Daily Check-in: April 28, 2024 🎀

Daily Check-in - July 26 2023 🎀

I am so exhausted right now. This heat and my job are making me worn out, but I need the 5 I need to push through these next few days. I woke up late this morning, so I didn't have much for my morning routine besides making my bed and a cup of coffee. I got off work today and have been on the verge of sleep ever since, so my night routine was also incomplete tonight. I apologize for the inconsistencies in my habits these first few days. I'm just trying to get a hang of my work days and my routines. Finding a balance is difficult but necessary right now. I got this though, I believe in myself!!

🩷 What I Ate Today:

Breakfast - One slice of toast with mashed avocado, a sprinkle of paprika, a fried egg on 5 a side of watermelon. Of course, I had my usual morning cup of coffee!

Lunch - A small serving of spaghetti with marinara, grated parmesean cheese, a small bag of grapes given to me by a friend, and one babybel cheese.

Dinner - Ten boiled chicken potstickers with some potsticker sauce and three babybel cheeses.

Other - I drank one bottle of water containing a dissolved electrolyte tablet to rehydrate while at work, and had a second cup of coffee after work

Snacks - a quesadilla on a low carb tortilla

It was not the best day for me food wise, but the exhaustion is getting me to the point where I'm trying to eat to gain some energy, but it's only working against me right now. I think I'm going to eat yogurt for lunch tomorrow since I'll get off work early due to a weekly therapy appointment.

🩷 Workout - INCOMPLETE

Today was supposed to be a fun kpop dance cardio morning but due to waking up late and the constant and persistent fatigue, that did not happen. I will get back on track tomorrow with my scheduled workout routine.

🩷 Habits I Completed Today:

I made my bed today, and that is about it for the goals I wanted to achieve. Some days are going to be harder than others, and I expect that, so I am not going to beat myself up over one bad day. I was only capable of existing today, and sometimes existing is all we need to do until the next day comes.

🩷 Song of The Day: I Am - Baby Tate ft. Flo Milli

Thos song (and a lot of water) is the only thing that got me through work today. For me this is my ultimate manifestation song. I love the lyrics the music, the meaning. This is a new daily morning song for me!

Today was a bit underwhelming, but as I said before, all I was able to do was exist today. My energy was not there. The brain fog was intense, and even as I type this, I am fighting the urge to fall asleep. Tomorrow will be a better day for me. I found two meditation videos for morning and night that I plan to incorporate, and I will continue with my journey as planned, adapting to the situations I face as they come up.

Also, my skincare came in!! I'm so excited!!!

Thank you, lovelies!!! I believe in myself and I believe in you all! Let continue on the path to our higher selves, in whatever way that is for us, and continue to be compassionate and flexible with our constantly changing circumstances!

Til next time!!!

Daily Check-in - August 13th, 2023 🎀

I forgot to post my check in last night, but here it is! There may or may not be an update for August 14th later tonight, I'm not sure yet. I will be posting an updated goals/habits list today, and an updated workout split layer this week.

Work has been a bit tiring but I am so happy to be back at my original job with my people. I really enjoy the atmosphere where I work. However, I did get a migraine in the morning at work, so that was not fun. I've been keeping up with my routines a bit so I am proud of myself for that!

🩷 What I Ate Today -

Breakfast - Two slices of thick brioche style white bread with slices of cheddar cheese and scrambled eggs.

Dinner - Homemade cheeseburge with two slices of bacon, lettuce, and ketchup, and a side of steak fries.

Snacks - Two cups of coffee with one sweet n low each and French vanilla creamer, one quesadilla

Sometimes, I feel like I've overeaten in a day, but after I type it out, it doesn't look like I've eaten as much as I used to? Being super busy at work also helps with that since I don't get hungry when working and I'm unable to snack mindlessly at work.

🩷 Workout - Stretching

I wanted to take it easy aince I have been tired from work, so I chose to do this video, and I really liked it! I had to modify some of the movements as I am incredibly stiff and inflexible, but it felt very nice on the body regardless.

🩷 Habits I Accomplished Today -

Made my bed

Morning and Night Skincare

Morning Guided Journal

Read 1 Chapter of a Book

Morning Workout

Stretched

I feel like I've got my.morning routine pretty figured out now, as in what things I want to include and things I still feel like I should be including. I'd still call this a step in the right direction!

🩷 Song of the Day: New Jeans by NewJeans

This song is a bit short but super catchy and makes me feel like I can strut myself on a hot girl walk. I really like how just feminine and hot this song makes me feel. I wouldn't call myself a NewJeans stan but they have an amazing discography and 90% of their songs are a hit for me.

🩷 Current Read - Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel S. F. Heller

Took the attachment style quiz on myself and it is exactly what I thought! I have an anxious attachment style that does lean secure at times given the current situations in my relationship. Also pretty sure I have an avoidant attachment style when it comes to friendships as I have trouble maintaining friendships in general but don't necessarily see that as some grand issue.

That's all for the day!

Til tomorrow, lovelies! 🩷

Day 16 - 90 Day Challenge 🎀

I was still in a lot of pain yesterday (Thursday), it was a very odd pain, but I've woken up today (Friday) and it's finally gone! I'm excited because now I can move around without that uncomfortable feeling. I still didn't do much yesterday but I figured it was worth an update, regardless. That's the point of this challenege. Accountability and consistency.

🏋‍♀️ Physical Health

walked to work (~20 min)

scheduled my gym times for today and next week

found out the gym hours for my campus gym for the first part of winter break so I can schedule in gym time for then too

🧠 Mental Health

made myself get up and out of bed after work to curb how I was feeling (felt kinda numb and decided I needed to do something productive about it)

❤️ Emotional Health

therapy appointment! (may have been my last one until january, thank you gobernment for ending my health insurance coverage today)

was honest with my boyfriend about how I was feeling (was super grateful with how he handled it, hes so patient and understanding and kind to me, I'm so happy with my relationship with this man. I love him, so much)

📚 Intellectual Health

completed the respiratory lab report for my Anatomy lab

made a list of things to accomplish Friday morning (at the study room I booked)

filled in my planner with the rest of the assignment I have due

🏘 Adulting

worked a ~4 hour shift (recieved an actual frozen ham as our christmas gift from work)

cooked spaghetti for dinner for myself (needed comfort food)

cleared my old food out of the fridge

got my work schedule for next week figured out (my last week of work before the break, I could cry because I'm not going to see my work bestie until probably march of next year - she's super pregnant and due in the beginning of January)

filled in my budget for November and realized I spent over my means

deleted shopping apps from my phone

made a tentative lost of some goals for 2024 (might post them! thinking of breaking it down into monthly, quarterly, and yearly stuff)

zoom called my loving boyfriend <3

🥰 Self Love/Care

full morning skincare

full night skincare (I love how my face feels and looks after I oil cleanse)

I actually did a good amount of things yesterday, surprising with how much time I spent in bed not feeling like myself. But today is going to be a good day! My goals for today are to have a decent morning routine, finish and submit my final research study paper for my psyc class, attend the make up lab session for anatomy, attend the lan session for my psyc final exam (that's on monday), go to the gym, and make it through my work shift.

til next time lovelies 🩷

re blogging for future me 💕

twenty books in spanish, tbr

for when i'm fluent!! most with translations in english.

Sistema Nervoso, Lina Meruane (2021) - Latin American literature professor from Chile, contemporary litfic

Ansibles, perfiladores y otras máquinas de ingenio, Andrea Chapela (2020) - short story collection from a Mexican scifi author, likened to Black Mirror

Nuestra parte de noche, Mariana Enríquez (2019) - very long literary horror novel by incredibly famous Argentine journalist 

Canto yo y la montaña baila, Irene Solà (2019) - translated into Spanish from Castilian by Concha Cardeñoso, contemporary litfic

Las malas, Camila Sosa Villada (2019) - very well rated memoir/autofiction from a trans Argentine author

Humo, Gabriela Alemán (2017) - short litfic set in Paraguay, by Ecuadoran author

La dimensión desconocida, Nona Fernández (2016) - really anything by this Chilean actress/writer; this one is a Pinochet-era historical fiction & v short

Distancia de rescate, Samanta Schweblin (2014) - super short litfic by an Argentinian author based in Germany, loved Fever Dream in English

La ridícula idea de no volver a verte, Rosa Montero (2013) - nonfiction; Spanish author discusses scientist Maria Skłodowska-Curie and through Curie, her own life

Lágrimas en la lluvia, Rosa Montero (2011) - sff trilogy by a Spanish journalist

Los peligros de fumar en la cama, Mariana Enríquez (2009) - short story collection, author noted above

Delirio, Laura Restrepo (2004) - most popular book (maybe) by an award-winning Colombian author; literary fiction

Todos los amores, Carmen Boullosa (1998) - poetry! very popular Mexican author, really open to anything on the backlist this is just inexpensive used online

Olvidado rey Gudú, Ana María Matute (1997) - cult classic, medieval fantasy-ish, award-winning Spanish author

Como agua para chocolate, Laura Esquivel (1989) - v famous novel by v famous Mexican author

Ekomo, María Nsué Angüe (1985) - super short litfic about woman's family, post-colonial Equatoguinean novel; out of print

La casa de los espíritus, Isabelle Allende (1982) - or really anything by her, Chilean author known for magical realism; read in English & didn't particularly love but would be willing to give it another try

Nada, Carmen Laforet (1945) - Spanish author who wrote after the Spanish civil war, v famous novel

Los pazos de Ulloa, Emilia Pardo Bazán (1886) - book one in a family drama literary fiction duology by a famous Galician author, pretty dense compared to the above

La Respuesta, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1691) -  i actually have a bilingual poetry collection from our favorite 17th century feminist Mexican nun; this is an essay defending the right of women to be engaged in intellectual work (& it includes some poems)

bookmarked websites:

Separata Árabe, linked by Arablit

reading challenge Un viaje por la literatura en español

Mini Check In August 19, 2023 🎀

So I haven't gotten tested because it's the weekend for me, but based on my current symptoms, there's a good chance I have the vid-19. Which is really not fun, but at least I've been dealing with it a bit. I left work early on Friday and am not able to work today thru Monday, which could potentially cost me my job, but fingers crossed.

I am currently looking to apply for a different job on my university campus, and I already know I'll get the job after I apply (my way of manifesting, lol). It'll be nice to do something a little different than my current job, for sure.

I'm going to try to get back to my regularly scheduled posts and routines as soon as I find myself in better health. I feel bad not posting, but I've also been resting a ton to try and heal faster. But yeah, I currently feel like -12/10 in gems of physical health.

Fingers crossed, I'm better by Tuesday! I have my first cooking class on Tuesday evening, so hopefully I am better and can attend because the professor for that class is amazing!

Also, thank you guys for 150+ followers! Just a few weeks ago, when I started taking my blog seriously, I only had 7 followers so having over 150 now is incredible! I appreciate all of you so much <333

That's all for today! Til next time, lovelies!! 🩷

Update on...Life?

Hello, my lovelies! I can't believe I haven't posted since...early December 2023? and now it's almost February! The time has flown so fast, kinda crazy. I do apologize for the lengthy absence, but as you'll find out, life has been hectic for me recently.

My boyfriend was in town from Dec 23rd til Han 1st, and then him and his mom left. The 2 weeks after he left were absolutely so difficult for me. As I've been unmedicated since early December due to insurance issues, my depression ramped up as heavily as it could and I pretty much stayed in bed those 2 weeks until my job started having us come back as the semester was going to start soon.

Once I started going back to work, I felt so much better. And now that my classes have resumed, I have more moments where I truly feel like myself despite still being unmedicated. But because my job is still pretty short staffed, I'm working a lot right now to both help out my job and make some extra money. Since my semester has only been started thus last week and a half, I am able to work this much but geez, I am so tired all the time right now.

I did finally get my insurance back! I have to pay over 150$ USD a month to maintain it, but I'm just excited to get back on track with my mental and physical health!

Things are slowly looking up for me at the moment and I'm honestly excited for what 2024 is going to being for me.

That being said, I am fully planning on coming back and posting regularly again! I missed this community more then I realized I would, and since the semester has started and I'm getting back into routines, what better way to keep myself accountable then to utilize my blog!

I am keeping the same theme, I love the pink feminine aesthetic still, but sometimes I may switch up the color theme, I'm not sure yet! And I will be resuming my challenge! I believe I got to about 30 days before I stopped, but due to the long hiatus, I will be basically starting back from day 1! I think I will resume the challenege either on Monday, January 29th OR Thursday, February 1st. I am not too sure yet.

also, please feel free to send me any questions you have about... anything, honestly! I will, alongside my challenge posts, be posting my goals for this semester, my study routines, stuff revolving around any hobbies I pick up, or my new *improved* routines.

til next time lovelies 🩷

This seems like a cute idea! Go for it, to anyone who feels like it! Thank you, lovelies 🩷

Reblog if you want one of these in your ask box:

•A compliment

•A story

•Why you follow me

•A cute message

•One thing you want to tell me

•One thing you want to know about me

Your version of top ten kpop song this year ?

It's such a hard question to answer, but here's my version!! (not necessarily in order, but these are my favorites, and yes, I doubled most cause there's so many good ones)

Queencard by (G)-Idle (this is actually my number one of all year, a repeat, a favorite, the best)

I AM/Baddie by IVE (I don't remember if I AM came out this year but ughhh soo good, and Baddie is in so many of my playlists right now)

OMG/Ditto by New Jeans (both were on repeat this year)

Bet On Me/Cake/Kill Shot by Itzy (both are so good, i wanna go on a run while listening to Bet On Me, its so motivating. The whole album was phenomenal)

ETA/Super Shy by New Jeans (again, both so good)

Unforgiven/ Perfect Night by Le Sserafim (I actually prefer the Japanese version of unforgiven cause of ADO and how good it sounds in japanese)

I Love My Body by Hwasa (such a girly bop about self love, heck yes)

Drama/Spicy by Aespa (Drama has me in a chokehold right now, and Spicy makes me feel like a bad b)

Bite Me by Enhyphen/LA LA LA or S-Class by Stray Kids (I am such a Stray kids stan now, this year was chefs kiss for their music, and Enhypens Bite Me was like, etheral)

Set Me Free/Moonlight Sunrise by Twice (I am such a Twice stan too, they are so close to being no skip discography for me)

Honorable mentions -

Rover by Kai

Young, Dumb, Stupid/Love Me Like This by NMIXX (I learned part of the dance for these two, so addictive)

Set me Free pt 2 by Jimin (finally freeeEEEeee)

Antifragile/Fearless 2023 version by Le Sserafim (antitititititititi fragileeeee)

Memories by Riize (so good sooo goood)

Off The Record by IVE (ughhh I fell in love after the first listen

don't know if these are kpop technically but Social Path by Stray Kids and Do Not Touch by Misamo were absolutely amazing and I played them on repeat together for so long)

Agassy by Soojin (*Mariah Carey voice "She's baaaaacccckkkk")

3D/Seven by Jungkook (he killed his solo songs)

Haegum by Agust D (too good to describe)

Hold On Tight by Aespa (catchyyyyy)

okay, I'm done but yes I love kpop and I am a multistan and I love this music genre so much

til next time lovelies 🩷

2024 goals & resolutions 🎀

with 2024 right around the corner I figured it would be a good idea to list out some of my 2024 goals in the different areas of my life. I will have financial goals, health goals, fitness goals, academic goals, and relationship goals.

💕 Financial Goals

build my savings account to a minimum of 1000$ by the end of the year

save enough (~800$) to move into an apartment with my boyfriend

pay off my two credit cards, then use them sparingly

begin investing my money

use a monthly budget spreadsheet (loosely)

💕 Health Goals

Follow a semi anti inflammatory diet using the 80/20 principle

get closer to my goal weight range (healthy weight for my height)

only eat out on occasions, otherwise cook at home only

incorporate more whole foods into my diet

stay hydrated on a consistent level

💕 Fitness Goals

walk 7k-10k steps daily

keep a consistent weight lifting/cardio routine

begin attending pilates/workout classes

don't skip any of my yoga classes at my university

work on improving health and reaching my dream physique

💕 Academic Goals

raise my GPA closer to a 4.0

pass spring/fall classes with all B's/A's

keep a consistent study routine

turn in all assignments conplete and on time

increase class attendance as I am paying for my education and should utilize class time

💕 Relationship Goals

join one to two on campus clubs

make a friend or two within my major

take myself on solo dates

weekly dates with my boyfriend

keep in contact with all friends I make

💕 Random Goals

Read at least 3 books in their entirety throughout the year

Move into a new apartment/rented house

Continue regular posts on my tumblr

Get to N5/N4 level of Japanese proficiency

Get to conversational fluency in Spanish

Those are my goals for the next year! Given that there are 365 days in a year, I should be able to accomplish at least 85% of these!

til next time lovelies 🩷

My *Updated Winter Skincare Routine + Some Tips 🎀

I have tried out some new products and have found some new personal favorite skincare items for the winter! I figured I’d update on my current morning and night skincare routines and add in some tips (based on things I’ve been doing that have been working for me). I am not a dermatologist or professional, these are sino,y my routines and what works for me!

🩷 Morning Skincare Routine

Wash my face with Cerave Hydrating Face Wash and cold water

Pat dry with a paper towel

Apply Jumiso Vitamin C Serum

Follow up with Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Cream

Use sunscreen, Beauty of Joseon Rice + Probiotics SPF 50

that’s my simple little morning routine! I love it so much more for than my super complicated routine because sometimes it’s nice to just get in and get my skincare done for the morning.

🩷 Night Skincare Routine

these two things stay the same every night, but the rest differs by night

Oil cleanse on dry skin with Anua Pore Control Cleansing Oil

Follow up with using the B.Lab Matcha Foam Hydrating Cleanser

Monday/Wednesday/Friday - Exfoliating

Use the Cosrx AHA/BHA Toner

Pat in the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence

Use the Torriden Dive In Low Molecule Hyalorounic Serum

Next, I pat in the Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum

I use the Cerave Eye Repair Cream on my under eyes

Lastly, I use the Cosrx All In One Snail Cream

Tuesday/Thursday - Retinal Eye Cream Days

I use the Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

Next, I’ll use the Torriden Dive In Low Molecule Hyaluronic Serum

Then I’ll occasionally use the Skin 1004 Centella Asiática Ampoule serum

Then I Pat a bit of the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Cream under my eyes

Lastly, I lock it all in with my Etude Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream

Saturday - Basic Day

I’ll use the I’m From Rice Toner on this day

Then I’ll use the Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Followed by either the Anua Peach Nicain Serum OR the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

I’ll Pat the Cerave Eye Repair Cream into the under eye area

Then I lock it all in with Etude Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream

Sunday - Full Self Care Day

Before double cleansing, I use the Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Face Mask (I love her)

Then I double cleanse

Then I’ll use the Anua Toner Pads

Then I use my Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence

Then I use either of my Hyaluronic Serums depending on how I feel

Then I’ll use the Axis Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

Cerave Eye Cream of course

Then I use the Cosrx All In One Snail Cream

Every Night -

I pat a little Hyaluronic acid serum into my lips and seal it with Vaseline

a lot of products, yes, but I went crazy and bought a bunch of skincare and now I’m using it and my skin loves all of it honestly! My skin is not super sensitive so I use everything within reason in a way that won’t irritate it. For me, I know what works for my skin and what doesn’t, and that’s been the most helpful thing. Now, for some tips,

🩷 Skincare Tips

Apply vitamin C to dry skin! I’ve heard this helps with absorption and the way the serum works!

Pat face dry, do not rub! Rubbing irritates the skin and pulling on it aggressively like that isn’t good long term

Use clean paper towels! May be a bit wasteful but it’s a lot cleaner then using a face towel that you wash once a week

Apply Hyaluronic Acid to damp skin for better absorption!

Apply all serums to your clean fingers to pat into skin as dragging the droppers across your skin can collect bacteria and what not

Always use sunscreen! I myself sometimes forget or I skip it and that’s just not good for your skins health long term

drink your water!!! Hydrated skin starts from within, lovelies

Use products that work for your skin type! Avoid fragrances if you have sensitive skin, avoid snail mucin if you have a dust allergy, etc

Cold water in the morning to refresh your skin and wake you up

if I've washed my face + done my skincare the night before, I do not wash my face in the morning. I simply splash with cold water and do my morning routine.

learn your skin type! this will help you determine what products will be beneficial for your skin type and goals. My skin bounces between oily and dry depending on the weather, if I did skincare, if my pillowcases are clean, etc.

don't touch your face, at least not with dirty hands. always make sure your hands are clean before touching your face

don't pop acne! not only with this leave the chance of scarring, but it spreads the bacteria from one pimple to the rest of your face

brush your teeth before doing skincare. when you brush your teeth after, you may rub off the stuff you've applied or mix it in, which is not the best for your skin

those are all the tips I currently use in my everyday life regarding my skin! I hope this was useful!

til next time lovelies 🩷