a few festivities

XZ's birthday

Yumcha with Mama and Papa

My birthday 1

My birthday 2

My birthday 3! Scavenger hunt + presents /flowers/food! <3

Sprinkle pants!

 Chen Family Holiday 2011

December Birthdays! Cousin + Grandma + Me + Brother (Missing)

I made cherry-almond scones :)

New OPI colors for MT and I. French Quarter for your Thoughts, You don't know Jacques, I Eat Mainly Lobster, Malaga Wine, Here Today Aragon Tomorrow

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Had fantastic birthday celebrations with friends, family, and JS! Definitely a memorable 21st :)! I'm so happy to have all these great people in my life. JS finally met (most of) the extended family on my dad's side! The most recent Chen fam-jam reminded me again of how lucky I am to have such a big, united family. No drama, no animosity, just love, honesty, communication and always available helpful hands.

The winter break starts now! Hello holiday! Today was my last exam, I can't believe my final year is half over! This time next year I'll be working full time... Life's happening! 

I wish everyone the best on exams and that your holiday is full of love, happiness, fun, friends, and food! 

holi-date

Addiction: Monopoly Deal, Cranberry bliss bar, Starbucks Holiday drinks

ROM

Holt Christmas

Browns boots, AA Leggings, CM sweater, Aritzia Blazer; Best Mango BBT in Agincourt! 
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Monopoly deal is my new addiction. I swear, it's all JS and I do now.  However we finally took a break from it earlier this week and went to the ROM, did a little shopping, and tried Pastis in Rosedale. I had the lobster, which was of course delicious, but I found his liver steak to be quite interesting.  Also earlier this week grabbed lunch with the girls, as we won't be seeing each other until the holiday begins.  We hit up our usually Korean place and  grabbed bubble tea after. As... rustic...as Food Jungle looks, it's got amazing mango bubble tea that just keeps bringing us back. That's the great thing about a good thing, though understated it really just sells itself. 

life is happening

I mentioned last post that I was on the brink of making a life-changing decision. 

Well, I made it. Get ready, this is going to be a long one. 

Hello Target Canada! 

JS made me these Target-themed cupcakes to celebrate my decision! Whatta guy! 

I recently finished the first round of recruiting and received job offers from very different, but prestigious companies. They offer amazing opportunities for growth and development, so it was one of the most difficult choices I've had to make! When I was weighing the options, there were so many things I loved about the opportunities. I was feeling a bit flattered with the first-choice offers, as I was competing with business kids from Ivey, Schulich and other reputable schools. Not that University of Toronto isn't, but the jobs were for business, and I'm a Political Science student. It seemed pretty against the grain for me to make the jump, since all my life it was assumed that I would working towards the public sector.

The interview processes were all new to me: assessment tests, timed logical reasoning and mathematical reasoning, case studies... But all the hard work paid off in the end with first-choice offers. I'm not posting this to say, hey look at me, I'm so amazing (I mean that's already so obvious right? ... right? ha). Rather, to highlight and share this period of my life to all those going through the same thing, or will be in the future. 
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I'm not a career pro, or anything like that, but what I can add from personal experience is: Keep going! Reach out to friends and family. As long as you have chosen your crowd wisely, they will help you through whatever you need. They gave me an extra pair of eyes for my resume, helped me practice for my interviews, case studies, and reassured me when I felt the pressure weighting down on me. Many of my friends were also going through recruiting as well. I'm extremely proud of all of them for achieving exactly what they've been striving for. From investment banking, accounting, sciences, and more, this network of friends and family have all contributed to shaping my future. As busy as life gets for everyone, they made sure they stepped up to do what they could. I'm thankful for all of them and that I will be proceeding into the next steps of my life with their companionship and guidance. 

When making the decision, it's true that you really have to look at more than just the pay. One of the most tempting offers had not only a great benefits and compensation package, but the job also had a rotational structure along with company and program prestige. Here's a hint: telecommunications and beavers. The recruitment process was well-executed and the people were professional but personable. It offered stability, numerous avenues of business, and the opportunity to experience numerous aspects of the company. It seemed like a no-brainer. However, what tipped my decision over to Target Canada was not only the competitive compensation and work culture but the challenge, risk, and excitement of being a part of launching a company in it's first international expansion. We're young. Now is the time to take those chances!


Now that I've secured full-time employment after graduation early, I can focus on the now! Yes school, but also, next summer I am planning to backpack around Asia (locations still being decided) for two months! As much as I want to just go crazy Christmas shopping this holiday or go somewhere hot, I will resist, and focus on saving for that epic trip!


Here's to the future! I wish everyone all the best and good fortune, and hope that you all can feel the complete and utter contentment that I do. Of course the career start doesn't make it or break it, but adds to the whole:  working towards a bright future, being surrounded by supportive family and friends, all while enjoying each day, a healthy lifestyle and new experiences. Maybe I haven't got every material thing, but the life-bases are covered and I'll work on the details as I go. 

autumn words

End of work feast at MOL

 Woo

 CNE with my children! Thanks JS!

We three friends... Old top, FV21 shorts,CM belt, H&M flats

 Lunch @ Pusateri's

 We go hard. PHE-re-KIN Pub Night

 Woohoo elevators! Aritzia tank, FV21 shorts, MK heels

 The view's better up here

 Homemade from scratch tiramisu for Papa Seo!

 Best burger in town, Bymark

 Post-Lion King 3D! Nala says hayyyy! CM top, scarf, socks, Talula shorts, AA bandeau

 Sipping wine at Biff's, waiting for oysters

 My two favourite boys @ Mainstreet Unionville

 Yay!

 Walking to Sundae (car); H&M jacket, UO dress, CM belt, H&M flats

 Annual Thanksgiving potluck on the rooftop patio!

Yum, home food

 FaceTime with JS

 Surprise chocolates from JS to tide over PMS

 Trying Beard Papa's

 Sun's Noodles

 Puppy stroller!

 Up! Carl & Russell

 Pumpkin carving! Kisses for my owl pumpkin

Delish
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Wow two months until an update. Is that a new record for me? A quick photo overview of a few highlights these past couple months, but here are some words as well. Things have been so busy with midterm papers and recruiting, I meant to update my blog, but instead resorted to journal writing. I'm always tempted to v-log, but I don't think I could give up writing. At the same time, those in the moment rants/spiels are difficult to reiterate once the moment has passed. On the other hand, wearing my heart on my sleeve, or should I say my internet connection, is not really my cup of tea. I've kept a journal since I was in the sixth grade. Granted, it's been a bit of a love/hate and on/off relationship, but I think I've been somewhat consistent. There's nothing like working it all out on paper. It's like math. You do all the work, but the answer could be wrong. Looking back at it, you can see your error. I love going back and reading old entries, it helps me figure out my thought patterns and how to govern it better in the future. Also, it helps to laugh at how things have changed. This time last year I was juggling three job, a full course load, working on finding summer employment and other frivolous activities. This year, I cut down the number of jobs to one and focused on recruiting. All the hard work, especially this past year, has finally paid off! Now I just have to make some important decisions and we're on our way! I can't even express how amazing it felt to submit my graduation request. The same will go for when I sign offer papers. Whatever I decide, I know my family and friends will support me all the way just as they always have and I'm so grateful. 
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The multitude of English courses this year has truly honed my enjoyment of reading. As relaxed as they seem, I can tell you that statistical analysis is a walk in the park compared to critically analyzing the complexities of Milton, Austen and other novelists. I've read a great deal of the books leisurely in the past, but these courses definitely forced me to see beneath the surface of words, making it all the more enjoyable. A definite favourite has always been Pride and Prejudice, but lately I'm digging Mansfield Park, probably one of the most complex novels of Jane Austen I've ever read. Paradise Lost will always be a favourite as well. Satan is truly amazing. For a 16th century guy, Milton sure knows how to evoke passion in the soul. As busy as life gets, I always try to read for pleasure. I feel like it's a dying art. Everyone comments that I read very quickly and retain the knowledge well, but I'm always seeking improvement. 

we could happen

A few summer adventures: 

Current favourite bracelet layering combo: T&CO bracelet, YSL bracelet, watch

Row row row your boat!

Night Market @ T&T Waterfront

Oreo cupcakes for work

My favourite palette and probably the only one I'll use from hereon in!

Best gamjatang @ Galleria (WoW, Yonge and Steeles)

Yum shaved ice and fruits @ Galleria

Riiiiiibfest!

Taste of the Danforth with Batman! (gifted dress, Dad's old denim shirt, CM belt, H&M flipflops and hat)

Tried curling my hair with a flat iron... gotta practice...

Furniture shopping! (CM shirt, skirt and belt, gifted Sebago boat shoes)

A book all the ladies out there should buy for their boyfriend/hubby! (found this baby while shopping at Umbra near Queen Street West)

Brunch with a KM & MT, missing SX who is caught in NY thanks to the hurriance! Crossing fingers and toes for my girl! (H&M jacket, CM shirt and pants and headband, UO flats)

Ouu-ing and ahh-ing at the crackberry addict on the left. I want those pants.

Funny face

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I'm the worst at keeping up with blogging. Work at MOL is almost finished and even though I'll miss my team very much it's time to say goodbye and hello to the approaching school year! This will be my final week at MOL and I must say I'm a little sad! I've spent everyday with those lovely ladies since May and we'll be going out separate ways this Friday! Speaking of which, big shout out to my MOL girl AZ for getting into UBC Pharmacy! She's a brilliant one, and I'll be expecting big things from all of them in the near future. Also, this year will be my last, and then UofT will smack me on the bum and release me out of it's womb and into the world. Errrr... Worst, analogy, ever. Darn. Regardless, amped up for this final year,  I just got a new planner and I'm hella excited! What can I say, organization really turns me on. Summer is dwindling down and a few more things must be crossed off the list, such as CNE! It's been an amazing few months, spending it with people I adore and trying new things. For example, camping! I went up to Algonquin last weekend! I canoed! Pictures soon.  Went to Hemingway's last night to say farewell to my dear friend SN who is backpacking around Asia alone for the next three months and Woo Lounge for AT's birthday! Will have to scam some pics of MT's iPhone later. Not going to make empty promises of constant updates. Post when I post :) Wishing everyone the very best, chat soon!