What I learned from running

I have never been a runner. I remember when I was in elementary school, we'd be forced to run laps as spring turned to summer. Teachers would always stand by the finish line, watching us with their clipboards on one hand, time-stopper and pen in the other. As we'd cross the finish line one by one. they'd write down our finish time. Almost always - I came second-last (thank goodness for another girl or boy who was either suffering from asthma or was slightly over-weight). I remember dreading running more than anything! I would have rather played soccer. I think I hated running when I was young because I hated the feeling of being out of breath! I felt like my lungs were going to explode.

Fast forward twenty years …
and now I love running.

Who would have thought?
That same feeling- where lungs feel like they're about to burst- is actually very comforting.
It makes me feel alive

So running has taught me that...
1. When you think you can't do it, you actually can when you set your mind to it!
2. When you accomplish running a certain distance, you always want to do better: run longer, run faster. After reaching whatever goal you have, you want to set a bigger goal and work hard towards it.
3. If you want to do well in something, you have to be consistent! Taking a week off running and trying to run the same way as your last run is hard!

Thank you running, you've taught me a lot.

My goal is to eventually run 5K and 10K runs.

Do you run? If so how often and do you have any running routines?

Money & reward

Saving money is hard. Agree? Every time I managed to save some money, there was always a big bill waiting to be paid off: insurance premium, computer purchase, and car maintenance. Now I'm finally able to see my money grow! I do want to save my money for something big, like a house in the future, but there is still my student loan to repay, and it seems like my monthly contribution is only making a small dent. I would ideally like to pay it off within the next 4 years, but that would leave very little room to save money for a house. I wish there was a life-coaching courses in high-school so that I would be smarter about money management. It's great to be able to make money and buy what you want, but trying to save that money for a big goal seems like a difficult journey. In order to remain sane while saving money, I've decided on a compromise: for every 10lb I lose I buy myself something that I really want within reasonable amount. At least I'll be getting fit and rich; though I do worry about falling off the jogging and diet regiment. I try to keep reminding myself that- you never regret after a workout, but do if I miss out. Such is the life of a twenty-something "freelance" worker. How do you manage to save money? Share your tips and help me get richer.

Classic vs. Funky

I often have trouble deciding if I want to take the classic (the safe route of choosing a classic style) versus choosing a funky style I'm momentarily in love with. Knowing myself, I probably will get bored of the funky style; however, I can't stop thinking how great this bag would brighten up my look. But for practical reasons, perhaps classic will always win.



vs.




Or a happy medium…



What do you usually go for? The classic style or the bold, colourful, pattern of the moment?

Goal- in five years

I have a new goal; a very ambitious one.
It is to buy a home/condo in the next 5 years. For this to happen, I will need to save at least $800 a month, put aside in saving as a down-payment. It is very plausible for this to happen; however, my financial situation being unpredictable (pretty much being self-employed), I will need to be prepared for possibly hitting a brick wall from time to time - still- I will make this happen! This is why people get married… seriously putting two income into buying a house does make more sense. But I can do this!

Pretty, simple, classy bedroom

All images and products courtesy of Pottery Barn

Love the details in the headboard. I would really like to have that headboard + duvet cover (Hadley Ruched Duvet Cover)! I am inspired to redesign my bedroom with an airy feel, but within reasonable budget. After a catastrophic spending this month, I'm restricting myself to spending money on the only necessary stuff.


Does spring call for a change for you?

Summery weather

Doesn't this popsicle just look so delicious? I just saw this in my inbox from Williams-Sonoma for $49.95. This would be perfect as a desert after home BBQ party.

I really want to try to make Strawberry-Banana PopsRecipe

Slices of fresh banana are frozen inside these cool strawberry pops.

Ingredients:
1 cup strawberry juice
3 oz. plain yogurt
1 1/2 oz. honey
1 large banana, cut into 1/8-inch rounds
Directions:
In a bowl, whisk together the strawberry juice, yogurt and honey until the honey is dissolved.

Prepare an ice pop mold according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For 2-oz. pops, place about 5 banana slices along the sides of each slot, then insert the sticks. Slowly pour about 1 1/2 fl. oz. of the juice mixture into each slot, reaching just to the fill line. Tap the pop mold on the countertop to release any air bubbles. Freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the mixture is solid, 7 to 20 minutes. To test, insert a toothpick near a stick.

Remove the ice pops from the mold according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Repeat to make the remaining ice pops. Makes six 2-oz. pops.

Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

Time flies~

Notice how when you are busy time just flies! Well, that's how my life has been feeling as of late! I can't believe it's already March! Spring will officially arrive this year on March 20th! Anybody else excited for some change of weather?

I would love to be here right now, where ever this is:



This spring I really want to plant something in our front and back yards! I've been wasting my mornings, and it may be a good plan for me to start getting into gardening.

I wish my garden looked like this! It's like a paradise- a getaway from reality and into fantasy, doesn't?


Credit: Butchart Gardens, Victoria B.C.

And also grow my own vegetables:


Credit: Pinterest

Valentine's day

The best thing about being a teacher: never being forgotten on special days. There will always be surplus of chocolate guaranteed. I ended up finishing this whole heart-shaped container full of Ferrero Rocher, my favourite chocolate, in one sitting. How can you not love chocolate?

I'm back! What a long hiatus!

Korean Drama: History of Salaryman


It's been so long since I posted something here! I don't think anybody ever checks my blog, so I'm not quite sure if I should even apologize?

I've been thinking, though, during my hiatus, what I want to do with this blog. I realize that I fail miserably with the popular trends, so I can't go for that route. Also, I don't have anything interesting to say, nor do I write hilariously to make anyone laugh. So, I decided to just post whatever that floats my fancy, and who knows, maybe I'll find my own niche.

So I didn't get that job. Yes, I wasn't 100% sure if I was ready for the move, but learning that you didn't get the offer for a job that you thought you were so qualified for makes you feel a little sad. I even contemplated a career change today. Maybe teaching is not my calling, but I can't brush off the idea- and with no doubt- I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. I love teaching. Please, I'd gladly take on any class, hundreds of tests and essays to mark, and deal with hormonal teenagers everyday. Just please give me a job. I cry out inside everyday

I've always loved learning, and would have pursued the academia and often wondered how my life would have been different today, however, after reading this article, I realized that my destitute life would be no different, except my B.Ed would be replaced with M.A..

On that note, feeling down can really get at you, and eat away your ambition, passion, and positivity! I'm really trying to stay positive, not let the other's good fortune lead me to jealousy, nor secretly become a schadenfreude. P.S. Avenue Q is a one funny play. At first I thought it was just a weird concept- puppets and people singing together- but it works at the end.

I hope this doesn't come out as being a rant, I try to keep the rant on the down low, however, there are days where you just gotta "say it out loud". I tried to keep this as light as possible, sans angry tone.