Misread.

Oh why hello there, it has been such a long time since I’ve last written a decent piece of my journal. You see, it’s called “writers block” and damn it hit me pretty badly. 

Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, I can’t help but to think, I’m getting closer to graduation… what do I do? It’s already hard as it is, having two jobs, being a full time student, and dealing with the rudest people every single day. I find myself lost in nothing. Trapped between my dreams and reality. I want to believe that something is out there for me, becoming a photojournalist, a photographer, or even a mother. I want to do things right. My journey has just begun with all this struggle, but that’s not going to bring me down. As a human being, I’m going to push my way into life, excelling in anything and everything just to keep me busy and happy. 

SoCal weather ♥

When the sky is bright blue, the clouds are out, a good 78degrees, and the hazy summer wind blowing through your hair. That’s how you know when summer is coming. Can’t wait!

My photos from summer ‘10. Redondo Beach, California. Fisheye.

On the way picking up my sister from practice,

A young girl, around the age of 6, small, pale, short brunette hair, definitely a mixture of Asian and White, was crossing the road. There were cars from each side of  the street and the young girl was closest to me. As she was crossing the road, she tripped on her shoe. Not knowing what to do, she patted herself on her chest, and proceeded walking. She glanced over at me with the saddest expression. I thought she was going to cry. 
I waited until all the cars left, I rolled down my window and said,
Sweetie are you okay? 
She nods her head at me.
Be careful okay? Just walk straight home.
From the sad look upon her face, she looked up at me and smiled and replied,
Okay.

This was my good deed of the day! I wish I helped her out… but knowing in today’s society; you do not talk to strangers. I didn’t want this poor girl to feel even more frightened so I continued driving.

Driving down the big hill the only things that were popping up into my head were,
Where was this girls parents? It’s nearly 5PM and she’s walking by herself?! 
I was so scared for her. Although the city that I live in is safe, you don’t know who can come up behind you and snatch you away; especially if you were around 6 years old and extremely tiny. 

When I’m really into a book, I fucking love to write side notes. It helps me understand the story a bit more. Considering it being written by Nabokov, all the more to write, write, write. What a true inspiration he is!

When I’m really into a book, I fucking love to write side notes. It helps me understand the story a bit more. Considering it being written by Nabokov, all the more to write, write, write. What a true inspiration he is!

212Pier

Yet again, I’m in haven. With music, art, books, and the aroma of tea lingering in the cafe, there’s nothing but positive vibes feasting amongst the crowd. The cashier-this time a male- simply smiles and greets each customer. Tonights theme: Jazz Night. Sweet, suttle sounds illuminate the area. People applauding and relaxing to the two-man band. One on keyboard, the other on the bass; they’re playing ‘Hallelujah’. Tonight’s a good night.

July 4, 2011 - 5:12PM

The cool breeze whispering it’s way through the room; it crawls and lingers around my leg, finally reaching towards my face-I recall a distinct memory- your scent is still near me. No matter what I do… You are always there.

Summer is relaxing,

like the warm air that breezes by

&people laughing down and high.

Singing, eating, and travelling,

these are all the things we want to be.

The temperature outside is so hot and sticky,

fans that cool down my body make me icky.

Orange, red, yellow, brown, & gold,

what does this summer bring to unfold? 

The Kettle. on Flickr.

The Kettle. on Flickr.

Blackberry Iced Tea. on Flickr.

Blackberry Iced Tea. on Flickr.

Okay, so how about 212 Pier? It’s open 24/7. Looking from left to right to see if any cars are coming. Thank god it wasn’t busy. We head out towards the freeway.  Okay take the exit to 20th street. On our way to Venice Beach we get distracted by lots of hipsters walking everywhere. Thank god! Sexy guys in Venice.  Yoyo! It’s right there! The cafe appears small from afar, but the lights illuminating the area makes it look so… hipster. Going back and forth, I’m looking for parking. But there is no space… literally. This is probably one of the disadvantages living in Los Angeles. You won’t be able to find parking anywhere. We go down a few more streets and we find a parking spot.  Priscilla and I walk into the cafe, trying to act as if we know where we’re going, amazed by the different vibe, people, music, and environment; we couldn’t help but to notice the cashier. A young woman, early twenties, pale, wavy dark blond hair- tied back, at least 5’6, gave the warmest gestures to the customers.  Another customer ordered before and said,  I’m sorry miss, but the cup you gave me was dirty. Could I have another one? If I were to take that response, I would have blown up on her. Just because it was a long day at work, yada yada yada. The cashier’s response, Oh my! I am so sorry. Of course. Here you go. Amazed by her kindness I went up to her and said, Do you mind if I grab this plate for my tea? The cashier turned around and gave me the biggest smile and replied with an unexpected answer, Go for it.  It wasn’t the words that got to me, but the way she said it. She sounded so hippie. I couldn’t help but smile and thank her. The night goes on- what seems to be endless- smiling, laughing, staring at the people walking in and out. It’s days like this where I appreciate all that I have. Literally, my amazing friend that supports me in everything that I do is by far unique in every single way. Priscilla, I want to thank you for such a glorious adventure. I love you Pursezilla♥  

Okay, so how about 212 Pier? It’s open 24/7.

Looking from left to right to see if any cars are coming. Thank god it wasn’t busy. We head out towards the freeway. 

Okay take the exit to 20th street.

On our way to Venice Beach we get distracted by lots of hipsters walking everywhere.

Thank god! Sexy guys in Venice. 

Yoyo! It’s right there!

The cafe appears small from afar, but the lights illuminating the area makes it look so… hipster. Going back and forth, I’m looking for parking. But there is no space… literally. This is probably one of the disadvantages living in Los Angeles. You won’t be able to find parking anywhere. We go down a few more streets and we find a parking spot. 

Priscilla and I walk into the cafe, trying to act as if we know where we’re going, amazed by the different vibe, people, music, and environment; we couldn’t help but to notice the cashier. A young woman, early twenties, pale, wavy dark blond hair- tied back, at least 5’6, gave the warmest gestures to the customers. 

Another customer ordered before and said, 

I’m sorry miss, but the cup you gave me was dirty. Could I have another one?

If I were to take that response, I would have blown up on her. Just because it was a long day at work, yada yada yada. The cashier’s response,

Oh my! I am so sorry. Of course. Here you go.

Amazed by her kindness I went up to her and said,

Do you mind if I grab this plate for my tea?

The cashier turned around and gave me the biggest smile and replied with an unexpected answer,

Go for it. 

It wasn’t the words that got to me, but the way she said it. She sounded so hippie. I couldn’t help but smile and thank her.

The night goes on- what seems to be endless- smiling, laughing, staring at the people walking in and out. It’s days like this where I appreciate all that I have. Literally, my amazing friend that supports me in everything that I do is by far unique in every single way. Priscilla, I want to thank you for such a glorious adventure. I love you Pursezilla♥  

Gina and Priscilla on Flickr. A picture of our drinks. My drink on the left and Priscilla’s on the right. What a spontaneous and out-of-control date tonight! The smooth drive onto the 405 North onto the 10 East has never been so quiet before. It’s probably because we chose to hang out, late on a Sunday night. We ended up at our favorite spot, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Our usual, Barney’s Beanery with ecstatic performers filling the area with music, laughter, stares, and joy. Then, we go into Starbucks to purchase the usual drinks, Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel. What on earth is that smell? Oh, it must be the customers using that horrific bathroom in the back. We continue laughing nonstop, acting like wannabe ghetto cholas.  Hey Pri, we should go for a drive to Manhattan Beach! We race to the car, hoping Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters are still open so we can go shop. Damn, they’re all closed. FUCK.  Paid the parking ticket. Got out of the building, went on a mini adventure rolling down our windows while yelling at everybody. Aye, how much?!  Those were the words coming out of our mouths, until finally a cop was driving next to us.  Shit. Okay, act calm. Hey Pri, so what do you prefer? Tea or Coffee? The conversation lingers on until the cops are driven far ahead of us. Holy shit, that was so close. Wanna go to Venice Beach now? Look up the “Nightlife” area on Yelp!!

Gina and Priscilla on Flickr.

A picture of our drinks. My drink on the left and Priscilla’s on the right. What a spontaneous and out-of-control date tonight! The smooth drive onto the 405 North onto the 10 East has never been so quiet before. It’s probably because we chose to hang out, late on a Sunday night. We ended up at our favorite spot, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Our usual, Barney’s Beanery with ecstatic performers filling the area with music, laughter, stares, and joy. Then, we go into Starbucks to purchase the usual drinks, Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel.

What on earth is that smell?

Oh, it must be the customers using that horrific bathroom in the back. We continue laughing nonstop, acting like wannabe ghetto cholas. 

Hey Pri, we should go for a drive to Manhattan Beach!

We race to the car, hoping Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters are still open so we can go shop.

Damn, they’re all closed.

FUCK. 

Paid the parking ticket. Got out of the building, went on a mini adventure rolling down our windows while yelling at everybody.

Aye, how much?! 

Those were the words coming out of our mouths, until finally a cop was driving next to us. 

Shit.

Okay, act calm.

Hey Pri, so what do you prefer? Tea or Coffee?

The conversation lingers on until the cops are driven far ahead of us.

Holy shit, that was so close. Wanna go to Venice Beach now? Look up the “Nightlife” area on Yelp!!


Just one of those nights.

Listening to good, calm, soothing music. Eating some cheese and crackers. A glass of wine sounds good too. Oooh and a sappy love story type-of-a-movie. 

Me time here at Peet’s Coffee&Tea. For once I love being here in SoCal. The steaming sun burns my skin as I try to cross the road. The cars go back and forth, making my head spin. Before I cross the street, I walk right through traffic rather than looking both ways before crossing the busy intersection.  I open the right door and the cool wind from the AC hits my warm, flushed face. Great, this is what I needed. As I walk through the coffee shop I try to find a place to sit and study with a slight glance. Damn, no seats. Well that’s okay, I’ll just take the tea in my car and I can go for a good, long drive. Our minds work so differently. When I walk into a building or a small cafe, we instantly think all eyes are on us; but they aren’t. the people in the cafe are concentrating on their work, book, or simply enjoying their nice, hot coffee.  I go in line to wait- or rather to choose what I want. I’ve decided. Oolong Tea. What I noticed was that their menu held two different types of Oolong Tea. There was the Phoenix Mountain and some Chinese name. It was weird. But I already knew what the Phoenix Mountain tasted like, so I asked for the Chinese one. The kind cashier asked if I wanted to smell the delicious tea leaves, I graciously said YES out loud. While sniffing the beautiful aroma off of the tea leaves, I felt as if I was in heaven. I swear I can’t be any more relaxed than I am with tea than with anything else- well besides my books, but that’s about it. Coffee can’t satisfy me, but tea definitely can. 

Me time here at Peet’s Coffee&Tea. For once I love being here in SoCal.

The steaming sun burns my skin as I try to cross the road. The cars go back and forth, making my head spin. Before I cross the street, I walk right through traffic rather than looking both ways before crossing the busy intersection. 
I open the right door and the cool wind from the AC hits my warm, flushed face. Great, this is what I needed. As I walk through the coffee shop I try to find a place to sit and study with a slight glance. Damn, no seats. Well that’s okay, I’ll just take the tea in my car and I can go for a good, long drive. Our minds work so differently. When I walk into a building or a small cafe, we instantly think all eyes are on us; but they aren’t. the people in the cafe are concentrating on their work, book, or simply enjoying their nice, hot coffee. 

I go in line to wait- or rather to choose what I want. I’ve decided. Oolong Tea. What I noticed was that their menu held two different types of Oolong Tea. There was the Phoenix Mountain and some Chinese name. It was weird. But I already knew what the Phoenix Mountain tasted like, so I asked for the Chinese one. The kind cashier asked if I wanted to smell the delicious tea leaves, I graciously said YES out loud. While sniffing the beautiful aroma off of the tea leaves, I felt as if I was in heaven. I swear I can’t be any more relaxed than I am with tea than with anything else- well besides my books, but that’s about it. Coffee can’t satisfy me, but tea definitely can. 

Tea, Tea, Tea! on Flickr.

Tea, Tea, Tea! on Flickr.

I am so extremely sad right now. I can’t handle all of these fucking...

24ribs:

I am so extremely sad right now. I can’t handle all of these fucking responsibilities and all of this stress. I don’t know how I am ever going to make it in life if I’m already struggling at such a young age. I want to be 5 years old again. I want to go back to a time when the worst thing that could happen to me was not getting dessert. I want my biggest worry to be whether I get to play outside or not. I want to be tucked in, I want to be rocked, I want someone to lovingly stroke my hair and sing to me. I don’t want to cry for no reason. I don’t want to have this anxiety. I want to think about animals and space and movies. I want to grow younger. I can’t handle any of this. 

Reblogged from 24ribs with 126 notes