Blog Posts

Serial Podcast, Season 1

What a roller coaster of a story.

Adnan Syed was 17 years old when he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He has now been in prison for 15 years, and reporter Sarah Koenig tried to crack the case and answer the question everyone has been wondering for almost two decades: Is Adnan guilty or innocent?

There are so many ups and downs, holes in alibies, and timelines that just do not add up. My biggest frustration with the whole case, however, is the lack of hard evidence. There is no hard evidence one way or another, which is why to this day people still wonder if Adnan is guilty or not. So, that brings up the question, then why is he serving a life sentence in prison?

Koenig takes you on a whirlwind adventure as she tries to answer the hard questions and solve the case herself.

I highly recommend this podcast! It is captivating, frustrating, and keeps you on your toes. You can download the podcast for free on an Apple device in the Podcast app. For more information on the series, you can visit serialpodcast.org.

This was my very first time at the nation’s capital! It was a great trip filled with very much overdue best friend bonding, a hop-on-hop-off bus with endless sightseeing, and a Beyoncé and Jay-Z concert.

I was in D.C. for a long weekend, and that still wasn’t enough to do all of the sightseeing. However, my two-day pass for the hop-on-hop-off bus tour made it a little easier, and in the end, it was still fun to play tourist for four days!

I could list all of the places I went and things I saw and what I liked and disliked, but that would take far too much time and patience. So, here are pictures from the highlights of my trip!

I will say, however, the Bey and Jay concert was unreal and my life will never be the same, I geeked out at the Newseum since I dedicated 4 years and tens-of-thousands of dollars for an education in journalism, and we ate at a Spanish restaurant that made us completely nostalgic about our study abroad days.

Capitol Building

Lincoln Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument & Reflecting Pool

Arlington Cemetery

National Archives Museum

WWII Memorial

White House

Supreme Court

Vietnam War Memorial

OTRII: Beyoncé & Jay-Z Concert

I didn’t have to travel too far for this trip, but Madison still deserves a short and sweet post!

I traveled to Madison to visit one of my best friends that I hadn’t seen in six months. Also, I hadn’t been in Madison since my senior year of high school when our football team won state.

The Madison campus is so cute, quaint and unique. It may not be a very large campus but there are some really beautiful old buildings and fantastic views. There are always fun street festivals where you can find some killer deals and every Saturday the farmer’s market around the capitol building attracts a huge crowd. Also, it’s Wisconsin, so, the meat, cheese and booze options are plentiful.

Some of my favorite views include the view of the lake from the union terrace, the capitol building lit up at night, and view of the city from the top of the capitol building, just to name a few.

Some people are afraid of spiders, some people are afraid of heights, but I have always been afraid of haircuts…

Since I was younger, I have always had long hair. I never wanted to cut it. I was always afraid to get a haircut in fear that it would look bad or I would hate it, until Summer 2015.

At that point, my hair was so long that it was getting in the way and restricting me from doing the simplest of tasks. When I went swimming, my hair would be wrapped around my arms or when I would pick up my newborn cousin, my hair would be all over her and me, making us both frustrated.

Fed up and looking for a change in style, I did something out of character and decided I was going to chop my hair. I wanted to cut enough to donate but not too much because I was nervous. I put my nerves aside, cut 10 inches, and donated it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

Fast forward 3 years and my hair was frustratingly long again. This time, I was not scared and I was ready for a new look. I did my research and found a trendy, professional salon in San Diego that I could trust to give me a new cut and color.

Four hours and 14 inches later, I looked like a completely different person! I had a bob and was borderline blonde, and I loved it! Cutting all of that hair made me feel lighter and more liberated. I decided, again, that I would donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths in hopes that the recipient gaining my hair would feel as happy and liberated as I did while cutting it.

If you are interested in donating hair and meet all of the requirements, I highly suggest you check out Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

Above: My most recent hair donation. Haircut and color credit goes to Ashley Chicago! (Instagram: @ashleychicago)

In typical “me” fashion, when I returned from Madrid, I was only on U.S. soil for about 12 hours before taking my first trip.

My first stop was San Diego, California. I’ve been visiting SD frequently ever since my uncle moved out there about ten years. I know my way around, I know where my favorite restaurants are, and I know my favorite spot on my favorite beach. For a place I have never lived, SD feels like home.

Now, SD is not only home to my blood family but also my chosen family. My best friend just moved to SD and I cannot wait to have double the excuses to take vacations out to the west coast.

I desperately needed the overdue family time, and the warm weather is always a plus. SD, you have a special place in my heart. It feels great to be home!

Pictures: A family picture celebrating my cousin Amelia’s 3rd birthday! The picture to the right is the birthday dinner we had called “kamayan”, which is a Filipino style of eating with your hands.

Hasta Luego. See you later.

I have always appreciated this farewell by Spanish people. “Goodbye” suggests a permanent departure, whereas “hasta luego”, literally translated to “until then”, leaves room for a return.

When I said “hasta luego” to Spain for the first time, I was on my way home from a life-changing study abroad experience. I had high hopes and a dream of returning and living in Spain as a more permanent resident. My dream came true when I applied, was accepted and made my big move across the pond to Madrid to teach English as a second language (ESL).

I am not naive or ignorant. Going into my year of working abroad, I knew it would not be the same as my study abroad experience. This time around, I was not with friends nor was I in a large group where the program was holding my hand each step of the way.

I was alone.

I was not afraid to be alone, but I was nervous. But, I also was extremely excited and eager for what the future had in store! Getting my visa both before and right after my arrival was a total drag and saying my goodbyes to family and friends was difficult, to say the least. It was a rough start, but, still, hopes were high.

I felt confident in myself that I was prepared for what lied ahead. I had lots of traveling experience, a minor in Spanish, a certificate in ESL, a personality that can win others over, and most importantly, a good head on my shoulders. I had high expectations and thought I was going to be living my best life over there in Spain. I thought wrong. Maybe not completely, but I was still wrong.

Living in Spain was amazing, working in an elementary school was not so amazing, and making new friends in a city where I knew no one was almost impossible.

Living alone in a tiny studio apartment and traveling alone were eye-opening experiences. At the start, I thought I highly valued new experiences and learning how to survive on my own. However, I slowly came to realize that I value my family, friends and home more. I wouldn’t take this experience back and do not have a single regret. I needed these lonely times in order to realize and reflect on what is most important to me.

Spain was a little harder on me this time around. I needed it though. Many life lessons were had and a dream was fulfilled. I put in my time and I made the most of it. That’s all that matters.

Sometimes when I think about how I lived in Spain for a year, it’s kind of unreal. I have such a unique experience under my belt at age 23 that the majority of people will never have in their lifetime.

It was a hard farewell to leave Madrid, but one of the best homecomings ever. I have peace of mind knowing it wasn’t actually goodbye, but rather a “see you later.”

I am not sure when I will return to Spain or under what circumstances. My future right now is ultimately unknown and for once, I am okay with that.

So for now, until then, Madrid.

Pictures: My first weekend trip in Spain to my last…

The High Season by Judy Blundell

After searching Google many times for “good summer reads for women in their 20s”, I stumbled on this novel. The novel begins on Memorial Day and the actual storyline ends a little after the 4th of July with the last chapter being a short recap of where the characters are now after the Fall/Winter season.

So much can happen and change over one Summer, many of us know from experience. Having read this book in May, following the dramas of one middle-aged woman finding her place in the world after she had already been established once before made me excited for what this Summer might have in store for me.

Although Ruthie and I (the main character of this novel), do not have much in common, her emotions were deeply relatable, and I empathized greatly with her. She is a woman trying to live her best life while the world keeps throwing obstacles in her way. Aren’t we all that woman at some point in time? Or, maybe, always?

I recommend reading this book either in late Spring or during Summer to be able to completely immerse yourself in it. However, this book is a great read overall no matter what season you may choose to read it in.

For my last “Hoorah!” in Europe, I traveled to Benidorm, Spain with my cousin. It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of my school year teaching in Spain, the beginning of summer, and the new chapter I was about to start as I journeyed back home to the US of A. Plus, the best part was I didn’t have to travel alone this time!

This quick weekend getaway to the south of Spain was just what the doctor ordered… Every day was a beach day, not a cloud in the sky, not too hot, unlimited Sex on the Beach (as in the drink), and Spanish cuisine.

In the mornings, we would wake up as early as we could, throw on our swimsuits and head to the beach to reserve our chairs for the day. We spent all day at the beach drinking drinks, snacking on snacks, and running into the refreshing Mediterranean when we couldn’t take the strong rays any longer. We spent our nights either walking along the beach or around the thriving little beach town until we found a restaurant that would seem to satisfy our cravings for Spanish food and rosé.

The only regret we had all weekend was not reapplying enough sunscreen…

Since it was my very last weekend in Spain, the last supper we had consisted of rosé, Spanish tortilla, and seafood paella. All I have to say is, my taste buds are watering just thinking about it!

Reflecting on this perfect little vacation has me feeling like voy a echarte mucho de menos España…

Day 1, Benidorm, Spain, June 2018

Day 2, Benidorm, Spain, June 2018

Benidorm, Spain, June 2018

Benidorm, Spain, June 2018

Benidorm, Spain, June 2018

Benidorm, Spain, June 2018

Here are some of the highlights of the trip: the mornings spent on the beach, my beautiful cousin, and our food and drinks.

Paris is always a good idea!

I have been to Paris on multiple occasions, and I swear I fall more in love with this city with every visit. Although I have done all of the touristy things a tourist can do in Paris, my cousin lives in the city. So, when I visit I get a less touristy and more authentic Parisian experience.

I don’t have much to show or say about this visit because this was just a weekend away in Paris I took to stray away from my normal routine.

It’s always comforting to be with my cousin, it makes me feel just a little bit closer to home. And, to be with her in a beautiful European city is a huge bonus!

I may have not taken pictures of any famous monuments, but don’t worry, I did not forget to take pictures of my food! Here is brunch, macaroons and ice cream:

Paris, France, May 2018

Laduree, Paris, France, May 2018

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

To be honest, I was not thrilled about this book. However, it was the fault of my own and not because I did not like the storyline or appreciate Atwood’s writing style.

I (binge) watched the entire first season of “Handmaid’s Tale” on Hulu when it was first released. So, when the second season was released, I thought it would be a good idea to read the book not only as a reminder of what had happened in season one but because I have been disappointed in the past for watching before reading.

I have to applaud Hulu for how true to the book their adaptation of “Handmaid’s Tale” was. But, the entire first season of the show is the entire book. This is one of those books that does not have an “ending” and anything could have happened. And, when I say anything I mean ANYTHING.

I was so frustrated at the end of this book I could have cried! But, this is the perfect book for Hulu to make into a TV series because now, they have complete control over how this story will end. I guess I’ll just have to (binge) watch to get my answers!