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Oh hey – I’m at 15k

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My half-marathon is in 35 days. 35 DAYS! Where has the time gone? I thought I’d have forever to train but in just about a month I’ll be running 21k..whether I like it or not.

This morning I ran 15k (woo-hoo!) but, as much as I’m celebrating, it certainly wasn’t easy. Since I’m still getting used to the longer distance, I walked for half a kilometer mid-run to catch my breath. When I stopped, dehydration kicked in. My legs felt heavy and mouth got dry. For a brief moment I felt tempted to call someone to pick me up and drive me home (“MAAA CAN YOU COME GET MEEEEE?”). I wasn’t sure if my body could endure an additional 7k, especially without any hydration.

To calm myself down, I lifted my arms over my head, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When my body chilled out, I began running again. The more I motivated myself, the more I kept going.

Plus I had “Work Bitch” by Britney Spears on full blast, that helped too.

I knew if I stopped halfway I’d feel like a complete failure and if you’ve known me for awhile, you know how stubborn I can be. There wasn’t a chance I was going to give up that easily.

After running the full 15k, I felt AMAZING (despite almost collapsing but that’s besides the point). I was proud to have ran the full distance in 1h 41m. To me, that’s a great accomplishment. I still have to add an additional 6k on top of that but, we’ll get there..hopefully.

When I got home I immediately took my vitamins and ate a delicious avocado sandwich! Mmm, my fav.

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After I ate, I got a slight shiver and, in a matter of seconds, my body temperature dropped dramatically. I couldn’t stop shivering! How did all of the sudden my body went from being hot and sweaty to freezing?

After a brief Google search, I realized it’s my body “cooling off.” Since the weather is cooler, my sweat chilled after the run. Body temperature is different when you’re active, especially in the cooler weather. When you stop, your circulation doesn’t think it should keep you warm anymore, thus, the chills.

TIP to avoid post-run chills: Ditch any soaking wet clothes and get into something dry and cozy. It’s also recommended to have a warm drink or something sugary like Gatorade.

Well, at least now I know.

Who wants to be the lucky volunteer to hand me a thermal blanket for when I finish my race?

😉

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Beauty Crisis by Teen Vogue

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I have a special place in my heart for Teen Vogue. They were the first magazine to teach me at a young age that fashion and beauty are truly indispensable tools of self expression. I admire the fun, upbeat content as well as their helpful and honest advice for young girls and boys who strive for a career in fashion (cc Teen Vogue Handbook). They are also the publication who introduced me to my idol, Eva Chen (whom I declared my love for HERE, HERE and HERE).

Recently, Teen Vogue came out with a video series on YouTube called “Beauty Crisis” where Elaine Welteroth (Teen Vogue’s Beauty & Health Director) and Phillip Picardi (Teen Vogue’s Online Beauty Editor, although, now works as the Senior Beauty Editor at Refinery 29) work together and collaborate with vloggers on YouTube to help them with their beauty tribulations.

I absolutely love Elaine and Phillip together, they’re so entertaining, humble and pretty much everything I strive to be one day. Currently wondering how one can become friends with them.

Since I love their video series so much, I tweeted about it saying…

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To my surprise Teen Vogue, Elaine and Phillip all “favourited” my tweet and Elaine even went the distance and “re-tweeted” it for her 8,304 followers to see. So, did my coolness level go up 5 points? Orrrrrr..

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Summer List 2014 – ACCOMPLISHED GOALS

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SUMMER 2014 IS OVER! You know what that means…

I GET TO SHARE HOW MANY SUMMER GOALS I ACCOMPLISHED and unaccomplished THIS YEAR! If you’re not caught up, click HERE to read the summer list update I wrote in July. I completed all but one goal this summer (sensitive subject I don’t want to talk about it). Other than that, I crossed off everything else – pretty proud of myself!

ACCOMPLISHED SUMMER GOALS OF 2014

1. Go to an Asian grocery store and buy a cart full of unknown food, then haul it.

These were my favourite purchase from the day. Matcha Green Tea Kit Kat bars, if you haven’t tried them, what are you doing with your life.

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2. Make an ultimate summer playlist.
3. Watch an entire series of a TV show I’ve never seen before.

SUITS!!! I’m all caught up. 😉

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4. Volunteer.
5. Complete writing my book.

Ok, listen. Technically I didn’t finish writing a book but I’m going to tell you why I’m still crossing it off. I’ve learned that a writer is a sum of their experiences and when I write my first book, I’m meticulous when it comes to having it perfectly reflect the narrative I’ve been concocting in my head. I have an idea what I want to write, but I’m not ready to bring it to life. I will be a published author one day, there’s no doubt about it. Until then, leave me alone (I’m looking at you mom) because I’ll accomplish this when the moment is right.

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6. Join a fitness class.
7. Go to a concert.

I saw Miranda Lambert and honestly, it wasn’t the best. I love her regardless, but I wouldn’t pay to see her again. Thomas Rhett and Justin Moore (the acts who opened for her) were AMAZING and put on a better show.

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8. Participate in the “Color Me Rad” 5K run.
9. Buy a piñata.
10. Make my family a fancy dinner.

Marinated grilled chicken with cucumber-watermelon salsa and sweet potato fries. BOOM!

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11. Go see live theatre.
12. Buy an ugly oversized cat t-shirt and do a photo shoot.
13. Buy $50 worth of jewelry at Forever 21.
14. Attend a drive-in movie.

Saw Ghoustbusters at Fort York with my friend Emily. Lots of blankets and snacks in hand.

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15. Read all my Native American literature books.

The authors I read this summer, Richard Van Camp, Sherman Alexie and Thomas King, all wrote compelling and meaningful short stories. The best part were the no fillers, it’s always straight to the action (exactly how I like it IFYOUKNOWWHATIMEAN..I don’t even know what I mean, never mind).

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16. Use a really cheesy pick-up line on a complete (handsome) stranger. Must be filmed. 

HAHA! Mmmk. So, I made my friend do the dirty work because I’m a huge chicken (whatever, over it). Since she loves Harry Potter, she approached a cute Scottish guy with this beauty:

Friend: Have you ever heard of Platform 9 3/4?
Scottish guy: Yes
Friend: I can think of something with the exact same measurements.
Scottish guy: Oh it’s slightly bigger (although he pronounced it “biggahh” ’cause he was Scottish and all).

We realize the line is meant for a guy to say to a girl…..awell, it still worked!

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17. Go to the doctors for a check-up.

Being really sick last summer, I forced myself to go for a check-up. After getting my blood tested, the doctor said I have B12 deficiency. Lacking B12 can cause (among other things) weakness, fatigue, memory loss, etc. Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating enough meat, seafood, dairy products and eggs. Vegetarians and vegans usually lack B12 but, I am neither so I guess I have no excuse.

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18. Be a vegetarian for a week.

I was vegetarian for ONE day. I couldn’t do more than a day because, see above.

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19. Make a collage of all my favourite Summer 2014 photos and put it in a nice frame.

As I get older and continually try to feel my way through adulthood, I know one thing is constant in my life – my friends and family. I don’t show it or say it often myself, but receiving texts and phone calls in the middle of my day saying “I miss you” or “How is your day going?” means more to me than anyone will ever know. I constantly remind myself how lucky I am to have such a solid team – ya’ll are crazy and I love you for it.

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20. Move out.

*cries for days*
To be fair, this was a lofty goal. But…

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How to get over self-doubt

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In elementary school I was terrible at math. When it came to fractions, algebra or geometry I was never able to wrap my head around the concept of solving even the simplest of equations. It’s not for a lack of trying, I’d go to school early before the day began and forced my poor grade 8 teacher to sit down with me and explain her lessons one-on-one. When I didn’t understand, I got frustrated and was constantly upset because I was the only one in the class who was applying myself yet, not achieving results.

I’ll never forget the moment at my grade 8 graduation when my teacher handed out individual cards to the class with a personalized message. When I opened mine it said, “you can achieve amazing things Jessica, you just need to have a little more faith in yourself.”

In more situations than not, I still get self-conscious, nervous and expect the worse in every situation. Why? Because I’m human. We all have moments where we feel overwhelmed and insecure. However, I’ve learned over many years that how I think, feel, and the way I act is valid. When I came across this article from Fast Company I couldn’t help but share it with those who can relate. It speaks of breaking out of your shell and reaching your full potential.

“The trick is that I learned it’s completely fine to try and fail, to put yourself out there and not be perfect, to say hello to someone and have them not instantly love you, to create something and have people judge you. Failure, not being perfect, mistakes, not having people agree with me, not being completely accepted: These are not negative things. They’re positive. How is failure positive? It’s the only way we truly learn…until you try it and fail, you’ll never see where your lack of understanding is. When we can get better at this–which takes a lot of practice–we can start to remove the things that hold us back. And in this practice, you will find yourself. And realize that you were great all along.”

Sorry, I promise I’m not lecturing you nor do I want to sound like a parent asking you to “apply yourself.” I think it’s truly important to be reminded that every single one of us can achieve greatness, it’s just a matter of shutting up and believing it.

Even when the going gets tough, NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE! Like this goldfish, if she wants to be a shark, be a shark girlfriend. Keep the faith and let your freak flag fly.

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The visitor to the museum…

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“The visitor to the museum of Jurassic Technology continually finds himself shimmering between wondering at (the marvels of nature) and wondering whether (any of this could possibly be true). And it’s that very shimmer, the capacity for such delicious confusion, Wilson sometimes seems to suggest, that may constitute the most blessedly wonderful thing about being human.”

– Lawrence Weschler

I need this giant bunny

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Saw this photo on the ELLE UK Instagram page and I’m pretty sure I lost my cool.

I want this bunny. I want it now.

Once I settle down a bit (which will be in approximately 5…10…maybe 15 years from now), I’m going to purchase one and name her Marigold. She will be fierce, cuddly and be best friends with myself and Cleopatra. I can’t wait to start this wonderful, perfect family.

That is all.

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Bling It On: Romance

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My friend Glam Mandie gifted me a “Nails Inc. Bling It on Bow & Crystals – Romance” set last year and I haven’t opened it up..UNTIL NOW!

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I don’t know why it’s taken me an entire year to open this sucker, probably because I was intimidated by 3-D sparkly gemstones sticking out from my nails. However, the whole 3-D nail trend has been red hot so I thought I’d attempt to fit in with the cool kids and give it a go.

The nail glue included within the kit is seriously NO JOKE! It sticks those gems and bows on like super glue (is it actually super glue? I wouldn’t be surprised). The day I placed them on my nails I made guacamole, emptied the dishwasher, did my laundry, cleaned my room and took a shower – NOTHING FELL OFF! (Side note, can we acknowledge how productive of a day I had?)

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Which brings me to my main concern…

NOTHING FELL OFF!

Not too sure how I’m going to remove them but, we’ll get there when we get there. Ugh, the downfall of having pretty, sparkly nails. If you’ve ever painted your nails with pure glitter polish you know that deep regret, turmoil, cotton pads and remover you go through to get them off. This will probably be the same situation, only, I have to be careful to not pull my entire nail, finger or arm off or something.

Whatever, it’s all worth it, right?

How can I stay mad when every time I go to text, I get to admire pretty sparkly bows!

Priorities.

As a base coat, I used Essence nail polish in Peaches & Cream, which is like, $3 at your drugstore and it’s honestly one of my favourite shades of all time.

Let me know what you think! Do you love?

Robin Williams Remembered

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The passing of Robin Williams has impacted all of us. He was one of few actors of our time whose passion and talent made the viewer laugh though his various roles that dealt with loss and love. I owe so much of my childhood to him through the lessons he taught, the laughs he gave, and more importantly, the hope he instilled.

“Please, don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting. And if you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day, make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular.”

“There’s three things in this world that you need: Respect for all kinds of life, a nice bowel movement on a regular basis and a navy blazer.”

My mom is writing as a guest contributor today. She met Robin in Toronto during the winter of 1977 when he was a guest on a CBC talk show before his Mork and Mindy fame. This is how she remembers him:

“The clothes he is wearing in this photo are the same suspenders and shirt he wore in the series Mork & Mindy. When he performed this night, he played that alien. He had make-shift alien glasses made out of two spoons connecting on the bridge of his nose and holes cut out in the middle for his eyes to see through. I remember when he was on stage thinking to myself, ‘this guy is great, he is really funny.’ He was full of energy and talked so fast and we, the audience, were laughing so hard we could hardly breathe.

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When the show was over, we had just minutes before the guests were taken off of the set. I was the only one in the audience who went directly to him and found him to be shy and quiet. He said he liked my alien jacket and we both laughed. I asked for his autograph and took a photo with him, and I’m glad I did. I still have that autograph and photo in my room.

Robin has always been a favourite actor/comedian of mine and I would enjoy any performance he was in. He was kind enough to say hello to that young girl in this photo and to this day, I still look up to him. That young girl inside this older body still smiles when she sees images or performance of his. The world is a sadder place today, when the person who made the world smile and laugh, has fallen.”