Miss-EJ.com - Online Journal

So, that's where I'm going...

2013-06-09T21:23:00.000-04:00

Zimbabwe
Zambia
Malawi
Tanzania
Kenya

I'm leaving in September, because I still have to pass my CFE exams. I know I said I would do them in May, but I was overloaded with work. Also, there is so much to prepare, I didn't even receive my passport yet! My friend asked me to give her my address in Africa so she can send me a postcard, and I was like..."I'll be camping in the wild though..." Crazy? I know, but I think we all wish deep inside that we could be as crazy and carefree. No one could guess how calm and certain I actually am through all this craziness though. It is what I should do and what I want to be doing. I can't wait to be there!

I still remember what gave me the inspiration to go to Africa. It was in that Chinese series where someone said that the sunrise in Africa is the most beautiful. I don't remember who said it, or which series it was, but I remember that quote for some reasons. It's always the little accidental things like these that make us want to discover more...

...and then I think of how much went through my mind the first time I decided to go so far away on my own. It felt like yesterday, yet so long ago. I think about how difficult yet so easy it was to make such a decision. Your heart knows.

Healthy and low-calorie cookies/galettes

2013-06-02T18:08:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning and had the sudden idea to make some cookies! I just took a pen and wrote down the list of ingredients that I thought would taste good and that I already had at home. It's fun to make something out of things you already have in your kitchen. It was purely experimental; had no idea if it would turn out good or not.

Ingredients
1 large banana
3/4 cup of old-fashioned oats
1 egg
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

...and of course, be creative and add whatever you like. I might try that with peanut butter next time. Also, you might want to add some honey or sugar if you have a sweet tooth. I personally didn't add any sweetener. I don't even add sugar to my coffee these days. Acquired taste is a funny thing; never thought I'd enjoy the bitterness of black coffee and appreciate food that are not heavily flavoured. Somewhere during my childhood, my mom said that candies, soda and juices make you thirstier, and I'm not sure whether she indirectly taught me to not like sugar, but I became one of those kids who didn't like candies, ha.

Anyways, back to my awesome cookies...

Directions
1. Mix all ingredients together. I just used my hands.

2. Scoop the batter onto a stray after greasing it with whatever you have. I used butter that I melted in the microwave.

3. Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes.

Tadaaa!

Personally, I hate long lists of ingredients, and ingredients that I don't use often. These cookies (or galettes) are so easy to make and so healthy, except for maybe the cheese, but I love cheese!

I made 6 big cookies, and each cookie was like...80 calories. So awesome!

I don't want to say this but, damn, I'm so smart sometimes!

PS.: I added peanut butter instead of cheese and it was even better!

Quote of the day: If there's no more light one day...

2013-05-27T21:03:00.000-04:00

"If one day I'm very sad and don't see light at the end of the tunnel, like if I'm diagnosed with an incurable disease, or if my husband cheats on me or something of the sort, and if my family is not around anymore and I have nobody else but me, I will sell everything I own and move to the countryside somewhere in Asia...Ha, why am I even thinking about that in advance?!"

"You don't even look like you can be sad."

30 day hot yoga challenge: Day 27

2013-05-25T15:01:00.003-04:00

I'm a little sad, because I highly doubt that I can complete the 30 day hot yoga challenge.

On Monday, I went running for longer and more intense than usual. Also, I did not stretch. I felt okay afterwards, but I also felt something wrong in my right knee, which is not a big deal but I just felt like I should wait at least 2-3 days before I could run hardcore again.

However, I still kept on doing yoga everyday. On Wednesday, during my yoga class, I felt like something popped in my knee. I tried, but I couldn't really do the rest of the class. The next day, I couldn't sit down without holding on to something, it would hurt when I walk down the stairs and I felt like my knee would crack if I walked fast, and it did crack once in a while. No need to mention that I missed class on Thursday and Friday.

My knee is better today, but there is still some pain, so I don't want to risk. That means that even if tomorrow my knee is fine, and I go to class until Tuesday, which is when the challenge ends, I would have done 25 classes instead of 30...It sucks.

I did learn a lot during these almost 30 days though. I learned to listen to my body. Your body degrades if you stress it with intense activity everyday, especially with yoga because you're working every muscle in your body. If you don't give your muscles and tendons a chance to heal, and re-damage them the next day, and the next...you will never recover, and healing time is what makes you stronger.

I also learned quite a bit about food. I never truly felt fatigue in my life before this challenge. I have done intense workouts before, but I always had plenty of time to rest. During the challenge, I had no time to rest, so I did plenty of research on nutritional facts and learned about how easy, yummy and fun it is to eat clean. This will probably not change how I live, but it provides some options.

With the 30 day challenge, I guess I worked yoga into my life and I plan on continuing after the challenge, but probably for 3-4 times a week. I'm glad it's almost over because now I will have time to do other activities that I love. I joined some hiking clubs actually because during my travels, I discovered that I loved hiking, and I'd like to discover some nice places and mountains in Quebec!

I'm ending this post with, Namaste :)

2013-05-20T21:15:00.002-04:00

"I adore you so much!"

"I think you adore to adore me more than you actually adore me."

"...Ha, what are you talking about?"

"You clearly know what I'm talking about."

"Well, what if that was actually the case?"

"...Nothing."

I, sometimes, really wonder if that matters, are these imperfections part of the beauty of life? But what if I can't convince myself to accept these incompleteness? What should I do? ...and this is the biggest question in my life right now. I'm not sad, but I'm not happy either. Over two years have gone by and I still haven't found an answer...

Where should I go?

2013-05-19T22:37:00.001-04:00

Last year, I knew with certainty where I wanted to go; South-east Asia and the Silk Road. This year, however, I've been very indecisive. I won't be able to take 3 months off either...I'll probably get 3 weeks or so, which limits my choices even more.

The top countries that I want to visit are:
-India, because it seems like such a rich, diverse and crazy place...

-North Korea, and I don't care what people say, but there's a strange fascination that has drawn me to it...maybe because it's like a time capsule rarely seen by outsiders. It's delicate and pure but not quite...it's hard to describe actually...

-Kazakhstan, I don't know why but I've always wanted to party in Almaty...

-Nepal, because I want to go hiking!

-Egypt, because I've always been intrigued by mummies, and it's one of the oldest civilization in the world which is quite fascinating...

-The Asian side of Turkey, which I haven't been to yet...

And guess what, I'm not going to any of these places yet, because I don't want to go back to Asia so soon, and I want to see something totally different. I've actually been debating between South America and Africa for the last month...but I've come to a decision, I think. It's Africa. Why? Because it seems physically more challenging, it's more mysterious and I want some adventure! I want to explore, I want to suffer, I want to be awe-inspired. I'm a little scared, but so curious at the same time! I've dreamed of watching the sunrise in Africa!

Now, the question is where in Africa...hmmm.

PS.: My mom will kill me if she knows I'm going to Africa.

Quote of the day: Balls

2013-05-19T21:15:00.003-04:00

"You really got balls, well, not literally. Although sometimes, you're ridiculously stupid and stubborn. For a girl, you got balls".

30 day hot yoga challenge: Day 21

2013-05-19T21:09:00.002-04:00

I just did two hot yoga sessions in one day today, because I missed 4 classes (1 day because I had a shoot, 1 day because I had a rehearsal, 1 day because I had an appointment with the chiropractor and another because I really but really wanted to run). Okay, enough excuses. Now, I have to do 3 other doubles to catch up.

The challenge ends in a week and a half, and I kind of just want to let it be. I think the spirit of yoga is to do what you want to do when you feel like doing it, if not then don't. BUT! It's a challenge, and even though it's hard and my body is exhausted, I really want to complete this! I want to be able to tell people that I completed the challenge, not trying to be cute and go like, "Oh, I did the challenge, but I missed a couple of days here and there, hehe". That's not what I want.

I've been eating better and making better choices since I started practising yoga; I used to be the most ignorant person about food. Actually, I was sick for a month because of the sudden diet change. I used to love fatty food, I eat pizza in the morning, and eat cream cheese with a spoon, ha. Now, I usually have oatmeal in the morning, which I didn't even know existed before. As stupid as I may sound, I never had oatmeal in my life! I've been snacking on birds' food as my mom would call it (grains and nuts), instead of chocolate et chips. I still get my dose of cheese and fatty food on a weekly basis so I don't go crazy.

My skin looks better, and I lost a couple more pounds. I'm now at 122 lbs, which is 18 lbs in total since the beginning of my weight loss journey. I thought I would stop at 125 lbs, but I think I look fine now as well. And honestly, I don't care about that number on the scale anymore; I'll just maintain this lifestyle and let my body settle where it wants to.

This is the first time I lose weight at a steady and healthy pace. Some people have been telling me to stop going further, and I'm like...dude, don't you worry, I'm not anorexic. If I really were starving myself, I wouldn't be able to do hot yoga every day.

People don't need to be actually fat to start exercising and taking care of themselves.

PS.: One of my yoga teacher is so hot. There's a little something about boys who do yoga...It's so sexy.

Boat People Museum Fundraising Gala

2013-05-16T21:19:00.002-04:00

Here's an article I wrote, that's supposed to go in the Vietnamese journal, for the event that took place last Sunday. I'm quite upset about the incidents surrounding this, and I will not mention anybody, but someone posted this on their website without my consent or even giving me credit which I find highly disrespectful. Someone I know, yes. I really would cry if I wrote for a living and someone did this to me. I don't know why they did this, and I don't care either, because I'm no longer part of any of it.

I want to share this article on my blog nonetheless, just because well, I wrote this and I don't care where it ends up, but my readers know me.

Oh, and before anybody asks, I'm not Vietnamese, but I enjoy reaching out to others and creating something beyond who I am through words, and to serve a larger meaning than immediate narcissism.

Enjoy!

On May 12th, 2013, 2TwentyGirls and hundreds of people gathered at the Boat People Museum Fundraising Gala in Montreal, to remember the millions of Vietnamese who fled the country to escape political oppression, and their story of deprivation and hope, fear and resilience. Some made it to a safe land, but more than a third were buried at sea.

With the support of KA Magazine, 2TwentyGirls presented an abstract yet memorable NEVIK fashion show that recounts the story of the Boat People. One after the other, the models walked onto the stage to the rhythm of Ashley King's music, recreating images of the Boat People walking in circles and singing sad songs. Subsequently, the models gracefully fell into the powerful water and hungry natural forces. The bodies laid beyond reach and evoked images of separation, death and the sea claiming many lives, waves after waves.

Fortunately, as the sky comes to its darkest, the sun also starts to rise. The model in an elegant bright yellow gown by NEVIK, representing hope and the sun, guided their way out of the darkness of the sea. She also symbolizes all the reasons for which we must be courageous and look forward.

War has no beginning and no end. Today, it's no longer a battle against communist persecution, but a battle within. It's a conflict between traumatic memories of a distant past and a haunted present that The Boat People are facing. Now, it's our turn to fight. We are the voice of the Boat People, as well as the voice of the many Vietnamese Canadians, who attempt to understand their parent's past.

The past of our parents are difficult for us to perceive sometimes, but as time goes by, their past deeds seem so much more grand and fantastic than before. It's amazing to think that children of the Boat People went on to become professionals, with amazing smiles, passion, talents and admirable dreams. On this incredible journey, 2TwentyGirls helped to raise over $115,000 for the Vietnamese Boat People Museum, honoring our parents and many others on the same boat.

Be with us.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

...and let's end this post with a picture taken by Vien Minh Van, the photographer backstage. I look like a bird :)

Quote of the day: Call me anytime

2013-05-09T20:15:00.001-04:00

"I'll call you later."

"You can call me at anytime, sweetheart."

"Right...last time I called you at 11:45 and you yelled at me..."

30 day hot yoga challenge: Day 6

2013-05-04T21:04:00.000-04:00

This is day 6 of the 30-day hot yoga challenge and you know what? I'm addicted to hot yoga already!

Sweating makes me feel awesome as weird as it sounds; it makes me feel calm mentally. After every class, I see new opportunities to improve and to open up my mind. It changes the way I think about exercising. I still like to run, but what goes through my mind is very different when I run, I tend to see running as a test and I think I need both in my life.

I used to be as weak as a jellyfish and as inflexible as a plank of wood, especially after my injury. Now, I already see improvements since day 1. I can't wait to hear what the chiropractor says next time I go for an adjustment.

The type of yoga that I've been doing is heated vinyasa, which allows for a lot of variety and fast-paced movements in a room of 39 degrees and high humidity. I think this type of yoga is a better fit for type-A people as opposed to the slow and hold your pose for 10 minutes type of yoga...because I'd fall asleep.

The teachers also make a difference, I can feel a connection with them and it makes me want to come to their classes. They are so loveable and reflect a positive energy, which is so refreshing to someone like me who works in such a competitive environment where people wear a smile on the exterior.

PS.: This is weird, but there doesn't seem to be much difference between when I was 142 lbs and now...Hmmm. I should've taken a picture from behind, because according to people I know, I lost at least 5 pounds from behind, ha.

Dat Nguyen concert

2013-04-29T21:30:00.002-04:00

All pictures in this entry are taken by Dan Pham.

Last Saturday was the concert of the blind musician, Dat Nguyen. Half of the profit went to the Vietnamese boat people museum and the other half to 20 girls.

Some pictures of the night...

I was asked to write a critique, and I don't want to sound mean but can I just say that I don't feel connected enough to Dat Nguyen, to impaired musicians or to the cause to be able to write something of substance? I wonder if I'm the only one who feels that way. I was pretty much just there out of curiosity.

First class of hot yoga

2013-04-29T21:15:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning at 5 AM to attend my first yoga class. I couldn't sleep the night before because I was so nervous, and I was so scared to faint or something. But after my first class, I didn't think it was that hard...okay well, maybe I didn't push myself hard enough, or maybe I work out regularly already. Also, I thought the room temperature was quite enjoyable (39 degrees), even if I looked like I came out of the swimming pool by the end, but it's not a torture like some would describe it. Oh, and I'm more flexible already and I feel so energetic!

I can't wait until my second class, which is tomorrow!

30 day hot yoga challenge

2013-04-21T20:07:00.000-04:00

I just signed up for the one-month hot yoga challenge at Enso. I never did yoga before, but I really want to try it because I'm hoping it can help my sciatica. It's been getting better since I started consulting a chiropractor, but it is still not completely healed. I really don't know if it can be completely healed some day, but I try to remain positive.

Also, I heard you can burn 300-400 calories during one session of hot yoga, which means that I can pretty much eat whatever I want again!...because I just don't think I burn enough calories when I run; my body is so used to it that I could run for hours non-stop with my magic pink shoes. Seriously. As for weight training, I still do it every other day, but it doesn't burn enough calories either, and it's rather boring if you ask me.

Some describe hot yoga as being militant, which sounds perfect for me :)

I don't think I'm exactly into fitness, but I'm looking for ways to make it more fun. You all know how easily I get bored. In high school, I used to be "on my period" for three weeks when we had gym classes...

Mindless Self Indulgence concert

2013-04-18T22:56:00.001-04:00

I got out of the office on a wednesday evening, grabbed dinner at school with a friend and then went to see one of the best concerts of my life!

Would you believe me if I said I sometimes miss being a student? Eating lunchbox in a study room, wasting time at school, walking around, sitting around, sleepless nights spent studying....no wait, I never not slept to study. I see those arts students walking around school looking like zombies, those engineering students in their labs with their face burried in the computers...what kind of life, eh. Everything seems so distant now.

I couldn't really take a nice picture, but here's one.

The first time I heard a song from Mindless Self Indulgence was probably when I was in college. I liked them the first time I heard them; I thought there was a something about them. Most songs you hear on the radio these days are forgettable. Although, it's not a group I listen to on a regular basis, I never forgot them because I thought they were quite unique...

Jimmy, the frontman, has such a powerful stage presence and a dark sense of humor. I almost fell in love with him. He put on a interactive, insane and high-energy performance. I felt like I was watching a living cartoon. He came on stage wearing a green plastic bag, and then ripped it off. At times, he would talk on the phone with God, at other times, he would play with his spirit plush.

Every song they played had the entire room bouncing. The show ended with Jimmy lip-singing to an opera song, holding a shiny red mic, with green lights in the background. I don't know why, but he reminded me of a sad clown at that moment.That moment felt nostalgic, I miss them already.

Fantastic moments happen when you don't take yourself too seriously, and these guys are so much fun! I had an amazing time!

It's my birthday!

2013-04-18T22:06:00.004-04:00

I always thought that I'd be married by 25, but it didn't happen...and I don't see that happening anymore.

Honestly, I only celebrated my birthday when I was in elementary school. I invited my girlfriends to my house, and we'd play little childish games together. It was fun. After elementary school, I didn't celebrate anymore. When I was in University, I had final exams in April. Now that I'm working, it's tax season in April, and I work on most saturdays...how sad!

This year, I went on a mini road trip to Sherbrooke to visit wineries and taste some delicious local wines with the 20 girls and our sponsors!

If you are interested in seeing the video for the fund raising of the museum, you can visit www.20-girls.com.

I love pictures of endless roads...on a sunday. They just look different.

The scenery was amazing. I can't imagine what it would look like during summer or autumn.

Obviously, there is nothing to see now, but we have plans to go back in October :)

Champagne making...

We tasted some very good wines.

I came back with six bottles of wine, and all taste awesome. Two of them were offered by our sponsors, then I won a another one with the whole kit at the first winery. The manager of the second winery offered another one for my birthday. George, a sponsor of ours, bought me two ice wines, which are my favorites! Quebec makes some of the best ice wines, by the way.

Yeah, that's how I ended up with six bottles.

Yummy :D
It was such an awesome day!

I lost 12 pounds in 1 month, finally!

2013-04-16T20:19:00.002-04:00

Here's my progress in the past few weeks.

I just want to say that I'm not a skinny girl bragging about losing weight, because I'm not a skinny Asian girl, unfortunately. I weighed almost 9 pounds when I was a newborn; and not a lot of babies are that big. Even now, no matter how much weight I lose, I won't be very skinny, because of my hips and bones. Luckily, the fat doesn't show as much on my type of body. Why I gained weight was because I stopped being so active, and I was pretty sad during that period of time; I stayed home on most days. Also, I love carbs. Food is comforting to me, I eat when I'm bored, I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm happy, and I just don't stop until I'm about to puke. Seriously.

Here's my weight gaining process, haha.

After graduating, I attempted losing weight 1-2 times, but was not able to maintain it...

After starving myself for several weeks, 121 pounds.

That was pretty much the heaviest I got to, 142-145 pounds.

What I am doing now is jogging for 20-30 minutes on most days, I do the "30 days shred" a few times a week, and high intensity interval training 2 times a week, eating healthier,I eat homemade food pretty much everyday except when I absolutely need to eat out, which doesn't happen often. Oh, and I can only stuff myself once a week :)

That's now. My butt didn't disappear, haha.

PS. My height is 172 cm.

PSS. I don't go to the gym; it's a waste of time.

Tax return

2013-04-13T18:23:00.001-04:00

After working as an auditor/accountant for over 2 years, I did my parent's tax return for the first time today. It put me in their shoes and it made me think of what they have sacrificed so I can live the life that I'm living, and all I'm doing for them is a tax return. What kind of life have they lived? What is happiness for them? I've been thinking about it increasingly lately as I see their health deteriorating...

Quiche

2013-04-09T21:53:00.000-04:00

"That quiche you made was so delicious!"

"I don't find it to be that good, that's why I gave you the leftovers"

Here's what I made out of boredom last Saturday. The reason I don't like it that much, although I eat it for breakfast, is because I put in too much spinach. I thought I liked spinach, but I realized I'm not too fond of it anymore, unless it's semi-crispy. Also, I shouldn't have made a crust, because that's like twice as many calories as one without, and I find it unnecessary.

Nonetheless, someone likes it, and it's kinda healthy, and it's so super easy! I might want to make this again but with cheddar cheese, cream, garlic and with broccoli, maybe.

Ingredients *without crust*
1 tbs vegetable oil
1onion chopped
1 package of spinach, chopped
5-6 eggs, depending on size
3 cups of cheese (I used Mozzarella, because that's what I already had)
Some salt and black pepper

Directions
1. Stir onions over medium heat until onions become soft. Add spinach until it looks dry.

2.Mix everything else together, and add the mixture of onions and spinach. Blend well.

3.Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 30-40 minutes. I like it when it looks brownish.

That's all! So simple!
I don't know why, but when I say "so simple", I always think of a Chinese person saying it with an accent. Is this weird?

...

2013-04-04T22:02:00.000-04:00

Is it me or is there's a big difference when I wear make-up and when I don't? I always think that people will not recognize me if I wear make-up, ha.

Picture-snapping at the old port

2013-04-01T21:17:00.001-04:00

I don't shower

2013-03-31T15:50:00.003-04:00

Me: Ok, I just finished working out. At what time do you want to meet?
Thanh: Already?
Me: Yeah, it was intense.
Thanh: You had time to shower and everything?
Me: I don't shower, and I don't smell.
Thanh: ...

Dinner with girls I barely know

2013-03-29T11:26:00.002-04:00

Most of the time, I feel I have nothing in common with these girls. I don't like fashion, I don't like make-up, I don't like shopping...and I freak out when a girl tells me I'm pretty. It's like...yeah, thanks, you yoo. It's not the kind of relationship I want to share with other girls.

I never had girly girlfriends. All my girlfriends are girls I've known since childhood or adolescence...or meanies that I love nonetheless. But girls that are always complimenting each other and talking being spoiled, etc, is quite new to me. I, sometimes, have a hard time believing what they are telling me.

Then, why am I hanging out with them? Curiosity? boredom?...I don't know. Sometimes, I feel as if I'm observing a different kind of species in the wild, and I like it. I also like how I know none of them in depth; it makes me wonder what kind of person they are in real life...Am I weird?

2013-03-23T19:45:00.003-04:00

Sometimes, I forget that I kind of look not that bad...

Getting ready for some serious workout, haha...

2013-03-18T19:41:00.003-04:00