2013 flew by so quickly… Man, every year is starting to blend together now that I’m out of school. This year, I unexpectedly focused on being more active and eating more healthy. In March, I did a one-week detox (fruits and veggies only) then followed with 6 weeks of no grains or junk. At the same time, I focused on more weight training and cardio. I also did a 10K run, two 5K runs and a 30K bike ride. After 3 months, I had dropped about 15 pounds of fat… taking me back to my highschool size! I kept this up and is now maintaining this weight. It’s getting tougher since I cheat at least once a week — my Dec trip to Asia didn’t help. Time to get back to it…

2013 Goals

[X] Run in a 10K race (okay maybe lol I’m not sure yet)
– Finished in almost under 1 hour! Will try again this year

[X] Participate in CityChase
– Chris and I did the 2 hour rush version. I hope to do the 6 hour version in 2014. 

[X] Apply for Amazing Race Canada
– Applied but didn’t get picked… oh well. 

[X] Go dodgeball trampolining
– Oh man, that was hard! We got owned and I don’t think I can ever play dodgeball again. 

[ ] Try whirlyball
– Meh, I lost interest in this… maybe this year. 

[X] Continue to eat from my list of new restaurants I want to try
– Eating at new places is so common now. 

[X] Refresh this blog (so outdated!)
– Yay! WordPress & responsive. 

[ ] Make a online portfolio
– Okay, this year I’ll do it. I was busy working on EDC costumes and getting in shape. 

[-] Professional Development; learn more about UXD, Coding etc.
– Did learn more about coding for wordpress… and everyday is a learning experience at Pivot

[ ] Change my own seasonal tires and paint my brake callipers
– Another goal for this year. I’ll likely take that auto mechanics course. 

[ ] Refresh / Repaint my room (maybe…)
– I did say maybe. Decided to save my money and time for other things. 

[X] Travel; Peru? Thailand? China? – Montreal, Washington and EDC Las Vegas booked!
– Hah, I can never plan for where to go next. Montreal, Washington, Vermont, EDC Las Vegas, Sarnia/Detroit & Hong Kong/Vietnam!

[ ] Donate my hair to charity
– I got it thinned out in vietnam… will do it next time. 

[X] Show my love to my parents more. I don’t know how to measure this.
– Took them to Hong Kong & Vietnam and paid for some of it. Will continue to show them my appreciation. 

Memorable 2013 Moments

Taking Chris to Mont Tremblant in February. We ate so much that weekend. Montreal has the best eats.

Seeing Swedish House Mafia at the Roger Center. Oh man, I anticipated this show during summer of 2012. It was packed but their set was AMAZING with so much energy.

Snowboarding for three days straight at Smuggler’s Notch Vermont.

Seeing Zedd spin at sound academy. It was a short set and I didn’t like his opening DJ but when he came on… I was dancing like crazy. It so good and we got to go upstairs in the VIP area overlooking the stage.

No words could express how fun the Electric Daisy Carnival was. It was better than I expected. Sharing that experience with Chris and my friends was special and memorable. Making the costumes, hearing my favourite track and riding the carnival rides was amazing. Oh… and the food in Vegas was delicious!

 

Vietnam: what a culture shock and beautiful country. It definitely puts a different experience on life and teaches me to value the lifestyle I have in Canada.

Hong Kong: After growing up watching HK movies & series, I finally get to experience it. I’ve never spoke so much cantonese before!

More Memorable 2013 Moments

• Trampoline Dodgeball… We got owned but the ball pit was fun!
• Doing a Kangoo aerobic class with my Graydon girls.
• Finishing a 10K race without stopping and almost under an hour
• Successfully losing 15 pounds
• Camping in Tobermory
• Running 5K in Electrodash with a bunch of friends.
• Completing City Chase even though it was the 2 hour rush
• Repelling off a waterfall and camping
• Seeing Backstreet Boys live with Linda & Sabrina
• Seeing the sea of white at Sensation
• Wonderful long weekend with Wendy in Sarnia.

2013 Goals

Not too many goals this year because I haven’t really pinpointed what I want to focus on this year aside from putting together my portfolio, travelling somewhere and more me time.

[ ] Build my Online Portfolio
[ ] Build muscle and get stronger
[ ] Try bobsledding & the skeleton (booked for Feb!)
[ ] Put together a desktop wallpaper album from my travels
[ ] Work on sewing projects (bags, camping chair organizer etc.)
[ ] Participate in CityChase 6 hour version
[ ] Take some self-interest courses (eg. auto-mechanics, makeup 101, cake decorating)

2013 Life Lessons

I had never been to a funeral before 2013… Last year, I went to three. My step grandfather, my close friend’s grandfather and Chris’ Aunt. Even though I didn’t know the person closely, I could see how people around them were affected for better and worst. Yes, it supports the lesson “Life’s short… Live it to the fullest” but what I really learned is how death can be such a burden… financially and emotionally. One day, I will depart and I hope after a long satisfying life… I will pass away quickly without any suffering to my loved ones. I’ll always remember what I once heard about why death occurs… because it teaches people how to love and cherish those living around them.

Going to Vietnam gave me a different perspective of life. I knew this before but it really ingrained in me that I do take a lot of things for granted here in Canada… fresh water, education, electricity, space and more importantly the ability to do whatever I want. I have to be less materialistic and remember that I am lucky to have my own bedroom, my own car and stable job.