On: Running

 Life's good lately ever since I joined the instagram bandwagon, here's the most recent post:

I often find myself either wanting or struggling to go out for a run. I'm partially married to my sneakers and it does suck when things get rocky. There are phases where  I go on this kind of momentum where in three consecutive months- I wake up 6 in the morning and hit the pavement. Or I'd go for the intense twenty-minute intervals training on the treadmill with a promise that I'll score a new snowboarding jacket. Running keeps me happy, collected, and intact with my daily routine. And it does make you feel better whenever you're upset or angry. I could recall a situation I became bitter about and I decided to just walk to the NY Ave/Gallaudet U metro stop to get to Georgetown. I walked briskly, my hips swaying back and forth- with the loud clacking sound of my boots. I walked angrily but after five minutes, my throat didn't feel tight and I was no longer tense. Yep, exercising has its magical touch to our emotional well-being.

Sometimes I find myself with my downers, it always happen especially when I stop running. It's like the laziness is so overpowering and it gravitate my body with all it could and it made me lazier. But it's a pile of guilt being piled up on a nice china (probably.) and every missed days become harder to redeem.

Now talking about getting myself back on the wagon, it is a lot harder. It is way harder than when I first started running. I've been staying with my friend and this morning- I really felt unmotivated. I felt the laziness and excuses swarmed into my head. I went running on the other day and it was enlightening. I did yoga right after which was a nice touch to my post-running stretches. I asked myself, if I did it on the other day, I can do this. And the friend was a motivator for me- he told me "Go and run. I'll see you in an hour or less?" (As of tomorrow, he's running with me!) I couldn't argue and I knew I wanted to do it for my body. I want to be able to sleep well tonight knowing I did my part.

While running, I never bring my phone with me. I always look at exercising as a quality time with your body. Why make time for others while you're working with your body? An hour won't kill you. I always have a playlist on my iPod- amusingly, its the metal tunes that keeps my fire up. I don't know why but maybe it is something about M Shadows screaming inside your ears? In order for me to ensure that I have ran to the maximum amount of time, I make a playlist that lasts for an hour so I don't worry about timing while running. I'll know when I have reached my time as the last song is playing. I eat beforehand and run within two hours, I also ensure that I have drank two-four cups of water beforehand. Lastly, never doubt my own ability to go far. I have never ran a 5k in my entire running career until I signed up for one and boy- I enjoyed it. Now that 5k serves me a good reminder why I can go running.

When I was finishing up my run today, a neighbor was walking briskly with his headphone--I finally stopped by the house to catch my breath and he applauded. Encouragement and reinforcement is what keeps me going and all runners could use some of that. Now I can say- I'm excited to run with my friend tomorrow.

Instagram, at last!

I am so excited, instagram is now available to all android users (like me!) and I'm loving it so far! Follow me at Lucyndiamonds! If you have good tips- please do share them, I'm still new to the app.

After Meeting her for the Second Time

                                       

Temptation looming around in the air
As I ran against uneven pavement
Glee's "Faithfully" playing inside my ears

Finished shotglasses, the coldness of ice and a wave of bitterness at heart
Where forgotten conversations are being held, the constant hope being chained up

The sun sat in the night as if it belonged to the skies
Painted scenery and broken dreams written all over people

The bed post filled with tender love in past,
left cold
Rooms with sun rays sinking through- knowing what once was full of life's greatness
now all boxed up and ignored

Not knowing that there will be greater things in the future.

I miss Alaska so much, and the next time I'm going..I'm buying a one-way ticket. This poem is dedicated to my summer in 2011. I revisited my old memories I left behind. It was once bitter but it is now beautiful- a life lesson I learned.

Photo credit: www.Alaska.org

Memoir Tattoo

All it took was six grueling months to finally book a date with Kim Saigh. I have two tattoos of origami cranes and I want this third piece to be done by Kim specifically. Despite the fact that she was one of LA Ink artists- I thought I'd never get a session with her. But again-I thought it wouldn't hurt to try? So I went ahead and emailed her. I heard nothing for first three months, then her assistant got back to me. The feeling I had was beyond victory- much better than winning a competition or a bet.

We contacted back and forth and got a date. Then I had to cancel and her assistant informed me that she won't be booking 2012 dates until the year comes in. I was so bummed, with all that looking forwarding I did just went into the trash chute. All of the sudden- Kim herself responded to the email saying "Yes, when would you like to reschedule?" and the next thing I knew was I was laying down inside her private tattoo studio, enjoying every poke from the tattoo machine.

The process of "during" before getting tattooed by Kim looked like this: 

We did phone consultation the week before January 13th (it was on Friday, the 13th) a perfect Friday to get tattooed. Dad and I went out and took the trip to LA on I5- a rural interstate but I found it to be relaxing. We stayed at a some nice urban-ish hotel in private property (thanks HotWire) and explored a bit of Santa Monica. I enjoyed this with Dad since it's rare for just two of us to go on a mini vacation.

On the 13th, I was in a very good mental shape- too excited to meet Kim and get tattooed. Dad wanted to stop by High Voltage Tattoo home of LA Ink- we went and I ended up getting a note from G-SPOT (shop manager) for Kim. Loved that, shows how close-knit the tattoo community is. I arrived at Memoir Tattoo studio and learned that it was locked, went out for a cup of tea then Kim texted me to knock the door. I knocked and heard footsteps, Kim opened the door and greeted me with a friendly "Hi!" This is it, finally! I thought in my head. Her studio is BEAUTIFUL, the proof is in the pudding:

Turns out that she shares the studio with her beau Shawn Barber who is a legend in painting world and he also begun tattooing roughly 3-4 years ago. He IS extremely talented with tattoo portraits as you can see how his work is all over the wall. By all means, Kim does also paint- her work is intensely good!

Anyways, spent first half hour talking to Kim about the piece and she quickly sketched the crane up. I noticed that she did not sketch the pattern- meaning? She's gonna freehand on this piece and I became even more excited. I spent over two hours on the table with ONE bathroom break. It was the most peaceful and spiritual tattooing experience I ever had. Nobody was walking in and out, we didn't talk. However it hurts really bad, well..all tattoos hurts! The last leg of the work (about 20 minutes before finishing up) Shawn came to the shop. I found myself even more stoked to meet him in person, it was as if you met Van Gogh! Shawn seemed nice and very down-to-earth, fits with Kim well. When Kim was done- she and I talked for a bit. I asked her some stuff related to yoga and that wrapped the appointment up well. I left with a great feeling and a great work etched onto my skin forever. Kim and I are still in touch and I'm up for another project with her. If you are looking for a decent work- customized work that is worth the money, and getting tattooed without interruption. I'd say go to Memoir Tattoo.

Being Naked

We don't need things we're born with (except for tattoos!). I grew up with bad acne and throughout my junior high years to my early college days, I'd cake my face with make-ups. It was a way of hiding my bad skin so I could meet more people but of course I was still insecure. While growing out of the skin phase, I switched from cream foundation to mineral powder for lighter look. As years passed by, I became less attached to the mineral powder and currently I never use foundation or some kind of coverage. I love it. I grew so much to this point where I am very comfortable with my skin- the only addition would be doing my eyelashes and a shade of copper blush. And, the breakouts? All gone!

I'm a loyal reader at IROCKSOWHAT and Jess did a naked face challenge- thought I should too. A shout out to Deanna of delirious rhapsody- the founder of this naked challenge: thank you for empowering us all to remind what is real! Check her blog out :)

Diy Project: Wooden Photo Display

The do-it-yourself project I am featuring on this blog is a very fun one! It makes a great gift or decoration to your room, it does indeed adds up a pastoral touch.

You will need:

Wooden block (you can get this easily at Home Depot) * Printed picture of your choice from a laserjet printer on regular paper *Mod Podge * Gel Medium * Brushes

You can easily get those items at any crafts store, I got mine from Michael's 

First, apply a layer of gel medium on the wooden block then apply the printed photo on the wooden block. Please make sure that you're applying the printed side ON the wooden block so the transfer can be accurate. If you see air bubbles, flat them out. Let it sit for 24 hours.

After leaving it for 24 hours, soak the block using a wet rag. Go ahead and peel out the remaining paper, this procedure takes time. Do not worry if you accidentally tear the picture- remember imperfection means perfection.

When you're finished with the peeling part, apply a layer of mod podge. Let it dry overnight, this is a sealing procedure.

And, you're done!

Diy Project: Revamping the old with new!

I have had this bust for a longtime, since 2000's and I painted it. I grew fond of it but I didn't like the color because it serves me a reminder of my past. I am about to finish my last semester at Gallaudet University and I'll start a new chapter in life. I want this bust to symbolize a new change so I decided to paint it. I wanted it in one solid color and I have been going back and forth  on which color: Jet Black or Laguna Blue- and I finally made a decision.


Before:

After:

The Laguna Blue color sits so well with my eyes. It is now happily placed on my writing desk, with a fresh perspective of what is about to happen in my life.


The paint took a few coats to finally dry- the process is a bit long but worth in the end! If you have something like this you want to throw away, you could try painting it in new color and see if it brings up the new energy to your room. I could say, this progress only cost me 98 cents.