I heart my new planner pad.

I love spring. It's a wonderful time to start planning another chapter of the year. One activity I really enjoy doing is getting a brand new planner pad (yes, very akin to getting new school supplies). If you check out the planner pad website, you can notice that the planner pad look is a little boring. So, I actually go through and pick out things from my sketchpads, journals, random ripped out magazine pages and stick them on my planner pad cover. Above are photos of my front cover and inside cover.

The front cover is just a pink collage I made at Mama Shelter while my friend Frances and I were watching movies. After a full day of roaming around Paris, I decided to just stick my museum ticket stubs, ripped up magazine pictures, and a city map on there. I also included a quote from Oscar Wild which says, "J'ai les gouts les plus simple du monde. Je me contente du meilleur." From my translation, it means "I have the taste for the most simple in the world. I am content with the best." I know that creating collages has been compared to scrapbooking, but I'd like to think of it as more fun.

The middle shot is a list of 12 Key Zen Habits written by Leo Babauta and designed by Leonie Allan. You can download a copy for yourself, too. My favorite reminder is the three MITs (most important tasks). It helps align your long term goals to what you should be prioritizing each day. It's the three things that at the end of the day would make you feel like you are creating progress in your life. There are stickers in there because I want to use them as ways to "gold star" myself. Yeah, I know kinda lame, but if I can see numerous stickers after going to yoga or going for a run, it makes me feel better. Remember the simple quote?

The last photo is just the backcover, an ink and pencil drawing I drew while passing the time on a long, long flight back home. No real significant reason for putting it on the back cover. It's just because it looks cool.

I think blank calendars are great because it inspires new beginnings and adventure. And, it can push me to think about certain things like:

1) When am I gonna schedule in some time for prayer and thinking on my own without distraction?
2) What kind of weekend retreat or trip should I be planning?
3) Where am I gonna put in my artist dates or bed days?
4) How am I gonna celebrate my upcoming birthday?
5) What do I want to do, create, experience in the coming days, month, or year?
6) What do I want to do with my time?
7) What the heck am I doing with my time?

Choosing to Grow

Fortunately for me, I have a three day weekend. And spring has truly arrived in my city. One of the prettiest things about this time of the year are the azaleas. As the winter months appear to be behind us for now and we continue to shift to spring, I've noticed that I've been resistant and hesitant to grow and change. I don't know why I'm so stubborn and impatient OR why my pride and laziness get in the way sometimes. But, it's time for me to stop dwelling in old bad habits and continue to keep trying, be hopeful, and grow.

From Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance":
"We've got the big picture but it's backwards. So we cry when we should be laughing, are envious when we should feel inspired, experience deprivation instead of abundance, do it the hard way instead of the easy way, pull back instead of reaching out. And worst of all, we close our hearts so we won't get hurt, when opening them is the only way we'll ever know joy.

How many times have we waited for [the] Spirit to move for us when in fact [the] Spirit is waiting to work with us?

Today take the negative of your Divine Plan and let Love develop so that you can begin living the life for which you were created. It's time to move forward."

Shots of Gratitude

I've had this entry dancing in my head for a few days now -- perhaps even longer than that. There is something so nice about having Hipstamatic right at your fingertips. I often think these shots capture something that a regular digital camera doesn't. I don't know - like there's a little more art, edginess, and spirit when you just randomly take shots from your phone highlighting beautiful things that you see.

Inspired by Sarah Breathnach, I really liked recording shots on my phone especially moments that I wanted to remember and feel grateful for. It's funny. I think life just comes about at such high speeds or we end up getting so distracted that we lack the ability to take a pause, sit down, and reflect on beauty. At the very core of this blog, it's main purpose was to distill and inspire me to reflect on God's limitless grace on me and those around me.

So, below are just a few things and people that I've been grateful for lately...

My balcony view of Paris from Hotel Jules. It was just a nice sunny afternoon, and Frances and I were reflecting on what a fun time we were having right before she hopped on to the metro towards Gare du Nord. Across the way, you could see Parisians doing their normal everyday things: picking up things at the grocery, walking to the boulangerie, or just zipping through town. I've been wanting to take a trip to Paris for a long while, and it was just nice to see it actually come to fruition - actually just sitting there with Paris below me, hearing French, sketching in a museum, or wandering aimlessly along the Seine.

I'm not typically a coffee junkie, but moments that I do enjoy often involve the freedom to sit in a cafe and be still. Observe what people are doing. Read a book. I especially enjoy it when I don't have to be in a rush to do it. The cafe in Le Bon Marche had some adorable details to their coffee. First off, why does the coffee taste so much stronger in France? Yum! Also, I love the cute heart-shaped brown sugar sitting on the rim of the demitasse. Plus, there was a tiny cookie on the saucer. I like when restaurants put little add-ins like that. They make me smile.




Jacob- Yes, of course, him! I'm putting him in here because of the things he has motivated me to do. Things that I didn't think I could do, but somehow he saw those things in me. The night before I left for the Philippines he gave me a sketchbook and some pencils. He told me to draw what I see. I've really taken that to heart. When we were vacationing in Montreal and I complained about how much I wish my French was better. He basically told me I could do it - take classes when I get home, practice with my French-speaking friend, and just try. Without his support, I don't know if I would have ever really had the courage to try being a better artist or signed up for French class. Even when people criticized my decision to go to art school or study French, it didn't matter. I built up the confidence to just jump in and go. Thanks to Jacob's encouragement.

My longtime friend, Frances! Little did I know that we would keep in touch for this long (almost 9 years!) She has given me the best advice and her enthusiasm for life is completely infectious. It is so nice to have a friend in London. And our traveling adventures are often some of the fondest memories I have.


My adorable gray and pink trail runners and Lululemon leggings! So maybe I just like the way they look. I also like this photo because I enjoy walking and wandering around the neighborhood. I like how a few minutes a day exercising your body can really clear your head.



And last but not least- Bookstore browsing. I have to thank Kimberly Wilson for inspiring me to take my artist dates. This has to be one of my favorite activities. I can spend hours in the bookstore and sometimes it gives me that extra piece of inspiration/knowledge/or entertainment that a dull mind desperately craves. I took a picture of the travel section because I am already thinking about the next adventure I'd like to have.

march zen or march madness

So, I noticed I took a one and a half months hiatus from my writing. I don't know how time flies like that! It's incredible. And, I can't believe it's the day before St. Patrick's Day. A couple weeks ago, I was vacationing in London and Paris and having a wonderful trip. That's me in the above photo enjoying un cafe avec lait chaud. I will definitely have to write another entry about what makes Paris (and traveling in general) so grand. What is it about going to a new place that heightens our awareness? Is it the brain having to come up with the French words to translate? Is it the sense of freedom knowing you can explore the city at your own pace and walk back to your hotel for a nap whenever you feel like it? But, I like the jolt of excitement and relaxation that comes to me when I return from a trip.

For me though, I didn't really have much time to transition back to time zones. My body had to re-adjust which isn't anything new! I had quite a busy week when I returned home working some 10-12 hour days. I did get to enjoy a wonderful reflexology massage and have Tony give me a long, long overdue haircut. So, that's the kind of thing I need when I return home from a trip. Some doses of self-care and time to catch up with my friends.

So, I have a feeling that I will be oscillating between zen and madness this month. And, I will just have to continue to focus on evening out the highs and lows: more refinement on the most important things and people and more focused and meaningful activities for me inward and outward.

Jan-Feb-March Reflections

January/ February/ and March Dream Reflections

Woah! I have not recorded any thoughts and musing in almost a month. My goodness... I've been feeling very slow and tentative lately. Ever felt that way?

How the heck does the time whiz by I don't know? I started this entry about a month ago, but I am back to happily finish this up now! March 21st is better than any other day I suppose.

so here are my 2011 dreams, and my commentary on them...

1. Continue spiritual work: Change is a brewing. I can feel it. I hope to be able to meditate on this upcoming change and grow spiritually. I'd like to do a weekly meditation/prayer, attend church weekly, and work on my morning pages 3-5 times a week

I hate to say this, but I feel like a lot of my tentative and slow feelings is my lack of spiritual work. I want to be part of a spiritual community but for some reason I have been holding back. There is a huge need there to continue growing, but as time passes I don't know why I'm holding back.

The meditation has actually been my largest challenge. I don't know why I am so resistant to doing it lately. I honestly think it is fear. Fear of failure, fear of something new, and other fears that seem to flood my thoughts.

My yoga teacher believes that we choose not to meditate because our ego doesn't want to lose control. :( I know meditation and spirituality are good for me, but I somehow have this resistance to dive in and am afraid of what will come from it.

I will have to let these feelings subside, wash away a lot of cynicism and just keep on trying. Perhaps, spirituality is there inside me and I am not acknowledging it because it's not how I feel like it should be. There's a lot that needs to be let go so I can have an openness towards it.

2. Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!: I've really enjoyed attending Yoga Ananda classes. And, I hope it inspires me to work on my home practice. I'd like to go to yoga class x2 a week and at home 2x a week. Then I will be diving into a 40 Day Yoga Program! I look forward to the growth and challenges that will be ahead in my personal yoga practice.

So, this is the most dedicated I've ever been to my yoga practice! Before I started this program, I would practice yoga maybe 2x a week at most. During my six weeks of intense study, I logged in 27 sessions. What I truly enjoyed was the commitment to trying something out. I've always wondered if I could improve my practice and I am proud of the dedication I put towards it. I also enjoy the benefits of yoga: making me physically and mentally stronger, the way it makes me feel more even, the spiritual intention we set for each practice, and the time it gives me and Jacob to try something out together.

3. Creativity: I will give myself the same challenge- work in my studio 2x this month, clean out my studio, and produce one new piece of artwork. I would really like to start a creativity circle or a class. Lord, please give me the courage to grow in this area.

So, I have not worked on my creativity in the way I had envisioned this year. I am seriously thinking about giving up my studio. I has not served me well in the past few months, and I think I will invest the rent money towards a new project.

I did grow creatively though! I visited a few museums while in Europe: the Museum of London, the Musee D'Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou. And, I did quite a bit of sketching and artwork. Hooray! You can see a bit of it on my art blog. I really think being in Paris really pushed me to think more creatively and honestly the best thing one can have in order to be creative is the time. Sometimes it just means having no distractions and the determination to keep doing the work.

4. Personal Health and Growth: I'd like to finish Artist's Way and SEED. I am almost there! I'd also like to continue logging in my food intake and exercise (spin class once a week, running 2-3 times a week, and strength training twice).

I am almost finished with Artist's Way. I don't really know why I haven't just jumped in and completed it. I hope that I will get it done in April. Exercise and diet have been a bit sporadic for me. I think vacationing can do that to me, but I'll continue trying to carve out health and wellness in my everyday.

5. I have a few other projects coming up that I'm excited about: French class which starts next week and is in preparation for my trip to Europe. Also, I've signed up for the Austin Half Marathon happening in February.

I am happy to report that my French has improved, and my trip to Europe was a huge success. I was able to have a wonderful trip. I am very blessed to have had the free time and resources to go out and explore.

Creating a Sacred Space for Meditation

So this is my first week in Baron Baptiste's 40 Days of Personal Revolution! It's been a pretty interesting way to start 2011. The 40 Days is a time for shifting, observing, and growing. We are advised to practice yoga 6 times a week, meditate in the morning and evening daily, record our diets, read Baptiste's book, and ask ourselves some questions along the way.

Meditation can be an interesting, challenging, and calming experience. The above photo is the altar I set up for myself in my bedroom. I tried to put some of my favorite things and reminders that make an impact on my life. I placed a vision board that I made last fall with goals and dreams to ponder about. In honor of my Christian faith, I placed my Bible and cross. There's a calming blue colored vase with water. The cow head is a little jar with seedlings to represent life and growth. I have a nice smelling candle and vanilla incense to represent warmth and love. There's a rice pillow and balm for comfort and relaxation. And, Sara Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance" on the table because there are enlightening lots and words that inspire.

So, meditation is just a way to get centered and reconnect with God. It looks pretty simple. For this first week, we were asked to meditate once in the morning and once at night. So, you sit in a comfortable position. I use two pillow so that my hips are raised a bit and by knees are below cross legged. I place my handles in a neat circle and I close my eyes and breathe. I set my timer on my iPhone for 5 minutes and meditate. Closed eyes, breathing and observing in the present moment. It can be so challenging because you may want to fidget, scratch, or start planning a to-do list. You also might dwell on something wrong that you did or start to dread something that you will need to be doing. The cool thing about meditation is that you just observe what comes and immediately let that thought go. You just sit in quiet, calmness and peace - or at least that's the goal.

It's kinda bizarre what can come up sometimes. Like yesterday, I meditated after eating a very hefty amount of chicken masala and I kept thinking about how much my full belly made me look like Buddha. I gringed. I was disgusted. But, you have to continue to let the thoughts go like a sieve or water flowing smoothly. As the weeks go on, we will eventually have to meditate for up to 30 minutes. I just can't imagine that right now. So, slowly, I will leap into this endeavor and embrace the moments.

How do you clear your head? What are ways you are getting grounded? Do you have a prayer/meditation practice?

Holly Daze Reflections

Happy New Year! I hope you are excited for 2011. I am eager for change, learning, and stretching. I can't believe this is my 75th blog entry on Limitless Grace. Isn't that crazy? Who knew that my writings would grow in this way. I wanted to thank the handful of people who have taken the time to stop by and read along. I hope that this year brings more adventure and inspiration into your life!

So, it is time to reflect and review from last month - the last installment of 2010. Things I'm looking forward to and dreaming about in January 2011...

1. Continue spiritual work: Change is a brewing. I can feel it. I hope to be able to meditate on this upcoming change and grow spiritually. I'd like to do a weekly meditation/prayer, attend church weekly, and work on my morning pages 3-5 times a week,

2. Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!: I've really enjoyed attending Yoga Ananda classes. And, I hope it inspires me to work on my home practice. I'd like to go to yoga class x2 a week and at home 2x a week. Then I will be diving into a 40 Day Yoga Program! I look forward to the growth and challenges that will be ahead in my personal yoga practice.

3. Creativity: I will give myself the same challenge- work in my studio 2x this month, clean out my studio, and produce one new piece of artwork. I would really like to start a creativity circle or a class. Lord, please give me the courage to grow in this area.

4. Personal Health and Growth: I'd like to finish Artist's Way and SEED. I am almost there! I'd also like to continue logging in my food intake and exercise (spin class once a week, running 2-3 times a week, and strength training twice).

5. I have a few other projects coming up that I'm excited about: French class which starts next week and is in preparation for my trip to Europe. Also, I've signed up for the Austin Half Marathon happening in February.

December Dreams Reflections
1. Simplicity - What matters most this Christmas? Family, friends, fun, and festivity. It's hard not to get carried away with the craziness. I just hope to have spent some time with people I love dearly. My cousin Sheila is very sick right now, and I hope to spend some time with her before her surgery. Please keep her in your prayers. -
Done! I was so thankful to get to spend a lot of time with my family. I was able to hang out with my mother as she showed me how to work on her sewing machine, spend some quality time with my brother in his new home, catch up with my sister who was in town from Vancouver, and get a lot of rest. We baked cookies, watched lots of movies, and caught up on Glee episodes. :) We also got to visit Sheila while she started her chemotherapy treatments. You should have seen how much happier and easier it was for her to manage her pain. The whole family gathered in her swanky and spacious hospital room and celebrated Christmas there. It was a real blessing. During my second week of vacay, I was able hang out with Jacob, Yushan, Albert, Thuan and many other friends. It was so much fun to spend the evenings listening to vinyl, dancing to Michael Jackson, and counting down the last few hours of 2010 with my close buddies.

2. Crafty - I've scheduled in a couple of artist dates for the this month. One will be a sewing class and the other one is my truffle making class. I hope to put in some art studio and yoga studio time, too. At least yoga twice this month and art studio time twice this month as well.

Done! I thoroughly enjoyed both of these classes! Sewing was a bit of a challenge for me especially since I haven't taken a class in YEARS. But, I was amazed by what one can produce with some time, fabric and a machine. The truffle class was absolutely delightful, too. The process was easily explained, and I had a good time rolling up my truffles and sharing them with friends. I also went to Yoga Ananda quite a bit and even recruited Jacob to join me. I logged in 8 classes, and I love the feeling of doing something good for my body. Now as far as studio time... mmm... yeah, that hasn't been too successful. I have worked on my morning pages, done some collaging, a clutch for my roomie and labeled my Christmas cards very creatively. So, I have been putting in doses here and there... just not in the studio.

3. Spiritual - I made this really neat "Creative Prayer" booklet. I'll probably blog about it in a future post. It helped me to stay centered and remember how important it is to connect with God and spirit. I'd like to create an altar space, continue going to church, and have better quality alone time in scripture, prayer or meditiation.

Work in progress- I attended midnight mass with my family, but haven't really made it to service much besides that. I am hoping that my quality time does improve. I have an altar with a great vision board and have done quite a bit of meditating over the past month. So, I look forward to continuing my spirituality in January.

4. Cardio - I'd like to continue to keep up with my workouts. I really enjoy spin class and running. And, we only have three more Athletic Conditioning classes before the end of the semester. (sniff! sniff!) So, I will need to continue to stay motivated through the holidays with some creative workouts.

Work in progress! This was definitely hard for me this month. I started off pretty good, but with the holidays and lazing about with family and friends, it was quite difficult to put in the cardio time. Last week, I did go running twice, attended spin class once, went on a couple walks, and lifted weights with the beau. So, it wasn't a complete loss.
5. Foodie - I'm so excited about my Food Network magazine issue. I'd like to try and cook something at least once a week this month. With potlucks and parties coming up, I don't think that will be hard. Done! This was actually quite fun. My brother and sister had an afternoon of baking. Afterwards, we devoured cookies and watched movies. It was very fun. I also had a great time in the truffles class as mentioned before, and last night Jacob and I enjoyed a nice pot of chicken and veggie green curry. So delicious and cozy for a cold winter evening.