I really like this idea:
http://www.designsponge.com/2008/09/diy-wednesdays-catch-all-shelf.html
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Expensive elopements
This is for those that only want to put on a "wedding show." Apparently having friends and family around might ruin your wedding show because, after all, friends and family aren't what's important on the big events in your life. What's important is how everything looks. This expensive elopement thing, I think, is for those who truly believe the wedding is not about the event and the celebration of the event, but about the show. For them, the wedding is an elaborate photo shoot - beautiful and perfectly staged. I can't think of another word to describe "people who value how stuff looks over the presence of family and friends" other than "superficial."
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/fashion/weddings/Eloping-Does-Not-Mean-What-It-Once-Did.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1332960532-BAbIFVWFyzYIgF0CcarBug#
Personally, if my reason for eloping was to be alone with my significant other and have the event be just about us, I'd probably end up with an incredibly simple event with as few people around as possible. I'd want it to be sweet and romantic, with lots of spontaneous moments. Hiring a huge gaggle of strangers just to make everything look nice stresses me out just thinking about it!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/fashion/weddings/Eloping-Does-Not-Mean-What-It-Once-Did.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1332960532-BAbIFVWFyzYIgF0CcarBug#
Personally, if my reason for eloping was to be alone with my significant other and have the event be just about us, I'd probably end up with an incredibly simple event with as few people around as possible. I'd want it to be sweet and romantic, with lots of spontaneous moments. Hiring a huge gaggle of strangers just to make everything look nice stresses me out just thinking about it!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Trying out a standing desk
Working at a standing desk has become quite a trend in my department. At first, only one person did it, and as he seemed to really like it, others slowly began to try it out too. Eventually my boss also started doing it and told me how much he really likes it. So a few days ago, I put a big cardboard box on my desk and put my work computer on top of it. Hence, I now have a makeshift standing desk that I can put away when I decide I want to sit.
Anyways, for day one, I was in my sneakers all day. My lower back was sore right before lunch and my knees were starting to ache. I sat down for lunch and stood back up for most of the afternoon. After lunch, my back was fine, but at the end of the day, my knees were definitely feeling it. The thing is, I already feel better in my upper back and neck because I am not hunched over my computer all day. Also, because I am standing, I am more likely to leave my desk to get a drink of water, which is great because I am always dehydrated from not drinking enough water.
For day two, I felt fatigued earlier than on day one. I sat down for lunch and continued to sit until the last two hours of my work day, where I stood back up. My back felt fine, but my knees and hips were aching. I made a conscious effort to try and not lock my knees the whole time. However, I came home and my knees were definitely aching a lot more than the day before.
Day three has just started today and my knees were feeling a little stiff this morning. I will be trying a different tactic today where I will sit down for most of an hour and then sit for a few minutes just to regularly relieve the pressure on my knees. I will continue to avoid locking my knees as I think it's bad for the knees.
So far, interestingly enough, my feet haven't felt as sore as I thought they would. I may also be burning more calories as I have been feeling hungrier these past few days. One woman who wrote about having a standing desk said she lost 3 to 5 pounds from standing in the first 2 weeks. However, she also said she developed spider veins, but she mentioned that could be a factor of her genetics and age. Anyways, it's only day three so we'll see how long I last at this. Lol!
Anyways, for day one, I was in my sneakers all day. My lower back was sore right before lunch and my knees were starting to ache. I sat down for lunch and stood back up for most of the afternoon. After lunch, my back was fine, but at the end of the day, my knees were definitely feeling it. The thing is, I already feel better in my upper back and neck because I am not hunched over my computer all day. Also, because I am standing, I am more likely to leave my desk to get a drink of water, which is great because I am always dehydrated from not drinking enough water.
For day two, I felt fatigued earlier than on day one. I sat down for lunch and continued to sit until the last two hours of my work day, where I stood back up. My back felt fine, but my knees and hips were aching. I made a conscious effort to try and not lock my knees the whole time. However, I came home and my knees were definitely aching a lot more than the day before.
Day three has just started today and my knees were feeling a little stiff this morning. I will be trying a different tactic today where I will sit down for most of an hour and then sit for a few minutes just to regularly relieve the pressure on my knees. I will continue to avoid locking my knees as I think it's bad for the knees.
So far, interestingly enough, my feet haven't felt as sore as I thought they would. I may also be burning more calories as I have been feeling hungrier these past few days. One woman who wrote about having a standing desk said she lost 3 to 5 pounds from standing in the first 2 weeks. However, she also said she developed spider veins, but she mentioned that could be a factor of her genetics and age. Anyways, it's only day three so we'll see how long I last at this. Lol!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Organizing apps by verb rather than category
I first began organizing my iPhone apps by category like, Utilities, Entertainment, and Social Networking. However, it was slowing me down trying to find the app I want at times. So I had begun to re-organize them by what I want to do like, Gaming, Reading, and Photography. Turns out I'm not the only one who finds this to be a more efficient way to organize the apps. I'm sure it doesn't work well for every personality type, but it has definitely made my life easier.
http://smarterware.org/9324/good-tools-have-verb-based-interfaces
http://smarterware.org/9324/good-tools-have-verb-based-interfaces
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Helicopter parents knows no bounds
It's an incredible story. Helicopter parents interfering in the workplace on behalf of their child, sometimes without the child's knowledge. Although I'm pretty sure this isn't common, it could be a trend that's rising, considering how many colleges and grad schools now have to deal with interfering parents these days compared to, say twenty years ago.
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/06/146464665/helicopter-parents-hover-in-the-workplace?ft=1&f=1001
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/06/146464665/helicopter-parents-hover-in-the-workplace?ft=1&f=1001
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Pregnant!?
Earlier this year, hubby and I started trying for a baby. Everything I read says that 35 is the magic number when women start having fertility problems and not to be alarmed if it takes 6 months to a year to get pregnant. I had people insist that I should track my cycle and test for ovulation every day. Other than trying to eat healthy, I didn't do any of those things. I just figured if we "did it" every other day, something will just naturally happen.
Even so, I was getting nervous because I was turning 35 this year. This is the year the magic number will come and dry up all my eggs and that is when I, as a women, expire like rotten milk... or something to that effect. All those stories of women who were trying to conceive and were having difficulties really got to me, but it also made me believe that it will be a while before it happens.
So it was rather unexpected that after 2 cycles, my period didn't come as scheduled this month. At first I thought it was late, but my period is more likely to come early than late, so I took a home pregnancy test in the wee hours of the morning. It said I was pregnant. I slept on the news for another hour before I had to wake up for work. That's when I told hubby. I was not happy or unhappy at first. I didn't really know how to react and sort of just was like, okay so I guess I have stuff I need to do now.
Then, as I thought about all the things we'll need to get and buy for the baby, I got excited. How funny that shopping was the thing that picked me up. Honestly, I both welcome and dread pregnancy. The whole thing scares me but now there's nothing for it but to move forward.
Even so, I was getting nervous because I was turning 35 this year. This is the year the magic number will come and dry up all my eggs and that is when I, as a women, expire like rotten milk... or something to that effect. All those stories of women who were trying to conceive and were having difficulties really got to me, but it also made me believe that it will be a while before it happens.
So it was rather unexpected that after 2 cycles, my period didn't come as scheduled this month. At first I thought it was late, but my period is more likely to come early than late, so I took a home pregnancy test in the wee hours of the morning. It said I was pregnant. I slept on the news for another hour before I had to wake up for work. That's when I told hubby. I was not happy or unhappy at first. I didn't really know how to react and sort of just was like, okay so I guess I have stuff I need to do now.
Then, as I thought about all the things we'll need to get and buy for the baby, I got excited. How funny that shopping was the thing that picked me up. Honestly, I both welcome and dread pregnancy. The whole thing scares me but now there's nothing for it but to move forward.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Portable Coffee bags
The free coffee at work sucks, and I am trying not to buy coffee so I can save money. So sometimes, I would actually get a jar of instant coffee (yes the office coffee is just that bad), but it still isn't as good as the stuff I brew at home. That is why, I am going to try this idea out!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Customize-your-own-portable-coffee-bags/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Customize-your-own-portable-coffee-bags/
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Cool item for charging devices
This device can definitely come in handy in my household! The best part is no finagling with the wiring!
http://lifehacker.com/5882791/the-rca-usb-wall-plate-charger-adds-usb-ports-to-your-wall-outlets-no-wiring-required
http://lifehacker.com/5882791/the-rca-usb-wall-plate-charger-adds-usb-ports-to-your-wall-outlets-no-wiring-required
Monday, March 12, 2012
TSA thefts
Seriously, how many more reports of how TSA agents have no self-control, training or discipline do we have to endure before someone leading the agency says, we need to make changes? Do they not feel in the least bit embarrassed?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2012/02/tsa-arrest-stealing.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2012/02/tsa-arrest-stealing.html
Friday, March 9, 2012
Over 30 and single
http://jezebel.com/5880655/why-is-it-okay-to-ask-me-why-im-single
I came across the above article and am reminded of my own struggles when I was still single and over thirty. As friends, family friends and other people got married around me, I was constantly asked when it was going to be my turn. It was as if I was weird or had less value if I wasn't married. It became my default answer when asked when I was getting married to say, "Never. I am going to get a dog." At first, everyone treated it as a joke, but as they kept asking and my answer never changed, they eventually stopped asking and gave up.
Just as in the article, people who make assumptions about why I was still single had no idea the struggle it was to be dating. It wasn't as if I didn't want to meet someone and fall in love and get married. Just like most singles I know and have known, I got lonely. The dating world can be pretty brutal and the sad thing is, it is only as brutal as the people you meet. There are also rules and signals that I had to learn the hard way, such as don't insist on paying for a first date because then the guy thinks you never want to see him again rather than think you're being generous. After dating for years with no success, I came to the conclusion that men did not want generous, kind and intelligent, as so many of them claim. They really wanted a b*tch to make them work for her. The b*tchy part gets them hooked, but it's the playing stupid part that keeps them. I know this is a generalization and obviously isn't true of many men, especially the one I married, but most of the men I met online secretly wanted a dumb b*tch. Just as men complain that women really prefer a$$ holes over nice men, this is my counterargument as per my personal experience.
Anyways, dating gripes aside, it simply sucks being single because of how you're treated by everyone around you. I can say that after I got engaged and subsequently married, I was definitely treated differently. In some ways, I felt like my mother, while I was single and she had given up on my ever finding someone to share my life with, well I think she pitied me. I am not upset at the people who were insensitive or didn't understand. I was hurt by the comments and the assumptions and the judgments.
In the end, I don't regret my time being single. I don't regret the experience of having been single and over thirty. I came out with some great dating horror stories and can more closely empathize with people who are still searching for a mate and having no luck. This isn't something like a job, where if you work hard and remain ambitious, you'll get towards your goal. I am also appreciative of the fact that I had time to reflect on why I wanted to be in a relationship at all and if it really was better if I just got a dog. In fact, if I hadn't met my husband when I did, I may have given up on dating altogether and just concentrated on having fun by myself.
Despite what any of the dating sites would have you believe about calculating compatibility, in the end, it's a cr*pshoot out there.
I came across the above article and am reminded of my own struggles when I was still single and over thirty. As friends, family friends and other people got married around me, I was constantly asked when it was going to be my turn. It was as if I was weird or had less value if I wasn't married. It became my default answer when asked when I was getting married to say, "Never. I am going to get a dog." At first, everyone treated it as a joke, but as they kept asking and my answer never changed, they eventually stopped asking and gave up.
Just as in the article, people who make assumptions about why I was still single had no idea the struggle it was to be dating. It wasn't as if I didn't want to meet someone and fall in love and get married. Just like most singles I know and have known, I got lonely. The dating world can be pretty brutal and the sad thing is, it is only as brutal as the people you meet. There are also rules and signals that I had to learn the hard way, such as don't insist on paying for a first date because then the guy thinks you never want to see him again rather than think you're being generous. After dating for years with no success, I came to the conclusion that men did not want generous, kind and intelligent, as so many of them claim. They really wanted a b*tch to make them work for her. The b*tchy part gets them hooked, but it's the playing stupid part that keeps them. I know this is a generalization and obviously isn't true of many men, especially the one I married, but most of the men I met online secretly wanted a dumb b*tch. Just as men complain that women really prefer a$$ holes over nice men, this is my counterargument as per my personal experience.
Anyways, dating gripes aside, it simply sucks being single because of how you're treated by everyone around you. I can say that after I got engaged and subsequently married, I was definitely treated differently. In some ways, I felt like my mother, while I was single and she had given up on my ever finding someone to share my life with, well I think she pitied me. I am not upset at the people who were insensitive or didn't understand. I was hurt by the comments and the assumptions and the judgments.
In the end, I don't regret my time being single. I don't regret the experience of having been single and over thirty. I came out with some great dating horror stories and can more closely empathize with people who are still searching for a mate and having no luck. This isn't something like a job, where if you work hard and remain ambitious, you'll get towards your goal. I am also appreciative of the fact that I had time to reflect on why I wanted to be in a relationship at all and if it really was better if I just got a dog. In fact, if I hadn't met my husband when I did, I may have given up on dating altogether and just concentrated on having fun by myself.
Despite what any of the dating sites would have you believe about calculating compatibility, in the end, it's a cr*pshoot out there.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Disgusting behavior
There is no excuse for what happened here. The behavior of the folks running this magazine is just atrocious.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/31/unilad-magazine-forced-to-pull-surprise-rape-article-after-twitter-backlash_n_1244173.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/31/unilad-magazine-forced-to-pull-surprise-rape-article-after-twitter-backlash_n_1244173.html
Monday, February 27, 2012
Curls
I have always wanted big, wavy curls, but alas I am Asian and Asians generally have thick, straight hair. In my envy, I have tried sleeping with my mom's curlers, perming my hair (which was a disaster) and using curling irons and 1 inch flat irons. All gave me a measure of success but it was so much work! Well, the perm wasn't a lot of work on my part, but it wasn't good for me because my hair started falling out afterwards. I never went for a perm again.
In the end, as much as I want curls, I hate the idea of applying heat to my hair, as with hot irons and hot curlers. So that is why I am super interested in trying this out:
http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/tips-and-tricks/sock-curls-no-heat-curl-hairstyles/
It's okay if the curls don't last. I'd only be doing it for fun anyways. :-)
In the end, as much as I want curls, I hate the idea of applying heat to my hair, as with hot irons and hot curlers. So that is why I am super interested in trying this out:
http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/tips-and-tricks/sock-curls-no-heat-curl-hairstyles/
It's okay if the curls don't last. I'd only be doing it for fun anyways. :-)
Friday, February 24, 2012
Getting rid of clothes and accessories
I hear it all the time when it comes to organizing advice: less stuff means less stuff to maintain. I currently dream of owning only a few items of clothing, bags, shoes and other accessories so that I can maintain a simpler life. However, throwing out stuff is more difficult than I anticipated. Contrary to what my hubby thinks, I do have difficulty throwing out certain things.
In particular, I have difficulty throwing out things that I like, even if it doesn't fit me anymore. For instance, I have a large number of skirts, tops and dresses that I cannot squeeze myself into anymore. However, for some reason, I can't bring myself to throw them away. I justify it to myself by thinking I'll one day lose the weight I've gained and be able to fit into these clothes again. Not only is this way of thinking unrealistic, it is also indicative of how much I really haven't accepted my new size.
So at the heart of the matter isn't just the clothes, but my inability to let go of my former self and body image. Being able to throw away stuff, for me, is an exercise in letting go of the past that you cannot change. Inability to let go of my past and my clothes means I'm not making room for the present and the future. All the space the old stuff is taking up, never to be used, is taking up space that could have been used for more current and more usable things. Meaning, instead of holding onto a skirt 3 sizes too small, that hanger could be holding a skirt that is the right fit and size and doesn't make me feel bad about my body being bigger.
Purging my closet is a good opportunity to really streamline my wardrobe and think about how I want to dress. I don't think I could be as strict as this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/fashion/22SIXERS.html?pagewanted=all
But the idea of paring down my wardrobe into a few basic, layer-able items is appealing. It means I don't have to spend time figuring out what to wear. It also means more space in my closet and less clutter overall. So one of these days, I'll have make myself take the plunge and do a good, deep purge of all my stuff. It may even involve rethinking the way I dress.
In any case, the first step is a purge, which will be a weekend project. Once the purge is done, I'll wear what I have for another few months and then decide if I have any "holes" in my wardrobe. I may have to buy a few more cardigans or sweaters since a moth infestation made holes in most of my winter wear. Believe me, I was pretty upset when I found out all my sweaters were ruined. Anyways, I'm going to try to get through step one first and then see what happens. It's going to be hard, but I think I can do it!
In particular, I have difficulty throwing out things that I like, even if it doesn't fit me anymore. For instance, I have a large number of skirts, tops and dresses that I cannot squeeze myself into anymore. However, for some reason, I can't bring myself to throw them away. I justify it to myself by thinking I'll one day lose the weight I've gained and be able to fit into these clothes again. Not only is this way of thinking unrealistic, it is also indicative of how much I really haven't accepted my new size.
So at the heart of the matter isn't just the clothes, but my inability to let go of my former self and body image. Being able to throw away stuff, for me, is an exercise in letting go of the past that you cannot change. Inability to let go of my past and my clothes means I'm not making room for the present and the future. All the space the old stuff is taking up, never to be used, is taking up space that could have been used for more current and more usable things. Meaning, instead of holding onto a skirt 3 sizes too small, that hanger could be holding a skirt that is the right fit and size and doesn't make me feel bad about my body being bigger.
Purging my closet is a good opportunity to really streamline my wardrobe and think about how I want to dress. I don't think I could be as strict as this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/fashion/22SIXERS.html?pagewanted=all
But the idea of paring down my wardrobe into a few basic, layer-able items is appealing. It means I don't have to spend time figuring out what to wear. It also means more space in my closet and less clutter overall. So one of these days, I'll have make myself take the plunge and do a good, deep purge of all my stuff. It may even involve rethinking the way I dress.
In any case, the first step is a purge, which will be a weekend project. Once the purge is done, I'll wear what I have for another few months and then decide if I have any "holes" in my wardrobe. I may have to buy a few more cardigans or sweaters since a moth infestation made holes in most of my winter wear. Believe me, I was pretty upset when I found out all my sweaters were ruined. Anyways, I'm going to try to get through step one first and then see what happens. It's going to be hard, but I think I can do it!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The wrap cardigan
Okay, so some of you may know that I love clothes that can be worn multiple ways, like the convertible dress and the two layered wrap skirt. I now have a new love and it's called the wrap cardigan! Apparently, I've been living under a rock because the wrap cardigan has been around for a while but I haven't discovered it until now.
My first glimpse of the wrap cardigan was when one of the blogs I read mentioned the DKNY Cozy. Curious, I went to the DKNY site and watched all the "how to wear" videos and promptly started drooling. Every few days for months, I would look up DKNY Cozy and drool. Yes, I really, really wanted it, but couldn't stomach the high price. Finally, hubby got tired of my constant drooling and convinced me to get it. This will mean many, many days of cheap lunches, but I splurged and got one anyways!
So is it everything I thought it would be? Is it as wonderful and versatile as it looks in the videos? The answer is YES and YES! The fabric is actually quite thin, which it has to be or the wrapping and the tying would get really bulky. The material is a combination of silk and cashmere, providing breathability, comfort and warmth. I am actually surprised at how warm it is, especially when using the wrap look. There are also tons of videos online on how to wear a wrap cardigan, giving ideas on how to wear it other than the ways that the DKNY site showcases.
I can't say as of yet if it was worth the cost, considering I only just got it and don't know how often I'll be wearing it. However, since I got this thing, I haven't stopped playing with it or wearing it. I can actually imagine myself wearing it quite often.
To check out a few of the ways you can wear a wrap cardigan, go here:
http://www.dkny.com/press/ways-to-wear-a-cozy-videos/cozy-one/the-classic-cozy
http://hellokel.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-wear-wrap-sweater.html
My first glimpse of the wrap cardigan was when one of the blogs I read mentioned the DKNY Cozy. Curious, I went to the DKNY site and watched all the "how to wear" videos and promptly started drooling. Every few days for months, I would look up DKNY Cozy and drool. Yes, I really, really wanted it, but couldn't stomach the high price. Finally, hubby got tired of my constant drooling and convinced me to get it. This will mean many, many days of cheap lunches, but I splurged and got one anyways!
So is it everything I thought it would be? Is it as wonderful and versatile as it looks in the videos? The answer is YES and YES! The fabric is actually quite thin, which it has to be or the wrapping and the tying would get really bulky. The material is a combination of silk and cashmere, providing breathability, comfort and warmth. I am actually surprised at how warm it is, especially when using the wrap look. There are also tons of videos online on how to wear a wrap cardigan, giving ideas on how to wear it other than the ways that the DKNY site showcases.
I can't say as of yet if it was worth the cost, considering I only just got it and don't know how often I'll be wearing it. However, since I got this thing, I haven't stopped playing with it or wearing it. I can actually imagine myself wearing it quite often.
To check out a few of the ways you can wear a wrap cardigan, go here:
http://www.dkny.com/press/ways-to-wear-a-cozy-videos/cozy-one/the-classic-cozy
http://hellokel.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-wear-wrap-sweater.html
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Folding a fitted sheet
Okay, I've linked to something that had the instructions on how to fold a fitted sheet before, but I think it's worth re-posting in a post of its own. Why? Because I've always had problems folding fitted sheets! They always came out looking like a misshapen mess.
Not anymore! I have successfully made my fitted sheets look nice and neat with these instructions:
http://www.marthastewart.com/268521/fold-a-fitted-sheet?center=276989&gallery=274667&slide=268521
Thank you, Martha Stewart!
Not anymore! I have successfully made my fitted sheets look nice and neat with these instructions:
http://www.marthastewart.com/268521/fold-a-fitted-sheet?center=276989&gallery=274667&slide=268521
Thank you, Martha Stewart!
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