Please Support My Cause as I Run the San Francisco Marathon! - Beta Lounge Fundraiser & Donations =)

Dear Friends & Family,

This year, I am training for my 2nd Marathon -- the San Francisco Marathon on Sunday, July 26^th, 2009 -- to raise funds for Youth Run4Fun.

Youth Run4Fun

Youth Run4Fun (YR4F) is dedicated to establishing community-based running and fitness programs for youth of all shapes, sizes and cultures that enhance physical health, emotional well-being and personal achievement, with a focus on underserved populations of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Youth Run4Fun supports local youth races as well as offers a free, bi-lingual, web-based program called JUST RUN® San Francisco designed for:

• Children that live in underserved neighborhoods
• In or after school programs for elementary and middle schools
• Combating childhood obesity and diabetes
• Promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices
• For more information please visit http://www.youthrun4fun.org/

Beta Lounge Fundraiser! Thursday, June 25th, 7pm-12am

I will be raising funds by hosting a mixer at the Beta Lounge located at 2129 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 Berkeley, CA. on Thursday, June 25^th, 2009 from 7pm-12am, and I truly hope that you can make it out to support the cause =).

To help out, all you need to do is print out the flyer (which I will email to you -- just ask!) and present it when you order any food or beverage, and 20% of your check will benefit this great cause - Youth Run4Fun!

Other reasons to come on out:
- DJ Marnacle (a friend of mine from high school!) spinning 80's, 90's, and today's dance and hip hop music!
- Raffle Drawing Opportunities (Clif Bars, LUNA Bars, gift cards, and much more!)! 100% of the proceeds will benefit the cause!

The Beta Lounge is a new modern lounge in Berkeley, CA serving deliciously fresh appetizers, wine, sake, and specialty sake-based drinks!

The owners are awesome! =)

Fore more info, visit: http://thebetalounge.com/

Other Ways You May Contribute =)

If you can't make it this evening, but would still like to support my cause and me, a donation of any amount would be most gratefully appreciated.

You can easily donate to via debit/credit card by clicking here: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6087830

OR
I can pick up any donation/check from you in person if you are local! =)

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you so much for your time and continuous support.

Training Notes

My goal at the 2006 Marathon was to...finish! This year, aside from running for a cause, my personal training goal is to simply...run faster than the first one! Haha. That is...complete the marathon in less than 4 hours and 23 minutes =)!


Donate to my cause!

Stronger, Harder, Faster...Ish?

"Tomorrow is...simply put: another day to do better than yesterday."

And.

"The key to true happiness is to lower your expectations."

Two very strong ideas that I believe in, but two very opposite thoughts.

The antithesis of the other.

Quote 1:
I agree. It's quote like these that gives me drive. That makes me want to do my very best. To improve in every way every day - physically and mentally. Tomorrow is...another day to workout harder, to dress better, to meet new people and gain more ideas - make more connections, to learn new foods/cultures/lifestyles/philosophies - to become more open minded, have new conversations, see new things, develop ourselves on all levels.

It's what makes me look forward to the next day - because there's so much more I CAN do. There's so much more that CAN happen. The opportunities are simply ENDLESS!

But at the same time...those opportunities...indeed ARE endless...and can get a bit overwhelming to the point where you could end up disappointing yourself a bunch if those heights are not achieved in ways which you had intended.

Which brings us to...

Quote 2:
I was hanging out with a bunch of CKI alum's the other night and someone mentioned this to me. And I was literally like...O_o???? Interesting...I've never heard of it that way.

But it made so much sense because you know...sometimes you can build up so much expectation for someone -- be it yourself, friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, family members, chair members, pets, etc...that you become so...disappointed.

So, it's better to be just satisfied without any desire for more or less. It's a peaceful way of thinking.

So - now I ask YOU this question: how do you strike the right balance between drive and contentedness?

I for one think this is just another one of those "shades of gray" parts of life. And I don't really need to pick between the two. It's a little bit of both that make me who I am. A little bit of this and that which shapes each of our lives.

But still...intriguing, don't you agree?

On Repeat

Trey Songz

It gets lonely in this business, need a homey
who tha realest.
Someone who wants to find out all that I have to give.
Who can bring me what is missin',when I talk she wanna listen.
Sittin' patient steady waitin',for the day when I can face it.

The one that can love me for,who I am and so much more (is it you?).You ma Bonnie (say that I) I found the one,
I ain't gonna rest till I know for sure,sure.

Baby please believe me when I tell you that,I need a girl (need a girl).
So come on pretty lady won't you holla back, I need a girl
(I'mma tell you what I need).
I need a girl that's goin' be my baby, so if you love me say "i'm your baby".
So fine I go "that's my baby", so if you need me say "your my baby".

I'm a good man, who ain't got a lot to ask, just lookin' for somethin' I can build on.
I'm a young man, wit a whole lotta cash, just lookin' for a lady I can spend on.
So all the young ladies in every little city, when I come to your town, let me know that you down.
Sittin' patient steady waitin',for the day when I can face it.

The one that can love me for,who I am and so much more (is it you?).You ma Bonnie (say that I) I found the one,
I ain't gonna rest till I know for sure,sure oohhh.

Baby please believe me when I tell you that,I need a girl (girl).
So come on pretty lady won't you holla back, I need a girl
(I'mma tell you what I need).
I need a girl that's goin' be my baby, so if you love me say "i'm your baby".
So fine I go "that's my baby", so if you need me say "your my baby".

You could, be my everything,
Oh you mean so much to me and I don't even know your name.(But I know that..) that i'm your man (man), and you are my girl (girl)and if I eva meet ya imma give ya the world (oh).

Baby please believe me when I tell you that,I need a girl (girl).
So come on pretty lady won't you holla back, I need a girl
(I'mma tell you what I need).
I need a girl that's goin' be my baby, so if you love me say "i'm your baby".
So fine I go "that's my baby", so if you need me say "your my baby".

Baby please believe me when I tell you that,I need a girl (need a girl).
So come on pretty lady won't you holla back, I need a girl
(I'mma tell you what I need).
I need a girl that's goin' be my baby, so if you love me say "i'm your baby".
So fine I go "that's my baby", so if you need me say "your my baby".

Sweet Songs Discovered Today

"I Need a Girl" by Trey Songs (heard it on the radio and then blasting from a random car)
The one that can love me for
Who I am
And so much more.

"I Can't Win" by Usher featuring Ne-Yo (shared by Peter!)
It's really the piano entwined in the melody that gets me; the song itself is just...a bit sad.

Light Summer Drink Recipes

Ginger-Pineapple Spritzer

Apricot Iced Tea (with a hint of Vanilla)
Or swap in with whatever nectar you'd like...IE: mango! =)

Pictures of Love

They always say, "Don't be sad because it's over. Be happy because it happened."

Sometimes I find the need to repeat this kind of thing about 10 x's in my head.

But it's hard...when you pick up a picture of the past and it makes you want to cry...but then you ask yourself...well...why?

For those of you have ever been in love...or even to have developed a deep relationship with any friend...you must know how it feels to look at those old pictures and have memories come flooding back knowing things are no longer the way they used to be.

But...at the same time...we need to remind ourselves of why we took photographs of those moments in the first place: to capture good memories together. To freeze time for that happy or whatever moment of inspiration.

So when we look at those pictures...instead of feeling sad, mad, or...scared. We just need to remember that it's because of moments like those that make us who we are today: Stronger. More beautiful. Greater.

Pictures of Love...aren't meant to evoke sadness...but instead...to portray a happiness that one was simply lucky to have experienced and a foundation to an even happier future.

Now here's a guy to admire: Roger Federer!

Successful. Talented. Sophisticated. Humble. Just darn handsome!





















What an extremely lucky woman (his tie was made out of the same material as her dress designed by Oscar de la Renta - very cute)!
















Good luck, Fedi! You got it this!

Roland Garros Semi Finals: Friday, June 5th
Roland Garros Finals: Sunday, June 7th

Getting Paid to Tell you to Exercise =)

So, I'm going to be adding another part-time job working at 24-Hour Fitness selling gym memberships.

Please send yourselves, friends, family, 3rd cousins, and colleagues my way to start living a physically fit and healthier lifestyle!

=)

Thanks and have an amazing day!

Healthy Snacks

As a nutritional science graduate, I find myself often scanning random news article or "suggestions" for credibility. With this blog, I'm also going to attempt to help broaden your horizons with entries that I believe are on the more accurate side of healthy eating. But don't worry...I will still have tons of posts on ALL foods...because well, if you hadn't realized it yet...I am a huge foodie and I just don't believe in abstaining yourself from pleasurable delicacies. "Moderation is key!" For the most part. Haha. Enjoy!

From: Healthy Living with Ellie Krieger (Email Subscription)

Today's Small Change: Eat for energy.

Choose the Right Snacks

Does your energy level flatline in the midafternoon? Do you dread exercising or find it hard to get through your walks without feeling fatigued? If so, your body may actually be low on fuel.

Going too long without eating can make you feel tired, cranky, and spacey. Small, healthy snacks or mini meals that include both protein and carbohydrates can help keep your energy levels high throughout the day. What's more, they take very little time to prepare. Most of these make a good breakfast on the go too.

While you probably don't want to eat too close to your workout, having a high-energy snack about an hour before you exercise is a great way to keep your energy level high. Today's small change is to try one of the energizing snacks below — or come up with your own healthful protein-and-carbohydrate snack — to enjoy when your body needs it.

Here are some sample snacks:

• Sliced apple with peanut butter (1 tablespoon)
• Turkey and tomato on whole-wheat bread (1 slice)
• Low-fat cottage cheese and a peach or pear
• A hard-boiled egg and a piece of fruit
• Almonds (1⁄3 cup) and dried apricots (1⁄4 cup)
• A yogurt-and-fruit smoothie
• Hummus (1⁄4 cup) and baby carrots
• Low-fat yogurt and fresh strawberries
• Baked sweet potato with low-fat cottage cheese
• Baked tortilla chips (10) and low-fat bean dip (1⁄2 cup)
• Reduced-fat cheese (1 1⁄2 ounces) and whole-grain crackers (5)
• Half a peanut butter and banana sandwich (1 tablespoon peanut butter)
• LUNA Bar! (I threw this one in, yes I did) - perfect combo of protein + carbs to sustain that energy =)!
  

A Transformation of a Day's Worth of Feelings

Sleep
So I slept about...11 hours last night. Which is A LOT. Haha. Typically after 7 hours my biological clock will wake me up, but I guess I was really drained from weekend activities. Plus, I've read in various health articles that your sleep pattern will be chaotic if you don't stabilize them. That is, if you want your body to function appropriately, you should be trying to sleep at the same time every day. Yep. So, weekend activities tend to throw off sleep patterns...as I'm sure many of you are famliar with!

But, sleep is good. =). Obviously. Ever since classes finished up in December, I've been getting 7+ hours of sleep a majority of my days and going to bed less stressed. Sleep -- it does wonders for the body and soul. They weren't wrong when they coined the term "beauty sleep". *nod*

Getting Your Hands Dirty
The first thing I got to doing after waking up was getting to fixing my bike. I broke the valve...yet again...>.<...the other day, and unfortunately bc it's one of those prestor valve things I had to go buy a completely new tube. The tube itself cost $5.99. And the guy was gonna charge me $10 for labor. So, I decided forego the cost and have a go at it myself.

After...a few hours of miserable frustration, running around lookin for that little bike tire taker offer widget thing, a you tube video, and consulting a friend, I finally was able to do it! And so, I'm pretty darn proud of myself! This probably sounds pretty lame to all you biking geniuses out there, but...man...what a feat! Haha.

I must say...there's an amazing high when you struggle with something...no matter how small the project...and then finally get it =D! And the sensation seems to be even greater when your hands literally get dirty...woooo.

Apple Upside Down Cake
Yes, you heard right =). Apple. Not pineapple. I helped my brother (the culinary school graduate) prepare this delicious smelling cake today. Can't wait to sink my teeth into it tomorrow...

Oh..and now I'm hungry again...Go figure >.<

Up, Bride Wars, and Other Movies
Watched Up on Saturday with my brother. It was very cute! I cried in the first 10 minutes! But..that's all I'll say on it so as to not give too much away...but yea...go watch it! Pixar never fails imo.

Rented Bride Wars from Red Box today. Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson are great together! Definitely got some good laughs in. The end was a bit...of a cheat I think, but...all in all a sweet movie. And made the "marriage" thing pop into my head a bit. Haha. Thus my facebook quiz if you saw that.

Other movies that might be fun to watch comin up:

• Fame (the previews totally leaves you wanting more!)
• Post-Grad (with that Gilmore girl girl...this movie seems like my current life!)
• The Proposal (for sure!)