Summer strolls with My/Mo Mochi ice cream

This post is sponsored by My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

            I truly enjoy my evening summer strolls and recently I have found my perfect companion. A warm summer walk followed by taking a stop under my favorite tree and eating my My/Mochi ice cream. It's a perfect snack it's soft and sweet. I like to eat healthy in summer and I love ice creams so My/Mochi is my go to guilt free snack.

       

             I live in Michigan and our summers are as hot as our cold winters. This is hands down the perfect snack. The smooth chewy cool snack is a great way to cool down.
 

          

             What is Mochi?

It's a sweet rice dough which is very popular in Japan they use this dough to fill different things traditionally. I am so happy they use it to make this delicious ice cream balls.

My/Mochi ice cream has 8 sweet flavors, Salted caramel My/Mochi ice cream, Vanilla bean My/Mochi ice cream, Mint Chocolate chip My/Mochi ice cream, Sweet Mango My/Mochi ice cream, Ripe Strawberry My/Mochi ice cream, Cookies & Cream My/Mochi ice cream, Green tea My/Mochi ice cream and Double chocolate My/Mochi ice cream.

Have you ever had My/Mochi Ice cream? What's your favorite of My/Mochi Ice cream?

No more a dream: I became an American Citizen

It took 18 years, but I finally became an American.

When I left my homeland of Mumbai, India for Detroit, Michigan in 2012 I didn’t think to myself; “Say goodbye to your old life, Jasika. You’ll never live here again.” It was more about I am finally going to live my dream. Of course, I was very emotional to leave back my family and friends but, definitely more excited!

Sure, I'd left my family, friends and native country behind, but I was going to start a new life and new high school (Go Falcons)! New adventures and opportunities were waiting. 

By first year of college, my visits back to India had become just that. Visits. I would be lying if I said, I was okay while coming back from India after my first trip back home. It was so special and something I will cherish for a lifetime.

Well besides just my Journey of becoming an US Citizen I would love to help out to those who are filing. Make sure to write a check list or print the PDF from uscis.

1. The money. The filing fee for citizenship paperwork is $725, and then there’s an $85 biometric fee. The first time US passport fee $205. Attach lawyer consultations to that and the paperwork that will add up even more. I did everything on my own so their was no lawyer involved.

2. It’s super stressful. Especially if you hate dealing with standardized tests and mind numbing paperwork that requires specific details on half-forgotten trips you took five years ago.

3. It’s a commitment. You need to study US civics and history and a smattering of geography. Most of the questions are the kind of thing American kids learned in junior high. Stuff like, how many senators are there? How long do members of Congress serve? What is the supreme law of the land? Name three of the 13 original states. That sort of thing. If you’ve never officially had to learn this stuff (but watch the news and the History Channel often enough), you should be alright. I went to high school here so that wasn't a problem for me.

Finally, this year, everything was in its right place. It was time to finally take it up, write the check, take the passport photos and submit my Form N-400. I hit send in October 2017, and from that point on things moved much more quickly than I thought they would.

I was called to the Detroit homeland security office to submit my biometrics in November, and there I was given the official Learn About the United States booklet. I took that booklet read it completely and thought I should be okay. I took the book in my hand again just one week before my interview which was on March 1st of 2018. My interview went great and I passed. Next up my was Citizenship Oath ceremony on May 7th 2018. I applied to vote right after the ceremony. The Oath ceremony was like a emotional reck for me. When the judge was talking about how we all one day left our home country to build a life in America. We have a vision a dream to work hard on and make a life of our own. I felt privileged to be a part of this country and discover and rediscover myself. 

Now, I have applied for US passport a week ago. It was a very easy process compared to the long and detail heavy citizenship filling process. After I receive my US passport I will have to surrender my Indian passport and mail it to Dehli, India and final step is to apply for OCI which is a Card for Overseas Citizen of India. Hoping this to be done in next 2 months. 

So, after living in US for 5 and half years I applied to become a Citizen and before my 6th year I am now an American Citizen. For those who might wonder previously I was a Green card holder a permanent resident of US.

In total it took 18 years for be to become an American. I was 3 years old when my parents applied for US green card in the dream of taking my brother and me to the States one day. I am so happy to say that the day has come and my family's and granddad's wish has come true. I am now officially an United States Citizen. It feels so surreal but, at the same time it feels so perfect and I can't be more thankful to God for blessing me with this wonderful opportunity. I hope to make the most use of this privilege.

After I shared my citizenship news on WhatsApp, a friend from back home said she was happy for me, but sad India had lost one of its own. I had to explain to her that India hadn’t lost anything! My first trip using my brand new US passport will be to visit my family and friends back in India. I’m a Indian at heart and always will be, even though my life and my future are here in the United States and I am proud and happy to live here. I’m lucky enough to have two homes.

Call me a Indian, or an American Indian. I’m just happy to be here. Until next time, always remember to keep hustling for your dreams. Xo, Jessi.

Life Updates | 2018

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well. Here's a quick update about what's happening lately that I felt like sharing why I haven't posted a blog in 3 months, future posts on blog and plans.😊

Come back to blogging

This was by far the longest break I have ever taken from blogging. My last blog post was when I shared my New Years goals and we are already at the end of fifth month of this year. If you remembered reading that post my key goal this year was quality. I want to create and post only good quality content I want to help you guys through my posts. I have some cool topics to cover which are coming soon but, do let me know if you guys would like me to cover any topics. Winter this year was super cold and that made it really hard to go out and create new content. I didn't want to freeze in cold while taking pictures. This winter killed my fashion game. Hoping to create lots of fresh new content this coming spring.

Next on the blog

Travel guides and India trip diaries and hoping to be back with 2 posts per week schedule very soon. I want to write about topics that I have experienced or somethings that I do that will help you all in everyday life. I feel each year I grow as a person and my views, style, and content creation is going to be different based on that.

Future Plans 

I will be traveling to Canada next. This summer I am either planning to take complete break or else look for a full-time internship for the first time which will be interesting. I am finally planning to take a leap of faith and work on two of my big projects this summer. I hope I will have enough time to execute them.


10K Journey

Finally, if you haven't already noticed we hit 10,000 on Instagram. 10k is very huge milestone it was a long way to get here. On march 17, 2017 we hit 5K and on march 20, 2018 we doubled the number. Thank you so much guys for sticking along and supporting me through this!


Until next time, remember to always keep hustling for your dreams. Xo, Jessi.

2018 resolutions + goals | Lifestyle

Resolutions

1. SAVE MONEY & INVEST - I have spent a lot of money on eating out and shopping last year it's time to save up now. I turned 21 it's time to look out for the future and start investing for the future. I am definitely planning to save up for college, to graduate debt free, to become completely financially independent, and to travel.
2. Eat healthy - I want to limit eating out. I have spent a lot of money eating out it's time to cook healthy meals at home. Also, make a point to eat each meal of the day. Skipping meals is a bad habit that, I caught in the past year.
3. Stress less. Easier said than done? Probably. I’m such a stress ball though and honestly kind of over being that way. I stress about everything– what people think of me, how I talk, the way I look, exams which are weeks away, not getting a blog post up on time, etc. Seriously, name anything and I’ve probably stressed about it or still am. It’s in my nature and it’s who I am so I know I won’t be able to completely stop stressing over some things but, I can at least stop stressing over what I don’t have control over. I shouldn’t stress over something I can’t change. This year I hope to realize that kind of stuff on my own and I hope that helps reduce my stress levels a lot!
4. Tone up- I am proud to say that I have been pretty consistent in going to the gym and staying up to my fitness goals but, this year I am looking for more than just weight loss I am looking for a transformation. I want to build up muscles, endurance, try new workouts and be the best and fit version of myself.  
5. TRY NEW THINGS- I am a thrill and adventure seeker trying new things make me make. Something just like eating at a new place, taking up a new class, visiting a new part in my city, or saying yes to all the opportunities that come to me.

Goals

1. Explore photography more.

2.Cook more and write down my recipes.

3.Get coffee.(A good cup of coffee) 

4.Run a 5k.

5.Get a Internship.

6.Travel with my friends.

7.Make vision boards.

8.Go on road trips.

9.Have less, do more, be more.

10.Take time off.

11. Go to Europe.

12. Meet like minded-people.

13. Vlog more!

14. Have set schedule for upcoming posts.

15.Launch two very exciting projects. (Dates coming soon!)

16. Focus on quality.

17. Carried over from last year.

• Decorate my room
• Take up on art again.

18. Double the hustle.

These are my top goals for 2018! I hope this year is full of new adventures, travel and full of growth. Until next time, remember to always keep hustling for your dreams. Xo, Jessi.