P365: Elk Grove Blvd. [085]

So glad I get to walk to work every day (yay fitness!), while crossing one of main roads in Elk Grove. 

P365: Running [079]

It was my first day running in well over a year.  It felt good to be back out running until I was quickly reminded that it has been a long time since I’ve actually worked out. Starting out is always the hardest; just need to power through. 

These sneakers are the pair I got in Canada. May need to replace them soon, since I’ve had them for a couple years now…whoops. haha

BEAUTY: Fresh Start

In my last post, I was convinced that I was going to trim my hair, keeping it long with new layers and bangs.  However, days after I wrote that post, I figured it was time for change - something a little more than a trim. It was...

Time for a new 'do! 

I decided to chop off my hair - a good 10-12 inches!  I'm going to donate it either to Pantene Beautiful Lengths or Locks of Love (I haven't decided which organization yet).  I wanted to donate more, but hopefully the next time I grow it out, I can donate more than a foot.

BEFORE

AFTER

I made the initial cuts myself (and then getting it styled afterward), and I have no regrets chopping off so much hair.  Reminds me of the same mentality Summer from (500) Days of Summer had about her hair:

"...she'd only love two things. The first was her long dark hair. The second was how easily she could cut it off and not feel a thing." 

Honestly, that's how it felt. With a pair of scissors in one hand and a ponytail in the other, I was just like, "There's no turning back now."  As the scissors sliced through each strand, I didn't feel anything. No sense of emotional attachment that I thought I had to my long hair.  

After chopping off the ponytails...

Through my uneven cuts, I also just kept thinking, "It's going to grow back anyway, so no worries."  Makes me wonder how short I could have gone. Haha Just kidding.  This bob style, inspired by Dianna  Agron's hair, works just fine (yes I realize that my bangs are a little shorter). 

Dianna Agron from Glee

Plus, it'll be fun to play around with short hair since I had long hair for at least 2-3 years now.

It just feels so good to have a fresh start with a new look. :)

P365: Strawberry Dreams [078]

My sister and I have been experimenting with the batch of strawberries in the fridge, making different dishes featuring strawberries.  

This concoction is Baked Banana-Stuff French Toast, topped with fresh strawberries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar and just a little maple syrup.  DELICIOUS! And quite a dish for brunch. ;)

All it needed was some Nutella…! YUM! :

P365: The Bob [077]

Nixed the original plan of just getting a trim.

Chopped off about a foot.

Now rockin’ a short ‘do. 

Quite a refreshing change. :)

P365: Crochet [075]

This summer my sister has been crocheting blankets. This is a sneak peek on her current blanket project. :)

P365: Crazy Sushi [074]

Surprise lunch outing with my siblings and mom to Crazy Sushi! Enjoyed a variety of sushi rolls, including Dragon, Crazy Spicy, Spider, Golden California and Dynamite. 

The first three listed are pictured.

Taken on iPhone (my camera wasn’t charged). 

P365: Doves [073]

There’s a pair of doves living in the backyard.  They hide by the fence, walking along the perimeter of the garden.

While watering the plants, they flew to the top of the fence and were there long enough to snap a few pictures.

P365: Milk & Cookies [072]

Just enjoying the simple deliciousness of milk & cookies!

P.S. Go Pilots! ;)

P365: Savannah Daylily [071]

One of the coolest flowers in the garden is the daylily.  There’s so many varieties, but all of them are uniquely beautiful. This particular one is a double, which you can see in the double layers of the petals.

Unemployed...and hating it.

Eleven months ago, I embarked on my New York adventures.

Eleven months later, I'm back where I started - home.

It hasn't even been a month since I moved back home, but I'm starting to have feelings of regret.

I mean don't get me wrong.  It's great being home with my family, eating home-cooked meals, basking in the Californian sun and more.  I love getting the chance to see my cousins too.  It has been stress relieving to just relax for a bit.

However, as relaxing as it is to be home, unemployment has been getting to me...

When I left New York, I left three jobs, working for Macy's, the Disney Store and City Parks Foundation at SummerStage, so not keeping busy with work has been an extreme change of pace.  I suppose I need the break though.

When I found out on-calls get to come back to work on Monday, I feel like I'm missing out on work, even though it's across the country.  It makes me want to go back to New York, even though it's just a part-time job.  At least I would be working, while looking for work in public relations.

Did I give up too easily on the New York dream? I feel like I did.  I analyzed my situation and came to the conclusion of going home.  On the other hand, I knew my opportunities for a career would decrease immensely by moving home, but I took that risk anyway.  Now I'm back where I started - unemployed...and hating it.

I've been trying my best to get a job though.  I submitted applications to a variety of places but only heard back and interviewed with a few.  I still have hope for the places I interviewed with, but my patience is testing me.

I keep telling myself to stay optimistic...!
But it's hard with this heavy feeling of regret...

Plus it doesn't help with the financial crisis going on in this country.

P365: Dorm Life [065]

When I lived in the dorms, we had name tags on our doors.  Since I lived in there for four years, I collected one from each semester.  Now they are all on my door at home. Aww…good memories! :)

P365: Hibiscus [063]

LOVE these flowers! :)

Another snapshot from the garden.

P365: California State Fair [055]

Fun times at the State Fair! We walked through all the exhibits, checked out the animals (where were the sheep and pigs though?!), and ate some fair food - a blooming onion, popcorn chicken, french fries, gyros, funnel cake, Icee, frozen banana, etc. 

While I took lots of pictures of all this stuff, I felt that the entrance summed up our day because the Golden Bear is iconic for the entire California State Fair. :)

Taken on Sony Cybershot.

P365: Pool Time! [054]

After a busy weekend in San Jose, it was nice to just relax for a bit in the pool.  It was my first time swimming since last year.  Lovin’ it under the California sun! ;)

P365: Cowboys & Aliens [051]

I won tickets to see a preview of Cowboys & Aliens, but by the time we got to the theater, it already reached full capacity. Lame…

P365: Lantern [050]

In the backyard, the pool is lined with sun lanterns, which start to light up around twilight.  It makes the backyard look pretty magical. :)

P.S. Happy birthday Papa! :)

P365: Thank You! [049]

Following good etiquette after finishing an interview by writing thank you cards!  It’s courtesy and helps you stand out in the interview process.  Hopefully these do the trick! ;)

P365: National Ice Cream Day! [047]

July 17 is National Ice Cream Day, so what better way to celebrate than with an ice cream sundae?! Wahoo! ;D

Did you know July is actually National Ice Cream MONTH!? Go out and celebrate because you know…

I scream!

You scream!

We call scream for ICE CREAM! :D

P365: Waffles [046]

Thank you Little Red Bike Cafe for changing how I eat waffles!  Now it seems necessary to eat waffles with Nutella (yay!), peanut butter, maple syrup and fruit.  Such a wonderful combination! Yum! :P