So grateful.

Every single day I'm so grateful for the people around me. I know, I know this sounds really cliché, but I seriously adore being with my family, going to get coffee every day, and seeing all the beautifully weird people coming in and out of Starbucks.

Today, while I was writing some essays, an old man came in, raising his voice at an employee about some half-off coupons that didn't make sense to him. He then calmed down a little and talked to me and this other employee about how he can see through our eyes that we are nice people. I don't know how I feel about all that. Maybe intrigue - how surprising some interactions can turn out to be. Maybe fear - how people sometimes just lash out at others in public.

Today is winter solstice. Ma is with grandma, burning paper money to grandpa. I love them so much. We had dumplings today. I ate with mom and dad. It's a good day.

Good night.

“The tree trolls are growing especially well this year,” mother told me as I packed my bag to fly to the mainland. If you don’t know, tree trolls are this native type of animal that grows on trees. They look like koalas but can talk. Yah, I know! crazy. My mom is the world’s best tree troll farmer. She would get fifty of them from a good season’s harvest. “Here, take this to the mainland,” she said while handing a baby tree troll to me. I stuffed her into my suitcase, keeping the zippers open a little bit so that the troll could breathe. I named her Joe. Joe was kinda loud during our trip. “Hey, be quiet,” I said, “we’re going through security.” “Okay,” Joe replied, quietly. The security agent brutally tore open my suitcase, exposing Joe to the public. “What is this?” “A tree troll.” “Cute, have a good day.” “Have a good day.” I smiled and walked away, holding Joe in my left hand, maneuvering the suitcase in my right. “Hey, I love you,” I whispered to Joe. “I love you too,” my baby whispered back.

• Today I don’t feel like doing anything.
• I watered some plants and opened up a book! #livelaughlove
• My pet turtle died yesterday. I have never ever experienced such sad emotions, and I will miss her forever.
• Online-shopping at #Macys! Love the holiday season <3
• Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?
• There’s nothing wrong with being yourself.
• I just got news that my grandfather died a few minutes ago. His memory will forever live with me. He will, forever and ever, be in my heart. I love you, grandpa.
• Today I got my first ever tattoo. I hope that every time I look at it, it will remind me of my pet turtle. I loved you, Franklin, I loved you so, so very much!
• Most liked comment on this post goes in my bio forever.
• Hey everyone! Introducing my new pet turtle!! Please give me some name suggestions. I’m thinking Jimmy, or something profound like Raphael. So excited to become a pet owner again. Yay!!

So I returned from break, two of my plants are dead-ish. Trying to revive them. :(

In NYC, constantly thinking about my plants.
I hope Sir Edward III is doing fine...