How fast do you walk?

Source: Pinterest

As far as resolutions go, one that I have made in particular is with regards to the speed in which I walk. Instead of "resolution", I suppose it's safer to say that it's more of a reminder and a habit that I wish to change.

There are all sorts of speeds in this world. You have those who walk really slowly, those who speed away as if they're engaged in an urgent matter and those who walk at an average speed. 

Now I happen to fall in the second category, especially so when I'm alone. With company I find myself following their pace unless we're in a rush somewhere. That said though, I'm very often leading the group when we're walking... I wonder why. Maybe it's my pace. 

I've come to realise that the speed at which I walk when alone has influenced my life and ultimately my happiness. Firstly, I hardly have time to look at the things around me and consider their beauty given I'm so concentrated in getting to my destination as quickly as possible. Secondly, I most probably appear to be rather haphazard to others given how fast I walk. Walking fast increases your heart rate and though it may prove to be a rather good form of exercise whilst out but it doesn't necessarily portray you in a very good light. I basically found myself feeling awkward whenever I was out alone. 

Simply put, I felt as if my life was a rush and I felt highly unattractive each time I reached my destination. 

This year I told myself I wanted to stop walking so fast all the time. I wanted to change the pace in which I moved around from point to point. I needed to stop feeling so awkward about walking alone. 

Believe it or not, the impact it had on me was dramatic. I felt so much more at ease once I changed my pace. I was able to breathe calmly as opposed to the rapid heartbeats before and this altogether made me feel more relaxed as I walked along the streets. I felt less awkward, less of a haphazard but above all, I felt happy. I should mention now that my slower pace was coupled with a proper posture so this may have played a supporting role as well. 

Why am I sharing this otherwise boring and irrelevant post you ask? Well, because I feel that so many of us today are trapped in this cycle of rushing from place to place that we ignore the beauty of the things around us. Above all, apart from noticing the smaller things in life, the way we walk may inadvertently affect our own happiness. I'm so glad I detected my way of walking as a problem in itself, because I think it could have very well affected me altogether in the long run. 

I do occasionally fall back into my rushed pace and I find that I constantly need to remind myself to slow down and walk properly. I am definitely seeing this habit in a positive light and hope that in the days to come I no longer will need to remind myself anymore. 

Hope this post has enlightened you somehow, feel free to share your thoughts :)

xx

Nostalgia.

Source: Pinterest

I've come to realise as I've grown that social media has grown to be nothing more than an irritant for me. It's like that annoying pimple that turns up even when you don't want it to, but should you poke it leave a scar that may stay for a long time. 

I loved social media as a teenager. Perhaps it had to do with showcasing how perfect and wonderful life was. I remember clearly thinking up of witty captions, trying to use cool filters and applications to spice up my otherwise dull photos. Heck, I'd have already thought of a photo and a caption I wished to upload from an event that would have taken place a week or two later! That's as crazy as I had gone. 

Needless to say, I've soon gotten tired of social media. Tired of having to deal with "humble braggers" (okay I get it, you have hundreds of admirers lining up your door asking for your number), tired of having to see people claim every tom dick and harry to be their "babes"/"girlies"/"baes" (can I use this opportunity now to express my extreme distaste for the term "bae") and above all, people who upload three photos of their other half and the extremely wonderful things they do for each other every single day (you cannot then express your surprise when acquaintances / friends are aware of your break-up). 

I've since gotten rid of my social media. I found myself getting affected by said people above. Thus, instead of harbouring bad feelings towards these people, I've come to follow the mantra that goes "Out of sight, out of mind". That said, there are some platforms that I simply cannot bear to deactivate. Facebook for instance, is one site I know I definitely won't remove from my life. Simply because there are people who I may no longer speak to but would definitely like to remain "in touch" with. I have sent these friends random messages when they cross my mind to ask them how they're doing. Why be afraid if they find you weird right? It's the thought that matters. This reminds me of the article of the individual who met each Facebook friend for coffee to catch up. I wish I had the courage to do that too.

...also facebook is where all my photos (shared by friends) are. I honestly would mourn the day Facebook decides to shut down.

Another platform I know I won't deactivate or remove anytime soon would be instagram. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but instagram has served a very important and special purpose for me. Considering how I'm away from home so often, instagram's served the function of being my comfort during the days I miss home. How, you ask?

You see, each time you view a photo from your profile, the application shows you the number of weeks ago you'd uploaded the photo. I find comfort in the fact that a photo I had uploaded from an event/outing had only taken place a few weeks ago. It sets me in a reminiscent mood and reminds me of the good times that were spent :)

Speaking of which, you may be wondering now what my rambling above has anything to do with the title of the post. Well, I've spent my evening looking through my past photos and a wave of nostalgia hit. Apart from feeling utmost regret at not having put more effort into my daily exercise regiment, I've come to realise how much I've lost the youth and vigour I once had.

It's crazy isn't it? What do you see in your past photos? Apart from seeing my physical self and the objects in the photo, I see and recall the emotions and the thoughts that I had during the time of the event. I wonder if everyone else feels this way when they look at their past photos too. Perhaps this is why two people may look at the same picture, but one with more avid an expression than the other.

I definitely recall the times I've spent and the thoughts that I held in my past pictures. Oh that photo of us tumbling down the hill? I remember the coolness of the air, the sound of the children in the park and the crazy amount of adrenaline that was coursing through our veins as we did it. It's reminded me why I ever turned into an avid photo taking monster in the first place. I hope that I don't ever shy away during times I wish to take a picture of anything in particular, because very often the feeling you've had during that time may not return.

Do you have a particular picture that reminds you of a memorable event? Do share, I'd love to know :)

Till then, have a great mid-week and a happy chinese new year to all who celebrate out there! :)
xx.

Reflect.

The past week has proven that my heart is capable of bearing strong emotions that otherwise would have broken me. You see, I always find myself at a crossroad of not knowing what to do when I'm faced with such situations. Very often my head starts thinking of this space and the things that I would type as I go along but that said, it never actually happens. Eventually I end up consumed by my own thoughts that any attempt in wanting to type out said events don't ever end up coherent. 

... I was also once told that if you're unable to express your thoughts coherently it means it's not yet sorted out in your head. I suppose to some extent that is true.

Where shall we begin?

I was a spectator of an actual fist-pumping fight involving blood last week whilst at work. We were stationed to a school, and was actually pre-empted about the profile of the students we were going to be meeting. Still, never in my life did I expect to be faced with such a situation. Let's just say that at the exact point in time when I heard the loud punch outside from where I was my head was torn into two. A part of me that knew what was going on hesitated and almost prevented doing the right thing and going out to intervene. These were two grown 16 year old boys, and no matter how strong I may have been I knew I was no match for them. I don't know how I managed to muster up the courage to head out to see what happened.

To cut the story short, I never actually knew what started the fight or what actually happened. All I knew was that there was a part of me that felt really sorry because I know I will never actually be able to cross paths with these students again to help them. To be frank, majority of the students from the school came from broken families and judging from what they shared with us it seems that they don't seem to see their teachers as adult figures or role models. Who then do they see as role models if there is no one from their family or school? Their friends? What then if their friends are bad influences?

I don't believe that these 16 year olds I came across with were bad students. No, in fact I can genuinely say that at the end of the entire three days I spent with them I enjoyed their company very much. That said, three days is too short to make a lasting impact for the rest of their lives. The heart of the matter behind their behaviour has not yet been tackled. I should emphasise now that my job does not help students in dealing with their attitude problems.

However, there was one thing that hit me straight home. There was one student who at the onset came  across to be rather rude to me. At the end of the session I remember parting with him and telling him that I saw a great deal of hope in his future if he believed in himself. After all, why would he have remained attentive throughout the three days? I don't think someone who lacked the desire to succeed in his life would have done so.

After relaying my message to him, he approached me shortly after asking for a photo and exclaimed to his friends that I was the first person to have told him he had a chance of doing well. It honestly took me a lot of effort to stop myself from tearing up.

Source: Pinterest

All it takes sometimes is one small gesture to change someone's lives. I may not have been able to reach everyone last week but I truly did love the students and I genuinely see them achieving excellence in the future if they take the right steps to get there. Above all, it reminded me about the dreams I have for the future in helping the youth in my community and why I do what I do. The purpose is there, but how can I take it one step further?

I may not remember names very well, but I do remember faces. And I know I won't forget the faces of those I met last week. I pray for their success.

xx.

Spain: Primera Parte

It's a beautiful and cozy Sunday morning where I am and I thought I'd seize the opportunity to share about my recent trip to Spain last December :) It was painful to have to look through the photos again and relive the memories that took place when I was there as this recent trip was quite possibly my most memorable and enjoyable trip thus far. I suppose it's easy to claim that about each trip, but seeing as this was my first trip into Europe (England not included) I have to say that Spain did not disappoint.

I thought I'd just share a lil' bit about my interest and obsession with Spain (& travelling) before I delve any further into the details of my trip. I love travelling to various parts of the world and am lucky enough to have that opportunity in the first place. When it comes to having a "dream destination", Europe has always been in the top spot for decades. Whilst each country and place has it's unique historical and cultural value, Europe in particular has always remained the most interesting to me due to it's history that dates way back into the Arabic period as well as the diverse cultures that are present. I realise that my impression and romanticised view of Europe could very well have been influenced by the media and my obsessive bingeing of travel shows around Europe, nonetheless it's always been a dream to walk and roam around their streets to soak in the atmosphere.

Now my interest and love for Spain in particular developed after having enrolled in Islamic Studies modules in University. There was a history module I took that taught me about Spain's rich history from the Arabian times to it's current context. I'd only ever seen in my textbooks the pictures of the architecture and I've always found it to be fascinating. You see, Spain was ruled by both the Islamic and Christian civilisations. In other words, you'd imagine that the buildings and places of interest and worship would have varied greatly between the two. That said, Spain today contains the remnants of it's history and the buildings are a good mix of both the civilisations that once ruled it. I'm no professional when it comes to history or architecture, but I can tell you in layman's terms that the streets of Spain emanates a feeling of grandeur :)

My family and I spent around a week in Spain, and we visited a total of three cities: Barcelona, Granada and Cordoba. We spent five days in Barcelona, three in Granada and spent one day in Cordoba. The cities themselves varied largely in the vibes they exuded. Barcelona was the modern bustling metropolitan city with museums, universities and high-rises buildings. Granada was slightly slower-paced with a slightly more rustic feel to it with lower-rised buildings and older architecture that dates back centuries. Cordoba on the other hand felt slightly more middle-eastern with the trees that lined the city and the design of the buildings and shop surrounding it. Then again I never really had the opportunity to explore Cordoba in its entirety so I may be wrong in this. What was most striking was the density for all three cities. Barcelona has a population of more than 1 million whereas both Granada and Cordoba have slightly more than 200 000 people. I suppose you can only imagine how much slower-paced life felt in Granada as opposed to Barcelona. I loved all three cities, but it is without a doubt that Granada holds a special place in my heart :)

Ah then, I apologise for having you read through this entire essay. I'll stop with the talking and share the photos with you now :) I should warn you first that this is going to be very picture heavy, so I do hope you bear with the loading for a while!

We spent the first night in Barcelona before flying off to Granada the next morning. The apartment we stayed at was situated at the perfect spot. It was right in the heart of La Ramblas, and it was within walking distance to several convenient stores and tourist information booths. There was a station less than five minutes away and there was shopping to be done everywhere! The fact that it was situated so ideally meant that we could roam around till late at night and still feel safe walking home. Though I should mention that the latest we ever stayed out was 8.30pm. We were usually so exhausted by then and would head to bed early to recharge for the next day.

Fruits from the local market. They were so fresh and yummy!!!

The next morning, we flew off via domestic to Granada!! We took Vueling Airlines, a Spanish low-cost airline. Tickets weren't expensive seeing as they were supposedly a "budget" airline but the service and the standard of the aircraft was very good in my books. It was a one and a half hour flight to Granada from Barcelona, but I had a very comfortable flight there and would recommend this to anyone who wishes to travel around Spain via aircraft :)

The view from our apartment in Granada. 

The mighty Al-Alhambra :)

I was most anticipating my trip to Granada from the onset because of this beauty above. I had to write a whole essay on the Alhambra and research on it's history for my course, so it was only expected that I was highly excited to see it in person!

I realise I never took photos of the places we stayed at... I'm not sure why this never occurred to me but it's such a pity I forgot to do so!! We stayed at a house in Granada - I suppose you can consider it an apartment because one building has several different rooms within it. We were given the topmost floor seeing as there were five of us, and were we lucky!! Our room was huge. There were two bedrooms altogether, a living room and a kitchen. We were lucky to have our own balcony as well! But above all, as if by fate or kismet that the heavens above knew about my love for the Alhambra, we were given this spectacular view of the majestic beauty itself. I slept in the living room (there were three sofa beds in the living room) and slept and woke up to the view of the Alhambra for three whole days. A good night's rest indeed!! :)

Night view of the Alhambra :)

We spent our first day in Granada roaming about the streets and taking in the atmosphere. I was itching to go to the Alhambra, but my dad had already booked tickets for the tour on our third day in Granada. So I had to wait patiently till then. Even so, the place still exuded a strange and almost magical feel from afar. You have to believe me when I say that I could hardly contain my excitement.

Aaaand that's where I'll stop for now!! I still have so many more photos and details to share with you about my trip! I'll save the rest of the details for the next time :) I hope you enjoyed these photos that I've shared thus far and I look forward to uploading the next few!

Hope you've had a lovely weekend :)
xx.

Photo Credits: myself.

The walls in my head.

Source: Pinterest

Work gives me the opportunity to inspire teenagers and others around me. Likewise, I too am inspired by them. 

I don't want to disclose too much about what I do at work exactly because I don't know what i'm allowed to mention. But I suppose it would be alright for me to say that a part (this is just a small part of it) of what we share include life skills as well as overcoming the voices inside our heads that prevent us from achieving our dreams. 

A particular segment about dreams recently came up one day and it made me reflect about my life and the dreams that I once had. What happened to those dreams? Rather, I realised that I no longer allowed myself to dream. It was as if dreaming of a good future was almost forbidden because I did not think I deserved it. Why do I allow myself to treat me so harshly? 

It all started when my colleague shared a story of his way back when he was in high school. A teacher had asked him to fold a piece of paper into eight equal rectangles. Upon doing so, she then instructed him to tear out 1 full rectangle and half of the rectangle next to it from the piece of paper (the rectangle was to be torn from the outermost corner of the paper). Each rectangle represented ten years. As my colleague was 15 back then, he had torn off 15 of the supposedly 80 years of his life from that piece of paper. His teacher then instructed him to write down what he hoped to achieve within each decade in the respective rectangles. In other words, things like "graduate from University", "get married", etc. He didn't need to be specific with the age, he only had to write it down in the appropriate rectangle. 

This story triggered something within me. Age to me after all has been nothing but a number. The reality though, is that age catches up to you. I don't mean in terms of how you look or how your joints start giving in though. To me, the term annotates the amount of responsibility I will have to take with not only my life but my family. There will come a day where I will eventually end up being the one taking care of my parents even when I'm married, and it's important that I have a stable enough income to provide for them. 

That aside, it made me realise that I've only taken up two out of the eight rectangles in that entire piece of paper. There are still several more rectangles for me to fill up and achieve the dreams that I have always wanted. Why did I confine myself within the walls of my head that told myself it was impossible to achieve greater and better things? 

"Life is not a race but a marathon."

It's not about how fast you get to the end point but the journey you make to get there. The answer was always there but I chose to cloud that with my own beliefs. Without realising it I chose to see that I had already failed to achieve anything great in life. I only saw things going downhill from here.

...what a terrible thought :( 

That said, I've allowed myself to dream again and I know that there are several opportunities for me out there. I have to take everything a step at a time. After all, it always takes time doesn't it? :) I have a dream for what I want to be in the working world once I graduate and start working full time. As it is now, I know that it will take several years before I get there but I am willing to make my way there slowly. God willing, should this be the right path for me, I only pray that it go smoothly. 

With that I would just like to end off by encouraging everyone out there to get rid of the voices around you that bring you down. Get rid of people who are negative voices in your life but most importantly, get rid of your negative voice. You are worth so much more and life has so much more in store waiting for you. Don't cloud yourself with lies. Choose positivity! :) 

With love, xx.

Oddball.

Atop the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

My first month of January has proven to be rather exhausting. I'm not working full-time, yet I'm somewhat burnt from all the travelling I have been doing from it. I've somehow managed to fall sick again and resting at home reminds me of my recent holiday to Spain last December. I have yet to blog proper about my trip - and will do in due time - but Spain definitely was a trip worth remembering. If I could just board a plane and skip off on a holiday again...

That said, I decided to blog about something a student told me one day whilst I was at work. 

My job scope basically involves interaction with students (mostly high school) and a common question asked is "Do you have a boyfriend?". This question comes from both sexes and I usually have a lot of fun twisting my answers and making it difficult for them to guess muahuahuahuahua. So recently I retorted with a "Do you think I have a boyfriend?". To which their response goes "Yes I think so, you are pretty and therefore you definitely must have a boyfriend."

This response left me baffled and for the first time since I've ever been asked this question I was speechless.

I guess what went running through my mind was the mindset of this 16-year old. Granted, back then at that age I too thought that all pretty people were destined to get married and have a partner. To say that I wasn't pleased with her compliment would be a lie, she flattered me definitely. Yet it has made me realise just how much I have matured since then.

Back then, I would have judged and rated a person's likeness based on their appearance. The more attractive you were, the higher my regard for you. Today I've come to learnt that no matter how attractive you may appear to be, a rubbish personality won't bring you anywhere. I don't believe that there are people out there with ugly personalities. I do believe that we are each made up of flaws and imperfections.

After having spent a moment thinking through, I came back with a response. "Well, say someone is pretty but if you realise that he has a bad personality you won't see him to be handsome any longer right?". I'm not quite sure if that actually was a response or if it was me asking myself a question. Either ways it got her thinking and I hope I didn't ruin her teenage hood in any way.

Now that I've come to the end of this post I'm beginning to question why I brought this incident up in the first place. Either ways that statement struck a chord somewhere, and I know for sure I won't be forgetting that girl anytime soon.

xx.

p.s. What are your thoughts? Do share, I'd love to know :)

When to stay quiet.

Source: Pinterest

As a self-righteous person, you'll very often find me standing up for myself. That said, I humbly accept that I am wrong when the situation calls for it. I mean, you can't be correct all the time right? 

I find it easier to stand up for myself and the things I believe in when there are statistics to prove my point. It's so easy to point to a chart or a study and say "Here, this is not a true reflection of the entire population, but it comes close enough." It's not so easy on the other hand when it comes to matters of the heart and gets personal. 

Have you ever been placed in a situation where you're either getting reprimanded or are in an argument and the person you're conversing with is one who points out things about you that he / she believes to be true? I mean, the truth is that sometimes the third perspective is a lot more accurate than the first. Hey, some people don't notice their flaws until someone points it out to them right? But what if you've already reached the point where you're confident and honest with yourself about your flaws and the problems you're going through? In other words, on the other line there are strings of sentences being made and put out about the kind of person you are whereas inside you know that isn't true. 

This has happened to me a lot and I am sure it has happened to some of you too. I find myself several times in a situation where I'm with someone else who has so confidently concluded my character (said judgment obviously clashing with my personal understanding) that I always end up battling with myself if it is wise to stand up for myself. I'm not going to lie, several times I have always wanted to. In fact, I have never been so sure of myself today than I was before. My assurance of the kind of person I have grown to be has seen me keeping quiet when I'm faced with such situations. 

I guess you really do find comfort in the truth. 

Essentially, what I've come to realise is that there's no need to correct someone who thinks otherwise of the kind of person who believe yourself to be. I'll be clear of one thing, I know that I am not as kind and nice a person as people make me out to be. Similarly, I am also aware that I am not as mean and rude as people make me out to be as well. So long as I know who I am inside, no matter how harsh the judgments may turn out to be (at least those that I am aware of) I know that there is no point in standing up for myself in such trivial matters. 

... unless it's a matter of life or death then I suppose it'll be important to make my point. 

So before you say something next time to retaliate to someone's statement, think twice. Does their statement bear some truth to which you agree to? Is it important for you to prove them wrong? Will things drastically change unless you prove them otherwise? 

Have you ever experienced something like this before? I'd love to know. 

Love yourself, xx.

It's done.

I've done what I said I needed to do in the previous post. There are many thoughts going on through my head now, but I am happy that I did what I did. The outcome could have been a lot worse than what happened, but whatever the case I am happy that it is over.

I just felt that I needed to let it out here for the few of you who visit this page. At this moment I need to gather my thoughts and face the music of what is yet to come. 

xx.

A New Year

Source: weheartit

Happy New Year everyone! I think by now every last corner of the Earth has welcomed 2015 - & hopefully with a bang. I spent the night at my grandmother's on New Year's Eve, and it was splendid because we got to hear and catch a wee bit of the fireworks from her place. I can't believe it's already 2015, how fast a year has gone by.

Firstly, I'd like to apologise for having neglected this space for too long. With the recent events that have taken place in the world, I really felt the need to disconnect myself from the internet for a couple of weeks to spend some time with my family and loved ones. This year has seen far too many tragedies and far too many lives have been lost. My heart only goes out to the families and loved ones of the victims involved. The world is praying for your peace, and may you eventually receive the closure that you need. 

Secondly, i've been caught up with some personal issues that have affected me emotionally and physically. It's not devastating news, but I am only human and I have carried out a huge mistake considered a sin in my books. I don't know why I'm typing this out on the internet, but I have been troubled by this for the past two months and it's eating me up alive. I have resolved to step forward and make things right, and I am praying that things go okay. I know they will, but it is the storm that I know I will have to face that frightens me. But it's alright, I know it's the right thing to do and even though it's not an easy thing to face up to, it's still something that simply has to be done. Don't worry about me though, it's not a fatal issue or anything. 

... talk about starting the new year right and with a bang. Ha ha.

Speaking of which, I haven't had the time to write down my resolutions for this year. Even though resolutions fail 99% of the time, writing it down is still a tradition everyone does. They say writing things down on paper makes it credible and turns it into a promise almost that you've made to yourself to complete. But... since I lose the pieces of paper I scribble my resolutions on each year I guess that promise disappears? Ha ha ha.

Either ways, I have certain resolutions I've set out for myself. But at the moment the first thing I need to do is resolve the issue that's eating my brains out alive. 

I won't promise a post next week because I don't know if I can keep that, but I promise it will come up once I've settled everything that needs to be done. I hope you guys aren't in as sticky a situation as I am in and are having a more enjoyable and amazing New Years Day! 

Till then, xx.

Back to the running grind.

Now that exams are done, it's time to get back to the fitness regime. I can hardly believe that I was actually physically inactive for four entire months. It's personally a first for me.

Exercise has never really been something I've actively pursued for health purposes. Rather, I always saw exercise as a way to stuff myself with more food. It's hard to have a passionate relationship with food without growing horizontally.

This time round though, I'm actually finding it a lot easier to get myself to exercise than I had expected. I suppose this could be because I'm currently aiming to run a 10k by mid of next year. Sounds feasible? ;) That in mind, training is my number 1 priority at the moment, and it's important for me to know that my stamina is maintained. I still remember the day I picked up running, it should be no surprise that I failed miserably. I was barely able to keep up for 20minutes straight without huffing and puffing, and I felt like giving up. I almost did, but I stopped myself from doing so. Today I can run for 50 minutes straight on the treadmill, and I can only say that it took me years to get where I am now.

That said, here are some tips that I can share from my personal experience with running to help those of you who's finding it hard to start. Please note that I am no medial expert, these are simply some tips I have found to have worked for me:

1. Start slow.
You needed to learn how to walk before you run, and this applies to running for sure. I used to find it so difficult to fun for 20 minutes straight before. If you're running for the first time, start at a slow speed (~5.0/6.0) and stick to it for perhaps 20 minutes. Stick to a speed you're comfortable with, and as time progresses, increase it steadily. I started running at a speed of only 6.0 but in due time increased it as I went along and today I am able to run at 8.0. Quite a feat for myself I must say :)

2. Set a target.
I know you've most probably heard this countless times, but I cannot stress how important this is. Running (be it on a treadmill or in the outdoors) can be mentally exhausting if you're doing it without a target. Give yourself a target each time before you run. It could be a time limit, perhaps you're aiming to run 30 minutes straight, or a particular distance you're hoping to accomplish. Either ways, setting a target in mind gives you an end to work towards while you're running, and this will hopefully serve to motivate you to persevere on during the run at the crucial moments your body tells you to stop.

3. Know to differentiate between your body and your mind.
Your body speaks to you in ways louder than you'd expect. At the same time, there will be moments where your mind serves the devil and tries to turn you away from getting out of bed. There have been many times where my body is sore, but is a sore where I know I still will be able to run. These times, my mind then tells me not to and goes against my will, trying to persuade me to rest. During these moments, it's important to understand your body well enough to know that you're not overexerting yourself. When it comes to running especially, a quote to live by is "Mind over matter".

4. Drink plenty of water before a run.
Drinking water is especially important to stay hydrated throughout the course of your run. I personally make it a point to drink at least 3 glasses within the hour before my run and another glass just before I head out. Be sure not to drink too much just before, you need to allow your body time to absorb the water.

5. Have a playlist ready.
I cannot survive running without my music. These days however, I have a YouTube playlist I've set for myself to watch whilst running on the treadmill. Time passes by and before I know it I've completed 30 minutes on the treadmill. Not only does it make running a lot easier, but i'm also able to kill two birds with one stone!! :)

6. Imagine you're a deer running through the woods.
This sounds silly, but form is always important when it comes to running. Be sure to have a good posture and form whilst running, otherwise not only are you making yourself susceptible to injuries post-run but you're also tiring yourself for no apparent reason. This article gives great insight on the importance of maintaining a good form whilst running.

Last but not least,

7. Enjoy yourself.
Running can be a chore most of the time, but the amount of satisfaction received at the end of it truly makes it all worth it. Enjoy the ride and the journey, track your progress and see how far you've come :)

Have a lovely weekend ahead! xx.

Welcome back :)

I have most probably stared at my screen for a good half hour wondering how to start my entry for today. After all, what does one say after having been inactive for a month? I suppose I'll begin with a very classic "Hi, I'm back! :)"

Another semester has ended, and the results from the examinations are looming ahead. I am safe and sound in the comfort of my own home back in my sunny island, and I am looking forward to what the next few weeks will bring. 

It's the summer holidays now, and I would like to make the most out of it: with this blog, with certain personal achievements I hope to accomplish and catching up with loved ones. There are many exciting things coming up this month, and I cannot wait to update you with all of them! :) The most exciting one thus far has to be an upcoming vacation to Barcelona, Spain with my family. This would be my first step into Europe (England not counted) and I have heard several lovely stories from friends who've visited the country. That's one thing to look forward to :) 

With regards to my blog, I'm still in the process of figuring out how I'd like to organise it. I've come to realise that there are far too many things I'm interested in sharing, and these things are scattered all over the place. Either ways, I'm definitely going to be posting as regularly as once a week (exact day of publish to be confirmed) and I'll be sure to update this space once I've figured it out :) 

2015 is coming around the corner, and as always, the start of a new year brings with it a whole list of new resolutions. I don't believe in coming up with resolutions only at the start of a new year, because we are after all always seeking for self-improvement. Still, this past year has been nothing but a tumultuous one for me in all aspects. The coming year will be a fresh one for me, my closest friends are graduating this coming December, and will no longer be in the land down under. There's no doubt I'll suffer from their absence, nonetheless I am excited for what the working corporate world holds for them in their new journey. With that, there's one quote in particular that I'm keeping close to my heart:

Image Source: Pinterest

My past self would have mulled over how my friends would be leaving me, but I've come to realise there's no need for all of that. Instead of dreading the future, I've learnt that with all good things, there has to be an end. But with all ends come fresh new beginnings and experiences. Pardon me for getting spiritual here, but I believe that everything has it's own time and pace and happens for the best. No matter how many times I look at my past, I realise that if I had to relive everything all over, there would be nothing that I'd want to change. I will be writing a more coherent post on this new revelation I've come to terms with soon, just in case anyone was interested :)

Ah, enough with the rambling from me for now. Thank you for sticking around :) I'm excited to start getting back to blogging and doing things that I enjoy. Stay tuned, and have a happy holidays wherever you may be :)

xx.