Two

"It's beautiful here and we're still unhappy." - Ian McEwan, Enduring Love

In the spirit of Chinese New Year that happened this past Friday, I've decided to post some other pictures from my trip to China back in June/July. I've been meaning to blog about my summer trips to China and Europe for a while now, but I could never bring myself to. So here's a collection of unedited (can't be bothered to edit them, ha) photos from China. These were taken on my trip to Qiandaohu and Hangzhou, both beautiful, beautiful places to be. Unfortunately, I went during rainy season, but fortunately, the fog is also beautiful.

The scariest monkeys ever.

At one point, it was raining so hard that the path to get back on the boat was drenched in water. We had to take off our shoes and go barefoot to prevent our already soaking wet sneakers from getting even more destroyed. Thankfully all of the rain meant that it wasn't as humid as it usually was in China! There wasn't a single sunny day though during this part of our trip, and towards the end, I wished that we didn't have to take our umbrellas literally everywhere.

I definitely loved this part of my China trip the most though. If any of you have the chance, you should definitely consider going to Qiandaohu or Hangzhou! But anyway, 新年快乐 to all of you! Hope February's been treating you well so far.

And on that note, I should go back to studying physics and organic chemistry. Sigh. Happy Groundhog Day and Happy Super Bowl Sunday!! I can't wait to watch soon. (Anyone have any ideas for who will win?)

Until next time!

China ( i )

It's been a while. I left for China right before I last posted and came back on July 9th, three weeks ago. I'm so bad at this blogging thing now, but I promise to get better. So here's part 1 of my trip to China!! I'm sorry if everything's a little jumbled (it was so long ago), but I wanted to show you all that I'm still alive before I disappear for a little bit. Because well...I'm heading off to EUROPE! I'm so unbelievably excited, and I can't wait to blog for you guys when I come back!

Going to China was more like a family visit than a vacation. I first went to visit my dad's side of the family and took a day trip to Suzhou. I always visit Suzhou just because I love the atmosphere and all of the small stores where I can buy random things for my friends haha. I stumbled upon this bubble tea place (chain restaurant) called Coco while in Suzhou, and let's just say...I didn't stop drinking it for the rest of the 2.5 weeks I was in China. Definitely recommend going there for any avid bubble tea drinkers like me. It was only 7 yuan, too, which is roughly a little over $1 here in America. Can you say love. It was insanely humid when I went, and it also happened to rain a TON. I've never been so drenched in my life before. But I loved the food (and the prices for the food).

But I have to go now! My flight to Europe is calling my name. Hope you've all been doing well! See you in August when I come back. :)

Growing Up

"Summer was here again. Summer, summer, summer. I loved and hated summers. Summers had a logic all their own and they always brought something out in me. Summer was supposed to be about freedom and youth and no school and possibilities and adventure and exploration. Summer was a book of hope. That's why I loved and hated summers. Because they made me want to believe." - Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Here we are on prom night, something that happened over a month ago. They say that everything passes you by so quickly and you never believe them till it happens right before your very eyes. I've spent the last month trying to live. And all it did was make me realize how much I can't wait to move into that apartment and explore.

A lot has happened since May 11th. Tae and I did so much because yesterday, June 19th, was his last day in America until August. It's going to be so killer to be away for that long, but I know we'll make it through it. Even though we didn't come close to doing all the things we planned on doing, it's okay. That only leaves more adventures and more memories for the future.

Not to mention that I also graduated high school a week ago. I'm officially an alumni with a high school diploma, and let me tell you: it is so weird. I've spent my whole life here, and now that it's all over, I can't believe how fast everything is passing me by. I've had so many near sleepless nights this year, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss it. I'm going to miss everything so much. High school might have unnecessary drama and what we think to be "a lot of work," but it's been easily the best four years of my life.

To the Class of 2013, we made it. And here's to the rest of our lives.

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P.S. - Please follow me on bloglovin' now that Google Reader is leaving so we can still keep up with each other's blogs. :)