My First 5 Miles!

[Poster from Rebel Rose Design]

Yesterday, I ran five miles without walking!!! I've never done that before, so when I saw the 4 1/2 marker on the trail, I was so excited. Generally when I run, I'll get to the 2 or even the 1 1/2 marker and say "OK! Well, that was great, time to walk a little." I'm also thankful that my knee and back and shoulder (did I leave any body parts out?) no longer hurt, so I feel this surge of confidence. Half marathon. I can do this.

I'm also scouting other locations for my runs and will report back--looks like there are some pretty amazing trail runs in San Diego that I am unaware of.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! xo

Free Printable Monogram

[FREE printable from Wedding Chicks!]

I love this. If you're planning a wedding, a party, want a graphic for some new stationery, this would be a beautiful addition! Get it now while it's hot by clicking here.

An Early Valentine's Day

We celebrated an early Valentine's Day/Galentine's Day (which was really just an excuse to go out and have a fancy date,) at Market in Del Mar. The lighting in there was super dim--great for romance, bad for photos. So, I only got a couple, including one of this delicious dessert that tasted just like a candy bar with fancy ingredients.

[YUM.  Peanut Crunch (aka, caramel corn), Chocolate Mousse Cake, Caramelized Bananas. And look, they knew I was coming! An "M" for Mo.]

Earlier in the day, I treated myself to a massage for my ailing back at Bergamot Spa. My back is getting better, but I'm still resting before I go out and train again. Bergamot is a really cute place next to the ocean, and I recommend it if you're looking for a spa to do a bridal shower, baby shower, a bachelorette, or if you're like me and had nothing to do on a Sunday morning--it's pretty much nice and tranquil for anything, and super, super cute.

 [Bergamot Spa in Encinitas]

It was a really nice and peaceful weekend. I wish I had more of them. 

Happy Galentine's Day!!

Updates on Life and Running

 

[Me on the trail at San Elijo Lagoon]

Wow, thank you so much for everyone's support on my last post about the half marathon! I'm inspired by all your experiences and advice. It seems I inspired my sister, so she signed up too! And to add to the half marathon love, my cousin also signed up for one in San Francisco. And, if that wasn't enough, my good friend who very rarely runs decided to go out and do a mile! I'm just spreading the get out and run love, sigh.

Thanks to Abby, I printed out the Hal Higdon Novice Training Program and am using it as guidance.

Training is already kicking my butt. Since I posted, it's been a little tricky training because 

+I got sick and couldn't stop coughing for a couple weeks. No fun. Lots of spitting. :(

+My knee hurt, but now my knee is better (yay!!) after going to the Road Runner store and getting some new Asics.  I also got some custom insoles and thick socks--all in all, it was a very expensive trip to the Road Runner store!

+My back REALLY hurt, and now only mildly hurts. This is partially my fault because I went out running when it only mildly hurt, and then it REALLY hurt after my 5 mile long run. We're talking aches down my arm and pains in multiple places kind of pain. There was one morning when I just couldn't move. While we were still in bed, the boy was sleeping on top of my hair, so when the alarm went off I lunged my head forward. And because he was on top of my hair, my neck jerked back and I just yelped out like a baby. OWWWWWW! 

Luckily, I have a massage scheduled at Spa Bergamot tomorrow morning and I am SO looking forward to it!  

Hope everyone has a wonderful V-Day and great weekend.

Training for My First Half Marathon

[Cute ad campaign from lululemon]

On a whim I signed up for a half marathon. "You did what?!" said the boy. "Do you even know what that entails?"Oh, husband. Such confidence!

Seriously though, I don't think I really know what it entails, ha! I'm not a runner, but for whatever reason, I was swayed by cute tigers (the money for this marathon goes toward a new tiger sanctuary) and this voice inside me telling me that I should focus on something that helps my mental and physical health. And then, before I knew it, I was signed up to run 13 some odd miles in the Safari Park Half Marathon.

[Wanna join me? You can sign up here!]

Like any good planner/blogger/future librarian, I've looked up some training schedules and it looks like I better start training in the next couple weeks and log in a whole lot of miles a week. Eep! But I'm excited by this challenge, and I think it will be good for my heart and head.

Send me your tips marathon runners! How should I train?

Lunar New Year Baby Blocks

Sister 2: So wait, when are you going to start trying?
Me: After my graduation, and after the boy gets his PhD.
Sister 2: Ok, so when is that?
Me: Well, if I don't royally screw up, I graduate in June. And if the boy advances, he could potentially be done by March next year.
Sister 2: So, next year? You'll start trying next year?
Me: No, after he's done with his PhD, which isn't until...
Sister 2: THAT'S NEXT YEAR.
Me: Shut up, it totally is not. *scratches head* Hm, he starts clinic in 2013...which is, hm...
Sister 2: NEXT YEAR!
Me: Whoa.
Sister 2: Don't worry, I'm sending you my books. Which ones do you have?

I suppose one could really tell that I'm having baby fever because I'm starting to research cute baby items on Etsy. This is how the wedding planning started, which then snowballed into its very own lace-covered beast!

Lunar New Year is creeping up on us and I saw these adorable animal zodiac baby blocks by bysimple and I had to share. What a beautiful keepsake for a newborn! They come in all the animals of the zodiac and also in two different illustration styles.
You can check out more at Stacy's Etsy shop.

[All items and photos from Stacy Wong of bysimple]

I envision a cute set of these in our future nursery, to be determined at a much later date!

11 Things About Mo

Thank you to my blogger friend elephant is love for tagging me! This is quite the post, I needed to answer 11 questions about myself.


Here are the questions Chewy came up with and my answers!

1. Is there a significance behind your name? Yes--my name means “dream” in Chinese. I’m told my Dad had a dream I would be a girl, and lo and behold! Here I am. :) 

2. Your favorite color / color combination? Purple is consistently one of my favorite colors, but I love all colors of the rainbow. I’m not a huge fan of black, but if I do wear it, I like pairing it with a really bright scarf, necklace, or cardigan. 

Here are some of my favorite combinations at the moment:

 [Purple and aqua]

 

 [Peach and goldenrod]

 [Royal blue and seafoam green]

3. Favorite past time / thing you do to de-stress?
I love to write, take photos, make art and crafts, and explore new places (or old ones, like the beach or the zoo!) This blog is the perfect place for me to publish all my adventures and reflections. Not only is it a record of everything I see, but it's also my way of sharing my life with you.

4. What is your motto in life, or your strongest belief /value?
Hmmm...good question! I make an effort to keep an open mind, and also try not impose my values on others because what works for me certainly doesn't work for the rest of the world. I don't like upsetting people, and am sensitive to the harmony and peace in my relationships. Life is hard, we need all the help we can get from one another! I try to see things from other people's perspectives because we've all come from different walks of life. While I like to keep the peace, I have been known to make snide remarks or give a death stare for the following: 1. racism 2. homophobia 3. sexism 4. judgmental statements against myself and/or family/community 5. entitled people 6. arrogance 7. the movie National Treasure

Finally, chocolate and hugging are needed on a daily basis.

5. What is your next upcoming (exciting) project? 
Another mini book! This one is a more personal project and I'm going to write a lot for it, as opposed to my other mini books which are all photos. It's going to have a forest theme and I am really excited to use these fun materials I picked up:

6. Describe your fashion style. Post a picture, if you have one! 
I have an ultra feminine, colorful, eclectic style. Texture, bright colors, and fun accessories are all welcome in my closet. I own way too many dresses, and am a fan of ruffles, bows, and cardigans. Below are some of the items from my wardrobe.

7. Coffee or tea, or choice of morning beverage? Vietnamese coffee or milk tea please!

8. All time favorite book and/ or movie? Oh man, just one? If I HAD to choose one movie, it would be My Neighbor Totoro, which always puts a smile on my face and gives me the warm fuzzies. I don't know if I have an absolute favorite book (I feel like as a future librarian I should have one that I absolutely adore) but there are just too many in too many genres. What kind of book? Art book? Children's book? Fiction? Nonfiction? But let's see, just one...I always think fondly of the book A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius because I read it when I was studying abroad and missing Berkeley. It made me a fan of Dave Eggers.

9. What music do you listen to? I typically listen to folk, indie rock, or indie pop with a female lead singer--Bird and the Bee is one of my favorite bands, and I also have Ingrid Michaelson, She and Him, Lily Allen, Fiona Apple, Rilo Kiley, Kate Nash, and Lenka on my playlist.

10. Do you prefer living in a house or an apartment? I've been living in an apartment for the past 10 years, but I really miss living in a house. I'm not a huge fan of being stacked on top of one another, and having a house would mean I could have a yard or a front porch or a garage...sigh...the possibilities.

11. What is your dream vacation? Anywhere with good food, a beautiful view, and my husband by my side.

Thanks Chewy! I had fun answering these.