I hate Google Maps and Our Generation

So today I was trying to go to my first aerial silks dance class (and if you don't know what that is, look it up -- it looks amazingly fun!) and like always, I opened up my trusty Google Maps app on my iPhone for navigation.

I had recently bumped up Google Maps to be the fifth app on the first screen of my homescreen so that it would come before Apple Maps, since I find Google Maps more reliable and aesthetically pleasing. AND WHAT DID I GET IN RETURN FOR GOOGLE MAPS'S PROMOTION? Incorrect directions, broken trust, and downright disappointment.

How could you do this to me, Google, how?!

The dance studio I was trying to get to has two locations -- one in Signal Hill and one in Huntington Beach. The class I wanted to attend was only available at 10 AM at the Signal Hill location. When I searched for the studio name, both locations popped up and I confidently chose the correct location, with the utmost faith in Google Maps's directions.

Being the technologically-reliant 21st century human that I am, without even checking the red dot of destination, I hit "Start" and blindly fell into the guidance of Google Maps's robot woman voice. It wasn't until I had turned onto the street of the Huntington Beach studio that I realized I was, in fact, at the Huntington Beach studio and not the Signal Hill one.

And I, ladies and gentleman, am a prime example of today's youth - a generation unscathed by paper maps and unexposed to non- step-by-step voice-guided navigation, one that is easily led astray by confused Global Positioning Systems. I hate Google Maps and our generation.

Volunteering Abroad is Easy!

When I began my search for volunteering abroad opportunities during my sophomore year of high school, the biggest obstacle was the price.

"It ain't about the money, money, money..." the great artist Jessie J. once said. But guuuuurl, let me tell you, it IS about the money. How can volunteers, who are already donating their time and efforts into conducting these humanitarian services, be expected to dish out thousands of dollars just to be given the opportunity to help? (Especially when a large portion of that goes to companies, not the ones in need!)

I loved everything about my trip to Tinkuy Peru - the kids, the other volunteers, my host family, and the price. My only expenses were my plane ticket, and the cost of room and board at Tino & Mari's house. That's how it should be. But why was it so difficult to find a program that was reasonably-priced??

Perhaps I wasn't looking in the right places. I remember Vivian and I spent hours after school at my house doing Google searches and calling up dozens of organizations. Yet somehow, on this lazy Sunday afternoon, while evading my English essay, I've managed to stumble across thousands of global volunteer and internship opportunities.

Three main websites I am most impressed with and promote countless programs:

http://volunteerglobal.com

http://omprakash.org/

http://volunteersouthamerica.net/

I've looked through a lot of the projects going on, and they all seem super fun and engaging. Plus, on the latter website, the thumbnail of the projects give you the price; some are even free! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how volunteering abroad should be.

crayjay

life is crayjay, as always

but it's going swimmingly

jie is still here. yippeeee

what will i eat when i go to college, away from mama's jiao zi and jie's caramel banana cream pies and thai curry...

josh berger read my palm once and said it was the worst life he had ever seen, to be plagued by global catastrophes, affairs, and a tumultuous love life (which will surely include at least 2 divorces).

i just finished reading Heartburn by Nora Ephron, and it is now one of my favorite books, if not THE favorite. odd as it sounds, i cannot wait until i get married and discover that my husband is cheating so that we can have a huge fight and our lives be filled with drama as friends-but-not-really-friends gossip with each other and i move out with our son and we file for divorce and argue over who gets to take the hamster. and then i'll meet another douchebag who will cheat on me again and we can argue about the furniture. and finally, after my two for-sure divorces that josh has foreseen, i will get to meet my prince charming and he will whisk me away into the sunset and happily ever after we shall live.

ain't life grand?

Hair cut, finally

After years of promising that I would but always chickening out, I’ve finally cut my hair.

I had been planning on doing it since 9^th grade. I kept telling myself that I was waiting for the best time: after Formal, after Prom, after the winter, after my pageant, after the school year ended, etc. etc. etc., but the truth was, I was too scared to. If it had been anyone else, I would have asked, “Scared of what? It’s just hair; it’ll grow back.” However, I found myself in a pit of insecurities. It was only a few days ago that I realized why.

My ex-boyfriend (along with the rest of the world) always told me how beautiful my long, luscious locks were. He had a very specific preference for hair styling, too: side-swept bangs and long, wavy curls. Whenever we went out, he’d ask me to style it that way. And if I ever mentioned the thought of cutting my hair, he’d convince me not to. It wasn’t just him; most of my other friends, as well as my mother, liked me with my long hair. Eventually, I developed this idea that if I didn’t have my long hair, my defining quality, I wouldn’t be pretty anymore, and nobody would like me.

We broke up in January. I thought of chopping off all my hair in defiance, in a show of “I don’t need you anymore” (both my hair and my ex), but I couldn’t do it. I needed it to feel beautiful. Allowing only periodic trims to get rid of split ends, my hair grew longer and longer, to the point of discomfort. There were too many knots and tangles; the showers were too long and used up too much product; the weight of my hair gave me neck pains at times; it had become a burden.

On the night of Friday, October 12, I became victim to a traumatic event, which I am still uncomfortable discussing about. These past couple of months after it happened have been extremely stressful for me, and I think that’s what pushed me over the edge. I finally came to my senses and decided that I don’t give a flying fuck about what everyone thinks of my physical features. I was tired of hiding, of being scared, and of being insecure. I wanted to do this for myself.

Although it just looks like normal person length now, this was a huge step for me. I promise you and myself, I will cut it into a bob some day, but for now, I can pretend I have a bob by showing only my first layer.

after

Top left: before
Top right: after
Bottoms: front layer faux bob

Before & faux bob

Shop Cimily to open soon!

As I mentioned in my last video, I am planning on opening up an online shop/ boutique, in which 100% of the proceeds will be donated toward funding and helping out the Tinkuy Peru Mountain School that I volunteered at this past summer. For now, the money will serve to cover the clothing donation shipment expenses and buy the school a projector and a few other electronic devices that will enable the start of a more advanced educational program. My hope is that the store will eventually grow big enough and be able to generate enough money to donate to other charities as well! ^___^ The website is currently under development, and photo shoots are taking place for the products.

The shop will offer a myriad of apparel and accessories primarily aimed at young women (AKA people like me). All of the items are hand-picked or hand-made by yours truly. Owning and managing my own online shop has always been one of my biggest dreams and aspirations, and being able to marry my fashionista side and my passion for volunteering abroad (basically, my only two interests) is a dream come true. A dream coming true, that is.

Here is a preview from last Saturday's photo shoot with the one and only Hannah P. (click here to visit Hannah's blog!)

I've started a separate blog for the store, so visit http://shopcimily.blogspot.com/ for future updates! :)

OMG OMG OMG

ACT SCORES CAME OUT OMG OMG OMGOGMOASDLFASDFKHASDKFHAKSDFHAKSDFHA






I GOT A 33!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! out of 36!!1 my first time taking it WOOHOOO YESSIREEEEEE

English: 34
Math: 35
Reading: 33
Science: 31 (LOL)


okay now i just have to improve science, mostly. i have to say i am quite elated. i had a terrible headache the entire afternoon but this glorious news just cleared it away. :)))))))

Huancayo Day 22 teachers rant

Teachers all over Peru have gone on strike and are causing much turmoil. Of course, the teachers are rioting because they want higher wages. Not only do I strongly disapprove of such actions from educators, but they are taking extremely unnecessary measures to prevent their students from learning. And for what? For their own greed and self-satisfaction. It's gotten to the point where some teachers are throwing rocks at anyone who dares enter or go near the school. The children here aren't like the ones we see at home. These kids want to go to school. They'd much rather be at school, taking a test, than get beaten at home or forced to do a tremendous amount of chores. For many, school is the only place where they are safe and happy.

How dare these teachers, educators, mentors, role-models for the children refuse the right for such eager students to learn? SMFH. Are they not ashamed of themselves? And what are they going to say in a few months, when the strike is over? "Oh sorry, Johnny, for hitting you with a rock the other day. I just didn't want you to go to school so that I could get some more money. Oh and you don't remember what we did 2 months ago? Oops, my bad for not allowing you to learn anything while I was busy being greedy."

Ugh. They disgust me.


Meanwhile, I'm mostly all packed to leave... I still can't get around the fact that in 7 hours, I'll be on the bus to Lima. And then the airplane to Los Angeles. And then home. I'm anticipating lots of tears at the end of the afternoon classes, on the bus, at the airport, at the other airport, and at home.