January Challenge Update: Doing My Make-up Daily

 

It’s surprising to me how I’m doing well in this challenge. I only had two days crossed off as not having done my make-up so far and it’s already past the third week of January! Maybe it’s because I welcomed this challenge in my routine and kept it simple. It also feels nice knowing that even if I make the wrong clothing choice, at least my face looks put together. Maybe I’ve finally come out with my hidden desire to take care of my looks and how I present myself. *insert sheepish smile here*

A Little Goes A Long Way: Doing Monthly Challenges Again

Hello! Yesterday I started with my first monthly challenge: Prep and Bring Packed Lunch. Yes I’m starting in November 2017. Don’t you think it’s better to do this now than wait for the New Year? Well early 2017 would’ve been ideal but consider this an early start for 2018!

What is this?

It’s simply doing one thing everyday for the entire month. Then after an entire month, you start another habit again for the next 30 days and so on. I’m sure you are familiar with these types of things as there are different versions of it. The one I did back in 2014 was inspired from Leo Babauta of zenhabits.

November Challenge: Choosing Not To Rush

lotus at Muzium di Sabah

Ever since I was little, Mama and Papa would ask me to sit beside them. I would be propped, cross-legged on a pillow to try to be still for a few minutes. It was always hard for me to stare slightly forward and do nothing except silently count 1 to 10 over and over again. I would get impatient. Little did I know that they were trying to instill in me the value of silence and settling my thoughts.

October Challenge: Declutter Desk, Declutter Life

The 15-minute decluttering routine is some kind of a genius tool.

September Challenge: Eat One Meat-Free Meal A Day

Temp Brennan once told Booth (in the Bones tv series!) that vegetarians aren’t always necessarily healthy. They can just eat french fries all day. My September challenge was an effort to reduce red meat and increase vegetable intake. Don’t get me wrong, I love meat but I also know how I badly need those leafy greens. Yet as Temp said, the challenge didn’t necessarily make me eat healthy. There were times when my meat-free meal was an orange marmalade sandwich or a bowl of cereal.

Reflections After Italy

I barely wrote anything for the month of August except a few notes and postcards. It sounds like a huge transgression not to journal everyday when you’re in one of the most popular countries in Europe. But I was busy dancing, partying, drinking wine, eating gelato and cherishing moments for the most part of the month. Nothing bad about that!

July Challenge: Read One Italian Blog Entry Daily

Ciao a tutti!

I picked this challenge for July in preparation for a trip to Italy mid-summer. I wanted to know a few words and be able to at least ask for what I needed and express gratitude. I started reading blogs but, with the help of language learning pros such as Tim Ferris, Benny Lewis and Sonya Gil, I soon realized that it would be much easier and far more practical for me to learn by hearing la lingua and knowing how it is used in every day situations.