Alyssa's Digital Diary

☕️ This week, I want to share some of my favorite coffee shops around Peoria! First of all, I could never focus or be productive while sitting in my bedroom on my laptop all day. 😵‍💫 I get distracted too easily, so I prefer to go somewhere that helps me focus, put my headphones on 🎧, and get my work done. Ever since I started college, my entire work routine has changed—including how I complete assignments, study for exams 📚, and tackle projects. So, let's get into it! 🎉 Here are my  Top 5 Coffee Shops  around Peoria: 🥉 Top 5: CxT Roasting Company at Keller Station I had a meeting and an interview here with a small business owner who wanted me to manage their social media accounts. 📱 The place was very welcoming, and the aesthetic was great. ✨ My only concern was the price—like most coffee shops, it was on the expensive side. The vibe here was interesting because I felt like I was surrounded by professionals with full-time jobs 👩‍💻, which made me feel more productive. ...

Can we talk about photography and videography? Am I the only one who thinks you need a ton of skills to succeed in this career? It’s not just about having technical skills—you also need a creative mindset. In my free time, I love taking photos, whether professionally or just for fun. I started taking photography more seriously during my internship, where I was responsible for capturing people smiling, laughing, and having fun for social media posts. At first, I thought it would be easy, but I quickly realized that editing photos professionally is a whole different skill. I believe it takes real talent to manipulate editing tools effectively. Right now, I’m taking a class called I M 113, where I’m required to be skilled in photography, creativity, and editing. While I enjoy taking pictures, I know my editing skills need improvement. Beyond photography, videography also fascinates me. When I watch movies, I often find myself wondering,  How did they do that?  The level of editin...

When I was in high school, I would always use our home treadmill and do some ab workouts 🏃‍♀️💪. As I grew up, I started learning more about staying active at the gym, which I began going to during my freshman year of college. At first, all I did was walk or run on the treadmill because I was too scared to try something new—I didn’t want to look silly in front of everyone. As I watched more workout videos online, I slowly gained confidence and finally got a Planet Fitness membership during my junior year. Even then, I still struggled to stay active and consistent, especially while being a full-time student and working 🏋️‍♀️📚. About a month ago, I became more committed to the gym after seeing real progress—not just in my physique but also in my mindset 💖. Working out has helped me stay productive, reduce stress, and gain confidence in myself. I also started taking creatine and noticed even more improvements! However, I know that reaching my goals isn’t just about working out—it also...

One of my biggest dreams has always been to travel the world🌎. So, for my blog this week, I want to share the story of my trip to Mexico!  This was my first time traveling without my parents, and honestly, I was pretty nervous at first. But I was lucky enough to be with the kindest people—people who took care of me and showed me around their beautiful country. Before this trip, the only other country I had been to be the Philippines, where I grew up. Now, I can finally add Mexico to my list! And surprisingly, Mexico reminded me a lot of the Philippines. I had seen videos and heard stories about it, but being there in person was a whole different experience. The similarities were crazy—the food, the way we count in our languages, the fact that we both call our money "pesos." And while both countries have areas that are struggling, they also have some of the most stunning natural landscapes and historical architecture I’ve ever seen—especially the churches, which I completely ...