Stop talking

Some people like to talk a lot about their inspiration, dream and plans: "That movie inspired me to live my life to the fullest" or "I want to become a professor" or "I am going to study so hard for this test."

I'm not saying it is bad to vocalize your thoughts. Saying things out loud can assure and remind you of the current goal and task you should focus on. However, it is very easy to be caught up in the words themselves and not realize that they are merely empty self-satisfaction.

Let's say there is this guy named Bob. He has a test coming up next month. His friends ask him to go to a movie and he responds, "I can't go 'cause I need to study for this exam." He stays home and watches TV. Next week, his parents want him to join them to go grocery shopping and he replies, "I can't go 'cause I need to study for this exam." He remains home and memorize some vocabulary for the day. One day, he wakes up late in the morning. As he feeds his cute pooch, he murmurs, "I'm sorry I can't take you out for a walk. I have the exam coming up." He goes to the kitchen to get the food and start watching TV shows he missed on his computer.

Ok. Now, what do you think about Bob? I mean, he says that he can't do all these because he needs to study. Is he studying hard enough? Well, I don't think I can agree. He is not utilizing the time wisely enough. Even if he went to the park with the dog, he would have enough time to study. It may just be more efficient to take a walk, shower, and start studying with fresh feeling, instead of stuffing down his stomach and giving into food coma.

Well, so, those excuses for not doing something for the exam do not really make sense at all. He stayed home to study but ended up not studying. Why is that?

In my opinion, most people with this problem tend to view the thought of studying, for example, as if it counts for studying hours. Basically they assume that they studied just because they thought about studying. I am not saying that people do it intentionally. Regardless, this type of behavior is unhealthy for the active, happy life.

There may be a way to prevent this. Micro-planning. Before you go to sleep at night, take out your planner and write down what you will be doing for tomorrow in 30 minute increments. You need to make sure to write down everything that will happen tomorrow. However, do not make a plan that is impossible to keep. You need to know your ability and limit. When you wake up in the morning, check the planner. Every half an hour, check the planner for the tasks you should be doing.

Here is an example. Let's say Bob planned to study from 2-6pm tomorrow. He writes down Math for 2-4pm and English for 4-6pm. He opens the Math book he will be studying and decides to finish Chapter 3 tomorrow. He writes, "2-2:30pm Math page 43-50, 2:30-3pm Math page 51-60, 3-4pm Math Chapter test 3 and review." The next day, as he studies Math, he realizes that he is not able to finish the test and review in an hour. He only finishes the test and move onto studying English. After dinner, using the time scheduled as 'free time,' Bob finishes the review promptly and enjoys watching TV peacefully.

Doesn't that sound nice? Watching TV peacefully knowing that you have done every task for the day? Even if Bob had test next month, he is able to use his time wisely and relax fully after his study.

Micro-planning should also be accompanied by Macro-planning. Basically you are picturing the general layout of a month at the beginning of each month. It helps you guide through the month and help you keep focused on what is important and imminent.

For Bob, since the exam is next month, he would write something like, "Study Math everyday except Mondays and Fridays. Study English everyday except Tuesdays and Sundays. Memorize 20 vocabulary everyday. Take Wilson out for a walk every Saturday mornings. No going out with friends except 15th (Susan's Birthday)."

With this, Bob will have some exercise taking the pooch out to the park. He will be able to organize his studying schedule. He will not have to give excuses every time. One task should not be an excuse for not doing another task.

We are given only 24 hours a day. It is up to us to use that time wisely. Some people use 24 hours like 12 hours, and some use 24 hours as if 48 hours had passed. Using the given time efficiently is the most difficult and the most rewarding task of all.

Let's live life to the fullest: stop talking and start doing!

"It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck.
Even while waiting for it."

- inside a fortune cookie -

Free

Yay~ I'm finally free~!!!!!!























.....................

Or am I...?

Reading: The Lost Art

Hey everyone,

Sorry I've been so MIA, but I was just busy studying (yes, I know during the summer). However, studying isn't my life and there are lot of other activities I enjoy participating in, which includes watching t.v. and sleeping, but I also really enjoy reading for pleasure. I may have mentioned before that during my college years that there was just so little time to read for fun because of all the school studying and activities, but now that I have graduated for about a month now there is no excuse for me to not read.

Recently, I feel as though reading is something that a lot of people miss out on. With the age of technology, we have new types of media that overshadows reading such as television, movies, and video games. I have younger brother who is about seven years younger than I am and he absolutely loathes to read any type of book. He would rather starve than read a book, and I find this a little sad. When I was growing up, I did my share of reading but since both of my parents were immigrants, they couldn't help me increase my reading skills. So, many of my friends would talk about books that I had no idea about. I felt left out and I fell behind in my English classes. However, the younger generation has no desire to read, and they would rather divulge in their iPads or PS3's than pick up a book that really stimulates and open one's mind.

We even now have Amazon Kindle's and Barnes and Noble Nook's that sort of replaces books, and now we read electronically. I am not saying that I am against these devices because I too own a Kindle. Yet, I feel as though nothing beats having the actual book in front of you, turning the pages one by one, feeling the paper run through your fingers, and most of all counting how many pages you have till you finish the entire book.

The book I have finished recently is called, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." I know I am a bit late in reading this book, but I finished it nevertheless, and I would say that this book is quite interesting and fun. This book includes mystery, action, romance, and much more. After reading half the book, I couldn't put it down and had to keep turning the page until I finished the whole book. Even after reading the book I wanted to keep turning the pages that weren't there because it was just so intense and fun. However, some downside to the book is that the beginning is really slow and you don't get to the main point of the story until about 100 or a 150 pages into the book. Also, maybe because the English version is a translated version from Sweden, the phrases can be a little primitive. Furthermore, the author Stieg Larsson, submitted this book after his death so, I don't think he had much time to revise his mistakes or expressions, anyways.



Other than that, this 480 page book is definitely a thriller that I recommend to other people who are interested in corruption and the downfall of perverted men. The ending is both satisfying, yet leaves you with yearning for more, which then you can turn to the sequel, "The Girl who Played with Fire." Have fun.


"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."

- Charles W. Eliot

Lemons

As many of you may not know, I am a huge NPR fan and as I was listening to my favorite show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!: The NPR news quiz show, the host, Peter Sagal, said something very interesting. Even though the host did not mean it to be serious, he said, "Things don't work out the way you want, but it's how we respond to that adversity that defines us." As I was reflecting upon this statement I realized how true this remark is. In life, things will never go the way you plan them to be no matter how carefully you map everything out, but when we are faced with challenges do we give up or do we move head on? These difficulties and obstacles are the hardest times in our life but it is also the greatest lessons we'll ever learn in our lives.

This week I have disappointed a very special person to me, and I am reflecting on my mistake and this saying very much. I messed up big time and I keep messing up but I want to make things better and right. I am sorry and I do regret my actions. I know it's corny but if you are reading this I just want to say I love you and I want to keep growing and learning with you.

On a lighter note, I thought I would post pictures of my dog because that's what I felt like doing for a long time. I feel bad he's been cooped up in my new apartment for a few days because we are not allowed to have dogs. So, I thought I should share some pictures and past pictures of my good but devlish dog, Tofu.

This is Tofu at the dog beach having a blast under the sun



Tofu doesn't really socialize with other dogs but he loves sniffing around and exploring his surroundings :]


Tofu is also a very lazy dog and loves to sleep on soft things like a fleece or a blanket.... bad dog....

"When fate hands us a lemon, make lemonade."

- Dale Carnegie

Who or What is Driving Your Life?

I am not trying to be philosophical here, but it is a great question to think about before the summer or summer vacation starts. After graduating from college I took a good look at myself and was not happy at where I was. I'll tell you about some of the few commodities that have been driving my life. Sugar, late-night snacks, television, couch, and my bed drive my life currently and I don't like it. For the people out there who are okay with these items driving your life, I congratulate you but as for myself I not only want to change but I am determined to change. All of my college life, I made excuses saying that there wasn't enough time because I had to study for midterms or finals but now that I am done with college I should have no excuses. I'll give you a list of "resolutions" that I want to change and the reasons why I think it is important to change them.

1. Diet and Exercise - People say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that long time ago being fat was considered beautiful. However, times have changed being fat is not okay and worse of all it is detrimental to one's health. I am not saying that one should be so skinny that their bones are showing but maintaining a healthy weight is important not only to your body but also to your mind. Therefore, it is good to stay off those sodas and fatty foods and to go running or other forms of exercise.

2. Reading and Studying - It is important to keep your mind sharp and agile. As we grow older, we should be able to hold more intelligent conversations with our peers and increase our brain capacity. Reading opens our mind to new ideas and creative thought processes. I know school is out but it would be nice to finally read the books that you want to read and study the material that you are interested in. Invest in your future with intelligence.

3. Sleep early - Every since high school, my sleep schedule has always been on and off. I would usually sleep at 2 or 3 and wake up around 9 or 10. Usually I would only have 4-6 hours of sleep a day and when it would get crazy I wouldn't even be awake. I realized that sleep is a very important segment in our lifestyle and the best way to utilize sleep and our energy is too sleep early and wake up early. It is best to get to sleep by 11 P.M. and wake up no later than 8 A.M. It is important that the average person gets up to at least 7 hours of sleep and no more than 10 hours of sleep a day. Sleep deprivation can cause memory loss, poor work performance, and even hallucinations.

4. Pick up a hobby/skill - Whether it be playing the guitar or piano, sports, or even sewing, it is important to learn a new skill or have a hobby to help you relax and enjoy life. Hobbies can also be helpful for your future and keep life a little bit more interesting. Live life to the fullest without any regrets.

These are the main goals I want to change in my life not only for the summer but through my life. I know there are many other resolutions to think about, but I didn't want to make the entry too long. Therefore, for the few viewers we may have or if you happened to stop by our blog and read this entry you can leave a comment about what you think would be an important resolution to change in your life and why. Oh and more thing before this entry comes to a close is above all else keep the people you love close and cherish their love because one day it may just be too late.

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams."

- Ashley Smith

Oh, by the way, I feel as though I've been leaving too many depressing entries, so I hope this video makes you people feel better~

The Dancing Chihuahua

 

Every Ending has a New Beginning

I know it's a little too late but for many people these past few weeks were graduation. I myself graduated from a university and now out in the "real" world. However, no matter where you graduated from, whether it be from preschool, high school, or college, we graduated because we learned enough to move on with our lives. Graduation is supposed to be a joyous time and in the end you can call it a happy ending. Yet, when I graduated, more than it being jubilant it was sort of empty and a little scary because in every ending there is a new beginning.

New beginnings are scary because we are so uncertain of what might happen and how unpredictable the future may be. The bottom line is - we are scared of failure. The online dictionary definition of failure is the nonperformance of something due, required, or expected. We are scared of letting other people down but most of all we are scared of letting ourselves and our aspirations down. However, as we all know, the future will become the present and we as human beings will get through any storm and what we saw as failures we see them as experiences or lessons. We fail all the time but failure makes us stronger and it is what we do with those failures that can make us succeed or plunge into despair. We have made it this far and as long as you find happiness in your own way, you have already succeeded.

Though I wish J.K. Rowling, the author of one of my favorite pastime books, were at my graduation for our commencement speech, her speech at Harvard University still resonates in my heart. I hope this inspires everyone that there is always a brighter tomorrow if you make it to be.

J.K. Rowling Commencement Speech


"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

- Albert Schweitzer