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Friday Shares
Funny reviews for a disastrous toy.
Epic Lip Sync Battle featuring JGL.
Cooooool
Funny SNL skit about dating apps.
A live medley of disney songs by Jeremy Jordan
Cool photos above and below the water
The most popular podcasts of 2015
My chance at a Victoria’s Secret model body?!
What We are Watching
Natisha
I rarely watch television consistently but this is a rare one that I’ve kept up with. The episodes are short and sweet while being entertaining and endearing. I’ve grown to love Mindy Kaling and getting to know her through her books has made her character in this show, Mindy Lahiri, much more interesting.
Lauren
Usually Rob and I keep up with about two shows at a time on Netflix & Master of None has been a great addition. It has been filling the void that was left behind by Parks & Recreation. Aziz Ansari does a good job of addressing current social issues with a comedic approach.
Lucy
When this show was added to Netflix, I instantly binge watched this. It didn’t last very long because it was so intense. I have been keeping up to date with the current season and I’m so hooked! I love it. I’m always into the criminal shows and this show’s a different perspective of the legal system.
Helen
After hearing multiple recommendations from my friends, I decided to give The Flash a shot. Only 10 minutes into the first episode, I was hooked. It only took me a handful of days to watch all the available episodes on hulu! The finale to the first season was SO CRAZY!! The second season just started and I’m still obsessed!
Half Marathon Training
We signed up to run a half marathon on Thanksgiving Day morning! We’re excited to be running it together but training has not been easy. Today, we wanted to share what each of us have been doing to train.
Natisha A few weeks before signing up for the Thanksgiving Day half marathon, I had signed up for the Big Sur Half Marathon which was this past weekend! I have yet to decide whether this idea was a good one or bad one.
For the Big Sur Half, I casually trained using some marathon training guides online but wasn’t as strict as I would have like to have been. Being that our run is only a couple weeks out, I will aim to do some shorter runs but hope to let my body recover a bit. Some photos from my weekend run below.
Lauren I have been trying my best to keep up with the Nike+ coach for half marathon training, but it requires 5 days of running. I was keeping up pretty well, until the days have gotten shorter & wetter. Recently, I’ve been doing this terrible thing where I skip all of my shorter run days & then just run the longer runs. It definitely makes the recovery time longer & more painful, so I’m working on fitting in short runs as well.
Lucy I have been running around at least 20 miles a week, but last week, I injured my back so I’ve been taking it easy. Since I usually like lifting and running takes a long time, I’ve been doing long runs 2-3 times a week and still getting in my lifts the other days of the week. I haven’t been training outside so I will start that soon since the weather is cooling down!
Helen I have not begun training yet... :D
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Do you guys have any tips or words of wisdom to share?
We will be sure to share photos afterwards but in the meantime, wish us luck!
Big Sur Half Marathon
Beautiful run sights! The views and weather could have not been more perfect.
There was a part of the run that goes into a tunnel. It was awesome with lights and party music!
This is me! Mr. Bong captured this as we passed each other on the route. The shadow in the lower left is his. :)
Us after the run <3
Mr. Bong getting a compression massage in the recovery tent.
The awesome group of friends we shared the experience with!
[Photos from various friends]
Our Week in Review
Our past week in photos...
Natisha
My fig tree has new growth! The little baby leaves are adorable. :)
Chilly weather calls for hot pot. Hot pot has the power to warm your soul. Also, it is a great way to increase fiber intake!
Lauren
This week, in Seattle, we really started feeling the shift to Fall weather. The shorter days & rainier weather seems as if it is here to stay, but the changing leaves have been quite a treat.
We ended the work week by hosting some friends over for a combination celebration of Rob’s 30th birthday, our housewarming, and halloween. It was so much fun planning, hosting and hanging out, but I’m definitely bummed that I failed to take more than a handful of photos.
Lucy
The weather is finally feeling like fall! It was rainy and cold a few days ago, so I decided to make yummy ground turkey chili. It really kept me warm and cozy while I watched some Netflix and cuddled with my pups.
For the last three halloweens, I’ve been taking on the challenge of carving pumpkins. This year I carved Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy! It turned out okay and it didn’t take as long as my first pumpkin. PROGRESS!
Helen
HALLOWEEN!!! I absolutely adore Halloween! Dressing up, eating candy, drinking warm beverages—the whole shebang! :D
Never going to get over these California sunsets :)
October Favorites
Hi there! It’s been a while. How is it November already?!
During out hiatus, we discovered some new favorites for this month and wanted to share them with you.
TJ pumpkin crackers
I’ve been a huge fan of Trader Joe’s Fig & Olive Crisps for some time now and when I spotted these, I had to try them. They are so good that I finished the box in just a few days. They are the perfect autumn version of my favorite snack!
Running socks
The running shoes I was wearing kept cutting into the back of my ankles so I thought I’d give running socks a try. I got these because they were under $5 and well reviewed on Amazon. They are awesome! A bit bright for my taste but they are well cushioned and the lip on the back protects my ankle. Good find, indeed.
Sulwhasoo Cleansing Oil
I received this as a gift from a friend and it has become a favorite! Easy to use and non-drying, I use it as the first step in my double cleansing process. I’ve already gotten a few bottles to gift during the holidays.
Foam Roller
Where have you been all of my life, foam roller? Don’t use it as often as I want but when I do, it is great! Love love love using it after a long run. Can’t wait to learn more ways to use it soon. Maybe I will share my favorite ways to use it on here one day.
Nike+ App
One of my main focuses last month has been training for a half marathon, so this app has been really handy. Having a way to setup & track monthly challenges with my sisters has kept me motivated & it has helped me keep up with my goals.
Revlon Black Cherry Lipstick
As the weather cools down & the skies turn gray, I like to incorporate in lipstick into my daily routine & this one has been a favorite for awhile.
Brooks Ravenna 6
As mentioned above, I have been spending a lot of time running & the most important gear in running is your shoes! So I invested some time and money for a good pair & it has definitely been paying off.
Teavana Tea Tumbler
The insulating capability of this tumbler is AMAZING. I’ve been making ice coffee in the morning & when I go to drink it in the afternoon, there are still ice cubes!
Gu energy gel
While I was training for my first half marathon, I saw a lot about gu energy gel, but I never really looked into it and I didn’t enjoy the fruity flavors. Now that I’m in a Sport Nutrition class, I learned how to properly refuel my body during my long runs! These are PERFECT for that because they are straight carbs that get absorbed really quickly and prevent your body from breaking down lean muscle! I would definitely recommend the chocolate outrage flavor or the salted caramel!
G-U-M soft picks
You are probably thinking that this is a really random favorite, but I HAVE BRACES! These are perfect to carry around and make sure that I don’t embarrass myself with food in my teeth. These are great!
Power crunch bars
I have been nomming on these bars as a snack during my busy days. They are a great source of protein and also some fat! The macro-nutrients for these are awesome and they are really yummy. I would recommend the peanut butter creme flavor.
Audible app
During my training for my previous half marathon, I realized that I really didn’t enjoy listening to music while running. I learned that I’m a huge fan of listening to books or podcasts because it doesn’t ruin my pace! Audible is great because I can link my amazon account. The best part is that it distracts me from all the pain and being super bored. I also love listening to books during my commutes to and from school.
Odd Future
I’ve recently ran out of new music to listen to so I decided to look around on Spotify. I saw that Tyler the Creator was recommended for me. Then I remembered that my friends actually used to listen to him about 3 years ago so I decided to listen to a few of his tracks. I instantly became infatuated with his style and decided to keep digging. That’s how I got onto the Odd Future page, a rap group led by Tyler. I am in love with their last album, The OF Tape Vol.2.
Oversized Hoodie
For quite some time now, I’ve been wanting to invest in an oversized, fluffy hoodie. While shopping with Natisha a while back, I found this glorious item at H&M and instantly knew I needed it on my body 24/7. It has a massive hood, a giant pocket and soft interior lining. Totally worth the cost.
The Same is Lame Hat
I got this hat last summer in Korea and I still love it. It’s from Pharrell William’s I AM OTHER line and it’s so easy to just throw on. It matches very easily with a pair of denim jeans and a gray shirt, and now with my gray hoodie if it’s cold out.
Adidas Superstars
I’ve been wanting these shoes for months and just a few weeks ago asos finally restocked my size! As soon as I saw that it had been restocked, I ordered a pair right then and there. I absolutely adore them. They easily match my all black outfits and bring a pop of white to lighten up the look. I’ve been wearing them every since they came in!
Personality Test Results
Thinking that we all have pretty distinct personalities, we took this personality test for fun! We wanted to see how different we are and how accurate this personality test really is.
The test is used to characterize on four bases: Extrovert/Introvert, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. We were a bit surprised by the results, to say the least! See how each of us scored below.
Natisha: Extravert(16%) iNtuitive(19%) Thinking(9%) Judging(38%)
Famous ENTJ’s: Margaret Thatcher, Whoopi Goldberg, Dave Letterman
Most Accurate Assessment: ENTJs have a natural tendency to marshall and direct. This may be expressed with the charm and finesse of a world leader or with the insensitivity of a cult leader. The ENTJ requires little encouragement to make a plan.
Least Accurate Assessment: ENTJs are often "larger than life" in describing their projects or proposals. This ability may be expressed as salesmanship, story-telling facility or stand-up comedy.
Lauren: ENTJ - Extravert (16%) INtuitive (19%) Thinking (6%) Judging (19%)
Famous ENTJ’s: FDR, Jim Carrey, Steve Jobs
Most Accurate Assessment: “ ENTJs often find themselves in occupations that require good analytical and planning skills. ENTJs build successful careers in the areas requiring considerable organizational skills and intellectual efforts, presenting a challenge, and calling for creativity."
Least Accurate Assessment: “When challenged, the ENTJ may by reflex become argumentative. Alternatively (s)he may unleash an icy gaze that serves notice: the ENTJ is not one to be trifled with.”
Lucy: ENTJ - Extravert(16%) iNtuitive(34%) Thinking(50%) Judging(41%)
Famous ENTJ’s: Harrison Ford, Richard Nixon, Al Gore
Most Accurate Assessment: “ Their interest in studying something is driven both by the desire to learn about ideas of popular interest, as well as by the need to find practical solutions to pressing problems.”
Least Accurate Assessment: “ ENTJs are decisive. They see what needs to be done, and frequently assign roles to their fellows.”
Helen: ENFJ- Extravert(31%) iNtuitive(9%) Feeling(34%) Judging(17%)
Famous ENFJ: Oprah Winfrey, Johnny Depp, Abraham Lincoln
Most Accurate Assessment: “ENFJs generally believe in their dreams, and see themselves as helpers and enablers, which they usually are.”
Least Accurate Assessment; “The ENFJs focus is expansive. Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously. Many ENFJs have tremendous entrepreneurial ability.”
It is surprising to see that 3 of the 4 of us got the same type considering we feel that we are very distinct from one another. But it makes more sense because a characteristic that seems accurate for one of us is one of the least accurate for the other. So... we’re similar but different, relatively? *shrug*
What do you guys think? Have you recently taken a personality test? You should try it out and see how it really reflects your personality!
[Photos from Google]
What’s on your mind?
We’ve all been a bit busy recently hence the short hiatus but we’re coming back! This is what we’ve been thinking about lately...
Natisha Balance Exactly one year ago, Helen moved to San Francisco and started school in a new city. It was a stressful time for all of us as we were adjusting to a new lifestyle. Helen being in a new city and living away from our parents and Mr. Bong and I essentially becoming “parents” overnight. This huge change took a toll on living a balanced lifestyle. I felt compelled to spend all of my energy worrying about Helen’s well-being and becoming a "house mom". I gained weight, fell out of touch with friends, and became bitter. Summer vacation gave me a time to re-evaluate. I was also part of a fitness competition with some friends which gave me the push I needed to start getting back into shape. With the start of the new school year, balance is most definitely on my mind.
Health and Fitness As mentioned above, I joined a 3-month fitness competition with some friends over the summer. I tried workouts I would have never imagined including aerial silk, boxing, and dragon boating. I may not be the lightest I've been as an adult but I am definitely the strongest I have ever been. I am learning health and fitness require lifestyle changes and I am working to figure out what works the best for me. Hawaii A few friends, Mr. Bong, and I are off to Hawaii over Labor Day weekend. I haven't been since my family briefly lived there when I was a child. Food, sun, and the beach! What more can one ask for? :)
Lauren Moving Rob and I got approved for our first apartment together earlier in the month. So now that the search is over, I have to worry about packing up my life again. This is my 10th move in 10 years, so I guess I know what I'm doing by now...At least in my case, I am just moving across town, so it is nowhere near as complicated as Rob's move up from San Jose, CA.
Running I've reluctantly started training for a half marathon with my sisters & I'm not crazy about it. The nice thing is that the weather is still nice in Seattle, so I will get to spend some time outside running on the Burke-Gilman Trail taking pit stops at Gas Works Park (photo). Is it normal that when I run all that is going through my mind is "I hate running. Why am I running right now?"...? To mix things up, we have all gotten on the Nike+ app and started a group challenge & I have to admit, that it has made it way more competitive.
Lil Dicky I binged listened to his new album last Monday & everyday since...therefore lines from his songs have been running through my head NONSTOP. His songs are totally inappropriate but so entertaining. I'm hooked.
Lucy Value of Education I have recently discovered that I really really like learning! I used to think college was just a stepping stone to the next step, but that mindset just devalues school. I really do learn something new everyday and I’m always longing to pass what I learned along!
Haircut debate I'm trying to decide what I want to do with my hair. I want to shave the sides and samurai bun it and go a bit crazy before I head to PT school or go all out and dye my hair a dark grey. The last option is just grow it out and then perm it. I'm just over my hair right now.
10 year friendiversary! It has been officially 10 years since I have met one of my best friends, Vivian! I can't believe she's still my friend. I'm such an ass, but she still sticks around. Unbelievable! We will definitely celebrate!
Helen Back to School School just started up last week and I’ve been trying to best to stay ahead of the game at all times. It is my junior year and I’m trying my best to stay focused and prepared for the rest of the school year.
SATs My SATs are just around the corner and I’ve been attending classes for it to prepare. I want to score at least a 2100 and I don’t have that much time left. I find myself constantly thinking about it and worrying about my score. Hopefully, with continuous practice and focus, I will be fully prepared when testing time rolls around.
Time Management With juggling junior year, SAT prep AND dragon boat. I realzed that I have to improve my time management skills. Whether it is squeezing in homework in my little free time or rushing home right after practice after school, I have use up all of my time wisely and usefully.
Our Healthy Lifestyle Tips
We are all trying to be conscious about our health lately and these are some of the tips we have been finding helpful.
Drink water before and during eating a meal. It helps you eat less and helps with digestion.
Carry a water bottle, to ensure a sufficient intake throughout the day.
Walk as much as you can. Opt for stairs over the elevator.
Stock your fridge with easy-to-prepare healthy, high protein options, like eggs & rotisserie chicken. This leaves no excuse to indulge. Eat with a side of grains & vegetables.
If you are still hungry after a meal, have some fresh fruit & vegetables.
