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Meat… and chestnuts… 

and…

a little lower? o(*>ω<*)o

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I gave in. Haha! #thetimechamber #adultcoloringbook

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The song is stuck in my head, and these lines are too relatable. #ffxiv #heavensward #dragonsong

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I opened up a new place and I’m gonna go and blog like it’s 2004! Come and visit me! I’m still going to keep my Tumblr, it holds a special place in my heart, and all my beloved fandoms are here. ♥

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The Meanings Behind Sailor Moon’s Characters

Like many authors, Naoko Takeuchi seems to strive to put some meaning into the names of her characters, though some are less clear than others, this article intends to try and explain the names of the main characters. I must point out however, that...

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There are times I wish I could tell my past self not to make a career out of what I love to do. I love doing it so much that now I can't bear to see my work end up like those pieces they hand out in the mall only to be thrown away with no remorse. I should've kept doing it for myself and not for others. If I did, maybe I wouldn't hate it so much and I wouldn't be this burned out.

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Try to imagine a life without timekeeping. You probably can’t. You know the month, the year, the day of the week. There is a clock on your wall or the dashboard of your car. You have a schedule, a calendar, a time for dinner or a movie. Yet all around you, timekeeping is ignored. Birds are not late. A dog does not check its watch. Deer do not fret over passing birthdays. Man alone measures time. Man alone chimes the hour. And, because of this, man alone suffers a paralyzing fear that no other creature endures. A fear of time running out.

The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom

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So I was doodling this last month when I was bored and had nothing to do. Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! (P.S. Don't mind the sucky drawing 'kay? XD)

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Week 4 of Turbo Fire

A few weeks ago, I started Turbo Fire. I'm now on my 4th week and I haven't skipped days after I did my reset of week 2. I am seriously amazed with myself that I was able to keep up with it. I usually get tired of a program after two weeks in, and now I'm in week 4! 

Now as for the results, I already lost 3 1/2 pounds. I started at 117 lbs and now weigh between 113-114 lbs. My long term goal is to go back to my weight back in college which is 100 lbs. However, I find it a bit unrealistic. So for now, I'm aiming for 105 lbs. For those of you who don't know, I'm really short, barely reaching 5" ft, and that's why my goal is too low.

Anyway, I'm quite proud of myself and feel really good. I mentioned in my previous post that I was really afraid of doing the longer HIIT sessions, but my fear was unfounded. Maybe it's because the pacing of the program makes you stronger--and I did it! I was breathing so hard by the end but it wasn't the sort of tiredness that makes you want to stop. The toning sessions are fun too. It's only once or twice a week but I like it more than the toning sessions in Turbo Jam. 

One thing has been bothering me though, I find that I'm losing more slowly now than before when I started TJ. I don't know why but as far as I can remember, when I did TJ, I lost around 4-5 lbs in 3 weeks? I haven't changed my diet before or now because I really don't eat a lot, but the problem is, I have a desk job and pretty much spend my days sitting. 

Here's hoping I can finish 'til Week 20!

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Currently Listening to Fujita Maiko

I’m a sucker for Anime OSTs. Unfortunately, I rarely watch anime these days and sometimes when I do, I can only watch up to 2-3 episodes then I forget about it. But! Even if I can’t finish the whole series, good OSTs instantly occupy my playlist.

Anyway, I watched Hiiro no Kakera last year then probably around episode 3, I gave up. However, the OST is soooo good. It is still in my current playlist after months! Haha.

The opening song “Nee” was sung by Fujita Maiko. It seems that she was also the one who sang the songs from the original game. I love her voice and I’ve been listening to her other songs for the past couple of months. :)

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My Dragon Nest Chibis by Chibi Maker!

Look what I've found! A very cute and well-made Chibi Maker! I saw someone make a Dragon Nest chibi set and I decided to try and make one too. Copycat, I know, but it's fun! By the way, just to let you know, I tweaked the colors of the output a little bit.

Anyway, my husband and I have been playing Dragon Nest SEA since Open Beta. However, we took a break a year ago. And sadly, we heard from his sister that the events got better during that break. Aww. But, we're back! Haha.

Just a little side comment: I got hooked with the Academic's storyline. I wonder how it'll turn out. I've read somewhere that Jasmine is supposed to be a villain or something in the future level cap. 

And P.S. enhancing still sucks the life out of me sometimes. Haha.

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Designing our Wedding Invites

One of the things that I was really excited about during our wedding preparations last year was the making of our wedding invites.

It was exciting because, of course, I got to design it and have full control over it! Anyway, I designed an invitation wheel. The idea is not mine, I saw one from Burning House and I loved it. It's not your usual rectangular invites--and I'm such a sucker for irregularly shaped stuff.  

Invitation Wheel from Burning House

My husband and I worked on it together, and even though I like everything girly, fluffy and dreamy, he doesn't--and I also didn't want it to look like it was made only for the bride. So no pastel colors for us (too bad!) We chose black, silver and purple, and originally wanted it letterpress-ed. Unfortunately, cost was an issue and we didn't find any supplier who could do letterpress with a black paper.  

Our wedding invites last year :P

I heard a lot of good word when it was distributed and I really want to do it again! Haha. I want to design wedding invites again! Maybe I should start with designing templates and selling them off. Haha. Oh well. XD

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Turbo Fire: Week 1 Recap & Week 2 Reset

Okay, I finished Week 1 of TF... but I cheated!

Anyway, here's an overview of what went down. I must say that TF is really intense. I know I said in my previous post that I'm getting used to Turbo Jam and it's not a challenge for me anymore. Now that I've tried TF, there's this little voice inside my head that wants to go back to TJ. It's fast to the point that the warm up part of TF is the normal part of TJ. However, I notice that it's much easier on my legs and knees. In TJ, you'll be spending a lot of time bending your knees since you're doing a lot of reps with a slow pace. In TF though, I found myself moving more and doing a lot of combined forms instead of staying with one. So the result, less pressure on my knees and legs. But don't mistake though, it's hard on my heart rate. 15 minutes and I'm already breathing so hard!

I got to do 4 different classes for the first week.

Day 1: Fire 30 + Stretch 10

I think it's a good intro to the program. It's 15 minutes shorter than TJ Cardio Party  though a lot more intense! This one is easy enough to finish even if you haven't exercised for quite awhile.

Day 2: HIIT 15

After I did my HIIT 15, I'm officially scared to do the rest of the HIIT classes. In 15 minutes, I am soooo tired! 

Day 3: Rest

I actually started my first week on a friday, so my rest day fell on a sunday. Bad idea though. I'll explain later.

Day 4: Fire 30 + Stretch 10

Not as hard as the first day since I already did it once, I know what to expect.

Day 5: Fire 55 EZ

Okay, the class name said it is easy, but I guess it is in some way. It is far longer than Fire 30, and I was really tired before it even hits 30 minutes on the clock. But I did notice that the cool down is long. Maybe 15 minutes before the end, I noticed that the intensity is slowing down. But still it's a 1-hr workout! 

Day 6: Rest (I cheated!)

I said that having my rest day on a Sunday was a mistake right? Well this is why. I workout at night--I really can't wake up early in the morning because I can't sleep earlier than 12 PM.

The downside of this whole arrangement is that I really get tired and I often come home with a headache because of my job. I'm in front of the PC all day long. So I figured I can't work out straight on weekdays. It is much better to do workouts on weekends since I have all day to rest.

Day 7: Fire 30

Day 8: Rest instead of Core 20

I didn't actually meant to rest on this day but, I wasn't able to do the Core 20 class because I don't have any resistance bands. Now that is a lame excuse I know, so here's the other one: I got lazy. Bleh. I realized though that instead of the Core 20 class, I can do the AB sculpt from TJ.

Day 9: Fire 45

Fire 45 marks my 2nd week of TF. This is the first time I exercised in the morning on an empty stomach and it didn't feel so good. I didn't eat much the night before so maybe it is a contributing factor. Fire 45 is indeed a step up. It is intense to the point that I'm scared that I may be pushing myself too much. My knees hurt!

Day 10: Rest and Week 2 Reset

I'm planning to reset my week 2 so I can follow the class schedule. I want my rest day to fall on a weekday instead of a weekend.

Week 2

Now today, I officially start my 2nd week of TF. I know I really didn't pass my first week with flying colors, but I do hope I can do it right this week. 

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Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

Don't judge me but, I'm one of those people who watched the movie first and haven't got the chance to read the book. >_< 

I've heard and seen a lot of opinions about the movie being a dumb version but haven't really bothered with it. I liked it and it was epic. Back in college, I tried picking up book 1 in my school library, however I put it down for some reason. 

Anyway, since I've ran out of books to read lately and I want a break from books that closely resembled reality, I picked it up again and woot! I loooooove it!

Reading it was a change since the writing is different. I'm not a book expert so I really don't know what it's called, but I felt that the whole thing is poetry, even if it's a narrative. 

The whole thing is indeed fantasy: aside from the characters, the language & culture of the world is far from real (setting aside the usual good vs. evil plot).

I'm seriously having fun with it. There are some notable plot changes between the movie and the books, but I think the movies did a good job with it. Indeed it is less intellectual than the books, but there's no other way around it without boring the casual movie-goers. 

I'm half-way book 2 and I can't help but share my favorite parts so far: (Warning! Spoilers!)

Tom Bombadil, you are indeed mysterious! I want to know who he really is but it was never revealed in any of Tolkien's work, I think.

BFFs Legolas and Gimli: I looooooove the two! Their friendship is funny and really heartwarming. I know they became friends in the movie, but the book put more emphasis on it, and it is really lovely.

Apparently, Gimli deeply adored Lady Galadriel, and it is touching.

Aragorn is indeed a prideful king.

There's more to the Ents than being a walking tree. The movie missed out on their epic plight sadly.

Sam is one heck of a hero if I say so myself.

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I know it's late but... Happy New Year!

I'm 8 days late, but still, I want to greet everyone a Happy New Year! 2012 was a really big year for me. I went to a couple of new places, a lot of my favorite projects went live, and of course, the biggest life changer of all -- I got married! There were a lot of hiccups but hey, it's all good! I probably won't be able to say this in person (because I'm shy and timid ya know) but thank you to my family, friends, colleagues, and my husband for the wonderful year. I do love you. <3

New Year @ Singapore

My husband and I, together with my family, spent 6 days in Singapore after Christmas day. Now it is the first time for me to celebrate the New Year in a different place so it's kinda exciting. I'm really glad that we have 6 days to roam around without hurrying all the time. The last time I was there, I barely enjoyed it since we were trying to squeeze in a lot of things with such little time.  

Anyway, New Year celebration in SG is really different compared here. Fireworks are forbidden of course, and it is quiet in the streets. All the fireworks, celebration and parties are happening in either Marina Bay or Sentosa. We were planning to go at first but decided not to since it was raining all day and we were afraid of the amount of people when it's time to go home. So, we just watched the fireworks over champagne in the rooftop of our hotel. So all is good. :) It was a different experience but I still prefer our own new year celebrations. I realized that we are indeed happy people. Lol.

Resolutions? Resolutions!

Looking at my track record, I do know that I only manage to keep up with my new year resolutions during the first month of the year. But I have a big one this year that I can't afford not to keep.

I need to lose weight! 

I have an on and off relationship with my workout routines. The reason is, I have so  little time to do anything else when I try to workout everyday. I bought myself a heart rate monitor so I could really push myself this time around -- because sadly, someone approached me and asked if I was already pregnant (you know, being a newlywed and all). And my goodness, it crushed me! 

When I tried to lose weight before, I used Wii paired with my Turbo Jam. I succeeded and lost 10 lbs, but I noticed that I was stuck. I was experiencing a Fitness Plateau. Then I got busy and eventually, I wasn't able to work out that much anymore.

I tried TJ again last month, unfortunately though, I myself noticed that it isn't a challenge anymore. I do sweat a lot, but I know it's only because I'm moving a lot. So this time, I'm trying out Turbo Fire. I'll post more about that soon after I'm finished with my Week 1 schedule.

More good vibes this year!

This year, I also promise myself to be positive. There are a lot of things to worry about: finances, work, goals, and my personal wants. I just want to be positive and not hurry myself to achieve everything. One step at a time as they say.

So anyway, Welcome 2013! 

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Awww! I want all those plushies! I'm gonna beat Berlin to death though. Hahaha.

At eyedentity office yesterday :)

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A few weeks ago, I realized that my MAC Studio Fix is breaking me out. And since I also ran out of my skin care meds from my derma, it was horrible. I had to stop using it altogether.

Thankfully, my mom (yes, I'm a spoiled brat like that) bought me this Nars Sheer Glow Foundation. So far, it is doing okay for me. I'm using it with my VMV Hypoallergenics powder. The kikay in me is alive and kicking again. :P