Abs and Squat Challenge!

30 November 2013

30days

Abs and Squat Challenge!

Tomorrow is the first day of  December, and all I am thinking about is how excited I am for the winter break! If you're like me, you're probably just excited to be with friends and family, receive and give a lot of gifts, and just eat all the food family will prepare! This is the best part of the year!

But, if you know me… I am very conscious about my body, especially when it comes to my weight! Before entering university, people would tell me that usually anyone can gain up to 20 pounds because of the stress and irregular sleeping patterns the uni life entails.  Its crazy, and I was definitely not going to allow this for my body.

So when it came to my first year… I ended up going to the gym towards the end of the year, but I went everyday in the summer.  So my goal to maintain my weight throughout the year was a little successful, but my workout schedule started to die down as summer began and the new school started…

Now that it is the Christmas break, and I will mostly be home studying for exams and just keep warm from the cold outside.  I decided that I will continue to cut down on the fatty foods, and attempt to eat healthier instead of constantly going out to dinner with Jay (sorry babe!)

In addition to that, I will be participating in the ab and squat challenge that I found on www.30dayfitnesschallenges.com.  If you would like to join me, let me know if you're keep up with this! I know it will be hard since its December, but I have to start somewhere right!

Good Luck!

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

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The Thankful Project: A Simple Pleasure

28 November 2013

30days

The Thankful Project: A Simple Pleasure

Wow can you believe that November is almost over?  December is right around the corner.. meaning EXAM Time! yikes!  As much as I would love to talk about exam (yeah I actually don't), I think its time for another thankful prompt hosted by Kenzie from Chasing Happy.

Day 27: A Prompt About "A Simple Pleasure"

As some of you already know, I live in Canada and the only way you know winter is here is when it is COLD, snowing and when it is cold.  Believe me, as pretty as it may look, the snow is not something you want your car to get stuck in when you're in the rush to get somewhere… 

Anyways, I think today it is appropriate to be thankful for the snow today.  Last night it snowed, and for the first time this season, waking up to the sight of snow was just so beautiful.  My favourite things to see during the winter is the snow laying on the tree branches! It's like looking at a life size post card! It is so beautiful, and the cold is just an added bonus for reasons to cuddle with your loved one.  

As much as I do not like the cold, I cannot lie… I love the snow - especially when its fluffy and white!  Just being around the fire with family, and spending quality time indoors with the people you care about, is definitely something I am thankful during the winter season!

Catch up on my previous posts (that I have yet to catch up on…)

Day 24: A prompt about a physical trait Day 20: A prompt about a significant other Day 19: A prompt about a book Day 18: A prompt about a choice - find the rest by going through my archive!
Thanks for stopping by!

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The Thankful Project: Free Day

30 days

The Thankful Project: Free Day

Wow, today is officially the last day of The Thankful Project hosted by Kenzie.  There's so much I can talk about with the free-reign to be thankful for anything.  Although I am Canadian and already celebrated thanksgiving here, I don't see the harm of being thankful for another day.

As Christmas is now fast approaching, soon than later we are all going to realize that we've all got to start getting used to writing 2014 on everything do we.  Yes, that's right… A new year is quickly approaching and that means I have to start figuring out a new list of my New Years revolutions… o with that being said, I think it is a great time to be thankful for the friends and family that stuck by my side in 2013, who made this year memorable and worthy for me.

Day 28: Free Day

I think it really is important for me to thank all of those people who really helped me this year - whether it was through my personal struggles or striving to reach that personal goal.  I am thankful that I had the love, care and support from others to keep me motivated to live every day. 

These are the people who make me me, and quite frankly, without these people in my life, I would not be here today being exciting to start a new year. So thank you to all the friends and family for keeping me on my feet to share my life with you all.  It is a great feeling knowing someone is always there. 

Catch up on my previous posts!

Although today is American Thanksgiving, take time to read the post I wrote on Canadian Thanksgiving! I wrote about someone close to my heart and I would love for you to all take the chance to read what I was thankful for during that time. 
Thankful for You.

Thanks for stopping by!

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The NEW Addition

26 November 2013

baby

The NEW Addition

Before you get ahead of yourself by the misleading title of this post, no I am NOT pregnant… and I definitely don't plan to either until I know I am ready and have the resources (including finance) to get care of him/her… Anyways, this is besides the point!

For my birthday, Jay decided to surprise me with a little gift… something I had to pick out myself and I was actually curious of what this gift could be.  To me, the little things count, and by him taking me out to dinner on my birthday was more than enough, so this was making me excited.

Anyways, we got to the mall and passed by this pet shop, and we were just looking at the different pets that were around waiting to be taken home.  We've planned on adopting a puppy many times, but never really got around to it as we both know we wouldn't be at home as much due to school and work.  But recently he's been talking about a bunny, and I am absolutely in love with them! Ever since my first pet, a rabbit I received when I was younger, I knew I would want more in the future.

Well in the shop, we stopped at the area where the bunnies were playing and he asked me which one I would want if we were to get one.  And I chose this one little guy that looked like he ran shit in their little community.  LOL and then next thing I knew, Jay was picking out a cage and food for the little guy.  And then bam, the saleslady took him out and handed him to me to hold! I fell in love with him the instant he was in my arms!

So without further ado, I want to introduce to you our little new addition to our family, MJ! If you're asking, why MJ? We named him MJ because he has the sickest jumps I ever seen a rabbit do - He twists himself and just hops at any moment!  And in the cage we got him, there this ramp that has an entrance for him to hide in, and the way he exits his little hideaway, is like an extravagant entrance where he wants everyone to know he is out!

I hope you enjoy the pictures of our little guy! 
P.S these are iPhone quality pictures because we didn't want to scare him with a big camera and the flash!

Have a great week!

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The Thankful Project: A Physical Trait

24 November 2013

beauty

The Thankful Project: A Physical Trait

Day 24: A Prompt About "A Physical Trait You Have"

Today I am linking up with Kenzie from Chasing Happy for this today's prompt for The Thankful Project. Today's prompt is about a physical trait I have… I think today's prompt is a really great way to finally see what attributes you have that makes you beautiful as well.  I'm the type of person who would compliment anyone I think is pretty or has nice cloths. But when it comes to be receiving compliments, I usually just throw them to the side saying naw, you're just trying to be nice.  

So for today's prompt, I really thought about the few traits that people usually compliment me on.. and there are a few things I can talk about - my cubby cheeks, my eyes or (according to my bf) my factor of having both beauty and brains.

But I decided to talk about the number one thing people usually love to compliment me on - my long hair. Growing up, I never really had the intention of growing my hair long… I always wanted to be like my mom who loved having short hair, and so I just wanted to have short hair just like she did.  But growing up, I received a lot of suggestions from my aunts to try having long hair like my mom did when she was younger.  And so I did, and I am in love with my own hair just as everyone else is. 

My hair is extremely healthy (virgin hair, no highlights or anything), it looks so silky, it is so soft to touch, and overall I can pretty much do anything to do and still make it look beautiful. I am so thankful for my hair today because I know there are people out there who are unable to grow hair for certain health issues, and that is why I grow my hair long, cut 6 inches off to donate it to cancer, and redo the entire process.  I am thankful I am able to help whenever I can. Best part is, when I cut my hair, it is still long, so I have nothing to be sad about when donating my hair!

Here is a look throughout the year with my process of regrowing my hair!

Catch up with some of my latest prompt! (For more, feel free to browse my Archive! Day 20: A Prompt About A Significant Other Day 19: A Prompt About A Book Day 18: A Prompt About A Choice Day 16: A Prompt About Something I Own Day 14: A Prompt About A Blessing
Thanks for stopping by!

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Finally Reunited

22 November 2013

emotion

Finally Reunited

On November 19, I turned 19 years old.  As happy as my day was, an unfortunate event happened… Our long time family friend passed away.  It was hard to hear this news as my uncle (that's what I call him) has been apart of my sister and I's life ever since the age of 6.  I'm 19 now, that 13 years our families have been inseparable.

The viewing was last night, which was why I was unable to blog something then, and the service is later today.  As sad as it was, the family was unable to contact old friends that grew up with us as well. So my sister and I decided to pull out our contacts and try to contact our karate family.

Yes, I took karate don't be surprised.  My sister and I started at the age of 6 and we were able to attain our junior black belt.  So that was a huge accomplishment for us, and the friends we made was a bonus.

And last night, for the first time in years, we were all together in one room - and wow it was an amazing feeling.  You know how strong our friendship is when we all talked as if we just saw each other yesterday.  It wasn't awkward at all, it was just emotional because it felt like old times.  Being in that room with those group of people reminded me of my life at karate, and how much I miss doing it with them.

As unfortunate as the circumstances was, I think it sad that it takes a death in our family in order to get all of us to be together.  As happy as we all were, we decided to do a skating party with all of us just like old times.

Towards the end of the viewing, some of us started getting emotional because who knows when the next time is when we will all be together again… lol I'm thinking either Manan's or Joa's wedding (hopefully)! So my sensei wanted all of us to take a photo together to remember this moment, because like I said, it's been years since we have all been in the same room.

Standing up (left to right): Manan, Cody, Linda, Vanessa (ME), Kenneth, Shirley (my mom), Senpei Leigh, Billy, Sensei Ken, Kendra, Amanda, Lauren, Sensei Kim, Joe
Kneeling (left to right): Ashley, Daniel, Tony, Michael

Just looking at this photo makes me smile… I grew up with all of them ever since I was six years old.  We are missing other people, but hopefully we can all meet up for the skating party and really have the whole team there.  I love them all as they all made a huge impact on my life.  Thank you so much for guys!

R.I.P Bernie Sena Cabalse. 

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MY Love

20 November 2013

MY Love

Happy Wednesday to everyone! It's halfway through the work week, and sooner than you think, it will be Friday! wohoo! 

If this is your first time passing my blog, today I am linking up with Kenzie from Chasing Happy participating in The Thankful Project. At the end of this post I will provide links for my previous posts if you'd like to catch up.  For today's prompt:

Day 20: A Prompt About A Significant Other

If you read yesterday's post The BIG One Nine, you'd probably recognize the above picture.  This is the most recent picture that I have of my significant other, Justin.  People call him JJ, but I rather call him my better half.  Choosing to talk about something about him that I am thankful for can be easy… I could easily talk about him all day and everyday, regardless if I already told you the story or not.

In September I wrote about how I was thankful for him being in my life (Thankful For You)… So because I already talked about me being thankful for him being in my life, it is an appropriate time to appreciate the little things that can sometimes be easily unnoticed.

One thing that I am thankful for is that he is dependable.  Whenever I need him, he is there… no matter what he is doing, he seems to always put me first… and that is something I never really had in my life.  If you grew up with me, you would know that I am the type of person to put other people's happiness before my own.  And because Jay is a man who learned from his experienced, I know that he would never take advantage of the type of person that I am - instead he would try to give me the happiness I deserve.

Jay is always trying his best to make me happy.  That's something big that I usually don't recognize on a regular basis.  All his actions seem to reflect on my happiness… it's crazy to say, but I don't recognize this during the days where he tries to do things for himself… I guess I could be selfish at time. But, he is still here, and that is something I am thankful for.

Jay is committed to me in every way possible - emotionally, physically and mentally.  If you knew the past he lived in, and the past I lived in, you would know that I would 100% never hurt Jay in any way shape or form.  When I love, I truly love with all my heart, and that is way Jay treats me.  Although are past is rough, and we seen people in our lives get hurt, I think it is good we found each other with similar backgrounds to understand each other better.

He has a sweet smile.  This is actually the first thing I fell for.  And if it wasn't for him smiling at me that night we met, him and I would have probably never crossed each other's paths… crazy how one little thing can change an entire life.

Jay compliments me in the best way possible.  He is my better half who makes me want to live life as a better and more positive person.  He just brings the best out of me - and I love that.

I'm also thankful that him and I are so similar yet so different at the same time.  It works for us in a way where we continue to learn so much about each other, regardless how long we've been together. It works because if we were exactly alike, our relationship wouldn't be as interesting... our differences adds a twist.

Lastly, something I am thankful for is that he chose me.  He could have any other girl in the world, but he ended up choosing me.  'Till this day he says it was my eyes, but I think there is more he is leaving out as you know men, they don't like to show their emotional side too much. But we have a whole life time to continue to learn about each other.

Follow up on my previous posts for The Thankful Project: Day 19: A Book Day 18: A Choice Day 16: Something I Own Day 15: An Annoyance Day 14: A Blessing Day 13: An Ability  Day 12: An Opportunity 

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The BIG One Nine

19 November 2013

birthday

The BIG One Nine

Guess what…. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY and today I turn 19 years old.

I am just so thankful that I have been able to walk and live on earth and meet so many great people in my life! It has been a great 19 years so far, and I am so excited to see what is in store for my future and what I am going to do with the available opportunities.

It is just crazy to me to think my life is shaping on its own where soon I'm going to be 20, and eventually be finished with university, have my career in set, and possibly get engaged or even married… So many things can happen in the next decade of my life.. and it is just crazy to think I've been alive for almost 2 decades…

To show you how exciting my birthday is, I decided to share pictures of my day so you can see how well I spent my 19th birthday!
Enjoy my lovely iPhone quality pictures!

Had my sister drive herself to school.  Afterwards, took the car and drove myself to school.

What a great way to start off my birthday with some morning selfish on my way to school!

After my 10 am class, I'm in the library reading the book for my socio anthropology class later at 2 pm ("Righteous Dopefiend" by Philippe Bourgois and Jeff Schonberg)

In my socio anthro class, decided to buy a large sweet apple cider before class! It felt so great to have something warm for the cold weather!

Jay took me out to Kelsey's Restaurant!

Picture of the birthday girl!

Appetizer: Nachos … hmmm yummy

7 Layer Hamburger! 

My birthday cake from my lovely family <3 td="">

And to end off the post, here are some of the pictures my friends posted on their instagram (As a caption, I included their personal caption that can be found on their instagram)

@isaacramoss: Happy birthday to my Bestie @oulalanessaa you are such an amazing girl with so much ahead of you.  with all those memories I feel so blessed that our friendship has stayed strong.  You're officially legal.  Live it up and see you on Sunday :)

@nivesh17_: Happy birthday to my sickest cuzzin @oulalanessaa have a blessed day. Old pic but.  Enjoy vanessa!

@neeisha17: Happy 19th Birthday Vanessa! Hope you have an amazing day today because you deserve it.  You're absolutely my favourite cousin and we've been through so much such as cleaning blood in the hallways and applying toothpaste on burns LOL. Only we would understand. & let's not forget the day we received yellow envelopes home. "Because I'm dumb" shah and oh yah remember our "intelligent" plan of sleeping in the backyard.  And maybe this year we can finally fulfill our wish since we're both finally freaking 19. xoxo love yah hoe.

@jay_young_94: happy birthday to my best friend and girl. I love you with all my heart.  ur always got my back and I always got urs.  even tho we piss each other off we will fall back and make up.  happy 19 birthday!!!!!!!!!!! @oulalanessaa

Hope you had an amazing Tuesday, tomorrow is Wednesday, then almost Friday!

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