Sunday, October 31, 2010

Day 07: My Best Friend

My best friend is definitely my little sister: Mina. 

She is my mini-me! The younger, cuter, smarter version of me. She's 19 years old, about to turn 20 in a few weeks, attends Virginia Tech (following in my footsteps), and is one super cool bad-ass chick! ;)

She and I are 4 years apart, but I rarely ever feel the age gap. Actually, sometimes I mistake her to be my older sister, especially when she's giving me such sound advice when I'm an emotional mess or when she is lecturing me about something that I did wrong. Sigh... and I just have to sit there and take it from her because I know that she's right. Our love for each other is so deep you might actually get scared. haha. I would die for this girl and I'm pretty sure she would for me too. (Right, Mina?) Our minds are pretty much always in sync with one another's--you would definitely feel it if you were around us.

There are no words to describe my love for this little munchkin. She's so amazing in every way and I am so proud of her and excited for her life! I will always be there to support her, defend her and love her. 
If you don't know her, I definitely recommend that you get to know her. Also... what better life than having TWO MC's in your life? Hehee~!! ;)

Love you little sis! <3

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

I was doing so well...

Hey guys,

I know I've been slacking off in my 30 Day Challenge, and I apologize for that (especially to those of you who actually count on my blog to get you through 10 minutes of work without feeling the urge to kill yourselves). I just haven't been feeling inspired to write. Every time I came to my laptop to write my Day 7 entry, I would start, then delete everything I wrote because it didn't sound right. I wouldn't want to give you guys anything less than the "Elle Standard" hehehe :P

Anywayyyys... I finally got to finishing the Day 7 entry and pressed "Publish Post" when something went wrong with the server and it didn't go through. The 'not going through' I can deal with... But it didn't even save my latest and greatest entry!!!!!!!! I'm so frustrated and now I'm really not inspired. Haha... Sorry guys but this entry might have to wait until the moment I feel the spark that ignites my writing engine.

<3 you all! Thanks for your patience! ;)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Day 06: My Day

Today was a great day! Probably my most productive and eventful day since I got sick last weekend. Yesterday, I started feeling sick again but after a nice, long sleep, I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and renewed. I went downstairs and made myself an egg and cheese sandwich on an English muffin. It was freakin' delicious. Then after I digested, I went outside for a run because A) the weather was so gorgeous, and B) it was much needed. After I showered, I watched some football, some Sex and the City (yeah, interesting combo, I know...) and then ate Chipotle. Since I was already at Fairfax Corner, two of my girlfriends came to join me for some coffee talk at Caribou Coffee. It was so cold inside the shop so we went outside towards the theatre to check times for movie showings, only to find out that we JUST missed the showing for The Social Network, which I heard was a great flick. So we were just standing around the middle area where the "water fountain" is. For those of you who have never been to Fairfax Corner, there is a circle where water sporadically shoots out from the ground. There were a bunch of high school kids being kids, running through the circle--some getting wet, some making it through without getting a single drop on them. Anyway, my friends and I stood there for a good 15 minutes just watching these kids brave the risk of getting soaked, running through water and just having so much fun. We thoroughly enjoyed watching them, as stupid of an "activity" as it was, but this just goes to show the excitement of suburban life. After we went our separate ways, I decided to stop by my friend's house... so here I am, at my friend's, updating my blog! Hehe :) That was my day in a nutshell!

(Yes, I missed church today, but that's because I didn't have a car, so don't judge me.) ^^*

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Day 05: My Definition of Love

"What is love?" 

Hm... this one's a tough one. Love can be defined in so many different ways, but I will try my best to share my definition with you (aka I'll have to think of one right now).

Looking back at my past experiences, whether it's love I've encountered through family, friends or God, I think love can be defined by one word: sacrifice. 

My parents loved my sister and I so much that they sacrificed their lives to slave away in their work to provide a comfortable life for us.
My friends have also shown sacrifice in their own lives to be there for me when I most needed them.
God loved us so much that He sacrificed His one and only son to die for our sins.

When you love someone, you sacrifice your time, money, energy and efforts for them to make them happy, but it won't feel like a sacrifice. You choose to do it instead of feeling forced to.

Along with these "sacrifices", love is also practicing patience. Think about it, aren't you more patient with the ones you love? You hold your tongue when normally you would say regretful remarks. You let them go ahead of you when you've actually been waiting patiently to be next. And basically, you think of them before thinking of yourself. It's actually a combination of patience and sacrifice.

Like I said, there are many different definitions of love. You can agree or disagree with me. This just happens to be my definition of love.

Friday, October 08, 2010

Day 04: What I ate today

So let me just start off by saying I was almost positive that today was "What I wore" so here I am taking pictures of my outfit, detailed photos of my accessories... and in the midst of taking a picture of my ring, one of the pearls fell off and went down the drain, into my sink to be forever forgotten. And might I add this was a one-of-a-kind, handmade artisan ring that I purchased from this old man in Florence, Italy!!! Ahhhh I'm soooo sad! All for a stupid picture! :( Well, these pictures are no longer going to waste, so you can find them on my fashion blog ELLEGANCE. Can you hear the bitterness in my voice?

" So MOVING ON! "

What I ate today was kind of really exciting for me. I've been sheltered in my house for 5 days since Sunday because I was sick with a contagious disease. However, today was my first day out and about, so I was extremely excited to escape the cabin fever! So my first meal today had actually been planned for two days hehe... so when we went to go eat it, I was sooooo stoked! I'm fairly easy to please when it comes to food.

My sister and I went to go eat PHO today! YUMMY! If you've never had pho, I feel so bad for you. It's a vietnamese noodle dish that comes in a delicious beef broth. You can add whatever fix-ins you desire. My personal preference is a list of the following: lime, jalepeno peppers, a little bit of cilantro, a couple basil leaves, and a bunch of bean sprouts. Then I squeeze in a little bit of siracha sauce into the soup for a kick, and stir it in. I like to let my bean sprouts sit and cook a bit at the bottom. Oh, and I can't forget the crispy spring rolls that we ate as an appetizer.


After out delicious "pho"st meal (first meal... get it? ha, ha...) we went to meet up a few friends at this new frozen yogurt shop in Centreville called BLUBERI! I loveee their tart froyo. It's a perfect mix of tart and creamy. It's delicious. I ordered half blueberry flavor and half green tea flavor and added some pomegranate seeds into the mix. It was sooo good! :)



I don't know what I'll be having for dinner yet but if it's worth sharing, I'll be sure to edit it in! :)

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Day 03: My Parents

My parents are kind of a big deal. They stand alongside heroic stars like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman... just to name a few. They're the reason why I am who I am today.
Their names? Sandy and Jidon.

Both of my parents are of Korean descent. They met while they both lived in Korea and were introduced to each other through his mother and her brother. (Somehow they knew each other.) Well, it sure wasn't love at first site... it wasn't until their second meeting (after a few years had passed) that they hit it off and fell in love. Well, we fast forward through a couple years and there they are leaving for America--the land of opportunity--woot woot! There had actually been several periods of time when they had to be separated--dad was in NY, mom was still in Korea--but eventually, they started their life together here in good ol' VA. Virginia was where they raised both my little sister and I. (Even though I often complain about having lived my whole life in VA, I'm pretty grateful for it being VA. It is a great place to grow up.)

The reason why I say my parents are kind of a big deal and compare them to superheroes is because I've seen them go through tons of struggles together, but through it all, their love still stands strong. Take a look at them today, after 26 years together, their romance is still alive and the spark is still as strong as ever. And I mean, they did raise two pretty awesome girls as well.... haha. ;)

A glimpse into what they've been through:
Back in 1991, one grey morning, our apartment burned on fire. The fire was so big that basically nothing could be salvaged. All of their hard work, they had to see it go down in flames; but that didn't discourage them. They just had to start all over again. And they did.
They've had people wrong them, people use them, but somehow things always work out in the end for them. I believe this is all through God's grace because they are such strong warriors of Christ. God always sends them one blessing after another, because they do show persistence and faith, and when he does, they always give those gifts back to Him to further His kingdom.

My mom is especially a woman of prayer. I've seen her go through so much struggle, especially on her end, and I'ver never really seen her at a weak point--as sensitive and emotional of a woman as she can be--she always remains so strong and ever faithful. I look up to her so much. She's taught me to live a life of prayer, to seek Him through the good and the bad. She's always telling me, "Michelle, don't forget to pray and spend time with God!"
When I look at my mom's life, I'm always so amazed at how she can be so faithful and so strong, but behind a strong woman, I see a loving Father.  It's definitely challenged me to be at least half the person that she is today.

I love my parents to death. And I'm so grateful for their love and suffering which brought me the blessed life I live today.

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Day 02: My First Love

When it comes to my first love, it may be a similar story to all my sisters.

My first love happened when I was in 1st grade. When I was young. Naive. Childish. But this first love, was so real, so unlike anything I've ever experienced even 'til this day. This lover really is a different lover. He satisfied my heart like no other man can satisfy. His love never ends or changes. It's unconditional. It's warming. It makes you feel good even when you feel like you've wronged Him in the worst possible way.

I met this first love when I was in 1st grade, and it all happened at a church revival. This was where I was really saved and "born again". He opened my eyes to something so new. Although I was young, it was a very mature relationship. I began to love Him and quickly learned of His love for me. I nurtured a caring relationship with Him and we talked every single day. My heart was on fire and even for me to look back on it today, I feel so blessed to have developed such a passionate relationship with my lover so early on. And to feel His love in my life ever since.

Although the relationship was dwindled in the past few years, the foundation is still strong as a rock, and I know that there will never be anyone to replace His place in my heart. After all, it belongs to Him. This love is not something that can or will ever be changed. Because He loved me first, I will love Him forever. My first love is Jesus.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

30 Day Challenge!


This is something that I stole from my friend Jessica's Tumblr. It was cute and I wanted to try it out, but since it's personal fun, I thought I'd do the "challenge" here on La Dolce Vita instead of ELLEGANCE.
I haven't done anything like this since Xanga days lol.. so it should be interesting. Hope you follow along in my 30 day journey to reveal things about myself that you never knew... and enjoy! 

The challenge:
Day 01: Introduce yourself
Day 02: Your first love, in great detail
Day 03: Your parents, in great detail
Day 04: What you ate today, in great detail
Day 05: Your definition of love, in great detail
Day 06: Your day, in great detail
Day 07: Your best friend, in great detail
Day 08: A moment, in great detail
Day 09: Your beliefs, in great detail
Day 10: What you wore in great detail
Day 11 : Your siblings, in great detail
Day 12 : What’s in your bag, in great detail
Day 13 : This week, in great detail
Day 14 : What you wore today, in great detail
Day 15 : Your dreams, in great detail
Day 16 : Your first kiss, in great detail
Day 17 : Your favorite memory, in great detail
Day 18 : Your favorite birthday, in great detail
Day 19 : Something you regret, in great detail
Day 20 : This month, in great detail
Day 21 : Another moment, in great detail
Day 22 : Something that upsets you, in great detail
Day 23 : Something that makes you feel better, in great detail
Day 24 : Something that makes you cry, in great detail
Day 25 : A first, in great detail
Day 26 : Your fears, in great detail
Day 27 : Your favorite place, in great detail
Day 28 : Something that you miss, in great detail
Day 29 : Your aspirations, in great detail
Day 30 : One last moment, in great detail

By the time I complete this, it will be my birthday! Yay~ So here I go!

[DAY 01]: Introduce Yourself.

My real name is Michelle Choi. I go by Elle on my blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube. It's a good change and more fun to put a spin on ("ellegance"). I am 23 years old, turning 24 in a month! EEK! 24 is the last year before people start saying "it's all downhill from there". I graduated from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) last May in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management. Am I using that degree right now? Not necessarily. Haha. I'm kind of in a point in my life right now where I'm trying to figure out what I want to be now that I am "grown up". It's confusing, frustrating but at the same time a little bit freeing. I love to travel--I don't think anyone can ever travel too much. I also love to do yoga, sing, cook for my family and friends, and anything really that involves a good time! I'm pretty optimistic 99.9% of the time and usually very cheery. I think in order to live a good life, you have to enjoy it. So I think that's a pretty good introduction of myself. Feel free to add something if I haven't already mentioned it hehe~

Thanks for reading! :)