Dear Diary… College Edition

Dear Diary,

Who am I kidding I am so freaking excited to be done with college and finish college strong with a bachelors degree. However, there were a lot of good times I will miss after I leave. First off to all those people you laughed at when they say “college flies by…” they were RIGHT! When you first start college, four years feels like it is going to be an eternity, and a semester of 12 weeks feels like 2 years. But then you are on midterm/finals week and you think to your self, “where did the time go.” You meet new people every year and watch people graduate and move on with their real adult lives. You congratulate people for getting a full time jobs after college. That’s the dream, to graduate and work. At this moment in time my goal is to work a full time video job until I get married and then travel and save up money to travel more as a married couple after graduation. I want to move to central florida or out of florida. I would only stay in south florida for my family. My dream job is to one day be a show runner and write/direct TV shows and live TV shows. I want to work on the floor and help an idea become a reality. I also want to continue being a freelance videographer and film personal movies and capture memories for people to have forever. Going back to the college idea, I have always been surround by people who did not believe in “college” however, I am so proud I was able to stay committed and stay positive and motivated to finish out my college career. Nowadays it is very hard to stay all four years (or more depending on major) and finish college because life is hard and gets in the way. Sometimes it is way to stressful, trust me I have had my fair share of panic attacks, however, I think college is so important for people to go out and meet people and experience a different view of social life. I have been able to meet so many professional and amazing people who I hold dear to my heart from my sorority, my internships and classes. I also went to a small college where I pretty much know everyone in every class of mine and run into the same people which makes my experience so much better. I believe if someone decides to go to college they should take every opportunity to join any club or take an internship even if that isn’t part of your major. Do not be afraid to make friends because even though college is only four years the people and relationships you make will last a life time. Also take classes that seem like you won’t be interested in because sometimes those are the classes you love the most. I was so afraid to take this class once and I tried to drop and couldn’t find another class but it has ended up to be the most interesting and had actually restarted my passion for film and started my creative flow again.

To my future self, You did it Andrea… well almost you have a little over a month of classes left but you are doing so well and you should be so proud. Where ever you are in life, remember where you started. You got this.

Thanks for reading and hope if you decide to go to college that you enjoy it and have fun!!!

Do not forget to be you and be happy.

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MY SEATTLE TRIP

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VIEW FROM THE AIRPLANE!!!

AHHH…. IT FEELS SO GOOD TO FINALLY SAY I WENT TO SEATTLE, WA!!! I say that because this was a surprise christmas present for my boyfriend Ryan! Seattle has been on his bucket list for years and I love traveling and looking for cheap plane tickets and found some and book them without telling him. We went to the airport and I have known about this trip for a month Ryan thought we were going to Colorado only BUT we got to the airport and I printed out a ticket and asked him to read it in which he found out!!!! He cried I cried it was great then began out 8 and a half hour travel day!!! WATCH RYAN’S REACTION HERE ON MY VLOG CHANNEL!!! 

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We got to Seattle at 12:00pm Seattle time and as soon as we arrived we rented a car through the app called TURO. We picked up the car and check in our hotel, The Hyatt in Renton next to Lake Washington. By the way the Hotel was BEAUTIFUL!!!! It is a brand new hotel we paid $130 a night and it is near so many food places and things to do, they have a plaza called The landing that has EVERYTHING!!! Not to mention all the hotel employees learned my name and always took the extra mile to make us happy and feeling at home. It was so peaceful and is on Lake Washington. I was in love with this city and would recommend taking a visit!

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However, as soon as we dropped off our bags we headed to Everett, WA which was less than an hour north of Renton. Everett is the home to FUNKO! Funko is the company that creates the collectibles called POP! figures. My boyfriend is a huge fanatic and knows the store managers and people all over the world that also collect. This was the main reason for this surprise trip!!! So we got to the store and Ryan went on a shopping spree!!! BUT then the store Manager gave us a huge behind the scenes tour!!! This office is the most magical fun office ever!!! They have slides to go down every floor, they have a private gym, arcade, and bowling alley!!! Who wouldn’t want to work there!!!

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We bowled and hung out at the Funko store all night!!! Special thanks again to the Funko community for their hospitality!!! After our visit we just went back to the hotel to catch up on sleep and get ready for the next day!

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Our next day was our last full day in Seattle! We first woke up and headed to Pike’s Place! We ate at a restaurant right next to Pike’s Place Fish Co that had the most unbelievable view ever!!!! The food was okay but the view was everything and more!!!

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After, we walked around all 5 floors of the market before heading to the gum wall which is to the left of Pike’s Place when you first enter the Public Market! We added a Polaroid and our gum to the gum wall and took photos like any tourist would haha!

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After our gum experience we walked over to the first EVER Starbucks!!! The store is small and there is supposedly always a line but we got lucky, however, a tip when you go is do not waste time look at the cups and souvenirs because they give you a brand new one at the cashier desk and they have a menu of all the souvenirs that they have in the store so as soon as you get there just get in line!

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We then went to the Space Needle, which is under renovations so it is not a full 360 view but is deff worth the view of the city, mountains and lake!!!

We had so much fun in this city and can not wait to come back to see more!!!

SEE MORE PICTURES HERE AND WATCH MY VLOG HERE AND TRAVEL DIARY HERE

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HOW TO HAVE FUN IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

I went on a last minute 2 and a half week trip to Houston, Texas and here is everything I did and suggest you to do as well!

WHAT TO DO AND EAT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

   

We flew to Houston, using the airline Southwest and arrive to the city early morning. We booked an AirBNB to stay in for the first 2 nights of our 2 week stay. We stayed by Rice University and after the two days we moved to the Galleria area and stayed at the Derek Hotel for the rest of our stay. While we were in Houston we were able to attend a family friend’s Dulce and Wedding. Houston is the perfect place who can literally shop till they drop as there is lots of shops to go to.

WHERE TO EAT:

SWEET PARIS WAS HONESTLY THE BEST CAFE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO IN MY LIFE. It was so good we made sure to go twice before we left to come back to Florida. They had the BEST Nutella Hot Chocolate!  I also ordered The Waffle with Nutella, Chocolate and Strawberries.  Ryan ordered the Crepe with Nutella, Strawberry and Bananas. I would suggest going to Sweet Paris on a week day or early morning as there is limited seating and long lines. When you walk into the Cafe you can grab a menu and choose from any of their crepes and waffles or make your own. You will not regret going to this sweet place!

Le Peep was walking distance from the hotel Derek and it is a cute little mom and pop looking brunch place.  We ordered the LumberJack Breakfast and it came with 2 eggs, 2 sausages or bacon, LOTS of potatoes, and 2 pancakes. We got 2 blueberry pancakes for a few cents more. My boyfriend and I spilt the meal and it filled us up! We loved this place, it really makes you feel like you are at home away from home. We also had the nicest and quickest waiter as well! I almost forgot to mention our bill only came out to $14.75!!! IT IS SO CHEAP AND DELICIOUS!

SPRINKLES CUPCAKE sprinkles offers an indoor shop with a selection of cupcakes, cakes and other desserts. However, the COOLEST part about Sprinkles Cupcakes is the outside vending machine on the back side of the store. You can order up to 4 cupcakes and it comes out with each cupcake individually packages and ready to go! It is so convenient for the on the go Houston, travelers who just need some sugar.

 My mom and I also stopped into a nice Italian restaurant that was literally in front of our Hotel. Grotto Ristorante was a super romantic date night restaurant. My mom and I sat night to an open fire and a lit Christmas Tree. We ordered the Raviolis and a Triple chocolate for dessert!

Other food suggestions:

EMPIRE CAFE- Cafe of Drinks, Sandwiches and Desserts

PF CHANGS- Chinese Food

SMASH BURGER- Burgers and Fries.

FIT FUEL – Energy Food, Smoothie Bowls and Protein meals.

WHAT TO DO IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

 

Visit the WaterWall by the Galleria Mall! This wall is perfect if you want to take a cute Instagram picture, pop a question or want to see something new. I will say it is a little cold being by the water but is totally worth a visit.

 

Visit Discovery Green Park, this park is FILLED with Instagram background walls, Ice Skating Rink and a foot court.

VISIT SKY HIGH SPORTS this trampoline park will make anyone a tired happy person. It has a foam pit, dodge ball court and trampoline walls.

 If you will be in Houston during the winter season, I would highly suggest going to theHouston Zoo to see their christmas lights. It takes about an hour to 2 hours to walk around the whole zoo and walk and see all the Christmas lights and decorations. No animals are outside besides Giraffes, sadly, but the lights make up for it! I would also suggest purchasing your ticket online as the wait in line was about an hour wait. Also, on the first Tuesday afternoon of every month the zoo admission is FREE.

 VISIT THE HOUSTON DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM,  the aquarium also has rides, tigers and stingray feeding and petting  station. It is perfect for a cute date downtown or fun for the family.

 Visit the 3 story Galleria Mall, you may need a few hours and get a little lost but this mall is perfect for the person who loves to shop.

ABOUT OUR HOTEL:

We stayed in the hotel called Hotel DerekThis hotel is super close to restaurants, Galleria mall, Target and a little shopping center that has an IPIC, HORSE CARRIAGE RIDES THAT ARE FREE, AND GELATO! The hotel also has elevators that require a key to enter all floors for safety. They have a super cute outdoor pool and bar. A fully equipped gym with color water bottles. Starbucks and a restaurant downstairs and friendly customer service. The room were also a good size for a family of 4-5 as next to all windows is a twin size couch. The hotel will be linked and can be food by clicking the bold Hotel Derek above.

Photo courtesy of Hipmunk.

Thank you for reading and I hope this helps you with your trip to Houston, Texas.

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