Things I Heart This June

Art class is in full swing. Life drawing has been interesting needless to say. You can see more about my latest art projects here. I'll be teaching an art journaling class at Taft Street Coffee in August. Please come out and play if you are interested!



Looking forward to a week of adventure in the northeast, practicing my French, and some time away from the everyday. Can't believe summer vacation is coming up soon.



With summer officially around the corner, it's time for me to start whipping up some new salads. I'm trying to find new recipes from Eating Clean magazine, and I've tasted this one above from Snap Kitchen featuring beets, chicken, feta, and walnuts. You can read more about my food adventures here.


It's been a while -- my last triathlon was September '09. I'm gearing up for a triathlon on June 26th. It has been fun to get back into the swing of things. Nothing clears your head as well as working out does.

What's Your One Song ?

At church last week, my pastor showed us a clip from the movie, "Walk the Line." It's been ages since I've seen that movie. But, I'm glad that he showed it to us because I completely forgot about this part of the film.

Johnny Cash and his band are auditioning for record producer Sam Phillips. Mr. Phillips stops them after they sing a couple of the versus.

Sam Phillips: You know exactly what I'm telling you. We've already heard that song a hundred times. Just like that. Just... like... how... you... sing it.

Johnny Cash: Well you didn't let us bring it home.

Sam Phillips: Bring... bring it home? All right, let's bring it home. If you was hit by a truck and you was lying out there in that gutter dying, and you had time to sing ONE song. Huh? One song that people would remember before you're dirt. One song that would let God know how you felt about your time here on Earth. One song that would sum you up. You tellin' me that's the song you'd sing? That same Jimmy Davis tune we hear on the radio all day, about your peace within, and how it's real, and how you're gonna shout it? Or... would you sing somethin' different. Somethin' real. Somethin' YOU felt. Cause I'm telling you right now, that's the kind of song people want to hear. That's the kind of song that truly saves people. It ain't got nothin to do with believin' in God, Mr. Cash. It has to do with believin' in yourself.

Johnny Cash: [after a pause] I got a couple of songs I wrote in the Air Force. You got anything against the Air Force?

Sam Phillips: No.


Johnny Cash: I do.

For some reason, perhaps it's where I am right now in my life, but that scene really hit me in a way that kinda jolted me. If we're always looking at what other people have, trying to imitate the lives of others, and wanting the talents/lifestyle/material goods of other people, when do we have time to truly know ourselves?

It was a wake-up call to be truly authentic in life. Listen to what God intended me to be, and discover my own unique place in life. What are the gifts and talents that I have that honestly make me authentic? And, once I discover those things, it's not my place to just enjoy them for my own pleasure, it's my calling to serve other people by sharing my gifts and experiences.

Playing small and being fearful of who I am does the world no good. It's amazing to think that there is an original design to you. There are just things that you can only do.

So, how often do we just go on auto-pilot and not fully think about what makes us unique? It's pretty scary to think about. I hope that this wake-up call really sharpens my insight.

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.