Day 30: The haircut

If you have not noticed yet, this recent May I went to the beauty salon and cut more than half of my hair off. I have been planning on cutting it short for a while now and especially with the intention of donating the hair to a charity that makes wigs, I just knew that I wanted to go short. Since I have been in middle school and high school, having long hair was the total trend. The majority of the girls would grow it out long and get trims within the year, and do not get me wrong I was the same way. It was like the girl code of goals to follow when it came to hair. The idea that long hair was pretty and short hair was underappreciated floated around the halls of my school. You just did not hear often of girls getting short hair cuts. As soon as I graduated from high school, I had went to the local salon to cut my hair because I could no longer stand the struggle of keeping up with hair that reached to my hip bone. I remember pulling my hair all the time especially when I would get out of bed, my hair would get stuck to my seat sometimes, my hair would brush my arm and I would swat at my arm thinking it was a bug, and washing it was just a nightmare! Without wanting to be wasteful, I decided to keep the hair that I had gotten snipped off so I can send it to an organization that would use my hair to make wigs with other strands of hair. Just like I had captioned on my revealing photo, I had fun with my long hair and I hope that someone else has the same fun as I did.

My first hair donation was in 2015 and now with my most recent cut in 2016, I decided to go shorter. I wanted to test out how I would look with short hair and if my haircut decided to go terribly wrong I would just have to remind myself that hair grows back. Since I am one blind chick without my glasses, during the cutting process I had no idea how my haircut was turning out. All I remember is my hair stylist using razor to cut a big chunk of my hair that I was donating and using a razor to make sure she was cutting the hair evenly. I was okay with the scissors but the razor just brought me to a whole level of stress because she would continue cutting with razor, that I was fearing that she was going to shave a side of my head. Now that I would not have the words to describe how I feel. Thankfully that was not the case. I have been very impressed with the turnout actually. Before she started to cut my hair I had shown her what kind of hair cut/hairstyle I was aiming for on my phone and even though I briefly showed it to her, she immediately had an idea of what she was going to do.

In all my haircuts, I have been known to sit there in silence. I am more of that person that would rather overhear other people conversations than to make small talk with someone that I was going to spend at most half an hour with. There is just something soothing about getting your hair cut though, the hair wash, the head massage, that liberating feeling you get when you cut a big portion of your hair that you have been so used to carrying the weight with you everyday. You end up feeling like a new person when you leave the salon. You know sometimes you just have to take risks when it comes to haircuts and see where the new look takes you. In the future I want to see if I have enough confidence to cut my hair even shorter and see if I can pull of that look. As of now, I am loving my short hair! So much easier to handle and care for. Since my hair is naturally straight after I wash my hair it's like a sleek piece of silk framing my face. I barely use my straightener anymore and I rather prefer not. Rather enjoy the all natural look and let my hair be free!

How short have you cut your hair before?

June 2015

May 2016

xx Chavelita

Day 1: Southwestern Discovery

For those who are new readers, I have recently completed my first year of college. Yay! So long freshman year and here comes sophomore year! And with that being said for the next days of June I will be discussing a few of the moments that I have experienced while I was out in the world figuring things out all in the comfort of my half piece of room I shared with my former roommate.

Early into my second semester of college, I received a phone call from an unfamiliar number which normally I would have not answered but because I am no longer under my parents supervision, I had to answer all of my phone calls regardless if it is a telemarketer that is trying to sell me life insurance at age 18. I answered the phone and there was this man on the other end asking for me which I told him that I was that person, and he continued on saying that there was a summer internship opportunity with my name on it and if I was interested in going for an information meeting to learn more about the company. In shock for the phone call and for being considered as a freshman, I told him my schedule for the following days and he scheduled me a meeting date. Boy, did I really not know what I was getting myself into...

Meeting Day:
On meeting day, I used Google Maps to look up the location that the man on the phone messaged me the night before and since I like to make my first impressions count, I left my dorm with enough time in case I were to get lost but also be able to find the building without having to rush in like if I had been chased by a large dog. (Yes... I am afraid of large dogs but you cannot blame me I am not even five feet tall) I legitimately walked passed my designated building and had to make my way around the sprinklers to get back on track. "Wiggins Complex" the building read and that is when I knew I had made it. I opened the door and advised the lady that I had come in for Southwestern, the company that offered me the internship, information meeting by the man who was named (to protect the staff we will call him Pedro) Pedro. I was instructed to take a seat that they would be there for me shortly but not a minute passed and a man dressed nicely in a suit and tie called my name and motioned me to follow him. The room was dark with hints of light to illuminate the round desk that filled the room. Me along with three other individuals were invited to the information meeting session and as soon as we sat down and introduced ourselves, we were given this green sheet to fill out some questions about ourselves. You know the usual, what is your name, DOB, address to what you wanted to get out of Southwestern. To begin with the information meeting was quite demanding, I felt like I was not given a choice to take notes, I had to take notes and I did not want to know what would happen if I did not take notes. With the mindset that the internship was going to be psychology related because on the phone the previous night I was asked for my major, I decided to let the notes slide but on the contrary it had little to do with my major... Their internship consisted of going to a different state, somewhere that I have no experience with, and sell educational products to families door to door. That should have been my red flag there but I had promised myself that I was going to do more things out of my comfort zone so when they had asked me if I was interested in going through the interview process I said yes. Just so you all know, this interview process gets weirder and weirder because I am pretty sure interviews should not be this demanding. I was given this packet with tasks to do, in fact I still have my packet, and prior to my first interview I had to complete the first section of the tasks. The first section consisted of reading the assigned passages and answering reflecting questions about what I wanted to get out of Southwestern. Oh and my first interview was actually the next day. Who needs prep time? (God help me...)

Interview 1:
Since I had classes in the afternoon the only time I could schedule my interviews were in the morning at 8 o'clock in the morning. Waking up early, I dressed nice, and did my makeup outside of my dorm room where the hallways were lit so I did not have to turn on the light and bother my roommate. The nervous jitters were starting to kick in and all I could think about is what I have done. If I wanted the internship, then I should be proud to be given the interview but all I did was fear of doing well knowing in the back of my mind that this was something I did not want to do for the entirety of my summer. With my head held high and my portfolio held tight, I walked back to the Wiggins Complex for my interview. The same pair of ladies from the day before were there and instructed me to wait again. For my first interview, Pedro was not my interviewer, instead it was the same man who held the information meeting. We will call the information meeting man, Luke. Luke again, was dressed nice in another suit and tie and I am honestly a sucker for nice people. If you are nice to me from the start, chances are that I will be more likely to share with you a few facts about myself and continue talking overall. Being directed to the interview room, the size of the room was smaller than my childhood bedroom, and trust me when I say this because my childhood bedroom is small as it is. A small desk with two chairs on the opposing side had already made the tiny interview room seem crowded especially with the door closed which is how my interview was held. The interview went smoothly, I could be the most anxious person before the interview but as soon as I sit down with the interviewer a surge of confidence overwhelms me. I do not know where the confidence comes from, but I must be taking the "fake it til you make it" phrase to the next level. One of the things that I hated during the interview is talking about my past because I never know which memory to bring up and I also hate being personal to strangers. In the middle of the interview though I was so focused on filling out the reflecting questions that I totally forgot about the passages. So when I was asked about the passages I thought I had sabotaged my chance because I honestly told him that I did not read it and was like, I guess we cannot discuss the passages then... and went straight into the reflecting questions. I am not one to lie so if I do get eliminated at least I know that I was being truthful. Yet other than that, I felt the interview was going great, interviewer was laughing, the interview turned into more of a sit and chat, and just like that I was offered my second interview. I drew a blank because again I did not think I was getting this far but did I say no? Of course...not.

Interview 2:
Prior to this interview I was instructed to call previous Southwestern individuals that have done a summer internship to gain more of an insider of what to expect. A list of phone numbers were in the packet  I thought it was a clever thing to get actually speak with individuals who have done the internship and listen to their stories to be certain if the internship was really for you. The only obstacle that I had to get through was actually making the phone call. I avoid making phone calls unless that is the only option that I am left with. Just the fact that I cannot see facial expressions and talking aimlessly, I prefer to speak to the person in person. At least when you speak to someone face to face you are able to catch the mixed signals in the body language and be able to ask that person to explain in what context do they mean. Along with the phone call, I was given a list of base questions to ask like what was a typical day of the internship, how did their parents feel during the interview and when they have left for the internship, and what they had learned overall through the internship. Most of the individuals that I had called were nice and provided some sort of philosophical advice. It was a little too good to be true, if you know what I mean. Completing the task I prepare myself again for my next interview. My second interview was actually the day after my first interview. This by far has been the most fast paced interview process I have put myself in. I did not even have time to think thoroughly about my decisions because as soon as I made one I had already had to start deciding on the next. At least for this interview it was at 10 in the morning but that still meant I had to dress nice. Arriving in the same location, this time Pedro was doing my interview. Which actually Pedro should have done my interview the day before but I guess something happened that he couldn't so Luke had to take over. Pedro was a large man, not fat, but built large. It was intimidating to say the least. The second interview was held in the same room and we started going over the tasks of the packet. As asked, I discussed about the individuals that I spoke on the phone. Some of them had insider jokes with Pedro that requested me to share with him and he chuckled as I mentioned them. At the end of the interview he had asked me what was the real reason why I wanted to go forward with the Southwestern internship and without warning a rush of emotions overcame me and I was starting to talk about how when I was younger I was always taught what I should do and who I should become. With the internship though it was a way of how I can define myself and prove others wrong that I am much more than what the next person tells me to do. I am my own person and I believe that I should be given the chance to prove myself. I nearly cried answering that question and I want to say that is how I got offered my third interview. Where will I stop...

Interview 3:
Last interview day, I had at least been given the weekend to prepare for this final interview. Which I was really grateful because I was running on fumes by the end of the week. Trying to make it on time to my interviews, on time to my classes, and still do my homework while prepare for the interviews to come was not a walk in the park. Priot to my third interview I was instructed to call another set of individuals for more personal anecdotes and read a small book that I was given by Pedro on my second interview. The book was a tad moving which I guess was supposed to set in the mood that anything is achievable regardless from where you start. On my third interview Pedro asked about the individuals and again I recited what they had told me on the phone. Then the most terrifying part of all came in this final interview. Pedro pulls out this booklet with phrases that the they say to the families that they go door to door to sell. Which was not too bad I just thought he was going to show me what were the common protocol of Southwestern's way of door to door selling but then he asks me to demonstrate how I would sell. As I left the room to demonstrate my poor selling skills to Pedro, a large chunk of my confidence left the room too. After showing how awful I am at selling products, he roleplays one of the premade sayings on the booklet we were going over to show me what was the "proper" way of getting the sell done. So I follow along since again I did not have a choice. I am impressed at how manipulating a salesperson can be with their product, I think it takes true art and talent to sell even the most minuscule needed item. Now just when I thought the interview was wrapping itself, Pedro hands me the booklet and says that I had five minutes to memorize one of the phrases because I was going to copy his roleplay back to him! FIVE MINUTES! The moment the door closed behind him, since he left me alone in the interview room to practice, my mind and my heart were racing to see who would be the first one to make it to sanity. Five minutes go by quick when all you want to do is turn invisible. I had almost replicated the roleplay word for word until I drew a blank towards the end where I had to skip and go to directly from the last point I could remember. Pedro was impressed, at least that is what I thought. The end of the interview came and that is when I had finally told him that I was not going to go forward anymore. He had thanked me for my time and effort, for meeting a person such as myself, and that although he was not sure whether I had what it takes that he still had a troubling time letting me go. Just like that, I shook his hand and I parted.

This whole Southwestern interview journey took a little bit over a week to complete and even through the whole process I was fearing of getting further and further along to being accepted, a part of me knew that this is not what I wanted. Towards the middle of the interview process I was wondering how far will I make it, lets continue to see how far I will make it and that is how I remained to keep going. I ended up not proving myself to Southwestern but more to myself that when you step out of your comfort zone, opportunities begin to rise. Even though most times you are clueless as to what to do with the opportunity when they come without setting yourself out there chances are that the opportunity would of ceased to exist. This journey has taught me a lot more about myself than I thought I knew. I have learned that under pressure I am still able to work well when I am given the right tools to push forward, my comfort zone grew smaller, and that I am more capable than I have thought. In a way I want to thank Southwestern Advantage for allowing to go through the range of emotions to find a new meaning to myself and for setting the bar high for having the most far out interview process I have been in so far.

What was the craziest interview process you have been in?

xx Chavelita

New Year Resolutions

Before I begin I want to congratulate all of you for making it through another year. For all your accomplishments and hardships you have definitely proven yourself of your values and self-worth. *insert applause here*

With 2016 beginning I wanted to discuss about my opinion over New Year Resolutions. When I was younger I would set New Year Resolutions, "I want to be more sociable, gain more friends", "I want to grow more taller", "I want to be less shy and speak out", "Wear more makeup so that people will see me for my actual age". Those for the gist of it were my New Year Resolutions. Not many of my resolutions consisted of materialistic items or gaining more financially but more so the resolutions were made to fix some of the things that I thought were wrong with me. I thought if I were to change these aspects of myself that I would soon be fitting in with the crowd and be more likable. I thought that people would take more interest in me and would be more likely to give me a chance. Then as I grew up and realized that some of my resolutions were just not possible to complete, I have started to not believe in New Year Resolutions. Why do I have to wait for a whole year to make goals for myself? Then after making those goals not follow through with them? Weren't resolutions supposed to make me feel better about myself?

You cannot expect to have a behavior to change in a matter of a day's time, if that was possible then my anxiety would have already left by now. I wish I could just say goodbye to my anxiety but it does not work that way. Changing a behavior takes time and I believe that many resolutions fall apart in the same month they were made because we expect an immediate change. For those who are considering to be healthier remember that bad habits are hard to break but those habits should not be the reason why you should quit. Those habits should be the ones you are working at to change and if you maintain the attitude that you can change something, then you can change something. Be healthier does not have to mean losing weight it could also be quitting to smoke, removing drugs from your life, taking more walks, taking your prescribed medication and vitamins and or reducing the amount of sugar intake. Being healthier means to find that happy medium where you feel good both physically and mentally. Where you wake up one day and you can freely say that I am happy to be where I am today, that is when you know you are heading in the right direction. You are already beautiful so continue being fabulous on your route to better health!

For those who have new year resolutions to better themselves whether is through changing studying habits, parenting habits, working habits, relationships, or general habits set yourself mini goals. Since you know the big picture from the looks of making the resolution, with these mini goals this can help you gain the confidence you need to continue pushing through your set resolution. If you can have someone you can confide yourself and will be willing to give you the extra pushes needed when you have those days where you want to throw in the towel. Remember to celebrate your mini milestones along the way but maintain within your goal. Limit your cheat days to when you absolutely need to let yourself free from your routine. Never compare your milestones with others because each and every one of you has a different value that only you know how well you did that day. In fact instead of discouraging, why not share your courage with others?

Just know that at anytime you can make resolutions to improve yourself. You do not have to wait until the next year or for the next opportunity. It's like saying "Oh I'll wait until night time to look at the moon at its full glory" when we all know that the moon is always around in the sky you just need to remember to look up. Make your own deadlines, shoot for your own stars, everyone rides on their own wave and by that you should be able to have control in your own life. I do not believe in New Years Resolution, because I believe that everyone should have already settled on some goals they want to complete before they leave this planet. If you need that push to start and it happens to be during New Years then use this time as your catapult to start. I am all for self improvement. I believe in all of you that you can do anything if you only set your mind to it. Do not forget to be proud of yourself too for as minimal progress you are doing, that is still progress and I will continue to cheer you on. Do not lose who you are but more so build yourself to become the best you, that you can be.

What are your goals?

xx Chavelita

Building blocks

Well for about a month now I have been living on my own with my college roommate and there is just not one day where my parents crosses my mind. Like the Saturday of my first college football game (which was such a spectacular experience to encounter) I was ironing my white shirt since the whole school was going to white out the opponent and well as careless as I was, I plugged in my iron into the outlet, turned up the heat, and left the iron laying faced down onto my bed sheets. Before I had time to realize what a mistake I had done to leave my iron faced down on my bed sheets, there was already a hole in my bed sheet from the heat. The hole would of been fine if only the hole was not right smack in the middle where I slept. Right after I got upset at myself for burning my newly bought bed sheets, my immediate thought was my mother getting upset for being forgetful.

Which brought to my attention that even though I do not live with my parents anymore, they still are a big factor, they are still a part of me. I look in the mirror and I remind myself of my mother. How we both seal our emotions away from people until the seal breaks, the way I worry about so many things that may not even involve me, how we remain consistent in our choices when we have to choose a restaurant to eat which normally ends up in either tacos or enchiladas at the end of the day, and how we look for approval in each other when buying clothes that are a bit out of our comfort zones. Then on the other hand I find myself joking around with people I barely meet, acting tough when in the inside I am scared to death, helping people to the best of my abilities, and being the one who listens and gives advice to my friends, reminds myself of my father and how much he would do these things while I was growing up.

This reminds me a lot about what I have learned at mass one day that because of our culture we sometimes do things the same way of our caretakers because that was just how things were done growing up. Which I agree because since we were little our parents (or guardians) have been our role model, teaching us how to speak in their native tongue, learning about traditions that we probably didn't understand what the true meaning was, how to treat others, basically we are all a reflection of our parents, at first. Then we grow older and we start to question why certain things happen in a specific way and why those things cannot be done in a different manner. On one hand, we begin to experiment and stray away while others prefer to stay with the familiarity. There are also cases where people experiment and come back to recite what they have learned. I want to say that this is how limits are tested to college students, like myself, are placed in their first year. The first year is the most crucial in college and I am now understanding what that all means. Some of us fit in well with our new lives while others run back to what is familiar. Not saying that they are weak, but to emphasis how much culture shapes the lives of people. Culture are the for sure the building blocks to behavior along with the environment one has grown up in.

Just wanted to say thank you to my parents for teaching me how to let go (and for letting me go) and be independent, providing me the support and a well conscious to tell the difference between right and wrong, for the traditions, and for letting me be myself because without those qualities I don't think I would of been writing this blog in the first place.


What is something that your parents or guardians have done for you that you will never forget?

xx Chavelita

Day 29: Goals for the next month

Most of my goals for August is pretty much college related because that is the month I start my first year of college! Pretty pumped, pretty frightened, but I am still looking forward to what the month of August has to offer for me. Turn a new page, start fresh, meet new people, cultures, finding out more about myself without the influence of people I have grown close to.

1. Settle in college smoothly - I can already feel move in weekend for me to be a whole load of stress on me so hopefully that everything moves rather easily without little to no complications. At least if things do go rather sleek, I will probably spend less time freaking out that I cannot turn back now or not have my parents around me when I feel uncomfortable.
2. Be able to see my friends one last time before we all split into different paths - This is a must because I know that if I go to college without seeing my close friends for the last time, I would simply be sad and have a lack of closure that will be bugging me. 
3. Get back into study mode - The time to put away the Netflix, and settle down to focus on my studies. Only this time I'll try to not let my studies completely consume me and try to get involved within my campus.
4. Try to post on my blog at least once a week - I am not sure I can promise this because I am not sure myself how much free time I will end up having. At least I know on Tuesday's I only have one class so maybe Tuesday's? Maybe it can work out, I can do my laundry and write to you guys. No promises though, I'll try to post whenever I can!
5. Make new friends in college and find an eating buddy - The sooner I make friends the easier the transition into college will be so if I at least make one new friend I will feel fine. Of course, I hope to find someone I can spend eating my meals with and get to know more in depth. I already had enough of eating alone in high school.
6. Celebrating my mom's 50th birthday - Not everyday someone turns half a century, and I want my mom's birthday to be special so crossing my fingers that I am able to make this happen. 
7. Take my dad to eat I-HOP - A promise is a promise, so I cannot wait until we have our own little pancake date before I head to college. 

What are your goals for next month?

xx Chavelita

Day 18: Thirty facts about me

Since my introduction, I haven't posted another random facts about me kind of blogpost. Now that I may have more readers, I find it a great idea to retouch and add some new facts about me that just been sitting in the back of my mind. Usually when people do not ask me specific questions about my past, then I will not think or talk about it. Not that I do not want people to know but they are just stored so tightly in my mind that the information does not release as easily as other moments or memories... So here are thirty facts about me!

1. I was born on midnight of July fourth, which on my birth certificate it says 00:01 of July fifth, but secretly I like to think I was born on both days
2. One of my doctors had told me I had an extra rib, so whether that is still a mystery or a fact I still like to think I have an extra rib to explain the cause of my scoliosis other than my turtle slow growing rate
3. I learned Spanish when I was four years old in Puerto Rico with my extended family (I am Puerto Rican fyi), so even though I may or may not have an accent speaking Spanish or English, just know I am bilingual and yes I understand both languages fluently
4. When I was in eighth grade I used to be a reporter for the school's media program and I actually met veterans who fought during Pearl Harbor, I still remember them saying to put our phones on 'shake' instead of saying vibrate aha
5. Maybe I should explain that I have lived in Hawaii for three years (6th to 8th grade) so that is how I met veterans from Pearl Harbor (before anyone else asks I lived in a legitimate house, not some hut come on now this is twenty first century...)
6. I used to be a alter server, a dedicated one too because there was one point where I thought I was too young to be one that I actually started crying when they wouldn't let me one week until the following week I was given the chance to serve. Ever since I lived in Hawaii I would serve at church whenever my name was on the schedule
7. I am allergic to pecans and walnuts (all other nuts I am fine with) I also had a near death experience when I blindly had pecans at a friend's house and started to have a serious allergic reaction which consisted of irritated skin that was swollen, big lips, itchy throat, and in the morning I woke up with swollen eyes. Lesson learned guys, do not think you can fight an allergic reaction alone in the middle of the night, please go to the hospital... 
8. Following the allergic reactions trend, I am also allergic to ant bites so wherever I am bit by an ant, whether it is on my foot or my arm, I will swell up.
9. I haven't reached five feet in height so I am constantly being mistaken for a fifteen year old or younger so I have a memory slot just dedicated to the many reactions of people when I tell them my real age
10. I still do not know how to drive
11. I went to nine different public schools until the time I graduated from high school
12. I visited Mauna Kea on the Big Island (yes there is a cluster of islands that consider to be Hawaii is not just Oahu) which is a dormant volcano in Hawaii, we were so high that instead of looking up to see the clouds, we had to look down and boy was I freezing! 
13. In sixth grade I was given the opportunity to give the class speech but since I couldn't say the word 'cherish' at the time my speech was given to another girl... 
14. In Hawaii my designated hospital was Tripler which is known to be a big pink hospital because I heard that apparently the person who was in charge of ordering paint or the person who delivered the paint was given the wrong color and well one day I had asked my dad which was probably days after I saw the reenactment of Pearl Harbor on DVD that if the halls were in fact filled with patients in beds. Well there was a man who was walking on the opposite side of the hall walking in our direction crossing and I am not sure if my dad asked him my question or if he overheard but he did confirm that actually happened. So I felt like I was walking through a piece of history every time I had my appointments in Tripler. 
15. Last year I saw bio-luminescent fish with my extended family for the first time in Puerto Rico. There was a boat ride to get to their habitat but whenever you would touch the water the fish would lit up in a way that they were like water dragonflies, I thought I was living in a fairy tale for a moment. 
16. I learned how to ride a bicycle in little as five minutes with my dad because I was tired of being the only sixth grader who for the most part was the only one who didn't know how. I tried teaching myself at first in the grass, but my dad saw me struggling and decided to help me out by teaching me on the pavement in front of the house.
17.  I only have fallen in love once but never had a relationship with anybody 
18. When I was about eight or nine I used to sing in the church choir along with my brothers and a few other people (I need to find out where the rest of that confidence went to continue singing in public)
19. For as long as I can remember, I am afraid of needles. No matter how much I try to prepare myself or calm myself before any vaccinations or blood work, my heart is still racing and my blood pressure would be at its peak. The tears never fail either. 
20. I'm good at math, but when I'm adding simple numbers I still use my fingers to count just to make sure I counted correctly in my head the first time
21. When I was little I would cut the hair of my Barbies thinking that their hair will grow back just like mine
22. Growing up I wasn't really into the Disney princesses but I know for a fact that I was obsessed with Tinkerbell and I still think that she's pretty cool. 
23. I always found myself being around people older than me unless I was in school then yeah I befriended people around my age, but outside of school I found friendships with older people to be easier and more interesting. People would tell me that I was mature and wise for my age but I didn't believe them because I thought my thoughts were as normal as everybody else's. 
24. I still avoid people I am familiar with in public areas
25. If you do not know by now, I am a big reggaeton (Spanish rap) kind of gal. I listen to it so often that I get upset at myself for knowing most of the songs I hear on the radio or anywhere that is playing and get really excited and obsessive when I hear new reggaeton music. 
26. In kindergarten, I would actually give my teacher roses because in front of the house I used to live, we had rosebushes that would naturally grow. 
27. I still laugh the same today as I used to when was ten or maybe even younger.
28. I am not afraid of bugs (I once crushed a cockroach with my hand because I couldn't find anything else to kill it with), but I cannot stand seeing dead animals...
29. I had a grandfather from my dad's side who owned a tiny neighborhood convenience shop and it is still running by my uncle, I actually saw it the last time I went to Puerto Rico and has the same original sign
30. I actually didn't mind whenever I matched outfits with my mom when I was little, also I didn't understand what was so embarrassing about looking similar. My mom seemed to love doing it, so why not let her? For the most part I am not embarrassed to have my parents around I actually find myself laughing more with them around. At a young age I was taught to just be myself and so I did. I really didn't understand why some things were the way they were supposed to so I didn't pay attention to them growing up maybe that's why I am not afraid to embarrass myself in front of people because either way I would be laughing along. 

What are some interesting facts about yourself?

xx Chavelita

The fear of communicating

By far this would probably be my greatest obstacle course I have come along to. Simply speaking was a challenge for me since I was small that I would actually cry almost everyday at pre kindergarten because my Mom couldn't stay with me. To be around unfamiliar faces makes me feel uncomfortable even more when I don't have a friend along with me. Though as I've grown older, I have learned a bit tricks to break the awkward ice.

1. Say hello! 

I know this may sound a bit redundant but if you greet someone you are already engaging into conversation. Perhaps ask them how have they've been because for starters everyone secretly loves to speak about themselves and loves someone who will listen to what they have to say. 

2. Ask common questions

You would probably want to start asking questions to that person when the right time comes (normally after greeting them is the right time) but you do not want to scare them off by asking too personal questions. Your first objective is to get to know the basics of the person: birthday, their favorites and dislikes such as food, seasons, treats and maybe their nationality if you're curious I know I would. 

3. Should I stay or move on?

I believe that everyone should deserve at least one chance to begin with. Though if the answer to the previous questions did not quite suit you then maybe you should move on. You're not obligated to be with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable or causes you to change to suit their habits. A friendship should make you feel happy and have the ability to trust the other person. If you're already doubting yourself with that person then you probably already the answer to that (move on). Not everyone you will meet, you will like but do not give up keep meeting new people and expand your horizons with them.

4. Trust fall

This step is rather tricky and risky because it could either go two ways either they support you and keep information that you tell them to themselves. Or they would go behind your back and tell everyone they know. For me I take an extremely long time to get to this platform but I have also learned that you should be able to take as much time as you need to get there. Begin with the little things such as the last person you kissed or dated, a person you may like or dislike, a fact about yourself that no one knows. I recommend you begin with the little things as a sort of test to see where this friendship is standing at. If they pass then congratulations you have made a good friend! Though if they did leak some of your information I would be careful with that person and even though they may say it was an accident, I would not be surprised that they would to do it again. 

5. Personal questions 

After passing the trust fall I think it would be safe to say to ask personal questions. Get to know your friend a bit deeper. Do not overload on these questions though because you can make your new friend to be uncomfortable. Only ask these questions when the right opportunity may come and be aware that at any time they may ask for your opinion based on the question you asked so be honest, tactful, and understanding. 

When I make friends I'm like the little turtle in the story with the rabbit and the turtle, who takes his sweet but persistent time to get to his goal while the rabbits here are making friends like a snap of a finger. I'm quite slow and steady when it comes to meeting new people, I was never the expert of being able to create a mass load of friends (hell I'm not even a expert in communicating ahaha). I wasn't able to manage but with a handful of friends I was able to get to know them more for who they are and it seemed simpler because you have less people to attend to. Though that is my opinion on friends, I just hope that you make good, healthy, careful friendships and that you do not take anyone for granted.

Photo credit to Sam, our emergency ice cream runs

Photo credit to Sam, you don't understand how much I leaned on these two girls (Sam and Ana). Las tres chicas! 

Hopefully this was helpful and if so I'll leave you with this question: Have you ever met someone you have least expected to become friends with? And if so, how did you meet them? (I feel the unexpected ones are the best ones yet!)

xx Chavelita 

Introduction Time

At first I was leaning more towards strictly on advice but what I love to read when I meet someone through the internet is their introductions whether they're brief or long because I absolutely love to get to know people and it seems like the easiest format to do so, so here I go. 

1. Name: Isabel Marie Nieves-Perez
2. Nickname: Isa, Bells, Chavelita and Pulgita 
3. Country of living: United States
4. Birthdate: July 5th
5. Height: below 5 feet (yeah.. I'm short that's pretty much all you need to know)
6. Eye color: Dark Brown
7. Shoe size: a 3 in children..
8. School/work: A senior in high school :)
9. You smoke? I don't, I love white teeth
10. Hobbies: Blogging *gasp*, singing, netflix binging, reading
11. Brothers/Sisters: Two older brothers
12. Relationship: Single
13. Piercing(s): Just my ear lobes :)
14. Tattoo(s): Completely naked of them
15. Are your paren​ts divorced? No and I thank God for that
16. Are there people you wont reply to? Mainly if they just want something from me, I feel like a lot of people come to me when they need something from me not just for a simple sit down chat
17. Nicest person you met this year: I would say my friend Ricky, he's a very sweet corny guy who has a wide range of topics to speak about ahaha
18. Person you rather not have met this year? No one although I sometimes wish it, they're the ones who got me to where I am now
19. Who would you like to meet: Hmm this a hard one
20. Who is it that you admire: they're probably read this or won't but my friends Sam for her straightforward, strong loving character, Alice my hardworking bee that brings me a bundle of happiness, Chachi for reminding me of the different ways of love and life, Anita my religious friend with a good ear to rant to, and my parents for sticking together through the hard times (well this became rather mushy ahahaha)
21. Most sexy person(s): Hands down, Prince Royce 
22. Favorite pajamas: a tshirt with fleece shorts
23. Favorite car: Fiats 
24. Favorite movie(s): I will list a few: Easy A, Princess Diaries, The Breakfast Club, The Heat, Flashdance
25. Favorite music: Spanish Pop, 
26. Favorite city(s): Guayanilla, San Antonio
27. Favorite plush: Crystal my teddy bear (should make a blogpost about her but she has quite a story)
28. Favorite perfume: pretty much anything with Elizabeth Arden especially her Green Tea collection
29. Favorite magazine: I don't read magazines.. :o 
30. Favorite sound: It's a tie between crashing waves and rain droplets
31. Favorite TV-series: Full House
32. Favorite writer: this answer would be biased because I don't read books for their authors but for their content.. 
33. Favorite nickname: Chavelita because it's different 
34. Would you ever get a tattoo: I doubt it ahaha
35. What all is under your bed: Shoes.. Too many shoes aha
36. Favorite color(s):  Blue
37. Favorite Song ever: La Vida Es Así by Ivy Queen (Bachata version)
38. Favorite song at the moment: La conocí bailando - feat. K-Narias
39. Favorite food: BBQ chicken ahaha
40. Favorite class at school: Psychology and Theory of Knowledge
41. Favorite drink: Lemonade or Iced Tea
42. Are you listening to music​ right​ now? Yes, when aren't I?
43. What do you think is greatest thing about yourself? My persistent attitude 
44. Are you a forgi​ving perso​n? Yes sometimes a bit too much of a forgiving person
45. Favorite shoes: Toms or shoes similar to those because they require little effort to put and they're super comfy
46. What time do you go to bed on workdays? school days? On a good day 10:30 when there's a butt load of homework to do at midnight 
47. What word do you use most? Um I don't know I always try to use new words aha 
48. Most romantic moment in your life: Probably not romantic to him but when the cute chauffeur at my quinceañera picked me up in his convertible (yes I was indeed alone with him!)
49. Most ashamed moment of your life: One of my ashamed moments was when I got in a argument (or at least I thought) with a really good friend of mine because I felt like I was being pushed aside and with her being busy with work that I blew up on her. (Never blow up on someone it will not make you feel better) and for two days I was wallowing and cringing at what behavior I had committed that I literally recorded a video stating my apology to her that even mid way through the video I started crying. Only to find out that she was not upset at me ._. But now I know how much I care about her and how life without her was and it stunk aha 
50. You spend your time mostly inside or outside: inside
51. What do you do in the weekends? Not much honestly mostly homework during the school year but life isn't as fluorescent as it seems
52. What class in school do you dislike most? Physics I did not understand anything and I'm surprised to say I got in an A in that class with the help of my peers..
53. What is something you dislike as a child but like now? For me it was green beans and strawberries
54. What do you really really dislike to eat? Anything with garlic except garlic bread, chickpeas/lentils, cold deli sandwiches
55. Pets: Please don't hurt me but I've never had the opportunity to have pets
56. Laugh or dream: Both but I would laugh more than dream
57. Serious or funny: I can be a mixture of both I'm mostly funny though
58. Fast or slow (relationship): Slow
59. You prefer being alone or have a relationship? I've only been alone ahaha so this answer would be biased too
60. Simple or Complicated: Simplicity with a kick of spontaneous (did that even make sense?)
61. Kissed in rain: I haven't.. Yet have to stay hopeful aha
62. Sex or alcohol: Alcohol
63. Stay up late or go to bed early: Stay up late there's something about late nights that I love
64. Light or dark: Dark
65. Speak or Silence: Silence unless we're in an argument I prefer that we speak
66. Tall or short man: I'm pretty short so I wouldn't want someone insanely taller than I am
67. Kissed someone you didn't like: No
68. You like someone: I don't, it's a bit bittersweet ahaha
69. Happy or Sad: Happy
70. Life or Death: Life
71. Broken a bone: No and let's keep it that way!
72. Left or Right: Right
73. Hug or kiss: hugs though a kiss would be nice too just tossing it out there aha
74. Where​ was your defau​lt taken​? I do not understand this question.. *awkwardly skips it*
75. Been suspended from school? No I'm hardly ever there when arguments break out, I swear it's like if I don't go to school
76. Whats a fact about the last person you liked? He was extremely cheesy that I find myself gasping for air from all the laughter 
77. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Use curse words, oops
78. When you die, what will be your last word? Probably "take care"
79. What is one thing you will do if you were not afraid of anything? Sing in public 
80. How many kids would you like to have? I'll tell you after I have my first one, deal?
81. What is the thing one you can't stand? Ignorant people
82. Best feeling: spontaneous messages from people you love that reminds you of how they impacted and feeling needed really
83. Worst feeling in the world: Feeling like you don't belong or when you lose a very close friend
84. What are you afraid of? Losing someone I love
85. Are you an emotional person? I am, my blog screams emotional ahaha
86. You cry while watching a movie? Yes...
87. Your goal in life: To become a psychologist and help people cope with their mental illness, I also wanted to make my own neighborhood clinic but if I become a psychologist it would suffice.
88. What was the promise you made to yourself on new years eve? To be more open to people and stop being timid
89. Who is your favorite artist? Stromae, Betty Who, Sam Smith, Ivy Queen, Jessie J
90. Last perso​n you told a secre​t to: I believe it was Chachi
91. What is the most beautiful part on the male body? Smile and hair
92. If you could​ pack up and move would​ you? Yes.
93. Who was the last perso​n you gave up on?  My ex-crush.
94. Do your paren​ts REALL​Y know you? I'm going to say yes
95. Has anyone told you latel​y that they would​ alway​s be there​ for you? Yes mainly my close friends on my birthday
96. Last time you recei​ved flowe​rs?​ On my birthday they're slowly wilting though :(
97. Do you like the perso​n you are becoming? Yes even though I feel like I'm losing a lot of people along the way
98. Do you miss anyone from your past?​ Of course but I force myself to keep moving forward
99. Most original place to be asked by/ask your love to marry you? This question is irrelevant for me because I haven't been asked out
100. Things you hate people doing? When people cut you off communications without explaning, people speaking over a topic they have little knowledge of or make rather stereotypical remarks, last minute group work cooperation, people pointing out each other flaws, when people complain about how rotten their life is but do nothing to fix it, I'll just stop there before it becomes a rant post aha

I would love whoever is reading this to create their own blogpost and type in your own response or in the comments below (and include a picture of yourself though this is optional). I love meeting new people! :)

xx Chavelita