1) Shopping: @alexsiene on TikTok always shares new shopping deals, sales, and occasional unboxings. 2) Online coupons: Honey Chrome extension for finding coupons for online shopping! 3) Financial tips: YouTubers like Graham Stephen, TruFinancials, Debt Free Millenialz, etc. *Fashion YouTube hauls/ reviews also influence my decisions when I’m unsure of a product.

With the recent passing of my grandfather, “Papa Joe”, I’m even more appreciative of the fact that I was able to spend time with both my grandparents. Just throughout the past week, I realized that I took the time I had with them for granted. Even in their 80s, they showed their joyous energy and support for me at my performances. Even with his health complications, Papa Joe was able to liven up the room with his cool dance moves. Even in the hospital bed he’d say “Go eat, that’s for you” when I’d try to feed him his food. Even with all the pain that he was going through, he always cared for his family first. Even though he was stubborn at times, I know that he was only trying to show that he was still strong for our family. Although it’s too late to s display my effort and appreciation for him now, I truly am grateful that he was able to be part of my life to show me just how powerful the value of family is. After all, it’s what kept him strong even when he was in pain. I only wish I was more aware of the blessing that he was in my life.

My love for dance and fitness stemmed from a single night when I was about 7 years old and learned how to do the splits. Being extremely proud of my hard work, I begged my parents to put me in gymnastics so that I could pursue something that involved being flexible. Due to complications I was unable to become a tumbler, however it lead me to my love for dance. Since age 7 I have practiced with my local dance studio, SKIP Entertainment Co., both on island and around the world, as well as with a cultural dance group, Natibu, where I was able to connect more with my Chamorro roots. From that first year of dance, up in till now, I’ve been prioritizing my physique to stay in shape and to prevent future health problems. Growing up in the dance community really enforced discipline and health, both physical and mental. Due to the pandemic, I’ve been unable to practice or perform with my fellow dancers, though I make sure to continue stretching every day. There were some days, and sometimes a whole week, where I would feel unmotivated and want to give up. To combat this feeling of indolence, I changed into work out clothes that made me feel confident every day. There’s absolutely nothing that motivates me more than feeling confident and being ready to move my body and stretch at any point of the day. Alongside stretching to maintain flexibility, I began doing jump ropes everyday before sunset. Ironically, even though I practiced dance for years, cardio was my ultimate weakness. I would feel sick after running for just one minute and I felt that walking wasn’t beneficial enough for me to be consistent. Jump ropes were my best alternative because once I get into the flow, my momentum keeps me going strong as long as I remember to breathe. When I first put my mind to it, I was barely able to reach 60 skips without feeling like crying. I took that information and started doing 50 skips a day, then sometimes twice a day for at least five to six days a week. Because of the past few months of consistent jump roping, I can now reach almost 300 skips a day. Not only has dance taught me resiliency and discipline, but it initiated my practice of healthy habits and my desire to work out, even if it’s not through dancing. My years spent with SKIP Entertainment Co. and Natibu Dance Academy has helped me understand the power of physical fitness as a lifestyle for both a healthy body and a healthy mind.