A SpOOktacular Halloween!

This has to be my one of my favorite Halloween celebrations! My poison ivy costume rocked and to make it even better I made it! I was surprised at how well the red dye came out but it was BRIGHT! Celebrated the night away with my cousins and sister at the Montroach party!












So my cousin Daryl (in the middle) came up to me at the party and I didn't even recognize him! lol he's supposed to be some wrestler but I don't watch wrestling so I didn't know who he was supposed to be.

There were really amazing costumes last night! A lot of people put in a lot of effort. I love Halloween!











Happyyyyyy Halloweeeeeennnn from the Se-Bash-U-In sistars! ya that's my sister and yes she's practically naked -____-

Pumpkin Patch!

PUMPKIN DAY!

So the original plan was to go to Temecula's corn Maze BUT it's far and Merv and I are lazy. New Plan! The new plan was to go costume shopping and then go to a near by pumpkin patch. Twas a great plan because we got to fit in a show of Glee before we left.





Who knew the pumpkin patch could be so fun!?!? I've never been to a real pumpkin patch so I was super excited to go to Cal Poly's Patch. The Place was huge and had Hundreds of pumpkins! Merv, Tin, and I picked our pumpkins and headed home for a pumpkin carving party!








PS you see Tin's outfit? Nope, that's no Halloween Costume that's her sailor uniform! (hahah sorry tin)














Carvingggggggg timeeeeeeeeeeee!!!


















Some really good looking pumpkins! But really, the middle one wins!

Booked.

Thank you Southwest for your Halloween booking special! After merv's marvelous find, I forwarded the rates to my cousins and surprisingly they all were down to go to SF! So I gathered the troops and we all booked our flight for January 22- January 24. I am super excited to travel especially right after my birthday. It gives me a good reason to be excited for my annual day of birth celebration (even though Im dreading getting older). I love sightseeing especially with my loved ones! EEeeeeeeeekkkkk!

Dear SF,

I don't think you're ready for us.

Love,
Krysta

Good Afternoon your Honors, May it Please the Court?

I am currently taking an Appellate Advocacy class and I have my oral arguments coming up soon. I seriously need to get thicker skin for my choice of vocation. If I am going to be a lawyer I need the guts to not be afraid to speak my mind in front of an audience aka courtroom full of people. We had our first round of oral arguments for practice last night. It consisted of an 8 min argument for petitioner, followed by a 10 min argument for the Respondent, and lastly a 2 min rebuttal by the petitioner. I was sooooo nervous I think I almost puked. But I went up and I did my thang and my professor said I did really well. I've had some confidence issues since you know I'm a transfer and some people may have the view that I don't really deserve to be at Loyola because I didn't get in my first year. Well, to that I say "talk to the Hand."

I think that's why I've been a little unmotivated because I have this dumb thinking that I can't compare to them. Ugh why do I have to be such a negative nancy sometimes. No more negative nancy only Confident Krysta! (great alliteration huh) Wish me luck on the final Oral Arguments, I need to Kick ass.

The Man Who Can't Be Moved

"The Man Who Can't Be Moved"

Going Back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag I'm not gonna move
Got some words on cardboard, got your picture in my hand
Saying, "If you see this girl can you tell her where I am?"

Some try to hand me money, they don't understand
I'm not broke I'm just a broken hearted man
I know it makes no sense but what else can I do
How can I move on when I'm still in love with you

'cause if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinkin maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you'll see me waiting for you on our corner of the street
So I'm not moving, I'm not moving

Policeman says, "Son you can't stay here"
I said, "There's someone I'm waiting for if it's a day, a month, a year"
Gotta stand my ground even if it rains or snows
If she changes her mind this is the first place she will go

'cause If one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you'll see me waiting for you on our corner of the street
So I'm not moving, I'm not moving,
I'm not moving, I'm not moving

People talk about the guy that's waiting on a girl
There are no holes in his shoes but a big hole in his world

Maybe I'll get famous as the man who can't be moved
Maybe you wont mean to but you'll see me on the news
And you'll come running to the corner
'cause you'll know it's just for you
I'm the man who can't be moved

[Chorus 2x]

Going back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag I'm not gonna move


- ::sigh:: This song gets me every time...

Endlessly

Simply amazing... FYI: my future husband will serenade me at our wedding. ::sigh::

Game Night

Can I just say, a night out with the girls cooking and playing board games is exactly what a girl needs. Cranium is so fun! I had no idea how fun that game was. I am a devoted MadGab and Taboo person but I think cranium just made the list. The girls made some carne asada tacos and homemade quacamole and chips, it was Delish! For desert we had homemade pazzookies and cookies! super Delish!

So anyways, my team totally kicked Cranium ass!




Highlights from the game:

Marice: "ok guys the category hint is Animal"
Cindy: acts out a hump back whale
Melissa: "I know! it's the heimlich maneuver!"
room: ummmmmmmmmm how is that an animal?!?!?

Melissa: "ok what's the category"
Marice: "thing"
Melissa: ummmmmmmmmm how wtf kind of category is that?!?!?

Brenda and Pam: Acts out hacky sac game
Me: "Hoppy scotch!!!!"
room: fail.

Good times good times.

Breath of Fresh Air

I had lunch with one of my friend's from Whittier Law School today and it felt like a breathe of fresh air to finally study with someone I used to study with all year last year. Transferring to a new school and not knowing anyone has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. It's been so stressful going through this whole transferring process alone. Law school is hard enough and I think this year is even harder than last year in some ways. At least last year all the first years were going through the motions together but this year I feel like I'm all alone in a new school and a whole new world that is Los Angeles.

Lunch with Parija was awesome. We caught up on all the law school gossip and it felt good to connect with someone who knows what I'm going through and understands how stressful things are. I'm used to everything here now, but I just wish I didn't feel so alone in the process. I don't know how I'd get through this school year without my family and friends. It's weird it's as if things get harder and easier all at the same time and I don't even know how that's possible. I know I need to focus and be appreciative of where I am. I have so many opportunities here and I need to get a grip on reality and just move forward. Ok one step at a time and Just breathe.

Some Days...

Do you ever wonder why one second you feel on top of the world and the other you feel completely out of your element? There are some days where I feel amazing and I can't help but smile because of all the love and blessings I have but other days can be a complete 180. I hope I'm not bipolar or anything, that would not be good. Today's been a little difficult, I've been pretty productive with my school work, but a part of me just feels like something's missing. Maybe it's because I miss my parents. They've been in the Philippines for a week now and I miss my usual random phone calls I'd make just to say hi and bug them. It's funny how you don't realize how much you miss the small things until you can't do them anymore. Or maybe it's the weather. I usually love the rain and all the perks that come with it such as big blankets, movies, pajamas, hot chocolate, and cuddling but the rain also makes me think a lot.

It's not as if I think thinking is a bad thing, obviously I'm a thinker because I over analyze ever stupid little detail in my life. But sometimes it's hard when you start thinking about where you are in life and where you are headed. I feel deathly afraid that I'm going through this whole law school process and somehow I'll still fail or have nothing to show for it. Or I'm afraid that I'll never really experience "love" because I won't let myself fall and get hurt again. But mostly I'm afraid that I'll go through the motions of life, without fulfilling a purpose. Sometimes I feel like it's great to be so passionate about what I do and the programs I volunteer for, but at what point is it too much? What if I feel like no matter what I do, it's never enough? I never used to think about these things, but lately I've been filled with so much emotion and I don't know what to do with it. I feel happy, sad, proud, alone,and driven all at the same time. Is this what it feels like to be an adult and have responsibilities and goals?

As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.

- Vincent van Gogh

Anyhoot, those are just the "some days" there are "other days" too...

Boyce Avenue: A feel good Medley

What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them.
- Francesco Guicciardini

I really love the unexpected blessings in life.

Thanks for the unforgettable Vegas memories.

FINALLY!

The day has finally come! After a month and a half long countdown, our Europe meets Vegas Adventure is finally here!

When we all last met, the Europe gang decided to plan a Vegas trip and it really happened. We booked the rooms and people booked their flights! I am so excited to see everyone and just party like we did in Europe but this time in VEGAS!

I am impatiently waiting for Mark to get off so we can be on our way! I am not looking forward to the rush hour traffic BUT the anticipation of just leaving and getting there will get me through the traffic! Cheers to what will be a great weekend with great people. May the Adventures begin!

Raise your glass... Appropriate song for the weekend! I'm so EXCITED!!!!

Break Even :The Script

Love the One You're With

I finally finished reading Emily Giffin's Love the One You're With. Merv recommended the book to me and it really was as heartbreaking as she said it would be. I think it's funny how we associate characters from movies, plays, or books to our own lives. In the book Emily, the protagonist, is faced with a difficult decision a love from her past and her husband. Leo, the ex boyfriend, is charming, suave, and they have instant chemistry and passion. On the other hand, Andy, her husband, is the perfect guy, smart, successful, and their relationship is "healthy." In every girl's world there is always an Andy and Leo, it may not be the exact circumstances but there is always someone.

My Leo was a lot like the character in the book. A lot of how the character felt when she was with him explained the feelings I had when I was with my Leo. I remember being so crazy in love one second and then things falling apart the next second. I remember the break up a couple of years back and a quote from the book got the feeling on point, "I hoped for what all girls hope for in my situation: that he'd change his mind, come to his senses, realize what he had in me, discover that I couldn't be replaced." I know it's pretty pathetic, but I learned form it and I can look back at my memories and actually be happy that I shared that with him. It was a good rollercoaster.

My Andy, is a different story, I didn't see him that similar to the character in the book but they did have some common traits. The "perfect guy" kind of ambience. But unlike, the book, my Andy wasn't perfect and in the end it just wasn't meant to be. I guess not everything is like the books.

I did like the message the book gave about Love though, "Love, not as a surge of passion, but as a choice to commit to something, someone, no matter what obstacles or temptations stand in the way. And maybe making that choice, again and again, day in and day out, year after year, says more about love than never having a choice to make at all."
I can't say I know what love is, but this sounds pretty close to what I think it is.

Anyways it's a great book!

Sick with it.

I'm sick and my head feels all congested and gross. Everything is cloudy and I see things blurry... Just like this --->


pass the soup, blankets, tissue boxes, and movies because I don't want to get out of bed until I'm better!

Dear Jane

Dear Jane,

Our meeting today has impacted me in a way you will never know. Seeing such a young soul come into the office asking for help and with no sign of hope made me want to help even more. You were shaking, you were hungry, and you were scared of sleeping on the street another night. Jane you're 23 and have so much potential. I believe with help you can turn your life around. I know it won't be easy but there are ways to get back on track. Please keep your promise. Go to rehab, get your life back, and live.

Sincerely,
Someone who wants to help


Today I volunteered for the Homeless Relief Project in LA and the experience is something I will never forget. I encountered numerous people who are seeking help because they have nothing. Working with these people who are so lost within their lives makes you really appreciate what you have. I have so many blessings in my life and I feel like I need to give back. As an advocate for Legal Aid, we volunteer at social services offices to make sure those in poverty know their rights. We speak to the applicants who are seeking aid through General Relief and food stamps and we make sure they know what they are entitled to. Volunteering there made me feel ridiculous for the "problems" I thought I had. I have a great life and I have passion in what I do. I have many blessings and it's my turn to give back.

Onward

Last night the girls decided to go out for a couple drinks in Pasadena. It was a pretty eventful Thursday night if I do say so myself and unexpectedly really really fun. It's been a long time since all of us have hung out together and I'll admit I missed it. This past year, I've realized how I've given up on a lot of people and I have lost ties to some of my closest friends. It's not something I'm proud of, I never wanted to stop trying. I guess a part of me just felt tired, tired of trying so hard or getting disappointed. During the past couple of months I've realized life is too short to not forgive, forget, and let go. People make mistakes, I make mistakes but it's how we handle those mistakes that really matter. I don't want to give up on people I care about. If I gave up on them then I wouldn't be a true friend to begin with and I wouldn't want to be given up on either. We all make mistakes, but the people who stick by us through those mistakes are the people who make an impact on our lives. Anyways, it was a good reunion. The past is the past and now I just want to move forward. Onward to more good times.

The Rain

I absolutely love this weather! I love bundling up in over sized sweaters and leggings while wrapping my neck up in a cute scarf! I was prepared for the cold this week but I was definitely not prepared for the rain. I had to make a quick trip to target for some water proof boots and an umbrella. I was almost going to wait till the weekend but it was pouring cats and dogs out there (I still don't understand that saying).

I spent the majority of the day at Starbucks doing homework. I love doing my work in Starbucks because I feel like I'm not alone studying and because it's not super quiet that I'll go crazy. Did I ever mention I can't study in a library? Well, I can't. It's so miserable in there! Being in there is a constant reminder of how much work you have to do, ugh and all those books... thousands of books with stressed law students left and right. At least at Starbucks people look happy. Ok today some people were a little too happy. I mean c'mon get a room people, I am not totally against PDA, I think it's cute when couples do a little hand holding or a little peck on the lips but this couple made me feel uncomfortable. I was sitting next to this couple giving each other back massages. The guy was even picking her up and everything and like bending her over... ugh gross, please do that in the comfort of your own home. k thanks. Of course I was sitting right next to them pretending like I could ignore them and read my book. Note to self: never be that PDA.

I caught up on yesterday's Glee, ugh makes me want to sing. I miss being in a choir and in talent shows or plays. One of my TO DO's before I die, is to get enough courage and sing at an open mike night in LA. Righttttttttttttt Krysta like you'd do that.

Good Night...

Patricia Isasa

Heroes aren't born over night. To me, the definition of a hero is someone who devotes their self to the benefit of others. Someone who does not hide behind fear but instead feeds off of it. I watched a speaker at school today. Her name is Patricia Isasa and she is the definition of a hero.

Argentine torture survivor Patricia Isasa fought for justice and transparency for 32 years. Patricia was abducted by the military and police in her native Argentina when she was only 16 years old. She was tortured and held for over 2 years at one of the 375 clandestine detention and torture centers set up during the dictatorship. Unlike so many of the disappeared, Patricia survived and was released (1979).

She then compiled complaints to be presented to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States, which was about to visit Argentina. She was again abducted with another 30 men and women. She was released after 3 days, but was one of only 4 to survive. Due to her exhaustive research her torturers were put in jail. Even after receiving death threats she continued to work tirelessly and courageously to bring her perpetrators to justice After constant postponements in the trial date, Patricia was finally able to face her torturers in federal court in September, 2009. In this historic trial all 6 torturers (including a federal judge and the mayor of Santa Fe) were found guilty of committing crimes vs. humanity and were ordered to serve sentences from 19-23 years.

If I knew then what I know now...

Do you ever wonder what life would have been like in the past if you knew some of the things you know now? What if there was a little voice in your head that gave you a "heads up" on what to expect or how to react to things. If you could tell your "past self" things that your "present self" now knows, what would you say?

Things I would have told myself:

1) Me at 15: Krysta please do not try to hang out with the "Asian Crowd" they really are not your friends; stop talking on your cellphone at night, YOU DON"T HAVE FREE NIGHTS IDIOT!

2) Me at 16: Ok so I know you like him right now, and it seems like you"love him" but really 9 years from now you will laugh at yourself and say "what was I thinking"

3) Me at 18: don't have an expensive debut, and don't stress over it, it'll turn out ok/ You will loose your best friend this year... be strong and know that you will learn from the situation, don't cry because in the end you will have all your true friends/ You will meet your "family" your "sisters" in college, treasure every minute you have with them.

4) Me at 19: Be honest with the guy... Just tell him you're a different person now. Don't lie about it, you'll end up loosing a really good friend/ AND STOP IT HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND/ take that alcohol out of your closet, mom's going to find it/ Be brave with Nanay, she will fight and she will not stop fighting.

5) Me at 20: Spend time with Poppy... He's not going to be here much longer.

6) Me at 21: You will have the best unexpected romance of your life this year have fun with it! The accent will win you over :)

7) Me at 22: You will experience one of the worst heartbreaks of your life this year, it will be one crazy rollercoaster ride with this guy but a year or two from now you won't regret experiencing the ride, you'll be stronger because of it/ Spend more time with your roommates, you'll regret it later if you don't/ Take advantage of your last year in San Diego you will miss it a lot/ try to be there for mom, she's going through a really really rough time.

8) Me at 23: You will go through the hardest transition of your life this year, stay close to friends and family because they will keep you through it. And don't pout over the loss, if he couldn't take you at your worst, he doesn't deserve you at your best

I like getting to the point where I can just laugh at my mistakes...

Somewhere in Brooklyn

Feel good song of the night...

Today

I thought today was going to be extremely hard, but in actuality it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Even better than that, I got through today without anyone. I was ok today, I was ok going through today alone. I guess time really is on my side. As long as I keep moving forward, there is nothing I can't get over, nothing I can't accomplish, and nothing that can hold me back. As one chapter of my life ends, all you have to do is turn the page. I wonder how the story will end :)

TV BF

This is what happens when you're stuck at home all day with One Tree Hill episodes.

Dear Lucas,

I why are you so perfect?

Love, Krysta

I want to live in the television world. Everything's that more exciting.

A Promise Kept

I found a letter my parents wrote me for my Confirmation retreat.

January 29, 2004,

Dear Daughter and Sister,

I know this letter is not a surprise to you anymore, since you opened this request last Monday. Anyway, you are reading this letter on a Saturday; probably we are all sleeping or doing the regular weekend cleaning (which you are excused most of the time). First of all we want to let you know that we understand how tough and stressful this year is for you. Whether it be school, outside or activities, driving, relationships, or just being a teenager is not easy. But do not worry, you know that we will support you and we will continue to do so unconditionally. Always remember this "WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT BEST, GOD WILL THEN TAKE CARE OF THE REST." It is tough to be a teenager but it is tougher to be "parents" of teens. Let me tell you two words that will explain what I am talking about:

SORRY:
- From your sister for being a bug, a nag, talk too much on the phone, and asking you to drive her around or pick her up from school all the time.

- From your dad for calling and nagging you if you are out past 9:30 at night, for not understanding how a typical teenager's life is, for getting upset if a guy calls you on the phone, for not letting you go out 3 days in a row, this is because he loves you enough that he is frightened that something bad might happen to you.

- from your mom for not cooking meals for you because she is a KITCHEN disaster,

- for not being there most of the time because she needs to work to provide for the family, for nagging you to get good grades because she wants the best education that you can get, for asking you to clean your room so that you will be ready when it is time for you to live on your own,

- for not buying you the car you want because she can not afford it "right now" (maybe later), for asking you to minimize your cell phone usage so you will not go over the limit, and for asking you to always choose "good friends' because she wants the best for you.
THANK YOU:

- From your sister for being a "big sister" and helping her around even if she thinks you are treating her like "Josie" sometimes

- from DAD and MOM for the joy you bring us through the years

- From your DAD and MOM for being a good daughter
-from your DAD and MOM for getting good grades

- from your DAD and MOM for listening and understanding

- from your DAD and MOM for not giving us a lots of headaches and heart attacks

- from your DAD and MOM for "hopefully" taking care of us when we get older
- and lastly MOM and DAD want to thank GOD for giving us the best gift -KRYSTA WE LOVE YOU.....


Always remember: (Gary V's Song) "we will be here; WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE BEING QUIET, WHEN YOU NEED TO SPEAK YOUR MIND, WE WILL LISTEN, "we will be here: WHEN LAUGHTER TURNS TO CRYING THROUGH THE WINNING, LOSING AND TRYING, WE'LL BE TOGETHER , BECAUSE WE WILL BE HERE"


Sincerely,

Mom, Dad and Ashley

***************************************************

Even though I may feel negatively toward love and marriage and what not, my parents are always going to remind me of how anything is possible as long as you strive for the best, work hard for what you want, and let love and faith guide your way. Their love isn't perfect, but that's the beauty of it: They make it work despite those imperfections and it makes it that much more special....

It's been six years later and they're still living up to their words...


[ps my mom would quote Gary V's song hahah]

Euro Pane

Merv and i tried this little bakery/restaurant in Pasadena yesterday. Kathy told us about the place and said she's heard nothing but great things about it so Merv and I decided to try it out.

The place was decent, a little over priced, but over all not a bad choice. I still think Aux Delices is better but that's just my opinion.





Merv ordered the Egg salad sandwich and I got the tuna sandwich. Supposedly the Egg salad sandwich was the thing to get, according to yelpers. Merv said she liked McDonald's better (gross). Anyways we didn't get a chance to try any of the pastries but they did look delish. This place has a lot of potential but they really need to work on the aesthetics of the place.

PS. Sorry about the picture, I got hungry and couldn't wait to take a bite.

Expectations

The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations. " - Eli Khamarov

Why do people keep having high expectations? I think expectations complicate and eventually ruin everything. If you think about it, why do we get flustered with jobs, careers, relationships, love, or people in general? It is because we expect something more that was not given. We give these high expectations for these things that we have no control over and when they don't go exactly the way we planned for we get disappointed.

How great would it be if we just lived everyday not expecting anything great, that way if something great does happen, it makes it that much better. Every good thing wouldn't be something we expected, it would be something that just happened. A great unexpected accomplishment, incident, or fortune and if something not so great happened it would just be a "huh oh well I didn't expect anything anyways" kind of thing. With careers, if it isn't exactly what we thought it would be, it would be ok because we didn't expect anything more. In relationships, if they didn't work out, we wouldn't end up broken because we never expected it to work out in the first place.

Some would call this line of thinking Pessimism, but is it really? If you just don't expect anything you're not really thinking negatively, you're just living in the moment. I think the main reason I get flustered with life or with relationships is because I put everyone on such a high pedestal. I expect the very best from the people around me because that is what I want to give them and when people don't live up to that expectation I get disappointed, hurt, heart broken, ect ect. In school, I always expect the test will be fair and the material will be doable, but surely enough it does not always work out that way. With every boyfriend I have, I always think they're not like "every other guy out there" and when things don't work out, I'm left with a pain in my chest. With every friend, I always think the best of them and think that they are not capable of doing wrong, and obviously in some situations I have encountered the very opposite.

I am tired of expecting the very best. The world should just expect nothing, and in the process gain everything.