means of contacting me regarding donations by mail).  I thank you all in advance for your generosity.

Please take some time to think about this and if you are at all interested and have the means, please donate.  If you are unable to donate, please pass along the word.  It's a great cause and what St. Augustine Parish is doing is a testament to the trust it holds in the creativity of its members.

For more information, please check out their website: http://www.staugustineoakland.com/index.html


God Bless!

'If only, If only': A Wishlist for February

1.  OPI Holland Collection, $8.50 each.

Every time OPI announces the lineup for its next collection my heart skips a beat.  This spring it's all about the OPI Holland Collection, a line of shimmers and cremes inspired by the Dutch homeland.  My personal favorites are Vampsterdam, Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI? and Wooden Shoe Like To Know?  Take a look at these swatches and you'll want to get your hands on a few bottles yourself!

2.  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling, about $16.

Known for her portrayal of the fabulous Kelly Kapoor on NBC's The Office, Mindy Kaling can now add book author to her resumé!  Reminiscent of Tina Fey's 'Bossypants,' 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)' is a collection of essay about Kaling's early life and career, intertwined with short observational essays about her friends, family, and relationships. As if her hilarious screenwriting wasn't enough to impress me--I eagerly await my chance to read her comic memoir!

3.  Midnight in Paris, about $18.

A must-have for anyone attached to the arts, Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy film, written and directed by the one and only Woody Allen, that centers on a small group of Americans visiting the French capital for business and pleasure. The protagonist, played by Owen Wilson, is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his fiancée and their divergent goals due to his magical experiences in the city beginning each night at midnight. Attention literary/art enthusiasts: Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, T.S. Eliot, Henri Matisse and F. Scott Fitzgerald all make an appearance.

4.  Torani Sugar-Free English Toffee Syrup, about $10.

This year Santa (or should I say Mom and Dad) brought me my very own espresso maker and milk steamer.  Needless to say, I've been experimenting with various syrup combinations ever since.  Starbucks offers what I originally thought was seasonal: the inexplicably delicious Toffee Nut latte.  I'd love to add the sugar-free syrup to my collection.

5.  A Zombie Ate My Cupcake: 25 Deliciously Weird Cupcake Recipes, about $11.

On a recent outing to Barnes & Noble, I stumbled across this very 'interesting' cookbook.  After any extended length of time with me, you'll find rather quickly that I have quite the sweet tooth, especially when it comes to baked goods.  Cupcakes, my personal favorite to eat, are also one of my favorites to make.  The unorthodox recipes appeal to my morbid fascination with calaveras, gravestones and vital organs.  Check out this website for a few photos of the wonderfully creepy cupcake creations.

A few of my favorite things

This week's Valentine's Day-themed Glee showcased the beautiful Rachel Berry in this little number. Unfortunately, the Movie Moment Dress will cost you a pretty penny (about $190) but my goodness, is it adorable! I'm a little disappointed I don't have the means to make it a part of my wardrobe.

During the holiday season, I discovered Starbucks' toffee nut latte. A cozy classic that's smooth and satisfying, I recently discovered the tasty drink is actually available all year long! What a pleasant surprise for me.

During winter break, my mom and I tried our hand at making cake balls and although it wasn't necessarily the easiest project to carry out, the pay-off was more than worth the labor. The lovely Bakerella has several recipes and tutorials that break down the process rather nicely. I own Bakerella's cake pop book and would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of giving cake pop making a try.

I'd be lying if I said part of me didn't want to be best pals with Emma Stone. Although I'm not exactly sure how possible that is, at least there's the movies. The other night I watched Easy A for the first time in quite a while and I'm hoping to give Crazy Stupid Love a re-watch this weekend. Meanwhile, Zombieland is sitting in my Amazon cart.

Recently started series five of Doctor Who on Netflix.  Still facing separation anxiety from Ten but Eleven is definitely growing on me.

Office fans rejoice!  The adorable Jenna Fischer signed up for Twitter.

Wrote a paper this week about Horacio Quiroga's short story 'Los mensú.' 20th century Uruguayan playwright, poet, and short story writer, Quiroga dabbles in the supernatural, covering the most intriguing aspects of nature, often tinged with horror, disease, and suffering for human beings.

Sorry Pandora but you've been replaced by my new favorite app, Spotify. A very handy way to put together playlists and look at artist discographies. Plus, it's quite fun to eavesdrop on what your Facebook friends are listening to.

My newest obsession as far as blogs go, A Cup of Jo is the hub for all things fashion, design, photography, bikes and of course, the musings of moderator, Joanna Goddard. So many cute friends and amusing entries... I found myself scrolling back all the way to June 2011.

all will be well

Señor, me has mirado a los ojos,

sonriendo has dicho mi nombre.

En la arena he dejado mi barca:

junto a Ti buscaré otro mar.

(Pescador de Hombres)

I've been meaning to update for a while but haven't had the chance.  With the spring semester starting, things have managed to get very busy very fast but I can't complain!  It was an interesting start to say the least but I'm incredibly happy to say that I'm making some big changes in my life and that I'm more excited than I can adequately express about what's in store for me in the future.

My classes this semester are absolutely wonderful, let me tell you.  We just completed our first full week of classes and I am incredibly pleased with my course selections this spring.  Typically, since I'm a double major in English and Spanish Language/Literature, I balance my course load with two classes for each major.  This semester, however, I'm taking three Spanish classes and one English seminar so the dynamic is entirely different.  My Spanish classes are amazing... I'm taking a modern Spanish literature survey course, a course on la Ciudad de México and a writing intensive literature course themed "Selva, fronteras y dioses antiguos."  My instructors are fantastic and clearly very enthusiastic about the subjects they teach.  Although the amount of reading I have to do has certainly increased, it's been surprisingly enjoyable to explore the body of Spanish literature and I look forward to continuing my studies in the next the year and a half and well on into graduate school.

Besides that, I've continued my involvement in my pet project, El Club de Español, and my editor position in the Berkeley Fiction Review.  What's even more exciting though is that this semester, I'm facilitating my very own course through the English department!  My friend Rachel and I are offering a two-unit course devoted to the NBC Thursday lineup (The Office, Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock).  We had our first class this last Tuesday and it was so much fun!  It's so refreshing to know there are other TV enthusiasts out there just like me and that I now have a forum in which I can discuss some of my favorite shows on a regular basis.  I look forward to the talks we're going to have this semester and if all goes well, I plan to teach it again in the fall.

On a more personal level though, I've decided to step back and really evaluate some things in my life... It's been a long-time coming but it needed to be done.  I stumbled across a quote today that sums things up perfectly: "You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."  The truth is I've held on quite tightly to several situations and relationships that in reality are not good at all for me and have left me with more self-destructive tendencies than I care to admit.  Fortunately, all is not lost and I have the opportunity in letting go to allow the Lord, in my patience, to give me something even better than what has come and gone.  I made a much over-due trip to Confession this weekend and I'm beginning to see that I have so much control over the progression of my life and my own happiness.  A good friend of mine recently told me, "Even if it hurts, people come into our lives for one reason or another.  We touch the lives of each other and then we learn the hard lessons with people that are not so nice to us."  I've spent enough time letting myself be held back by one thing or another and I look forward to seeing how God's plan unfolds for me.  In the meantime, I'm enjoying my time here at Berkeley, my classes, my friends, and the time I'm able to spend with my family at home when school permits.

A lovely hymn from Mass this morning ties things together quite nicely: 

"All will be well, all will be well, all manner of things will be well!"

Codfish Creek Falls

This past week, my friend Wil and I drove up to Codfish Creek Falls to explore and hike the trail there.  I haven't gone hiking since I worked up at Camp Pendola as a camp counselor two summers ago so it was nice to get back out there.  The pictures above are only a glimpse of the scenery but the beauty of the area is astounding.  It's such an incredibly different environment from the city life that I'm used to during the majority of the year.  Needless to say, it was a relaxing experience and I made sure to take a few moments in prayer to thank God for the opportunity for some peace.

I head back to Berkeley tomorrow to start another semester of school.  Frankly, I'm in denial--I'm not entirely thrilled about going back and I'm a bit nervous about my workload this semester.  At the same time though, once I transition back to life at school, it will be nice to get into a routine again.  In the meantime, prayers are much needed and certainly much appreciated.