Bye 2013 - A Review

2013 has slowly (or shall I saw quickly) come to an end. I cannot believe it has come and gone like no other year. Maybe it is because I have been incredibly busy or maybe because I am getting older that I feel every year goes by quicker than the last. Slow down life...I want a piece of your fabulousness every single day. I always wanted to post a little review, or recap, of how my year looked like and I always failed. Blame it on my laziness, my busy schedule, my traveling, or our wifi connection playing unfair games with me. This year I am prepared. My finals are wrapped, my soul and heart are at peace and relaxed. I think I can sit down and share my life with you all.

*for some unknown reason I am fighting with photo sizes and whatnot and if it all looks crooked or just odd I apologize - whatever I try to make it look "perfect" just does not want to work*

January

I went back to Switzerland for last year's winter breakand not only did I enjoy walking through my hometown and experience some snow (hardly any to be honest), I also got to meet up with Ashley who was visiting from London...even though we both live in California...what are the odds.

February

My lovely and very talented friend Erin ran the half-marathon in Huntington Beach. Had to meet up with her!! Btw, I think she decided to give blogging another try...I truly missed her on this platform but blogging doesn't even come close to show what an amazing person she is in reality.

March
Tourist time...my friend Amanda who guest posted a few times (here, here and here) moved to California and so wen went out and explored.

April
I went to the PetExpo and met "Stella" from Modern Family. Such a cute dog!!!
Also, I went to concerts and well took this picture with very talented Michael from Wakey!Wakey!

 

May
The Color Run was in Orange County...do I need to say more? My friend M and I looked like pink zombies. haha!

June
My Birthday, my time in Switzerland and my trip to Istanbul

July
Switzerland and Germany

August
My girls, picture 2005 versus 2013...hmmmm.
Back in the L.A. area again...August was fun!

September
Bachelortte Weekend in Solvang and Santa Inez...we were clearly not ready to pose or anything. 

October
Pumpkin patch on campus...October 1 was when I got my baby pumpkins.

November
My trip to Sonoma earlier that month, and our bacon wrapped turkey...Happy Thanksgiving!!!

December
The dreaded finals - that's me all blurry at 7am in my classroom. That's how I felt all the time. Blurry. Exhausted. Glad it's over.

Here's to a more fun-filled, exciting, and fantastic year of 2014.
Even though my life plans have changed drastically in 2013 I know that next year will show me how beautiful life can be and how much I deserve to go for what I truly believe in.

Christmas Spirit in Orange County

For the longest time we have been looking for a long street with Christmas lights and what not. Up in Ventura County we knew of one street that had Christmas lights and music left and right. Not so down here in Orange County - a few houses here and there but nothing as a slow drive through an uberlit residential area. 

We finally found it. It took some researching, and some determination to make the trip. Yet, we finally managed to head out on time, stand in line and enter the fabulousness of Christmas itself. 

There's more but my ugly iPhone pictures will not do justice. It was beyond beautiful, magnificent, and just spectacular. We even sat on Santa's lap. It was what we all needed on this long weekend before Christmas. 

For more info visit THIS page. It's a fun place to go to, and to listen to songs and watch the house change colors and "dance along". If you are in Orange County and happen to drive by...stop by the house between 5-9pm. There's donuts and hot drinks waiting too...plus, it's all free. So there's nothing holding you back from experiencing the Christmas Light Craziness. Well, expect for the Grinch further down that street...all alive and walking around...

I'm linking up with Leeann and her weekly (and this year's last) Monday Morning Gossip.

Happy Monday.

xoxo

Zepter - Breathe Clean Air

Another year has come and gone, and we all know that Christmas is around the corner again. While most of us have done our Christmas shopping others are still trying to figure out what to get their loved ones. I belong to the latter generation. I am very behind and very last minute. This however gives me a better chance to actually look at the all wishlists my friends and family gave me and plan accordingly. 

What I mostly value this year is to give gifts that can be used, and are actually beneficial. We all love socks, and we all love a new pair of sunglasses - but in the end it is not as beneficial as one would think. The beneficial ideas I am looking for are health and happiness. Winter with its dry, cold air and lack of sun is simply not good for our skin or our lungs. This is when I long for cleaner, healthier air or simply a system at home that keeps the air clean and eliminates dust, bacteria, and other pollutants.

So I found this THERAPY AIR PURIFYING SYSTEM by Zepter, an award winning company that is about educating, inspiring, and equipping consumers to live healthier, happier, and longer lives. They have been around for over 20 years and going strong. 

 

This Therapy Air Purifying Systems offer significant relief from indoor air pollution, letting us breathe clean air again by eliminating dozens of harmful elements floating around in your environment, freeing us from obvious effects like asthma and allergies as well a quiet killers that cause serious side effects.We should be worried about the air we breathe. No, we should be afraid of the air we breathe! EPA studies have shown that indoor air pollution can be up to 100 times worse indoors than out. Nothing really can speak against cleaner air. I would say having a air purifying system in the house can become one of the best invested items.

The benefits of this systems are as follows

Kills bacteria, molds and viruses in indoor air. Neutralizes disturbing odors. Improves well-being with the natural Swisso Logical Aromatherapy. Offers relief for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. When it gets colder we know we are more prone to the flu or to a cold. Most people also suffer from any kind of allergy; dog or cat or just pollen. We know our air gets dirtier, too. So why not change this for once and for all - I just wish I had enough money to give all my friends and family such a system so that we could all breathe cleaner air.

I'm Alive - Christmas Miracle Video Included

But in the meantime...I'm sleeping, cleaning, organizing, trying to find gluten free ladyfingers, playing with two white dogs, revamping my blogs, catching up on my favorite tv shows, buying last minute Christmas gifts, and trying to enjoy every single day so that I can cry later on when I find out I failed all my classes. Okay, the last part is probably not true, but I barely made it. This semester was beyond tough hence the lack of posts and comments and all.  I am so glad it is over.

I am also so glad it is Christmas time.
I went to an assistant living center in south Orange County and besides it bringing back memories I felt we did the right thing to be present, to cheer them up and let them know that they are not alone, and that they are actually special. It was an emotional day. You either had to be strong and hold those tears back, or you left quickly, bawled everything out and then returned.
After our trip we discussed what we just saw, did, and made happen and then out of nowhere one of the girls mentioned the video below. I thought I'd share this with you before I stop writing and start cleaning (ugh!). I am sure you've seen this before, or maybe even seen it on my facebook wall because I had to share this. If not, here you go. Enjoy some holiday spirit - whether or not you celebrate Christmas...it is a holiday season here...and holiday seasons are magical.

Who would have thought!?

I am beyond exhausted.
I am drained.
I have no idea how I survived this week but I am done.

Expect multiple comments in the next few days...and posts as well.
I am back. I am ready. I truly have missed you.

xoxo

It's That Time Again

Wish me luck!!!

Make Sure Your Mouth Smells Exactly Like Your Butt

One more week guys and everything will be over. I cannot even put in words how happy (and also sad - more on that next week) this just makes me. In the meantime I am busy busy busy. I do need breaks though....and my favorite thing to do then is to watch youtube videos. Don't judge. It's what it is. :)

Today, like on many other days...it is the Sad Dog Diary.

If you've seen it and love it as much as I do...you know what I'm talking about.
If you haven't seen it please do. It's beyond adorable, funny and just distracting.
A distraction is needed.




xoxo

Santa Claus Day

{via}

Yes, Santa and his helpers aren't that cute or adorable in central Europe. The helpers are rather scary. Gosh, I remember when I was younger I was just terrified of them. December 6 marks the official Santa Claus Day. 

If you now guessed (or perhaps know) Santa Claus does not bring presents on Christmas. Nope. It's baby Christ who does. Funny, huh?! But yes, that's that....I kind of miss this ridiculous scary December 6 tradition and the parades that follow. This is one of a few events in Switzerland I truly wish I could experience again. Wish I could beam myself over for a few hours - maybe one day this will be possible. Hahahahaha! I know, wishful thinking.

Ok, my lovely readers...two more full weeks of class including finals and on the 19th it will be officially over. I am already sick and tired of writing (not on the blog but it suffered too). I know I can do it. I just really want to pass my incredibly difficult writing class - I am already having nightmares...worse than when I was younger and knew those Santa helpers would scare me on the 6th.

xoxo

Tuesday Jam

Three full weeks left and I can finally breathe again. I am not counting down the days because one, I am not ready for finals or that stupid research paper on knockoff fashion, and two, Christmas will be sad because poor Selma decided to not gift anyone outside of her immediate circle...which includes her roommates and bestie. I'm broke and cannot afford anything.

BUT...after these three weeks you know what's going to happen? I can blog again and sit down and read your blogs more as well. I am so stinking excited. I've missed doing this even just for an hour or two per day. It's been impossible so far. Everyone's complaining around me that I have gone MIA. And yes, I have. I am on Instagram and Twitter (more I than T lately) so that will keep some people entertained. :) Follow me. :)

In the meantime....this is my jam for Tuesday....enjoy!
Had to mix it up a little - did you know I actually like Country too?!

Hello December - update

{via}

The last month of this year has arrived.
I cannot believe it.
Where did the time go?

And why have I been so busy with everything but blogging?
However, as you may understand...there is a life outside this world and it requires me not to open the laptop and type and share my thoughts and feelings.
Though there are times when I feel I really do need to share or should share because it is my outlet of freedom and creativity. 

So, three more weeks, my readers, and I can breathe again.
I am not counting the days or weeks because

 this simply means I have only three weeks left homework, studying and going crazy. 

HELP.

I can do this though. I know I can. 

Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving with lots of food.
If you went on to Black Friday Shopping I hope you found what you were looking for and 

did not go crazy or encountered craziness along the way.

I also hope that December is going to be a great holiday month.

Whatever you celebrate have a great month!

The Christmas tree will be put up today...with all its colors, lights and ornaments.

So, with that being said...

...Happy December!

xoxo

P.s. And as most of us know...Paul Walker died yesterday in a car crash.

What a sad sad ending to last month's festivities... :(