My Christmas Tradition

Christmas is my favorite holiday of all time! I love the tradition my family used to do when I was a kid, I love the decorations, I love the Christmas songs, I love the weather, the cookies, hot chocolate, seasonal coffees, sales on stores and people seemed to be happier during this holiday season.

My Family's Tradition 

I grew up in Manado, Indonesia, where the majority of its people are Christian, even though we are located in Indonesia, the largest Muslim population in the world. But, in Manado, people with different religions lives with peace, love and harmony. 

Anyway, starting December fifth, the children are getting ready to meet a very special person on Christmas season: Santa Claus and Zwarte Piet  (click on it to find out more about them). Zwarte Piet is from the Dutch language, they are Santa's helpers. Manado has a lot of Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, British and Japanese's influences due to our history. Therefore, our names, languages, foods and cultures are influenced a lot by those countries. The Zwarte Piet was known as a black person, so in Manado, because our skin is not as dark, those who "played" the role as the Zwarte Piet must put on some body paint all over their bodies to make it very dark. 

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But, unlike Santa's helpers in America, in Manado, the Zwarte Piet are very scary and they make all the children afraid of them (you will not get your gifts if you are naughty lol). So, the parents usually enrolled their kids to some churches or organizations who did the annual Santa Claus season and write the list of what to tell their kids (their best and bad behavior). The goal is to make the children understand that they will get gifts when they do good and when they are bad, they will not get what they wanted. We must earned our gifts, so December is the month where all the kids are behaved and afraid to see the Zwarte Piet (over there, their role is to scared the kids so they will not be naughty for the whole year lol). The parents will choose to either invite Santa and the helpers to their house or to go to the place where it is being held (mall, church, school, etc). 

I remember, I used to be afraid when I heard the Santa's car coming to my neighborhood and have this loud microphone to tell you which houses they will visit. I, personally, think that the idea to make the kids behaved well is good, but the way they presented it, is not healthy for the children. But, the presents are always a huge reward for us back then lol.

When I was older, my mom decided not to invite Santa anymore, instead she was being very creative created Santa into our own house. So, on the night before Santa "supposed" to come, my mom will tell me to go to sleep and when I woke up in the morning, she created the house has a grass trail and a little mud here and there on the floor (because Santa's reindeer were there lol) and I will followed the grass trail and found my gifts wrapped beautifully under the tree along with a note from "Santa". And yes people, because of that, I was a believer of Santa Claus when I was a kid, my mom is the best! :)

In Manado (at least when I grew up), people started to bake the cookies since early December, so the smell of fresh homemade cookies are everywhere. People are starting to decorate their houses with Christmas trees, lights, ornaments, fake snow lol, it really feels like North Pole, even though we live in a hot, sunny Asian country (usually on December, it rains a lot so it is not as hot as summer time).

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You will find jars of cookies like that picture in almost every house in Manado. Let's eat!

On Christmas Eve, we usually gathered in a family member's house to pray and eat some Christmas foods, my mom and grandma made some special dishes only for Christmas, so we waited the whole year for those dishes LOL. Sometimes we went to church on Christmas eve, which is one of my favorite holy moment. It was just so beautiful, peaceful and amazing. At 12 A.M on Christmas Eve, we will pray together as a family to start the Christmas day. Then we will eat tons of foods and go around the city where they held a lot of fireworks, music, and yes you can visit ANY house started December 24th all the way to January 3rd. HA! Yes, people, my hometown is the real deal when it comes to Christmas! There really is NO other place like Manado when it comes to celebrate Christmas. Where else can you visit any house to eat, even stranger's house, from Christmas eve to January? Only in Manado!! ;)

These are just a glimpse of Christmas in Manado:

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December 25th and 26th are church time! So, since AM to PM, you will see people are wearing beautiful dresses going to churches together and then after church, we will eat again, either at our own houses or visiting families and friends all over the city. We also like to visit graveyard, bring flowers to our families/friends who are in heaven by now. It was a sweet time, not that we worship dead people, it is more likely to remember their lives and gathered together with our family to remember the good ole time we had with those people who are no longer with us. Flowers always look nice on a graveyard anyway :)

Manadonese LOVES to cook, eat, party and very family oriented. We know everyone in the city and we love to invite everyone to have a party. It is in our culture to help each other, eat, dress up and party! So, we have a lot of varieties of foods, from Asian dishes to western dishes and of course local dishes. We have a lot of homemade cookies as well, from cheese, chocolates, caramel, peanut butter, strawberries-pineapple-any berry on earth, etc. In almost every house you will eat appetizers, main menu and desserts (cookies, puddings, salad, fruit cocktails, cakes, pies, etc).

We also love to dress up and look nice everyday, especially on Christmas time, so sometimes it could be stressful for those who do not have money to keep up with the latest trend. I was NOT one of those people, I thank God that my parents taught me to live well, loving God, others and not worry of having new things on Christmas day. My mom used to literally pushed me to go to stores and buy something new for myself, because I am one of those kid who do not wanna put burden on my parents shoulder to buy me new gifts, even though we are not poor. I am a believer of contentment and my mom always tell me that she is forever grateful to have me as a child..LOL..!

So, Christmas in Manado is all about JESUS, family, feast, friendship and celebration of love, faith and  hope. So, what is your favorite holiday? What is your family's tradition? Tell me..tell me :)

Matthew 1:21 

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 

Matthew 1:23 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 

My husband and I at Union Square, San Francisco, last Christmas Eve (2011).

Ho..Ho...Ho...

xoxo,

Lindsay

Love is NOT blind!

I have heard this saying, "Love Is Blind", since I was a baby lol. I mean, people have their own opinion, reason and excuse about everything in life, including your own opinion for a certain statement, such as:

 LOVE is blind.

I have always disagree with this statement, simply because I, personally, think that we must be able to see to understand and to love someone or something. Yes, your heart could also see beyond what eyes have not seen. Your eyes, brain and heart must work together to accomplished a balance judgement, decision and choices in life.

We must be able to open our eyes to see the imperfection, injustice, fear, abuse, passion, talent, etc. We must be able to see so that we will have compassion about something or someone. If we chose to close both eyes and be "blind" about love, then we will never know whether it is love, lust or attraction or temporary feelings. When we are "blind", we are lost in the dark, not knowing what to do or what suppose to be done (In this context, I am not talking about/trying to make fun of blind people).

I am a big believer of if I am about to be in a relationship with a man, I have to like that man, I have to at least have a physical attraction to him. Come on! You cannot say it is all about the heart and you do not care of what they look like physically. I am not talking about a certain race, body shape, face shape, etc, because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? I am talking about personal attraction (physically). Everyone has different taste when it comes to see other people's beauty. Personality is a huge part and a great heart is also a double plus points, but if you are not attracted to that person at all, then it is hard to build a relationship with him/her because someday, sooner or later, you will try to change them or wished they look like someone else or you will find someone else that will make you re-think your choice. 

A lot of people chose to be blind when it comes to loving someone, too blind that they let this other person treated them like crap, disrespectful and almost like a sad recycle garbage, excuse the comparison, I chose it wisely so that we understand that we are NOT a garbage. We are a human being who deserves better than a punching bag or visiting hours only when they want something from us and then throw it away after they get tired or bored with us. That is not healthy and NOT love either! Love should make your eyes open with gladness, your heart flourished with happiness and your brain smiles. Love does not make you forget who you are as a person, love does not create fear, love does not mean you lost yourself so that the other person would/might like you, love honors you, love respects you and love treats you as a human being with dignity and soul.

All I am saying is that to love someone, you must OPEN your eyes (heart and brain), so that you will be able to understand them as a person, to accept things about them, to learn about them, to love them regardless of their weaknesses and strength. THAT is why love is not blind, to see is to understand-accept-learn-love and be loved for who you are (or he/she is) as a person.

How do you know that someone loves you? through their words and actions. You need to SEE the facts and the proof that they love you. 

I stand with "Love is NOT blind" :)

xoxo,

Lindsay

Fortune Cookies

 HA!

Last night, after I ate my delicious Chinese Food for dinner, I decided to have two fortune cookies because they were so yummy! In my opinion, some fortune cookies are just better than others. Anyway, these are the result of my fortune cookies! The statements compliment each other and finished each other sentences LOL.

Sometimes it is nice to hear or read encouraging words from other people, may it be someone you know, a stranger or even some fortune cookies lol. This is why I love collecting words of wisdom, write it down on my journal or take picture of them as a reminder of what I could be if I am willing to do it. I also love to write them down to encourage myself and others. 

When something captured your eyes, your heart and soul, your brain tends to remember it and stored it for future references. That is why we need to stored wisdom and encouraging words into our brain so that we live by those words instead of negative, self pity, discourage words that will pull your spirit down along with the people that you meet in your life. You know, misery loves company kinda person, you don't wanna be that person. Nobody deserves to live a miserable lives and nobody have any right to bring other people down with them, dives into their unhappy life.

Say something nice to other people today, do something good for others, try to encourage other people without being fake. What do I mean by that? we do not have to compliment others and lie as well. Every person has their own uniqueness, whether they realize it or not. Bring that out of them, point it out to them so that they could see it as a gift, talent, useful and special instead of weirdness, bad and useless. 

Don't compliment others based on something that is not in them, for example do not encourage someone to pursue a singing career when everyone think they could not sing, including that person himself lol. Encourage them to pursue something that you know they could do and would be good at it plus it will satisfied them as well. Sometimes people just need a little push, a word of encouragement to step into their "dream comes true" world.

Go after your passion, your dreams, use your talents for something good and be happy with what you have accomplished now. Life is not over until we are dead, so as long as we are still breathing, we could still reach our goals! Good Luck and Best Wishes!

xoxo,

Lindsay

9/11 Tribute

We Remember!

We Pray!

We Forgive!

We Defend Our Freedom!

"We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed." --2 Corinthians 4:8-9

#NeverForget

image/words via

Hero comes from a different type, both human and animals. 

This is the tribute for our four legged heroes of 9/11

We thank you and love you both handlers and dogs!

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My own collage that I made to remember this event (top left to the right, clockwise).

Images are taken from Google. I could not remember each pictures sources, but I remember searching the keyword 9/11 attack images.

We are praying for the families/friends of those who lost their loved ones on 9/11 (and because of/since 9/11). We will never forget and words will never be able to express our love for all of you.

We also wanted to thank those who served and are still fighting (Military Men/Women, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, etc) for our freedom and to make sure that no family would have to go through this senseless terrorist attack again. 

xoxo,

Lindsay

Identity Crisis

I LOVE MARRIAGE LIFE!

HA!

I mean despite the fights, the hectic schedules we both had or whose turn to take the dog out's conversation, I actually love marriage life. I love the companionship and friendship that my husband and I have the most, even though my husband is a "non talker" kinda guy, but he is cool. I cannot stand a very talkative man anyway, it is too annoying for me. 

I know I am too young to give marriage advice or to even talk about how to make your marriage work and I am not here for any of that, because I believe that everyone's marriage life is different.

I JUST WANNA TALK!

First years of my marriage I found myself lost, because my husband is the only man that I've dated who is younger than me (gasp) and we've only dated for one year (with him being on deployment). It was a fast, fun and crazy love. So, when we got married, it was actually our real date. We found things that surprised us in a good and bad way, we sees things differently and there are questions of "Am I doing the right thing" or "What was I thinking" moments.

I also find an identity crisis! HELP!

OK, my husband is a white man, I am Asian. We have different background of cultures, foods, habit, family upbringing, etc. The great thing is that my husband is in the military, which means he LOVES to learn about other culture, eat different foods (he eats more spicy/hot foods than me and I am Manadonese, we eat extremely spicy/hot foods), eager to visit different places, longing to live in a different places - which is why we move a lot and loving it!. I mean, we are young, we should move around and enjoy life to the fullest. 

But, I found myself doing things that I hate, but I do it anyway to make my husband happy. At least that's what I thought, but then I realized that there are so many things that my husband introduced to me that I used to think I hate it. I guess he brings out the potential, the goodness out of me. I do not  like trying something new (unless it is food lol), my husband is adventurous. I hate hikes, due to its intense hills, sunburn and bugs. But, guess what? I am loving it now. I hate hardcore music and one day my husband took me to "Sleeping Giant" concert and I love it now. I still do not like extreme roller coaster, no matter how much my husband loves it. I still do not wanna touch a snake, no matter what my husband think of a snake. I still hate cherries, my husband loves it (I do love cherry fruit, I do not like them on my drink/cake). I learn some "geeky" stuff, since my husband is one of them, I love some, understand some, hate some, don't understand a lot. LOL!

My point is that in the beginning of our marriage, I am still trying to adjust the two worlds. I had to brave myself up to try the things that is foreign for me or weird or sounds discomfort. There are things that I finally love, there things that I still hate. You don't have to like all of your husband's hobbies, habits or friends lol, but you learned to let go, compromised, acceptance, sacrifice and get your own bargain..uh huh ladies..you do A for him, which means he will do B for you. It works both ways to be happy ;)

So, remember, just because you are in a relationship, it does not mean you have to be boring. What I meant by "boring" is that you do not wanna do something new because you had one bad experience or because of your insecurity. Try it first, if you do not like it then tell him/her, but you might be surprised of your new found love. 

Do not do it in the name of "trying to fit in" or to look/sound cool on Facebook! Do it because you want to try it. Do it because you like the challenge. Do it because you want to find out what you have been missed all this time. Do it because you are curious!.

On the other hand, do not lose your identity either. God creates us unique in our own way, you do not have to be someone else to make him/her happy. Don't do something just because you want them to be happy and losing yourself in the process. Yes, we must sacrifice a lot of things in a relationship, but it does not mean you "killed" yourself. Stay true to who you are as a person and find what truly makes you happy. 

There are things that we do that I hate, there are things that he hates, but along the way, we started to find out what works-what does not work, what needs time, how we do it, how we say it/introduce it to our spouse, when we do it and how to understand that sometimes not everything that we love would works for the other person. Instead of pushing him to love your hobby that he hates, why not doing things that you both love?.

Sacrifice is needed but remember of who you are as person. Do not lose your identity! Be happy, be proud and celebrate yourself. On the other hand, open up and live a little..try new things, even things that you are afraid of or hate, you might love it, you might not, but hey..you have tried!

Do not limit yourself or your family! A lot of kids do not try new things because the parents are "boring" , doing the same thing over and over again. You might not like it, but your spouse might like it and your kids might love it too, but they will never know it because you might limit the fun meters. Sometimes you just need to let go and not being too afraid of everything. If you are a control freak, like myself, then it is time to learn that you can't control everything. If they (spouse/kids) wanna do something, let them try it and if you wanna do something new, do it! :)

-Live Life To The Fullest-

Me and my man on my B'day!

xoxo,

Lindsay

Birthday 2012

Hello everyone, 

I celebrated my birthday last week and we took a trip to Shasta Lake, California  for my birthday's getaway. Here are some of the pictures from the trip with links provided for each place we have visited.

Mt. Shasta

Exploring the cave at Lake Shasta Caverns

We took the boat then a bus ride to get to the cave, this is the view from the bus ride

Inside the cave 

A lot of stairs to get there but worth it!

The Cabin

The Backyard of the cabin is this cool river

More Information click here

Nice day, great hiking buddies and look at this forest..beautiful!

McCloud Falls on the background 

McCloud Falls

More Information click here: Castle Lake



Breathtaking

A gorgeous trail to hike.

Luke is trying to beat Michael Phelps 

the trail was so good and beautiful

a lot of cool trees

Swimming on Castle Lake is unforgettable! 

The water is nice, beautiful view, clear-clean water, peaceful!

Until Next Year!

xoxo,

Lindsay

Update On My 100 Miles In August's Challenge

Remember my  "100 Miles" post that I posted in the beginning of this month? Well, I could happily say that I have finished the challenge today, a day before my birthday! yay!!! Nothing like an early birthday present from you to yourself, right? hmmm that might sound a little weird, but anyway, what I am trying to say is that receiving presents from other people for you is a joyous feeling, but when you do something that benefits yourself for a better you, that is like the best feeling ever. I found it easier to give than receive, I hate being the spotlight, center of attention and I even hate an unexpected surprise. So, when I actually do something for myself, I feel good!

Along the way, I find out that I do not push myself to the limit when I workout. I mean, I run on a regular two to four miles daily, but because I do not have any miles goals in my mind, I do not push myself more. Now that I have a goal in my mind, I am actually capable of running or biking more that my regular miles daily. I did this challenge five days a week for forty minutes to one hour a day, with two rest days, or when I know my body needs more rest. I also did some strength training three times a week along with my cardio and I did not die LOL.

The best way to motivates yourself is to motivates yourself! You must be your number one supporter and fans in order to push yourself. Do not compare your journey to other people's journey because everyone has a different body type, metabolism and goals in mind. Every person has their own workout that works faster for them, but maybe not for you. You must find out what works for your body, lifestyle and goals. I also stay away from those who makes fun of my journey, simply because I know that when I am sixty years old, I would still have toned muscles, running a marathon, have a glowing skin, happy and looks hot (it is a fact, google it) LOL.

I prioritize my health because God gives me this body and I have an obligation to take good care of my own body, so that someday I will not bother my grand children to take care of their sick grandma with hospital bills because grandma did not taking good care of herself when she was younger. Sometimes sickness just happened even though you have been taking care of yourself, but many times, you know exactly why you got sick and that is not right or fair to those who have to taking care of you because of your ignorant and laziness. I eat everything, I do not live in a wrong diet world, but I eat in moderation. You will be surprised of how good healthy foods tastes like and do for your body, try it first before passing judgement.

I rarely get sick, but this month, unfortunately, I got a little sick because I was hiking on a very hot day and I did not have enough water. BIG mistake! So, I got sick for two days and after that I got back on track again and finished strong.

I would like to encourage all of you to start living a happy, fun and healthy lifestyle. Do it for yourself, your kids and the environment. No more excuses, because excuses will not get you places, but moving will do that. Start with a fifteen minutes walking, then increase to twenty, thirty and more. Start with a walk to a jog to a run or bike or swim. Do what works for you! Do it for at least three days a week, once you started working out, your body will wants and requires more from you. Working out is an addiction! HA!

Some helpful tips:

-Drink water before, during and after workout.

-Stretch before and after workout.

-Eat good foods, mostly fruits, nuts, vegetables and good proteins. Eat before and after workout (before: oatmeal, banana, etc. After: Protein Shake, Chicken Breast, etc- Google it)

-Rest and listen to your body.

-Run, swim, hike, bike, walk for at least thirty minutes a day for five days a week.

-Read or watch some workout videos before your workout, it helps you learn new techniques and motivates you as well.

-Do it for or with other people who would be a motivator/inspiration. Stay away from those who does not motivates you to be better. My inspiration is this girl, Jen, check out her Facebook page, like and support her journey!

-Join a health club if that will make you go workout.

-Mix your workout (run-bike-jog-swim for example), also try to burn a lot of calories not just counting the miles. If you are running/biking at the gym, run with some inclines or when you do bike, make sure you watch your RPM and paddle on a high level, increase your level of difficulties every three to four minutes for example.

-Find great places to workout outside your gym (nice hiking trail, run by the beach, etc). My husband and I (plus our dog, Luke)  found one new place to workout every weekend. I calculate my miles and calories by using some apps like Nike+ to help me on track.

-Buy some cute and comfortable workout outfits and shoes that you would love to wear and feel good about your body. If you are a runner, find a good socks, shoes and sport bra (women).

-Take it day by day, do not over think it, over analyze it or over do it.

-Take a nice hot shower or cold shower, it helps my muscles to relax.

-Write down your accomplishment each day, write down your workout for the day, also I like to write down some encouragements words.

-Entertained yourself during a workout, may it be with music, videos/books/magazine (when you do bike inside a gym, not when you are running or riding your bike on the street lol), taking pictures before-during resting-after workout, like me (below) LOL!! Before you knew it, you already killed ten miles! woot woot!!

-Reward yourself.

xoxo,

Lindsay

My Getaway

My Getaway..

Sometimes when I need to find peace,

I run into nature,

I hide on its beauty.

My Getaway..

Sometimes when life feels overwhelming,

I seek wisdom,

I listen to her.

My Getaway..

Sometimes when the uncertain scared me,

I surrender to the all powerful one,

I let my fear go.

My Getaway..

I found you everywhere,

I rest my case,

No more worry because life is beautiful,

 My Getaway..

The ONE who knows my secret,

my deepest fear,

my glorious moment,

my best and worst thoughts,

my insecurity,

my pain and my gain.

My Getaway,

I am saved with you,
perfectly covered with grace,
overwhelmed with love,
living with hope anchored on my soul.

My Perfect Getaway!

xoxo,

Lindsay

Picture Of The Day

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For more of the story behind it click here:
 V-J Day in Times Square

August 14, 1945 

(67 years ago today.)

After the announcement of surrender from Japan was made official, celebrations took place around the world to mark the surrender, and thus the long-awaited end to WWII.

The most famous picture taken that day would be of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square. The spontaneous kiss was caught on camera but the photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt, did not immediately ask for their identities. 

Soon after the streets filled with people, and although many people have come forward over the years, neither person has been identified with certainty.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
♥ ♥ 
♥ 


Hubby and I,
San Diego in 2007
Next time, we will do the "kissing" scene LOL

 ♥ 

♥ ♥ 
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

xoxo,

Lindsay

I Can Do It

These athletes inspired me this week. 

I am motivated because if they could do something great for themselves, their team mates, 

their country (and God), 

then I can do it too!

I might not be an Olympian, 

but I could do something good for my body.

I could be an inspiration to/for myself, my family, my friends or strangers :)

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Congratulations Michael Phelps.

The American swimmer became "The Most Decorated Olympian" on day four after winning his 19th medal with gold in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay.

I love his dedication, determination, the way he swims just amazed me.

Well Michael, all of those hard work paid off. He had his down moments in life, but he get back up!

I am very happy for him to reach his goals and more in life. It is a great accomplishment and I wish him the best!

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Congratulations Gabby Douglas

She is the first African-American woman and first woman of color to win the event. She is also the first American gymnast ever to win both the team and individual all-around gold at the same Olympics.

I love this girl! 

She is very humble, beautiful, down to earth and such a strong woman; physically, mentally and spiritually. 

I admire her hard work (and her family's sacrifices as well), 

I especially admired her faith and humility before God! 

A young and bright woman who won gold, a history maker, did the best she could to win, yet she never forget to thank God, unashamed and joyfully serving her creator! 

Bravo Gabby!

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Djibo Issaka

He is a 35-year-old from Niger, only learnt how to row three months ago 

but was given a wildcard to the London Olympics "to strengthen the principle of universal representation."

This man did not finish first, in fact he finished last. But he finished what he started and he did the best he could. 

He finished his race strong. 

Sometimes winning is not the biggest word of the day, but trying is the word of the day.

The problem with people these days is that we wanted to make everything instant and perfect. 

We want to win, which is a great goal, but many times, we did not win what we want. 

What are you gonna do? Quit? Blame yourself or others? Hating your life? 

OR

You could keep trying, training, find new strategy, and loving life!

What I learned from these three athletes this week:

Faith, Determination, Hard Work and Finish Strong!

xoxo,

Lindsay

(The quote is from Runner's World Magazine.)

Pain and Gain

God is faithful, true and good for generations. 

He never leaves us alone.

We are not forsaken nor forgotten.

He hears our prayers and understands our pain. 

He is our strong tower, our rock, salvation and hope. 

There are things that are just beyond our control and understanding, 

all we could do is trusting God to do the best in our lives. 

Whatever happened, will happened in His time and permission.

Nothing will occur in my life without God knowing it, fighting for me 

and shielding me with His mighty power. 

I am weak, He is strong. 

I am limited, He is unlimited. 

I am not perfect, He is perfect. 

I face storms, He calms them down. 

I am forever grateful for every pain and gain in my life,

for my God is with me 

until the end

♥

Jeremiah 29:11-13

"For I know the plans I have for you,

 declares the Lord, 

plans for welfare and not for evil,

 to give you a future and a hope. 

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, 

and I will hear you. 

You will seek me and find me, 

when you seek me with all your heart."

xoxo,
Lindsay

100 Miles

August is my birthday month,

I am going to give myself a birthday present by doing this "100 Miles Challenge."

A friend of mine did that on July and I am doing this on August.


First Day (7.10 Miles) yeah baby!!

Basically,

I will run, swim, bike, hike for a total of (at least) 100 Miles this month.

It is not too much if you start it now!

My fitness level has been up and down this year,

So I am determined to start living healthy again.

I just love the feeling of a healthy body,

the energy level, the good mood, the confidence, the toned muscle, the sharp mind, the strength, the joy of wearing skinny jeans ;)

I am not into "skinny to the bone"-unhealthy- body type,

I am into athletic healthy body!

We have one life, one body, one soul to take care of now,

So we better take very good care of it.

When it comes to working out,

Do what you love to do,

What works for you!

The first step is always the hardest,

Do one step at a time,

Once your body tastes the beauty of being healthy,

Your body will beg you for more challenge.

Educate yourself, 

ask your personal Doctor or

ask those who are experts in working out, 

hired a trainer if needed, 

enroll into a gym,

or use nature as a free and useful place, equipment and tools!

I like working out by myself,
(sometimes I run with my husband and my dog)
but I love support group to lift me up when I am lazy or lose focus.
Find your work out buddy (if you like to do it with others),
Build a support system/group that works for and with your lifestyle,
including telling your spouse to support you in this journey.

Nourish your body with good foods
(healthy food does not mean taste bad),

Give yourself a rest (and treats occasionally lol),

Enjoy life by doing things that you love,

Find a balance in life to fulfilled a better-healthier-happier-life.

Life is God's gift to me,

What I do with my life is my responsibility.

If you do not like what  you see or how it makes you feel,

Do something to change it,

Because excuses, complaining, pity party, blame game and comparing
will never do you any good or progress.


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~Together We Can Do It~

Go Lindsay Go!!

100 Miles start... TODAY

:)

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Friendship

A FRIEND IS...

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Someone who hugs me

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Someone who likes me, even taking pictures with me and makes us look gooooddddd

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Someone who tells me if/when I am good or bad

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Someone who does not mind our differences

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Someone who listens and share their wisdom

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Someone who shows me affection regardless of where we..stand..(live)

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Someone who chills with me and killing time together

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Someone who shares their strengths and weaknesses' moments with me

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Someone who literally Rolling On The Floor Laughing with me

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Someone who shares their belonging with me

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Someone who could be my "Partner In Crime" ..in a very stylish & fun way

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Someone who prays with/for me

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Someone who will do anything with me

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Someone who will do anything for me

(Hubby and Luke)
Someone who makes me happy and enjoys my presence

(Luke)

Someone who does silly things with me.

(My hubby and Luke)

Someone who will carry me and loves me to the end of my time

"A friend in need is a friend indeed"

xoxo,

Lindsay