hi friends! i have been pretty inconsistent with posting lately because i've been having some health struggles, but my family and friends have been really good supports. today was a mixed day, full of good and bad. one of my neighbors was taken by ICE. it was really scary to witness, but i'm so grateful for the way the people in my neighborhood came out to protest and the support they showed. i hope my neighbor will be watched over. scary times we live in 💔 but what is really good about today was we celebrated my besties birthday! their actual birthday is tomorrow, but me and a few other friends met them for lunch at Olive Garden today!! i made a strawberry and vanilla cake, and i got so stuffed from all the yummy food! then we went to target and got some cute bag charms (i got a green t-rex and my bestie got a unicorn!) later on i saw my other friend on the train home, and we made plans to carve pumpkins on a day she doesn't have class and I don't have work, which are far and few between, but it will happen! now i'm in my old bedroom at my parents house with a cinnamon candle burning and my dad making soup in the kitchen while my mom works on lesson plans and my cat looks out the window at the rain. although these are sad and scary times, there are still moments of joy. i have to tell myself it will all be ok in the end, and if it's not ok, then it's not the end!