Challenge Yourself

Good afternoon! The weather is so nice; I want to go to the beach. But I spent today at the 'brary catching up on my homework. Mom said that I needed to get a B. (Hi, Mom!) I was a good student today. :)

I have new goals to challenge myself and get out of a rut. I enrolled in a Try-Athalon, and I have until March 22 to complete 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running/walking. I have completed less than 10%, but I have done more than my usual work-out routine. So all is looking well.

Swimming is the hardest part because I'm naturally inclined to sink. But taking up yoga has helped me maintain composure and posture. Yoga is a cure-all. My back rarely hurts, and if it does then I recover in one or two days (normally I would be in pain for a week). I am also able to listen to my body more. If I feel pain in my knees, then I know that I need to slow down my routine.

I can breathe a little lighter in love. Running used to be my first love. I love the adrenaline rush. However, I am finding other sports that seem to bring me joy. What activity challenges you?

Since I rarely take photos, I decided to make a blog for my active lifestyle adventures!
http://gohappyheart.blogspot.com/

The Traveling Pal

In one of my favorite movies, Amelie, the main character tries to help out her father. He is a natural homebody, but he has always wanted to travel. So Amelie sets out to tamper with his gnome. She asks her friend, a traveling tour agent, to get Polaroids of the gnome in different parts of the world. Finally her efforts bore fruit; the father sets out to see the world. How exciting!

So in the summer of 2008, I took a small teddy bear with me to Cambodia and I took pictures with it. I completely forgot about this project until I was looking through my old photos. I don't remember to whom it belonged to. Now I'm curious.

No, this is not a food blog

A former ambassador to South Korea, Donald Greg, came to speak at my school. It was a very interesting speech. At the beginning, he encouraged us to go into public service. He stated that "pertinence is more important than affluence." Make a difference rather than be concerned about wealth and fame.

Greg later explained how the U.S. has been working to build better relations with North Korea through the transfer of technology. He was a very eloquent speaker and gave a lot of helpful insight.

Afterwards, we got treated to free Kogi tacos! A truck actually came by to distribute them. They were delicious. I tried the short ribs, spicy pork, and chicken - satisfyingly filling. I love the sauce and the fresh veggies.

Roadside Cravings

Why does food taste so good on the road?


This blog should be called my camera phone blog since I seem to take pictures mostly with my phone.

Pretty Powerful

I realized that I don't take a lot of photos, but I like to share interesting media.

From the NY Times, a photo of a Khmer mother holding her child who is suffering from malaria.

Photo credits: Adam Nade

Avatar and the Middle East

Avatar was a really good movie; it hit a lot of cultural and environmental issues. I just watched a clip in the LA Times of Palestinian activists protesting, and some of them were dressed up as the Na'vi people to draw comparison between their situations.



It's just amazing when life imitates art. I'm adding one more thing on my wish list: learn more about the Middle Eastern history and current situation. I have limited knowledge in this area. I read Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner which takes place in Afghanistan. Does this count?

LA Traffic

Taken on a rainy Saturday morning in Marina del Rey.

We need a sign to remind us: sharing is caring. Have a wonderful weekend.