EPHANIE - Adventures, Likings, and Such.

Magic in the Make Up.

2011-12-04T12:42:00.004-05:00

I used to buy things and try them out for myself when it came to make up. However, I ended up disappointed and annoyed I spent money on things I didn't enjoy. For a couple years now I have used the internet to choose the best make up to my liking. Random people reviewing different things, giving their opinions. I'm so glad I do that now and recommend all my friends to look online and see the the masses say.

So here are a few things I'd like to share my thoughts about with you! (#1-3, left to right)
#1 - Benefit, Erase Paste - This did wonders for my dark circles. I've tried everything to get rid of them, and I know I get plenty of sleep. I've been told (by someone in the medical field) that it is due to my sinuses and the blood flow. So I use cream and everything, but to get rid of them (temporarily) I've used concealers. I love, love, love this one. I tried it out in the make up store and only applied to one eye. I went up to my friend and asked "Can you tell?" (without telling her what I did) and she pointed to my eye and asked if I put something there. It's great for my dark circles and any blemishes. I would highly recommend this.

#2 - Benefit, Watt's Up! - After watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, I have become obsessed with a highlight on the cheek to give it more pop and illuminate my skin. I wanted a cream one that I could blend. This has a perfect gold/champagne glow to my skin. It is shimmery, but not overdone. I would highly recommend this as well, especially if you want to achieve the same look.

#3 - Urban Decay, All Nighter - I have been using this for ages now! If I know it's going to be a long day or I'm going out dancing (sweating like crazy), I use this before I apply make up. I love this like crazy! Just a couple spritzes and it does the job. It lasts me a long time too (probably because I don't use it every day). A good buy!

What would you recommend?

Happy Black Friday!

2011-11-25T14:17:00.001-05:00

Oh, what a glorious day it is? I just don't seem to have the energy to shop on Black Friday, unless it's online. I only got a Blu Ray player and the Blu Ray Harry Potter box set for nearly 50% off! Now THAT is a glorious day!

Thanksgiving leaves me stuffed and tired. I'll leave you with pictures from the day! I got to wear my Red Bottoms. :) How was your Thanksgiving?

You say it's your birthday, it's my birthday too!

2011-10-30T10:38:00.005-04:00

Hello world! Last weekend I celebrated my birthday at Disney! It was the International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot, and it's a tradition for my soulie (Chereeka) and I to celebrate our birthdays there. It's so much fun to run around the world and end the day at Magic Kingdom. We got seasonal passes this year and we plan to constantly go to Disney all the time.

Into the Fall.

2011-09-18T17:23:00.005-04:00

Sweater, Shorts, & Necklace: forever21
Ring: LLYMLRS

It's nearing the end of September and one can only hope so comes the fall weather. Not in Florida, the heat doesn't escape until much later. That doesn't stop me from getting comfy sweaters/pull overs, I just choose light-weight ones.

I saw The Lion King in 3D in the theaters today. It's funny to watch that movie on the big screen again. I remember being about 10 years old when that movie came out and my parents took us to see it in the theaters. I cried and try to hide that I was crying. Now, it's 16 years later and I cried again. (Something about it being on the big screen.. just makes it more dramatic or moving or something.)

Happy Fashion Week

2011-09-10T23:11:00.000-04:00

It's Fashion Week, one year I'll be somewhere fun & exciting for it. A girl can dream. To celebrate I'm wearing my "Mary-Kate Olsen Inspired Glasses," at least they remind me of her.

My Little Pick Me Up.

2011-09-07T16:52:00.004-04:00

Mountain Dew is always the best little pick me up. Especially after a long day of teaching and you have papers to grade.

Melbourne, Australia (Australia Post #2)

2011-08-14T21:16:00.006-04:00

I spent half of my trip visiting my friend Chloe in Melbourne, Australia. I had so much fun with her. She took me to so many places and on so many adventures. She absolutely adores her city and loves showing you around. I honestly recommend anyone to visit her or hire her as a personal tour guide. We spent two full days, back to back, just going and seeing everything and constantly going and going. So much fun and so pretty. I can't wait to visit again.

Western Australia (Australia Post #1)

2011-08-04T16:49:00.008-04:00

I'll have compose more that one entry for my Australia adventure. Here is a quick and simple one for my time while in Western Australia. I went to visit a friend and Perth and we went on a road trip up the western coast. The drive up took 2 days and we had to camp overnight off the side of the road. This is completely foreign to me because I've never camped before and I'm used to seeing gas stations, hotels, McDonald's and such every 5-10 miles. We reached our final destination at Exmouth/Ningaloo Reef. It was winter time in Australia, but because we were up north it was much warmer! I got to go fishing and snorkeling for the first time ever. (I'm up to try new things when in new places, because I'm forced out of my comfort zone.) We spent several days camping, laying out on beaches, fishing, walking/hiking along trails, watching sunsets and so much more. (Next entry, my time in MELBOURNE!)

Countdown until my trip to Australia.

2011-06-28T14:31:00.004-04:00

In about 8 days and so many hours I will begin my journey to Australia. I'm getting quite anxious and excited. I will be visiting friends, so I won't be doing the typical tourist thing. I like being able to experience life in other countries. I can't wait to see how life is down under.

Friends make life so much more amazing.

2011-04-11T22:14:00.005-04:00

Life is just so much more amazing when you have good people in your life. I love my friends and how much they're always down to have fun. I love that we have pure joy out of the simple things in life.

I want to just float amoung the clouds.

2011-01-17T18:06:00.004-05:00

I sometimes just love clouds. I love they way they look. They can be so many colors, shapes, and sizes. I can spends hours just watching them. I love that they bring rain (because I simply adore rainy days).

Mostly, I love clouds because they remind me of traveling & being free.
* Note: I don't claim these images (except the last one). I got most of them off of tumblr.

I'm on the Pursuit of Happiness.

2011-01-10T22:54:00.003-05:00

"Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi

Happy 2011! I know I'm a bit late, but that's life. So far I am having a great 2011. New Year's Day is always an interesting one. It's a day for a quick "start over" (if you actually want it) and yet it's just another day that doesn't feel any different than the rest. I like to use the new year as an excuse to change something about myself, like a personal restart button. 2010 was a good year for me, and I know 2011 is going to be even better. I'm on the pursuit of happiness, and it may take time, but I'm enjoying the journey along the way.

In 2011, I intend to pursue my happiness. I also intend to advise my friends the same for themselves. Don't rely on someone else to make you happy. Rely only on yourself, because you will always be there for you. The friends you have, and the new ones you meet along the way, they'll stick around and be there even when you don't need them. (If they don't, they're not worth it.) Don't let someone else let you down with your happiness, you'll never let yourself down if you take care of yourself.

I leave you with the wise words of Micheal Cera:

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T14:37:00.001-05:00

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy your day! :)

50 Books to Read Before You Die.

2010-12-24T18:57:00.003-05:00

50 Books To Read Before You Die

Here are the Fifty Classic Works from the World’s Great Writers:

~~The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien~~
I'm sorry, but I refuse to read these.

1984 by George Orwell

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

A Bend in the River by V.S. Naipaul

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fritzgerald
I have read this several times while in school. I always enjoyed reading it for some reason.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
My dad recommended this book for me to read for a book report while in high school. Good choice, Dad. Good choice.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes

The Bible by Various

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Ulysses by James Joyce

The Quite American by Graham Greene

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

Money by Martin Amis

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
THE books that have changed reading for me entirely. I never used to ever read for personal pleasure, only because it was required for school. I was a late bloomer and didn't start reading until the 3rd movie came out and had many questions. So my friend said I needed to read the books, and I did. She didn't realize the monster she was creating.

~~Moby Dick by Herman Melville~~
Eh, sorry, another I refuse.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol

Rebecca by Daphine du Maurier

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

On the Road by Jack Keruoac

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope

The Outsider by Albert Camus

The Colour Purple by Alice Walker

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Man Without Women by Ernest Hemingway

Gulliver’s Travels by Johnathan Swift

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A classic. Has anyone else seen like 500 versions of this on television and in movies?

Huckelberry Finn by Mark Twain

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
Dear goodness, I despised this book. So much, but I mainly blame my 8th grade English teacher.

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The Divine Comedy by Alighieri Dante

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

~~Refuse to read~~
Already read

I like having list of things to do during my life. (I shall post my lifetime to do list at some point.) I like when others give me a list, because it forces me to try something new. (Want to recommend a book to take place of the 2 books I refuse to read?)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

2010-12-23T20:00:00.002-05:00

I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter again today, this time with my dear friend Katie. :) I have a year long season pass and get to go all the time. I absolutely love it. Every time I go, it's like the first time I went! I feel so giddy and excited. Everyone should get a chance to experience this world.

It was absolutely nuts today though! Very busy! The wait time for the Forbidden Journey ride was supposed to be over 75 minutes (not to mention you need to get a locker). We snuck in the back entrance (I'm not revealing our entire secrets to the world) and went in the single riders line. Let's just say, we did it all and got our stuff in about 20 minutes. How is that possible, just follow Katie, she's a Slytherin!

Me? I'm a Ravenclaw, 100%. It's no surprise there. I'm a total nerd and book worm. I actually enjoy studying and having homework. I value education and knowledge. I love learning everyday.

What is your house? Ravenclaw like me? Brave like Griffyndor? Caring like a Hufflepuff? Or a bit evil like Slytherin?

Friends: Be careful who you let in.

2010-12-21T18:53:00.003-05:00

It has been advised to "let people in" and to let them know you. To make friends and connections. In all honesty, I, personally, advise (slightly) against it.

My advice: Be careful who you let in.

Once you let them in, you leave the opportunity to be let down an option. That option sucks. No matter if it's a friend, family member, significant other, or a stranger. You let them in and you put some sort of trust in them. Some will cherish that trust, and those are the ones who deserve it. They are there for you. Even on days where you sit around and do nothing together. But there are ones who take it for granted and think nothing of it. When you let those people in, you sort of feel betrayed.

When you are younger, you're quick to make friends with anyone and everyone. You have the same shoes, then you're friends. And when you're younger, you're quick to "de-friend" and befriend someone. When you befriend them again, it's like your "de-friending" never happened. You move on.

When you're older, a bit older, you're not so quick to make friends with anyone and everyone. Especially strangers. You, at times, question why they want to be friends with you. (Any ulterior motives?) And when you "de-friend" someone, it's a little more serious and not so easy to befriend again (that's a harder accomplishment).

When you're young, you're naive. When you're older, you're cynical. Growing up sort of breaks you down.

But along the years, over a decade, I have had some friendships that have outlasted time and struggles.

Erika & I have been friends since 1997, that's 13 years. And still to this day she is someone who is closest and dearest to me. Like every friendship, we hit a rough patch, but we continued our friendship and grew stronger. She is my family and I'm so happy to be celebrating the next step in her life (getting married to a good guy in March).

Reeka & I sort of started our friendship like you do when you were younger. We had a common interest: EATING! Since 2001 she has been someone I can turn to and talk to. I'm one who always likes to ask questions, and I'm very skeptic when it comes to people to ask for advice. Never once have I felt uncomfortable asking her or listening to her insights. She knows me better than I do most of the time.

Here is Shauna, a friend I had for a while but took several years to grow into a solid friendship. Most of the time she knows what I am thinking with just a look. We have the same kind of sense of humor and can laugh at nearly anything. Sometimes it is hard for people to understand her and her thoughts, I never found that difficult.

I have lots of friends, and just because you're not on here doesn't mean you don't mean anything to me. The mentioned are friendships that have lasted well over a decade and only grew closer over the years, never drifting apart. I just hope to have more friendships like this in the future.

My first snow, that I can actually remember & play in.

2010-12-16T09:52:00.004-05:00

I grew up in Hawaii then moved to Florida. Not many chances for me to see snow. A white Christmas is a bit odd to me. I lived in Japan from when I was about 1 year to 4 years old. Apparently, I had snow then, but I honestly don't remember it at all.

I have dreamed for years and years to see snow, especially to see it fall from the sky. Last night, I couldn't sleep at all. I woke up nearly every hour or so, just to take a quick peak out the window. I woke up about 7:30 AM, slowly moving. I looked out the window and saw movement. Immediately, literally and no exaggeration, I jumped out of bed, put on more layers of clothes, and ran out to see the snow!

A Day with Friends Brings Much Joy.

2010-11-29T19:57:00.003-05:00

The fortune cookie was right when it said "An hour with one friend is worth more than ten with strangers." Although, when with strangers you end up meeting new friends, but there are those friends who have been there for a long time. I'm so happy to have these two be a constant in my life over the years.

What do I love about them? They provide insight on everyday life that is thoughtful and hilarious at one time. They are completely honest with me at all times, and I never feel ashamed to talk to them about my worries or struggles. I'm the naive one of the group, so I'm not as "knowledgeable" about things sometimes. Although it's always a good laugh, I never feel "dumb" around them. (Not like some people in my past.) They encourage me to move forward and always keep moving forward.

Thank you my dears for our wonderful friendship over the years. Over a decade, well, nearly.

Do you have friends that make you feel blessed to have them? Tell me about them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T12:51:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful day with your friends and family. If you're lucky like me, maybe you have more that one dinner to attend to today! I get to go to three dinners today, and I'm really going for the company rather than the food.

I am thankful, truly, for all the people that have been a part of my life this year. Old friends, who have stayed by me and bring me joy. New friends who helped me experience something new and exciting. Family, who may bug me from time to time, but always shown me love. All of you helped make this year, so far, wonderful and fun. I hope I returned the favor.

What are you thankful for?

Feeling all nostalgic.

2009-05-03T14:35:00.008-04:00

Roswell, I miss this show. In all honesty, I miss television shows that I cared about. They don't make them like they used to. What I loved about shows from just about a decade ago is that they focused more on the characters and their stories. Now it's just all about the plot and what scandal they can use this week to get more ratings.

I've tried to get into shows these days, but I just don't care for them. I used to love Heroes, especially the first season. But now the plot is all over the place and seems to have very little substance. And that is how a LOT of shows are these days.

The characters is what brings people back. If you make characters that people care about, they'll come back to learn more and feel for these characters. I'm giving up on television and just buy DVDs of all the shows I loved. (I have all of Roswell, Dawson's Creek, and Veronica Mars. I need Felicity and Gilmore Girls next, then maybe I'll give into crap and get The O.C.)

What were your favorite shows of the past?