teacups and cinnamon

My dear cousin Irena K. and her love Andrey B. got married on February 2nd, 2013. I attended the wedding with my family and I brought along my camera. They had a professional photographer (who btw, was incredible!) but I decided to bring it to capture a few candid shots. And for practice of course. At that time, the camera was fairly new, and I had no idea how to use it. So that's why some of the photos are a bit funky. But nonetheless, i think a few of the photos turned out really nice :) It's taken me months to get these photos up because I was always so busy with school and other things. But finally I found myself two days where I could just sit down and go through a couple hundred pictures and work on them. I know they're not perfect, but hey, they capture the day and the happiness of the newlyweds. Enjoy!

Hey everyone!! I've got a really tasty recipe for you all today! :) These are twice baked, stuffed potatoes! Filled with a load of delicious ingredients (cheese, sour cream, half-and-half, butter!), these aren't the healthiest per se, but hey, having them twice a year won't hurt ;) 

Hi there! First of all, I gotta let you know that you are about to see the most amazing looking muffins you've ever probably laid eyes on (no joke). And second of all, those amazing looking muffins you are about to see are delicious. Nuff said. 

So this last Saturday, my boyfriend Vitali and I went hiking! woooo! :D It probably wasnt the best idea for me, because i had a pretty intense workout the day before, so i was sore as heck! And hiking with sore legs is no bueno. We headed up to Mt. Rainier National Park and hiked up at Sunrise Hiking. Click read more to view the rest of the pictures :)

Hi guys!!! So my parents finally let me go camping without them! I know I know, how lame... I'm 20 years old and my parents still treat me like a child. But that's ok, I liked camping with them ;) they would provide all the food and all the cleanup and I didn't have to pay for anything.... ;) But, in all truth, camping with parents is BORING. So so boring. Camping with friends is a million times funner, better, more exciting, more awesome, and all the other adjectives that can describe it.

I can't believe another year has gone by! It felt just like yesterday that I was getting up early and fearfully taking the bus to my new school, Seattle Pacific University. I remember that day so vividly, as if it was just last week. I was a little nervous about starting at a new school, especially one so different than the University of Washington. It was such a tiny school and everyone was greeting each other and hugging, something that you would never see at the gigantic UW. My classes were also tiny, and everyone knew each other--which again gave me a nervous feeling, since I didn't know anyone. But only after a few days, I had made several friends (who are really great people!) 

It took me a little while to adjust to SPU, which is normal I suppose. But I adjusted much quicker than I did at UW. I made great relationships with some fantastic professors and made lots of friends who were also studying Nutrition, which was awesome! Though I did have several awful classes, it wasn't as bad as the awful classes I had back at UW. There was still someone I could talk to during class (and complain with, lol). 

There were a few quarters that I was incredibly overwhelmed, especially spring quarter. But I got through it. I didn't realize how difficult nutrition could be, especially since chemistry and science aren't my best subjects (as most anyone would know, lol). A lot of times I found myself overwhelmingly stressed out and anxious about my grades. There were moments that I didn't believe I could do it. But I overcame it, with the help of some friends who told me I could, and now I'm happy I didn't give up!! 

I've been in school for two years now, and that's so hard to believe! I know this is cliche, but it still feels like I just graduated high school... Time flies by so quickly--i wish it'd slow down!! But anyway, this was my little reflection about my year at SPU. Obviously there is so much more I could say but I don't want to bore you. Overall, I am so happy that I transferred to SPU to study something that I love! UW is a great school, but it wasn't for me. I found myself unhappy and depressed so many times. I felt like a nobody, pressure was getting at me. SPU's close-knitness really suits me :) I also love the fact that it's a Christian university.

I'm excited for next year--not for the rigorous classes I'll be taking, but for the people and events. I'm going to be a volunteer at SPU's Community Kitchen along with some good friends, and I am excited!! But for now, I am going to forget about school and relax, for I am exhausted! Finals really took a toll on me this year. 

This picture was taken at SPU during winter. I wish I had a better picture at school, but unfortunately I don't. Next year I'll make sure to take some pictures!! (I also don't have pictures from UW, which is incredibly sad.. oh well.....)