Moving away from COLOURPOP

Follow my adventures and misadventures on SHE SAID YOYO.

Farewell!

Confidence

With encouragement from a few folks, I have decided to return to blogging. I currently have an idle personal blog about my adventures in Austin, TX. I paused my activity due to the amount of stress from work in the last six months. I handle stress quite well, it's just that I didn't have the time to sit down and share my Austin lifestyle after working 10-12 hours five days a week.

There is one thing I have been battling on-and-off over the last couple years: self-confidence.

I have figured out what makes me feel secured after many, many months of ups and downs. Here are the factors that make me confident: being financially independent, seeing progress in being physically fit, working in a respectful environment, owning my projects, being surrounded by people who trust me and not having a relationship.

I think I lacked confidence for a moment after moving to Austin but I was positive with whatever came at me. In the meantime, I had to ask myself about what felt unreal and real - and I can't imagine myself living anywhere but here. I took some time off last week to visit my hometown for my brother's graduation and to see family and friends. It was really nice to be with family again and to catch up with old friends. Good vibes, sights, food and laughter - I miss all of this, but I miss freedom and exploring in Austin most.

Bounce with me

After spending close to $1K, my camera, new battery, and new lens finally made their way home! I'm excited to experiment and master my new lens and finally call myself a photographer. I've never studied photography and will be spending my spare time shooting away with my new gifts!

It snowed today just as the roads were clearing up .. winter in photographs is a beautiful thing, but when you live with six months of winter every year, you live with seasonal affective disorder.

My camera died

No posts until I get my camera fixed. It stopped working out of the blue, sadly.

Sorry if you missed me.

P.S. - Warm weather will means more pictures.

XOXO

Who are you

Taking breaks throughout the year is a healthy way of finding peace, new adventures, and experiencing the unexpected. Luckily I am only interning at the moment and both of my jobs are flexible. I was traveling in Texas this past weekend for my Little sister in my sorority and visiting one of my good friends. I drove about 15 hours total with little sleep and no caffeine from Dallas to Lubbock to Austin to Dallas. It took me two and half months to plan it, and I wish I stayed longer because I wanted to go to Houston. This was a self-discovery and meaningful trip for me. Last time I was in Texas, I remember leaving on bad terms and not wanting to leave. I felt relieved to be back -- it was very emotional, I think I was crying a river but I was smiling at the same time. It definitely felt different being single in the city of Austin compared to when I was in a relationship. This trip determined my final thoughts about Austin. I love the city, the intensity and significance, with all of me.

Cheers to shorts and shirt weather in 70 degrees! The next day Minnesota welcomed me to -40 degree weather.

Put your hands in the holes of my sweater

Winter is sweater weather! Snow is a mood killer (this year is the first time I've driven in the snow) until I discovered how minimalist it makes everything looks in a picture and .. reality. Today was a little warmer and I didn't have to wear two long sleeves! I told myself I need to blog this month since I've been neglecting it. Getting up for work in the morning is tiring, and when I'm done for the day the sun is already gone. I like natural light, which is why I haven't been taking pictures of my outfits. I told my little sister to snap a few shots today. I'm wearing a Forever 21 sweater (if you look closely, you'll spot gold), H&M cotton leggings, and North Face boots (super comfy).

If it's snowing where you are, stay warm! And if you're from the land of no snow .. lucky you.

Fall Gaze

Wow! It's been a really, really long time since I've blogged! I lost my wireless remote (Gawd knows where it is now) and have been searching for it for a frustrating amount of time. I eventually gave up on searching for it.

I love my new mustard hat (it's not really a beanie because it has this cute pom on the top which I like to call 'puppy' because it's so soft and cuddly) and my new Hmong scarf that I found on ebay for under $5. I bought six scarves and absolutely LOVE them. I may order a bulk more so I can give them as gifts to friends and family.

Red is Ambitious