love always, Mira: beach bonfires

Showing posts with label beach bonfires. Show all posts

Hello everyone!

Just last year, my family and I booked a last minute trip to the Philippines, after a long awaited 15 years return, only to say goodbye to my grandmother. After meeting the cousins I only ever spoke to on the phone, I made it a promise to come back as soon as possible. So when I had the opportunity to book a trip to the Philippines in November? I jumped at the chance of a lifetime… and then convinced my mother to come along with me.

This past weekend I was able to go island hopping at Coron. I have never been more humbled by the true beauty of mother-nature. I witnessed first-hand how gentle yet powerful the deep blue sea can be. I met Nemo and Dory, swam so deep into the ocean even I got scared on how deep she can be, and hovered over coral that were possibly dangerous. I watched as the ocean transformed into a sea of shining diamonds as we sailed through a motor boat. I visited places that were listed as “Top Destinations to Visit,” knowing that most people don’t even leave their hometown, while here I was crossing out items on my bucket list.

We stayed in a quaint little house that was built right on top of the ocean. It had a dock that extended further out which was decorated with a table, built in benches, and a hammock (which I used every single day). The dock had a ladder that went down to the ocean, so of course I put on my swimsuit and took photos on it before having breakfast the next morning.

With an itinerary full of activities, rented boat of our own, and our own personal tour guides- Saturday was an adventurous, jam-packed day. From snorkeling in Siete Picados, to eating at an all-white island, to floating around Twin Lagoon, Coron is definitely a place to visit. I have never seen my mother (and her sisters) take on more confidence than being with me and their family this weekend. My mom and aunts (who can’t swim) went snorkeling in the ocean, my mom had the confidence to jump off the boat when it was on shore thinking it wasn’t that deep and fell right into the water, and they took off their life vest to take the cutest photos underwater. Shout out to my uncles, Tito Juhn and Tito Rod, for being great sports and enjoying in on the fun!

I'm going to admit that I had no intention of taking underwater photos because I didn't even have an underwater camera to begin with. However, my uncle and aunt let us borrow their camera for the weekend so we can take these photos (thanks Tito Eric and Tita Beng). So it only felt right for me to share it with everyone. For this photo diary, I'm showing photos from the first activity on our itinerary- Snorkeling at Siete Picados. Here you go!

If you ever decide to go to Coron, I recommend adding snorkeling at Siete Picados as one of the activities on your to-do list. Snorkeling at Siete Picados was such a fun experience for me and my aunts. You get to see all the corals and swim with the fishes, but halfway through... you realize that where the corals end, you meet the deep blue sea- just as Nemo did when he went to touch the "butt."

"Everyone loves to fly, and flying underwater is even better than flying in air because there are things around you." - Graham Hawkes

Hello everyone!

Today's post is kicking off my summer series! I have officially set the countdowns for my summer adventures and this year, I'm calling my summer series: "Chasing the Sun." On Saturday, June 25th, I held my annual welcome summer bonfire. This bonfire was a celebration not only to welcome summer, as well as a delayed graduation celebration.

Last year, I held the bonfire at Bolsa Chica. I liked it so much I decided to host it there again this year. When my friends and I arrived, there were no pits left. Instead of wasting more time in hope of finding an unsaved pit, we set up in the middle of the beach, and spent time frolicking in the water. By sun down, my friends and I were able to find a pit! We were able to roast marshmallows and make s'mores, listen to music, and just be.

One of my greatest treasure is being around water. Whether it's taking a bath, being at the beach, going swimming in a pool... I love water. I grew up with a pool and spent my summer swimming every day. I grew up with trips to the beach and swimming in the ocean. I've always called the beach home because I love being by the ocean. It has always had the power to calm me and bring me peace. 'Till today, I carry the same appreciation for water as I did as a child.

I've always loved having summer bonfires since it allows me to be around water and spend time with my friends. When I was in high school, my friends and I always had one for our end of the year celebration. I decided to continue it into college. I usually host my bonfires with a specific set of friends. This year, I invited people from different groups of my social circles and loved being around the company of people that bring me so much joy. Last year, I had an amazing summer. I can't wait to see what this summer brings.

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald

Dear Eagle,

In September 2012, a few days before my very first day of college, I wrote a letter to my future self. I sealed the envelope and titled it, "Do not read until you've graduated college." After four years, that letter currently sits on my bedside table waiting one more day to be opened.

Today's post is me expressing my gratitude to people who I've met throughout college, people who have supported me, encouraged me, and loved me these past four years. I've personally thanked individual people to say my thank you, but today, I'm writing to personally acknowledge these people. Without any of them, I wouldn't have enjoyed college and be the (soon to be) college graduate that I am.

COHORT

The girl who is right next to me wearing glasses and" is always on my snapchat"? That's my day one. Her name's Heidi. The guy wearing the keys around his neck? And my OOTD partner? His name is Kyle. They are the first two people I ever met during my very first day of school, in our very first class together. Our cohort were the set of friends I hung out with for my first quarter ever at Cal State LA. You all made me feel welcomed. After all, we were just a bunch of kids going to college for the first time.

Kenny, Vanessa A., Joey, Eliana, Kyle, Michelle, Michelle, Heidi, Christian, Noeli, Vanessa H. Thank you for being the best cohort to start off my first ten weeks of college with.

CSULA KIDS

I wouldn't have met these people if it weren't for one of my long-time childhood friend, Jenilee. Jenilee, Kyle, Jessica, Tammy, Mel, Eileen, Megan, Robin, Andrew, Bridget, Jeffrey, and Misty, you all adopted me into your group and welcomed me in with open arms. I spent a lot of my second and third year of college at the Student Union because one of us was always there. From our Spring Break adventures, karaoke nights, and fun food runs, you guys gave me so much to be thankful for.

COMM/LPE

When I declared my majors, I was Business Admin (marketing) and Communication (Public Relations). After hearing it'd take me six years to finish with a double, I changed my mind. I didn't want to stay for that long! So I chose COMM as my major and Marketing as my minor. I don't regret that decision. Being part of Lambda Pi Eta and knowing people who had the same major as me made me enjoy the last two years of college. This group has some of the smartest, kindest, beautiful, and hard-working people I'm blessed to know. Without any of you, I wouldn't be as confident with my self as I am today.

Here's a list of things I learned being part of this beautiful family:

- Don't try arguing with us cause I'm pretty sure we can argue for hours.

- We can talk, but we also know when to stop talking.

- If we want something, I'm pretty sure we can persuade you.

- We can present just about anything. After all, our PR classes were all about presenting.

- We can write. PR strategic plans, rhetoric papers, and 25 page thesis proved that... but please don't ask us to proofread your papers, we're not English majors.

- Try your hardest to keep us away from math. We like words, not ~~numbers.~~

- COMM people are the best and nicest people you'll ever meet.

Of course, I want to say a BIG thank you to my parents, brothers, family, Ohana, second fam, Wave group, my favorite advisor Evelyn E., teachers, and friends. You have no idea how grateful I am to have such an amazing support system. It's your kind words, encouragements, guidance, and relentless love that makes me want to aim high to make you all proud.

Just as I wrote in the acknowledgements section of my thesis, "...with every commute I made, each class I took, and every friend I made along the way, I found my place as an eagle in this bird's nest."

Thank you. All of you.

Now it's time to soar like an eagle.

xoxo

-Mira

Hey everyone!

Today I'm sharing with you some of my favorite shots of my grad photos. During Memorial Day, I went to campus with my friends Chris and Erika to take my grad photos. My friend Chris took these photos and I give him all the credit cause he did an amazing job. Also, giving a shoutout to my girl, Erika, because without her I wouldn't have looked as good.

Yesterday, I commuted to class for the last time. I cried on my way. haha. Sentimental much? Very. I turned in my senior thesis and finished my last undergrad final. I don't know where the last four years went, but all I know is that it went by too fast. Good thing I have a ton of memories to remember and a bunch of pictures to verify they actually happened.

I've officially finished my last set of finals and I'M DONE WITH COLLEGE. Graduation is only 3 DAYS AWAY. 3 DAYS. I still can't believe I'm graduating. I started this blog my sophomore year of college and now I'm done. What now?

I have no idea. But I'll be smiling, working, and laughing my way there.

Opening with this photo because I laugh at everything and I can never take photoshoots too seriously.