lifeofaleia

[lifeofaleia]

𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭... 𝐢 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤

Blogging in creative writing this year was actually pretty fun. I genuinely enjoyed reading the posts of my classmates’ and hearing their thoughts about really whatever they wrote about. School is often too much producing (essays, assignments, quizzes) and not enough reflecting. Rarely ever do we get creative freedom in what we write, or really, with much of what we do. Rarely ever do we get to acknowledge the things we love/wrack our brains in the way they deserve to be. So, I think blogging helped us do that, or at least, helped us start doing that. 

Personally, I’ve always loved writing, so blogging wasn’t hard for me to do. Writing the sentences, picking the right words, structuring the paragraphs was a breeze. It was the content that caught me in a bind. 

I constantly find myself trapped in a mental limbo of whether or not the things I say or do are adequate enough or actually worth reading or not at all tone deaf and actually impactful, and when it comes down to it, whether or not I actually like the stuff I’m putting into words. 

Because words really are powerful. We laugh when we hear words that are funny enough, sing along when words are catchy enough, cry when words are heavy enough, love when words are moving enough, and bark back when words are aggravating enough. So what do we do when words aren’t enough? 

What do we do when the words we think, say, write, scream don’t have enough power to make things better? Make someone laugh as they cry? Make someone apologize after a fight? Make someone accept a compliment they keep deflecting? 

I can’t put it into words.

[lifeofaleia]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐆𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞

Since my blog is about my life, I thought I’d write about the woman who gave it to me: my Mom. My Dad also had some part in it, buuuut we all know Moms put in way more work in the grand scheme of pregnancy.

My Mom was born Corinne Ana Hofschneider on July 8, 1968 on Tinian. She was number 12 out of 13 siblings, specifically, 10 boys and 3 girls (my Uncle Jude Hofschneider being the youngest). My uncles and aunties always tell me tales of how wild and adventurous my mom was growing up, and that she was my Grandpa’s favorite when he was around. My mom tells me about how my Grandma would cut her hair because it constantly stunk from the hours she spent playing in the sun with her siblings. Mother’s Day was just two days ago, and although it is one of my favorite holidays, it does bring me some sadness at times.

I am truly and extremely blessed to have a mom like my own. Never has she ever deliberately tried to hurt or insult me, which is something that I recognize that many people do not have the privilege of experiencing. My heart always sinks when my friends tell me tales of not so wonderful confrontations with their moms. My mom’s heart sinks too.

And I think that’s what makes my mom so wonderful. Every breath, word, action, impact, idea of hers is driven by the love she has in her heart for the people in her life. I wish I was more like her everyday.

[lifeofaleia]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲...

I was having a wonderful time scrolling through Twitter on my phone until I got everyone’s favorite Apple notification.

iPhone Storage Full: You can free up space on this iPhone by managing your storage in Settings.

*Insert deep sigh sound effect*

To try to fix this problem, I headed over to the Google photos app to back up a couple hundred photos to fix the issue. Then, I made a heart wrenching discovery.

Thanks to the Google photos feature that shows “memories” from photos you’ve already backed up, I was reminded that a year ago today, I was in the states.

I miss it everyday.

I don’t think how I feel is something that can be accurately put into words, and I don’t think that it’s something that can be read and understood either.

I’m not even 100% sure that I miss the states themselves, but rather, the family and friends I got to laugh and talk with almost everyday.

Things are so different now.

I’m not going to the states this summer, which is new for me. It’ll be the first time I’m not going in four years. On one hand, I’ll be missing out on making memories with my old friends and family in the PNW. On the other hand, I’ll be spending my very first summer on Saipan.

I’m crossing my fingers for a wonderful time on our island.

[lifeofaleia]

𝐩𝐨𝐞𝐦 #𝟏

if there’s anything i think about 

it’s the reason why i'm here 

and the reason why i fear 

and the reason why i get short of breath at thought of death being near 

though i spend my waking hours wishing i was sleeping 

though i spend my waking hours drifting and dreaming 

i try to focus on my blessings that are shiny and gleaming 

and i don't mean my macbook- i mean the fact that i am breathing

the way our island is safe from brutal police beatings 

i see on facebook and the tribune racist comments creeping

and i realize now that the poison of racism is now seeping 

into our innocent island community 

that is close to herd immunity 

but far from so called catholic purity

[lifeofaleia]

Hey Ya! was the #1 song nationwide when I was born on January 15, 2004. My favorite lyrics from the song: 

“If what they say is "Nothing is forever, then what makes, then what makes, then what makes, then what makes, what makes, what makes love the exception?”. 

[lifeofaleia]

Micro Beach  (´ ∀ ` *)

#originalphoto

[lifeofaleia]

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Mae West 

[lifeofaleia]

𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤'𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭: 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐥

Life is one word that comes with multiple meanings and experiences. Above all life is not just about existence but also about how an individual defines that existence. Life is beautiful, but it isn't always easy; it has challenges, and facing them is one of the hardest ones there is. Some of the challenges in life make us who we are today. Life is both scary and amazing. You may never know what's coming and when. My life is mainly about friends, dance, adventures, eating and sometimes volleyball. You only get to live once, so I believe you should live life to your fullest potential. Whenever you get the chance to, go out! Have fun! Live life! Enjoy your time like there's no tomorrow! My friend group and I are pretty adventurous. The amount of beautiful sights we’ve been to on this small island is kind of unreal. Literally just being by the beach during sunset is surreal. The sunset on this isalnd is literally crazy. My friends and I try to make it a weekly thing where we go all the way up north at night to stargaze and just talk about life. It is definitely better living life with the people you treasure the most.

[lifeofaleia]

Music I grew up with (─‿─)♡

Queen at Look-in Magazine covers.

Credits to owners.

[lifeofaleia]

My soul resonates with this entire post.  ｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡

Life update: still alive lol. Spring semester me is a hot mess so still trying to get into a routine and get my life together even though I’m one month into the new semester. Never too late to start? Idk

[lifeofaleia]

I was lucky enough to spend a lot of my childhood in one of these :-) 

[lifeofaleia]

𝟖𝟒°𝐅

That’s how hot it is right now. Or, at least, that’s what Google tells me. According to my state of the art personal built in weather detectors (my sensory neurons) that are never and not at all hyperbolic, it is a million degrees right now in my living room- but I love it. Most of my waking hours are spent in air conditioning because of school, so for me, it’s always nice to bask in the natural, comforting heat of Saipan. 

And as I write this entry I realize how absolutely privileged I am to be typing these thoughts from the comfort of my home, in the presence of my family members. Typing on a Macbook Air laptop, nestled on a comfortable couch with a glass filled with cold water to keep me cool. 

The highest temperature on Sunday, April 11, 2021 in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, was 56°F. On that day, around 4:45 PM, officers of the Brooklyn Center Police Department pulled over 20-year old Daunte Wright by a traffic stop, just 10 miles away from where Derek Chauvin is being put on trial for murdering George Floyd almost a year ago. 

Minutes later, Daunte Wright was shot by officer Kim Potter. 

I’m not a police officer, nor am I an employee of any form of law enforcement, crime scene investigation, or medical field, but I believe there was no reason or explanation for Daunte Wright to die on that day. I believe that the only thing a person has to be to determine that a person should not have their life taken away from them is human. 

According to Brooklyn Police Department Police Chief Tim Gannon, his officers had pulled over Chauvin “for a traffic violation related to expired registration tags”, and then shortly discovered there was a warrant for his arrest. Other police officials claimed, on behalf of Officer Kim Potter, a “veteran of 26 years”, that she had “mistakenly confused her gun for her taser”. Gannon directly told the New York Times, “It is my belief that the officer had the intention to deploy their Taser, but instead shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet”. 

By definition, murder is the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another. Premeditated is an adjective used to describe an action (a crime especially) thought out or planned beforehand. 

Many will argue that Potter did not murder, and will not be convicted of murder of any degree for the death of Daunte Wright. Many will argue that Wright should not have evaded arrest by lunging back into the vehicle as he was being handcuffed. But how many will argue that Potter truly did not mean to shoot Wright? How many will argue that Potter, despite over decades of experience on her belt, accidentally shot Daunte Wright? How many will argue that because Potter did not mean to fatally shoot Daunte Wright, she is not guilty of first degree murder?  

The question is, how can we continue to let police officers replicate the same behavior as Derek Chauvin? Or Kim Potter?  How many more lives will be taken before change is made? 

991 people have been shot and killed by police in the last year. 

Or at least, that’s what Google tells me. 

Sources: 

Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas, et al. “Daunte Wright Shooting an ‘Accidental Discharge,’ Brooklyn Center Police Chief Says.” The New York Times, 14 Apr. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/us/brooklyn-center-police-shooting-minnesota.html.

FindLaw Staff. “Second Degree Murder Overview.” Www.Findlaw.Com, 1 June 2020, www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-charges/second-degree-murder-overview.html#:~:text=Second%20degree%20murder%20is%20generally,crime%20will%20vary%20by%20jurisdiction.

“Police Shootings Database 2015–2021.” Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database.

Staff, FindLaw. “First Degree Murder Overview.” Findlaw.Com, 2 June 2020, www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-charges/first-degree-murder-overview.html#:%7E:text=In%20most%20states%2C%20first%2Ddegree,wife%20in%20bed%20with%20Victor.

Times, The New York. “The Killing of Daunte Wright: What to Know.” The New York Times, 14 Apr. 2021, www.nytimes.com/article/daunte-wright-death-minnesota.html.

[lifeofaleia]

an exchange at august supermarket this morning

Cashier: Is this all?

Me: Yes, and one Tylenol packet please.

Cashier: HUH?! How old are you?!

Me: ...17

Cashier: Oh, okay. You are the same size as my 11 year old daughter.

Me: Thank you.

[lifeofaleia]

just one of the breathtaking places to visit in the PNW (๑˘︶˘๑)

Not much snow on the mountains yet, but the sun felt good.

[lifeofaleia]

my second favorite ice cream shop of all time, besides big dipper of course  (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ)

Kids These Days

Salt & Straw, which I can confidently say is one of the worlds best and most creative ice-cream shops just unleashed a flex-storm of November flavors. It’s a “table-to-cone” Thanksgiving inspired menu; Cool Marketing ™.  

One of the standouts is the honey bourbon corn pudding- YES. You can actually taste the real bourbon in there. I can only imagine all the parents who have no idea there’s Henny in there and let their 5 year old order a triple scoop. 5 minutes in, little Timmy is LIT, and he’s stolen the keys to your minivan. Timmy’s turned up on Larchmont doing donuts and shit, windows down, blasting that new 1989 album. Man- kids these days.

Salt & Straw

Tip: Also try the Turkey flavor. It’s made with real turkey and caramelized turkey skin. 

Tip: Be ready to try every single flavor because they encourage it. It won’t help in your decision making tho.

   Tip: The most boss move is doing a split scoop. You can get a single scoop- but 2 flavors. 

Pricing: Single scoop $4.25; double scoop $6.25.

When to come here: whenever you’re in the mood for ice-cream? 

Where: 240 N Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles 

Times: 10am-11pm everyday

Phn: 323 466 0485

[lifeofaleia]

one of my favorite places in the world 

Portland Rose Garden, June 2017

[lifeofaleia]

yesterday (๑˘︶˘๑)

#originalphoto