Believe in Yourself {The Girl Between The Lines}

Ohhhh meeep.. This week is the last week of The Girl Between The Lines link-up. I had fun these past 14 weeks writing and getting to know other bloggers and digging deep within me. Hayley and Lauren have been amazing hosts, and I hope that sometime in the future, they bring it back. Please. 

This week: Tell us a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.

One of the most important things that I've learned and wished I my younger self would've followed is to Believe in Yourself. When I was in high school I think I gave in to pressure at home and at school, that I began to doubt myself and what I was capable of doing. 

Of course, I didn't know how to bring it back and believe in myself so it carried over to college. I wasn't the best me back then, and I think it had to do with the fact that I wasn't doing things for me, but for my family and for my friends. 

Now that I'm out of school and back home, I'm still dealing with that doubtfulness. Is this the right path? Should I be doing something else? Am I truly happy? What is my next step? I should be doing more.

But I'm learning to believe in myself. Listening to what my gut is telling me. Following the dreams that I've made for myself, even if its completely different than what I'm doing now.  

Just like this quote says, if you believe in that  thing inside you, you will overcome any obstacle life puts ahead of you. You are your biggest fan, or at least you need to be. If you don't believe in yourself, then who will.  This what  I need to remember, whenever I feel like I'm failing

What is a lesson you wished you learned or followed earlier in life?

Why I Blog {The Girl Between the Lines}

This Week: Why do you blog? Tell us what got you started, what keeps you going or where you want to go.
I think I've answered this a few times here on the blog. But everytime someone asks me about my blog I get excited. I started blogging back in college as a way to document what my daily life was like. But it was hard for me to keep up with the blog those first few years of blogging. I rarely posted, if at all. I went months without posting. So I give props to everyone out there who blogs!

I started blogging again this past summer, and I'm loving every second of it. My blog turned into a place to document my thoughts, my inspirations, my dreams, some of my struggles, and an inside to the things and people I love. 
I like to say that blogging has made me open up about myself.  I'm able to be myself on here without much judgement. Which takes me, to my next point. I love blogging because through it I've met so many amazing people, the blogging community is amazing. 
What I love the most are the comments that are left on my posts. They truly make me feel special, that someone took the time to read my blog and post a response to it. So I try my very best to comment on the blogs that I love the most.
Very few people in my family and circle of friends know that I have a blog. I think it might be the fear of being judged by them or about the posts that write or lack of them, but as the blogging community has welcomed me and encouraged me, I think I'm ready to put my blog out there more. I would love any help on how to do so.
At times its hard to think of something worthy of publishing, sometimes I really have to stretch to think of something, and sometimes I can't. I think, no I know I still have lots to improve on. But do know that I love writing and blogging and reading and thinking and dreaming and planning and that is why I continue to blog.

What do you love most about blogging? How did you start your blog? Ps. - I just joined Twitter. I would love to follow new people.

My 5 Top Pins {The Girl Between The Lines}

This Week: Share your top 5 Pinterest Pins.
I love Pinterest!! I admit, while in college I used to spend hours on there, just so I spend time NOT doing my homework or reading. Now, I don't spend that much time on it anymore. Must go back, or not. 
Once in a while I get Pin-spire for D.I.Y projects, or yummy recipes. Sometimes Pinterest takes me to places I wish to go to. And Pinterest picks me up with its quotes when I'm feeling sad, happy, angry, frustrate. I'm an amateur party planner because of Pinterest. And a wannabe fashionista and interior designer. 
I LOVE PINTEREST. Here are my 5 Top Pinterest this week.  //one//


I love getting new ideas for outfits, that I wouldn't normally wear. I love this outfit. And for us curvaceous ladies, I found a new blog, this pretty lady has a style blog over at Curves and Confidence.

//two//


I'm in need of something new with my hair. I love this color. Reds, Coppers, Browns Hair appointment booked!!! :)

//three//


I love reading. And the first thing I want when I get my own home is a reading nook, where I can go and just read. Like this one!! Beautiful. Follow Miluccia for home inspirations.

//four//


I get all my nail inspirations from pinterest!! I love the glossiness of the black, with the gold accent. I need this. :)

//five//


Just love this quote.

Follow me :) I'm always looking for new pinners to follow. :)
Visit Adrianna Avila's profile on Pinterest.

Are you obsessed with Pinterest? What are your top 5 pins this week?

Favorite Photo {The Girl Between the Lines}

This Week: Share your favorite picture & the story behind it.
I love taking pictures. I think they are a great way to remember certain moments and memories. But lately I haven't picked up my camera. Not sure why, but there have been some family gatherings, friends get together, where I wished I had brought my camera. Choosing a favorite picture was hard.  I was glad that one of my friends was able to capture this moment. It has now become one of my favorites. 

This picture was taken behind the stage of my college graduation. It is one of my best moments of my entire life. Let me tell you why. 
First of all, it was a long journey to graduation. As I look back, I had a blast in college, and sometimes now I wish I could go back. But it wasn't easy. The classes at Berkeley were hard. My first year there was the hardest. I was super homesick, and I probably cried every day, and I closed myself off. I snapped out of it, for the most part, my second year and met some pretty incredible people. Third year and Senior year were the hardest, academically wise. I began to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and suffered from anxiety attacks, I wasn't the best person those few years. Nevertheless I made it to the end of that rollercoaster ride. I still had a semester left after I walked the stage but I knew that it was going to go fast. 
Second of all, my family took the six hour drive to see me. And although we didn't explore much of Berkeley or the city, I was so grateful that they took the time to come back. I don't think they realized how much it meant for me to see them in the stands. 

My brothers, my cousins, and my niece

Lastly, I was able to take my parents on the stage with me. Although my mom, graduated High School here in the U.S , my dad didn't have that opportunity. He was a teenager when he came to the U.S and they both had to start working at a young age to help their families. For me it was an amazing opportunity for them to walk the stage with me, as we got our "diploma." They have always  told us that education is power and important. In a way, us (me and my brothers) graduating is also their dream. 

Do you have a favorite picture?

All Grown Up {The Girl Between The Lines}

This Week's Prompt: This is a free week to write about something that fits the theme of your blog. 

Last week I missed The Girl Between The Lines prompt, that I really wanted to write about. So today I bring you last week's prompt.

" We all imagined what our lives would like when we were "all grown up"... how does that compare to what your life looks like now?"

You know how some kids change what they want to be when they grow up every so often. I remember not really changing it. I wanted to be a teacher, for as long as remember. I remember having this ping-pong table at our house, and when it was time to play outside, me and my cousins would play school. The ping-pong table was green, and big, and it looked like a chalkboard, and we would literally use it as such. I would be the teacher and my brothers and cousins would be my students. I would even make a roll sheet to look like the ones that the teachers have. 

As I got older, being a teacher stayed with me. It was in college where I really realized that I enjoyed working with children. 

Another thing that I dreamed about when I was little was going to college. My parents were always encouraging us and telling us that education was important. So I knew that I wanted to go to college. 

Another goal was that by age 25, I wanted to have a college degree, my career set, married and possibly a baby on the way. 

Where am I right now? Well I graduated from college a year ago. And I working as a tutor and job hunting  to try to get more experience working with kids. But as of 1 week ago, I have been questioning whether educating is my main goal. I think I've come at a crossroads, because I'm not sure what I want to do. And I'm getting a little anxious about it. 

I'm turning 25 this year, I have graduated from college, I haven't officially started by career, and prince charming is nowhere in sight. At 23, I was freaking out about not "having my life together", but now I'm . I'm still trying to figure myself out. I'm enjoying life as much as I can right now and i'm excited to see what happens next. So many people around me seem to have their path set, which I admire, and some like me are on our way. And although I might get anxious and frustrated because things aren't going the way I planned them to be, I know it's going to be okay. 

How do your "when I grow up" plans compare to your life now? 

I wish for.. Confidence {The Girl Between The Lines}

Check out this amazing link-up!! 
This week: Tell us about a trait you look up to or admire in someone in your life and why!
I'm surrounded by so many strong, amazing women in my life. One of the things that they have in common and one of the many reasons why I admire them is because they radiate CONFIDENCE. 

Confidence - myfairytaleeverafter

I thought about showcasing one of them, but I just couldn't pick. I look up to my mom, my grandmothers, my cousins, my friends, because they are determined, they are passionate, and they are confident in themselves, their life, their jobs, their families, and their passions in life. 
 Although they might have their off days, and sometimes things don't go the wall they planned to, but I could just tell that they will always get through it. I'm so proud of every single of them, and I admire them because they never give it. I admire because they believe in themselves, and they make things happen.  I admire them because when someone says they can't do it, they prove them wrong. I admire them because they make their dreams come true, no matter the bumpy roads. I admire them because they choose to shine. I admire them because they are confident in what they wear, in the skin they are in, in the choices they make, and in who they have become. 

Choose to Shine - soitsbeensaid.tumblr

I hope that by being surrounded by these amazing women, some of their confidence sprinkles on to me. I love you ladies, thank you for allowing me to see what confidence looks like!! Please never let anyone bring down your confidence or your dreams. 
What do you admire most about your loved ones?

Change in 2014 {The Girl Between the Lines}

Check the link-up for upcoming prompts and join us. :) 

This Week: What is one thing you will do differently in 2014? Why do you want to change that one thing? 

HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody!!!! I hope you have all started off 2014 surrounded by the people you love. I can't believe that 2013 passed us by, and that 2014 is here already. 2013 had its downs, tough times, and some tears, but the ups, the smiles, and the good times have overshadowed all of them. 2013 was good, but I want 2014 to be even better. 

I just turned 24 last week, so I want 2014 to be the year where I can start accomplishing some of the goals and dreams that I still haven't completed. In order for this to happen, I need to start putting myself out there, more. I'm a little shy, and although I feel like taken a huge step forward since like my high school years, there is still time for improvement. 

So this 2014: 

•  I vow to myself to put myself out there in the world. 
• I vow to be even more determine in myself when looking for jobs and figuring out what career path to take. 
• I vow to be more open to new ideas, new nights out and even nights in. 
• I vow to be more out there when it comes to dating. 
• I vow to be more open within my friendships. 
• I vow to not be too stressed if something didn't happen the way I wanted it to or when I planned to. 
• I vow to always be filled with love and happiness towards my friends and family, and to myself.
• I vow to be more confident in myself, as a person and as a blogger. 
• I vow to be more open to myself and my followers, and to become a better blogger.
• I vow to not worry to much about financial issues, so that they won't stop me from enjoying life.
• I vow to try new things, go to new places. 
• I vow to be more spontaneous.
•  and finally I vow to have as much fun as possible!!

Goodbye 2013!!! Bring it on 2014!!! 

P.S don't forget to enter my Birthday/Christmas giveaway and you can win a $10 Starbucks card and one of these handmade scarves (of your choice) - only 4 more days

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Go-To Meal {The Girl Between The Lines}

I just, like now, found about this wonderful link up hosted over at A Beautiful Exchange and The Albrechts Blog called The Girl Between the Lines. It's a pretty amazing link-up, where we get to know each other a little bit better. Each week the ladies have a different topic. 

This Week: What is Your Go-To Meal? I'm such a foodie and I love so many dishes. But I think my go-to meal would be Chicken Salad, or as my family calls it "Ensalada de Navidad" aka "Christmas Salad." (perfect timing right?)

It's probably one of the easiest thing to make.  Chicken Salad Ingredients:  Chicken Mayonaise (about 4 spoonsful, or desired) Sour Cream (about 1 spoonful) Mixed Vegetables (fresh or canned)  Salt (to taste)
Directions: - Boil your chicken until nice and tender - Shred your chicken and mix in your mixed vegetables.  - Add the mayo and sour cream and mix everything together. 
See the easiest thing ever. I also used to add cooked pasta, also very yummy. So people add olives, tomatoes, and other vegetables, which I think would be delish as well. 

Here is a little history about this dish. So i mentioned that my family calls it "Christmas Salad." Why, you may ask? Well the first reason is because it apparently looks like Christmas. The mayo and the chicken makes the "snow" and the mixed vegetables with the peas, and corn, and carrots, make up the tree and the ornaments. Uhhhhh.. I don't know, okay? I don't know. (Smh) I think our parents would just tell us this when we were younger so that we will eat it.. hahah. 
The second reason, and I think the one that touched me the most, was just explained last week. When I asked my aunt, why it was called Ensalada de Navidad. She told us that back when they were younger and living in Mexico, they didn't have much money, and a delicacy like chicken and even mayo was not affordable. But when Christmas time rolled around, they would eat this yummy Chicken Salad, so the name Ensalada de Navidad stuck. 
When I was away at college. I remember me and my roomies would always make this salad, because it was so fast. We would add the pasta so that it could last us longer. And believe me we survived off one batch of Chicken Salad for a little bit more than a week.