I've got sunshine, on a Cloudy Day....

Hello Everyone!!!

Here is my September 2014 Birchbox opening.

Hope you enjoy!  And stay tuned in the next couple of days...i'll be posting a new batch of book reviews.

Take a look, it's in a book, A Reading Rainbow

As I have promised...here are short reviews of four books that I read over the summer.

The next batch of book reviews will be the Romance novels (of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" persuasion...but better) that I read over the summer.

Here you go!

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

Crazy, Rich, Asians by Kevin Kwan

Hope you enjoy and pick up these books!  See you in the next vlog!

Because i'm all about that bass, bout that bass, no treble...

I'm BACKKKKKK!!!

And here is a new vlog post in which I show you what I received in my Ipsy bag.

Hope you enjoy and check back a little later on what other videos i'll be posting on this page.

Ice, Ice Baby...

Okay, I don’t usually do this.  But I’m going to go on a slight rant.  

Small disclaimer: I’m all for people donating to a good cause, don’t get me wrong. 

On that note, clarification on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.  I hope many people know that the “Ice Bucket Challenge” has been going on longer than you think, and not just the ALS one.  Trust me, I saw numerous people doing it on facebook, and it wasn’t for ALS.  Here is what was supposed to happen…the challenged individual has two options: (1) Do the Ice Bucket Challenge AND donate $10 to the charity of their choice or (2) not do the Ice Bucket Challenge and Donate $100 to the challenger’s charity of choice.  If you haven’t noticed, whichever you choose, you DONATE money regardless.  It’s just one choice has more monetary value.

Now, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is VERY similar.  Same scenario,  just that the proceeds go to ALS research.  Regardless if you decide to pour ice water over your body, you will STILL donate money: (1) Ice water + $10 OR No Ice Water + $100.

Now, you are not limited to that amount of money…you can definitely donate more if you would like.

However, I would like to challenge you…all of you (at least the ones that read this blog).  How about you WILLINGLY donate money (or even your time) to a worthy charity or cause.  No holds bar…I won’t even ask you to pour ice water over your head.  Just DO IT.  DONATE.

I’m not trying to bash the people who have done this challenge, because you have donated to a worthy cause.  You have helped raise A LOT of money for research that is going to help a lot of people.

However, there are also a lot of other worthy charities that need your help, as well.

So, go out there and help more people!

Summer after highschool when we first met...

Aren't my nails pretty?

These are imPRESS nails that I received in my Uni VoxBox.  How ironic that I used them during my University Graduation (Master's Degree this time around).

In a nutshell, I think the nails were really pretty and "Spring" like.  I got a lot of compliments on them during graduation.  I think it's great for people who don't want to spend a fortune on fancy nails or wait for nails to dry.  They were, also, relatively easy to remove.  They also last pretty long...however, I took mine off hours after the graduation ceremony.

They are also REALLY simple to apply.  Just peel off the plastic behind the nail and firmly press onto your own nail.  I held it firmly down for about 10-15 seconds just to make sure it REALLY sticks.  And to be on the safe side...try to minimize contact with nails for about 30 minutes.  That means no washing hands or getting them wet!

The one thing that I didn't really like about these nails: there is still a gap between your nail and imPRESS nail.  This makes it easy for water to seep through when you wash your hands or take a shower.  I put on these nails a couple of days before graduation.  However, I took a shower and the water started seeping through. The nails, for me, didn't last the night.  Also, my make-up foundation would also seep between when I was applying them before graduation. 

All in all...I would definitely recommend this product to anyone that wants quick and pretty nails for a special occasion.  

Raining on Sunday, stormin' like crazy...

Here is the blog post that everyone is waiting for!  Okay, maybe not everyone.  

This is a mass upload of every single video that I was supposed to upload since February.  This includes my February - April Ipsy and Birchbox and my Uni Voxbox.

Enjoy these videos

April 2014 Ipsy and Birchbox

Uni Voxbox

March 2014 Ipsy and Birchbox

February 2014 Ipsy and Birchbox

If love is surrender, Then whose war is it?

I know i've promised on uploading a my videos about my Birchbox and Ipsy bag, but I honestly just haven't had the time.

You know, this whole juggling working, schooling, and interning thing is time consuming.  Plus studying for the NCE was a pain the butt...and time consuming.  

I did record a video opening my Uni VoxBox...hopefully I can get that up sometime within the next week...along with my other videos that i've been promising to upload these past months.

Well, since i've had my VoxBox for a while...let me review what I think about what's inside:

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lipstick - In all honesty, I prefer lipgloss over lipstick.  But I love the vibrancy that lipsticks provide.  As for the color that they provided in the box...i'm not loving it.  More so the fact that I LOATHE pink.  If it was any other hue that was not pink, I believe I would have loved the product.  The product itself is okay, the vibrancy is great and it's not too sticky on the lips.  I docked major points for the color. HATE HATE HATE PINK!

Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation - I've been searching to find a good foundation that is not too heavy.  I have very oily skin and my skin gets shiny.  This is a great product.  It does not make my face feel sticky or that I have a thick layer on.  It's very light.  The only critique I have is my own fault.  It's hard to determine what color goes well with one's skin based off a color in an e-mail.  The shade was a tinge bit light on my skin, but I was able to blend it and even it out on my skin.  Overall, a wonderful product and definitely will be buying in the future!

Broadway Nails imPRESS Manicures - I already have experience with this brand due to CHEGG providing samples of them when I rented books from them.  I absolutely love the design that they sent me.  It's very cute and springy!  Definitely nice to have when I feel like having color on my nails, but don't have the time to apply them/wait for my nails to dry.

Pilot Acroball Pure White - I absolutely love these pens!  Birchbox gave me one in my very first Birchbox.  I feel in love with smoothness of the pen and had to buy my own set.  The color is bright and the writing is smooth. Definitely helped me out when I was studying for the NCE!

Red Rose Real Tea Premium Water Enhancers - I love tea.  This water enhancer was okay.  I honestly prefer green tea over black tea.  To me, it tasted like normal tea to me.  Nothing extraordinary...I wish it also had a dash of lemon flavoring into it, as well.  Probably won't buy this in the future...more because i'm not a big fan of water enhancers.  Definitely will recommend it to others, though.

Playtex Sport Fresh Balance - I'm a girl...enough said.  It was comfortable, enough.  I'm not an athlete, therefore, i'm not too sure how different it is from other products.  Maybe more comfortable to others?

That is my review of my UniVoxbox.  Not much to it.  Expect a video coming soon of my opening!

Until next time! (I promise I'll go through with it, this time!)

I Hope you had the time of your life...

Broke Grad Students Are The Next Debt Crisis And It’s Partly The Government’s Fault

If anyone asks me about my time at The University of Texas at Austin, I would respond that it was the best four years of my life.  It was a culmination of life experiences that I cherish and take with me for the rest of my life.  I received the best education I believe I could possibly receive, met wonderful people, and fell in love with the second best city in the world (sorry Austin, Florence will forever be #1 in my heart).

If anyone asks me about my time at The University of Texas at San Antonio, I would say it's a learning experience.  And please don't make the connotation that UTSA is inferior to UT, because it's not.  True that UTSA is not the Tier 1 University like UT and does not have certain amenities as UT, but that is not the point.  I enjoyed my time at UTSA and wouldn't trade my decision of coming here.  

Now, what's the point to this?  Read the article at the top.

Okay, you read it?

I have to slightly step off my counselor box for a moment.

I am LUCKY to receive my Bachelor's degree AND Master's degree without one single dime in debt.  And do you know why?  It's because I have the loving, full support of my family.  Okay, how is that any different from any other family when it concerns their child receiving an education.  It's because my parents always knew that I was not going to stop at a HS diploma, because they know what is available to people with only a HS diploma.  

More background information.  My grandparents NEVER received a college level education.  The highest level of education that any of my grandparents received was a high school diploma.  My maternal grandmother only received an 8th grade education.  However, they instilled in their children (my parents, uncles, and aunts) that they WILL receive a college education. There were no ifs, buts, or maybes about that.  And that was passed down to the grandchildren, as well.  All of my cousins have a bachelor's degree or in the process of obtaining one.

And not one single one of my cousins or relatives are in DEBT. You know why?  Let me reiterate...because we had the FULL SUPPORT of our families. They have supported us every single step of the way of our education...since day ONE.  Who do you think I called at 3 a.m. when I was going through an academic existential crisis...definitely wasn't Jana (sorry Jana....).

Okay, back on the counselor box.

I understand that not many families are like this and their are certain circumstances in which families can't be financial supportive of their children's college education.  I absolutely understand that.  And I am not saying that parents that don't financially support their children's pursuit of a college education are horrible parents.

I firmly believe that individuals who want to pursue a college education or more will find a way to do so.  I have many friends who have personally funded their college education by themselves and are debt free or have very minimal loans.

Now, on to the article.

Disclaimer, I read this article really fast, but there are somethings that I want to point out.

Quote:
“Most of these degrees are not intuitively worth it. They’re not gateways to the middle class,” says Jason Delisle, the study’s author. “Is a Master of Arts degree really worth $20,000 more than it was in 2004?” 

Response:
Job market wise, yes, this may be true.  I won't argue with statistics when it comes to this.  But "intuitively worth it?" Who are you to define what "worth it" means to a student pursuing a Master's degree?  The definition of "worth it" to you may not mean the same to another person.  For some people, getting a master's degree is "worth it."  I know for a definite fact that I am not going to be BANKING with my Master's degree in Counseling.  I will not COME CLOSE to what my mother (who is a nurse) is earning right now ($100,000+) in my lifetime as a counselor. And you know what, I am okay with that.  Because my profession is WORTH IT.

Okay, this article places part of the blame on the government.  Let me give you two others to blame: the students in the parents.  I'll get to the parents later.

Yes, I blame students for part of the whole situation.  I'm not saying all, but there are some students who should take responsibility for being in debt.  I can only use my experiences because, hey, who else can I use?  And I know my experience the best.  I did my RESEARCH....yes...RESEARCH when it came to pursuing my degree(s).  And I knew my limits...I knew that I probably could not afford out-of-state tuition, unless I wanted to go into head-high debt.  I know what my resources and my limits were when it came to my education.  Please know that before you going into anything. 

Also, be realistic and not be fooled my marketing strategies.  If the university says that "98% of our students find jobs after graduation," find out WHERE they are working.  Are they working at a place where it conforms to what they got their degree in...or are they working at a fast food place.  There is a difference. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!

Be aware of the job market.  Realize I said be "aware of the job market."  I don't mean "be aware of the job market and switch to what is in demand." What I mean is that don't be disappointed if you don't jump into your profession right away because it's not in demand.  You may have to work somewhere else after you get a master's degree that does not necessarily coincide with what you got your masters in, that is okay...you have bills to pay and must stay afloat.  I can't say you will find a job in your field eventually, because I can't predict the future, but don't be a stuck up prick about it and show some humility.  You have to start somewhere.

Now parents, HELP YOUR CHILDREN OUT!  At this point, I mean fiscally.  I am not asking you to foot the tuition bill, or pay for rent, or pay for books...actually I am.  I know I may sound demanding, but too many of my friends have lived only off of Ramen and frozen pizzas.  If it means that you can pay for their groceries for that month, pay for at one textbook, or give them an extra $20...please, do it.  A little financial assistance goes a long way.  I know I am stepping out of line on this, but a pat on the back and "you can do it," can only go so far.  Mind you, I know parents are more knowledgeable about their children, so, be wise about it.  If they're clowning and acting a fool in college...please DO withhold financial assistance. 

I know there is a lot of things I don't understand when it comes to financing college because I grew up in a Filipino household with Filipino parents with Filipino values.  I'm not saying it's superior, but I know how it easy it can be when you have the backing and full support of families.  

I know I don't understand a lot of things about education and loans and obtaining a degree, because I know I had it easy.  If I offended people, that was never my attention.  I'm just tired of reading this and having people not take some personal responsibility about the situation.  I just needed to vent...

Disregard the typos...

Feel free to message me, you know how.

Until next time.

Since I've come on home, well my body's been a mess

I'm back!!!

And this time, I didn't bring one...but TWO videos!

Watch my review on my January Birchbox and Ipsy bag.

In short, this month was on the "meh" side.  I wasn't all too pleased, but I was not disappointed either.  Most of the products both subscriptions are stuff that I most likely will not use...but I can always change my mind.  I still say that both subscriptions are a great steal for only $10/month.  If it was $30+...I would probably be more disappointed.  

Well...on with the reviews!

Oh, and if anyone is interested in free products (no seriously...free.  No monthly subscriptions or shipping and handling fees).  Click on the Influenster button on the right hand side of page.

Enjoy the reviews!

January 2014 Birchbox review

January 2014 Ipsy review

Make me your Aphrodite...make me your one and only...

I'm sorry, but that song has been stuck in my head for DAYS....

Anyways...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (I know...i'm almost 2 weeks late in saying that) I hope everyone is enjoying 2014, so far.

I'm currently back in San Antonio, awaiting my final semester of Graduate school (summer does not count for me).  I'm excited to get this semester on the road!  I'll be interning at the Bexar County Family Justice Center and i'll be officially starting on Monday (tomorrow!).  

Well, this blog is a book review of the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare.  I really enjoyed reading these books, much more than the first 3 Mortal Instruments books.  

Hope you enjoy the review!