The Life of Dani

It's feeling like 32 C in Toronto and that seems to be all anyone can talk about! 🍃 Welcome to Canada, the country where the weather's made up and the seasons don't matter! . 📍 @boxcar_social: Part 1 . ========== . Really, though, what's with the weather? Don't get me wrong, I DO NOT like the cold and am very happy to hang on to the heat for just a bit longer, but also: why is it 30 C in October?! As a uni student, where days, weeks and months blended into each other, I always knew October had arrived because WITHOUT FAIL there would be frost on the ground and the roofs of building as I made my way across campus for 8:30 AM classes. . Is it climate change? Is it just an unseasonably late and totally normal warming? Is it a sign that winter will be harsher, colder and generally more brutal than what Canadian winters are typically like? IDK. What I do know is that last night I dreamt that the trees along Blood St. were blooming (even among the fall foliage already visible) and they were somehow peach blossoms? . #boxcarsocial #rosedale #greentealatte #summerweather #tocafe #torontocoffee #fall #torontoweather #canadianweather #toronto_insta #torontocafe #matchalatte #teverde #토론토카페 #토론토맛집 #녹차라떼 #yyztea #yyzcoffee #the6ix (at Boxcar Social) https://www.instagram.com/p/BowKjFHAkOr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=m9sfq7iw27sk

K-pop memories - Part 3: EXO-CBX live . . Out of all the #kpop shows and concerts I attended in the three years I lived in Korea, I wanted the 2017 #koreamusicfestival to be my last entry into this series and today's #flashbackfriday because it was a particularly special day for me. Why? Because I was invited to attend by one of the sponsors as a social media influencer along with other #koreanyoutuber friends. It was certainly a once in a lifetime experience and a day I won't forget! . . Out of all the things that happened that day (lol! The video is up on my channel if you're curious!), being lost in a sea of #exo_l as #exocbx came on stage and KILLED IT was definitely my favourite! The crowd had so much energy and love for these boys. The fanchants bounced around and were only overtaken by the press of people trying to get just a little closer to the stage! I think my ears rang for 3 days afterwards with the sound of screaming from that night. . . #exo #exofan #kpopfan #엨소 #fandelkpop #kpopper #xiumin #baekhyun #chen #첸백시 #첸백시ost #첸 #백현 #시우민 #엑소 #유튜버 #외국인유튜버 #뮤직페스티벌 #exoconcert #exol #exo_cbx (at Seoul, Korea) https://www.instagram.com/p/BojhCXTgRsv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14th9kxp0bdhy

K-pop memories - Part 2: @bigbang_official live! . . My entry into the world of #Kpop was #BigBang's #FantasticBaby and what a ride it's been since! My entry into having not just a favourite but a bias was @choi_seung_hyun_tttop! #BigBangTOP showed up looking like a blue-haired futuristic pirate and beat down the man and brought music back to masses with that hella deep voice of his. Since that day, I haven't looked back 🏃🏃🏃 It's no surprise then that I just HAD to go to one of their concerts. Come on! 3 years in Korea and I wouldn't go see my OGs? No way! . . This show was especially awesome because 1) the boys were celebrating their 10 year debut anniversary so they 👏put👏on👏a👏show!👏 2) As a special treat their 선배 (sunbae = senior) Psy (Yes, that's right, Gangnam Style Psy!) came out and did a few songs in support, and 3) I had tried to get tickets in the first round, but they had sold out too quickly... Thankfully, they opened them up a second time and I was able to get them then! Of course, it wasn't perfect. @wings1411 and I were up in the nosebleeds. But, it didn't matter... The boys put on such a good show that it didn't feel like we were isolated at all! . . Since this concert, a lot has happened with Big Bang. Some of the boys have joined the army, others are pursuing solo projects for the time being, Taeyang got married and who can forget TOP's scandal? Of course, I was disappointed to hear that he behaved in such a way during his service, and was further saddened by his decisions afterwards. #MentalHealthDay is coming up and it's a good time to remember that even though we call them "idol bands," they're not gods. They are human and they make mistakes and feel the pressures of life. And, being part of the K-pop machine is one stressful life! . . #kpopper #kpopfan #vip #bigbangvip #빅뱅 #빅뱅콘서트 #빅뱅탑 #kpopfan #kpoppic #selfie #selfstagram #셀카 #셀피 #셀스타그램 #위국인 (at Seoul, Korea) https://www.instagram.com/p/BogtSM6AYTU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rezmdcausthq

K-pop memories: Part 1. @bts.bighitofficial Live. . #TakeMeBackWednesday to exactly three years ago today when I saw #BTS live in Kangwondo as part of an official concert to promote the 2018 winter olympics. It feels like so long ago! I was part of a foreigner-focused tour group and all our non-Korean faces helped us get seats at the very, very front. Right behind the VIPs. They were so serious and focused, definitely had no jems! LOL! Close enough to see the sweat on #RM's forehead (though I guess that back then he was still #rapmonster #랩몬스터 ). Apparently the concert/Olympics promoters wanted to give the impression that Korea is really friendly to foreigners and tourists because "Look! The crowd at that concert has so many young foreigners!!" Weird and misguided, but it worked out for us... so, no complaints! . This whole weekend was a great experience! From missing the tour bus and having to go on an adventure to meet up with the group, to freezing throughout the show because we were at the top of a mountain and didn't come prepared for the temperature drop, to eating the best #한우 (Korean beef) bbq of my life! This was a weekend I would never give up and a #kpop memory I don't ever want to forget! . #btsarmy #army #armylatina #corea #bangtanboys #방탕소년단 #kpopfan #lookingback #expatinkorea #eslkorea #travelkorea #latinaabroad #latina #kpoppic #kpopmemes #btspics #btsmemes (at High 1 Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoeNDwcAKc8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w34r34cc5vo5

Just a moment to myself 🍵. . ********* . #Friyay means the weekend is almost here. For me, it also means the end of my third week at work. It's been just enough time for me to feel like I'm getting the hang of things and, at the same time, realize how much I have left to learn. Where did the week go? How is it #Friday already? How will I manage to get everything done today? These are the thoughts that fill my mind during my morning commute. So, I'm taking some time to just be. Be happy. Be proud. Be content. Be reminded that I moved back home after being away for 3 years and was able to obtain a paid internship 3 months into my job search. I am lucky when many are not. It's a foot in the door, a way forward, and a chance to learn and grow. . ******* . 📍: @rustleandstill 📷: @tim5alive . #tgif #fridayfeeling #thoughts #torontocommute #commute #Toronto #torontocafe (at Rustle & Still Café)

Show me, show me what you have 👗 Tell me, tell me what I'll find . ~~~~~~~~ . A couple of weeks ago, a friend and I met for some #galpal time in #northyork and saw a second floor store window that looked too interesting not to check out! What we found was a hidden gem of quirky, unique and glam #style when we walked into @room29official. Unfortunately, the prices were too high for us two cheap'os, so this time we limited the visit to #windowshopping. But, there was a purse that really caught my eye. Aspirational hopes, I guess! . 📷: @amarachi . #mytoronto #torontoshopping #shoppingintoronto #sundayfunday #toocheap #toobroke #토론토쇼핑 #fashionto #torontofashion #torontostyle #yyz #the6ix #decompras (at Room 29 Fashion Ltd)

Always hunting for a cafe . 📍: Buenos Aires, Argentina . Two months ago today, I was walking the streets of Buenos Aires, reconnecting with my dad's side of the family, and being tempted by media lunas everywhere I went. Of course, the reason for the trip was a sad one and I wish it could have taken place under better circumstances, but I am happy for the time there and memories shared. Abuelita, te extraño 😘. . #buenosaires #frankie400 #argentina #cafecito #café #cafeconleche #mural #cara #face #coffee #cafeaesthetics #latergram #buenosairesgram #instabuenosaires #instacafe #mood #travelpics (at Frankie 400)

Going to @rustleandstill is like stepping into a tropical getaway right in #koreatowntoronto. If the warm wood tones don't get you, maybe the green of the plants literally everywhere will!🌱🌿🌱. . Pictured: iced #pandan #greentealatte and it was delicious! . #bloorandbathurst #bathurststation #yyztea #torontonoms #torontoeats #matchalatte #rustleandstill #416eats #토론토카페 #코리아타운 #토론토맛집 #vietnamesefood (at Rustle & Still Café)

Cold treats for hot summer days ☀🍧☀ this black sesame, mango parfait was just perfect! 💃. . . . #taiwanesefood #taiwanesedessert #torontodesserts #northyorkeats #northyorkdessert #nomto #yyzeats #yyzdesserts #torontofood #postre #helado #postreasiatico #comidaasiatica #토론토카페 #토론토맛집 #디저트 (at Sugar Marmalade Inc 　糖記甜品)

Mornings like today, I only have one thing to say to all the work I need to do: I see you and I reject you. I'm just going to sit here and drink my #latte ☕. . . 📷: team effort between power couple @amarachi and @imthefjord . 📍: @goodnbr . . #torontocafe #torontocoffee #thejunction #coffeeto #latteto #peopleoftoronto #morningcoffee #me #butfirstcoffee #cafecito #torontoyoutuber #youtuberlatina #cafeconleche #cortado #yo #나 #토론토카페 #토론토라이프 #유튜버 (at The Good Neighbour Espresso Bar)

Most extra purchase that I'm secretely proud of? A waterproof protective pouch for my phone! | Una compra ridícula por la cual estoy orgullosa secretamente? Una bolsita impermeable para mi celu 💪. . . 📷: @heiditomes . . #swimming #Lake #naturalwonder #wet #swimsuitseason #inthewater #shapeofwater #mikisewprovincialpark #ontarioprovincialparks #travelontario #northernontario #canadianblogger (at Mikisew Provincial Park)

You're not perfect. That's OK. Some weeks will be great and some weeks won't. That's OK. Some days you'll be productive and some days you won't. That's OK. Sometimes you'll shine and sometimes you won't. That's OK. It's OK to be you, often-imperfect, frequently-insecure, always-genuinely you. .... Not everyday will be great, but that doesn't mean you can't appreciate the moments that are. Having standards to live up to is important, but forgiving yourself when you don't manage to do so is equally valuable. This is something I struggle with and I'm constantly repeating it to myself: it's OK, it's OK, it's OK. ..... As some of you know, I've been looking for work upon my return home after living abroad for 3 years. It hasn't been easy and there are many days that I let the stress and anxiety get to me, but that's also OK. For a while, it wasn't. But, stressing out about it just makes a difficult time worse and there's no reason to do that to yourself. I'm trying really hard to accept myself as I am and live life as it comes. ..... This was a mistake #selfie taken at #eaglelake, #mikisewprovincialpark #northernontario. Here is me, unintentionally turning away from the camera to look at something that fell in my periphery... But, hey! I look cute! And, it fits with my new found desire to accept myself with all my imperfections 💁. (at Toronto, Ontario)

Hot summer 🌞 union summer . . . . #unionsummer #unionstation #torontosummer #summerdrinks #sodapop #boylanbottlingco (at Union Station)

Northern Ontario is beautiful. Pictured: blue skies, coniferous trees and a beaver-made wetland at #mikisewprovincialpark. . . . . . #campingweekend #northernontario #travelontario #ontarioprovincialparks #Ontario #forest #naturallandscape #sky #wetland #cielo #bosque #canada #beauty #캐나다 #온타리오 #숲 #하늘 #자연경관 #자연 #nature #naturaleza #bellezanatural #canadiannature #weekendgetaway #weekendtrip (at Mikisew Provincial Park)

Northern Ontario is beautiful. Pictured: blue skies, coniferous trees and a beaver-made wetland at #mikisewprovincialpark. . . . . . #campingweekend #northernontario #travelontario #ontarioprovincialparks #Ontario #forest #naturallandscape #sky #wetland #cielo #bosque #canada #beauty #캐나다 #온타리오 #숲 #하늘 #자연경관 #자연 #nature #naturaleza #bellezanatural #canadiannature #weekendgetaway #weekendtrip (at Mikisew Provincial Park)

Northern Ontario is beautiful. Pictured: blue skies, coniferous trees and a beaver-made wetland at #mikisewprovincialpark. . . . . . #campingweekend #northernontario #travelontario #ontarioprovincialparks #Ontario #forest #naturallandscape #sky #wetland #cielo #bosque #canada #beauty #캐나다 #온타리오 #숲 #하늘 #자연경관 #자연 #nature #naturaleza #bellezanatural #canadiannature #weekendgetaway #weekendtrip (at Mikisew Provincial Park)