Selfless

The more I work in the occupational therapy rehabilitation room, the more I get to see the struggle and pain behind each elderly person turn into joy because they are healing. Each day as we help them prepare for the outside world. With body  exercise techniques/mechanics they become stronger and more livelier as if they are living again for the first time. It is such a beautiful process to watch and observe, and it convicts me even more to continue doing what I'm doing. They are leaving such an impression on my life that I can't help but become more motivated to help the helpless. There are many times that I just feel like quitting because it is a very exhausting job. Many times, I also find myself wanting to do something for myself and live for myself. That's what I thought would make me hapy, but in reality, making an old woman laughing at a joke I made (Maxine Varon, 88 yrs old) or keeping an old man company (Raymond Foxgard 80), makes me even happier. No one can take away this simple pleasure, this simple interaction I have with them. I like to believe that I, too, have left an important mark on their life as they live and cherish the moments they have left. 

Aside from all that, as the therapist themselves teach me about various occupational therapy specialities, I see more and more on how intricate and detailed the body is. One therapist is a hand specialist, and to me it seemed like such a simple job, but Oh my goodness, the hand in itself has  millions of problems that need to be addressed properly. They must learn how to treat rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, and map out a plan to stop the fluid tissue from causing inflammation and deformity. There are so many diseases and problems that come with a single body part and how they are fully informed on the anatomy and process of the body just like doctors are. That is amazing to me... and something I did not realize till now. 

Dreams

I day dream a lot. I also ask a lot of what if questions, not only about the past but of the future too.

I think I do have  ambitious dreams- they all circulate with standing out and finding my true calling in life. A lot of people want to be artists, actors, musicians. But my dream is to share my passions and joy into a store. I really have a mapped out plan of a good store, and feel it will do well if I put my all into it. That's the problem, however, I have no risky bone in my body to change my course now. 

I wouldn't want my tea shop to be just an ordinary tea shop. I would work with third world countries to import all my teas so that I could help promote small businesses around the world. The whole point of the shop would be to bring people around the world closer together and share the benefits of tea, and how America could really make up for all the greasy, fried food they have been eating. Tea is beneficial for metabolism, and overall health. 

My tea shop would be set up like a buffet style, with different tastes and styles from around the world. It would be set up to meet the artsy, classy, vintage, and cozy atmosphere. I also want this tea shop to collaborate with up and coming artists like from etsy which would make it stronger on a different level. *sigh* But statistics have shown of many small business failing. I don't know if I can risk anything at my age and my lack of finances. But tis a DREAM. 

anyways, on a good note I found my dream place setup : 

                                                

How I celebrated New Years

You know this was the first year I ever celebrated New Years with another special person :) tehehe...

and I'm glad it wasn't in LA... but in WALNUT CREEK. A peaceful, calming suburban area where the backyard is seriously a huge mountain. Well actually I spent it in the city that night but the rest of the week, I really enjoyed my time in Walnut Creek. Eating out, hiking, watching a movie (sherlock holmes). It was perfect.  :) 

(photo credit: Sharon  Yi)

It was also the first time I met Philip's parents, which was seriously nerve wracking but ended up being very good. They were very nice and enjoyable people. I had dinners and breakfast with them and it wasn't awkward haha.

The new years started very well for me and financially sad for me. Pros: I start my shadowing of an occupational therapy today and work more hours at both Gyu Kaku and the Nursing home. I am searching for a third job, but it is getting very difficult. Another thing that made me giddy was that my mom stocked the fridge with never ending amount of soy milk. I love soy milk lol. 

Con: car car car. A stupid red light ticket, seatbelt ticket, registration, brake changes, oil change, smog check, and more. Oh yipee. I hate having a car and will be happy to get rid of it. :*(

Changes for the New Year

I am all about the blank slate. It's exciting for me to start all over or instill that sort of mentality in my head because it makes me feel better. It helps me improve the person I was and keeps me moving forward rather than living with regrets. 

So what changes do I hope to see? 

1) diet and exercise- ballet, fruit, vegetable

2) working (job wise) very hard 

3) no more unnecessary spending (save $10,000 by June) 

4) expand my artistic endeavors 

5) I also want to be extra organized, clean, and use my time accordingly :)

Tea your Health

I am obsessed with tea and prefer it over coffee anyday, but in reality I never really understood tea as much as I have hoped for. When people enjoy something nice, I think it is imperative that background knowledge should be sought out so that wisdom can be included in the enjoyment. 

Therefore, I did my own research to explore the engaging world of Tea. 

White Teas:White tea is the purest and least processed of all teas. It has very little caffeine and brews a light color and flavor. White teas also contain the highest antioxidant properties (helps to detoxify and fight cancer), help lower your cholesterol level, and are the best for skin and complexion.Shop our White Teas
Black Teas: Black tea is the tea most people know since you likely grew up dipping tea bags of black tea in your cup (or from an iced pitcher in the South). Black tea is fully fermented, so it has approximately 20% of the caffeine in a cup of coffee. Black tea helps prevent the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream, which helps to prevent heart disease. It is also good to prevent gingivitis, tooth decay, and it helps regulate blood sugar level and blood pressure. Shop our Black Teas
Mate Teas: Mate tea is considered the coffee lover's favorite tea. Mate teas give the same energy as coffee without the jitters. They also curb the appetite and contain 21 vitamins and minerals. Our Mate Vana is a particular favorite of coffee drinkers because it tastes like coffee. Shop our Mate Teas Rooibos Teas: Rooibos (or Red) tea is made from a South African red bush. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein and has higher antioxidants than Green tea. Naturally caffeine free, Rooibos teas are excellent in aiding with digestion, help relieve allergies, and promote healthy skin, teeth and bones. Rooibos teas are delicious hot or iced.Shop our Rooibos Teas Oolong Teas: Oolong tea is full-bodied with a flavorful fragrance and sweet aroma. It is semi-fermented, which gives it approximately 15% of the caffeine in one cup of coffee. Most people commonly recognize Oolong tea as the tea served in Chinese restaurants. Oolong teas promote weight loss by boosting your metabolism rate and aid in digestion by breaking down oils and fats. Shop our Oolong Teas Herbal Teas: Herbal tea does not contain any leaves from the Camellia family, so it is sometimes referred to as a tisane. Herbal teas can be broken into three categories: Rooibos teas, Mate teas, and Herbal infusions. We will cover Rooibos and Mate below. Herbal infusions consist of pure herbs, flowers, and fruits. The health benefits of herbal tea varies from tea to tea, but they are all caffeine-free and typically rich in vitamin C. Herbal teas are delicious hot or iced.Shop our Herbal Teas Green Teas:Green tea is the most popular type of tea, mainly because it is the beverage of choice in Asia. Often Green tea is mixed with fruits or scented with flowers to create flavored or scented Green teas. This tea has only 5-10% the caffeine in coffee. Green tea is also high in antioxidants (helps to detoxify and fight cancer), helps lower blood pressure, fight gingivitis and cavities, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Green teas should be steeped at a much lower temperature than boiling. Shop our Green Teas

Start Ups

Inspirations. 

That is the source and reason behind this blog. Understanding and Knowing who I am may give a person better insight to what I want to share with the world. 

I prefer the term retro to describe what I find beautiful. The modern way is too structured for me and I appreciate the history behind the past more than my present. 

Fashion, interior design, furniture, books, tea, healthy lifestyle, ballet, arts and crafts. These are my fortes, these tickle my insides, and keep me motivated to see the beauty of life. 

So these are the things I find beautiful, these are the moments seen through my own eyes.