tiff of the 'burbs. *
I want to be domesticated, a humanitarian, a foodie, a fashionista, & a world-traveler. In the meantime, I'm a 24 year old grad student in beautiful Southern California. I'm from the cookie-cutter suburbs, but have recently relocated to Los Angeles. Here are my thoughts & adventures! Twitter: @tiffanyjam
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In the last few hours of 2011, I’m sitting at my family’s kitchen table with Wheel of Fortune playing in the background, my dog sitting in my lap, and my dad fast asleep on the couch. No party, no alcohol, no midnight kiss (well, maybe from my dog), no noise makers. Yesterday, my mother underwent major surgery, which is (hopefully) the beginning of the final stages of her cancer treatment. After a total of 17 hours, one long procedure and one unexpected/emergency short procedure, she is recovering well at the hospital’s ICU. In whatever stage, cancer f*cking sucks. When Mom was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer back in August of this year, I was filled with disbelief. This doesn’t happen to my family. This happens to other families, not mine. Of course, this is completely false, as in the back of my mind, I know damn right that this could happen to any family, anywhere. After four rounds of chemotherapy, hair loss, and plenty of labs, tests, appointments, and 3 surgeries, here we are today on New Year’s Eve 2011. I want to say thank you to my friends and family members for all the support you’ve given to my family & I during this time. The Jams are sincerely grateful for your kind words, gifts, prayers, and thoughts during this time. It’s probably how we’re all able to remain in good spirits, including Mom. All in all, 2011 was still a great year for me and my family. I have high expectations for 2012 and I hope this year will bring better health for Mom and the rest of my loved ones. Here’s to a happy & healthy 2012! |
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Tonight, I had dinner with two of my older cousins, Vanessa and Christine, at Buffalo Wilds Wings in Burbank, since that’s pretty much the midpoint between where we all live. Unlike a lot of my Filipino friends, I don’t have a huge tight-knit family that gets together all the time (I’m actually really jealous of those families). This was actually the first time us three got together outside of family parties. Because I moved out to LA, we’re hoping to make this a monthly tradition. Fun fact: Both of them were flower girls at my parents’ wedding back in 1986. |
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So many things to be thankful for.Because I’m sure Tumblr will soon be filled with Thanksgiving posts, I’ve decided to get a head start. We should be thankful every day anyway, right? I’m thankful for my family. I know I’m blessed to be so close to my siblings and talk to them like they’re my friends. This year has been a roller coaster in many ways, especially after we found out my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in August (this would be the first time I’m directly addressing this on Tumblr). Having Mom diagnosed with this disease brought us even closer than we already were. I often think of her as the backbone of our family. Although the battle is not over, I’m thankful that we were able to help her get through her last round of chemotherapy last week, in preparation for her surgery next month. I’m also thankful for my friends. They’ve supported me through personal trials and failures, as well as been there to celebrate my accomplishments and milestones. I’m thankful for my friends back at home that I consider my extended family. I’m thankful for my friends from college and am happy I’ve grown closer to them 2 years after graduation. I’m thankful for my new friends in LA. Special thanks to one of my closest guy friends for introducing me as the new girl and sharing his friends with me, including the great guy I’m dating (whom I’m also thankful for). I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given to take steps to get my closer to my career goals. My internship position exceed far beyond all of my expectations. As of yesterday, I’m now considered a PAID employee. I have to clear a few things with the President, but my current Executive Director said that, I can start using the Program Coordinator title. 24 WITH MY FIRST JOB EVER WUT WUT (finally). Filling out a W-4, employment verification, and direct deposit forms for the first time was surreal. I’m thankful for a roof over my head, clean drinking water, food on the table, clothes on my back, education, and various things that I have and don’t really need. This is something that I need to keep remind myself of, so I don’t take things for granted. A few weeks ago, my new laptop and cellphone were stolen at a coffee shop while I was cramming before class. Of course, I was/am still upset that someone could do that to another person, I am constantly trying to remind myself I have so many other things to be thankful for, beyond material possessions. The love of God. Most importantly, I’m thankful for having faith in an almighty God that is so good to me, even when I am not always so good to Him. There’s so much I could say, but I’ll leave it at this: Thank you, God, for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Happy Thanksgiving! Love, TiffanyJam <3 |
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Tumblr, meet some of my extended family. As young men and women, we have seen all sides of each other. The good, the bad, and the horribly ugly (and we probably have pictures to prove it). We started off as a group of teenagers who had one common ground—Church. I firmly believe that because of that common ground, we were able to build a strong foundation to our friendships, connecting on so many different levels. Although we all have grown in different paces and directions, and although we don’t get together as often as we should, they will always be family to me. All of these photos were taken in 2006(?), so please don’t kill me, guys! :) |
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My grandpa did this at his own will, by the way. |
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@ Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles, Los Angeles. |
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Me & Christine ready for our cousin’s wedding. I’m wearing black & yellow, black & yellow, black & yellow. |
