Camera consequences

This was Wednesday, parking my car at work.

The water was soo blue and beautiful that I had to snap a picture. Unfortunately, it was with my cell phone camera. Small, no zoom, and pixel-y.

The moral of the story is: from now on, I'm going to have to carry my regular camera where ever I go. I wouldn't want to miss another great shot of everyday life!

Movie time!

I finally started watching the AFI movies. There's a lot of them, and I'd better get cracking!

(#22) Some Like It Hot (1959): starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon
This was my first Marilyn Monroe movie! I like old movies and have watched a few, but they've all seem to star Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, or Audrey Hepburn. It is about 2 musicians, Joe and Jerry, who witness a massacre, and try to hide from the Chicago mob by joining an all-female band disguised as women. Both the men fall for Sugar, the lead singer, but of course, can't act on their feelings (they're supposed to be girls!).

I liked this movie! I was pleasantly surprised that Sugar had a sweet personality (haha, puns). I really was expecting her to be an over-the-top sexy bombshell. Also, the movie made me go "waiiiiit a minute" multiple times! It was clever and had plenty of sexual innuendo.

Sorry for the short review today, I've got to back to the library and get more movies!

It's a beautiful morning!!

I've been getting so excited for summer despite the crazy winds sweeping through SoCal. I love that its still sunny at 7pm (see picture above!). However, summer mean crunch time for me! I have to finish summer school, work, and apply to vet school. Wish me luck! Any tips on time management??

Summer also makes me feel like eating healthier. Lighter and fresh meals sound divine to me :) The bulk section at Whole Foods has been oh-so-helpful. I can try new "healthy" foods without buying a ginormous package, and being scared of wasting money if I don't like it. For example, I bought a dollars worth of chia seeds to try today instead of splurging on the $20 jar.

Some healthier foods that I have been loving are:
1) Medjool dates- reminds me of azuki beans; sweet and chewy
2) Coconut- used to HATE it, now much love. I think Samoas jump started the love (girl scout cookies all the way!)
3) Goddess salad dressing- a little more expensive, but if it gets me to eat salad then its ok!
4) Egg puffs- Its so easy to make morning eggs, no need to dirty a pan!

I also watched an interesting video today about spending a little more moolah in the interest of your health. The idea is to spend money on items that will help you make good food decisions, like pre-cut fruits or veggies. So, when you are itching for snack they will be as convenient as a bag of chips. Hmm, wonder if I can make my frugal self do that??

Have a happy Monday! Hope the week starts off good!

Pizza Party!

#69 on my list of things to do was make pizza, and I did it! I cooked (in my opinion) a delicious meal for the fam bam, complete with a quickie invite sent via text message. Ahh, wonderful technology.

I made a gluten-free dough from scratch using a recipe I found on recipezaar. Since gluten-free breads can have an "interesting" taste, I tried to find a recipe with good reviews. And let me tell you, the reviews were right! It came out great and was really easy. I also bought premade dough from Trader Joe's to supplement the gluten-free pizza. I was going to make a gluten pizza too but, believe it or not, I didn't have any normal wheat flour at home.
I topped the pizzas with homemade sauce, bell peppers, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, and carmelized onions. Yummy veggie pizza! :)

I also made a salad with carrots, romaine, green onions, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. Every time I chop green onions, I think of the "Jon and Kate plus 8" where Kate goes berserk while Jon is trying to make a Korean feast. Haha, isn't that weird? I used to love that show, though.

Here's the final product! Can you tell the difference between the gluten free and Trader's pizza?
Is it hard to tell? If you guessed one on the right, you're correct!

This recipe is a keeper! We're obsessed! My sister liked the gluten-free version so much, I made another one right after dinner! However, I must have made the Trader's dough wrong because it came out...well, not good.

Taking relaxing too seriously

"Hi, I'm Lisa and I'm addicted to relaxing." Its serious, I need help. Starting summer school has made me become a lazy mess. All I want to do is relax, watch TV, or go shopping. Hence the lack of blogging. Eeek..

Last weekend I went to National Scrapbook Day with my mom. It was a blast! We go to a hotel near Disneyland and spend the whole weekend scrapbooking with a room full of friends. And I finished my Thailand scrapbook (with the exception of journaling)!! Yay! That's #41 on my list! I went to Thailand over a year ago, and have finally gotten to the album. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I applied for an independent study grant from my college, so they funded my entire trip!
Here's a quick summary of my amazing trip:

I spent a total of 10 days in Northern Thailand, and the first half I volunteered at Care for Dogs.
These two wonderful ladies started Care for Dogs in Hang Dong (northern Thailand) an organization that helps care for the many homeless Thai dogs. They also help local villagers pay for veterinary bills, and educate new owners how to take care their new pet. Pretty cool, huh?
These cute puppies (there were 20 of them) were found abandoned under a bridge. So adorable!
I also spent time in Chiang Mai walking around the city. I love exploring new places on foot or by public transportation. The temple (above) I found walking to the Night Bazaar.
Thailand is so beautiful with ornate temples and peaceful country sides.
Then I went to an elephant sanctuary! The founder, Lek, rescues abused or injured elephants and gives them a home. They get to spend their days eating, playing in the water, and don't have to perform tricks or give rides to tourist.
The elephant sanctuary is in a valley with a river that runs through it. If I were an elephant, I'd want to live here! Sweet deal.

I'm so thankful I got to go last year, especially with the current political unrest. Can you tell I'm an animal lover? First, dogs, then elephants!

This is already really long, but what is the most memorable trip you've been on?
Thailand has been mine simply because of all the hard work I put into writing the proposal for my school, its the first trip I planned all by myself, and its a place I never thought I'd get to visit :)

It's Thursday!!

You know what that means.. tomorrow is Friday!! I can't believe how this week has blown by. It's been a week since I've posted last, but it feels like yesterday. I've been busy, and a little under the weather

I took the GRE (#22) on Saturday, and I was exhausted afterward. It really hard staring at a computer screen for 4+ hours. I don't envy anyone who has to work all day on a computer. Phew! But after that I got to hang out with friends, and get caught up on Glee episodes. That show is awesome!! I love watching musicals, so its right up my alley. I'm always surprised at the songs they sing, and how they fit into the plot.

Instead of running, I got my exercise on Sunday when I volunteered at the Marine Mammal Care Center. Let me tell you, trying to feed over 100 pinnepeds is a great arm workout! I was seriously sore the next day! Those guys are strong!

Monday to Wednesday, I can't even remember what I did! I think I just slept in and went to work. I have been suuuuper sleepy lately, and don't know why. My co-workers told me to take vitamin B. Apparently Vit B is good for many ailments, so I popped a B-complex last night. I don't know if it's in my head, but this morning I woke up ready to go!

Today I did a Bollywood dance workout from FitTV (love FitTV!!). I really like this workout. It really gets my heart pumping, and in the privacy of my living room I can look like an uncoordinated fool, dancing offbeat. Also, my Afro-Carib dance teacher from college is in the video! It's nice to see a familiar face and pretend she is still teaching me.

I was watching the infomercial for P90x this morning, and was almost convinced to buy it. Good marketing!! I really wanted to look toned and in shape like the "success stories." However, 3 payments of 39.99 is a little steep for me. I was thinking of buying a Jillian Michaels DVD instead. Its under 10 dollars :)

Upcoming for this week:
- making a new recipe
- 2 movies from my list
- Thailand scrapbook

Have a sunny Thursday!! (is it almost summer yet?!)

Running my little heart out

In an effort to start exercising again, I decided to do the "couch to 5k" (C to 5k) program. Yay..? I admit I'm not good runner. Usually I get very winded, then discouraged, and stop running. I first saw the plan on the Cool Running website. Ah ha, their description of a beginner runner fit me to a T. I downloaded a C to 5k podcast, which was easier than timing my own intervals. Here's the schedule for the first week!

Week 1: to be completed 3 times
5 minute walking warm-up
Interval of 2 minutes running/jogging, then 3 minutes walking
(repeat interval 4 times)
5 minute walking cool down

The first interval of running, I felt good. I ran (as instructed) at a pace where I wouldn't feel too winded. Woohoo. I can do this! However, by the last interval I was a little embarrassed to be breathing loudly! Out in the quietness of the park, there was nothing to cover my loud mouth-breathing. As I passed the walkers, I wished I was in the gym. At the gym, treadmills are usually loud enough to drown out my huffing and puffing.

Saturday will be day 2. I hope I won't be sore tomorrow, and still have the motivation to run! I heard some good tips on exercising motivation like sleeping in your workout clothes to having a exercise buddy. But will they work for me? Wonder what will get my butt in exercise mode?

More Lists?

Here's my list of 101 things (idea is from Day Zero). I'll admit it was difficult to think of the list. Some tasks will take longer to complete, but I'm excited to get started. Its mind boggling to think so far in the future (1001 days OR 2.75 years from now!), but then again 4 years of college flew by. So here's to making the most of the next few years!

Start: May 2, 2010
Finish: January 26, 2013

Not started
I'm working on it!
All Done!!


TRAVEL
1. Visit 3 aquariums
2. Go on a road trip with friends
3. Visit Hearst Castle
4. Bike to Venice beach
5. Gamble in Vegas
6. See a show in Vegas
7. Take a vacation to Catalina
8. Try 5 new restaurants
9. Go back to the Grand Canyon
10. Visit Huntington Library
11. Shop in downtown LA’s fashion district
12. Eat a Pink’s hot dog
13. Vacation on the east coast

READ/WATCH
14. Watch AFI’s 100 years..100 movies
15. Read 15 classic books
16. Read 50 books (total)
17. Watch all the “Planet Earth” DVDs
18. Attend a midnight premiere of a movie
19. Read an autobiography
20. Subscribe to a health magazine
21. Write a TV schedule and only watch those shows

SCHOOL/CAREER
22. Take the GRE
23. Write a personal statement
24. Apply to veterinary school
25. Go to veterinary school OR enroll in a LVT program
26. Take a nutrition course
27. Finish vet school pre-reqs
28. Learn interviewing skills

CREATIVITY
29. Knit a hat
30. Learn how to read a pattern
31. Sew 5 scrub tops
32. Take a jewelry making class
33. Make 2 pairs of earrings
34. Enter an amateur photo contest
35. Learn how to decorate cakes
36. Learn to use photoshop
37. Be able to use “manual” setting on my dSLR
38. Learn to make fondant
39. Make a ring for myself
40. Make a handmade presents for my immediate family

SCRAPBOOKING
41. Finish Thailand album
42. Finish Alaska album
43. Finish childhood album
44. Finish Disneyland album
45. Finish college album
46. Finish spring break album
47. Finish pet album

HEALTH
48. Start and finish “couch to 5k”
49. Run a 5k
50. Run a 10k
51. Drink at least 1 liter of water daily for 1 month (hopefully it will be a habit afterwards)
52. Go on 5 hikes
53. Get in the healthy weight range to my height (102-128 lbs)
54. No fast food for 1 month
55. Find out my blood type
56. Keep a food journal for 1 month
57. Finish a bottle of multivitamins (consecutive days)
58. Floss once a day for 1 month
59. Vegetarian for 1 week
60. Spend at least 30 minutes outdoors

COOKING
61. Try 15 new recipes
62. Cook 5 soups
63. Learn to make quinoa
64. Try brussel sprouts
65. Make my own yogurt
66. Learn to make French apple pie
67. Make a Thai dish
68. Make spicy tuna rolls and California rolls
69. Have a pizza night (make the dough too!)

ORGANIZATION
70. Backup my pictures on CDs
71. Get rid of magazines older than 1 year
72. Throw out old school papers
73. Organize financial papers
74. Make a recipe book
75. Update 101 in 1001 monthly (minimum)
76. Get rid of music on iTunes I don’t listen to
77. Create 5 useful iTunes playlists

FOR OTHERS
78. Donate hair to “Locks of Love”
79. Give to 5 non-profits organizations
80. Sponsor a child in a third world country
81. Donate Christmas presents to those in need
82. Help pay for a rescue animal’s medical bills

PURCHASES
83. Buy a new iPod car adapter
84. Get a new cell phone
85. Invest in a new computer
86. Buy a bike
87. Buy a graphics tablet
88. New pair of “everyday” shoes
89. A hard drive with a lot of capacity

FOR FUN
90. Learn to SCUBA dive
91. Learn to drive a stick shift
92. Blog everyday for 1 month
93. Comment on 10 blogs I like
94. Write a letter/card every month
95. Watch the sunrise and set in a day
96. Live on my own
97. Have brunch with grandparents for no reason
98. Finish everything on my list!
99. Grow pumpkins
100. Have an herb garden and make something with it
101. Garden everyday for 1 week

Happy May!

It's already May?! I am both excited and astonished that almost half of 2010 is gone. How does time go by so quickly? I remember in elementary school spring break seemed like an eternity!

May is bringing me an opportunity to start new endeavors in my life. Some of things on my list are trying the "couch to 5k" program, blogging more consistently, and making lists so I can use my time more wisely (hello 101 in 1001 days!!).

So, here's to May! What's in store for you??