Goals for 2018

I

Hello, Readers! I can't believe that is 2018.  How did you spend New Years Eve? I am not a party type and keep it simple celebration. Due to weather, I stayed home with my family. We relaxed and watch tv all day. Drank hot drinks all day. So much has happen in 2017 and i hope that 2018 is full of adventures.  There are some goals that i hope to accomplish in 2018

•  Keep my room and desk organized this year. 
• Practice hand lettering
• Study and Pass the GRE
• Try not to procrastinate on homework and other important tasks
• Stay consistent with Bible reading
• Apply to graduate schools
• Get a summer internship
• Show kindness to others in small or big ways.
• Have more faith and worry less.
• Blog on a consistent schedule. I am thankful for those who have stuck with me even though i don't always post.

I hope to reach these goals to the best of my abilities. I would love to hear about some of your goals. Let us encourage one another to keep our goals.

~Liu Miao~

A reflection of 2017

I can't believe 2017 is coming to an end. I decided to include my best nine from Instagram.  I love that 3 of 9 pictures are Vietnamese food.This year was so amazing. It was full of adventure and growth for me personally and for A Word with Liu Miao. Here are some thoughts about this year:

• I went on my first international trip alone. It was kinda scary and stressful ; however, I am so glad that I went. I have wonderful memories with great people.

• I have meet so many bloggers this year through Instagram and facebook blogging groups. I love how this community is so helpful.

• The blog is growing. I have gained new readers and so excited to see the growth. I tried to connect with new readers this past year. In the new year, I will work to blog on a schedule. I am working to make A Word for Liu Miao better for readers in the new year. If you have any suggestions, comment below.

• One important lesson that I am learning is Trust on God. This theme was very noticeable to me this year. God didn't have the answer that I wanted but He had the answer that was right for me.( though I don't always like his answer)
  

• Making decisions is hard to do. This involves trusting God too. I decided my major for college, and I decided to postpone major surgery.

What are some important things that happen in your life? I would love to hear how 2017 went for you.

Have a good week.

~Liu Miao~

Christmas Traditions

Hello readers, I can't believe Christmas is quickly approaching. The year has gone so fast this year. I really enjoy because it represents Joy of our Saviour. I love the christmas lights and christmas songs. Christmas traditions is one of my favourite things about the holiday since christmas traditions are only done during this time of the year. Here are some of my christmas traditions:

• Listen to christmas music. I prefer to listening to christmas music after Thanksgiving. This year I started listing to  christmas music early because I am doing special music at my church in December so I needed to learn the songs

• Watch Christmas movies. Some of my favourite movies include: Christmas in Connecticut, Hallmark Christmas movies, It's a Wonderful Life, the Santa Clause series, The Christmas Shoes. (* This is not sponsored and these are all my own opinions)

• Christmas Desserts. I love making christmas desserts and eating them too. Some of my favourites include Peppermint bark, Christmas Hash ( it is a mixture of sweet and salty ingredients with melted almond bark so it sticks together. Kinda like making a potatoe has casserole but a dessert.)

• Going to Christmas Eve Service at my church. I have done it ever since I can remember

• On Christmas morning, my family reads the christmas story from the Bible before we open presents. This is to help us remember the true meaning of Christmas which is Christ is the true meaning. 

I would love to hear about your family Christmas traditions. I think it is interesting to learn what others do for the holiday. Have a great week and Merry Christmas.

~Liu Miao~

I am thankful for....

Thanksgiving is over but I can still tell you what I am thankful for. I love this holiday because it helps us to remember to be thankful for things in life. Yes life can be extremely hard but there is something to be thankful for even if it something small. I would like to share what I am thankful for list.

My family: God allowed me to be adopted into a good family. I love my family even though we don't always agree with everything. I know that my family loves me and cares for me.

My basic needs: they  are taken care of for example, food, medical care, a home etc. I know that not everyone has the opportunity to have these things  and I appreciate having these things.

Friends: Friends make like more fun. Friendship is powerful.

Switzerland: I really love the Swiss chocolate. but No I am really thankful for my ayi and friends from Switzerland. I was very welcomed when I went in the summer. Switzerland holds a big place in my heart.

My Church family: they care about me and teach me about God and how to be the best Christian I can be.

Education: I know that not everyone has the opportunity to go to college. I am very blessed to go and have the opportunity to educate myself so I can help others.

Health care: I am super thankful for this. I can get steroid shots, and pain medicine which are not super expensive.

I save the best one for last... God. I am super thankful for  HIM. He is the reason why we are here. He gives me comfort that he is in control ( though sometimes I don't trust His timing). He takes our brokenness and makes us into new creations.

~Liu Miao~

Be a tortoise

(picture from Pinterest)

    This is a an odd name for a title, don't you think? This title is based of a story that I read as a child. It is the story of the tortoise  and rabbit. The rabbit and turtle race against each other. The rabbit believes that he will win because he is faster than the tortoise. Somehow the tortoise wins the race. I saw this quote online "it doesn't matter how long it takes you to finish as long as you finish.". I love this quote so much.
     In my own life, I have felt like I was the slow person in everything I do. In doing physical activities, I felt slow and was not the fastest person. I learned that it is ok to be slow and enjoy doing the activity. It's ok if I don't win which is a hard lesson for me to accept. ( I am very competitive). There are some things that take me longer to do than most people.  I was much older when I go my permit. I honestly felt like a loser because I wasn't driving like my friends.
    Even though I may take longer to do things than most people, I learned to finish things even if I am the last person across the finish line. I am learning patience while waiting to do things that other people get to do before me.

I apologize for  not posting much. I have not had much creative juices flowing for posts. When I put a post on the blog, I want to do my best. Not post just to post. Thank you for staying with me while I have been absent in reading. There will be more posts coming soon. Have a great week!. On a side note, who thinks a tortoise is supper cute? If anyone wants to buy me a tortoise or something with a tortoise on it, I would be happy person and hug you forver.

~Liu Miao~

Blessed to Bless

( picture from Pinterest)

About a week ago, I was at my bible college group. I love going to this group when I come. It is a great time of fellowship and being in the Bible together. We were in 2nd Corinthians 9:6-13 and on verse 13 someone summarized that verse in these words "Blessed to Bless".

2nd Corinthians 9:13 says "Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all"

This verse really stuck in my mind this week and this verse was convicting me.  God has blessed us through Christ and we are suppose to share that good news. There are many ways to share the gospel. You don't have to preach a sermone to someone. You can share about the gospel in 5 minutes while checking out. My dad likes to wear shirts with a spiritual message and people ask him what the shirts mean. This gives him a chance to share the gospel in a short amount of time.  These are subtle ways to share the gospel. I think that this verse can apply to other blessings that God has given us in life. In this world, it can be hard to be grateful. There is so much advertisement for the newest model of something and that we should buy the new model. We have so many blessings in our lives. Family, the gift of life,  food, the opportunity of education, and having a place to live are some of the blessings that many of us and sometimes take for granted. I have caught myself complaining so much even though I have so many blessings in m life. I need to stop and think about them. If you don't have one or more of these blessings, you can still bless someone. You can comfort someone who is going through a similar struggle and being able to relate to someone can impact someone in big ways. This is such a good reminder for me. Though my struggles are hard, I can help someone with the same or similar struggles.There are so many ways to bless people besides giving money. Giving your time to help them, send an encouraging text or card, or just listening to them are ways to bless people.

Have a wonderful week.

~Liu Miao~

Half way there

For many of us in college(at least in the US), October signifies the midpoint of the semester. This means midterms are coming up. Midterms is the week that professors give exams at the midpoint of the semester. This can be a very stressful time if you have all your exams in one week. Not all professors give exams during midterms. I was very happy that I had my exams early this semester. I actually like midterm week because it means that the semester is half way there.  Today, I will share some tips that can help you prepare for this week

1. Study ahead of time. it will be less stressful if you study in chunks and not all at one.  One will learn more when taking time to learn the material.

2. Don't do all nighters. This is not good. You need sleep to function. Being to exhauseted can cause a person to do poorly on an exam.

3. Eat food. healthy foods help your brain to function. It is so tempting to eat a whole bunch of junk foods or just not eat at all. Fruits are a good snack or salad.

4. Take a little  time for fun. There needs to be a balance. It is not good to study for 8 hours straight. Your brain needs a break. Take 10-15 minute breaks then go back to study.

5. Stay hydrated. This is very important. Water helps your body to function properly.

6. Try to eliminate distraction as much as possible. If you get distracted by your phone, keep your phone on silent for a little bit in order to study. If you need a quiet space, go study somewhere quiet. If friends distract you, don't study with them. It is good to find out what distracts you from studying and try to eliminate it. 

Have a good week of midterms. The semester is almost halfway there.  I would love to hear about any tips that have helped you during midterms week. Celebrate afterwards for surviving a stressful week(s) of exams. Have a good weekend full of studying and FUN.

~Liu Miao~

21 lessons

Hello readers! I hope everyone is having a good holiday and enjoying the long weekend. My weekend consisted of sleeping, homework, and some fun. Happy Labour Day and it is also my birthday.  I am turning 21 and I can't believe that I'm turning 21. It doesn't seem that long ago I was turning 13.  Today I wanted to share 21 lessons that I have learned. These are not in order of importance.

1. Learning how to cook is important. I love using new recipes. One should not eat out all the time or buy takeaway.
2. College isn't that scary. It seems intimidating but there are many people/resources to help you.
3. Chocolate and bread is an amazing snack.
4. Not all Swiss mountains have snow year round.
5. knowing a second language( or more)  is important. you will never known when you will have to use that language(s).
6. It is ok to change your goals in life. I changed my major in college.
7. Don't let people discourage you
8. My identity is in Christ. It is Him who defines who I am. Ethnicity, gender, personality and etc are apart of me but they don't define me. I am nothing without  Christ.
9. Comparison is not good and makes you ungrateful.
10. Don't worry. God is in control. His answer may be different than you expected.
11. Tea is amazing
12. Blogging community  is very welcoming and helpful.
13. Hand lettering helps keep me calm.
14. Changes are hard
15. International traveling can be stressful but it is so much Fun.
16. To do lists are super helpful.
17. Memories from the pasts can hurt.
18. time management is hard.
19. think before talking
20. technology is a great way to keep in touch with friends.
21. Community within your family, friends is important

I hope you enjoyed reading 21 lessons that I have learned. Have a good holiday and great semesters. I would love to hear some lessons that you have learned.

~Liu Miao~

Confetti Please

Hello Readers,

     Confused by this title right? Recently, I hand letter a quote that I got off pinterest. This quote got me thinking about a problem that many of us struggle with including myself: Comparing oneself to another person. Why is comparison bad? It can bring:

•Unhealthy competition
•low self esteem
•talking bad about other people
•ungratefulness

We need to encourage one another. It is ok if someone is better at something than  you. This will cause two reactions from you: Bring all the negative emotions mentioned previously or it will cause you to strive to be better at that something. You can also encourage others to look on the positive.Let's consider the flip side. If you are really talented in one area, try to help those who are struggling in that area. If everyone  encouraging someone by helping them in someway, then there isn't time for comparison. This reminds me of the #communityofcompetition. The blogging community is like #communityovercompetition.I have met some amazing bloggers online. There are bloggers that are better than me but this causes me to work harder on my blog. There are many times that I have received advice from many bloggers and many times that I have given advice to fellow bloggers. Please remember to spread kindness like confetti.

~Liu Miao~

Blogger Recognition Award

Hello readers, I was nominated for the Blogger Recognition award by forthesakeofgoodtaste.  Thank you so much for nominating me. As a blogger it is nice to be recognized by other bloggers. The blogging community is so nice and I have met some great people. I like to see how people can write about the same subject but see something different in that subject. I discovered this blog through Instagram and I enjoy reading this blog. It is a super interesting and helpful blog.

The rules of this award are:

"Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog
Write a post to show your award
Give a brief story of how your blog started
Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers
Select 15 other bloggers you want to give this award to
Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you created ( for the sake of good taste)"

How I started blogging:

I started blogging towards the end of my first semester of college. I wanted a creative outlet and I enjoyed writing. Blogging involves helping people and I wanted to help people through the lessons that I have learned. I also wanted to encourage people through my blog and to build community.

Advice to new bloggers:

  -Be Personal. As a blogger, I want to be honest with my readers. My life isn't perfect and I won't always get a blog post out every week. It is tempting to portray a perfect life especially in social media but this is not the case. Who wants to be around a perfect person?  Generally speaking, being personal attracts more people. It is ok to share a little bit of personal life on the blog.

   - Have a social media account and interact.
This is very important and helps get your blog out there. Most people have one form of social media. Social media is a great tool to share  about your blog quickly. Referring back to my first tip, be personal on the social media.  Don't just post about your blog because you will look like whole bunch of ads. Post about your life occasionally. Social media also gives the opportunity to interact with readers and fellow bloggers. Interacting offers benefits of meeting/learning from fellow bloggers and connecting with readers.

Bloggers I nominate:

Fiona Gaile  @  fiona gaile
Emily @ emsessentials
Tori @  The Freckled Prep
Kaylan@  honestwomanhood
Dani @ danidearest
Samantha@  aslifegrows
Tanna@  collartocollar
Allison@  cacocoblog
Maddy@  nogreaterloveblog
Melissa@  elephantontheroad
Megan@   apronstringsandstickyfingers
Hannah@   honestlyhannahblog
Hannah E. Hay@    alifetransformedblog
Amanda@       thehappyarkansan
Riley @       northernprepster.com

Thank you again For the Sake of good taste for nominating me. The bloggers that I nominated write amazing content on their blogs. Show some love and go check out their blogs.

~Liu Miao~

5 important back to school supplies

Hello readers! School is approaching very quickly. I am a little sad that summer is ending but excited for the new opportunities in college. There is so much to prepare before the first day of classes. Recently, I finished buying my school supplies. I love buying school supplies because it makes me excited for classes. Today I will share 5 important school supplies and I will also include the electronic version for the techies out there.
Thoughts to consider : This post is not sponsored and I purchased these items myself. All opinions are my own and honest.

- Notebooks/Note taking apps

It is important to take notes in your classes. I prefer taking notes by hand. Sometimes I like to type out my notes. I love using the One Note App or Evernote app. These are great apps to take notes electronically and you can sync them to other devices. Evernote has paid upgrades but the free option works great.

 -Pens, Pencils and highlighters/ there are electronic versions of pens/ pencils and highlighters

I like sharpie pens and papermate pens. I prefer fine tip pens. I don't have a preference for pencils. Sharpie highlighters are my favorite. If I take notes on my compute, I use a stylus pen or type my notes. Microsoft Word and other note taking apps offer a drawing option and highlighter option.

 - Planner/ google calendar etc

I have used an academic planner, monthly planner and currently the happy planner. I prefer a physical copy. Hand writing something is important for me. I have heard that Google Calendar is good and you can sync your google calendar to your different devices. I know with Apple devices you can sync your calendar

 -Books/ ebooks.

If your professor says that a textbook will be use, then it is important to get one. I rent  or buy used textbooks.  Paperback books are cheaper than  hardcover books. It you have to buy an access code, buy it from the publisher.(it is $15-20 cheaper). I believe that you learn more when one reads the textbooks. Many textbooks offer an ebook. I would recommend this because it is usually cheaper. Sometimes you can't get an ebook because there is only a hard copy printed.

 -Sitcky Notes/ sticky notes app

I like to take notes while I read my textbooks but I don't want to mark up the book. What is the solution? Sticky notes are the answer. I love Post-It-Notes I can stick them easily in my book. They also an help me keep my place in a book. You can write quick reminders on sticky notes. There are sticky notes app if you prefer an electronic version

These are the school supplies that have helped me in college and keep me organized. What are your tope 5 back to school supplies? Have a great week. and good luck on going back to school soon.

~Liu Miao~

Start with a Hello

Hello Readers!

     School is starting soon for most of us. Who is excited for the new year? I am! Yes I know that I am a nerd and proud of it.  The new school year gives you  the opportunity to learn something new and meet new people. Meeting new people can be very stressful especially if you are shy.
     How can you overcome this problem? Start with a Hello. This opens the door for conversation. I love meeting new people. College is a great time to do this.  Don't be a  secluded person in college. Yes it is a good to have me time but it is important to socialize  with others. It really isn't  scary making friends in college. In college, there are many opportunities to make friends and here are some examples.

- College Classes.
At some sometime you will have to talk to classmates. There will be group projects or in class projects requiring you to talk with classmates. Starting on a good note will make it less awkward to work with classmates.

- Orientation
This is a great way to meet new people. Everyone is new to the school and talking with people make orientation less boring. Plus you can try to  find out who will be in your classes.

-Social events on campus
I meet many people through social events at my university. It is nice to meet people when it is in a relaxed environment. I love that universities offer many fun activities for their students. It is great to be able to bond with classmates over something that isn't academic related.

Have a great semester. Be brave and say Hello. Friends help make college a wonderful experience. You never know who you will meet.

~Liu Miao~

Disease and Disappointment

Hello everyone! I’m Mary-Faith, and I have lived with chronic illness since I was two years old. I am so excited to be a part of the #SpoonieSeries and hopefully give some encouragement to all of my fellow spoonies out there!

I've been thinking a lot about this post. I've written several things that I felt were inadequate. But what I want to talk to you about today is disappointment - not just any disappointment, but the kind that only those living with chronic illness can understand. 

If you are suffering from any sort of disease, you are going to have disappointments in your life. More than the average person. Maybe that new treatment you were counting on didn't do anything for you. Maybe you had amazing plans that you had been looking forward to, but you had to cancel because you didn't feel up to it. Maybe an amazing opportunity came along, and you had to pass it up. Whatever it may be, it will come, and it will be a feeling you become familiar with. 

So how do you deal with it? I have found that it becomes easier with time. It will still hurt, but your heart will accept it just a little bit easier. You will be used to it, and it will become second nature. 

This is the plan that God has for you right now. He has put you in this place at this time for a reason. We need to trust him most when it is the hardest to do so. We need to hang on to His promises always. I am a rational person, but if there is anyone that I should be willing to follow into the dark and unknown, it is my Heavenly Father. 

Right now you might be thinking, "Wow, Mary-Faith, that sounds great. So how do I do it?"

Well, you do it one step at a time. One day at a time. Trust takes practice. Obedience takes a choice. And then you have to do it over and over again until it becomes easier. As humans, it will never become ingrained into our being to automatically follow God. But the more that we choose to do so, the closer to immediate it becomes. The less we have to think about it, and the easier it is to just do. 

So, when you are facing these disappointments head on, when you are struggling to explain why you can't do something to people who don't understand, remember that there is Someone who is always on your side, rooting for you, and understanding how you feel (on the inside and the outside) no matter what. 

Thanks Mary for contributing this series. Go check out her blog for some amazing inspiration and great advice. Would you like to be apart of this series?  Email me at liuliumiao@gmail.com
Have a great day.

~Liu Miao~

Take Chances

Hello readers! Today I want to share an important life lesson I am learning. No I don't have this life lesson figured out but I have encountered this life lesson a lot in the past year. Taking chances is very scary. We face this situations frequently. We have two choices: stay in our comfort zone or step out and take chances. I tend to stay in my comfort zone. I don't like chance and I prefer to know what will happen. I am boring.

Here are some situations when I stepped out of my comfort zone:

Then last autumn, I started to step out of my comfort zone. I talked with the Spanish profesora (which I wasn't in her class) and helped her with Mesa de español.  This is where I helped Spanish 1 students practice their Spanish. This was so out of my comfort zone, but this experience helped me so much. 

In the spring, I was the professor's assistant. I helped her in her Spanish 1 class. I was nervous helping her because I wasn't confident in my Spanish.

I participated in my school symposium. This involves making a poster for my presentation and talking about my presentation. Public speaking makes me nervous.

I went to Switzerland by myself. This was an amazing experience. It was my first time flying international. Airports scare me since they are so big. 

In each of these experiences, I had to step out of my comfort zone. I learned so much from theses experiences. My Spanish improved, I learned how to be a TA, public speaking improved, learn to fly international, and make memories in a new country are the things that I gained from the past year. If I had sad no to one of these situations, I would have missed out something amazing. I have learned so much from stepping out of my comfort zone.

~Liu Miao~

Life Update

Hello Readers!

I have been home for almost two weeks. I was in Europe for almost a month. It was such an amazing trip. Sorry that I haven't posted while I was gone or since I have been home. During the trip I was very tired or super busy to post on the blog. Instagram was easier to keep you guys update. Since I have returned, I have been busy with school stuff and been tired( trying to hang out with  friends bed uni starts). Also I have been dealing with some ear problems and I haven't feel up to writing( maybe some writers block?). I did manage to get one post up on the blog the day after I return. Here is what is new with me:

-I start my junior year in the fall!!! I am so excited. Maybe start my project ( still trying to get a professor to accept my project idea)

- I want to try to connect with my readers more. When I read other blogs, I like it when those people connect with the readers. I want my readers have that ability to do it with me. For example: answering comments on Instagram and the blog. I will do more Instagram stories.

- I am going to try to blog more consistently ( though sometimes I may not blog due to my health.)

- I will change my blogging schedule. I will post Mondays!  I think Mondays will work better. I am working on posts. I have so much great content to share with you guys.

~Liu Miao~

5 Tips for international travel as a Spoonie

Hello readers!!! I am back from my trip and I had a wonderful trip. There was so much good things in Switzerland. In a later post, I will share about what to do in Switzerland. As a spoonie, I was nervous about being abroad. You know like break my hip. I did get sick one day but I got better. Here are some tips that can help make your trip easier as a spoonie.

- Assistance at the airport. When I booked my flight, I requested assistance to get to my gate. I can walk but I have trouble walking long distance. My flight was international and I had to get to different terminals by a small train in the airport. Not everyone needs it but assistance is very helpful. If you need to bring medical equipment on the airplane, it is good to let the airlines to know ahead of time.

- Check your health plan or buy travel health plan. I did this because I was in Switzerland for almost a month. I would recommend this because you never know if something happens. Since I am a military dependent, I can go to a military base and get help.

-Drink lots of water!! This is very important for anyone but especially for spoonies. Water will help keep your body healthy. New environment can make your body act weird and you don't want to be dehydrated while on your trip.

-Take breaks. This is so important. There were some days I did many activities and there were days I didn't do as many activities. Also I took small breaks when I did activities. I did a lot of walking but I took small breaks during the different activities.

- Bring your medicine and medical equipment. This one sounds obvious but is very important to remember. If your medicine is liquid, it is good to put it in a ziplock just in case it spills. Make sure that your medicine has the prescription label on it( the label with your name, what the medicine is, why you take it, who prescribe the medicine) just in case the TSA questions you.I always kept my medicine in my hand luggage.

Q&A with Malan

Hello readers,  and greetings from Europe. Today I am doing a Q&A with Malan. I met Malan through Instagram  and discovered her blog. You can read her amazing blog here. The blogging community is so amazing and the ability to meet new bloggers. After a recent collaboration, I wanted to work with another blogger again. I was very happy when Malan agreed to collaborate. We decided to do an interview type post. I am interviewing her on my blog and she interviewed me for her blog. Here are some questions that I asked her. I love getting to know other bloggers better.

1- why did you start blogging ?
I started blogging because I love to write and I have a lot of different interests. I thought surely I could help or inspire someone!

2-What us your comfort food?
My comfort food would have to be Spaghetti! It's so good and reminds me of when I was a kid!

3- Favorite color?
Royal blue is my favorite color

4- what is your favorite subject to blog about?
I love to blog about movies! I do a lot of reviews and I love going to the movies so it's easy to keep up with them!

5- favorite book?
My favorite book is probably the outsiders! I just love that time period and the author. It's a good read!

6- favorite thing to get a Starbucks/ or other coffee shops?
I love iced caramel macchiatos! I can drink them before the ice melts!

7- Favorite movie?
It's hard to choose this one and it really depends on the day and the season but right now I'm just in love with Wonder Woman! It's mega inspiring!

8- Favorite clothing piece ( shorts, tank tops, skirts, etc)

This may be odd but I love crop tops! They are fun and and easy way to be cute but comfortable. I know that's not always the same for everyone but that's just how I am!

Malan is a great blogger and I enjoy reading her blog. Here are some of my favorite posts by her :

School is Important

How to cut a watermelon ( love this life hack and watermelon)

8 ways the Iron Bowl is like the Hunger Games

Thank you again Malan for letting me interview you.  I enjoyed getting to know you better. Hope you all have a great weekend.

~ Liu Miao~

Coffee Time

Hello readers, how are you?  This is my last post before I leave the US. Don't worry! I will have posts while I am gone, I have a coffee post today. Many college students consume a lot of coffee. I like to have coffee all year long.  Here is a lovely picture of my Starbucks from last weekend.   This is an iced coffee with heavy  cream and  8 pumps of caramel in a venti size. It was also under $4.

I enjoy drinking coffee with friends or by myself. (Note:  I do not drink black coffee and I consider cappuccinos and lattes under coffee because you can get these drinks at most places that sell plain coffee.) There is much coffee consumed during the semester because of late nights of studying. I love going to Starbucks, but I like to make my own coffee.

Here is what I like to get at Starbucks:

1. Iced coffee with heaving and 8 pumps of caramel in a grande size ( on a rare occasion venti size)
2. Caramel Frappuccino with extra caramel.
3. Java chip Frappuccino
4. iced caramel macchiato with extra caramel
5. s'mores Frappuccino (only during the summer time at least where I live)

Here is a list of what I like to get a other coffee shops 

1. Hug in a cup hot version ( White Rhino in Cedarhill Texas)
2. caramel frappe at McDonalds ( yes I know this isn't a coffee place but I like their coffee)
3. Coffee at Quick Trio. It is tasty and cheap. 
4. caramel iced coffee from various coffee shops
5. I like cappuccinos( yes I know that it is mostly sugar)
6. I like lattes as long as they are sweet.

Here is how I make my coffee at home. I do not go out for coffee a lot and mostly make my coffee at home.

1. When I want cappuccino, I use a cappuccino mix.
2. When I want iced coffee, first I make regular coffee. I love using strong coffee but sometimes I use instant coffee. Then I chill the coffee over night or for a couple of hours. I add flavor creamer and sometimes milk into the mug the coffee has been chilling in. Creamers I use are : vanilla, caramel vanilla, caramel macchiato , caramel  chocolate. It just depends what creamer is on sell. Then I put ice  in a travel mug or cup if I'm drinking it at home, After that, I add the coffee. I usually make 6-8 ounces of coffee.
3. When I want hot coffee, I do the same process mentioned above except I dot add ice.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I would love to hear how you make coffee and what you like to order at coffe shops.

~Liu Miao~

What Not To Do

Hello readers! Hope your week is going well. This week I'm talking about disability 101. Who has seen the show "What Not to Wear on TLC"? It's a good show.  In this post, it's about " What Not To Do" when encountering someone with a disability.Over the years, I have been asked some personal questions and told some weird statements regarding my disability from adults. I think adults need to mind their own business; however; some people are ok with personal questions being asked. Here are questions that people have said and questions they should have asked.

1-What is wrong with your legs?(I'm just walking around the story and they just stop me). they should ask " Are you ok and need help?" It is rude to ask personal questions when you just met someone.

2-Can I pray for you?( then continue to pray for healing. Remember I don't know these people). I believe in healing, but I don't think you should randomly go up to someone like that. they should have said " Can I pray for you? Then ask if I have any prayer requests."

3-People assuming I need help with things. Just let me do it and I'll let you know if I need help. People assume I can't do something because I have a disability. Do not do this. It may discourage a person with a disability.

4-Don't describe someone as disabled. For example, Jenna who is blind is my neighbor. It would be better to say, Jenna is my neighbor who happens to be blind.

5-I have had people stare at me while I walk. Do not stare at people who have disabilities. I know they are staring at me because they start asking personal questions.

These opinions do not represent all people with disabilities. I hope that this post helps educate people. Just think before you start asking personal questions. Even though someone has a disability, doesn't give you the right to start asking personal questions when you first met someone.

~Liu Miao~

What to do after graduating high school.

     Hello, Readers! Many high schools had there graduations already. It is such an exciting time of transitioning to the college life. The summer before your first semester can be awkward because you are not sure what to do. There is  so much stuff to do for school, but you want to hang out with friends. In this post, I will share what you need to do for school and share fun activities to do with friends before you go to college. There needs to be a balance between work and play; and I will share how to do that.

For School:

1. Take the TSI. This is very important to do before school because it helps determine what level of classes you can take. For example, you would be placed in remedial math class if you scored low on the math portion.
2. Get your meningitis shot. I know it is required in the state of Texas( It may be different in other states of the US or other countries). This is so important to do and don't wait last minute.
3. Go to orientation. Yes it  can be boring , but you learn important information. Campus info( location of buildings/classes, history, organizations/clubs) , how to register for classes, and  meeting new people are some of the things that happen at student orientation. Most orientations, you will also sign up for classes too.  
4. Buy dorm/ school supplies. You will need things for college whether you live on or off campus. I order my books to rent from amazon a month before school starts because that gives me a great price. Some college items go really fast so get them early on in the summer.

Activities to do with friends:

1. Have a movies night.
2. Go out for coffees/ice cream/ milkshakes
3. Have a sleepover
4. Go to the park or museum
5. Build something or do an art project.
6. Go on a road trip.

Enjoy your last summer as a 'kid'. Once you start college, you are an adult. Take one day at a time to accomplish a task for school or activity to do with friends. I would love to hear about your summer plans. Have a great weekend and Happy June.

~Liu Miao~

Disease Doesn't Define

    

     Hello readers! I have another post for the #Spoonieseries. Having a Chronic illness is hard. It is tempting to think that a disease fine a person. A chronic illness is a big part of one's life. I have struggled with this while growing up. I didn't want people to think of me as the girl with a chronic illness. ( I use chronic illness and disability interchangeably because some disabilities include some chronic problems). An illness is only a part of you. You still you no matter what. Yes, there will be times when you might get depressed, but that doesn't change you as a person. Most illness will change your lifestyle somehow, but don't let it stop you from reaching your dreams. Sometimes reaching your dreams will look different than the "normal person" does it. It doesn't matter how long it takes to finish as long as you finish. ( I found this somewhere online)
     There are things that you will have to adjust in your life. For example, I don't do jumping activities because it causes much pain in my hip. I am not going to be stupid and continue jumping. if I continue jumping, I could tear a muscle or break something. Don't let your disease define you, but don't do something that could cause more pain than fun to your body. I still do fun activities.  Walking, playing with my dogs, stretching, and playing with my young nieces/ nephews are some of the physical activities I do. If there is a casual game of catch, soccer, or volleyball: I will occasionally join. Dancing with a group of friends is another favorite activities.
    There is definitely a balance between don't let your disease define you and don't do more damage to your body. Each person is different and has to  discover their own balance. I am still learning where my balance is. Have a lovely Monday!

~Liu Miao~

The Liebster Blogger Award

Hello Guys, It's a double post today! Wow that doesn't usually happen. I was nominated by  Charlotte for the Liebster Blogger Award. Thank you so much. It is an award given by bloggers to other bloggers. This award is about spreading community in the blogging world! Charlotte mentioned that this so important and I agree. Sometimes the world encourages competition but we need to encourage one another.

Rules for the Liebster Blogger Award:

-Accept/Decline the award. You don't have to accept the award, but who doesn't like getting one? It is nice to get recognized for your writing.
-Write 11 facts about yourself
-Answer 11 questions from your  nominator
-Nominate 11 bloggers: This is where building community comes in. You get to pass the award along to other bloggers and help people discover amazing blogs.
-Ask 11 questions to your nominees

11 Facts about me

1) I really love rice and noodles. Stir fry and ramen are some of my favorites. Pho is another favorite.
2) I really enjoy languages. Currently, I am learning Spanish and can communicate pretty good. American Sign Language is next on my list.
3)Mini pigs and Great Danes are some of my favorite animals. I hope to own both someday.
4) I love watching cheesy Disney Channel Movies and Tv Shows.
5) Velvet is my new favorite tv show. It is on Netflix and is in Spanish. You can get English subtitles.
6) Love going out with friends and getting coffee. My favorite drink right now is an iced  caramel macchiato with extra caramel.
7) I want to be a child life specialist. They help children and their family cope with staying in the hospital or having various procedures done at the hospital. I know what it is like to be in the hospital a lot because I have a physical disability.
8) I go to a small university and still live at home. I say tons of money by living at home. Really enjoy small university because it has a family feel. I know so many professors.
9)  Spicy foods. I enjoy eating spicy foods. Hot sauce, spicy ramen, spicy chips are some examples. Where I am from( Changsha, Hunan China), it is known for spicy foods. I like to say that spiciness runs in my blood.
10) I am adopted. Lived in china for almost 4 years.
11) Gummy candies are my go to snacks. Peach rings, gummy bears and twizzlers are some of my favorite. I like food and sweets.

My answers to Charlotte's questions

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world for two weeks (without money being an issue), where would you go and what would you do? I would travel Asia. Kimchi, pho, sushi, noodles are some of my favorites. There are so may sites.
2. What is the best book that you have ever read and what did you love so much about it? I love Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The story is sweet and I love that the main characters are girls. It is a classic book and I love that it is set in the 1800s.
3. If you could spend a day with any person in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why? President Franklin Roosevelt is the person I like to hang out with.  He was our president during some hard times in the USA ( Great Depression and most of WWII).
4. What is your favorite season? (Interpret this however you want: in terms of weather or a television show.)  I like spring because it feels great out. Summers in texas can be super hot. Spring feels nice and refreshing.
5. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show? Christmas in Connecticut is my favorite.
6. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I would drop my American last name.
7. You find a wallet on the ground containing $1,000. You have two choices: return it to the owner or keep it. Here’s the twist: the owner will never realize it’s missing if you decide to keep it. Which choice would you choose and why? I would be tempted to keep it but I would return it. I would feel so guilty until I made things right.
8. What is one talent that you would love to have? photographic memory
9. What is your favorite hashtag?#communityovercompetition I love this one because I love to encourage people.
10. If you could only choose to live one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would you choose and why? I love north Texas. There are so many nationalities near me. I can go to so  many different restaurants and markets.
11. Why did you decide to start your blog? I wanted a creative outlet when I started college and wanted to help people. Since I love reading about other people's stories and their advice, I wanted to share my story and give advice. I love reading different viewpoints about the same topic since we all see life differently.

I Nominate .

1. Mel from  http://www.polished-professionals.com/
2. Melissa from https://elephantontheroad.com/2017/05/25/keep-friends-close-when-they-live-far-away/
3. Megan from https://apronstringsandstickyfingers.com/
4. Mary-faith from https://maryfaithmartinez.wordpress.com/
5.  Dani from http://danidearest.com/?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=Instagram&utm_campaign=Instagram
6. Amy from http://www.pastelnpink.com/
7. Krista from  https://linktr.ee/kristabeldubois
8. Samantha from https://linktr.ee/aslifegrows
9. Alyssa from http://thewisewillow.com/
10. Gabby and Hannah from https://linktr.ee/theswirlblog
11. Sara from https://sara-katherine.com/2017/05/11/redefine-mental-health/ 

My 11 questions to the nominees.

1. What is your middle name.?
2. favorite dessert?
3. Favorite language?
4. Where were you born?
5. Favorite childhood tv show/movie
6. what are your favorite christmas traditions?
7. Favorite international food?
8. What is your hobby/hobbies?
9. Are you an only child?
10. Why did you start blogging?
11. What are you studying in college / what did you study in college?

Thank you again Charlotte for nominating me. Hope you enjoyed this and discovered new blogs to read.

~Liu Miao~

Please Give Credit

  Hello guys! This is a different type of post. I am in a college blogger group and the topic of people using their pictures without permission/credit came up.  One time on Instagram I messaged a blogger and they mentioned that people would use parts of her posts without permission or give credit. This is a very important issue. I personally have not seen a post like this but I think this topic needs to be addressed. In college, giving credit is stressed so much, but sometimes in the blogging community it slides a bit.

     If you are going to use someone's picture of Instagram or something, give them credit and link to their insta account/website. Note that some bloggers state that they want written permission before using their pictures. If they want you to ask for permission, then ask for it. Also images from google or pinterest, give credit even if you don't know the exact person.

     If you are going to use someone's content in your own blog , ask permission. Bloggers work hard to create content for their readers. It's like writing a paper in college. A person needs to cite their sources. If you got an idea from a blogger, give them credit. For example, I saw one blogger(@pastelnpinkblog go check out her blog)  who did #followfriday on Instagram. I thought it was a great idea and decided to do it too. I gave her credit since it wasn't my own idea and I used the same exact hashtag as her.

     I am not saying that I am perfect and never forget to give credit. ( I have forgotten to cite my sources but I went back to give credit.)  Try to do your best and give credit.  This is to bring awareness about giving credit to bloggers and artists.  It doesn't matter if it is a famous blogger/artist or a new blogger/artist, give credit.

~Liu Miao~

5 things to pack for college as a spoonie

Hello guys. Today I have a guest blogger.  Her name is Ally. I love what she has to say on this topic. As a spoonie myself, I agree with her. I met her through a college blogging group.

Hi! I’m Ally. I’m almost a senior at Texas State University, and my major is social work. I love puppies, coffee cake, friendship, and Jesus (in no particular order)! Although I live a fulfilled and busy life, I have also been battling chronic pain for the last 9 years.

When I first went to college, many people (including myself) wondered if this was a good idea, or if it was even possible. Three years and one dropout later, I know a thing or two about the balance between being a student and being a sick kid – it isn’t easy! But I’m here to tell you that it is definitely possible.

Here are 5 things that I recommend bringing with you to college if you have a chronic illness:

1. Mattress Pad

Listen: Your bed will be your safe haven. If it’s not comfortable, you’re not comfortable. Get a quality mattress pad and lots of pillows to keep you supported and comfortable. Not only will this benefit your pain, it’ll also improve what little sleep you may be getting. Important!!!

2. Books that aren’t school related

There will be slow days on campus, and you may not be feeling up to going out or even hanging out. Bring your favorite books along with you to school so that you have something to keep your mind busy. Not into reading? Try coloring books or adult activity books.

3. Netflix

A sick girl’s best friend. If you don’t already have a Netflix account – or access to someone else’s – get one! It’s fairly cheap and worth the price. We all need a movie break or a show to keep us occupied. I also tend to put on my favorite movie (Zootopia, of course) when I can’t sleep. Netflix is always there for you.

4. Heating Pads

Aching muscles? Heating pad. Sore joints? Heating pad. Cold? Heating pad. Heating pads can be a lifesaver in any situation. I also recommend getting microwavable ones (or just fill a sock with rice!) that can contour to your body and be brought on the go!

5. Medical Equipment

This may sound like common sense, but if you’re stubborn like me, you’re thinking about leaving your equipment at home for that first semester. I especially recommend bringing any physical therapy supplies you can, like therapy bands or tilt boards. Any extra movement or stretching you can get in will benefit you in the long run! (Trust me, I learned that the hard way)

There you have it! These are the 5 things I recommend that you have when going away to college. Let me know in the comments what you brought, or what you wish you had brought to school with you!  

Here is a link to Ally's blog https://teaspoonofsprinkles.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/gpa-is-not-eternal/. / Check her blog it. She writes great content