Happy MLK day everyone!
Today I am grateful for Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight to achieve social justice for all. We’re a long way from a post-racial society but I believe that there are still intrinsically good people who are willing to work together to make our world a better place. #365grateful
WAYW: wine corduroy pants, white v-neck tshirt, rose cardigan, tan ankle boots, blue dual-color circle scarf.
Check out this throwback picture of Dr. King:
My family and I just got back from a cruise– our first cruise ever! We had a lot of laughs, ate too much food, and made a lot of memories.
The scenery from the boat every morning was beautiful. Seeing the sun rise and set on the horizon was breathtaking.
The ship made two stops: the first in Progresso, Mexico and the last stop was in Cozumel:
Feeling adventurous, I randomly decided to get a henna tattoo of a anchor and an infinite sign. After 30 minutes, I already hated it. It just goes to prove I could never have a real tattoo. I’d get tired of it easily. 
My brother, the only animal lover in the house, looks a little too comfortable holding that hideous creature. 
Our Carnival cruise ship was huge!
We went out again to check out the next island:
This pirate told us he was Johnny Depp’s half brother. He was so incredible crusty and dirty, but he was very funny and cheeky. 
Inside the ship, we occupied our time with Broadway-like musicals and an unnatural amount of karaoke:
One evening, I got to perform with a live band in front of a live audience for the cruise talent show. I had a blast! I won a plastic trophy and a bottle of champagne. 
Thanks to my brother Ye’s awesome camera, we were able to take some cute family portraits:
The cruise photographers were giving us the side eye when they saw us having a full-blown photo shoot by the staircase.
We dressed up for fancy dinners with our family friends who were also cruising:
Throughout the entire cruise, we experienced three-course meals, comedy clubs, and . This was a much needed vacation. It was nice sharing a room and being in close quarters with my siblings again. I’d somehow forgotten how much I love and miss my family when I’m away. As I go back to school, well-rested and perhaps a couple pounds heavier, I am excited to see what this year will bring. Already 2014 has knocked me off my feet.
Photo credit: Ye
This Christmas was a nice, small occasion with just the six of us. The first time in a long time we didn’t have guests in the house on Christmas morning.
This year for Christmas, my brother Ges got a dslr camera so this post will be picture-heavy. Enjoy!
Time to open our presents!
After opening our presents, we went to church. It’s our annual tradition.
Then we went home to eat/take impromptu family potraits :
We had a lovely Christmas this year and I look forward to the future with these beautiful people.
Photo cred: Ges (Tales of Ye)
At 5pm, I submitted my final project for my graphics class and thus completed my last class of the summer session. Check out some of my graphics work at this link.
After a long day of class, my grad program cohort and I went out to eat some Korean food and sing some karaoke.
I had a blast this evening. Eating delicious food and singing upbeat songs helped me forget about how long today had been. But it didn’t let me forget what today is.
Today is August 9th, my older brother’s birthday. He would have been 26 years old. Sometimes, I wonder what he would have looked like today if he would lived past the age of 15. I wonder if he’d have had a steady girlfriend. Wonder what career he would have picked and where he would be living. Wonder how his facial hair would have grown in. Wonder if he’d still be making people smile.
All I can do is wonder until I see him again one day. I miss him and lament the fact that so many people in my life are unaware that he once existed. I didn’t bring up my brother’s birthday even one time (other than on Twitter) today because it’s a reality I like to push into the back of my brain. But here in the privacy of my room, I let my guard down and the memories of he and I come flooding back to me. As painful as they are, I am glad they’re still there. They’re a reminder that he once existed. If not for those memories, it’d be as though I made up that charmingly mischievous boy. Although we had Tonbara with us for only 15 years, I am grateful for every second we had.
Happy 26th Birthday, Tonbara!
We took a road trip to Niagara Falls!
———————–
Farewell pictures
I had to say goodbye because they were about to fly back to Houston. I love them for coming to move me in. It would have been impossible without them. I hope my whole family can come visit at some point. Maybe they can spend a winter holiday with me and experience the endless snow heheh!
© 2021 Naturale Chronicles 
