Things I Heart This Week

1. Seeking Truth: Blogging and Creative Art Journaling



2. The Texas Trio of Goodness: Guacamole, Queso, and Salsa - In moderation of course! (I am keeping a food log.)



3. Summertime workouts like crossfit, biking, swimming and running. Bringing sexy back. And working towards my race goals.



4. Going to the blueberry farm. Picking up fresh fresh fresh blueberries.



5. Grilling nectarines and walnuts. Putting them in a delicious and tasty bed of spinach with blueberries and vinaigrette. Pretty excited about trying new healthy dishes while working in some indulgences.

Managing Chaos

Do you have a big nasty pile looming around you? You know what I'm talkin' about. It's a corner in your office, room, or living room that kinda makes you sad or a little embarrassed. Our office had a corner like that. We may as well have called it the dumping ground. There were about 6 cardboard boxes just dumped right outside my office door. It was hideous. It was disorganized, and whenever you needed something for an upcoming event, you had to re-visit this area and dig around looking for things: banners, give-aways, pens, etc.

I mean, I totally get it. After an event, you are exhausted, tired, and worn out. It's no wonder the little corner become the office wasteland. And, then, the next day or week, you have another event. So, you are basically sifting through the nasty pile again because you never had time to put things back up again.

Well luckily enough there is a nice... big... pause... Time to re-organize, re-charge, and clean up our messes. We hopped into my car, headed to the container store and grabbed clear boxes (small, medium, and large ones). And, I started sorting through it - ugh!, the dregs of our stuff... You have to be stern and ask yourself, "Is this really needed? useful?" Show some tough love and conquer the pile. Enough is enough.

When I was done, it was just soooo satisfying to see a clean floor and multiple boxes set aside. So, the next time we have an event, we can clearly see the supplies. And, hopefully, it will inspire us to put things away for effectively.

Clear space. Clear mind. Ahhhhh!

Artful, Creative, and Joyful

1. Lately, I've been continuing my work with the Soul Restoration course. I am really liking it. The above photo is one of the layouts that I've been working on lately. There is something that brings me peace and inspiration when I'm working in my art journal.

2. Potential Art Journaling Class! I am trying to get an art journal class for women in August at Taft Street Coffee. Hopefully, things will work out, and I'll have the opportunity to connect with other creatively-minded women locally. :)

3. Budgeting and Planning for the Summer: I've got some mighty big plans for the summer. I am taking two evening courses which will take up four evenings and half-day on Saturdays. Part of me is sad because of the free time, but it's time for me to take up a new challenge in my life and grow. It's really important for me to start moving on. One will be a drawing class at art school, and the other will be a teacher certification course.

4. Vacation, vacation, vacation: So, I'm staying in town this Memorial day weekend. So this is my staycation. I'm very tempted to make it a four day weekend, though. Then, I've got to purchase my train ticket for my New York/Montreal trip. It's time for me to brush up on my French again. So, I don't get rusty. Book a trip! It's the best way to motivate you to practice a foreign language.

5. Healthy living and lifestyle: Being part of Weight Watchers again for the past month has been very helpful. I've lost about 6 pounds thus far. I think knowing that I have to be weighed by someone else every week and recording what I eat and drink is what makes me accountable. I am also thankful that my boyfriend supports a healthy lifestyle too!

6. Workouts: I'm logging in about 5-6 workouts a week which is good for me. We've signed up to do the Astros 5K on Memorial Day. And, I'm contemplating doing a sprint triathlon in June or August. Just depends on how energized and motivated I feel.

Latest Reflections and Highlights

1. Good times with family: I came across this photo of my brother and me. I don't know why I find it so amusing. It's just very random and Asian (two adjectives that can be synonyms of each other).

2. Sipping a cafe au lait with a stack of magazines at French Riviera Cafe.

3. Browsing through all the fabulous merchandise at Anthropologie (with the discipline to not purchase anything since their stuff is soooo expensive).

4. Taking a trip to Paper Source and getting a gift for the beau (whisky rocks) and getting the long-time coveted Japanese masking tape.

5. Chilling out with my art journal as I go through my Soul Restoration class

6. RE-learning valuable lessons:: Be kind to yourself. :: Serve others. :: Don't be afraid to take a leap. :: Take a day off because the world will be fine and still be there when you return.

7. Bookstore browsing and getting to read a huge pile of magazines about fitness, health, crafts, and fashion.

8. Finding simple pleasures like getting nails done, sifting through vintage clothes, going to yoga class, and working out in the park

9. Sipping on lemonade - The Hobbit's strawberry lemonade is fantastic and Boheme makes a terrific version as well.

10. Feeling inspired to take a huge, huge, huge leap into unknown territory. More details when I'm ready to share.

A Trip to the Guild Shop

Due to my work hours, I usually don't have the time the time to laze about thrift shops and look around at a leisurely pace. But, somehow after rummaging through some vintage stores on vacation and in the Heights, I decided to pay the Guild Shop a visit on my day off. The place reminded me of a Goodwill store, but with a little nicer things. Thrift shops are kind of a mixed bag. So, you better have an adventurous spirit and a willingness to dig.

Thankfully it wasn't very crowded. So I was able to dig around for a little bit. I was really hoping to find some vintage scarves, but alas, there weren't any to purchase. But, I did end up getting a pair of t-strap kimchi and blue heels. For $12, I thought it was an easy decision to make.

And, another item I found was a vintage Dooney & Bourke purse for $6. I was actually thinking more about practicality on this one. I am getting tired of carrying around my coach wristlet everywhere I go. I can't stick my iPhone in it. So, I decided to go with a small crossbody and see how it works out. So for less than twenty bucks, I figured it was a pretty successful venture!

And, the other beauty of purchasing used is that you are going green and recycling! Plus the money goes to a worthy cause.

Things I Heart This May

1. Spending Monday morning laying down new pages in my art journal (hooray for days off and the magic of putting together glue and pictures)

2. Really cool Japanese masking tape that I got from my trip to PaperSource (this is the boutique store for all the crafter's in the house). Are there any other uses for Japanese masking tape?

3. Had my second stab at trying the new Salon Effects product! This stuff is so much easier than painting your nails or getting a manicure. There are lots of styles to choose from, too.

4. Another shot at my watercoloring... I just grabbed a photo out of one of my European magazines and gave it a go. Thank goodness I've decided to take a Life Drawing class this summer. Hopefully this will give me some new skills in drawing people.

5. Aren't these adorable? They are teeny tiny pita breads stuffed with good quality goat cheese, prosciutto, basil, and a baby tomato. A great low calorie snack I just whipped up together.

6. A day off isn't complete without some down time at the French Riviera Cafe - ohh la la! I love their cafe au lait and mini chocolate eclairs. It's nice to sit around with nowhere to go and relax!7. Unexpected goodies from a friend! A co-worker of mine went on a cruise and brought back soap and a cute little box made out of olive wood

8. This image just made me laugh -a Louis Vuitton bag with a foghorn. The "glamorous" life of an event planner....

9. So excited! I finally had my lululemon shopping date. It is nice that I finally earned that discount for running 20 times at the Brian O'Neills Running Club, and it was nice to get some new running shorts for workouts.

Looking Forward to Summer Trips

Ick! I couldn't sleep last night. I haven't had this problem in a while. So, I decided to grab a cup of warm milk and animal crackers and watch Episode 1 of No Reservations. And, it made me want to take a vacation. I think I probably fell asleep finally -- dreaming of vacation. I don't know why vacations are so addictive. I think what I really enjoy is the free time doing whatever I want to do, using a different language, experiencing another way of transporting myself, and just observing everyday life. And, when I mean everyday life, I mean - doing what people do everyday even things like going to the grocery store, checking out a yoga class, and talking o people about their hometown.

Well, it's a good thing I've booked a summer trip to the East Coast. People have asked me what I'm going to do, and I haven't really planned much yet. I just like observing, learning about a place's history, and experiencing things I love (art, local food, style, and quirky). I also think the research that goes into a trip is also fun too. Like reading people's reviews about hotels on tripadvisor or finding an inspiring article on Travel and Leisure or the New York Times. The exciting part about travel is just seeing how other people live, discovering a new place to have a cup of chai tea, navigating around unfamiliar territory, or just having a conversation with a complete stranger.

The unknown brings back our attention to our senses and our curiosity. We need new experiences in order for us to live - happily, renewed, and inspired.

Farewell April/ Hello May!

Highlights of the Past Few Weeks
1. Partied at the Latin Wave Opening Night at the MFAH (Jacob and I were having so much fun dancing. We both fell! heheh)
2. Watched "Todus tus muertos" at the Latin Film Festival and enjoyed margaritas and fajitas afterwards on the patio of El Mexicana
3. Keeping up with the workouts: gaining some endurance in TAC class, return appearance in spin class, a bit of yoga, and some running
4. Celebrated Mother's Day: beautiful yellow roses, Kim Son buffet, and a lovely time with mom, dad, brother, and boyfriend
5. Went to the most chill baby shower ever - bbq, beer and friends
6. Saw Manny Pacquiou fight! Makes me proud to be a Filipino.
7.Re-discovering the frustration of keeping a food log
8. Continuing my work with my art class
9. Had two successful events - woohoo! (Two more to go until the end of the school year)
10. Food log is inspiring me to come up with more creative ways to eat my fruits and veggies

summer is upon us

We lucked out last week in Houston. The weather was mild and cool. Then over the weekend, my clothes were starting to stick to me uncomfortably. I consider dresses as the only option for office wear. And, things outside just started to be unbearable.

The thought of going outside for a run just no longer sounds appealing in the middle of the day. So, I made the walk over to the gym and gladly jumped in the pool for a Saturday afternoon workout. Reminiscent of the summers, when my mom would send us to swim class or you got to go swimming with good friends. I was happy to jump in and do twenty laps. There is something very soothing and calming about repetitively doing strokes in the water. It's almost like you can "space out" a bit and let your mind just focus on the movements. And, I think the next enjoyable thing about swimming is the access to the relaxing hot tub afterwards.

With summer rearing it's ugly head, the pool will be my refuge once again.