Life Update: Milan, Italy

So it's been a long time since I've kept up with my blog. The truth is so much has changed in my life since last semester. I have been living in Milan, Italy for the Spring semester, and it's amazing. 

Since last semester, I vacationed with my family in Hawaii and California, then flew across the ocean and moved into a penthouse apartment with four roommates in Milan, débuted at the IAEA Ball at the Hofberg Palace in Vienna, Austria, went to my first rave (Sensation White Belgium), ate Parmesan cheese in Parma, saw the Pope on at the Vatican for Easter Mass, and so so so so much more. It's been a whirlwind of adventure. I am so thankful for what I have been experiencing.

I thought I'd start with some basics about studying abroad in Milan:

1) The tapwater is so hard, the calcium collects in the bottom of your glass. 

2) Dress up and shop every day. There is always something new in the fashion capitol of the world! 

3) Try everything once -- the food, the culture, everything. It's a beautiful life!

4) The elevators and the plumbing seems impossibly confusing in every building. Stuff is small and old here. 

5) Try your best to speak the language! The shopkeepers really appreciate your effort. 

6) Explore the art and fashion worlds. 

7) Learn to cook the food.

8) Have fun! 

More updates and pictures on specific travels to come. 

Why I Love Anna Dello Russo

Anna Dello Russo has amazing taste and such an increidble spirit! She is an icon to me. 

Christmas 2011 Family Vacation Part 2 - California

After Hawaii my family flew to San Francisco for our maternal family reunion at a beach house on Twin Lakes. Here are some pretty pictures I took there and around the Bay Area:

With so much happening in 2012, I never really need to put a close on 2011! I want to recap the second half of my family vacation during Christmas break. I'm retroactively publishing this post since I haven't really been blogging consistently!


1. A photo I sneakily took of a man reading on the wharf. 
2-4. A warf in S.F.
5, 9, 10. View from our beach house on Twin Lakes
6. My hand
7, 11, 12. My cousin, sister, and brother.
8. My brother's feet 
13. Me jumping, photo by my sister Lauren.
14. Sunset at Twin Lakes.
15, 17, 20. Morning at Twin Lakes. 
16. My aunt and her granddaughter. 
18&19. Patterns in the sand that I love. 
21&22. A beach near Monterey Bay… Forgot the name. I fell in love with this sign and the little birds scuttling around. 
23&24. Driving into S.F. Saw a tofu delivery in Chinatown.
25-29. S.F. Tea Gardens. Beautiful! 
30. A homemade blueberry pie from a family friend. 

Christmas 2011 Family Vacation Part 1 - Hawaii

Aloha! I've been meaning to make a post about the end of my Fall 2011 semester at Hopkins, but I've been carried away with relaxing! I'm in Kaanapali on the island of Maui, Hawaii for the week! It's beautiful here.

1&2: Me on the beach in Kaanapali outside our hotel

3&4: Pictures of native flowers I took

5: Hawaiian dancing at the Luau (lots of half naked people shakin' their hips)

6: My mom at the Luau

7: Me drinking pina coladas

8: Palm trees at our hotel 

9: My brother trying out some Hawaiian toys

10-17: Mama's Fishhouse in Poho Pl  Paia, Hawaii... super yummy.


We also went sea kayaking and snorkeling and saw some amazing fish and my favourite, a big sea turtle! Unfortunately I don't have a waterproof camera to capture it. 

DIY - Glittery Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Back at Hopkins, I really wanted to get into the Christmas spirit. Unfortunately it was icky yucky finals period. So I decided to make a little Christmas tree out of a branch from outside and some glitter, inspired by an earlier post. 

1. Acquire a branch or twigs outside. I picked one up outside the library on the way back to my apartment. Then I ran into my friend CJ who totally thought I was weird for holding a tree branch. 

2. Mix modpodge or other glue with glitter of your choice... Slather it onto the branch. Sprinkle with extra glitter on top to ensure maximal sparkle.

3. Let dry and stick into a jar or bottle of your choice, ensuring that the base is heavier than the branch. I used a bunch of coins in an old Arizona Ice Tea bottle. 

That's all!