#journalinnn

[neialovespickles]

how I spent my evening

[neialovespickles]

Roadtripppppin

Yesterday my brothers and I drove down to Seattle to visit some family for our grandpa’s 86th birthday celebration. I always enjoy long drives in the summer—they basically consist of just blasting stellar music (“Break Free” by Ariana Grande was a car fave), wind in the hair, and of course the use of some oversized sunnies to combat the blaring sun rays! I have a close relationship with my older brothers, so the drive was just one fat bonding session spent belting songs out (what we do best, obvs) and discussing random topics (they were pointless really..). Prior to reaching out final destination we passed by Alderwood Mall for some Amurican nomz that we otherwise don't get to indulge in. My main priority? Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. If you know me, I mean if you REALLY know me, then you would know how entirely obsessed I am with those perfectly baked/salted dough sticks. I came across what I guess was a jalapeno-infused pretzel… and booooy was I in love...I died. I mean seriously, Heaven on earth really does exist—and it’s in an edible form. *Insert tongue licking// heart eyed emoticons here* Asides from those to-die-for pretzels, I also picked up a steal of a shirt at Hot Topic! (I loooove this movie so much, so props to anybody who’s seen it before!!)

  When we arrived at my aunt’s place in Seattle we spent the day hanging out with cousins, aunts/ uncles, and of couuurse the guest of honor… our grandpa! He’s only the cutest man ever alive, so seeing him is always both a pleasure and a total privilege. Complete with a buffet of irresistible Filipino food and great company, the trip down to Estados Unidos was a success! We don’t always get the chance to go down that often, so when we do it’s a super fun time. All in all the trip was a totaaaal blast and getting to see my extended relatives as well as stuff my face with prodigiously abundant amounts of Filipino food is an obvious plus too!! 

- Neia xx

[neialovespickles]

"When The Sun Don't Shine"

I just wanna tell you That I always loved you I just wanna tell you That I always loved you I just wanna tell you That I always miss you I just wanna tell you That I always miss you When the sun don't shine  You are mine When the sun don't shine You are mine Mine Mine

- Neia xx

[neialovespickles]

Travel Buggin'

Lately I have been feeling this insane urge to pack up all my things and travel. Just leave this city and go on an adventure for a few months...or longer, if I’m lucky. Now, I would definitely follow through with this dream plan of mine right now if I weren’t financially incapable at the moment (*insert crying emoticon*)…that is why I have officially declared next summer as my time to explore (and early 2015 if I manage to secure a semester abroad for school!). Travelling is something that everyone should experience in his or her lives. It’s that standard, necessary experience that we’ve all gotta do at least once to say we have. Though I, quite frankly wish I could spend my entire life broadening my mind culturally; immersing myself into each and every exquisite place I visit.  I wish I could spend a portion of my life traveling from one, beautiful, foreign land to the other. I wish I could try insanely dope and exotic foods that I have never heard of, and meet people all around the globe, and take those super cliché but undeniably breathtaking photos of famous landmarks… I mean, the list could just go on for-freakin-ever. The point is, I never imagined myself to stay in Vancouver my whole life. Perhaps as morbid as it may sound, I don’t intend to “die in Vancouver”. I don’t even know what I mean half the time I say it, but it’s basically just my melo-dramatic way of saying that I don’t want to spend my the duration of my life confined within this city. In all of its beauty, Vancouver is my home and I absolutely adore it—but I wouldn’t consider it my endgame.

  I want to put a lock on the “Love Lock” Bridge with my lover (or friend... idk) in Paris, I want to swim in the Mediterranean Sea while visiting Santorini, I want to learn Dutch in Amsterdam (if only you knew how great my love for The Netherlands is <3)… UGH. I wish moving outside of Canada was that simple though. Unfortunately, nowadays it seems as though the only way to attain citizenship anywhere else is by getting work in that desired location (which is really only possible if you’re a superhuman at your job and are more skilled than an actual citizen of that country) or of course the easier option, marrying a citizen of said country. All technicalities and hindrances aside, Europe or (she gulps before typing it, with the fear of sounding TOTALLLLY cliché and getting judged out of the wazoooo) New York would be my dream places to relocate. 

Amsterdam: I don’t know what it is about it, but over the years I have developed this unyielding fascination and adoration for Amsterdam. I vacationed there about 2-3 years ago with my family, and although a chaotic short trip (… there were 4 of us living in a tiny house boat… needless to say, tempers were flaring), I’ve been absolutely obsessed with it. Perhaps it’s the culture, the landscapes, the food, and the people… perhaps it’s everything. Amsterdam is a place that I would truly love to settle down in and build a life in. New York on the other hand…. Boo0o0ooy. Where do I even start? Obvs the more cliché of the two, NYC is a hectic, fast-pace, flashy, crowded mess of a city… and I am in.freakin.love.with.it. Having not been there since the winter of 2012 (it was that trip that I met my love, NICK JONAS! Omgomg), I’ve been dying to go back. New York City is a no-brainer for me because I consider it the “hub” for journalism. If there were a place where my career could truly take of and I could honestly have a shot at making a name for myself, this would be the place to pursue it.  

Who knows where I’ll end up, which I guess is what makes this whole “future” thing fun (mostly scary…but a little fun, I guess). All I know is that regardless of all the setbacks (because there will be setbacks), I’m set on having an adventure abroad. That’s happening for daaaaamn sure. 

Anywaaaays, sorry for the above word-vomit. I’m sick, in bed, drinking tea... and it’s like 30+ degrees out, and my mother thinks I have measles which is why I'm not spending my day outdoors…k I'm done. Basically this blog rant was inevitable.

- Neia xx 

[neialovespickles]

The First of Many...

The fact that I have hardly written text posts thus far (asides from the occasional awkward, face-palm worthy “post break up” rants accompanied by Taylor Swift lyrics) is honestly a shock to me. I’ve just been physically writing everything down on a notepad but for some unbeknownst reason, had never thought to post it on a blog-like setting… and for that, I am truly embarrassed (Considering that, ya know, it's only the 21st century). 

ANYWAYS, thanks to my epiphany moment, here we are now—I am writing to you all from the comfort (and slight discomfort, due to the inescapable summer heat...) of my lovely bed. Having finally come to my senses, prepare to be bombarded (just kidding… kind of?) with a prodigious variety of posts regarding anything and everything that’s basically of enough intrigue and significance to me to take the time to document it here. Thus far, my tumblr has been my little safe haven that I use to post images of what I’m diggggin, the moods I’m feeling, or the trends/places I’m loving at the moment… but alas! The strict conveyance of emotion/interest in the form of pictures and passive aggressive typographic messages are no longer. Rather than strictly operating an entirely “picture-based” page, I figure, why not write some actual words from my actual self on my own actual blog?

Now, bear in mind: I, by no means, guarantee these posts to be of immense relevance to whomever magically ends up reading them…and in no way am I a tech-geek or have any clue with what an HTML code exactly is... (I'm seriously trying though, guys.) Asides from finally conveying my thoughts and all that is important to me, this addition to my blog is more imperatively, a way for me to challenge my limits and comfort zones, (one of which is being open with my internal thoughts/ things I find alluring) and share my insights with people other than my friends and family.

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Anywho, before I proceed to mindlessly blabber on about the new edition of the “JOURNALINNN” link on my tumblr, I best be on my way to bed. More posts to come! Hopefully you decide to stick around and find the little things I enjoy in my life at least remotely as captivating as I do! 

Hooray!!

-  Neia xx