I was looking at old photos with a friend, reminiscing about Summer ️ of 2019. We went to Florida for a quick girls' trip -- I remembered we went to the beach and I wore this neon green suit given by my friend. Now if you know KNOW me, I would never wear that because I'm pretty shy and insecure . That day, I gave in to peer pressure...and you know what, it was very liberating.

[the infamous neon 🩱 suit]

[oiled and sun kissed ]

I never wore that suit again, but for that day, I really felt sexy. I never was comfy in my body. My weight was all over the place since childhood, but at some point I was obsessed with working out. 6-7 days a week, one to two hours a day. I was at my lowest weight and pretty bangin', but I still didn't feel content. I knew at that point, I needed to dig deeper.

[gym life]

Fast forward 2020....
I finally found a balance. I realized I was getting fit for the wrong reasons. I stopped caring about what people think. I ate what I wanted and COVID definitely made me gain 20-25 lbs. but IDGAF.... I'm so happy . I still workout (but less), eat a balanced diet with some sweet indulgences from time to time. I feel great. I got really thicc, but I honestly love it. I feel like a woman who is more empowered versus my fitter self who secretly had no self-confidence.

[more cushion for the ...... uhm yea. ]

[be healthy. body, mind, and soul]

P.S
some say I got "fat" but guess what, I am PHAT.

.....because YOU take your time to appreciate my craft and send me the sweetest . You guys are awesome. I feel flattered and ARTspired. Xoxo.

Art 1: been messing with my Samsung Tab and decided to learn cartooning.

[starting with the basics]

Art 2: art on my Samsung Tab. not bad at all and pretty fun.

[when I need isolation and time to reflect. "sometimes you need to be alone, in order to find out who you really are and what you really want."-unknown]

Art 3: not an original piece. saw this online and had to re-create it. could not trace the original creator or else i'd give credit. beautiful piece that reminds me of my current love life.

[online version]

[my version]

Art 4: a sketch i created that epitomizes my freedom and independence from my demons that were holding me back.

["we all have inner demons to fight, we call these demons, fear and hatred and anger. if you do not conquer them then a life of one hundred years is a tragedy. if you do, then a life of a single day can be a triumph"-yip man]

Art 5: been a minute since I did pen art.

[love owls....nocturnal, observers, disciplined, patient]

Thank you. Salamat. Arigato. Gracias.

Morning everyone. It's a gorgeous a.m. ️

Got up early today and for the first time, actually got all prettied up for my class (usually looking like a morning zombie ‍️). A classmate didn't even recognize me on Zoom (yikes, the before look must be a 180 tsk tsk). It feels nice to get dolled up especially when I raaarely get the chance or reason to. Today I traded in the slippers for heels and sweats for a skirt. The usual boyish side has been set aside to be a girly-girl.

[why hello there....]

[i'm usually a sneaker kinda gal, but once and awhile ]

Soooo, tell me your weekend plans? How are you starting your weekend? As for me today.... class, schoolwork, group project: research paper and volunteering for Meals on Wheels, and doing something special today .

Xoxo. Love, peace, and happiness.

Most days I wake up early, bubbly, and full of energy....but there are those rare days, where I just want to stay in bed and curl up in a fetal position. Ignore the wrld.

[hibernation kinda day with my dinosaur themed bed sheets]

Today was one of those mornings. I was thinking about my parents (who both passed late 2019), COVID turning the world upside-down, my 10 years at a company that's now non-existent, and a trail of shittery one after another. Like dang, 2020 does suck. 🥺

Many of you message me and share the same sentiment. All of us coming from different countries with our own personal battles this year. Some in worst conditions due to their country and the lack of government assistance. Don't give up.

When I feel crappy, I stick my ten fingers up and count my blessings. A finger down for every blessing counted.

1. I woke up in a soft, warm bed and my squishy pillows.
2. I walked to a fridge full of food with options to cook/eat whatever my tummy desires.
3. My water runs clear and clean.
4. I have a phone and good wifi to write this post.
5. My two friends' birthday today and I can afford to buy them gifts they deserve.
6. My big brother is smiling today despite dealing with severe PTSD.
7. I can see the blue skies after weeks of hazardous smokey-air.
8. Despite dreading schoolwork, I am able to get a good education and continue to learn.
9. I get hugs and doggy kisses every morning from my fur-babies.
10. I'm alive and healthy.

If you can even get to one fist, you are more blessed compared to many out there. Remember that.

Smile. Appreciate. Woooosahhhh.

What motivates you to get up in the morning?

I'd say my motivation is yummy FOOD and a good work out to start my day. I love when someone else cooks and you smell the deliciousness from your room..mmmmm. 🥰

[the plus side of zoom classes... going to school looking like this without a care in the world ]

.........I get to ask you ANYTHING back.

You can PM or reply to this post. Your choice. Deal?

I, honestly, should be studying, but I need a good laugh or story so if you have any...please share.

[Typical Saturday. Home. Chill. Study. My "excited" face. ]

Hope your Saturday is more exciting than mine, but be SAFE always.

"The TIGER WOMAN is very seductive and magnetic, but at the same time she inspires great authority and has a certain prestigious presence. She's turbulent but also calm, kind and intimidating, bold and courageous enough to face any situation and to even deal with life-threatening situations."

[Rawrrrr.......]

In the mood for something sweet, yummy, and melt in your mouth.... BUT since I do not have a boyfriend at the moment, these shall suffice.

[Before........]

[...........After]

Who likes Dan Tat (a.k.a chinese egg tarts)?

Happy Sunday Funday all!!

Well...honestly, it would be more fun if I was not so busy today . The good thing is, I had some free time this morning to with my nephew. Super PROUD Aunty because my nephew developed a passion for art, so I enjoy these moments with him.

Today, we decided to paint these animal decals he has on his window. I chose the lion (requested by the wonderful @Sassygirl) and he chose a cool giraffe.

Hope you guys like it.

[He is going to be a better artist than me. For sure.]

[King of the Jungle. For @Sassygirl ]

[The 'stand in the bathroom, try to look cute, but the flash is bright af' type of selfie kinda day ]

As always. Be kind to others, and be kind to yourselves.

.......this wonderful creation I just made. Mmmmm.

Soweeee, I can't share BUT if you could ask me to cook anything for YOU right now, what would it be??

[French toast, strawberries, and turkey bacon]

Eating as we speak. Nom nom noms.

@fascfavy in doing well, how you been dude? Hope everything is well.

.... I feel like my brain is going to burst into tiny bits.

I been soooo busy with school -- midterms coming up, and a sh*tload of projects due at the end of this month [sigh]. I been pondering about stuff and sketching for the past hour (when I should be taking my quiz due at midnight. 🥴 Eek! )

[the japanese say you have three faces. the first face, you show to the world. the second face, you show to your close friends and family. the third face, you never show to anyone. it is the truest reflection of who you are.]

[do they love you or the mask you put on everyday?]

"Wearing a mask wears you out. Faking it is fatiguing. The most exhausting activity is pretending to be what you know you aren't"-Rick Warren

That's enough random ish from me for tonight. Lemme get back to my studies.

Goodnight everyone. Be yourself and if people don't accept it, they can fudge off.

@sarah_the_magpie

eggs benedict with homemade biscuits and a fruit bowl.

@The-Valkyrie hiiiiiii....

@chewie omgggg i LOOOOOVE goats! have you seen them on trees or those steep mountains. mann they rock! hahaha this made me LOL..thanks chew.

@Lazz way better music than the crap nowadays hehe thanks for posting twin!

@Lazz i love this era...reminds me of my grandparents and when they bump their music.

@fascfavy if a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would it be? and why?

@chaser2010 i don't know you BUT welcome back aaaandddd....

Have a great birthday and i wish you many blessings~

-Rei

@Nic1997 my favorite croatian hehe thanks back cutie. i just saw your msg, replied~ miss our chats!