This song was played really badly, I’ve been meaning to learn finger-plucking, and just did the simplest technique.
I think it goes quite nicely with the song because I’m “rushing in” to playing this song. I’d prefer to not edit it because this would be a good marking point to where I started out playing. I want to see myself get better! But I’m dedicating this to my boo friend <3
After yesterday’s resolve to post more, I had already almost not done anything for today.
My boyfriend says it looks like a woman with an umbrella head, but it’s okay, because I like it.
Really, it’s not too bad, right?
I like the rain. I like listening to it and looking at it. I don’t like it so much while caught in it though.
I accidentally set off my workplace alarm system by trying to get in through the backdoor. Troubled a friendly officer, having to come check the place out.
In other news, I’m completely hooked on Ender’s Game, a childhood favorite of mine. And, I’m looking into signing up for Krav Maga classes to keep life interesting. Neh?
Cheers!
Trying something new to improve my skills.
I used to be good at art. Now, after years of letting go, holding a pen (and the fact that I’m using a pen, not pencil) to draw art makes me feel like a newbie.
I don’t really know why, but I felt very motivated to draw “Sadness” from the movie inside out.
And I don’t really know why I chose to draw something sad, which was what I searched up on Bing. I just started a new job, so it really should be a good thing going on for me.
Maybe it meant that I’m not doing all the I have the potential to do? Like, what is a hobby?
As a resolve to change my busy bee way of life, I’ve decided to take a picture of something I enjoy doing at least once a week (I’ll try for once a day, if it works out).
By the way, sorry this picture is so bad. I thought about redrawing so that it looks better to put on my blog, but I wanted it to be authentic.
My family is pretty artistic, and by “pretty” I mean that my brother and sisters put my newbie drawing to shame. Seriously, they’re, like, 10 and they have a Youtube channel with animated videos. Feel free to follow them!
My sister, 12 years old, animated this one:
She is literally obsessed with art. She spends 10 hours a day in the summer, just drawing. And when we come home at night, she still wants to draw.
My brother, 10 years old, animated this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU7z5W_bUVY
He has lots of talent, which I think is such a waste that he spends most his time watching Youtube videos.
My other sister, 15 years old at the age of drawing this, is super talented. It’s a pity she’s so ambitious and is boggled down with 6 college and high school classes in a semester. I’m really pushing for her to continue drawing, but we’ll see.
I wonder if it’s the commute that’s bringing me down. For the first time, I have to commute 30-45 minutes by CAR. New York doesn’t count because at least I got to sit down in the subway train, and read a book. /sigh/
On the last day of my quotes challenge, I decided to choose another song. Here is one of my all time favorite songs.
It’s a lot of pressure to find a perfect quote to end this challenge.
Since my first two responses have been lyrics from songs, I feel a strong desire to do one for today as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=CWzrABouyeE
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people goin’ by
I see friends shakin’ hands, sayin’
“How do you do?”
They’re really sayin’,
“I love you.”
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
What a wonderful world
I hope you enjoyed the song! This song has been my go-to cheer up song, each line encapsulates a beautiful feeling. Some things in life are just beautiful in its simple ways. Ending the day with jazz and a sip of wine is my way to go.
The ability to do something isn’t so much a problem as keeping it consistent. Hope to be back for good now. I may be joining a blogging challenge again pretty soon. I just need to build up a solid discipline foundation. See you in the next post!
I am nominating:
Every birth year, I look back and reflect on what life lessons in that year resonated with me most. I have been 24 years old for 4 months now, and I have experienced by far the most internal struggle I’ve ever been through. I’ve met and dealt with situations beyond my comfort zones.
For my 2nd Day’s Quote Challenge Response, I am choosing another song that I have come to appreciate more and more over the years. This song outlines the goals in my life.
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way
Yes, it was my way
I am nominating:
iWinta was nominated by Simon at To Cut a A Short Story Short, and please check his blog and many creative short stories!
The GUIDELINES are:
It’s entirely voluntary and there’s no time limit for completion.
My first quote is going to be from a song that struck a chord in my heart most recently.
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds, in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile, through your fear and sorrow
Smile, and there’ll be tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through
If you’ll….
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear, may be ever so near,
That’s the time, you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you’ll just….
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear, may be ever so near,
That’s the time, you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you’ll just….
Smile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN8oLGBNXpE
There are tons of great quotes I want to use. The fun part of this challenge for me is finding one that fits my feelings best.
And my three nominations for day 1 are:
Things in life happens when they are ready to happen. When they are not ready to happen, all you can do is to sit and enjoy the ride. Life is way too short; take a deep breath, and go outside.
How much can you change in a year? It’s been more than a year after my reflection in May 2017. I have my journal and blog to thank for keeping track of my reflections and goals of in the past, present and future.
As with a lot of things in life, less is more. Here are some things I did the past couple of months!
Since last May’s reflections, I have moved out of NYC and onto Atlanta. I have also taken a lot of time to travel and worked remotely in between. I spent 3 months in Vietnam in 2018, and recovered a little bit at home before launching my new adventures in Atlanta.
So I feel like my life is a bit of a mess right now, but at least it’s my mess. I’m doing the things I like to do, and following my guts to get me there. So far, so good. Except for initial panic of being alone.
For the first time in a long time, I was by myself.
Having no pre-aquainted friends or family in the city, the strange new city was intimidating to me. I was afraid of the crazy traffic, and the notoriously highway I-85 with a horrible accident rate of at least 1x/day. The summer heat of high 90 degrees also didn’t help. I wanted to give up and run away, back to the safe haven of my small mountain town.
Thankfully, with plenty of encouragement from loved ones, I calmed down. I spent the 1 month rent money; if worse comes to worse, I will just pack up my car and drive home. I stayed.
The importance of making connections
I was elated to find out that my classmate, from studying abroad in Singapore, happens to live 20 minutes away from my apartment. I also have relatives going back generations, also living 20 minutes from me. Great news! They want me to move in with them until I can find a job that can support me!
A time to self-reflect
Being alone allows time to reflect on the things I want to do and my goals in life. I started pursuing my hobbies again- something I haven’t done since HIGH SCHOOL. There’s a good 8 years washing along the waves of life. These days, I have been spending a lot time reading, writing, up-keeping photography, listening/playing music, and exploring the city.
On a Hedonic Treadmill
At this point in life, I’m finding many things I do or want to do quite confusing. Chasing after things will get boring after awhile, as happiness comes down to equilibrium. It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. I’m struggling with what I want to do.
While I enjoy living on my own, I also learned to appreciate my time with family a lot more. I particularly appreciate my parents for their support.
My 12 year old sister and 10 year old brother are animators on Youtube now! I’m so, so proud of them!
Please check it out and I would love to know what you think!
Winthanh, my 12-year-old sister is borderline obsessive with her artwork. Her DeviantArt contains amazing digital art, so proud of how far she’s come!
10-year-old brother takes after his artistic sister, creating his own style of animation. I don’t get the music they’re into these days, but the talent is real!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU7z5W_bUVY
My parents are taking more time to relax and travel, which I’m very proud for. They have been working too hard in life, and it’s time they let loose a bit and relax.
Studies show people who their deathbeds’ 5 top regrets in life:
By fighting you never get enough, but by yielding you get more than you expected. – from this amazing book by Dale Carnegie
What do you want to be remembered for in your Eulogy?
Next month’s goals:
I almost wanted to publish this blog post blank (Heh). I don’t think that would have helped clear up anything in my head.
Not the kind that the Grinch hears, but the kind that fills up your brain even though you’re not doing anything.
The kind of noise that having many tabs or a phone near your work space can do to you. It was a lot easier back in middle school and high school, where decisions — where you don’t make any big decisions. I was barely allowed to do anything, so that didn’t matter. Now, there’s just too much I want to do- no, can do.
How many times have you opened a new window or unlocked your phone with a clear task to do in mind, but quickly forgot it because you saw something distracting?
There is chaos in options overload.
Your browser is cluttered, and so is your mind.
Your mind thinks so far ahead of your performance capabilities. Sometimes, you wish you’re able to catch your thoughts before it flies away.
Before you know it, your mind will take off into space, thinking about everything you want to do in a day, quickly short-circuits, smoke coming out of your ears, and reduced to a ball of panic.
Often times, your phone and computer are your enemies. They coax you into doing things you didn’t want to do. The crazy thing is, you don’t feel their power most of the time. One notification, and productivity goes down the drain- there goes the last 15 minutes.
It sucks that social media is considered a necessity in networking and marketing. These are two things needed to be a successful Business/E-Commerce site/Blogger/any professional. It’s easy to blame the internet for helping and hurting, right?
Well, it really isn’t its fault. It’s yours. If you know how to moderate yourself, this wouldn’t be a problem.
The key is to declutter the mind is to practice self-discipline. And mindfulness. The most successful people in the world practice meditation and mindfulness.
There’s no one else willing to discipline you but yourself. I love his videos because he inspires me to do my best.
Nothing can be forced. Things will happen when they happen. They will especially happen when you work hard to make it happen. As mentioned in The Alchemist, when you really want something, the universe will conspire to help you. I guess that could also mean you are your universe??
I am at a point in life, where I’m not sure of anything anymore. I just know what makes me happy and what doesn’t right now, and I’m willing to follow that where it takes me.
When there’s just so much to write, it just makes more sense to flip the page and start over. Close all the tabs.
When there is too much noise in my head, I crumple my piece of paper and start over. The close all my tabs and rework through what is really important.
I write a note to myself to read up some posts on decluttering my mind- does that work?
Despite what anybody says, I thoroughly enjoy writing and as usual, I spend a lot of time writing on my journal and on my website.
Feeling cluttered?
Here are some of my favorite ways to destress
What you should do is dependent on who you are. Sometimes, it’s easy forget that certain things relax you until you do it. 🙂
I’ve never been a huge fan of self-help books.
My siblings and I come from a small town, population: 3,500. We only recently opened a super-Walmart (which is still kind of small).
We don’t get to see the big city often, but when we do, our favorite thing to do is go to Barnes & Noble.
No, really. We love it there.
It’s crazy how excited we get come the day we get to go. It is, in fact, the only thing we do in Atlanta. And we go there just to read all day long! We would yearn for the weekend to come just so that we can spend an entire day sitting under the store’s tree nook and read.
This time, I chose to read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I’ve heard of this title through various lists of books one should read during their life, and it seemed short, so why not?
It was a perfect dose of fantasy and reality. It asked questions that I’ve been asking myself, such as: What was I meant to do with life? What if I just wanted to enjoy life versus working the life expected of me?
But it didn’t write the book in the typical tell-you-facts kind of book. There were adventures, adversities, and realizations.
Published in 1988, in Brazil, The Alchemist started out modestly. Copies of the books were sold through word of mouth, but exponentially grew as Coelho had appealed to an American publisher to translate and sell it in the United States. Then, everybody was reading it.
The Alchemist tells a fictional story of an Arab “boy” (as he is referred as throughout the whole book) who has a recurring dream and the tug of fate to pursue it. He is discouraged by many obstacles, but always has guidance “omens” to pursue what his legacy is. Along the way, he learns to read the signs of the world, understanding how everything in the world is connected. As he reaches the “X” where his treasure is supposed to be located, he finds out that it was buried alllll the way back where he started.
It wasn’t a life changer like The Four Agreements, but I was hooked and finished it within 3 days. The short 200 page book (100 if you read on the phone) had given me a lot of thinking on my current life phase.
The book highlights his resilience, quick wit, weakness, bravery, compassion, logic, ambition, sorrows, and regrets. The boy is so human.
Yet, there were magical elements, which reminds me of all the fantasy books I used to obsess over.
Time and again, I found myself rooting for the boy, wondering what happens next, as if it were happening to me. I want him to reach his treasure, as I yearn to reach mine- whatever that may be.
I related to the book on a personal level, because I felt it throughout my life.
There is an impression that seems like the book has an overdone cheesy, silly, time-wasting story of you-can-do-anything-you-put-your-heart-to kind of attitude. I don’t believe that the book is meant to be taken seriously by any means.
There were many important lessons I enjoyed through the book, such as:
The book highlights the boy’s resilience, quick wit, weakness, bravery, compassion, logic, ambition, sorrows, and regrets. The boy is so human. Yet, there were magical elements, which reminds me of all the fantasy book I used to obsess over.
If one wants something to happen, they have to go after it like crazy. I find that when I search for things, there are always ways to make it happen. Sometimes it comes from a different place than expected, but the signs are all there.
People don’t listen to the signs in nature. The book also teaches us that all things are connected. The life and energy of every living being can affect all others around it.
In this part of the book, the boy had gotten all of his life savings taken by a thief. He is left with nothing in a strange land where he begins working at a jewelry store. Slowly he helped the shop-owner expand his business over the months. The business amazingly takes off.
The book spoke out to my naive self, that dreams will eventually come true, if you keep pursuing it and not lose sight of your treasure.
Thanks for stopping by! Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? Do you know of similar books that is similar to this and can recommend? Thanks!