Glutton for Punishment...

Yup, I am not exactly sure what is going on with me recently... but I apparently like to wait until the last minute to start training.

With the Honolulu Century Ride, I had about 5 weeks to train for the event and yes... the Honolulu Marathon is coming up and I will have 6 weeks to train for the event.

It shouldn't be too bad hopefully, I just need to be focused and ready to work!

I can't believe it, this will be my 4th Honolulu Marathon.

Anyone else training for the Marathon?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Microlending - Make a Difference...

Microlending...

What is it?!  Microlending is a way for individuals in developing countries to borrow money for their business.  Most banks will not lend to individuals because they do not make money.  For as little as $25, you can lend your money to someone who can use it towards their business so they can sustain themselves and make a living.

Then, they pay you back in small increments.  Then when you get your $$ back you can re-lend it again.  I've been fortunate enough to a part of Kiva (My Kiva profile here!) for over 4 years and I've lent over $10,000 to individuals all over the world.  

What %% are you earning on your checking account?! Close to ZERO, I bet - so why not lend and make a difference.

Wanna know more about Kiva? Shoot me an email or post a comment!?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

eBay - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Apparently, 500 times...

A lot of people are apprehensive about buying things online, and I am not one of those people, I've purchased everything from computers, Blu Ray players, video games, cell phones, clothes, food, protein shakes, energy bars, running gear, etc.

Buying things online is great... a lot of merchants are cheaper online and offer free shipping and they are not obligated to charge state tax (eBay, Amazon, etc.)

Things that I recommend buying on eBay...

-Video Games

-Cell Phone accessories (chargers, cases, etc - super cheap!)

-CDs - want an old CD, eBay for cheap!

Other than that it is basically based on your level of comfort, I buy my running shoes on eBay (new) or Amazon and it's normally $50 cheaper than buying them at the store...

Well, speaking of eBay, I will be listing lots of things on sale in the near future!  Cleaning house!

If you want to check out what I'll have for sale... check out my LINK HERE!! (posting this week-ISH)

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

2011 Honolulu Century Ride Photos...

It just seemed like last week when I rode the Honolulu Century Ride, but it has been a couple of weeks already!

CLICK HERE... to read my blog on event day!

Well, the race day photos are out and I just wanted to share them with you...

This is basically in chronological order from race start to the finish.

I am surprised I am on smiles on this race.  Maybe I was excited that it was my first race, but I recall it being more painful that it appears to be.  o_O

Starting Line

Almost over Makapu'u

Somewhere in NALO!

Going back over Diamond Head...

Finish Line.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Naked for Cancer.

Aloha all...

Thanks for reading this special edition of my blog... 

This isn't the first time I got naked for cancer... to check out those pics... CLICK HERE...

Why today?  I think it was just time... that and I kept watching commercials of Pantene on Hulu +.

Pantene teamed up with American Cancer Society to raise awareness for Cancer.

Please click here for more details... 

Without further ado... Sorry so short, I've been blogging heaps this month, and its only the 9th!

So... Here are the pics as promised...

Before...

After...

Naked for cancer... Just a statement that my head is naked again...

What were you thinking!? o_O

Do you have 8" of extra hair to donate?

Please visit Pantene's website for information... (Link above)

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Monthly Challenge - 6 pack - Week 1

Wow... can't believe its been a week has past already!  Goes by Soo fast!

Where did this week go?!

Alright... 

My monthly challenge has been going great... 

I've completely cut off all of my former desserts and have switched to a lesser fat content based sweets... I am nom noming on Jello with whipped cream and of course rice krispies...

It is really easy to make and I think it taste way better than the ones you buy at the store premade.

If you need the recipe.. CLICK HERE 

Here is an updated torse picture with my abdominals...

I will be taking the picture Saturday morning after my breakfast shake.

Ok... so what have I been doing...

1) Focus on diet with lesser (bad) fats...

2) Increased workout with weights (to gain muscle and burn fat)

3) Target abdominal exercises to increase muscle in abdominal section...

Next week, I will include more into my exercise regime.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

1000 words - Canadian Edition

Alright, its time for another 1000 Words blog!  I can't believe I haven't written one in ages!

Ok... so 1000 words is basically taking a picture (recent or way in the past) and just trying to remember every single detail of the picture and the events.

I think we get caught up in daily life so much... that even when we have moments to look through an album and find pictures, we never really take the time to fully embody everything at that particular moment...

Ok, so here we go...

This picture was taken August 3, 2004.  Thanks to iPhoto, yes I really did not remember the date.. but I did remember many events that led to this particular picture...

First, this was the trip that I met my dad for the first time.  Long story short, I did some private investigating to find him and found three possible addresses, I mailed each one a postcard a little about myself.  Two of the postcards - I received back with return to sender.  One day, I did receive a letter with a copy of my birth certificate in there, and found that my dad was living in Long Beach.  

During this time frame, I was working for Hawaiian Airlines and Mortgage Brokers Consortium and my friends from Canada invited me back, so why not!?  I had flight benefits.  I figured, kill 2 birds with 1 stone - meet my dad for the first time and go on vacation with my best friend Eddie (who was living in San Diego at the time).  So my plan was take an overnight flight to LAX (on Hawaiian), meet with dad for breakfast and then catch a flight to YVR (on Alaska Airlines).

I remember getting off the flight with my heart racing (it was quite early - I would say around 6am) , all the years of not having him in my life... would he know it was me? what if we didn't get along?  There he was in a blue flannel jacket... I'd go into further details (we had Denny's for breakfast!), but i'll save that for another time... Needless to say, for those of you who know me very well, know that I love to laugh - well that's from my dad... 

Love you dad.

The trip was filled with excitement - of course - for those of us who have flown standby know how important timing is - and you guys know neurotic I am about being late - which I got from my mom.

My best friend Eddie was driving from San Diego to LAX to catch a flight with me...  If I recall correctly our flight was at 11:30, so of course, I had my dad drop me back off at the airport at 10:00... I had to check in and of course just to be a bit early.

So why did Eddie not check where to drop off the rental car before coming to LAX... I guess everyone in LA knows that the rental car places aren't actually at LAX... (hence tons of shuttles).  Of course, I'm panicking, losing my mind and Eddie finally shows up to LAX 30 minutes before our flight.  Lucky for us, we were flying on a weekday and there was no one else at security.  We got on the flight just fine and made our way to YVR.

While in YVR, my friends decided to take us hiking at Stawamus Chief in his mini - cooper... no not the new mini Cooper... the Original mini-cooper... quite surprising how roomy it was.  Ok, some random details...  I am not holding onto anything at all... I'm surprised I did this... (so dumb of me), I have some shots that shows exactly how high we were in the air...

Eddie was of course scared of heights and didn't really near to the edge... well sorta, but he was laying down crawling towards it... lol maybe this was my way of saying... look its not scary at all!

There was even a squirrel up there... up almost ate out of my hands, cute little booger.

I remember the air being cold, being crisp, the sky very blue, very peaceful...

On the way down I sprained my ankle. yey.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Before I Die...

I'm not necessarily sure why I felt the need to write this blog at this instant moment, since I'm suppose to be reading or doing something productive in relation to school, but I was inspired after going through my old website and findings this article...

Wired published this article on an artist candy chang, where she posted a huge chalkboard that states, “before i die, i want to...________” (CLICK HERE) and people in the community would write the things they wanted to do.

Funny thing is I made a similar list a while ago and I'm surprised how many of them I've accomplished...

I...
> learned how to swim
> learned how to ride a bike and even participated in a race!
> visited 6 continents (1 more to go!)
> am grateful to have the opportunity to do the things I've done.

I would re-write my list... but I'll be actually doing some cool things in the next 2-3 months...
> I'll be going hang gliding
> I'm taking a kite surfing lesson
> Getting my 4th tattoo

My big fear is deep water... so in the near future... I want to get my scuba certification and dive...  I want to take a month off and baby sit my nephew and my niece... I want to go on across the country bike ride and raise $$$ for a non-profit... I want to have everyone that I love at a big dinner party - where we can all eat and laugh...

I guess, I'm writing this blog to inspire YOU... it doesn't have to be something crazy adventurous, but plan something you've always wanted to do - Write it on a post-it & plan to do it in the next year.  No matter how small or big, or crazy.

Yes - what do you want to do... not your husband or your wife, or your kids, or your friends...

What do you want to do before you die?

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

October - Monthly Challenge!

Alright!  Today is October 1st and I am going to blog about my monthly challenge this month!

This month is probably one of the harder challenges I will be participating in...

Wait for it... Wait for it...

This month - I will get a 6 pack!  Yes - I am going to focus all my excess energy in getting a 6 pack!

I know you guys know that I work out a lot... yes that is true... but then you also know I have no inhibitions when it comes to food (that's pretty much why I work out - to eat everything without guilt).

I think the hardest part of this challenge isn't the physical part of exercising, but changing my habits when it comes to food.

So... what's the first part?!

ha! Show you guys what I had for dinner last night?!?  Yes, I had McD and it was soooo delicious. I ate every single fry and every single nugget and drank every single drop of the powerade (to offset the overdose in salt)

Yes - with 3 dipping sauces (guess which ones!?)

Showing you guys a before picture!!  We're going to need to get a before and after kinda deal going on... so here's a picture (taken on my iMac - 2 minutes ago!)  I'm in generally good shape from doing a lot of cardio - mostly cycling... in the near future - running will be incorporated into my workout and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of ABS...

Ok... well, the major component that I will have to change this month and hopefully a lifestyle change is my LOVE (j'adore) of fried foods and desserts!  Its my Kryptonite... I can eat a half gallon of ice cream for dinner!

This month, I will be sharing recipes to help me lose fat... and if you want to join me... please do so! post in the comments below!

When it comes to anything in life, I don't believe in depriving myself of anything... I call it the binge effect... If you stop ice cream for a month without substituting it for anything, as soon as it is over you will eat ice cream... This is why I think most diets fail, it sets you up for failure... there is no balance...

So... speaking of balance... I will not be denying myself of sweets - merely replacing my appetite for sweet things with a healthier alternative...

My first dessert alternative!?  Jello and whipped cream!  Yes! (don't buy the sugar free one - there isn't a lot of sugar in JELLO) and not having sugar - you'll crave for other sweets!

Yup, pretty easy... I don't think I have to share how to make this... the nutritional value is great - compared to ice cream or cake... Don't skimp on the whipped cream as well - most of these only have little to no fat!

If you're going to make JELL-O make sure you make different flavors... You don't want to be bored!  My favorite are Raspberry, Grape, and Orange!

6 - pack here I come!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.