Starbucks Secret Menu - Butter Pecan Ice Cream Frappuccino

I was in the mood for ice cream today, but since I figured I would be getting frozen yogurt later, I opted for this instead. Tastes like the real thing (minus the pecan slivers)! Smooth, sweet, and delicious. 

Order a vanilla bean frappuccino using heavy whipping cream instead of whole milk and add in hazelnut syrup (1 pump for a tall, 2 for a grande, 3 for a venti).

Sister Bonding Time!

My sister and I weren't always close. In fact, I have a very distinct memory of me thinking, "Well she's graduating this year. I suppose I ought to be nice to her." She was graduating 8th grade - and to me that was a big deal. I'm two and a half years her minor, but despite the age difference, I still consider her my younger sister. Toya (my nickname for her, pronounced "toy-uh") is not only sillier than me, far more creative than me, but shorter than me as well. That being said, I look up to her very much. 

Outside of the salon with our newly manicured nails.

Anyway, Toya and I don't get to hangout by ourselves very often. With a large-ish family like ours, it's hard to have any alone time together. Today we decided to get French manicures at Unique Nails in Tacoma. Toya had never had a French manicure before and we had decided to splurge a little and get gel manicures, so it was exciting. I was grateful I got to experience another "first" with Toya. What I mean is, Toya and I are leading physically separate lives now. She's finished with college now and I'm still traveling back and forth between home and college. She's entering "real life" now and I realize it will be harder and harder to spend time with each other, despite all that technology and social media has to offer. It's not like we're going our separate ways - we're still family, of course. It just makes me appreciate the little things, especially the "firsts" that we haven't experienced that we wouldn't normally experience together now that we're older. Plus, I will definitely miss having someone to be ridiculous with!

Instagram Challenge?

I think I'd like to do an Instagram Challenge... I love taking photographs, but I don't have a specific motivation to post any. Are there any recommendations?

Book Review: Animal Farm

I read Animal Farm as part of the challenge to read at least 50 books on the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels List. Reading through the introduction and preface, I initially thought I wouldn't be able to separate the novel from actual historical events. Animal Farm definitely served as a reminder as several revolutions in history. I took a class this past semester on revolutions in 20th century Latin America and much of what the animals on the farm were experiencing was experienced by actual citizens and revolutionaries of Latin American states. There was a sentiment written in the introduction that I agree completely with - the novel has a way of "[moving] by not seeking to move; almost, it seems, by not seeking to move." Animal Farm has a way of presenting political tactics and rebellion in a simple and appealing manner. I would give it four and half (out of five) blueberries.