I’m a very lucky girl.

My parents celebrate 24 wonderful years of marriage today. Congratulations you two crazy kids! This post is for you. It expresses a smidgen of how much you guys inspire, motivate and have taught me about support, teamwork, love, and hard-work. I’m lucky to be your daughter. I adore y’all, so much. ♥

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Dearest Mother & Father,

You two have always been my biggest fans. Through every little victory of mine (like, everytime I finish a meal that weighs more than me), and every major milestone (such as graduating from college), you two have been there, and I am so fortunate to constantly have your support. I don’t think I could put into words how grateful I am for both of you. You taught me discipline, the value of a penny, and the importance of having a goal and working towards it. Despite the fact that my sisters and I grew up without having a so-called “allowance,” we were never without anything we needed. You guys always made sure of that.

But it was because I was raised without an allowance that I knew I wanted to be able to earn and pay for things myself without having to go to you guys. You’ve always provided me with anything I could ever need, and you both work so hard. So from my thirteenth birthday and every Christmas for those next few years, I saved money I had been given, giving it to father to put towards what I called “My Retirement Fund. To be thirteen and saving for retirement… yep, I’m definitely y’alls daughter.

You two have always stressed the importance of school from when I was very young. In high school, I became aware of how important grades were for scholarships and getting into college. I’d always been a good student (I like to think), but I made sure to work extra hard in high school, completing the IB program and receiving both my high school and IB diploma come graduation. All that hard work paid off. I got into a beautiful school with a great art program located in the ever-so-lovely St Augustine. Fortunately, I also received a generous amount of financial aid between the school, Bright Futures, and private donors. Again, getting into college and receiving the financial aid I did would have been more difficult to accomplish had I not had you two behind me, cheering me on and encouraging me to put 110% into everything I do.

I worked through college, holding a few different part-time jobs. Like you two, I like to stay busy. While not completely aware as to how student loans worked as a college Freshman, I knew what interest was and that it was not in my favor when it came to student loans. So, I started to pay off a bit of my loans with each paycheck, also budgeting for rent, books, art supplies and other necessities.

I am very proud of the fact that I never asked you guys for money towards school. Although, I knew that if I ever needed some extra funds, you wouldn’t hesitate to send me some. But that just made me want to work even harder to be able to support myself. You guys raised an incredibly independent daughter (arguably a little too independent). Although I have to say that I was always thankful for your visits during my college years when you would bring me groceries. Freshman Year, you told me that if I kept up my grades throughout school, you would pay what was left of my student loans upon graduation as my graduation present. I had forgotten this until you announced it as my graduation party *cue tears* in front of everybody.

Being the kind of driven student and person that you raised me to be, I am proud to say that I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree debt-free. Not too many graduates can say that. Money I would have spent paying off that last chunk of loans I instead put towards my month-long European trip post-graduation (another thing I had been slowly saving for for ages). I would not have had the same great experience on that trip without your support.

Even when it does get tough and you’re living that broke college student life where you’ve been living off nothing but pasta for weeks… we’ve all gone through, or are currently experiencing those tight times. But even when you feel like you’re at your low, things can only go up from there, especially with support behind you. Thank you mother and father, for pushing me to work hard, because hard work really does pay off. I learned that emulating the strong work ethic of both of you. I know better than to let anyone tell me otherwise.

I owe everything to you two for helping me see the silver lining through anything life has or will throw at me. Thank you guys. Love your favorite eldest daughter, Aiko. ♥

The First Fourth

Last December, I was very, very blessed to participated in a beautiful, emotional naturalization ceremony where I became a citizen of the United States of America. Today is my first Fourth of July as an American and I’m really excited about that. Not everyone lives with the same freedoms and rights that we as Americans have, and celebrate. And not just on the Fourth of July, but everyday. Patriotism is such a big part of American culture. And boy, is it everywhere today.

My family and I are staying in Fort Lauderdale this holiday week. Our timeshare is right across from the beach. There are Fourth of July activities on the pool deck and along the beachfront all day, complete with BBQs, a handful of different contests, a DJ, and of course a fireworks show later tonight. And despite the fact it’s a little overcast today, the beach is still busy and bustling.

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Even though I’m not much of a beach person, we haven’t gone on a vacation as a family in awhile, and seeing as I don’t know when our next one will be, I rearranged some of my summer plans so I that I could be here. So far, I’ve spent most of my time in our hotel room watching movies, or keeping the balcony door open to listen to the ocean. Beach life can be nice, I have to admit it.

11719876_10153001687007547_579899239_n — A little overcast, but look at all that bluuuuue

I haven’t opened a playlist since we arrived. Between the sounds of the sea, and a DJ spinning tunes out by the pool a few floors below our room all day, we’ve been covered. I imagine that we won’t even have to deal with crowds when fireworks start going off, and instead be able to enjoy them within the comfort of our balcony. I really am in love with our ocean view. I just think it’s easier to appreciate the beach and the ocean when there aren’t so many distractions and a lot less people. So while I spent my morning watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding, half of Brideshead Revisited, and the people on street/beach level below me, I decided to participate in my first ever pie-eating contest this afternoon. I tied for fourth, which I’m pretty proud of, considering I had some preeeetty worthy competitors (two of the guys I went against had the unfair advantage of being superheroes)!

Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying, and enjoys the rest of their Fourth! I’m really looking forward to the fireworks tonight. We are celebrating the birth of ‘Merica today, after all. Don’t let me down, Ft Lauderdale!!! Stay safe out there, y’all. And if you’re heading back home after this weekend, safe travels.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

People my age (and younger) are getting married. That’s a thing. It’s always been a thing. My mother got married at 23. As did my Lola, my father’s mother. At 23, my Nana, my mother’s mother had been married to my Tata for a year. My best friend Kimberly (Kim, Kimy, Kimy-Dee-Dah), also 23, has been married for a year, and today is her wedding anniversary.

First off, congratulations to the Joys! I can’t believe it’s been a year since your wedding, Kimy! It’s been a year since all of us ladies in your wedding party sat and ate pizza around your parents’ dining room table before church, a year since I realized your ceremony was *surprise!* entirely in Spanish, and a year since I assumed the role of your maid of honor and all the responsibilities that came with it.

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Two of many weddings where I was the best flower girl ever.

Being a maid of honor was such a special, well, honor. Especially to be Kim’s maid of honor, my best friend since high school. It’s funny, because my parents were among the first of their families and friends to get married and have a daughter. So by default, I was everyone’s flower girl as a youngin’. Fast forward and I was a junior bridesmaid once, and fast forward a little bit more, and boom! I was a maid of honor (because I mean, once you’re a maid of honor, being a bridesmaid is a breeze, right?)

For the most part, I have to say that I enjoyed being a maid of honor. I enjoy planning things. When it comes to projects, I’m an Executor. I know how to make things happen. Also, what girl doesn’t like working on Pinterest projects?? Being a maid of honor was a *little* stressful at times, sure, but it was all part of the experience, and I definitely learned a lot.

I mean, before Kimy’s wedding, the only things I really knew about being a maid a honor I knew from a favorite childhood movie of mine, My Best Friend’s Wedding and the 2011 classic film, Bridesmaids. Needless to say, I referenced a few other sources to make sure I fulfilled this role as best as I could, and I think I made a pretty darn good maid of honor, if I do say so myself.

As a maid of honor, the most important lesson I learned was to be prepared for anything, including:

the groom crashing the bachelorette party
splurging on a room in the most expensive hotel in the city for bachelorette party fun, because how many times does your best friend get married?
the week leading up to the wedding being a lot like finals week: no sleep and lots and lots of coffee
getting hit on by the bride’s teenage relative
a torrential downpour the evening of the outdoor rehearsal dinner
having to write thank you letters, pack the bride’s suitcase for the honeymoon, and create the playlist for the reception
stepping in to be the DJ and MC for the wedding reception (“I need all the single ladies on the dance floor for the bride’s bouquet toss!!!”)
trying not to cry every five seconds throughout the day so instead, absolutely losing it after your speech at the reception in front of 150+ guests
feeling overwhelmingly happy, sad, sentimental, joyful, and so much love all at once for the bride, groom, the whole wedding party… weddings just give ya all the feels.

So all in all, I’d say my best friend’s wedding was one for the books. To play such a meaningful part in their wedding was really special.

10451690_10152154378962547_1446671245562616681_n — My darling dear on her wedding day.

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The big 2-3

It doesn’t sound that intimidating: “twenty-three.” I’ve just never been one for odd numbers, so I’m expecting 23 to be an odd year. And I say bring on the dancing lobsters!!! Just kidding. I’m allergic to lobster.

So, after you turn twenty-one and before you turn twenty-five, you’ve got these in-between years that aren’t quite milestones… but that’s not to say these years aren’t a BIG DEAL. I mean, with Year Twenty-Two down, I’ve only got two more filler years to go and I think that’s something worth celebrating!

I had an exceptional birthday weekend filled with friends from out of town, and family. Saturday began with lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, followed by a scavenger hunt at IKEA, my favorite cake from Publix (vanilla with a raspberry jam topped with a cream cheese frosting… ahh! I’m so glad I saved some leftovers), & drinks at a dueling piano bar.

A scavenger hunt at IKEA? It's on! — A scavenger hunt at IKEA? It’s on!

Sunday was a well-spent afternoon with lunch at the Boardwalk Hotel and some Epcot fun with co-workers, and my birthday ended with dinner and dessert with my family at the Polynesian Resort (can you say dole whip ice cream?!?)

A lil post-lunch birthday adventure at Epcot.

Not a bad birthday, whatsoever. In fact, I think it was one of the most special birthdays to me, for two main reasons: 1) this was my first birthday I’ve spent at home since I went away for college. I got to spend that time with my parents and sisters and it was so great! and 2) even though it was my first birthday post-graduation since I moved back home, I’ve really been missing my alma mater. That’s something I’m not afraid to admit that I miss everyday… so it really meant a lot to me that college friends were able to take time away from school and work and come from out of town to celebrate with me. Now, it’s past midnight and I can say I survived Day One of being Twenty-Three! So far, so good.