My Biggest Accomplishment: 26.2 Miles

Picking up our packets for the Run

  

Running a marathon is super hard. I didn't get what you call a "runners high" but for some odd reason 50,000 + people of the craziest people have dedicated themselves to run the Chicago Marathon. I being the one of them. The greatest thing about running a marathon is the diet. My meals consisted of 80% carbs and 20% protein! I didn't gain a single pound however did not loose either. I was pretty good in sticking to the training schedule however my knees have definitely seen better days. 

What did I learn through this experience? 

1. Having your loved one as one of your cheerleaders is really the best

2. I will never run a marathon ever again.

3. Marathon training does not equal loosing weight. 

4. I really can do anything if I commit myself. 
5. Stretch stretch stretch! They are the answer to most pains! 

Purpose and Thankfulness

• Thank you for dreams
• Thank you for the stirring of my soul
• Thank you for failures
• Thank you for routine 
• Thank you for resources
• Thank you for community 
• Thank you for love
• Thank you for hope
• Thank you for the things that are to come
• Thank you for the season of waiting

Home cooked

I don't know at what point I realized I didn't like cooking. I mean, give me a lazy Sunday morning and I will make you a fantastic brunch but somehow the concept of cooking for myself has become less appealing. Perhaps it's because I have gotten used to the abundance of foods in NYC or perhaps I have gotten lazy. Possible explanation. In college, I used to host dinners and make meals for my roommates but for me to boil an egg now seems impossible. Cooking has become work and not an enjoyable task. 

That is why I really appreciate and love home cooked meals. I really admire people who take their time in thinking and preparing a meal. Mr. T. one morning made this amazing brunch with some french bread and apples. He made french toast, sliced some apples over skillet, and added cinnamon. We didn't have any maple syrup but honey worked just as well.  It was perfect. 

Surrender

Breakneck Ridge. Picture taken by O. 

If you are anything like me, you get caught up in the daily routines, focusing on what is lacking, career goals, and weight issues. It also doesn't help that New York City is filled with people that are driven. This isn't a bad thing, actually I am a fan of having goals and dreams for yourself. But I think there a healthy balance between reaching for your goals and letting it go knowing that you have tried your best at the end of the day.  Past weekend, I went on a rigorous hiking trip with one of my close girlfriend, Liv. It ended up being close to 7 hour hike where I was forced to let go and slow down. It gave me a chance to appreciate simple things in life, such as shades (shades from the trees), flip flops, and water!  

I love the story of Oprah Winfrey and her desire to be part of the movie, Color Purple. She said  

"And the reason it was life changing for me is because in that moment of surrender, I realized that when you've done everything that you can do, when you've given it the best that you know how, you surrender it to that which is greater than yourself."

I heart LA

Glen Ivy Spa in Corona

Life cannot be any more sweeter then being with a friend that completely knows and loves you the way that you are. My dearest girlfriend Monica of Oh Sweet Escape is that person that makes me feel at home. She's my bff from high school and I have been so  blessed to know her all these years. She is a woman full of creativity, life, and her spirit of giving is contagious. She inspires me to live outside of the box. I took a visit to LA where she now lives.

SLS Hotel

My first night in LA she took me to SLS hotel in Beverly Hills. It is such a LA scene full of funky decor and beautiful people. 

Nitro Coconut Floating Island

Monica loves taking me to different and unique places that you wouldn't see anywhere else. And this was no exception!  She ordered for us Nitro Coconut Floating Island which is a ladle of coconut milk that is in a form of a hard shell.  Light and yet fluffy!  It was paired with banana's and passion fruit. The taste so exotic and the flavor uniquely melts together 

Foie Gras Terrine in corn nuts, wrapped in cotton candy

I love the concept of unconventional and the next dish was exactly that. Foie gras wrapped in cotton candy. There is no way to describe it except it was so peculiar and uncanny experience in my mouth. In a very good way of course. 

The dessert bar

Couldn't resist leaving this place without capturing this amazing dessert bar! I also would love to adopt this concept for my shoes at home... haha

Mango Shaved Snow at Class 302

This dish is kind of amazing. Tucked in Rowland Heights, Class 302 serves this amazing dessert called Mango shaved snow. This just added to my obsession with Mango. It is almost like shaved ice except the consistency is much smoother almost a soft serve of mango ice cream, filled with chunks of mango, and mochi. 

Macaroons at Bottega Louie

Thank you Monica for sharing beautiful things with me.  
I love you always <3 

Gratitude Journal

I found myself complaining about the littlest things and getting annoyed at myself. Does that ever happen to you? Getting annoyed at own voice? I had to slap my head upside down to acknowledge that I have been blessed with so much and so fortunate to live in the States. The idea did not come from me, rather my girl Oprah who started a Gratitude Journal herself.  I wanted certain things for my life, however I need to learn to be thankful in the little things in life. So I gave myself a 30 day challenge which I hope to continue for 60, 90, and etc., to find something that I am truly appreciative of or grateful for. I want to get into a habit of appreciating things.

Today, I am thankful for:

• For my roommate who made me coffee this morning. 

• My class at the gym, allowing me to release some stress in the middle of the day. 

• My AC at home. It's 104 degrees in NYC today. Thank you for the cool air.

• For the female banker at my gym who made me laugh.

• For Mr. Ted - his consistency and positive perspective.

P.S. The details on this fabulous card pictured above can be found here

Peaches in Brooklyn

Peaches in Brooklyn

Sweet door to the restaurant

My Dearest friend Monica

Hand Dipped Flounder with Creamed Spinach

Blackened Catfish with Sweat Potato fries and grilled Lemon

I was having a really lousy week when I decided to meet with my dear friend Monica at Peaches in Brooklyn. I was swimming in my pool of negativity despite the gorgeous 65-degree sunny weather. Monica is the type of person that has always been a cheerleader and an encourager. She is full of life and this was no exception.  As we were exchanging our stories of recent happenings, she admitted that life isn’t all peaches and cotton candy, however that I have been an extraordinary being and she installed hope in me. I used to think that I would be happy only if I had “X” but only to realize that it isn’t those things that make you happy, rather it’s the moments in between such as friends like Monica and delicious meals in Brooklyn.