Updates

The past week has probably been one of the most stressful weeks I've had this year. I'm talking major hysterically crying meltdown infront of my fiance and parents... God bless them for putting up with my crazy. I finally got some resolve yesterday.

My fiance and I currently live in different states due to his work. We've been doing this for almost 1 year now and we are about to do it again for another year. It puts a lot of stress on our relationship and it's hard to plan a wedding from 2 different states especially since K wants to be extremely involved in the whole planning process. But let me rewind a bit...

I had every intention of staying in NY one more year and teaching at my current school for another year. Truth is, I wasn't ready to leave the kiddos yet. I truly love the kids that are at my school. With new leadership every year, things are bound to change. I was told about a switch in my position after the school year had ended and it put me in a tough spot. It was not something that I wanted so I had to begin looking for other options.

One option was for me to move to Virginia earlier than planned and for my first year there work on planning our wedding and getting my teaching certification for Virginia squared away. I was excited about this since it would mean my fiance and I would finally be together and not only see each other on weekends. We found an apartment that we fell in love with (this was back at the end of July) and we quickly filled out the application. All while this was happening, I was still in limbo with my job situation in NY but it looked like I was going to leave and make the move. We heard back on Monday that we got the apartment with a move in date of late September. The woman in me automatically went to pintrest to get some cute decorating ideas and we started looking for furniture.

Well, last night I got a call from my job telling me that I would have the same position I had last year (which was what I wanted all along --I was pretty adamant about not wanting to move to another position). I was SO HAPPY but so heartbroken at the same time. This meant, I get another year with my kiddos, another year with my family and friends in NY. But this also meant that my fiance and I will have to do another year of long distance and that we would have to let go of an apartment that we loved.

I have always put work first and part of me still feels like I am...I know it would be easier on our relationship if I had just moved down but my fiance is so supportive of everything I do. So, while I do have one more year in NY I can say with 100% confidence that it will be my last year in New York. I will always call NY home, it's where I was born and raised. I've lived here almost 30 years but I can't wait to get down to Virginia to start a new home with K.

Stay tuned for some tales of my adventures in my last year in NY and the transition down to Virginia!

Hello, Friday

I am so jet lagged... got back from my overseas trip on Wednesday. I have been wide awake since 2a.m. since over in Asia it's 2p.m. I hope I get over this jet lag before my trip to California next Wednesday.

I have a busy weekend ahead --looking at 4 wedding venues, co-hosting a baby shower, and have a housewarming party to attend... but for now, here are 5 random things on this Friday :)

1. HONG KONG, MACAU, MALAYSIA --you were so good to me. What an UNFORGETTABLE trip that included meeting my niece Serina for the very first time. You guys, it was the HARDEST goodbye. I love that little girl SO MUCH! Below are some pictures to recap my trip :)

2. BEACH DAYS -I love the beach so much and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia has some pretty amazing ones! Photo cred goes to my cousin, Miranda.

3. Alexander Wang --My boyfriend spoils me and surprised me with a black & rose gold Alexander Wang bag that I had been eyeing. It was part of his "I miss you" gift since I have not seen him in 3 weeks because of my trip!

Get the bag here

4. Blooms by Heinau --Have you heard of these flowers? They are supposed to last for 6 months! Thanks to my hubby to be again for getting me this arrangement. They are gorgeous!

5. K --just because I love him :) Thank for always staying by my side. I cannot wait to marry you! Oh, and I guess I should mention... I am moving to Virginia! Date TBD but we have applied for an apartment so fingers crossed! I could be leaving NY where I have lived for the past 30 years as soon as end of September this year! Crazy to think about but so excited to start my life with my fiance in the SAME state!

FRIYAY

Now that it's summer, maybe I will have time to blog... but for now, here are some of my favorite things!

1. Gigi New York
Affordable and chic. My fiance just gifted me with the best cross body bag, ever. It is very spacious inside and fits a lot! It also comes in so many cute colors. I want to buy more! But i'll practice some self-control ;) I also LOVE that you can personalize everything. This is the one I got with my initials, of course. The best thing? The bag is on sale for only $157.50 

Purchase this bag here

Another must purchase from Gigi? Their zip pouch which is currently on sale for $38.50 Get it while you can for this price! This is another one of their products which is spacious on the inside and can fit more than you think. I actually bought each of my bridesmaids (all 8 of them!) one of these with their initials monogrammed. They all loved it and they got to pick their own colors. Of course, I needed one as well ... I went with melon, but the most popular among my girls was the hydrangea.

Get the zip pouch here

2. MAINE

It's crazy to think I've never visited Maine. 2 of my work besties and I decided to do a short road trip. We made a pit stop at Salem, MA for a night --definitely did not get enough time here and will have to go back! Then we drove to Boothbay Harbour, Maine and oh my goodness... I fell in love. I will definitely be coming back here for years to come. We enjoyed A LOT of lobster... and I mean A LOT. I don't think we had one meal (with the exception of breakfast) where we didn't feast on lobster. We stayed at Spruce Point Inn Hotel & Spa. While a little pricey, it is most definitely worth it! You can rent everything from rooms (which were HUGE), cottages, or townhouses. You guys... every night in the summer you can also make s'mores over a campfire... need I say more? This place had families, older couples, and girlfriends that just needed a getaway (like me and my friends). It is a place for all ages! There is so much to do! I definitely want to take my hubby to be there for some R&R :) Check out the inn here! The service was also impeccable and they have a shuttle that will take you to town and pick you up to bring you back to the inn when you are ready. While you're there, definitely check out The Lobster Dock --delicious lobster dinner!

While you're in Maine, you must also try Five Islands Lobster Co. Supposedly one of the best lobster rolls --and I would have to agree!

3. BOOKS

Now that it's summertime I am going to get back into reading. My work is requiring me to read The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs. It is an interesting read thus far. I would definitely recommend it for any educators. This is about a man who was born near Newark, NJ and had all the odds against hin . He eventually attended Yale on a full scholarship. He struggled with his life on the streets back home and his life at Yale. Unfortunately, he got into the drug trade and was murdered by the age of 30.

4. WATERMELON

...just because I can eat it all day, every day during the summer --which btw, I absolutely do!

5. ASIA TRIP 2016
Next Wednesday, I will be on a plane to Hong Kong, Macau, and Malaysia for 2 weeks. Family, friends, food, relaxation --it can't get any better! Girls' trip with my mama and my cousin :) I will miss the fiance, but cannot wait! The most anticipated part of the trip... meeting my niece Serina for the first time. There will probably be tears. Also, while in Malaysia I will be visiting the woman who took care of me from the time I was 9 months old up till when I left for college. I have not seen her since I was 18. This one's gonna be emotional ...

ENGAGED & PLANNING A WEDDING...WHAT?!

Bringing some happy news to the blog... I am officially engaged as of Monday, May 30th, 2016. All I can say is that I am blessed with K's love.

my gorgeous tiffany's engagement ring with pink diamonds and a rose gold halo!!!

I will update with our love story and engagement story at some point.

Any wedding advice would be greatly appreciated! Right now, we've got our bridal party chosen. I asked my favorite girls with their own monogrammed Gigi leather pouch. They loved it and I couldn't help but get one for myself as well :) K will be asking his groomsmen with their own monogrammed flask.

Our next task is our engagement photoshoot. We plan on doing two --one this summer and one in the fall. For our summer shoot, we plan on doing it in Battery Park. This is where I've lived for the past 8 years, where K and I had our first kiss, and where K proposed so it holds a very special place in my heart.

We are thinking of a tentative wedding date of October 14th, 2017. This is sooner than I thought --eek! Time to plan a wedding!

8 Months

WOW... I can't believe it's been 8 months since my last update ... around my 29th birthday. So much has happened since then. Here's a little update --for anyone that actually reads this.

I have done some traveling --went to Orlando, FL on a whim during MLK weekend. I just came back from Nashville, TN. I went there for my spring break and oh my word --I probably gained 10 pounds from all the food I ate! I have booked a trip to Hong Kong & Macau to visit my family --girls trip with my mom & cousin --I cannot wait! And not to mention, I'll FINALLY be able to meet my niece, Serina. We also booked a trip to Malaysia --staying at a Shangri-La Resort on the beach. Lots of relaxation and pampering --it is much needed!

My nephew also turned 8... ummm, how on earth did that happen?! It seemed like it was only yesterday that he was born. He is still the love of my life and the absolute sweetest kid.

I guess the biggest news is that for the past 6 months, I have been dating someone. I will refer to him as K. He has brought so much joy and happiness to my life. I never knew that someone could love me the way he does. Before K, my last relationship ended in December 2014. From that time till October 2015, I was just dating for fun and to pass time. I wasn't ready for another relationship. It was nice to have that year to myself and really focus on my professional life. I finally feel like I have time for someone else in my life, and I'm happy that it's K that is by my side :)

This post is all disjointed. I promise when time allows (probably over the summer), I won't be all over the place!

twentynine

Yesterday, I officially rang in my 29th birthday with a celebration with family and friends. I reserved my apartment's rooftop and party room for the entire day. The views were unbeatable, the company --even better. I am truly blessed for all these wonderful people in my life. This time of the year is really hard for me. 2 years ago on my birthday, I was in the hospital spending my day with my grandpa and a few days later, he passed away. I felt him with us yesterday. I miss him so much and although I had a beautiful 27 years with him, it doesn't seem enough.

Here's a few snippets from yesterday:

First Week... DONE!

I officially survived my first week as a 1st grade teacher :) I was nervous looping with my kiddos, but I have a feeling it will be a good year! My co-teacher and I were told that we have the most well behaved class. This is a compliment since I was given the only 2 two kids that will actually get physical with adults and children... and one of those 2 asked me if I could be her second grade teacher too :) I'm hoping next week goes as smoothly! The students have had half days the entire first week... lets see if we survive a full day from 7:20-4:00!

Today is also my birthday... and for Writer's Workshop, my kiddos all wrote me cards. LOVE!

I am going to embrace 29. Still can't believe this is my last year in my 20's!

Life Lately

My summer has been fabulous --sad to think I'll be back to work in less than a month. Here's what I've been up to:

Quality time with the nephew

4th of July BBQ

Date Night in the city w/ the nephew

Miami I will do a full post on this trip later

1st Year Back in the Classroom...DONE!

a letter from a student of mine <3

Three years into teaching, I left to pursue a career in corporate (still within the education field). A year and a half later, I missed the classroom... a lot. My days were very long and I was working 6 days a week. I didn't get home till 10p.m. most week nights and 5p.m. on Saturdays. It was not ideal. I rarely saw my family and I saw my friends even less. It was time for a change. I left that job in December 2014 and started my new job as a kindergarten teacher in January 2015 and what a ride it has been!

I have loved every minute of it. I never thought I would like the younger age group. They're harder to reason with and they still pee and crap themselves. A lot of times I felt like I was a mom, but these kiddos have surprised me with their resilience, their thirst for knowledge, and it has been inspiring to be their teacher. A lot of these kids come from home backgrounds that are not ideal but they work hard. I mean what kindergartener do you know is learning the concepts of multiplication, division, fractions, and nailing it? I am so lucky to have been part of the start of shaping them into the wonderful people I know they will be. My school is located right in the middle of the projects and I make it my mission as the teacher of these kids that they will get out.

I think this will be a blessing & a curse... but on the last day of school, my principal informed me that I will be looping with my kiddos. I will be teaching 1st grade next year but my class will have a mix of my kids and some other kids from the other K class. I was not happy with the decision at first --as it also splits my co-teacher and I up. She's awesome and we really jive well together in the classroom. However, it will be fun to watch how much more these students of mine will continue to grow. 

I just finished my first week of summer break. I will blog about what i've been up to lately in another post and start crossing things off my summer bucket list! :) Stay tuned!

Tea At The Plaza

Everyone should experience tea at The Plaza Hotel at least once, right? My girlfriends and I thought so! #wefancy

The Plaza Hotel was everything I dreamed it would be and more. The service is wonderful, although the wait staff seemed a little confused when we handed them 6 different credit cards :P 

There was so much food, we left completely stuffed. Finger sandwiches, tea, scones, dessert --what more could we ask for on a Sunday afternoon?

I will say it seemed a little pricey and I can't say I'm 100% sold it was worth it. With tax and tip included, it was about $84/person. It's something that we had to try but will probably not do again. I much prefer Lady Mendl's. However, at the end of the day, it was about spending time with my girlfriends and catching up on each other's lives. It's super rare that all 6 of us are free at the same time to all get together.