Spain

Hey guys!

I know I promised to blog while I am in Spain. However, wi-fi in Spain is very hard to find. Not to say, when I do get wi-fi... It is not the fastest in the world.

Therefore, I am taking a lot of pictures and sharing it with you guys later :)


So.. Spain is very very very pretty. The people are very open and friendly here. There are so many things to see... and I don't think I will even get the chance to see all of it.

There are so many little shops, cafes, and restaurants at every corner street. I love it!

I'm glad that I decided to take this trip. I'm learning a lot about Spain's history. There are parts of the country that I do not like... but I would return... However, I'll probably travel to the south of Spain. Although I like Madrid and Barcelona. I think I prefer smaller cities.

Missie, I think you'll love the course that I am currently taking. It talks about human rights.. and how religion and  government goes hand in hand. It's amazing... I guess I'll explain more about it later. However, I think you'll find it very interesting.


Seriously, I think I am addicted to traveling. I might just plan a trip for next year... However, we will see. I will probably take about 2 weeks off from work :)

Ummm... I feel like I have more to say....

But.....

I feel like I need some serious alone time... It's so hard rooming with someone.. and it's annoying. I just want to be alone... but it feels weird to have someone with you constantly... and so freaking annoying.....


However, I only have a week left.. I'll make the best of it!!!


I will talk to you guys later. :)

Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.

I used to be so healthy! I guess now is not the time to make excuses for myself, but I did get carry away from my daily diets. I started reaching for the chips and donuts instead of an apple for strawberries.

Well, it's going to be a new year... and you know what! There is going to a new healthier me!

I realized that eating 6 meals a day worked the best for me. ( I think it'll work best for everyone else too) Eat 3 meals and 3 snacks in between. Trust me, it really does wonders to your eating habits. It will also help you control your portions also.

If you want to lose weight, I'm going to tell you that it's 80% diet and only 20% exercise. Trust me, it doesn't matter how you exercise but the results will only come if you are willing to eat healthy!

Before, I cut all carbs out of my diet. (Not all, but I cut down on my carbs like crazy. I wouldn't touch anything that has progressed sugars in it.) One rule I learned was, never eat something that can never go bad and eat things that will go bad. (Chips and junk food takes a long time to go bad. However, fruits and vegetables go bad within a week or so!)

My Schedule:

-Sleep at 10pm (max. that I can stay up till!)
-Wake up at 4:45am, and work out till 5:35am.
-Take a quick shower.
-Be out the house at 6:30am (to get to work/school)

I need to exercise at least 30 minutes every morning! In my point of view, it helps you wake up! Also, you feel more energized after your work out!

Meals:

-Eat breakfast at 6am
ex. oatmeal with fruits
-Snack at 9am
ex. apple with peanut butter
-Lunch at 12pm
ex. Salad or a dip
-Snack at 3pm
ex Fruits
-Snack at 6pm
ex. Smoothie (very light one)
-Dinner at 8pm (Ever light dinner)
ex. Fresh streamed vegetables!


STAY STRONG AND EAT HEALTHY!

Les Miserables Review

WOW. I don't say this very often, but I will pay $11 dollars to go see this movie again and again. When I was in high school, a teacher played the 1998 version of the movie for our class and I loved it ever since. However, this version is undeniably better than the original version itself.

The characters were so well played. I seriously cried tears of sorrow at the beginning, laughed through the pain in the middle, and cried again at the end of the movie. Each and every actors and actresses played their play so well.

If you do not know, Les Miserables was a novel written by Victor Hugo. I never got the chance to read the novel. However, it was greatly influenced by the French Revolution. What I love about the plot of Les Miserables are the sub-stories. Each and every characters are built upon each other, and they are all bounded in some ways. The 1998 version and swayed away from the original plot of  the book, and the 2012 version stuck more closely with the book's plot. Another reason why I loved the 2012 version.

Les Miserables basically means the poor ones. The story follows the life of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict. He was imprisoned for 19 years because he stole a loaf of bread for his sister's son. When he was released, he was still not free. The court branded him as a dangerous person, and every where he goes no one shows mercy or compassion for him. They chase he away like he was a curse. However, a bishop took him in. Valjean was overcome by greed when he saw the bishop's silverwares. In the middle of the night, Valjean took all that he can and left. However, he did not get far until the guards caught him and brought him back to the bishop's home. Instead of throwing Valjean back in jail, the bishop told the guards that he have given Valjean those silverwares. This is the turning point in Valjean's life.

Valjean's story is only the beginning. His story led to Fantine's story, which then led to Marius and Cosette's story.

No wonder the novel is called Les Miserables. Valjean and Fantine faced judgements from their peers and was outcast because of their misfortunes. It amazes me that people could be that cruel to another human being when they claim to be sons and daughters of god.

Fantine and Valjean touched me the most with their stories. Marius and Cosette's story is like the light at the end of the tunnel, you could say. Through Fantine and Valjean's sufferings, Cosette grew up beautifully to fall in love with the heroic Marius.

But let's not forget Eponine.. Oh how deeply she loved Marius. When Marius fell for Cosette, Eponine willingly led him to her. She lied for him, and protected Cosette for him. I admire her selflessness. She knew Marius heart belongs to Cosette, and yet she continues loving him until she died.

The litte man that stole my heart was Gavroche, real name is Daniel Huttlestone. Such a young talent, he was absolutely WONDERFUL to watch. AHHHH He's so cute!

I actually want to write a little about the French Revolution, but it will have to wait until a new day. I have to go to sleep now.. It's 4am here!

Best regards,
Trang

Rule No. 2: "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."

For my 21st birthday, I will always remembered flying to New York and seeing Big Bang live in concert. I think that was when it hit me.. What will I remember as I get older? How do I know I made my youth worth it?

Travel. That's the only thing that came to my mind. Doesn't matter how expensive the trip came be. The clothes, shoes, jewelries that I buy will not make me any richer. It will only bound me to material things. However, a flight to Paris, Rome, or Madrid can make me richer in knowledge of the world that we live in.

Ten years from now, will I remember all of my shopping trips? No, I won't. Being materialistic only holds a person back.

So after my trip to New York, I made a promise to myself to travel at least once a year. Just anywhere out of the state, or better yet... the country. It will be hard work since I will have to save up money, but I think this is the time for me to explore and find myself.

I want to tell stories of my adventures later to my children. I want to look back and not regret that I haven't seen what life could offer to me.

I hope I will be able to keep this promise to myself.

In 2013, I'm going to a study abroad trip to Spain. For a month, I will explore Spain and see what I can learn from the culture and art of the beautiful country. So when I look back, I would like to remember that I went to Spain when I was 22. I studied there and had an amazing experience. That's what I would like to remember.

As of 2014, it's still in the air for debate. That's the year of my graduation so I would like to be able to backpack around Europe. I want to go to Italy to admire the beautiful artwork, France for the wonderful food, and Greece for its ancient history. Those are the places I want to do to. Perhaps I can sneak in a trip to California to meet all the friends that I missed.

I'll leave you when this quote by Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

So to all the ladies, travel.. it's the only thing you buy that makes you richer.


Best regards,
Trang

Sadness Overcomes

I'm afraid if I don't blog about this now, I might avoid these feelings later on.


I realized something today. I'm the weakest person I know. I finally see all the fears that I've ran away from for so long.

I lack confident in myself to let anyone into my thoughts. I hide being many dream and goals. I came to the conclusion that without my goals I am nothing.

I expect people to be perfect when I, myself is not perfect at all.

The more I see of the world, the uglier it becomes.

Bad Bitch Mentality

To the future me,

Keep that bad bitch mentality. Be confident. Be smart, but grow wise. Don't let people step over you. Know your worth.

Lastly, don't be afraid to fall in love. Trust him to catch you when you fall.

Rule No. 1: “My life didn't please me, so I created my life.” ― Coco Chanel

Seven years ago, I wouldn't know what this quote means for a woman. I was only a child, and a child do what she is told to do. Honestly, I'm glad I was raised up in a loving environment. My parents love me, and for a long time I think that defines my self worth. I was happy being what they want me to be, but they never asked me to be anything but myself. What I mean is they never once pushed me to go into the medical field. For that, I am thankful of.

To me, this quote means freedom. Absolute freedom over your own future. Your own life.

Most girls are raised up to believe in that stupid stupid fairytale of a knight in a shining armor coming to save you from danger. Maybe it will happen to some girls, but not all girls are an expectation. (ahem. he's just not that into you reference)

I know that deep deep down in my heart, I do believe in fairy tales. I fantasized about marrying a handsome man who treats me like the princess that I am. However, I also have a critical side and hates fairy tales and I believe this side dominate. Fairy tales are an illusion humans often chased after. For what? For escape. To avoid the harsh life that we all live in. I hope one day someone will prove me wrong, because I used to be such a dreamer.

Girls grow up to be women. Women create their own lives. I don't need anyone to come and sweep me off my feet. I don't need anyone to come and save me. I am perfectly capable to saving myself.

My opinion on this matter is completely opposite from a friend of mine. My dear friend, she expects a guy to save her from her responsibilities, goals, ambitions, and dreams. I hope she understands that no one can save you but yourself.

Ladies, promise me that you'll be strong. Confident enough to know your self worth. Once you know who you are, what you want, and your self worth... I believe that you'll find someone your want to create a life with.


Best regards,
Trangie