Returned, I have?

Forgive the hiatus.  I have repeatedly told myself that this year would be different, but even with the weekly notification from WordPress, I still failed to update the blog as regularly as possible.

Blame it on my Superman complex.  I actually thought I can juggle a full-time job, three major subjects for grad school, an LDR, chores and errands, family stuff, and a whole dollop of me-time.  Ha.  Noting the number of zits that have popped across my forehead and the existence of eyebags upon eyebags, I have come to conclude that I have bitten off more than I can chew.

Relief, however, comes after some time.  I have a handful of minutes to relish the fact that, after this week, this term’s grad school is officially over.  I could not be more relieved.  I am never overloading on subjects again!

As much as I want to finish, I really should not have done away with so many major subjects at a time.  It is embarrassing to say, but it was work that suffered.  Oh, how I wish that work did not suffer as much as it did.  But it did.  Oh it so did.  I will definitely pay more attention to time management now.  There must be a semblance of life balance in what I do….

…. which includes physical health.  Coming from an annual physical exam, it was discovered that I indulge too much in um, savory food to say the least.  I think — I THINK — with a weight gain of almost 10 pounds since Paris — Oh Paris, I wish I can escape to you — I eat my stress away.  So, like every year, I embark yet again on a journey to physical wellness this time.  And I hope that the quick 6 week break from schooling will help me build a firmer and stronger workout habit.

It's A Numbers Game

Le Beau is quite concerned and I can’t afford to have another person worrying about me.  My mother already has that covered.  So yeah.  Here we go again right?

I figured it out though.  Or at least I’ve planned it all in my head.  I have to shed some weight first before I start building muscle again.  I’ve done it before, right after finishing the management program in 2010.  Given, of course, that my body might not respond as quickly as it used to four years ago, it surely is worth a shot.

That means sleeping longer, eating better, lessening sugar and well, yoga.  Yoga is my life saver.  Le Beau knows it too; he finds me more pleasant and happy and relaxed after yoga.  And I would like to think a pleasant and relaxed partner is someone he deserves to have.  Yihee.  Bring on the cheese.

Yoga is

Oh, it’s National Poetry Month!  A good friend Ginny has constantly posted beautiful words on Facebook and I have to thank her because now, I look forward to it!  I have forgotten, too, the power of the written word.  Because of that, I shall do my best to keep posting lovely prose — at least, lovely to me — in this channel.

I hope you enjoy this journey — wellness and artistry — even though I basically force you to go with me on it.

May you have a much better managed day than mine.  :)  I leave you with Tyler Knott Gregson.  Tell you more about how I discovered him later.

Tyler Knott Gregson #319
Thank you, Pinterest, for being my constant source of images.

Getting inked

I have always wanted to get a tattoo. The art embedded right under the skin entices me, with the body looking like a walking canvass.  Most of my family will not agree with me; they will always see these things as dirty and inappropriate.  But I’m happy to not agree with them.  I find tattooing painfully beautiful.

I didn’t think that my first one would be in memory of my father.  I never really thought I would ever admit to getting one, given that opinion my family has when it comes to skin art, so I got the tattoo in secret.  It wasn’t until three or four months in did I let my mother see it.  (Yes, it freaked her out.)

I am not here to change their opinion on things.  Some things don’t change and it’s easier to accept that instead of forcing your views.  But I do want a more factual approach to tattooing.  Thankfully, someone from the National Post already did that.

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For me, it will always be emotional.  I will always look for the next image or phrase to be on me and I’ll carry it all my life and I would be proud because to me, it will always mean something.  And that doesn’t necessarily have to mean the same thing to other people.

I’ve had looks thrown at me in the office when the swallow peeks slightly above my collar.  I get it; you don’t understand why.  And I respect that you don’t understand as much as I do.  But that is not a cue for you to expect that I need to explain myself to you.

Because, in my opinion, those who ask for an explanation do not deserve it and those who do won’t demand for it.

And I’m blessed because now, my family, though they staunchly disagree, no longer need any explaining from me.

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Space hunter

Okay, it is no secret that I am in love with Scandinavian designers Alvhem.  Their designs that smartly maximizes space with an artsy flair never fail to tickle my fancy.  With so many changes coming in so fast (not that I’m complaining), I’ve been pretty much apartment hunting.

Or at least apartment style hunting.

Now, my default source is Freshome.  But lately, Goods Home Design has become quite an inspiration too.

amazing-small-Swedish-apartment-design

I found this floor plan on Pinterest and it is quite functional don’t you think?

beautiful-apartmentFreshome-20

But all in all, Freshome will always be my Alvhem source.

What interested me in Goods Home Design was when they featured 3D floor plans by artists Dmitriy Schuka and Shako Gurgenidze.  Schuka puts more emphasis on recreation.  If I were to pursue yoga and him jiu jitsu more seriously, this design quite accommodating.

Dmitriy Schuka 1

I don’t really need a space to dry out skis, but a good place to disinfect gis and yoga mats are quite handy.

Personally though, I’m more of a Shako Gurgenidze fan.  The way he incorporated the great outdoors (or whatever would amount to an urban greenery) is much more compatible with how I envision our future to be.

Shako Gurgenidze 1 Shako Gurgenidze 2

Adorable right?

I am yet to find the architect and designer of this final floor plan I’m showing you, but this has to be the most appropriate for us both.  The small room can either be a cool down room or an office for me and the dining spaces are perfect for small group hosting.

Goods Home Design 1

Oh wow.  I just have apartments and housing in my head.  Haha.  The future holds a lot of promise, but if ever you decide to use any of these floor plans and designs for your remodeling, please do keep me posted.

Sources:
Goods Home Design
Freshome

Portraiture

Recently, I enrolled myself in photography classes, but I have to admit, I have not practiced what I have learned as much as I should have.  I often ask myself which kind of photography would I love to be immersed in.  Early on, I developed a liking for landscapes, but not only are they fickle, they require a lot of travel.

Oh how I wish I can live in my suitcase.  That is one luxury I will always dream of having.

Apart from landscapes, I am absolutely in love with portraiture.  I wish I can see more faces — or rather be brave enough to approach strangers — and make them last longer.

Here are some celebrity portraits that I just adore.  Can you name them all?

Audrey Hepburn
Ben Stiller
Dave Franco
David Bowie
Kevin Costner
Liv Tyler
Lucy Liu
Marion Cotillard
Meryl Streep
Michael Caine
Paul Newman
Robert DeNiro by Martin Schoeller
Stanley Tucci
Tom Hiddleston
Zach Galifianakis