Rowing...without the row

So again, I mentioned that i bought resistance bands recently.. I've always wanted to try rowing but i was always a little intimidated by the machine itself. At my gym, there's only one machine. I was google reading and came across this post which lead me to this post which tells me about the below:

Rowing with resistance bands! How perfect is this?

Step 1: Sit up straight on a mat with your legs slightly bent out in front of you. Holding the ends of the resistance band in each hand with the edges tucked inside each fist, hinge forward from the hips -- about 40 degrees with arms extended -- to stretch it around the balls of your feet. Brace with your legs.

Step 2: Swing the back and core open. Lean back and pull your arms back (last!), almost like you're rowing a boat. It's as if you're trying to squeeze a pencil between your shoulder blades, while keeping your shoulders down and your back straight. You may not have the machine's sliding seat, but you're bracing your legs with the band. Release slowly and repeat.

*The Indo-Row 3x3 Technique has a specific order: On the "Drive" engage the legs, core, then arms and on the "Recovery" allow the arms to return first, lean forward with the core and, finally, let the legs come up a little.

Do 20-30 reps, 4-6 times.

Who's downloaded.. i mean bought Watch the Throne from Jay-Z and Kanye? I thought it was a pretty decent album.. minus a song or two..or three.

Anyway, Eli shared a review on twitter (read here) it's the funniest shit you'll ever read!

For example, regarding the track called Made in America, here's his review:

"11. Made In America (ft. Frank Ocean) - First of all son....Lionel Richie called from 1986 n said he wants his song back yo. Word. Sade jus holla'd on twitter to say this shit is soft as fuck namsayin. I think Elton John wants to conceive babies to this joint b. Drake said he gon soak in his lotion pool to this shit rite here for like a week son. I think Wiz Khagina is scissorin wit Amber Rose to this shit rite now as we speak yo. I heard this shit gon be used for the next Gwyneth Paltrow movie too. I dont kno how the same nigga that did Who Gon Stop Me had anything to do wit this shit but apparently he did nahmean. This shit sounds like two niggas hang glidin over the ocean together at sunset holdin hands son. I think this is bout to be on Yung Berg's yoga playlist. I cant fuck wit this shit at all b. This shit is like audio lesbian comin out my speakers son."

scattered trees / love and leave

Scattered Trees / Love and Leave from Scattered Trees on Vimeo.

Barque Smokehouse

I went to Barque on Ronces!! I'm so happy this place is close to my work :) It's a smokehouse and they serve up some amazing pulled...everything sandwiches!!! Menu isn't that expensive either :) Read user reviews here! For now, i'll review through pictures :)

(l to r, t to b) cuban corn, pulled chicken salad, smoked trout sandwich, barque burger, pulled chicken sandwich, cutlery on the patio, free cajun popcorn, beef brisket sandwich, lunch menu, tomato gazpacho

299 Roncesvalles Ave
Toronto, ON M6R 2M3
Neighbourhoods: Roncesvalles, High Park

Some ab work outs

So i mentioned in my previous blog post that I recently bought some resistance bands from winners for $10! comes with 3 different bands.. Light, medium and heavy. I tend to use just the medium and heavy ones because the light one seems very thin and i don't feel like i'm working much out :P

I was googling some exercises using these bands and i came across some ab workouts! Basically, i need to study these so i can do these at the gym! I tend to forget what i should do and end up not remembering what i should've done instead.









Click here for a few more exercises!

My Gym Routine

So first things first, I think I'm going to actively try to start blogging again.. Just about anything and everything of course.. I enjoy doing beauty product reviews, restaurant reviews, etc. It'll also be a good way for me to share (with myself) what I've been doing with my life!!

Anyway, recently Julian linked me to a blog called Fat Loss Ninja -- a guy from Toronto writes a series of blog posts about fitness and stuff like that... I've recently started going to the gym again (yay me!) because i need to lose some serious weight!

This blog is interesting -- he talks about Intermittent Fasting. Yes, i know this sounds crazy but i think it'll work! There are two types: 24 Hour Fasts or the 16-8 Fasts (fast for 16 hrs, then eat within 8 hrs, repeat). (more info here). So i thought to myself.. this 16-8 fast shouldn't be that hard.. I never used to eat breakfast (i still don't really), and my first meal of the day would be lunch! The only thing is, he advocates that i should have 3 full meals within that 8 hour time frame.. HMM.... that might be a challenge. I would normally juts eat Lunch and then Dinner. But i think i can pack some extra food to eat at 4.. head to the gym at 6 .. come home for dinner.. yeah that sounds good..

So we'll see how this works out..

My current gym routine at about 3 times a week is:
- 30-40 minutes of cardio at the gym
-30-40 minutes of free weights, barbells and dumbbells.

I used to go to pump classes (les mills!) at goodlife, so i try to remember the different types of exercises with the barbells that is done so i can do them myself. I may need to go to another class or two to refresh my memory! The most I can remember are the squats, working out the triceps and biceps, and yeah.. i think thats about it.. seeing that there aren't too many exercises for the abs with barbells and dumbbells! :)

I also bought a set of resistance bands (theyre like dynabands -- no handles!) so when i come home from the gym, im trying to do another short circuit of workouts at home with these bands. I don't really want to be carrying so much equipment to the gym.

Another interesting thing that i've discovered about myself is that i don't necessarily need headphones at the gym to listen to music or watch TV. I think its too much of a distraction for me and i tend to just "slow down" during the TV program and then i'll run during commercials.. This is no good. Commercials are only 2 minutes long.. at most! i need to run more!!
So instead of listening, i just concentrate on my 30 minute routine... Interval training is key! so in my mind, i break up my 30 minute runs into 3 thirds.

1:00-3:00 - walk at 3.5 and incline at 8.0 or 9.0 (if you run at an incline, it will help you run faster. Incline running/walking also tone your calves i think!)
3:00 - 8 - run at 5.5 or 6.5 and incline at 1.5
8:00-9:00 - run at 7.5 or 8.0 and incline 1.5 (here comes the "sprinting"!)
9:00-10:00 - walk at 3.5 and incline 3.0 or 4.0.. and just cool down a bit...

and then repeat this 3 times till you run for 30 minutes! For me, i don't mind if i run over 30 minutes, as long as i burn at least 300 calories. I know i know... calories on these cardio machines are NOT ACCURATE! (yes, its true!! i think... ) but it gives me a general guideline at least :) It also makes me feel better about myself because after this cardio session, anything i do after should be burning fat... right?

Tales of a Tech Love

The first time I laid eyes on an android phone was when my friends purchased the HTC G1! Yeah!! the pop out screen with keyboard, the ability to move your icons WHEREVER you wanted on your screen?? amazing! i knew i had to get my hands on one of those..

so i bought it:


it was the best phone i've had in awhile!

a year goes by and i decided to get an upgrade!! So i decided to keep the keyboard aspect and landed myself one of these:



another year has gone by and it's becoming slower and slower with the growing number of apps and finally now i have this!!:



i must say, i LOVE ANDROID!!!

i don't think i could ever break up with Android... i'm hopeless! but looking back on this, i can see how my relationship with Android is an everlasting and growing thing..

it's beautiful, really.

Winter Gloves! with Whale Tooth @ The Horseshoe

The xx at Massey Hall (opened with Warpaint)

We Are Scientists

sick concert at the Horseshoe Tavern last night! they started at about 11:10 and didn't finish till about 12:30 and it was wild.. people jumped on stage at the last song...amazing!! i bought a tee from Keith Murray, the lead singer and he's super nice! Great set list too! a good mix of the first, second, and third album...they did play Ghouls though.. not too fond of that song at all :S and normally after i hear it live, i'll start liking the song...but still don't like it!

oh well.. Chris Cain was super cool! i love him! literally stood beside the speaker.. note to self, do not go towards the sides! but luckily i still didn't come out deaf! man, what a great concert.. LOVE small concerts like this!

doesn't anyone stand on their own two feet anymore? or does everyone expect to be spoon fed every minute of their lives?

interesting morning adventure

Holy moly.. crazy morning

1. Leave the house, walked halfway to the bus stop, realized I forgot my headphones

2. Go back home, get my headphones, walk back to the bus stop

3. Realized I forgot ym wallet, so I go back home AGAIN to get it

4. Get on the subway .. and then at PAPE station they announce that thers a personal injury (I bet someone jumped) and they close off pape to st George station.. AAh

5. Get off at pape.. takes me 20 minutes to get OUT of pape station and thers a HUGE crowd just waiting to get on shuttle busses.. so I decide to walk

6. Walked from pape station to castle frank station.... took a nice picture off the bloor bridge over bayview and dvp :)

7. Got on the subway and finally got to work just after 10am lol

8. Now im enjoying a sausage eg mcmuffin (no butter).. :D do I even need to go to the gym today? hahaha

career changes

got myself a ft job :) as a "software professional" aka qa analyst?

first day sucked balls.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

woohooo 2009 was GREAT!!!!!!!! let me do a recap..

- Finished school in May

- went to Cuba with friends in April

- went to Alaska with parents in April

- convocation in june!! received my DEGREE!!!! WOOT!!

- Got my first full time contract job at CIBC Mellon

- Enjoyed many outings with friends as per usual :)

- got to reunite with my cousins after YEARS of not seeing them!

WOW didnt'r ealize how little i did..either that or i just dont remember much of anything lol...

its okay.. i think graduating was probably the biggest accomplishment!!

i hope 2010 brings me something good..aka an IT full time job... -___- or a trip to europe :):)

BYE 2009 HI 2010!

needing

so pretty

Memories

i started watching some of the videos i recorded on my camera when i went to the Metric concert..and it was AMAZING :) brings back memories! it was such a great concert..too bad i was in the upper balcony, otherwise i wouldve been able to score some great photos of Emily Haines up close and personal! as well as record the greatest videos ever!!!

i was in the middle of uploading my video and then i realized there was a blurb saying that this was totally illegal :( BAH

hmmm what else.. i just wanted to say that i'm really happy with my boyfriend :) i have to let it out somewhere and i decided i should maybe put it on a blog for the world to read..although i'm pretty sure i don't get many hits! WIN! but anyway, i just feel that we're both so compatible in so many ways...and that i'm so lucky i was introduced to him... he's THE biggest goofball ever...but i love that about him...even though sometimes i do get tired of his jokes..(haha yes .. i really do)... almost everytime after i think that, i say to myself..."are you crazy? how can you be sick of his jokes? if he didn't make jokes, he'd be your typical, boring, boyfriend" and immediately, i snap out of it and am captured again by his humour. that's whats so different about him. he never stops! and i think thats what keeps us going. its safe to say that for me, every single time i see him.... (yes, EVERY SINGLE TIME), i say to myself.. i love this guy..and i get the BIGGEST smile on my face.. and it's something i can't help either... it's so rare that we get into fights.. i don't even think we've ever gotten into a huge one...but fights happen and we get over it. mind you, some of these fights are because of my stupidity, but he's still there. beside me through thick and thin. I'm really glad we get along so well. he's everything i could ever ask for. i LOVE how i can talk about fashion with this guy and totally understand what i'm talking about. how many boyfriends can you do that with? and i'm not talking about just "oh do you like this shirt?" kind of talk.. we talk about our favorite fashion bloggers and stuff..and this is a huge deal for me because i can't even talk to my girl friends about my favourite bloggers..or the fact that we would both take pictures of ourselves and our outfits and post them on the internet! i kept that secret to myself and him for such a long time because i was scared of what other people would think of me!!.. hahaha ok this is starting to sound lame... the point i'm trying to make is that i'm so happy we have things in common to talk about and that we never run out of things to say to each other. i can be myself 100% with him... i think its safe to say that we treat each other so well with equality.. he lets me pay for things and he lets me do what i want to do.. he doesn't tell me what i can and can't do..he lets me do things i want and he trusts me. i can honestly say that i've never thought about dating another guy or seeing someone else because i'm always comparing these people with him and it really can't get much better than that.. i think our spark just gets brighter and brighter and i'm SO excited to (hopefully) spend the rest of my life with...this is just the beginning and thinking about the future just makes me so happy :) i think this is starting to sound like a creepy psycho profession of love/obsession...its not.. i'm just doing this for fun and step back and just realize what i've got..and i realize that i'm pretty damn lucky.

you mekk me heppy "less than three" kekekekekekkekekke

amazing

!!!@#$!@#$!

i pre ordered teh ps3 slim :):) waiting for it! im so excited!

also bought an ipod touch :):)

so excited for all my new toys to come...that should do the trick to keep myself entertained since i always seem to have free time

fuck if its not school i'm dealing with its soemthing else.. THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING IN THE FUCKING WAY. its not YOU who's paying for it.. IT'S ME.

by far the saddest thign i've ever seen, who knew a 50 second video would make me cry so hard.

we love you michael. you'll be with us forever. <3

employed

So...i didn't get the job at Truition...but thats okay.. enjoyed my first week at CIBC ..its alright..not too bad kinda boring now cuz its just training..but imsure i'll pick up soon!! its all good!!!!

R.I.P

Rest in peace Michael Jackson... even though you turned a little crazy near the end of your life, we all still loved you and your music. you inspired MANY and will definitely live on through your music...YOU ROCKED!!!

status update on LIFE

SO.. i guess based on my last real blog post, i still hadnt found a job? well, i've got one now!!! here's the situation, i got the one from CIBC..position is a client and advisor specialist.. i basically follow "instructions" sent from clients (which are other companies) and do what they tell me to with their money..so i help monitor and facilitate their funds and stuff liek that..pensions trades..etc.. i dunno.. FINANCE IS BORING AND CONFUSING..but its a 6 month contract, no benefits, i make about 15k for the 6 months im there....

on the other hand, i just had my 2nd interview with a company called Truition as a Web Usability/QA Analyst. they help build ecommerce websites for such clients as MLB, Sirius, Phillips, NBC, etc....my job is to TEST the website before it goes live.....sounds pretty exciting because they say they're getting more and more busy.. also makes sense.. these days, ecommerce is doing much better than brick-and-mortar stores correct?? its definitely a growing trend right now in the retail industry. ANYWHO this is a permanant full time job..probably with benefits and stuff like that.. so yeah..

i find out today or tmr if i get the job...and first day at cibc is on monday.. :| if i get the truition one, im quitting cibc.. not sure what to tell them or how im going to go about doing it yet.... :S says in the contract that they need a 10 day written notice..... sooo yeah . does email count as written?? LOL...

other than that...not much else going on really... life is beginning :(

my convocation was last week..woot! my brother's was yesterday... WOOT..

sneaking in an EDGEFEST photo :) metric was awesomeeeeeeeee along with the stills, billy talent... dang

WE DONE!

gahhhhh

stressed and easily annoyed

still nothing

damn i shouldn't have came back to my blog for a revisit... just seeing those cuba and alaska pictures make me MISS MY VACATIONS LIKE CRAZYYYYYYY fuck cuba was amazing
and then alaska...was just pure relaxation.. no care in the world!!!!

ugh..its about week 4 of my job hunt... i've had 2 interviews this week...for CIBC Mellon...not exactly what I had planned for myself..but its a 6 month contract and hey! it pays! i do have an interview though this monday for a company called Truition. i hope i get that one instead... :S we'll see what happens i guss..its about time people start callign me back!! UGH i really need money

anyway aside from that miserable life stuff, bbq this weekend!! the first of the summer!! for me at least... well does bbqing burgers for dinner and eating insdie count??? :S nahhhhhhh this weekend's weather is gonna be beautiful.. TODAY is definitely hyping it up for me :)

woot

being unemployed

being unemployed sucks.. i have no one to talk to cuz everyone's at work.. by being employed, i'll have new friends to talk to while i'm working... :( i also make money :(

Status update

HA!. status update... my status is currently SEARCHING FOR A JOB!!! someone help meeeeee! i feel like i've applied to everything.... so my next step is to visit corporate websites!

anyway, i miss travelling.. haha i nkow i didn't go to many places but i miss having something to do!! cuba was amazing!!!!! :D and alaska was just at the other end of the spectrum! SO GORGEOUS!!! gah cuba AND alaska were so breath taking... i mean, things they see EVERYDAY is just so amazing to me!! gah... stupid toronto and zero nature.....

ever since i came back though, i must say, i've been feeling so relaxed (minus the stress from job hunting)..everythings going well!! i like things the way they are.. (minus the no income) LOL.... i hope every one's doing good too!

things i want to do in the summer

OK! time to somewhat plan out some goals for the summer!

• go to yogoberry cuz it looks so delicious
• go to taste of danforth (is that in the summer?)
• get a job
• get my g license
• graduate
• celebrate my birthday (with a bang!)
• watch the boxset for several tv shows (hopefully with someone... anyone??)
  

hahaah ok this list isnt as good as i thouhgt...but the license, job, and yogoberri are pretty solid goals hahaha :)

btw....i'm going to cuba.. what medicine should i bring if my stomach is feeling uneasy?? is that what peptol bismol is for?? are there any PILL substitutes?

almost there!

gah! finished my second exam today!!! just one take home due and my marketing one left to go!!! SO EXCITED..these 4 years went by SO fast and i can honestly say i had a better time in univ than in high school... met much better friends that i can probably call real LIFE friends... :)

on the other hand theres this stupid show on MTV ..reality show ... of course. called College life... and these kids think its gonna be SOO DIFFERENT... maybe it is in the states...but..who nkows... they hype it up so much.. and they look so OLD...!!! *sigh* do i wish i was a freshman again? nahh..well sorta.. :(

us against the world

"if the sun shuts down and decided not to shine no more
i would still have you
if we see the last day and they say we gotta go to war
i'll be fighting with you"
- christina milian

such a good song!

first exam tomorrow! and i am shitting bricks... 2 books.. and i havent even touched the second book :( good thing its open book...but that just means i KNOW i wont be able to finish on time! i better write fast :(

Officially starting the countdown!

28 more days!!!!!

GAh.. I can't believe it. LOL hmm yeah.... all just words. To be honest, this whole "i'm done post-secondary school. i'm done all schooling. been in school for 16 years and now its all over"..... all hasnt hit me yet.. we'll see how this countdown progresses.. and you'll be able to read as i go along..

here's what i predict, im just gonna get angier and more stressed with stupid people...but then i'll shortly realize...it's the last i'll ever have to deal with it... i'm could SLACK off and not study as hard...but knowing me, i'll study just the same, and just slack a little bit. we'll see whata happens

so far, though, i know i have 1 small assigment left, 1 term project due..(a website i'm working on) and a presentation for my year end project... and then exams... not too bad. i think i can do it without too much stress....

all i gotta think about is how excited i will be for my trips!!!

yeah yeah yeahs

everyone also needs yeah yeah yeahs in their lives :)

IT'S BLITZ!!

one of the worst

shiet... so i had an essay due today at 9am.. guess what time i woke up? 9:10am... from a text from jeff.. how did i wake up from a text msg tone that was like .. less than a 1second long... and not to a LOUD LONG BUZZING alarm tone?! did it not go off?? AAH I DUNNO

so i basically rush out.. im on the bus by about 9:15-9:20 (yea i get ready FAST...) and i get downtown by 10:15.... i went to the classroom to see if he was lingering around..he wasnt there :( so my next alternative was to find his office hours and go there... thankfully angela looked up where and when he was teaching next..and THANKFULLY he was teaching a class today at 10-12.. so i rushed over..and here i am now..sitting outside his next classroom.. its 11:03am.. and im waiting for him to call a break so i can slip in and hand it in. and explain that im from his previous class...or wait till 12 and wait till hes done lecturing altogether... UGH..

oh yea... i'm sure most of you know about my giant paper clip hanging on my bag?? well yeah.... i heard it drop at finch station :(:( and i couldnt turn back and look for it.. i couldnt risk it :(:( SO LONG GIANT PAPER CLIP :(:(

fantasies

everyone needs metric in their lives.. new album guy! woot!