Overview of my Second Year

Fall Quarter

Some core memories were made this quarter! Between coursework, work, and Seattle life, I found some time to go on outings and making new memories with dear ones. I went to Wenatchee one of my weekends, where I got to take my cousin to his first pumpkin patch which was a ton of fun (pic 1) and took some pictures of the night ttime rain drizzle over the cityscape (pic 2). I also went to get frozen yogurt with my cousins at Blue Spoon, a froyo joint in Wenatchee (pic 3). I worked a lot throughout fall quarter towards becoming fully trained in dental assisting internship (pic 4). As a foodie, I loved making delicious tacos with picadillo and having them as meal prep throughout the following days (pic 5). I got to go to local farmer's markets with my lovely friend, Isabel (pic 6, 7). The Ballard Sunday Farmer's Market has an amazing pizza spot and I got to try it for the first time!

It felt bittersweet saying goodbye to the sun, but the crunchy leaves started to fall (pic 8) and I got to go on some scenic walks around Seattle and Centennial Park (pic 9). I got my first paycheck as a fully-trained dental assistant which was so satisfying after all the work (pic 10). I scheduled my Spanish Proficiency Test to fulfill the UW language requirements (pic 11). I hosted my family at my apartment and it was a lot of fun to show them around Seattle (pic 12)! I participated in the Arcora x LETI (Latino Educational Training Institute) Dental Program, where I learned about dentistry alongside fellow latin students interested in the dental field (pic 13). Additionally, throughout the quarter, I helped coordinate the first partnership event between Floss Boss The Mobile Dentist x PHSKC. It was a successful day full of positive impacts on the community (pic 14). Hotpot is an asian dish I finally tried this quarter and it was so good (pic 15)! I got to go see Billie Eilish at the Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour (pic 16) and Kehlani at the Crash Tour (pic 17), both being experiences I will never forget!

Winter Break

After fall quarter, I got the winter break I was waiting for! I ran a race for the first time in since I was in cross country in my middle school years. I made a 1 hr 4 minute time at the winter Christmas run on Marina Park. My sisters were both there and completed the race with me (pic 1). I went to tour REST, a Seattle-based non profit that aims to provide resources and housing for children and women that are seeking a road out of being exploited in the sex trade. The dental clinic I work at called Lina Kim Dental and the non profit mobile dental clinic, Floss Boss, collaborated with REST to collect clothing for their community closet. This closet is more than clothes, for community members it means warm and community support (pic 2). Additionally, as part of the media team, I helped with making content for Floss Boss' Instagram page during the holiday season (pic 3)!

Before I knew it, my 20 birthday had come! I spent the day with my family, and in picture 4 my mom surprises me with a bouquet of colorful flowers. I am grateful for my family and our unity. We all enjoyed my tres leches birthday cake (pic 5)! A couple days later, I went to Leavenworth, WA where I got to enjoy the Christmas spirit and sip on hot cocoa while enjoying my gingerbread cookies (pic 6)!

Winter Quarter

During winter quarter, I had fun volunteering at several event. I translated for patients at the PHSKC x Floss Boss free dental event on January 20th (pic 1). I helped out with tabling at the annual Tet Fair on behalf of Floss Boss, where I help out with community engagement (pic 2). On a weekend in february, I got to go back home and went to eat pasta at a restaurant in Leavenworth with my great friend, Paulina (pic 3). The sunrise in Wenatchee was goregeous that sunday (pic 4).

Back in Seattle, a couple weeks after I got back from Wenatchee, my sisters made the trip to Seattle and we got to enjoy a bowl of Danbo Ramen together (pic 5). One of my biggest blessings was meeting my friend Karen this quarter (pic 6) and getting to learn more about eachother. I guided a room of 40 children for Floss Boss' annual Give Kids A Smile Event (pic 7). On one of the walks back home from Biostats lecture with Karen, we picked a couple of flowers and took them home (pic 8). They smelled amazing and now any time I walk by that bush of flowers, it reminds me of Karen.

Finding a good Mexican restaurant with semi-authentic food in Seattle has been hard. I decided to give Agua Verde Cafe, near The Cut, a try and I was pleasantly surprised! My cousin and I went one February day together and had pozole, a hominy-based Mexican soup (pic 9). Minh, one of my good friends from when I worked at Odegaard as a library assistant, came from New Jersey and we got to hang out and catch up (pic 10). Additionally, on March of 2025 I got to practice my presentation skills with the Floss Boss team during a presentation for DEM, a pre-health frat at UW (pic 11). lastly, I wrapped up the quarter by going to a hispanic celebration event with my friend Isabel and it was a blast. A couple days later we went to get boba together (pic 12)!

Spring Break

During Spring break I had a mix of work and visiting home! I got to go home for a couple days during break which I was super happy about. When I got home, my sister surprised me with a new IPhone 16, which I was not expecting at all. I have the best big sis, and I am eternally grateful for her as a sister, but also as one of my favorite people. I was most excited to check out the new camera, so it only made sense that I take a few pics! I took one of my sister and I (pic 1). I got another picture of my little sister and I almost flipping off the hamak in our front yard (pic 2). The trip home came and went, and before I knew it I was back on the Amtrak to Seattle (pic 3). The views were stunning!

Back in Seattle I worked at the dental clinic, and on one of the days, 3 of us came matching in our red Figs scrubs (pic 4). I took advantage of the cherry blossoms in the Quad at UW (pic 5) which only bloom for a couple weeks per year. They look like puffy pom poms and are a must-see!

Spring Quarter

After a brief spring break spring quarter quickly came! A couple days into April, Karen and I went out to the Quad in the afternoon and took pictures together (pic 1). During the spring, flowers started to bloom, and I saw the beautiful change in my surroundings (2, 3).

I tried rock climbing again with Karen at the Craig Climbing Center at the IMA which was so much fun (pic 4)! I also got to volunteer for the second time at the annual Seattle King County Clinic as a translator in the dental department (pic 5). Shortly after, I got tickets to see the Empire of the Sun concert which ended up being one of my favorites (pic 6)! I learned to crochet roses and the final result was so satisfying after putting in the effort to learn something new (pic 7). I also tried a new restaurant called Din Tai Fung, and tried the popular chocolate buns (pic 8).

In mid-May I went to the PNDC, a dental conference in Seattle, and learned about Silver Diamine Fluoride and the team aspect of dentistry, while also getting to pet therapeutic kitties (pic 9). May is a huge birthday month with my older brother and older sister both celebrating their birthdays within 10 days from one another (pic 10, 11, 12). That same weekend, some of my cousins and uncles and siblings and I went off-roading which was my first time and we got to see an amazing view of all the mountains (pic 13). Each year, I love going to the University District Street Fair since there are food vendors and such a variety of handmade products form local markets (pic 14). I made many memories with my nieces at a local market where we ate churros (pic 15, 16). My younger sister also graduated in June so the entire family came together to celebrate her achievement (pic 17).

Summer Break (pt. 1)

Summer break was a break I awaited with open arms, but I sadly this summer break would bring devastating news to our family. With a heavy heart, I had to accept that my grandpa who was truly like a second father, had passed away. This was unexpected and hit our family hard. My grandpa has always taught us to be strong and resilient-- that is one thing I want to take from his beautiful soul. My Abuelito (pic 1) was funny, stubborn, musically gifted, bold, and protective. One of my favorite memories is of him playing his guitar and harmonica with us, and attempting to teach us how to play. I will forever carry him in my heart and remember his powerful words of encouragement (pic 1). A couple of days later it was Father's Day and it felt like pouring salt in the wound, especially watching my father grieve the loss of his father. Per tradition, as a family we go to mass and all the dads get a special blessing (pic 2).

A week later it was my younger sister's 18th birthday, so I took her out to The Wild Huckleberry, a local breakfast joint in Wenatchee (3). Time flies and I am incredibly thankful for the memories and time I have shared with my little sister. She is amazing! At the breakfast spot, they give birthday girls a crown to wear during their breakfast feast, so in this picture Angie is sporting her crown (pic 3)!

Summer Quarter

This summer quarter, I got to make great memories with family and friends. I went to the Halsey tour with my older sister Veronica (pic 1) and even got to see Halsey from 6 feet away! Her performance was amazing and it was awesome hearing her music live, especially songs from late 2010's! I love fourth of july paddleboarding with the girls. This year, my sisters, mom, and I went to a local lake in Rock Island and paddleboarded. In pic 2, my sisters are representing what it means to bask in the sun:)

I got to spend quality time with my good friend Paulina (pic 3). We went to grab breakfast together. I also took pictures and hung out with my cousin Bris at the Cut (pic 4). I went on a hike to Lake 22 with Tasha, a good friend of mine from the SKC clinic (pic 5). The trail was moderate difficulty and the views were beyond worth it. I only wish I had brought a swimsuit to swim in the lake! I went to see The Maria's in concert for their Submarine Tour with my sisters and Paulina! The hispanic representation was a joy to experience. I also went to see Kali Uchis at the Climate Pledge for her Sincerely Tour. She was amazing and included a segment about immigration and resilience which made me tear up from feeling proud of my heritage. Summer time in Seattle is unlike any other! I got a sunset pic from the Cut (pic 8).