the 20 list / participate in a race. done.

16 April 2012

As the Nike slogan goes, “Just do it!”

So I did.

This past Saturday, I ran my first race this year. Or my first race ever, for that matter. I ran the Nike Women’s 5K with my little sister at Wavehouse Sentosa.

My goal for this race was to have fun, which I accomplished. I made a bunch of newbie mistakes, like weaving past people, running through water points, and (possibly) missing my checkpoint. And I’ll admit, the adrenaline rush wasn’t quite as much I expected it to be. But now that I’m done, I honestly had so much fun; I would totally do it again (:

Altogether, I had such a blast taking pictures, running in the rain, enjoying the atmosphere of a race, and just being with my little sister (xo).

Now, this Sunday’s 10K is going to be the real challenge.

Happy Monday!
xo.

Basic Scrapbook Sketch / 9 April ’12

15 April 2012

My take on this week’s Basic Grey sketch challenge!

Project #21: Magic

Supplies: Bazzill Basics cardstock; Studio Calico Take Note collection, chip shapes, scraps; Versamagic Sahara Sand chalk ink; American Craft thickers; washi tape

Love these cloud shapes and the washi tape! (:

The Take Note collection was so perfect for this with the “from sunrise to sunset” wording.

And I love it when layouts pretty much fall in place, which this one did (:

I hope your weekend’s been super duper!

Project Life: Taking the Plunge

12 April 2012

Four months into 2012, I have finally decided to start Project Life. If you’ve read this post, you’ll know that I’ve been tossing this idea around in my head for awhile now. I thought of waiting until next year to start. But this post really grabbed me and made me realize that if I didn’t start Project Life this year, I’d look back at the end of 2012 and wish I had. And life is too short for regrets. Starting now is better late than never. I might go back and catch up on the weeks past. But I don’t know yet; we’ll see how I well I get used to this first.

Source: studiocalico.com via Amelia on Pinterest

But I’m not going to make this complicated, or stressful, or frustrating. I’m not going to worry about how things are supposed to be, not worry about trying to keep track of every little thing. I’m going to make this work for me as is much possible right now, to work within my means, even if it means not having cool software, printables, or inserts and whatnots, which would always be nice to have. I’m going to take what I have and roll with it. I’m going to keep this simple. I’m going to make the most of what I’ve got, make this fun, make this inspiring, make this something I’m going to enjoy looking back on.

Source: michellewooderson.blogspot.com via Amelia on Pinterest

This isn’t just about me jumping on the bandwagon. It’s about motivating and inspiring me to take more photos again, to actually print pictures, to capture the everyday, to remember the stories, to just document life as it is.

There are tons of inspiration out there – I’m really looking forward to all the cool ideas and stuff.

And in the meantime, while I wait for supplies to arrive, I’ll start recording and recollecting all the stories so I’ll be ready to write them down when I need to.

I think this journey is going to be a good one (:

New to Project Life? Read more about it here.

Flea Market Finds

11 April 2012

Over the weekend, my little sister and I got to check out the flea market at *Scape.

And I got these super cute vintage tea cup set and a handful of badges for a really good price. Bargains are always a good thing (:

I’m planning to use the tea cups to organize trinkets and supplies and things.

I love these already.

This is gonna be fun (:

Scuba love.

10 April 2012

Pictures, finally! (:

I still think scuba diving was such a blast. And I still miss Tioman.

Anyhow.

These pictures are but a glimpse of what we did there because there’s nothing quite like experiencing things for yourself.

In addition to photos from my camera, other photos courtesy of Uncle Francis, Raja, and Edison.

Where we went: Salang, Tioman, Malaysia

How we got there: via van to Mersing, ferry to Salang. And back.

Where we stayed: in a bungalow on stilts (kampung island)

Things we did: Eat. Sleep. Dive. And study – everyday. And snorkel, once.

What we ate: BBQ fish, squid. Lamb chop, steak, roti prata, banana pancakes, curry puff, Malay kueh, omelette, Ramly burgers, ice cream

What we saw: tons of sea cucumbers and sea urchins. Sea anemone, clown fish, trigger fish, puffer fish, corals, a turtle and an eel, parrot fish, blue-spotted stingray, school of barracuda

Friends we made: Nita, Melvin, Raja, Sarah, Warren (Nita and Melvin aren’t in the above photo, though.)

What we played: Snap and Happy Family (old school games, for the win!)

What I got: battle scars, a bracelet, sea shells, a tan (: And a cold on the second last day, boo.

What we talked about: inside jokes, silly puns (Shell I sea you tomorrow? HAHA.)

What I’m thankful for: good weather, good company, safety, being healthy enough to go diving

What I loved: Sun, sea, and sand (: boat rides, hanging out, relaxing, blue skies, clear waters, watching the sun set, stargazing, falling asleep and waking up to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks everyday

What I miss: pretty much everything (with the exception of the what I don’t miss list, see below)

What I don’t miss: blocked noses/ears, sand flies, and the taste of salt water in my mouth

Scuba diving was: a blast, an amazing, unrivaled experience, which completely rocked my socks.

I would: go diving again in a heartbeat.

So many stories to tell. Good times, good memories. Definitely.

Right now: Monday.

9 April 2012

Source: flickr.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I love how accomplished I feel after a long run. And really pleased that I got to do that tonight.

I’m nervous about how I’m going to meet my goals for next Sunday’s 10K: I’m not ready for it yet, yikes.

I’m thankful for how good the long weekend was.

I think it would be really nice if we got to go diving again somehow this June.

I have a lot of (creative) ideas running through my head. Think lists and scribbles.

I’m mentally preparing myself for a potentially busy second quarter.

I have the urge to have to/want to organize/pack/declutter my room. Don’t think it’ll be happening soon though, sigh.

I reckon, I don’t like shopping as much as I used to anymore, hmm.

—

Do more of what makes you happy.

Here’s to a fabulous week ahead.
xo.

20 recipes / bacon & egg cups + pb & j swirls

8 April 2012

Before the long weekend on Thursday last week, I tried out two new recipes to add to the list – one savory and the other sweet.

The cups were like quiche, sans the crust. But I loved how it used bacon on the sides to hold everything together. I’ll totally make these again. And they’re good for bringing around too because they taste good whether warm or cold.

I decided to take a break from all the chocolate and did these instead. I loved the sweet and salty combination (: Although, maybe I’ll try a jam filling next time instead of swirling it in? Making these cupcakes made me realize how much I actually miss baking them. Maybe I’ll think about opening the shop again, hmm.

I found these recipes from these books, here and here.

11 down, 9 to go.

Blessed Easter! (:

Basic Grey Scrap Lift This!

7 April 2012

The challenge was to scraplift this layout in any way, shape, or form.

I think the hearts inspired me most on this one, so I pulled out my heart punch and put it to work. I wanted to keep the photo as the focal point so I tried not to over think things and went with whatever came to mind, which I guess was a clean layout (with the exception of a little mist for effect!).

Project #20: Shoes make me happy.

Supplies: Bazzill Basics cardstock; Glitz patterned paper; Tattered Angels bronze, mustard seed glimmer mist; American Crafts Amy Tangerine thickers; washi tape; heart punch; Maya Road mini kraft jotter tags

I hope your weekend’s been fabulous!
xo.

Right Now.

4 April 2012

Source: instagr.am via Amelia on Pinterest

Intervals are not a good way to start training again after a break. My knee hurts now ):

I love my tan from scuba diving in Tioman last week (: I hope it stays for awhile.

I need more motivation to study and practice harder.

I wish the weekend were tomorrow.

I am a true klutz. My toes hurt from when I dropped stuff on both feet yesterday. Twice.

I am making lists and lists of things to get done this second quarter.

I still can’t believe that it’s April already; where did time go?!

I am pinning plenty of inspiration on Pinterest.

—

Happy Wednesday!
xo.

Sketch Wednesday / 21 Mar ’12

31 March 2012

I had this layout all ready to go before I left for the diving trip, but I didn’t have time to put it up.

So here we are, one week later (:

I had so much fun with this sketch because I don’t usually work with something like this. And I decided to do a two-in-one for this sketch and used all Picadilly papers to fulfill the criteria of this challenge.

Project #19: Sisters

Supplies: Basic Grey Picadilly collection; Kaisercraft acrylic paint; American Craft thickers; DMC thread

I finally (after like forever) used paint on my layouts again. I used a foam brush and smeared paint for the background. I should do this more.

The flower stickers in this corner are probably pretty random, but I think they’re cute anyway (:

I hand-stitched down the middle of the hearts so they still have some dimension.

—

I am officially a certified scuba diver (:
Pictures and sorts soon!