8 Short Books You Should Read || October Diary

Hi-yo Everyone!

"Reading is like traveling without having to leave your bed."

I'm an avid book reader. I love classic authors such as Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Dickens, the list goes on. By the way, if you have suggestions on a book I should read, my arms are wide open.

Sadly, given the fact that I'm a student I don't have as much time as I would like to just throw myself into a new adventure bound by the pages of a hardcover. However, there are some books that I absolutely adore that you could finish fairly quickly. Some are short stories, some provide inspirational quotes and anecdotes that will warm anyone's heart.

So, here are some of my favorites that you can read if you don't have much time.

1. The Little Prince
by: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This has to be one of my favorite books of all time. It is technically considered a children's book, but believe me it's so thought-provoking for adults as well. If you haven't read this children's classic, please do me a favor, stop reading this post and go buy the book now! This was actually a gift given to me and I loved it.

2. Pausitivity
by: M.H. Clark
A little gem for those times when your life gets so busy and out of whack. Originally, I purchased this book because of the MOST AMAZING pun, but as I read all the inspiration quotes from the book it drew me in to consider taking a pause every now and then.

4. Celebrating You
by: M.H. Clark
Need I say more? M.H. Clark does it again. For myself, I feel like I fill my head with a lot of negativity and tend to put myself down. However, this book reminds me that even the smallest accomplishments should be celebrated. There's nothing wrong with having a little bit of confidence in yourself.

5. What Do You Do With an Idea? 
by: Kobi Yamada
Sometimes we have bonkers ideas and are timid to share our crazy thoughts with others. I found this little treasure to be so rousing in reminding us that everything starts with an idea, no matter how insane it may seem. So if you're curious with the age old question, "what do you do with an idea", seriously check this out.

6. Tuesdays With Morrie
by: Mitch Albom
An absolute favorite (I say that a lot don't I, but it's true). This is a little bit longer than the other ones, but can be definitely read in sections. However, I don't know how you'll put this book down because it's that fantastic. A conversation between mentor and mentee that will sure bring many things into perspective.

7. Be Happy
by: Monica Sheehan
Short and simple. This book provides succinct quotes to help you get through those down moments. If you're feeling blue, this book is for you (that unintentionally rhymed).

8. Oh, The Places You'll Go
by: Dr. Seuss
What a classic. If you haven't read this book yet then I think you need to reevaluate whether or not you've been living under a rock (apologies to starfish). No, but honestly, this book by Dr. Seuss is amazing. Sometimes we may feel like we can't achieve much, but boy o boy does this book remind us otherwise.

Cheers!
Po

Don't forget Your Backpack || October Diary

Wowzers. It feels like ages since my last post. This past week has been extremely taxing on both mind and body (not that I work out or do anything that involves physically moving). 

School has just started about a week ago and I can not believe it! I've been roaming the streets of campus wondering where has the time gone? It boggles my mind that I'll be done so soon and head onto being a full-fledged educated adult (someone please help me). Whilst on university exploring mode I was reminded of all the memories I've had these past four years.

I passed by this one area in particular that underwent some extreme construction called Peterson Hill. It looked so very different from how it used to and brought back such a horrid and humiliating story. And so, I felt enlightened to share my past embarrassment with you all. So get ready your sneakers, grab some nature valley bars, and let's take a stroll down memory lane.

Rule number one: Don't forget your backpack.

When I was a 2nd year in college I went back home for the winter holiday and came back to campus via shuttle from the airport.

Once the shuttle arrived at the airport, all the students in waiting were packed in like sardines. Thankfully, I was able to get a seat, and everyone continued to shuffle their way onto the bus (seriously, how is this legal?). Being the INNOVATIVE and CONSIDERATE person I am (kidding), I thought it would be a good idea to place my backpack under my seat to make room for others. I didn't place my backpack on my lap because I was busy trying to grasp hold onto my luggage making sure it didn't attack anyone along the journey to campus.

The shuttle ride is around twenty minutes long and takes you to this area called Peterson Loop which is somewhat centralized on the campus. Adjacent to Peterson Loop there's another area called Peterson Hill, which is a pretty steep hill heading down to our snow-fortress looking library and the rest of campus (note: Now Peterson Hill is more like Peterson stairs).

When we arrived at Peterson Loop all I could think about was getting off the shuttle and dashing straight home.

I jumped off and made my way down Peterson Hill with my unnecessary large luggage in hand, and wearing too many layers for my own good.

As I was waltzing down I had the strangest feeling that something was missing, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Hmm... did I forget my new pocket calendar? No, that baby was safe in, well, my pocket. How about that blue blouse I bought? Nope, I'm pretty sure I packed that tightly in my suitcase. While in this state of wonder, I began to look around me and noticed what everyone had on their backs that I didn't.

It hit me. My backpack was still under the seat in the shuttle.

My backpack had my laptop, phone, wallet, cash, cards, and everything else of importance. It may as well could of contained liquid gold,  the sacred tears of unicorns, and a map to Atlantis in it, because that was exactly how I felt when I came to the realization.

My head swung around and gazed at the top of the hill. The bus had already started to leave the loop onto the road.

I began running up Peterson Hill like a maniac, screaming so loud the whole of San Diego probably heard me. In this frantic panic, I was still holding onto my luggage with my jacket swaying like a hurricane darting towards Peterson Loop.

I wish I could of seen how I looked to others. I remember some blurry faces of people (who also just got off the bus) in a "what is this crazy person doing?" face. However, that's no matter, I was on a mission.

The bus continued to drive away; it first needed to pass around a parking lot before getting onto the main road. Once atop Peterson Hill, I wondered why I was still carrying my luggage (it was weighing me down). At this point, I threw my luggage to the sidewalk like it was nothing and continued to run as fast as I could. I ran so fast, the gingerbread man would be proud of me at this point.

I screamed my way across the parking lot not giving a care if cars were going in or out.

"NOOOO, NOOOOO, STOP, PLEASE STAHHHPPPPPP!!"

I only had my eyes set on the bus driving way. The shuttle stopped at a stop sign, and then I noticed the bus driver's head turned and noticed me screaming my way over to her.

Finally, I had reached it the checkpoint. The bus driver came out with my black backpack asking if it was mine, and with my exasperated self, I managed to utter a short yes.

I've never ran so quickly in my life. It was like I was aiming for the ribboned end of a marathon. Afterwards, I felt as if my heart would rip out of my chest, and my lungs were set on fire. I'm so thankful that I was able to retrieve my backpack, not get hit by some vehicle in my spree, and that  meanwhile no one tried to steal my luggage that was abandoned on the sidewalk.

Just in the future, please don't forget your backpack. Don't pull a Po.

Cheers,
Po

P.S. I also attempted to include a google satellite picture just so you can understand the layout. The area shows an aerial view when the Hill was under construction, not original Peterson Hill. You can also see some photos of the newly renovated area also noted in the satellite view.

1. I promise you it was a lot steeper before they did reconstruction. Scout's honor.

2. Ah, Peterson Loop.

3. Where I threw my luggage.

4. The Corner before the parking lot.

Tea Time With the Loveliest People || September Diary

Hi-yo Everyone!

You may notice in the following pictures that I received a haircut (finally)! I got one of those lobs. For those of you unfamiliar with cosmetology terminology, a “lob” is a portmanteau of “long bob”. I love it, but the back is a little shorter than I would like. I have a really big problem asking the hair stylist to cut my hair the exact way I want… it’ll do though. Anyway, this post isn’t about my hair but this past Friday!

I’m now back in Sunny California after my long summer vacation.

During my stay in Massachusetts I’ve been to Boston over [insert large number] times doing various activities: from getting lost in the streets, duck tours, and tea parties (not throwing tea in the harbor though).

  

Since this past Friday was my last day on the East coast, my bestie Linda and I decided to spend the day together. There is a restaurant in the Boston Public Library called The Courtyard. In the afternoon they offer Tea time (High Tea/Afternoon Tea) for an expensive price of $35.00. I was extremely hesitant on going because of the price, but because it was my last day and I’ve always wanted to have Afternoon Tea, “why not??”. On the other hand my wallet was crying the song of tears as we decided to go.

We got there around 2:30 pm and let me tell you this restaurant is so posh and fancy, I felt the need to grow an intense mustache, grab a top hat, put on my best tuxedo, and monocle.

Needless to say, the Courtyard restaurant was indeed next to the inner courtyard; it was so beautiful.

As we came in the waiter sat us down and gave us menus that were, drum roll please…. BOOKS. So of course, because I'm a bibliophile, I took about 45249805942084 pictures of them only to have none of the pictures satisfactory. The menu was already set with fancy culinary terminology that I had to continuously search online. What does “pate a choux” mean or what exactly is "espelette pepper"? I don’t know, but thankfully Google does. 

All we chose was the type of tea we wanted, and of course Earl Grey for me (in honor of Captain Picard).

As Linda and I were eating and chatting along, an older couple was sat next to us. For some reason, we got to the topic of alcohol. I’m not a drinker, never was, I don’t fancy the taste of alcohol, nor do I understand why it’s so ridiculously expensive in the first place. I’d honestly prefer to have a box of chocolate milk.

On the topic of our distaste for alcohol, the couple next to us interjected and just wanted to praise us for choosing not to drink alcohol. From that all four of us began a long lovely chat for about an hour and a half. We all introduced ourselves and we spoke about many topics. We touched upon their professions, how our parents came to the U.S., our interests, etc. In all honestly, they were the loveliest and kindest couple that I had the grace to encounter. Their names were John and Christina and they were visiting from the far away state of Utah. They were so cute it made my heart grow three times larger with happiness and glee. The conversation was filled with plenty of laughs, history, etc. I’m so surprised I even had the ability to speak given my social awkwardness and anxiety.

It was now around 4:20. Once Linda and I were done eating we asked the waiter for our check. As the check came the couple interjected and told the waiter,

“No, no, no, We are going to pay for their meal.”

Linda and I looked at each other in shock and disbelief. We insisted that they shouldn't pay because we had only just met them, and we could pay ourselves. I attempted to stare down the waiter to give us the check, however the John and Christina persuaded the waiter else wise. 

You should have seen our faces, I was in complete shock. Apparently, so was the waiter and every table that surrounded us.

We couldn’t stop thanking them for their tremendous generosity and the lovely conversation we had with them. 

They told us that this was honestly the highlight of their day and they were so happy to pay for our meal. Wow, how amazing is that? Mutually, I would say it was the highlight of both of our days.

​​

The lovely John and Christina. 

After tea at the library, Linda and I went to explore Newbury Street. I have to say, Linda is pretty clumsy (she agrees) and I’m also extremely clumsy and awks. So, the both of us combined walking the streets of Boston you can say would be a complete disaster.

If I could collectively count the times we dropped, tripped, stumbled during the day, that number is [insert another large number here].

I could go on and on about the adventures we had at the shops, rose gelato cones, intense searches for a restaurant that wasn’t filled in China Town,  our ten minute dinner, and all that happened in between, but I’ll spare you your reading eyes (sorry). 

Overall, I’d have to say the day was absolutely wonderful. You can see some photos below! Apologies, I'm really not the best at taking photos...

Cheers!

Po