Have a Healthy 2013

Happy new year folks! Every year I tell myself I want to be healthier. We all do... Well, after the holidays, I was feeling very MEH after eating so much junk. Now I'm doing something about it. For starters, I went to a kundalini yoga class at the Yogi Tree on Saturday. Much to my luck, it focused on building the core. I'm feeling the effects today in my abdomen... YEOW! Well, it's a good kind of pain. -_- Gotta start somewhere!

We had a new yogi, Gina, and she was excellent! We meditated about what we'd like to give up this year, wrote it on a paper, and crumpled it up. Then, we kept a paper with the opposite thing on it - something we'd like to do more of. My thing to give up: working during my personal time. I know, this sounds absurd for a workaholic to attempt, but I have really been feeling the toll of work taking over my life. It has to stop. In place, I am going to spend my personal time on my hobbies.

Gina had an interesting take on the concept of connection. We tend to associate connecting with being wired to the internet, but being online doesn't necessarily mean we're actually connecting with anyone. I can just think of the hours I've spent idling on Facebook but not engaging anyone. I'm resolving to be more deliberate about my use of the internet. It can be a great tool to connect with people if used mindfully.

The second part of my health focus this year involves what I eat. I've been feeling bloated and noticed I was going down a bad path of eating fast food and sweets. I'm doing a 3-day detox juice cleanse for the first time, and I'm excited to feel the results. My nurse friend Jeffer recommended the Dr. Oz detox cleanse. I don't usually watch his show, but the detox routine got great reviews, so I'm giving it a try. It has a quick cheat sheet of what ingredients to shop for and how to make each of the 3 shakes. Plus, it's much cheaper to DIY instead of buying a cleanse. Cost me about $30/day in ingredients, and I'm sure I'll have some leftover stuff to use after the 3 days are up (e.g. ground flaxseed, coconut oil, almond milk).

My brother's girlfriend Carly has done juicing in the past, and recommended I watch "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead." It's free on Hulu and really inspirational! Here's a preview. I highly recommend it!



The dramatic results remind me of my dad, who lost 60 lbs. last year with the Cohen diet. He is truly inspirational and has kept the weight off months later! However method you choose, I wish you all a healthier year!

- Christine

Christmas Tree

Behold - the fluffy Christmas tree lives!

My brother and I picked one up at the Toluca Lake florist/tree farm/mini petting zoo. It was Ernest's first time picking a tree, 'cause there aren't a lot of tree farms in the Philippines...

The lamb and pot bellied pig entertained us with a fight for territory. Poor piggy didn't stand a chance! I was starting to worry and asked one of the guys if they always fought like that. He seemed to think nothing of it, and we proceeded to pick a tree.

"The" tree caught my eye as soon as we entered. It just looked so comical in its fluffiness. Go figure, I am attracted to anything cute and fluffy. We drove the car up to the front, and they loaded it. Thankfully, they wrapped the tree in plastic, so the car was mess-free!

I didn't have lights to decorate with, so we made a stop at Target. I had no idea there were soooo many types of lights to choose from. Finally, we located the "normal" white mini lights and were on our way. 

Many pine needles later, the tree is decorated and sits pretty in the corner by the window. :) 

Mr. Hoot approves this message...

The Holidays are Here!

Time is going by so fast! It's officially December, which means I better get a Christmas tree soon! I've already hung up the stockings for my three snowflakes (kitties), but there's a lot more decorating to do. :D I love this time of year. The rain and cold make home feel even cozier than usual. I'm thankful to have a fireplace and cats to keep me warm.

This Thanksgiving, Johnny and I drove up to visit my siblings in San Francisco. We really lucked out with the weather. It was his first time in the city, so we did the touristy things, of course! Golden Gate, Union Squire, Pier 39... I took him to Musee Mechanique, which he loved. Unfortunately, they were out of power, so only some of the machines were working. 

Here's a video of the old school arcade for anyone curious:

We stopped at Samovar tea lounge too. No trip to SF is complete without it! I wish they would bring one to LA. I know they've started selling wholesale to companies that are a good fit, so I'm hoping someone takes em up on that offer!

Here are some pics from our trip. Now I'm counting down to Christmas and New Years. I'll be flying to Manila on the 28th for a nice 2-week-long vacation. Woohoo!

Moxie being cute on his birthday

Johnny, Jen and me @ Union Square (SPCA stickers on our coats)

Jen and Dan being silly @ Pakwan (yummy Indian restaurant)

The Money Shot @ Golden Gate

Love this shot Jen took of us @ Ghirardelli Square

Birthday!

My customer service team is awesome! They surprised me with cake from Portos after lunch today, complete with a candle and singing. :) So sweet of them and great cake choice! They know I can't resist chocolate. :P

This year my birthday fell on the Saturday of labor day weekend. Lucky me! Johnny gave me beautiful roses and a sweet card. Then we went to Sweet Lady Jane's for cake. Their triple berry shortcake is to die for, and their raspberry lemon cake aint bad either!

We had the pleasure of watching John Williams himself conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic symphony that evening. They did a really cool restoration of a scene from ET and played along to the movie and sound effects. As expected, the crowd went wild during Duel of Fates from Star Wars. The show ended with three encore numbers! Here's my clip from one of the songs. I can think of a couple of friends who would've killed to be there!

Here's an awesome recording of Duel of Fates shot by someone else that same night.

Dream Home

- swing in the front porch or under a tree
- 2+ bedrooms
- high ceilings so the cats can climb up high
- quaint look/restored older home
- gas stove
- central air
- within 30 min drive from work
- quiet, safe neighborhood, near good schools
- privacy from trees
- big windows to let light in
- walking distance to stores, the park and gym

Is that too much to ask for? :P

Ooh, this would make such a neat living room...

Source: homedsgn.com via Cathrine on Pinterest

I'd love an open space like this...

Source: bostonglobe.com via Cathrine on Pinterest

Change is in the Air

Kate Havnevik's "Kaleidoscope" plays on Pandora Radio. It's quarter to seven, and the sun is setting. I see its light hitting my balcony in scattered leaf patterns. My brothers are in the living room with me, and we chat here and there, while surfing through the interweb. Mar picks up his guitar every few minutes to strum along to a song that peaks his interest. Ernest laughs at random YouTube videos of Samuel Jackson or cats. We have the air conditioner humming in the background. This week is starting out hot. Thank goodness for iced tea!

It's nice to have the company of family. For such a long time I would come home to an empty apartment, save for the cats. Nowadays I am seldom alone, and it's a welcome change. When I'm not home with my brothers, I'm at Johnny's. I do get my fill of alone time on the car rides in between. It's then that I belt my heart out along to the radio and unwind from the work day...

Work has been crazy busy lately. I definitely feel the summer rush. Our summer temp just returned to school, so we're carrying a heavier load with less resources. I've been working on system enhancements to help with efficiency. Any bit helps when you're trying to avoid overtime.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. My sister Jen flies in from SF on Friday night, and I'll be taking off that following Monday to spend time with her. We've made a reservation for The Scarlet Tea Room on Sunday, and I'll get to finally use my Groupon. I've never been there, but it looks great from the website!

September is right around the corner. I can't believe I'm turning 27! That is such a big number... :P But hey, I can honestly say this year has been one of growth and change for me, and I'm happy. I've got dreams for the coming years. It's nice to have someone to dream with again. :) For my birthday we're going to watch John Williams conduct at the Hollywood Bowl. What a treat!

Poem

Here's an inspirational poem that my yoga teacher shared today. Enjoy and sat nam!

She let go.
Without a thought or a word,
She let go. She let go of the fear.
She let go of the judgements.
She let go of the confluence of opinions
Swarming around her head.
She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the "right"reasons.
Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry,
She just let go.

She didn't ask anyone for advice.
She didn't read a book on how to let go.
She didn't search the scriptures.
She just let go.
She let go of all the memories that held her back.
She let go of all anxiety that kept her from moving forward.
She let go of the planning and all the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn't promise to let go.
She didn't journal about it.
She didn't write the projected date in her Day-Timer.
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.
She didn't check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.
She just let go.

She didn't analyze wether she show ld let go.
She didn't call her friends to discuss the matter.
She didn't do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.
She didn't call the prayer line.
She didn't utter one word.
She just let go.

No one was around when it happened.
There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
No one noticed a thing.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort.
There was no struggle.
It wasn't good and it wasn't bad.
It was what it was, and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it all be.
A small smile came over her face.
A light breeze blew through her.
And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.. ♥
~ Reverend Safire Rose