The pretty post

Pretty things that will brighten this cloudy Monday:

Kate Moss: My wife.

Nice bum!

My obsession with this beautiful city.

Bien sur, Audrey.

Some day.

I can't write right now since I have to run down and meet my friend. Then dinner at her house. 

And signing out!

MK

Bad girl, bad bad bad!

7:30PM

Just ran my first 5k since I've been back from NYC and it felt so good. I could have kept going and would have kept going but I know better than to push myself right now.

Post workout Power snack would be:
Cottage cheese, chopped almonds, raisins, ground flax seeds and one honey date.

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So my friend pointed out a couple of days ago that I've been really slacking on this blog. It's not the only thing I've been slacking with. I've been really inconsistent with my runs.
I'm taking tentative note and making subtle changes. Things don't usually happen all at once and it takes a lot of time and effort to accomplish something.

I usually write down all my runs on my iCalendar as well as on a separate documents (one online and one offline). Seeing my iCal pop up every morning reminding me I haven't run this day and that day has made me feel really guilty.

Which makes me feel more motivated to start running every morning again. I look back at my past runs for the past two months and it's religiously noted that I ran every morning 6/7am for 6 days a week.

If I had motivation back then, I can do it again. Not that my urge to run has run dry (no pun intended), no. With my training for the half marathon day looming (June 1st), I can't wait a day longer to get my body used to the surge of adrenaline and energy.

People have asked me and quipped in their two cent in about my half marathon goal.
"Why don't you just do a 5k or even start with a 10k? Don't you think that's a bit more feasible?"

Yes, it's true. Maybe I should start with something small but I have this naive habit of attempting things that may seem a bit too challenging. And perhaps I should start with something easy but I really want to do this. The whole focus is to stay on track stride forward (literally and figuratively).
Who doesn't love a challenge?

As for the diet, I've been having some good days and bad days. The tendencies to binge and over eat without the compensation of exercising have been happening a lot lately ever since I got back from New York.

Takes time but I'm working on it.

Loving this: I made my own almond butter. And it's GOOOOOOD.

Loving this 2: Girls night tomorrow at my friend's new apartment. Making dinner and drinking wine like the classy girls we are.

Loving this 3: Got into my backup option program for school. Every gal needs a plan B.

Homemade almond butter. So easy to make; you just blend a cup of roasted almonds for 15 minutes. All you need is patience. 

Writing Wednesdays

I've been writing, reading, researching all day. I went to the library yesterday and borrowed a stack of books. Books for my program in September, nutrition, fitness and a couple of medical books.

With the short amount of free time I'll have until September, I'm trying to indulge as much as possible on researching and absorbing before I fall, head first, into marketing management.

With this, I have a lot more to do before it hits 11. I also borrowed this marathon training book that I need to finish by the 31st.

I leave you now with one of my favourite recipes.

Rosemary Flatbread 

This is so simple to make as a quick appetizer or a side for salad (or whatever you please). 

This recipe also comes with a warning as it is highly addictive.

Serves: 4-8 as a light appetizer

Ingredients:

- 3 cups flour

- 1 tsp salt

- 3/4 tsp sugar

- 1 tsp instant dry yeast

- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp)

1. Combine all dry ingredients (except rosemary). Add 1 cup cold water. Mix on low speed until ingredients are combined, increase speed to med-high (electric mixer) and continue to mix for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and cleanly pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl. (You don't need an electric mixer if you don't have one.)

2. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and allow to rest for 2-4 hours until it has doubled in size. Split the dough into halves and form each into a log. Place log on a floured surface, and allow it to rest until the formed dough doubles in size again, at least 1 hour.

3. Preheat oven to 520 degrees, on broil. Put dough on a lightly floured on a lightly floured baker's peel/oven pan. Dimple dough by pressing it down with your fingertips. Work the dough outward toward the edges of the peel until you reach your desired size and thickness, about 1/4 inch. 

4. Drizzle with remaining olive oil, rosemary and sprinkle with remaining salt.

5. Slide flatbread on a pizza stone (if using baker's peel). Bake until the bubbles range from golden to deep brown in color, 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy.

My big sigh

Forget about procrastination. This is more than just procrastination; It's too further down and revolting to be procrastination.

Yes, yes, it's been a week since I've been back and I haven't really been accomplishing that much aside from the immaculate cleaning job I've done to my apartment.

My thoughts regarding this blog (or lack there of) have been limited due to the busy life I lead. Well, no, I've just been lazy... And I haven't been able to find words or any topics I can elucidate on.

Tomorrow, I think I'll make delicious tortillas for lunch. Use up some of the tomatoes, peppers, tofu and avocado I have sitting in my fridge. (Look forward to the recipe/photos tomorrow!)

As for running...I'm going to go do some research at the library tomorrow for my marathon training program after my plans in the morning/afternoon. Busy, busy day tomorrow.

I am in LOVE with Paris. I need to go back this year.

Loving this: The huge discount happening at the vintage store, True Value Vintage (Robson and Granville). You can shove anything into one of their bags they provide you with and you can purchase the contents of the bag for a total of 20 dollars. No joke. Seriously, go nuts, kids. 20 dollars of shoes, bags, dresses, bottoms, accessories... you know the rest.

Loving this 2: Amazon. I just ordered a book for 1/3 of the retail/original price. Oh. Amazon.

Loving this 3: You may just go ahead and assume that the said book that I ordered is about the marathon. (Obsessed, I tell you!)

My happy returns

9:36 update:

AWESOME run with sister this morning. I still keep having this notion that my hour run isn't enough and I have to get that out of my head. This "not enough" idea is not productive and will probably make me stress my body out like I have done before.

Anyways, after the run, had a power green smoothie. Next time, I'll make sure to capture the beauty of my green smoothie on camera.

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My run yesterday went better than I would have forecasted. I ran/walked/jogged for an hour and hopefully this means I can get myself motivated for today's run as well. Getting my head back in the game!

I'm dragging my sister out of bed to join me today for the hour workout. I just hope it will go well.

In other news:

I'm feeling hopeful about the job hunt. Applying to a couple of places today. Let's pray that I'll charm the hell out of the employers.

I have nothing else more interesting to say at the moment. I'll post more as soon as I'm done my run and when the caffeine has kicked in.

Loving this: The thumbs up I got from an extremely good looking man yesterday while I was finishing my run.

Not loving this: Job hunting. But who likes it, really?

My last New York minute

Being on this trip has made me realize I'm a West coast girl through and through. Even if that's the case, I still love being on the East side of things.  I loved almost everything about New York City, even their tacky I love NYC t-shirts. But I may not be ready yet to brave the filth and the chaos to live their permanently. Not yet anyways.

Let me name the things I love and know about NYC:

1) Carrie Bradshaw. Sex and the City. Cosmos. Shoes.

2) New York City is the mecca of the fashion industry of North America.

3) The parents here are incredibly attractive.

4) The subway station. Although it is dirty and a little bit confusing (I find Paris's transportation system easier), you can take the subway to any district you want. You name it, Central Park, mitown Manhattan, Uptown, Downtown, Chelsea, Brooklyn, the Bronx.

5) Scott Schuman on Canal St. The Sartorialist. Enough said.

6) New York City is a foodie's heaven.

7) You can never be bored in New York City. The fact that there is so much culture in one small island is mind boggling. The multicultural population, the museums, historical monuments, the buildings, different ethnic restaurants.

8) A city made for walking. You can walk anywhere and the different districts/neighbourhood are accessible by foot. I love that.

9) The pizza in NYC is amazing. I haven't tasted pizza better than the ones I had in NYC in Vancouver.

Things to look forward to this week back home:


1) Catching up with friends this week. Martinis/chatter galore.

2) Unpacking my beautiful clothes and arranging them in my closet. Oh, that is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!! (Not sarcastic at all)

3) Paying off at least 2/3 of my debts this week. (Mostly shopping debts...heh...heh)

4) Loving the fact that I won't be spending too much money on drinks this week. Why? Because my tolerance has declined by 80%. I had two beers in New York and I was reaching my tipsy happy moment.

5) Getting back on track with my running. Tomorrow, I plan to get up and do a nice brisk run on the seawall. My body is not excited but my mind is.

6) Starting a new painting project. Hurrah to that!

Things I'm dreading this week:

1) Nervous that I won't be able to finish my running route tomorrow.

2) Job hunting. I haven't done that in so long...I don't even know where to start. Where to look, even. If anyone knows about any places looking in Vancouver, let me know. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Have a good night and a beautiful week, you little Vancouverites.

xoxo,

MK

Happy returns

Three more days until my return to Vancouver.

I can't wait to be surrounded by my beautiful friends and have a glittering night of martinis and an adventure out on the town.

Being on vacation is wonderful but I do miss a little bit of home.

I can't wait to get all dirty with paint when I arrive. Attending all these exhibitions and staring and admiring all these paintings has inspired me to create art of my own again.
It's about time I lift that brush up and paint something again. Inspired a little bit by Mondrian, Matisse and even de Kooning, I'm going to try to make something with more cubism, a bit of texture and grit and simpler shapes.That kind of talent is only a fantasy that may just stay only in my head but I'm going to try my damn best.

Besides, if these paintings are a success, maybe I'll gift them to some special people for their birthdays (wink).

I'm off to cut some cake and eat it too.

And thank you so much to all the readers who read these entries!

I'm going to steal a turtle from Central Park and name it "Shells"

I'm kidding about the stealing part but I really want a pet.

I literally stalked these two down 5th avenue to get a picture of them. Finally stopped them and asked them for a picture. 

Shake Shack. BEST BURGERS EVER.

Lincoln Center. Doo-dee-doo.

Juilliard. So pretty.

On our way to the MET museum and saw this. 

So happy, so happy. 

Loving this: My new glossy Paris edition of Vogue. Kate Moss is on the cover and I've resisted ripping the pages and laminating them on a poster board for my wall. Oh, I love her.

Not loving this: Silly me, I paid $15 for my Vogue magazine. Addicts! *sigh*

Not loving this 2: I'm dreading turning my phone on when I get home. Probably about 100+ emails/messages I'll have to delete. I'm not boasting or anything; I had to go through the same painful endeavour when I got home from France. There was so much junk mail and messages that it took me about 20-35 minutes to get rid of on my blackberry. Pain.

Center and Central

I am back. Sorry about that little blog hiccup. We've been busy with the outside world in New York City (and it's huge, as you all know).

This will be a short post because I am at the brink of cranky sleepiness where my body won't sleep but my mind wants to shut down.

The looming idea of going home brings up several questions in my head:
a) What will I do about my job situation when I go back home?
b) Should I just prolong my stay here longer as my mom offered to do so?
c) How will I start getting back in shape with my half-marathon training?
d) How in God's name am I going to bring back a 3 box load of new clothes from NYC without paying ridiculous amount of fees?
e) Can someone answer all my questions? My brain hurts right now.

After some humming, cocking of the head and the pursing of the lips, I decided to let these questions go for another time (in three days, perhaps) and just focus on tomorrow's events.

So tomorrow's short yet delicious itinerary:
- Wake up, do stretches/crunches (I haven't done them except ONCE on this trip, god help me)
- Breakfast, makeup
- Remind myself to not get so excited about Shake Shack's burgers for lunch
- Go to the MET
- Catch the train and celebrate cousin's birthday

To my slight embarrassment, I've spent nearly all my money in New York City. Museums, food, gifts and clothes.

Oh Gods, the clothes. I have bought many tasteful AND stylish outfits consisting of elegant Kenneth Cole dresses, heels and flats, a lot of sheer and shapeless shirts that I can accessorize, gold jewelry and some other embellished things I forgot about.

My head is killing me. The squinting of the eyes while I try to retrace all the things that I purchased is painful.

Good night.

Hang me up a Matisse, Picasso or a Delaunay piece.

These past two days have been such an enriching experience. Guggenheim and MoMA galore.

I've seen so many artists in two days. Extended my knowledge in the earlier and later works of Picasso, Delaunay, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Matisse, Kupka...etc.

My most inspiring pieces: 

Kupka's 'Planes'

Picasso's "Violin"

Delaunay's "Paris"

Not much else, really. The pictures will depict everything else that we've been doing in New York City. Meeting up with a friend tomorrow at noon at Union Square Park. Who knows what we'll end up doing. I feel like getting day drunk in Manhattan. How fun would that be? (On a very steep side note, I haven't drank in a month and a bit now. Maybe I should break the curve and have a martini tomorrow?)

Oh. Another thing... I know some of you may or may not have been wondering about how I'm dealing with my eating.

Firstly, I have not been maintaing my vegan diet. It's not that it's "difficult" but... I came here to experience every possible thing I can in New York City. I don't think it would be as pleasurable if I kept NYC pizza slices at bay.

I will be hopping right back into my cycle as soon as I come home though.

Secondly, I have been having triggers here and there with my eating disorders. I've been trying really hard to not hit that low. 

When I feel discomfort or that uncertainty with panic that follows, I smile and just think, "I'm on vacation. Give yourself a break, M."

I smile even more when I think of the days when I needed a crowbar to haul me out of the emotional shit-slumps. 

It gets easier with time.

I really do miss my morning routine at home though. Getting up at 6, running, kale/fruit smoothie, black coffee.

I leave you now with pictures of the past two days.

My beautiful, adorable mother.

Corn on Columbus Market.

Gnaw that corn, little one!

THE BEST COOKIE (if you like the extremely rich, crunchy on the outside, doughy in the core, gooey chocolatey goodness cookies) I've ever had. Well worth the trip and the $3.00

Me, proud of my cookie on the left. My sister's confused face on the right. "This cookie's HUGE!"

Only in America.

Stwuh-bewwy Fields.

Central Park.

My favourite newly found nutritional treasure. Purely organic.

Ingredients: Organic agave, sunflower seeds, buckwheat, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, millet, apples, sesame seeds, flax seeds, pecans, almonds cinnamon and sea salt. 

 MoMA pictures:

Lunch at Wicker Park

My hummus dish was appetizing.

Pretzel bread with grainy mustard.

Great salad. I will try to remake this recipe when I get home.

Tasteless, greasy, rich pasta. Blech.

Loving my fresh hummus.

Gagagagagagaa....Guggenheim. (Don't ask where the Gaga's game from)

Dinner at Nick's Pizza. Best Pizza in NYC Hunt Trial 3. 

Not that great. I'd give it 6/10. The pizza was bland with too little cheese and almost bitter tomato base. Meh. Not worth the trek.

We walk, we walk. Everywhere, we walk.

Guggenheim, stop being so masculine and sexy.

Loving this: My day tomorrow with A and my sister. I'm looking forward to it very much.

Not loving this: My skin is a disaster. I wish I brought my skin cream with me because it's breaking out like crazy. My skin is not fairing well with the polluted American air. Boo. The double-team of deep penetrating clinical face cream and daily moisturizer that give you that glow look would be perfect right about now. My skin feels no longer like a baby's bottom, a peach coloured cloud. Instead, it's pleasant as the texture of brail.

Not loving this 2: This room feels like a Russian sauna or something. Even though there isn't a big difference between Russian and Turkish or "insert country here" steam rooms.

Tips: 
- Penn Station has decent washrooms as well (aside from Starbucks)...
- People say that Nick's Pizza place is great (on upper east side 2nd and E. 94th) but it's really not worth the trip. It's bland and just your average saucy pizza. Not what I expected, at all.
- Best place to run in NYC, Park/Lexington/Madison Avenue all the way down to Central Park. Absolutely stunning view. I don't understand why everyone else isn't running around this city.
- Buy comfortable shoes for NYC. We, the subway-phobes, walk EVERYWHERE. We've walked from the tip of uptown to downtown in Manhattan and around and around for 8 hours straight. We personally enjoy the walk but some people may think it is a waste of time. Although I would never wear them as normal attire, I'm suggesting comfortable runners. Or a pair of well supported flats. Whatever works for you. I went with Converse (no support, whatsoever) but hey... Fashion is more important to me. :P