Happy Friday, loves!

Hi babes!

It's been awhile since I've last posted on my long-lost blog, but alas, here we are, quarantine and all. 2020 has truly taken a turn and brought me back to my roots. I'm back in Arizona, working from home and adding in a few new hobbies to my daily routine: yoga, art, and walking the dog.

For those of you share my enneagram (3w2), you can understand how this 'social distancing' thing has been treating me. Sparks of inspiration, waves of ambition, and too bored or relaxed to sit still. This extra time on my hands and lack of social gatherings (horrible for me, an extrovert) has challenged me in many ways... please tell me I'm not alone here.

On the bright side, I've also been feeling extra creative lately and decided to pull together a project I've been wanting to do for quite some time. A lot of friends and peers have reached out to me looking for some guidance or storytelling on how to land a job or internship while in college, or after. I've been a big fan of the mentorship program that the University of Arizona has shared with me, so naturally I love to give back to my alma mater in any way I can.

Given the circumstances that we're in, the coronavirus pandemic really (for lack of a better word) sucks. We're all in a weird stage of uncertainty and confusion on what the future holds. Luckily, we're all in this together, and the only outlook we can enjoy during this time is an optimistic one.

For the college and high school graduates Class of 2020, I feel most sympathy for. The lasts of many memories and the opportunities for jobs and internships were stripped away so suddenly. I even have friends who have lost their jobs. Now more than ever, I'm hoping to spread some optimism and inspiration during this difficult time to those of you who are looking for it.

I created the following video for any of you who are seeking new opportunities in your new (or current) career, including any high schoolers who want to get a head start. Whether you are looking for an internship in college, just graduating, or even 10 years down the line, I hope that my advice and insight would bring some inspiration to YOU!

Without further ado, here are my 10 tips and tricks on HOW TO LAND YOUR DREAM JOB:

No, we did not go to Ireland, but I wish! Today was a half day at work, and I made my way to Covent Garden for lunch to meet up with Erin before heading home. I stopped by Farmstand, a delicious spot with some yummy food where I had a chicken dish, and of course a side brownie for funsies. For all this walking I've been doing, I treat myself, and it's all good.

After heading home, we had our Wednesday class. But today wasn't just any ordinary class. Our professor took us to the pub around the corner. We spent the late afternoon chatting and bonding with  one another over a handful of beers. I was challenged to give Guinness beer a try for the first time. In short review: not my style, too malty, thick, and dark, but not bad.

I guess this was just the start of how we planned to spend tonight. Apparently, TONIGHT. We RAGE.

A bit much, but hey, our crew was ready to have some fun. Janet's of South Kensington was popping off. An older crowd in a hippie, yet progressive setting. This was the home of our dear bartender, Janet. Us girls enjoyed a nice pink drink (or two... or three) at the bar as a pregame to the real star of the night, O'NEILLS!

I'm the biggest fan of O'Neill's, in case you don't know by now. For anyone who wants to enjoy an amazing night out in London, hit up Chinatown on a Wednesday night. If you're British, expect every American at this bar. My greatest memories have been at this alternative, spunky 3-tiered bar with dancing, live music, and a good time. Get there before 10pm to skip the line, and end the evening at the Chinese restaurant next door for some 2am grub. A quick snap in the Underground featuring Jesse and Justin:

Tonight was fun. As the Brits like to say, we smashed it! ;)

Wow today was the HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

Literally though... My day was insanely warm. For those of you who don't know, it's not common to have air conditioning in the Europe. It's definitely a fine luxury to have some sort of controlled temperature on the air that vacates the building.

This is so new for me, as I grew up in Arizona where if the AC ever went out, you evacuate immediately. I spent the day running around town with the one job: pick up fans. Fans as in the cooling act of a wind turbine that will make the room cold. Well, not cold, but at least less warm.

Anyway, I went from store to store, up and down the streets on a hunt for some fans, and surprisingly, they were not as easily accessible as you'd think. In America, you can pop into a Target or Walmart, and there will probably be at least 3 different varieties of options. In the UK, there isn't a building or store as big as a Target, so the options are slim to none. I called multiple stores and ended up at a manufacturer that would order it to my office door... tomorrow. We needed it today.

Luckily, I ended up finding a sketchy store on the streets of I don't even know where. I located 2 fans, only 2. They required assembly, and I required a car to get back to the office in time for afternoon. My boss was able to snag a transport for me to get back to the office with 2 large fans in hand.

The assembly was tricky as well... but as you may have guessed, the intern pulled it together, aka me! Alas, cold air was breezing through the small, sweaty office space. I think I at least deserved an applause. Unfortunately I have no photo for proof of my final product, so enjoy yet another photo of a building in the hot summer of London.

I ended the evening with a group dinner at the Italian restaurant, Da Mario. This place is known for being Princess Diana's favorite, and it lived up to its expectations. DELICIOUS.

The sole organization of this trip was held through our advisor, Vannessa. She flew into London for just a few short days to visit us and catch up on our adventures. I was so delighted to see her. She has made me feel so thankful for her and this opportunity to live in London. I wouldn't have been introduced to the program if it weren't for her and her guidance. Long live the queen! Long live Vannessa!

Happy Monday!!!
Back on that grind with another day at work! Today I explored Hackney and went on a little adventure to a back side of the town.

I walked through a beautiful hidden field full of so many flowers! And of course, I treated myself to a delicious lunch: grilled cheese, salad, and (lol) cheesecake. I can't say no to sweets, really...

The day was another day of work, but we all got some lollies! (lollipops... for the Brits) I enjoy learning the events side of the industry and how production plays a major piece in entertainment. This internship has been really life changing, and I'm learning something new each day.

I ended the day with a night out... at Mahiki of course! It's Mahiki Monday!!! Thanks to Miss Katie, we will never spend a Monday being bored. If I haven't made it obvious before, Mahiki is the best spot in London to go on a Monday night. It's always poppin' with Americans, Brits, Australians, and all sorts of fun people. Ask for Octavia at the bar, he'll make you a mean drink. The best memories you have in London may just be made there... or forgotten there.

Today was another exciting day, filled with thousands of more steps and places to see. In just two days, we were able to see almost of all of Paris and its beauty.

We had lunch and took a stroll through one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. It had so much greenery and had what seemed to be a palace in the center. The Luxembourg Garden is in the center of Paris surrounded by all of the busy streets of the city, yet remains remarkably peaceful.


We explored the Notre Dame, traveled to the Louvre, and stopped at the Royal Opera House. It was a magical day. Though we didn't go inside the Notre Dame or the Louvre, we were able to see and experience the art and architecture. Just walking the streets of this city could be my favorite part of the day, as it felt more familiar, like a town or village. There were merchants with little stands up and down these french streets, containing many pieces of art and souvenirs. The streets circle the center of the city and canals are intertwined between surrounded by roads and bridges. Just a day with friends full of exploration was all we needed!


The Royal Opera House is known for holding world-famous ballets, and being a ballet dancer myself, I HAD to see it. It was SO worth it. I even brought home a mini red ballet slipper keychain souvenir. I'm starting to gather red collectables from each country I visit, and this was my french souvenir.

We ended the day with a stop at one of my favorite dessert shops. Ladurée is known for its macaroons and afternoon tea. I first visited Ladurée with my bestie Corrina back in New York just days before my travels to London. The original shop, as you might guess, is in Paris, and I'm so happy I got to see the main store. I love the colors and ambience of the whole place, it is a true Paris gem. And well... since you asked... Vanilla, Salted Caramel, and Lemon are my go-to flavors hehe!

I'm sad to be leaving Paris, but I'm so thankful for this wonderful (hot!) weekend. We traveled back to London through the Eurostar to head home this evening.

Au revoir, France, we will meet again!

Paris est toujours une bonne idée...

Soooo.... I'm in Paris. A lot has happened today, so where do I begin?

My dear friends of Dream Careers invited me to tag along on their trip to Paris. Let me rephrase that: they invited me to crash their trip to Paris for the weekend. I am literally staying in their hotel room, which is totally against the rules...oops, but live for the memories, right? (cue Drake: YOLO). Well, it kinda got off on the wrong foot. Their train, with their whole crew (literally... their whole program) was leaving around 7am to get to the city for the full day of fun. I booked my train ticket for the same train, to be safe, feel secure, and keep travel plans in check.

However, I'm the idiot that forgot their passport before crossing borders. Yep, that's right. I went all the way to customs of the train station before noticing my mess up. Getting all the way to security without a clue that I needed my passport to go to a different country, like what is wrong with me? I didn't have enough time to travel across London to grab my passport by my departure, let alone the next scheduled train. I had to get ahold of Julia & have her meet me halfway at Piccadilly Circus in order to make it back for the 8am train. Let me remind you that there is no phone service on the underground. That was tricky.

But I made it safe and sound to Paris. My train ride wasn't all that bad. It was quite relaxing really, and I had my row to myself. The EuroStar is a bullet train that goes underground, underwater, and at the speed of light. Well, obviously one of those isn't true. I was a tad nervous for the trip, considering the incident that had just happened in Nice a few days ago. France had been recognizing the tragedy through the state of mourning, and so much terror has happened around the world, it's almost crazy to not feel shaken up. Let alone to be traveling to France alone.

I didn't let it get to me, and I made it to the City of Love with my one true love, aka myself I guess?? Ahh, the wonders of wandering. It wasn't until this moment, when I had actually stepped foot in Paris, that I realized the extreme language barrier. Every sign was in French. Everyone around me spoke French. I felt so lost, and I had signs pointing me in every direction. I used the "Toilette" and actually had to pay for a use. Literally, with my credit card... swipe. My first €2 gone.

I called an Uber, and boy that was interesting. Imagine me... finding a dark car, trying to communicate with a person who has no idea what I'm saying, getting into the car, and sitting in silence, wishing for communication with the driver in front of me as the radio soothes the tension with soft French words. Yes, that's what it was like. All I could do was enjoy the french language from the radio.


To kill some time, I stopped in a cute little bakery, Mellifuell, for a snack. I didn't even know what half of the treats were, so I just pointed to the pretty one and said, "I want that one." Too bad for me, yet again, the use of the English language is dead at this point. The baker sorta understood me, and I felt relieved, until he looked me dead in the eyes while handing me my pastry to say, "Thank." Ahh, the beauty of language barriers. I walked around the streets for about the next hour avoiding eye contact and communication from store to store, just using the two words I know in French, "Bonjour," and "Merci."

It was an interesting first few hours, but I was finally reunited with my friends at their hotel. I had to sneak my way up to their room with my luggage, and made it safe and sound. The rest of the day was time for adventure. We traveled far and wide through the streets of Paris. We saw the Eiffel Tower, explored the shoppes on the main road, took a walk around what I like to call the street museum of high fashion (or Avenue Montaigne), and admired the Arc de Triomph.

It was a remarkable day, well spent with Caroline, Katie, Laurel, and Rick. I think we explored most of the inner circle of the city. The amount of walking we did definitely deserved an ice cream. We enjoyed the sunset from the high rooftop view from the hotel. It was beautiful to see the city from above. The streets and architecture were magic. I enjoyed frolicking through a city as if I was Belle, from Beauty and the Beast.

We concluded the night with our favorite pastime... drinking wine and champagne, like a picnic, if you will... in front of the Eiffel Tower. I highly recommend this with a group of friends. All you need is a bottle and a baguette!

Chut, je rêve...