One Little Step

I walked to the mall yesterday. Usually, I’d take the car or ride a jeep. But since I wanted to lose weight and I wanted to save gas, I’ve decided to walk. This is a little bit scary for me since I don’t really know how long it takes to go the mall by walking. All I know is that it takes 5-10 minutes to get there by car. But then again, there’s no better time than yesterday to find out.

So, I walked to the mall and found out that it’ll only take me 30 minutes to do so. Wow! What do you know, it meets the recommended amount of walking time for those who dream of running a marathon but is currently living a sedentary lifestyle. (If you must know. That’s me. I spend most of the time sitting in front of a computer. Eating mostly fastfood and ready-made food). Hahaha…

So, what am I getting at? I’m just saying that everything I want I can work for. But, I have to start somewhere. In this case, I started by walking. And with this simple act:

1. I’ve taken the first step to a healthy lifestyle.
2. I’ve taken steps in reducing my carbon footprint.
3. I’ve given myself enough time to appreciate my surroundings.
4. I trusted myself and my surroundings.
5. I found a way to give me that much needed “me” time.
6. I’ve given myself more time to observe and be in touch with my surroundings.
7. I’ve given myself the opportunity to get to know my neighbors.

By act, it’s just one little step. But if I look at the possibilities it could bring me, it has become one giant step.

Looking forward to more walks.

Gardening for Weight-watchers

I'm not getting any younger. In a few years, I'll be forty. Forty, even if society says it's the new 30, is still a bit old. It would be nice if I grow old and still have a wonderfully fit body like that of Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston and the like. Bitter women out there would say they got those great bodies because they are rich enough to afford medical treatments, hire a physical trainer, hire a dietician and a chef that would create their wonderful diet meals.

But, then again, even with all those, I still admire them for enduring the exercise and strict diets. I know how difficult that could be. I've tried a lot of times before. I've had gym memberships which I eventually gave up because I spent too much of my time waiting for the treadmill to be free for me to be able to use it. I started training for marathons which became too much of a fad that the streets became too crowded. I tried dieting, but eating food that tastes like paper is not fun at all. Plus, buying these diet food is much more expensive than regular food.

Somehow, I'm beginning to think it's hopeless to diet and exercise. Well, I don't want to give up on both. If I want to look like Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston and the like, then I have to find a way to do what they do. Only I'll do it the thrifty way. How? I'll start by growing my own vegetables and herbs.

I was at the grocery the other day and their features area showcased all things gardening. Gardening, being one of the activities in my list of things-to-learn-before-I-die, made me stop and look at the showcase. To be honest, it was around 6 square meters of space and I was there for 1 and 1/2 hours. I think it's pretty safe to say that my body is shouting for me to do gardening now. So, I got some potting mix, potting cups, and a 5-in-1 seed pack (containing seeds for tomatoes, cucumber, 2 types of super leafy lettuce, and arugula) to start my home garden.

Crossing my fingers for successful gardening. Soon, I'll be making, serving and eating a salad made from home-grown vegetables.

Mood: Excited ;p

New Job, So Far

It's my second day at my exciting new job. Why exciting? Well, it's a growing company and it's currently experiencing the usual growing pains of a successful fast-growing company. I'm tasked to make it these growing pains bearable and as short as possible. What could be more exciting than that?

Well, I'm on coffee break now and I'm using it to write this short rave. The purpose of this share? Well... I just want tell the world how grateful I am. It is true what they say, there is joy in the little things in life.

It's Monday! New Day, New Job!

It's Monday and I'm up at 4am. I'm excited to start my new job as the head of fabrication for one of the biggest creative firms in Manila. I have to be at the office by 7am for a meeting with my new boss. After which, I'll be meeting the fabrication team by 7:30am. I'm pretty sure today will be a busy day.

I do have a bit of apprehension because I'm starting this job as an addition to my current work as an architect, interior designer, and design and build contractor. But, I'm up for the challenge. Good luck to me. Oh... and good morning everyone. See you tonight.

Growing a Green Thumb

For the past few months, I've been attempting to be a gardener. I must confess that I did not approach it systematically. Watching Home and Garden TV you'd think that maintaining a garden is easy. I mean how hard could it be? I already have the basics at home.

• A garden with lush plants (started by my dad when he visited over Christmas)
• A constant supply of tap water and the occasional rainshowers
• Sunlight -- lots of that here in the Philippines

What more do I need to know? 

Chlorophytum (Liliaceae)

PROPER CARE: 

Light: Must have bright light with some direct sunlight. Keep them out of hot midday sun which may scorch the leaves.

Temperature: Warm room temperature is suitable. They do not thrive in temperatures below 45 degrees F.

Watering: During the active growth period, water plentifully as often as necessary to keep the potting mixture thoroughly moist. In the rest period water more moderately enough to make the mixture moist throughout but allowing the top half-inch to dry out between waterings. any further drying out may result in temporary bleaching of foliage (which will clear up when plants are watered) and permanent browning of leaf tips.

Feeding: Every 2 weeks throughout the year, apply standard liquid fertilizer to establish plants (those that have begun to produce plantlets).

Potting and Repotting: Use a soil-based mixture (1 part sterilized fibrous soil; 1 part medium-grade peat moss, ground tree bark, or leaf mold; 1 part course sand or fine perlite;  add a balanced granular or powdered fertilizer according to instructions on the package). When potting or repotting, make sure to leave plenty of space for development of the mass of translucent water-storing tuberous roots that the plants produce; pots should allow the top part of the root ball to lie an inch below the rim. Repotting becomes necessary when the fat roots have forced the mixture upward to rim level so that it becomes difficult to add water. These chlorophytums may be moved to larger  pots at any time.

(Text Source: Reader's Digest Success with House Plants; Photo Source: http://takeawaytrends.com/)

New Blog, No Particular Purpose

Hi I'm Kikay Reader. I started a book blog last February which you will find at http://kikay-reader.blogspot.com. I started that blog to share my love of reading. But, just like any human being, my interests are not limited to books. 

When it comes to interests, I must confess that I'm like a person with multiple personalities. 

I love 

...crafting (sewing, crocheting, beading)

...arts, design, and architecture

...computers, gadgets, and up to date technology

...mocha (my dog)

...anything Japanese

...observing people

...hanging out in coffee shops and milk tea places

...games

...fashion

...graphics

...eating out

...going out with friends

...bookhunting

...bargain shopping

...etc.

I love a lot of things.

 I'm currently:

... learning how to garden

... learning to cook and eat healthy

... starting an exercise program I can keep.

Anyway, in this new blog, I intend to share anything and everything that comes to mind. Hopefully, all of them would be useful to my readers.