I live under the lemon tree. 
Gosh, I’ve always wanted to say something like that. Doesn’t it sound so idyllic?
I used to read a lot of Enid Blyton books, and one of my favorite was about The Faraway Tree, a magical tree in the middle of the Enchanted Woods. There are fairies and pixies and talking squirrels living in all corners of the tree, and the way to get down the tree is through an inner slide in the middle of the tree trunk. The tree is huge—it grows up and up to a magical rotating land above, where you can have the most fantastic adventures.
Now, my lemon tree isn’t as cool as that, and I technically don’t live under the tree, but I think my new home is perfect in every way. 
I don’t actually live in the main house, but in a little shed across the backyard. See the little house above? That’s half of my place. There are two rooms in there, and mine is on the right, towards the lemon tree. The other belongs to a 35-year-old graduate student called Cesar.
There is no bathroom or kitchen in the shed, so I have to travel across the yard to the main house. My room is small, and occasionally gets infested by ants. But it’s mine. All mine. I love it. 
Let’s enter, shall we? 
It’s a bare room with minimal, creaky furniture, but I’ve since added my own fragrance and style to it. I’ve decorated the wall with lots and lots of pictures: 
Each picture tells a story, a memory, a life. Most of it are pictures I’ve taken over the summer, to remind me of all the precious people I’ve met… 
…the inspiring lessons I’ve learned… 
…and the unforgettable fun moments I’ve experienced. 
It is a fuss-less, cheap decoration: Just take a piece of rustic string, print out a bunch of pictures, and hang them with a wooden clip. I bought my ladybug ones in a Dollar (or 1000 Won) Store in Korea. Simple and easy, but a string of meanings hanging there! 
I have a small desk, but it has everything in reach. The chair is a tad bit uncomfortable, but it prevents me from falling asleep while catching up on some reading. If even that fails, I have my own little snack stash below my desk: 
Yup, I am so prepared.
Another item I brought from Korea that I love: 
My pink bunny coffee cup. The moment I saw this, I knew I had to lug it back home. Can you tell it’s already stained with coffee? Sleep Prevention Numero Tres. I of course had to have my own coffee-brewing station: 
I’ve got about three bags of coffee, a stash of assorted tea, random packets of mayonnaise, and my trusty “I <3 USC” mug.
I don’t exactly have enough tables, so I used one of the big boxes from Costco as a makeshift dressing table for my lotions and three big containers of extra snacks. Inside the box hides several Costco-sized bags of oats because I had nowhere else to store them.
I have no closet, but who needs a full closet when you don’t have much clothes anyway? All I need is a dresser and a decent hanger to hang my clothes and jewelry: 
I have a small shoe shelf, which I actually didn’t need since I only have own 5 pairs of shoes. Never got why women get so obsessed over shoes? 
I have a nice bed all to myself too. 
Okay, I share it with my Pooh bear and Mr. Pig, but they generally get pushed to the floor during the night.
Now, in the center of the room stands my new mini Haier 4.6 Cu. Ft. refrigerator which I bought through the CSN stores. 
CSN offered $80 for me to use in any of their stores, and I knew I desperately needed a small fridge of my own because there is no way I can share a small fridge with 4 other house members. I paid the remaining fee with my own money, but it was well worth it. 
Of course, I put my personal stamp on it right away. This is my favorite picture of my dad: 
I think it showcases the humor and fun personality my dad has, instead of the austere pastor that some people may mistake him to be.
Wanna take a peek inside? 
So far I’m very satisfied with this fridge. It’s compact, but there is a lot of space inside. The nice thing about this fridge is that it’s pretty quiet, too. I once had a fridge that hummed and groaned 24/7 and drove me crazy. Hopefully this will stay silent. 
Obviously, that’s not all the food I have. The other stuff are all in the bigger fridge at the main house, but these are just items which I want to have right on hand. I also have a small bread bin right beside my fridge: 
I really love my room. It’s just got everything I need, and I love having my own little space. I’m also really loving my housemates. They are all guys which can be a bit awkward for me, but they are pretty cool, smart, talented people. I really thank God for giving me such a great place. Remember when I was fretting over my housing situation last semester? I’m still amazed at how God settled it all. For now my room is only filled with past memories, but pretty soon it’ll contain its own memories as well. 
That’s all for today. I’ve been surviving on 4 hours of sleep each night and I’m looking forward to catching up on some zzzs this weekend. Happy weekend, everybody!
Question of the Day: What is your room like? What is your idea of a perfect room/home?
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Can I just say I love your little shed and very jealous right now?
Yes, Yes I am.
oh my goodness ! i’m ashamed at my room…… lol !
why is there so much food !!!! lol !
I love that you live under a lemon tree. Have you ever watched the show, Under the Umbrella Tree? It was a show I watched when I was really little. By the way, I have those same Asics sneakers!
What a beautiful lemon tree! I’m glad you’re so happy and that God blessed you with the perfect living situation!!
such an awesome place to live! i feel you about the fridge being annoying if it’s making a lot of noise. the one i had through college did that. UGH.
at the moment my room is still awaiting furniture from the madre’s house. so it’s no where near done. but i think i’ll be happy/satisfied with it when it’s complete
I love your new little home under the lemon tree
What a perfect little home you have!
When I was in college I lived in an apartment over a house. It was so tiny and quaint.. I loved it!
I’m so jealous of your lemon tree!! I love your new digs– so fun! It reminds me a lot of my first place. It was a studio apartment. It was tiny but it was mine and I loved it. I called it “my treehouse” because it was upstairs, nestled next to a big tree that changed colors with each season. Ahhh, memories… you’re going to make lots of great ones in your new home!
Hugs,
Jill
your room looks fantastic! and what a cute house! how is your roomie? nice?
Oh, girl, I hope you have plans for those lemons! Like fresh lemonade and lemon tarts or lemon bars or lemon meringue pie. I guess you can tell I’m a bit dessert obsessed but lemon desserts use more lemons than recipes that call for them. I would be in hog heaven! I love your place and what you’ve done with it–especially the picture strings! My room is teeny tiny–it only fits our bed and a chest of drawers. That’s it! It’s very plain. My idea of a perfect home is one in the country, preferrably on a farm with some animals and crops–not to sell but at least enough for us. I would like more space as our current home is 550 square feet (perhaps that’s bigger than your current abode, though!) and we’re squished! I had to take over half of a closet to store my baking stuff in. Sheesh! And we didn’t have much closet space to begin with so I had to put a rack of clothes with a tarp over it out in the garage. More space would be nice.
This is a very sweet small room!!! I live in a very similar room when I came four years ago , and i miss the shades and deer! No matter how small it is , u will call it ur home;-)
btw I saw tj’s cat Ginger cookie!! My favorite guilty pleasure , haha!
Yay! Love the lemon tree photos and your magnets…bowls of soup = adorable. I was going to do a fridge post soon myself! We keep many of the same things (exact same cashew butter), but silly parents made me sign up for unlimited meal plan. Sleep poor girl! I feel for you…I hate chronic sleep deprivation and havent had to experience it in a while.
My home room is a total mess now and I’d like to blame it on moving but I really just have too much stuff. Ideal room…I just need a clean room! I’d love to have lots of pink and white with the cute Asian decorations (magnets, etc.) that you have. I’d have a bookshelf, desk, dresser, bed…a lot of open space because physical clutter gives me mental clutter…and a corkboard with lots of colorful pictures, notes, etc. No TV needed though. I don’t really watch it.
I love that pink bunny mug from your trip! So cute.
All of my mugs are stained with coffee too. A necessary evil.
I love the new place Sophia. The photos on a string is such a cute idea. I may have to copy. LOVE IT!
Hmmm, how many Costco items can I count in your room? Dahahaha. I love it. Your new place looks absolutely serene, especially with the lemon tree. I also think you’re ridiculously brave for living with a bunch of guys!
I’m not sure what my dream room would look like because I get easily enticed by moods and colour schemes, but I do know that, like you, it’s got to have a personal flare and fragrance. And that hopefully that flare and fragrance will be something of Christ.
this was such a fun post to read! i love your photo clothes line. and your tree
I love it! So very cosy and you have some cool stuff…I especially like your little ladybirds and all the photos. I used to stick all kinds of weird stuff on my walls when I was a student…
Sarah x
Your place is SO cute! I love the hanging line with the pictures! It’s so perfect!
LOL!!I used to love the Enid Blyton stories and the faraway tree too… Moonface, the slippery slope, pop biscuits, and whatever land that contains food
Thanks for the mini episode of “Cribs”! I do remember your post awhile back about the housing dillema, and I have to say, I’m so very happy that things have worked out!
I would be so happy to have a space off from the others to myself, like you do. I like my privacy!
Hope you get some much deserved R&R this weekend!
<3 Tori
I love your room! And I love that you live with all guys. Right now I’m back with my parents and sister but when I attempted to move out last year I was living with my brother and a guy friend which also meant that there were always guys over. I.loved.it. I’m not sure why but I find guys so much fun and more relaxing to hangout with. They’re just so chill. My idea of a perfect room/house when I move out will probably be to live with a guy/guys again for a bit just because I had so much fun the last time. Maybe I’ll try living with a girl.. we’ll see.
I have never seen a lemon tree before!! I love that picture! Free lemons too – you are lucky!
i really liked this post cause i got to see a huge part of your life for the next months ahead while you finish school. the pictures on the wall and fridge are priceless. some day those pictures will be tucked away safely in a photo album and be replaced by new ones that you take in the days to come, but for now, those pictures will be there with you to remind you of all the people around you who care about you and would be happy to share not only the ups, but the down times with you as well. i love it that you have so many pictures all around your room. plus, what a beautiful lemon tree outside your room as well. i don’t think i’ve ever seen a real lemon tree before. yeah, i’m so deprived. although i do have to warn you, please take extra precautions with all those goodies in your room with your ant problem. heck, i’d wanna steal some of those treats, let alone some ants.
my perfect home would have a big screen tv, perfectly behaved kids, a fridge and microwave beside my comfy sofa in front of the big screen and a servant aka hubby. lol, just kidding. out of all honesty, i’m perfectly happy with what i have now.
try to get some rest this weekend, you deserve it!
I really enjoyed this little “peek” into your life! Hanging pictures from a small piece of rope is a brilliant idea! I’ll have to try to incorporate it into my new room arrangement in DC.
I ALWAYS have a snack stash near my desk too…”just in case”! When I’m feeling sleepy, munching on something never fails to awake me. (And it makes studying MUCH more entertaining!).
I see that you have the Laughing Cow blue cheese wedges tucked away in your fridge! They’re my favorite. I eat at least three every day.
Hope you have a lovely weekend, Sophia!
Sophia! I am SO happy for you.. this little space of yours is absolutely perfect
My idea space is just like that. Honestly, space is not an issue for me… as long as I have my food no one gets hurt 
Apparently, you’re the same way!
I can’t wait to go away to school and finally start living my life. !!
<3 Tat
Your room is so cool! I love all the pictures you have on display
when I live in a dorm I had my own room and I did the same, it was nice to have pictures of dear people in my room while being thousands of kilometers away from them 
Yes, the fridge is SO important!! I really wish I would have sucked it up and purchased my own mini fridge when I was in college. Sharing a large fridge with three other girls was not fun, at all.
Your new place look perfect. Like me, you are ok with living simply and not necessarily needing a ton of space. In college, what more could you ask for anyway?! You’ve got your pictures, your fridge, your “closet” and best of all it’s your OWN space! That’s all I need to be happy. My room has never been large, but as long as it’s my own space, I’m happy
What a fun little post!
I used to live under a bradford pear tree until a storm knocked it down
very nice room.. you make it very comfy and with a lot of goodies!
I love the string with the photos. I need something like that for my room. Our room is kind of boring.
I love it, it’s so totally YOU as well! And that fridge: really organized and so healthy!
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Hi, nice tree, nice house, nice room and most important, nice photos.. heehee..
These 2 weeks we are busy on our new premise, hopefully by next week can finish all the reno and moving.. do keep us in prayer and may you continue to receive grace and strength from God in your studies.
You guys are ALWAYS in my mind and prayers, Liwen! Miss you lots and lots! <3
I love all your pictures! People think I’m crazy because I also like to print off all of mine (sans a few food pics- I don’t really need a pic of every meal in my photo albums…). All my pics mean so much to me!
Your new digs look perfect. And it sounds like it fits your needs to a tee. Too much space = too much space you have to clean IMO!
And are those GINGER cat cookies I see on your shelf? Why oh why can I only find chocolate ones?! Hehe!
That is so beautiful. That’s the kind of place I want to live in when I grow up. Wait, what, I’m grown up already?? Oops. Well, I want to live in that kind of place eventually. It looks so peaceful and simple.
WOW, I just found your blog! Thank you so much for the kind comment on mine! We live soo close! I’ve always wondered what it is like to go to USC. It sounds soo fun. I really like your space, and your snacks. I’m glad that you trusted Him and that you have a great space. It’s amazing how God always follows through isn’t it!? I hope to visit your blog more often! Your pictures are fab!!
very cool pictures!!! so cool to be a part of your college world
I so enjoyed looking into your nest! Your sweet personality is evident, and I would love to be able to visit in in person. I especially loved the way you hung those photographs across your wall, such a cute idea, and one that I want to use in my house!
LOVE your new place!!!
Your place is so cute! It’s the perfect little room, and I love all the personal touches
I think it’s so cool that you have your own little house! And that’s a really good idea with the pictures- I might steal it.
My room is pretty plain but I have a pink comforter and palm trees everywhere
I like your room and that pic of your dad on the refrigerator. I’m really big into composting and gardening. Lemon trees love nitrogen, and you can supply it to them by scattering your used coffee grounds and used tea around the trunk.
Thanks for the tour
One of the things I miss about SoCal is lemon and fruit trees – I loved the scent that perfumes the air wherever they’re planted!
I’m looking forward to nesting in my room a bit come fall – I’m gonna paint it with a red-clay colored earth paint, and hang old tree branches from the ceiling. Also thinking about building a new bed out of some locust logs and bits that we collected last fall. Basically, I want my room to look like a forest!
What an adorable abode? hehe. I’d love to live somewhere that citrus trees grow.
I love your room tour, especially the peek inside your fridge – yum! It’s so important to have snacks that you like on hand, especially when you’re studying. You’ve really added some great personal touches to your room, like the picture string (cheap and cute and meaningful), and the pig pillow has instantly stolen my heart.
BTW, I think the first line of your post would make the excellent first line of a novel
i’m so happy for you! what a wonderful place, and i bet that tree smells so good. i also love all of those wonderful cheeses in your frigde, my kind of girl!
I love your little room – it’s so quaint.
My room is pretty minimalist – with a bold color on the walls. It’s cozy, and just big enough for the husband and I to enjoy. I love my entire house though – country charm meets pottery barn.
Such a cute little room you have! And the lemon tree is definitely very cool to have!
I love your place! I think that it doesn’t matter how big/small a home is as long as it “feels” home. To me that’s the most important thing.
I read all yr posts allthe way dwn to the Terra chip giveaway! Oh my, it certainly shows your progress, your trailing thots til this post wehre you finally moved in yr new home!
And whta a quaint, rustic HOMELY accomodation u got there! It’s REALLY lovely!
Completely u too, non pretentious, back to nature, down to earth. Myself would even want to rent a plc like that back here. Even though I’m not a student!
Is there something wrong with your blog? I can’t get to it!
I love all of those photos! I gravitate towards photos of people (even though I take so many of food)
. And how cute is that mug? OK my ideal room would be big and clean (hear that Mr NQN? 
)
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