Mad Sounds In Your Ears, They Make You Feel Alright

Hey everyone!

To start off, I want to say I hope November is treating all of you very well. October was such a crazy month for me and my November calendar is already jam packed with homework, projects, and meetings. However, this month seems to promise good things.

I’m pretty sure I haven’t really explained why I’ve been so busy. Besides being a full-time student and part-time worker, I decided to start an internship in October. I currently intern at a press office and am surrounded by thousands of beautiful dresses, shirts, pants, skirts, shoes, and jewelry. Yes, I’m interning for a Fashion PR company. My manager is really fun to work with but she’s also teaching me a lot. I’m learning a lot about the fashion world and meeting all kinds of people who work all kinds of jobs.

Also, I’m part of a team trying to make changes for my church so that’s also adding more to my plate. Plus, I work with a non-profit organization that’s planning to do some events in the upcoming month. Anyways, I’ve got a lot to do, many places to be at, and a lot of people to keep in touch with. I’ve been driving all over L.A. doing what I’ve got to do but I’m not complaining about my busy schedule. In fact, I honestly love it.

I love being busy and having tasks to do. Although, I’m beyond exhausted, I prefer to be on a busy schedule rather than having nothing to do. However, keeping pace with such a hectic schedule, I need good music to keep me in motion. Which brings me to this: good music that is good company. There are two albums I’ve been constantly listening to:

1989 –Taylor Swift

AM – Arctic Monkeys

Now, I’m about to fan-girl for a moment but… Taylor Swift’s 1989 album… can I just express how amazing it is?! I don’t really listen to a lot of pop/radio music but Oh. My. GOSH. Taylor Swift is one (of few) exception to my music list. She’s brilliant. The album is incredible. Go listen to it, if you haven’t already. I usually end up listening to Blank Space, Style, How You Get the Girl, Clean, & I Wish You Would.

Artic Monkeys has always been a favorite of mine since my (ancient) middle school years when I was first introduced to them by my friend, Amy. But lately, I find myself continuously listening to their AM album. Besides the fact that they are a British boy-band (that’s a very good thing), their music is just good. That’s it. Where as Taylor’s 1989 is very pop and the album I listen to when driving, the AM album brings me the chill-vibe (if you know what I mean).  It’s the album I listen to when I’m resting and doing homework. The songs I continue to play on replay are: I Wanna Be Yours, R U Mine?, Do I Wanna Know?, & Mad Sounds.

I hope this month goes great for all of you. If you live in the U.S., it’s the month of thankfulness. And if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving (and even if you do), I challenge you all to find a way to be appreciative of the little things that happen to you this month. Or even for the big things. Big thankful for all that happen and all that you have. I hope you the very best.

xoxo -Mira

Chilly Air & Autumn Leaves

Hello Everyone!

It’s officially starting to feel a bit like fall here in L.A. Yesterday, I left home at 9 a.m and the weather was absolutely perfect fall weather. It was overcast and chilly. How unexpected was that? After enduring the long summer heat, I’m not about to complain about the change of weather. If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking, “Mira, that’s such a cliche intro. The weather really?” 

Well, I love fall. I love the chilly weather and crunchy leaves. I love fashion this time of year. After all- sweater weather is the best weather. I love the feeling of this season. I really can’t explain it- if you love fall as much as do, then you know what I’m trying to make you understand.

Along the coming of fall weather, of course I had to make a new playlist on my Spotify to set the mood. This past month I’ve had Ed Sheeran’s- X album- on repeat. My playlist is titled- Autumn Leaves inspired by his song. When I’m not listening to Mr. Sheeran, I’m listening to The 1975. If you haven’t heard of either of their album, well I’m daring you to right now. Since it’s only starting to feel like fall, I can’t really get a grip of what kind of music I want to listen to, making my playlist a combination songs I’ve been feeling. Besides Ed Sheeran and The 1975, it includes a bit of Walk the Moon, Royal Teeth, and Churchill. Also, some Broods and Vampire Weekend.

If you have a Spotify account, listen to my Autumn Leaves playlist here:

If you don’t have a Spotify account, here’s a preview of my playlist: 

Photograph- Ed Sheeran:



She Way Out -The 1975:



Anna Sun- Walk the Moon:


Step- Vampire Weekend:


Sweater Weather- The Nieghbourhood:




I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying the season you are in- be it fall, winter, summer, or spring. It’ll come and go- so enjoy it. As for me, I’ll continue to embrace the chilly air and crunchy autumn leaves. Hopefully, you enjoyed listening to some of my favorite fall songs so far. If you know these people, hooray for you! If you don’t, hopefully you’re able to find something to your liking. Have a good day (or evening)!

Much love,

xoxo -Mira

Happy One-Year Anniversary!

Hey everyone!

As previously stated in my title, today's my blog's one year anniversary! I know I haven't posted all that much, however, I made it a goal to remember to post to celebrate today. Since we're still experiencing 80 degree weather here in L.A. for "fall", I want to write about what I've been doing the past few months since my last post. For this blog, I will be posting all that happened this past summer- Summer 2014. It was an amazing summer full of traveling, adventures, late-night hang outs, and spontaneous trips.

To kick off summer, my family and friends spent Fourth of July at the beach (of course) and had a barbecue. We stayed late, soaking up some sun and playing music. My friends and I were able to catch up about our spring courses and we're able to enjoy having free time.  For the lack of a better description- let's just say, that day included a lot of loud, boisterous singing and red, white, and blue.

I opted not to take summer courses at my university and instead chose to spend my summer working and spend quality time with my family and friends. This summer, I made it my goal to go to the beach often and get some tanning done. I get really pale in the winter so I wanted to get as tan as I can. However, I can't jut lay around and expect a tan because I turn red as a tomato and get sunburnt quickly. But I was able to go at least two shades darker. Hurray!

Credit: Jenilee

Road trips. Road trips. Road trips. I love road trips. I love being on the road and watching the landscape change. I love passing other cars on the highway. I love going on road trips. Of course, I had to go on a few this past summer. Two of my favorites were going to Santa Barbara and San Diego.

Santa Barbara County, CA
Hidden behind a mountain, this gem of a beach was incredibly beautiful. I spent the weekend in a cabin with my family and friends. Our stay included walking down the beach, tons of barbecuing, and relaxing. What else was there to ask for?


San Diego, CA
My friends and I planned a road trip down south to celebrate one of my girl's birthday. Our weekend included a lot of driving, eating, spontaneous trips to random places and laughter.

Credit: Erika


Did I forget to mention how much I also love flying? I just like to travel in general- including in any way of transportation. Speaking of flying, I also flew up to Washington state for my cousin's wedding. I was in Washington for a week, spending time with my family. I hardly see my family from up north, but when I do, it's always an incredibly fun time.
Candid. Post-wedding rehearsals
Wedding day with the beautiful couple
My summer 2014 was incredible and in other words- amazing. Oh! That reminds me... I also celebrated my birthday in July. My friends surprised me with a mini celebration. Enjoy this pic of me with my birthday cake (which also is my all time favorite cake- Milk's Blue Velvet):


How I used to imagined life this time of my life when I was a young child, does not do justice for how wonderful life truly is. Whatever you're going through, keep your head high because life does get better. This summer has shown me just how beautiful life can get- even at the unexpected times.


Of course, I ended my summer with a bonfire and... eating a ton of s'mores.  Another summer has come and gone, and it's time to embrace the new season. Cheers everyone.



To end this blog, I want to express how eternally grateful and thankful for all my family, friends, and of course- my readers. I didn't think I would make it to a one year anniversary- but here I am! Looking back through my past posts is honestly kind of weird but heart-warming. Thanks for going along this journey with me. I can't even thank you enough. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Much love,

xoxo - Mira

Just Another Wide-Eyed Girl

Hey beautiful!

This weekend, I had the pleasure of having a sleepover with some of my girl friends. We did things unexpectedly and totally spontaneous. It was enjoying spending time with people that encouraged me, challenged me, and built me up. Now I sit in my messy and unorganized room all alone, listening to Taylor Swift’s Fearless album. When I was younger, I always dreamt of the future. I couldn’t wait to turn another year older, to do what the “older kids” did. Now that I am at the age I used to dream of being, it reminds me just how fast time passes.
 
Listening to the Swift’s Fearless album brings back certain feelings that were buried when I graduated high school. Listening to ‘Fifteen’ reminds me of happy memories of me and my best friends. Hearing ‘Love Story’ and ‘Young Belong With Me’ reminds me of my high school crush and all the stupid little acts I did just to get his chocolate almond eyes to turn my way. ‘Forever and Always’ reminds me of a certain three-brother band I enjoyed listening to. But hearing ‘Fearless’…. That strikes a chord.
What’s your biggest fear? What are you afraid of? Think about it. Think about all what it is/who/what you’re scared, frightened, and/or reluctant to face…  Now think of T. Swift’s lyrics, “And I don't know why but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress; Fearless.”

Fearless:
adjective
1. without fear; bold or brave; intrepid.
2. courageous; resolute in the face of dangers or challenges

If it’s a certain person you fear, stay strong, and have an iron spine. If it’s the past you fear, let it go, it can’t be change. If it’s the future you fear, work diligently so your feared outcome doesn’t happen. The point is to NEVER LET YOUR FEAR WIN. Whatever it is you get yourself into, there’s always a way out. You can make things happen. Change the way you view the situation. Change the way you feel about a certain person. Change the way you hear a comment. Challenges, tribulations, hardships, problems are all part of life. After bad days, there are good days. What goes up will come down. The point is to be FEARLESS. Be bold. Be brave. Be courageous. Be resolute. Because you are STRONGER than you think.

I promise that you will make it through whatever it is you’re going through. You are never alone. Someone in the world feels exactly the way you feel, whether its love, hate, happiness, depression, frustration, excitement, anger, or sadness, someone in another continent/country/state, living in a different time zone and living condition is feeling the same way you are. But you will get older, all things will come to pass, and life will get better. So forget what the world thinks. Forget what the world says about you and what kind of life you should live. Forget what the media standardizes as the way to look or act. Forget your fears and what’s “scary.” Be you. Be yourself. Or be what you whoever/however you want to be. Be FEARLESS and live life FEARLESSLY.

 As Taylor sings it,
“Because these things will change
Can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come
For us to finally win”

so “Don't be afraid to Jump then fall.”

xoxo -Mira 

One Day. Twenty-Four Hours.

Hey everyone!

I know I wanted to blog so much more often but college, work, and other obligations takes up so much of my time more than it did before when I first started blogging. However, this week I was able to write a piece I've been thinking about the past couple of months. Here it is:

It took me a long time to realize that life isn’t about the sound of the minute hand moving, it isn’t about the hour passing by, or the next day, or even the new year we count down to. Life to me is: made up of the thoughts I wake up to in the morning, my first cup of coffee after I get ready for the day, and my last cup of tea before I go to bed. It’s about the sounds I hear of birds tweeting outside my bedroom window and the music I feel like listening to depending on the time of day. I like to think of life about the little things that I treasure, because they are what matters most to me. 

I know many of us have heard of the phrase, “Life’s like a box of chocolate.” In some way, it can be. However, life can also be like a good song we love to play on repeat or a comfortable pair of shoes we continuously wear. But life can also be a cold, stormy winter day or a certain food dish that your taste buds don’t find appealing. Life is, in many ways, indescribable.

As the spring season kicks in, I’ve come to the conclusion that how we describe ourselves, other people, and things we like or dislike, and life in general, is all based on our perceptions. How do you see things? How do view other people? What are your daily perceptions? Our outlook on our surroundings, inner-self, and life, reflect how we go about our day. When you wake up in the morning do you think of happy thoughts? Or do you immediately groan and complain of a new day? Now I’m not trying to say there’s anything wrong with those who dislike mornings, but I’ve realized that what you think of the first few minutes you wake up reflects how you perceive the new morning. 

I know what it sounds like, “You’re just a happy person! That’s why you don’t understand those who complain.” Actually, I used to complain every morning about having to get up early and get ready for school and other responsibilities. However, what I’ve learned over the years is that no amount of complaining, groaning, and request of, “Five more minutes of sleep!” changes the twenty-four hours I have of the day or the responsibilities I have to get done. Instead, I think of the new day as an excuse to get over what problems I had the previous day, the worries I had from yesterday are of the past, and the new day gives me another chance to make myself better.

Because that’s life isn’t it? It’s about the small, little things? It’s about the journey, not the destination? About the struggles and challenges and overcoming them? So why not appreciate the new morning and the late nights? Think of the possibilities that you can accomplish, achieve, and pursue in twenty four hours. Because that's all that will ever be available to us in one day. Only twenty four hours. I guess what I'm trying to express in this post is to count the little miracles throughout the day. Be thankful for even the smallest things because you never know what can come your way. Stop and smell the roses. Stop and look up at the sky and take in how beautiful it is. Count the stars that shine your way. And be thankful that you have another day to live. Another twenty four hours to do what you love to do and spent time with people that you care about most. I hope you try it. Try seeing all that is beautiful throughout the day and if you already so see how beautiful can be, keep doing it. And if that day doesn't go as planned, don't worry. Just look forward to the next twenty four hours.

xoxo -Mira 
 

11 Days Down

Hey Everyone!

As promised, I said I was going to start blogging a lot more now that the new year has kicked in. My mom and I threw a New Year's eve party and we celebrated welcoming the new year with some good friends. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season. We've hit 11 days down into the new year, not including today, and let me tell you that this year is turning out to be pretty amazing thus far. For today's blog, I really just want to share a bit of news with you about what has happened to me in the past week and half.

Before I went back to school, my family and my mom's friend and husband, went to a resort down south. The place was exquisite and incredibly beautiful. I spent the weekend (Jan. 3-5) swimming, re-watching Gossip Girl, night walking on the pier, writing, and listening to the waves hit shore. Now, I don't know how about any of you but one of my favorite sounds in the world is the sound that waves make. There's something about it that brings me to a state of tranquility. Anyhow, during my time there, I spent a lot of time alone. Our hotel room was facing towards the beach and pier that I couldn't help myself but sit on the balcony and spend countless hours watching my surroundings.

There are more times than not when I get so busy I forget to take a moment to myself and notice my surroundings, and I have come to realize that I hadn't done it in a while. Since a new year has started I made it a goal of mine to reflect on myself and the things/people, around me before I let the fun/busy things of life sweep me off. During the weekend away, I reflected on life and relationships but also on the life and relationships around me. I re-discovered my appreciation for beautiful SoCal sunsets.
 

 



 I had the time to make peace with my lonesome and the quiet. I opened my ears to the sounds I usually disregard, like birds tweeting, wind blowing, and leaves rustling. I fell in love with being awakened by a delightful sunny morning also found admiration for stillness of darkness throughout the night.




 
I let myself be open minded to the things I normally take for granted and in doing so, I was able to witness the little beautiful miracles that occur throughout the day. From this experience, I hope all of you do this every once in a while. Take the time to notice those little miracles and find the beauty in the things you usually take for granted; because in the end, they may just make you realize how beautiful life truly is.

 xoxo -Mira

Goodbye 2013

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone has been having a fun and merry holiday season. I know I haven't blogged as much as I hoped to when I first started but as 2014 rolls around, I'll definitely have more time to write again. To start today's blog I want to say Happy New Year's Eve! I've spent the past week preparing to end the year and welcome the new year with a bang but I have some time today to reflect and write about what I've been blessed with in the year of 2013. Since its 2013, I've thought of 13 specific things that happened to me this year and 13 lessons I've learned that I want to share with you. Let's begin! (sorry for the blurry photos!)

#13: I started my second year of college

#12: I declared my major
'

#11: I got baptized with my second family



 #10: I saw my brother and cousin graduate high school


#9: I went snow boarding for the first time



#8: I got to go on a couple of road trips



#7: I turned my last year as a "teen"ager

#6: I had the chance to act again for one of my classes

 #5: I saw the Jonas Brothers one last time as a band

 

#4: I received full coverage for my tuition

 #3: I spent my summer traveling

Washington
Oregon
Arizona

#2: Started doing PR work!

#1: I decided to start my blog
  

When I said goodbye to 2012 and went to take on 2013, I said hello to this year with no expectations. However, as the days and months past, looking back on all the things I've been blessed with this year it was more than I could've ever come to expect. This year was full of challenges, difficulties, and hard work but the bad are also balanced with the blessings and memories that brought on the good. This year not only gave me the chance to grow up a bit more but also taught me more about myself than I have ever had the chance to learn. 

13 lessons I learned this year are:

#1: Expect less because even the smallest things can surprise you.

#2: Wishful thinking is just that...wishful thinking. So work hard for the things you want. Determination can get you places; NEVER. GIVE. UP.

#3: Actions speak louder than words. But it's not a free pass to let you say whatever you want. You can't take back your words. Ever.

#4: Know what makes you happy and don't sacrifice it for anything.

#5: Try finding the beauty in the little things and be appreciative of them because they can lift up your mood during the dark times.

#6: If you know certain things/people make you sad or depressed, cut them loose. It's your life, don't dwell on the "what if's", "could've been," or "if only."

#7: Work hard and Play hard. But always choose to work harder. It's good to have some down time but doing nothing or partying all the time will get you no where.

#8: Forget what any one else says and do what you have to do. You have your own likes, dislikes, goals, and aspirations. Get what you want out of life and write your story.

#9: Reminisce. Remember. & Reflect. It's good to look back at your past sometimes. Let the good memories put a smile on your face or make you laugh out loud but don't let the bad memories make you bitter, regretful, or sad. Instead, let them teach you a lesson(s).

#10: Let yourself feel the emotions you need to feel. Be happy, smile, and laugh when you need to. But also give yourself the option to cry when needed because sometimes a good cry is a step forward to feeling better.

#11: Don't let any one else define who you are. You are who you make yourself out to be. Some people will continue to judge others. Books, magazines, celebrities, gossip, and society have their own definition of a the perfect "girl" or "boy."

#12: Family isn't just blood. It's the people who makes you happiest; the people who are there for you no matter what. They're the ones who's willing to fall along with you or catch your back. They're people who you CHOOSE to include in your life. The ones who help you become a better person; who build you back up when your down. They are the people who CHOOSES you to be part of their life too.

#13: Your choices, your words, and your actions reflect you. Be independent and only depend on yourself. Let yourself be the best company to you.
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