Surprise 21st for My Sista

29 March 2017

101 in 1001

Surprise 21st for My Sista

Last week, my sister celebrated her 21st birthday!!!! 
Like, wow!! I seriously cannot believe she's already 21-years-old.  And, without any thought, if anyone would ask me old she is, I'd probably wouldn't hesitate saying she was 16 or something. It's just crazy to me how the days years fly.  So, the realization that this was her 21st really hit me. I wanted to make sure that she celebrated it -- especially since it's her champagne. 
And, like the "good" girl she is, she decided to do nothing for her birthday.  Side note: I'm being totally sarcastic when I call her a good girl... 
But, being the best big sister she ever had, I decided I wanted to surprise her by putting something together! But thanks to her lovely bf, he really helped and we ended up pulling the whole thing off.  

It wasn't anything too big; I knew for sure she didn't want the headache and the stress the morning after a big party. I did know that she has amazing friends who were down to do pretty much anything, as long as they were there to celebrate my sister's birthday. 
So, we kept it simple. My sister and her bf actually went to dinner beforehand. So, at this point, she had absolutley no idea any of us would be there afterwards. I'm not sure the exact lie he told her, but she had this idea that they were going to a bar afterwards to have some drinks with his friends. 
Meanwhile, I was with the others at the bar, already drinking it up. We had a long table for all the guests as we awaited for her arrival. 
It was quite funny when she came -- We yelled "SURPRISE" and she was so clueless, she literally walked passed us. We were laughing, and she still had no idea for the first 2 minutes when she was fully staring at us. Then, somehow it hit her that everyone was there for her. It was halarious! It couldn't have gone more perfect. 
We spent the rest of the evening just drinking and catching up with everyone, and decided to hit the club afterwards. We walked to a nearby club, and got in and pretty much danced and drank the night away. It was quite nice to see my sister so happy. And, I was really happy that she got to celebrate her champaign with her closest friends! 

I do wish, we all took more photos. I didn't even take a photo with my sister... opps. But, I guess when you're having a lot of fun, you tend to just want to live in the moment.
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UPDATE: 101 Things in 1001 Days

08 March 2017

101 in 1001

UPDATE: 101 Things in 1001 Days

Guys! Where did the days go? It wasn't too long ago I turned 22 years old and started this challenge.  110 days later... I'm actually pretty impressed with myself. As you'll see belwo, I've completed 24 things so far. Not so shabby for 110 days! 
Can't wait to regroup and get started (and finish) things over the next coupl of months before checking in again. 

101 Things in 1001 Days

Start Date: November 19, 2016 End Date: August 17, 2019 
Completed 24/101 as of Mar 8, 2016
KEY: - In progress - Completed in 2016  - Completed in 2017
1. Finish this list before November 19 (11.16) 2. Publish this post before 2017 (12.16)
School 3. Get my RPN license  4. Make it on honour roll  5. (re)Learn CPR 6. Order a personal copy of my university transcript (12.16) 7. Purchase textbooks before the start of classes (12.16) 8. Get a new laptop before classes start (12.16)
Family/ Friends/ Social  9. Send a package of things to my cousins in the Philippines (01.17) 10. Have a spa day with mom 11. Re-connect with an old friend 12. Go to a work party/dinner/something they host (11.16) 13. Plan and host a surprise party 
Health/ Fitness/ Wellness 14. Wake up every day for 6:30 am for 1 week (and not go back to sleep) 15. Not press the snooze button for 1 week 16. Drink green tea before bed for one month [8/31] -- started March 1 17. Sleep before 12:00 am for 1 week [0/7]  18. NO coffee for one month [8/30] -- started March 1 19. NO pop/soda for a month (including mixing in drinks...) [8/30] March 1 20. NO alcohol for a month [30/30] (01.17 - 02.17) 21. Be the D.D. for the night 22. Do Yoga for 30 days with Adriene 23. Be able to do 50 pushups without breaks 24. Drink 8-ounces of water a day for a week 25. Complete the 30-day squat challenge 26. Run in a marathon
Beauty 27. Get lash extensions (01.17)  28. Wear earrings (in each pierced hold) for a whole week 29. Wear red lipstick for 1 week 30. Try getting my eyebrows threaded  31. Remember to take my vitamins for a week 32. Leave the house without makeup on for one month (11.16 - 12.16)
Blog 33. Blog every day for a month 34. (re)Create my "All About Me" page  35. Record a vlog (01.17) 36. Finish writing all saved drafts and PUBLISH them  37. Blog about 10 items on this list [4/10 - #46 Christmas on Ice, #84 I Got Braces..., #8 Refurbish MacBook, #35 and #86 Cutting Off My Hair -- Vlog]
Finances 38. Get credit card #1 to zero 39. Get credit card #2 to zero (12.16) 40. Put at least 20% of each paycheck into savings for a month  41. Pay school tuition before the first day of classes (12.16) 42. Bring lunch to work for a whole month (no buying, including coffee) [31/31] (01.17 - 02.17) 43. Put $5 in both savings accounts for each completed goal
Something New/ For Fun 44. Go to a karaoke event/bar 45. Go apple picking 46. Attend an ice show (11.16) 47. Go to a drive-in theater  48. Go to an NBA game 49. Go go-karting 50. Get a puppy 51. Make a cheesecake 52. Drink wine in a bathtub 53. Try 5 new coffee shops that are not mainstream [1/5 - Supercoffee (11.16)] 54. Go on a party bus (12.16) 55. Try 5 new restaurants I've never eaten at [3/5 - Moxie's Bar & Grill (11.16), Turtle Jack's(12.16), Korean Grill House (12.16)] 56. Go on a spontaneous road trip 57. Go to a gun range 58. Go to a wine tasting 59. Go to a bubble soccer event (12.16) 60. Learn to tie a tie
Leisure 61. Unsubscribe from all unwanted email lists 62. Unsubscribe from FB likes 63. Read 20 books I've never read [1/20 - Sorry Not Sorry (12.16)] 64. Read a book for 30 minutes before bed for 1 week 65. Re-organize my iTunes playlist 66. Reorganize my desk 67. Learn to play poker 68. Learn to crochet 69. Start practicing the piano ago 70. (re)Learn to play a piece on the piano 71. (re)Watch all of Grey's Anatomy 72. (re)Watch all of Gossip Girl (because it is Gossip Girl...) (01.17) 73. Watch every season (on Netflix) of 3 shows I've never watched [1/3 - The Crown (11.16), Jane the Virgin (12.16) ] 74. Watch 26 movies I've never watched before (alphabet style) [18/26]

• A - A Most Wanted Man (2014) (12.16)
• B - Basic Instinct (1992)  (11.16)
• C - Coin Heist (2017) (01.17)
• D - Due Date (2010) (12.16)
• E - Eagle Eye (2008) (12.16)
• F - Fundamentals of Caring (2016) (11.16)
• G - Get a Job (2016) (01.17)
• H -
• I - Into The Wild (2007) (02.17)
• J - Joy (2015) (12.16)
• K - Keeping Up With the Joneses (2016) (01.17)
• L - Life of Crime (2013) (12.16)
• M - Mr. Right (2015) (11.16)
• N -
• O -
• P - Passenger (2016) (03.17)
• Q -
• R -
• S - Split (2017) (01.17)
• T - Triple 9 (2015) (11.16)
• U - Unfinished Business (2015) (02.17)
• V - Vacation (2015) (01.17)
• W -
• X -
• Y -
• Z - Zootopia (02.17)

Purchases

75. Buy a vegan purse/wallet (and use it) (12.16)

76. Buy an everyday watch

77. Buy a backpack (12.16)

78. Buy new everyday shoes

79. Invest in a weekender

Personal

80. Learn to drive manual

81. Get new glasses (01.17)

82. Use coconut oil in my hair at least once a week for a month

83. Create a list of things that made me smile for that day (for 1 month)

84. Go and get my braces (12.16)

85. Embrace my braces

86. Cut my hair "short" (12.16)

87. Be his New Year's kiss

88. Become a morning person

89. Find the beauty in winter

90. Go to church every Sunday for 1 month [1/4] March

91. No cursing for a day

92. No cursing for a week

93. Eat at least half a pickle without gagging

94. Give up something for Lent [Coffee... day 8/40]

95. Write in my journal for 5 minutes every day for a month [Gratitude Journal... day 8/31]

96. Stop biting my nails for 21 days [15/21] (12.16)

97. Say "Yes" to something I normally wouldn't

For Others

98. Buy a stranger a coffee/tea

99. Go through my clothes, and donate the one's I don't need/wear

100. Donate to a different charity or non-profit organization each month [5/33 - Heart and Stroke Foundation (11.16), Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (12.16), Sick Kids Foundation (01.17), The Sunshine Foundation (02.17), Children's Wish Foundation of Canada (03.17)]

101. Inspire someone to create their own lists (any takers?)

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March Goals!

01 March 2017

monthly goals

March Goals!

Okay. I cannot be the only one who didn't even realize that yesterday was the last day of February. Like insurance came and took some money as a payment, and I was like Whaaat??. It was really a shocker. On top of that, I didn't even realize yesterday was shrove Tuesday and that today is the first day of Lent. I didn't get a chance to reflect on what I would like to give up for the next 40 days... Everything is moving a little too quickly... But, let's not dwell on the past... Let's make March a little more memorable! 

February Goals Revisited!

1. Ace my tests!  YAS. Your girl has definitely been putting in the work to get this goal done. On one of the tests I got back, I got an A, another test I got a B (not as great as an A, but I didn't put as much time as I wanted into that course), and another test I got a B+ (really close the 80 tho...). Now, I'm waiting to receive my other 2 test marks that I recently wrote. Not all A's but, it's something I now want to beat.
2. Spread out my free time wisely. Surprisingly, I did this through the month of February! I was able to spread my time between school, work, and social (kinda). And, hey, I got my work done way before it needed to be done. Maybe this girl ain't a procrastinator no more. 
3. Prepare posts ahead of time. I swear I started a lot of posts. Just didn't have the inspiration to finish them. They just didn't come out the way I wanted them to. So, they are all in my drafts. Hopefully this month I'll get that spark back.
4. Exercise! This is a yes and no. I won't cross this off because I did not go to the gym as many times I wanted to for the month. I did find more reasons to walk instead of taking the car, and I did find myself walking Jay's dog more and more in order to get my daily exercise in. So, exercise at the gym? It was a no in February. Opps. 

March Goals!

1. No coffee for the next 40 days!
Yes, guys. I am going to do the impossible and give up coffee for Lent. Today is day one, and so far so good. I woke up early this morning to finish editing this post, and when I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee, but I stopped myself. I wasn't feeling for tea, I wanted coffee. But, I told myself... it's only 40 days. Hey, at at least this can give me a chance to complete another thing from my 101 in 1001 days. Speaking of which...

2. Give an update on my 101 things in 1001 days!
I think I'll try to do this sometime this week. If you didn't know, back on my 22nd birthday, I decided to create a list of things I wanted to complete in 1001 days. Some are legit goals, while others are just silly things I want to do. It's been a good three months, time to show you what I've been up to.

3. Go to church every Sunday this month.
Speaking of 101 things in 1001 days, one of my 'things' was to go to church and attend mass every Sunday for a month. In January, I went to every mass except 1, in February, I went to every mass except 1. This month, I will go to the Sunday masses.

4. Start a gratitude journal.
I was actually inspired by a few new bloggers, that I've recently found, to start a gratitude journal. I think I'm taking life for granted lately. I'm just living through the days without a care. This month, I want to acknowledge and thank God for everything I am thankful for. I want to recognize even the smallest things in my journal.

5. Positive vibes!
Positivity. All I want is positive vibes this month. Let the positive thoughts and actions start for this month. I want to have all smiles and be inspired by everything. 

Do you share some goals with me? What are your March goals? 
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I Want to Blog, Believe Me

24 February 2017

blog

I Want to Blog, Believe Me

The past couple of weeks has been hectic on my side of the internet world. I've been busy with school, studying, the work life, and trying to incorporate my social life in there. Somehow. And, yet, I haven't found the time to come here and blog. It kinda makes me sad.
It's not that I have writer's block. I mean I kind of do, but if you go through my drafts right now, you'll see a bunch of posts I've started... but, just not found the will to complete them.
Has that ever happened to you?
I think it happens to all of us sooner or later... I have the ideas. I quickly jot down my thoughts in a journal - it's all there. I sign on to my blog, and I try to write. And, then all of a sudden, it's just not there. It's not coming out the way I imagined.  I just feel, you know, like... MEH.
But, I really do miss blogging. I still enjoy it and have the want to continue. I don't want to quit it. I've been blogging for the past 4 years (I can't believe it's been that long already!) and it really changed my life. 
It helped me. 
However, right now, I think I need to recuperate. I think I need to find my voice again - get out of this dry spell. Or, I need to at least finish off those drafts I have stacked up. I'm thinking about journalling daily again. I have so much to say, and I feeling like writing it all down will help me to get my jumbled thoughts and words out. And, maybe inspire me to show up here more often.
I hate this feeling. 
But, I want to blog, believe me. 
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Blogging Helped Me In School

15 February 2017

Blogging

Blogging Helped Me In School

Sometimes it's really cool to have different aspects of your life have a positive impact on other parts of your life. This past weekend, this is exactly what I experienced! Thanks to my experience with blogging, I was really able to apply what we do here to one of my assignments.
Say what? 
Yup, I'm serious. 

The assignment I was working on involved creating a mini-essay type of thing and posting it on our class discussion board. This part wasn't a big deal... Only took about 6 or more hours to write completely since I wanted it to be perfect.
But, the second part of the assignment was different. My teacher wanted to us to respond to at least 3 other students' content. It had to be meaningful and related back to the course since it would also be graded. Talk about pressure. Not really.
When I read this part of the instructions, I actually did not feel anxious at all. I saw this and immediately thought this was exactly like blogging! The whole reading others' posts and commenting on their content based on what they said, and somehow relate it back to you.... was exactly like blogging. Like entirely, but the gist of engaging with other bloggers.
So, it was definitely easy to read another students' content and reply back to them, in a friendly way of course. However, when I was reading others' comments, it reminded me when I first started blogging and where I was so awkward in my comments, and replying back to others. But, hey, it really does take time.
Also, some of us nursing students created a WhatsApp group, and I was surprised by a lot of them saying, "Can someone comment on mine! I'll return a comment back!" I mean, when it comes to blogging, I guess I've gotten used to having one post having a lot more views and comment over another. It doesn't phase me at all. It's quite normal for a lot of us bloggers actually. And, when we don't receive any comments at all, it doesn't us from blogging.
So, yay! Thanks, blogging! You've definitely prepared me for discussions and being friendly in school. Who would have guessed!?
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February Goals

10 February 2017

monthly goals

February Goals

Oh, hey, friends! I promise you that I had this post all ready to go days ago... And, silly me, I forgot to schedule it for the beginning of the month.... Well, we are only 9 days in, so it's still the beginning of the month...
But, let get straight into it, shall we? 
January flew quickly! I didn't even realize how long ago I took the time to view my own blog. It's been hectic at school, and as of right now, I don't have much time allotted for my any fun. But, here I am, found a couple minutes in between my studying to set out a few goals for this month. 

January Goals Revisited:

1. Introduce myself. I'm still doing this as the days go, but I am very pleased with myself. I stepped out of my comfort zone and really put myself out there when introducing myself to the other students, and teachers. 
2. Ask questions. I've been doing this as well all month long! Whenever I had a question, I quickly raised my hand and asked, and I've even found myself emailing my teachers a lot for clarification. I think it is definitely a great start to this academic adventure. 
3. Read chapters before class. You'll be happy to note that I've actually been keeping up with my readings! I go to class well prepared, and I even find myself participating more.  
4. Prepare a few blog posts. I obviously didn't even come close to this goal....
5. Don't be late to classes. The first month of school is going great! Not only was I not late for any of my classes, but I also did not skip or miss any of them! Yay me! 
6. Engage more with other bloggers. This past month, I, unfortunately, did not even engage with my own blog let alone other bloggers. I really need to learn to spread out my free time more wisely. 

February Goals!

1. Ace my tests! I have a lot of tests scheduled this month. I really want to excel in my program. And, the first way to excel in my program, is to get the grades. So, this month when it comes to studying for my test, I will study for my tests. No distractions. (Of course, I will start go back to studying after I finishing writing this!) 

2. Spread out my free time wisely. I have to juggle school and work. And, I want to incorporate time for my blog somewhere in between. However, I find myself giving away a lot of my shifts just to study for courses... I really need to learn to use my time wisely to study smart instead of hard, and work.

3. Prepare posts ahead of time. I love my blog. I love just writing about whatever I want on here. It feels like a great escape from all the craziness. In addition to what I wrote above for using my free time wisely, I think this month I'll use my "study breaks" as a writing break. Write a bit or perhaps just write and complete posts ahead of time.

4. Exercise! I find that I'm a stress eater. Lately, I've been paying more attention to what I'm eating when I'm stressed. I'm even resisting that urge to grab a bag of chips when I'm feeling down. I want to transform that feeling and put it towards exercise. Take out my stress at the gym while losing a few pounds. 

What are your February goals?

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Aquarium Adventures

24 January 2017

life toronto

Aquarium Adventures

I've lived in Toronto my whole life, and I'm always discovering something new about my city.  When I heard that a Ripley's Aquarium was going to built in Toronto, I'll be honest, I wasn't excited about it at all. Call me weird, but I really don't have the need to spend money on tickets to see fish floating around. But, that place is constantly busy and filled with tourists. So, I was obviously not understanding the appeal.
My cousin's friend actually works there. And, employees actually get a certain amount of free tickets for the year, and she had 3 left over. She decided to give them to my cousin, who in turned gave them to me and my mom. And, we decided to hit the Aquarium.

Although we decided to go on a Thursday, I'm not exaggerating when I say it was packed. Firstly, there was a line not online inside but one forming outside of the location, circling around! And, that was just the line to buy your tickets.
Thank goodness we already had ours. But, finding the doors to enter the place without lining up for tickets was hard. We eventually found a door and surpass that line.  

I do have to say, the aquarium was actually beautiful. There were a lot of little fishes floating around. I saw a few sharks, stingrays, and a sea turtle. That was pretty cool as you only really see those guy in movies.

I took a few pictures! Take a look!

One thing I really like about this place was that there were different sections where you have the chance to touch some of these guys. I actually got to touch a stingray, and it was NOT how I expected. It was slimy  (I think that's really the best way to describe it).
But, it was definitely an experience.
Would I go there again? Probably not. Unless my little cousins would want me to take them. But, I definitely wouldn't be spending money on tickets. 
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