Farewell 2009, Hello 2010.

This past year, like any other year, I've had my highs and lows, just like everyone else. When it comes down to it, my blessings always seem to outweigh the downfalls.

This past year I've been lucky enough to be an extra in a movie with my favorite on screen vampire, Kellan Lutz. I got my AA from COC and was accepted and attended my first quarter at CSULA. I got to witness two Jonas Brothers concerts. I visited Modesto for the first time. I turned 21 and got to party it up in Vegas with my best friends and some new friends. I met my idol, in every sense of the word, Nick Jonas. I got to go to Disneyland over 15 times. I've had the honor of meeting countless actors, singers, and athletes. I've made a ton of new friends. This year has been a dream come true. I can't wait to do it all again next year.

Have a safe and fun New Year!

Thank you for all the memories.
Xoxo Joleena

Ode to 2009.

A compilation of various pictures & videos I've taken throughout this year. From my countless trips to Disneyland, days with friends, numerous concerts, signings & various Twilight and Jonas Brothers events...



Standing in so many lines, I've met so many amazing people this year that have turned into friends. I've been privileged enough to attend so many concerts & events. I can't wait for next year when everything this going to be 10 times more fun with new people to share it with. ♥

I hope you all have a safe & happy new year!

This year was a dream come true. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Xoxo Joleena

Project for Awesome 2009.

For the past 3 years, the YouTube community has come together to make one day out of the whole year mean something more than people dancing, cute kittens, and Miley Cyrus. Everyone makes videos supporting a certain charity, posts it on YouTube, and then we mass comment/rate/favorite in order for these videos to get to the top of the YouTube board for the day. I made a video this year...


EndPovertee is a relatively new charity and I've been in close contact with one of the creators. It's an honor to represent them. Please help out and buy a t-shirt. Or rate & comment the video.

Project for Awesome <3
Xoxo Joleena

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for this gorgeous Wolf Pack...

I am thankful for the countless blessings that God has given me. From the various opportunities I have been given in my education or my luck in meeting my celebrity idols to my very caring and loving family and abundance of friends. I have been given so much this year alone, I have to remember not to take it all for granted. Times are rough, but there is always something to be thankful for.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving! Cherish these moments, it's what we life for. Be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xoxo Joleena

Bittersweet.

This year, the end of summer is somewhat bittersweet. I have to go back to school, yes, but tomorrow marks a new chapter in my life. I start a brand new quarter at a brand new school. I'm excited, anxious, and a little sad. I don't want to go to school, but I do. So long sweet summer...

taking the long overdue trip to Union City to finally meet the boys.

getting to go to San Diego and spend the night on the floor, all for the love of Twilight.

finally making a trip up to Modesto to see the Quadra family.

getting to witness the Jonas Brothers live...twice!

meeting these amazing artists...twice!

and ending the summer and my birthday with a bang, in Las Vegas.

It was all about having fun, living life, and cherishing the people around me. My summer was full of laughs, cries, parties under the sky. Broken hearts, Starbucks, and making new friends. It was about keeping my friends close, but my enemies closer. Reading new books, and falling in love with fictional characters. Seeing great musicians perform and meeting people I adore. I loved every second. Thanks for a wonderful summer of endless blogs and late night calls.

Bring on the responsibility.

Xoxo Joleena

Changing the World.

one YouTube video at a time.

Videos like these are the reason why I love YouTube as much as I do...

My friend Leah made this and it reminds us that we are all taking different walks through life and we need to remember about those around us.


This video was made by Passion, or Jeremy Manongdo. He wrote this beautiful song about his trip to Ghana and it has a wonderful message. Living here in the United States, we tend to take things for granted, daily. We always need little reminders that the world is better than the four walls we see everyday.

I'm thankful that we have something like YouTube for people to showcase their talents, dreams, and even help make the world a better place.
Xoxo Joleena

Silver Lining.

There's always a silver lining...

Orientation in the morning. Going to sleep with a smile on my face. ♥

Xoxo Joleena

Change.

I'm a creature of habit...


Change scares me.
Xoxo Joleena

New Beginnings.

Dear CSULA,

When I think about starting a new semester at a new school I get a flush of emotions. I don't know whether to be happy for a new beginning, sad for leaving a place that has taught me a lot and a lot of my friends go to, scared because I don't know what to expect, or excited to be in a new place with new people...

New things, new people is def something that I am in dyer need of. I mean yes, I know people that attend that school, but really? I'm probably going to be forced into making some new friends, of course this isn't saying much since everyone seems to know everyone else in some other way, shape, or form. A change of scenery is exactly what I need right now.

I can't wait. I haven't been this excited to go back to school in a long time. I am wishing for the best and praying that everything turns out okay. I need to keep myself headed towards the future and stop dwelling on the past. I will say that I left a piece of my heart at COC. I learned a lot and the small campus helped with that, so did the countless friends I came across on any given day. As excited as I am to leave, I will miss it there. Who the heck is going to go to Corner Bakery everyday? Lol.

To new beginnings..
Xoxo Joleena

Backstreet Boys.

With the loss of one of my favorite childhood heroes and performers, I thought it would be fit to commemorate the artists that I appreciated when I was a wee lad, at least while they're all still gracing this planet. It is probably going to take place in a series of blogs, and involve many boy bands, but it's okay, flashbacks are always fun.

The Backstreet Boys were my favorite boy bands, until NSYNC came along and stole my heart. BB then became #2 on my list and will always be second place to NSYNC. Nick Carter was as dreamy as Ken and his plastic body. Recently, I found out that Nick almost overdosed on some drugs and might have left this life as we know it, but is now recovering and doing a lot better. The Backstreet Boys were an instant sensation. Touring the world, singing beautiful songs, dancing nifty choreography, they had it all. I honestly don't know what happened to them or why their fame didn't last, but I guess people move on and find something better. It's human nature.

The Backstreet Boys Official Book...

This book is originally priced at $14.95. I found it at the 99 Cents Store, and my mom bought it for me for $1.08. Thanks mommy! I have not had the pleasure of reading it yet, but I did look at the many pictures it contains. There are pictures of them in Egypt, on tour, and even at their homes. They are def no Michael Jackson, but they had a good run while it lasted and I thoroughly enjoyed their music and entertainment.

Do I think they could make a comeback and be as popular as they were back in 1996? No, but they were big in the music industry then, now they're just big. Oh, oops. I still love them, except Kevin and especially Nick. There is no use in hating, just respect the fact that they did do something right if they got that famous.

I know what you're thinking, this is exactly what is going to happen to the JoBros. Well, yeah, probably. It doesn't hurt me to say it because it's probably true. They aren't the next Beatles, it's just their time to shine, so deal with it for now. People are always wanting something better, so sue me if I like mainstream music and cute boys.

Since I wrote so much, I was planning on leaving you with my favorite BB music video, but I can't embed the video so here's the link to Backstreet Boys "Everybody (Backstreet's Back): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb-q1XPNr7M

I guess I've always had a thing for boys named Nick.
Xoxo Joleena

Words of Encouragement.

You can do anything you set your mind to.
Xoxo Joleena

Happy Earth Day!

I'm going green!

These awesome go green bottles are avaliable at the Disney Store for free, by bringing 3 empty plastic water bottles, while supplies last.

I'm not gonna lie, I really wanna see this...
Watch the movie, plant a tree.

Do something for the enironment, at least for today.
Xoxo Joleena

I Take Shoes for Granted.

I'm kind of ashamed to admit it, but its true. I take shoes for granted, and I know many of you probably do too. Look in your closet and count your pairs. It disgusts me to see how many pairs of shoes I have that I barely even wear.

One thing I am proud of is owning a pair of TOMS...
I plan on getting another pair in the very near future. One for one.

Another way to feel less guilty is by watching this and donating...

Julian is also asking for video responses to this video in which you show an old pair of shoes and tell it's story. Every pair has a story. Share it.

If you can spend over $100 on a pair of shoes, I think you can donate $5 to buy 2 pairs for needy people. If you feel like you get nothing out of that, then pick up a pair of TOMS. I find them super cute and they may be the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.

I'm on a shoe mission: send all my unused shoes to the Philippines. Then buy a new pair of TOMS and wear them everyday. I think I'll get some white ones.

Once again, don't take anything for granted.
Xoxo Joleena

I Walk Because...

I care.

Today I was given the opportunity to to volunteer and participate in the MS Walk 2009. I represented the Disney Store, but I got put into a booth to help register the people for "Team Vas". When I was placed there, I thought it was another company just like all the other teams, like UCLA or Wells Fargo, but it turns out, Team Vas was a family team for a girl named Vas that is living with MS. She's about my age and she's super sweet and really cool.

Disney Store Cast Members.

After a long morning of registering people, it was time to walk a 5k with 6,000 other people...


It was a wonderful experience. If you want to help find a cure, or sign up to walk, check it out here. There is also going to be a walk in June for the Make a Wish foundation and I plan on attending that as well, so if you would like to join the movement, let me know and I can help you get started.

Appreciate life.
Xoxo Joleena

Don't Take Things for Granted.

Life is too short, but at least you didn't have to get married when you were 9-years-old.

I was crying like a baby the entire time...


And that is why I love them so much.
Xoxo Joleena

It's a Beautiful Day.

I don't think anything can kill my happiness right now...

First, I got my acceptance letter from CSULA for Fall 09. Thank goodness I'm FINALLY leaving COC.

Second, Quest Crew had the best performance of their lives...

They were freakin amazing and I still can't believe I witnessed it. You can vote for them here: http://dancecrew.mtv.com/ I honestly don't care who wins, but I think after this show, they deserve it. Go L.A.

Tomorrow, JoBros in 3-D. No meat on Fridays!
Xoxo Joleena

The Way I See It.

I'm sorry for the lack of postage. School started last week and I'm still trying to figure it all out.

Have you ever had those days when it feels like everything you do is never enough? Well, I was having one of those days recently, and then I got this:

"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say 'no' - they may not be smart enough to say 'yes.'"

-Keith Olbermann

It's kind of funny that I found some words of encouragement on a Starbucks cup. Anyways, what I guess I'm trying to say is don't be afraid of rejection and never underestimate yourself. Life is going to have it's ups and downs, but if it didn't then what fun would that be.

Keep on, keepin on.

Xoxo Joleena

Things Change.

It kind of reminds me of the last scene in Twilight. It also brings back a lot of lost memories.

I guess I'm still waiting for my Cinderella Story.
Xoxo Joleena

I ♥ You More Than...

Kanye West loves himself.

I submitted mine, so now it's your turn. What's your measuring stick?
http://iloveyoumorethanblank.com/

Singles awareness is just around the corner.
Xoxo Joleena

Justice Has Been Served.

I'm sorry I haven't updated you on my life lately, but here's something you might find funny. I was summoned for Jury Duty this week, but they didn't make me come in all week, until today.


I woke up at the crack ass of dawn, drove to downtown L.A., sat in a room for 4 hours, took a 1 and a half hour lunch at MOCA, then came back to sit for 2 more hours and then they sent me home and said my term has been completed. Happy Friday!

What a complete waste of time. Disneyland tomorrow, yay!
Xoxo Joleena