13 - Share a Bottle of White Wine



"Sharing is caring." - That's something I tell my 5yrs old niece

I have this bottle of white wine that I bought in Kelowna last year. For awhile, I was holding back not to drink it or use it.  I was telling myself, I will open it when I move into my place..or I will give it away to a friend. For the longest time...occasions came up after another and I couldn't let go of this bottle of wine. It was hard for me to let go, in some ways it was sentimental to me.

Recently a friend invited my gf and I over for dinner. He said, "Come over and I'll make you dinner tonight!"  With his generous hospitality, I said, "Fabulous, I have a great bottle of wine and we'll bring dessert too!" Just like that, I had share this bottle of wine.  It was probably the best white wine I've ever had and I'm so glad to share it with my two dearest friend. 

I couldn't have thought of a better way to pop open this bottle of wine unless it was shared with some good friends - The power of sharing and letting go.

The next day I googled this wine, apparently I can order the whole case and they'll ship it to me! I've ordered a case and guess who I'm sharing these wine with? :)

12 - Go Sky Diving!!

I did it!! I went skydiving about 5years ago and I can never forget what it felt like to be on the plane flying up.  2000ft...4000ft...8000ft...12,000ft...I swear, it was the looongest ride on a plane ever!!  I thought to myself...I can still quit (?!?). The only thing was, I was the one who organized this and worst of part of all I paid for my bf to surprise him for his birthday!!  Crap, I thought.  I guess I’m doing it.

TIP: The best way to commit yourself and not to back out in something you’re fearful of doing is having someone there to hold you accountable for it.

Everything happened so fast! My guide pretty much jumped out of the plane so fast, I didn’t even realized what was happening!  All I remembered was, I was screaming on top of my lungs and nothing came out! I mean, there was no sound!  All the wind was going in my mouth and my mouth was filled with air!! Felt a little silly, I closed my mouth. After my guide pulled the chute, everything was calm and peaceful while descending...it was just us and the blue sky.

Then I thought to myself...I did it, check! J

11 - Quit Smoking

Instead of nagging you the 1001 ways to quit smoking, let’s talk about all the GOOD reasons why not to smoke!

• You’ll set a good example for your children
• Your smoking will no longer affect the health of people around you
• You’ll have more money to save or to spend on other things – a pack of cigarettes a day adds up to more than $3000 a year!
• You’ll have more energy to do the things you love
• You’ll pay lower life insurance premiums
• Cigarettes will no longer control your life
• Your clothes will be fresh
• You'll have fresh smoke-free breath

What are your reasons to quit smoking? Write them down and share them with friends and family or post them on the fridge.

10 - Free Hugs

A hug can be so powerful; you just never know when someone needs one. So the best way to do it is just offer free ones!

I remember I was feeling a little blue one day during work and my colleague came over and gave me a hug. She didn’t say anything; she just leaned over and gave me a big hug. 

With no words exchange, just a hug of support. It was an amazing feeling and from there on, I felt better and my spirit was lifted. 

Did you know there’s an International Free Hug Day?  It’s on the first Saturday of July - feel free to hug a stranger/friend any day of the week though.

9 - Africa Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls

Have you heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words?”

I haven’t been to Zimbabwe, but when I first learnt about South Africa and Victoria Falls, it wasn’t hard to make the decision that this destination was automatically top 10 on my Bucket List.

Victoria Falls are one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. If you’re planning a trip to Southern Africa, you simply have to witness this mile-long curtain of falling water.

8 - Bungy Jump!!



Give yourself the scare of a lifetime by bungy jumping!

Bungy jumping is probably the scariest thing I’ve done so far.  After signing the waiver, my stomach literally turned inside out and throat went dry instantly.  There’s certainly plenty of time to think about what’s about to go down while waiting for others to go. Noticing and appreciating my surrounding since the only thought that went through my mind was..."Will I see you again?” The BEAUTIFUL trees...the GORGEOUS blue sky!!

LOL...all in all, somehow we made the jump and I must say, it was the most EXILERATING experience of my life!  You just gotta do it.

7 - Spend Quality Time with Love Ones

Recently, a good friend of mine told me one of his high school friend passed away in a car accident. He was on his way to pick his son up from soccer practice. While driving on the highway, his car slid on black ice and drove right into on-coming traffic and was killed instantly. 

It really sadden me to hear this and reminded me about this short story.  I knew I had to find this story to share with you, so here it is.

*******

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated , to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

Son: ‘Daddy, may I ask you a question?’

Dad: ‘Yeah sure, what is it?’

Son: ‘Daddy, how much do you make an hour?’

Dad: ‘That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?’ the man said angrily.

Son: ‘I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?’

Dad: ‘If you must know, I make $50 an hour.’

Son: ‘Oh,’ the little boy replied with his head down.

Son: ‘May I please borrow $25?’

The father was furious, ‘If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed.  Think about why you are being so selfish. I don’t work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.’

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy’s questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down and started to think.  Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25 and he really didn’t ask for money very often.  The man went to the little boy’s room and opened the door.

‘Are you asleep, son?’ He asked.

‘No daddy, I’m awake.’ Replied the boy.

‘I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on your earlier’ said the man. ‘It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $25 you asked for.’

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. ‘Oh, thank you daddy!’ he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money and started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted his money, and then looked up at his father.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?’ the father grumbled.

‘Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do.’ The little boy replied. ‘Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.’

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son and ask for his forgiveness.

Remember to spend some quality time with those who really matters to us and always remember, work will always be there...

6 - Go for a Massage

An hour massage does wonder. In fact, if you can, spend the whole day there!!  However, I find that when I’m stressed, lack of sleep, need a break from work, people or sometime simply just from day to day life. I’d go for an hour massage of pure relaxation and come out feeling rejuvenated and energized.

Now get back to what you were doing - This time with 110% more of what you have to give!

5 - Listen to Music

Music does wonder. Whenever I’m feeling blue or just not motivated to get out of bed..first thing that comes to mind is music. Blast up the stereo! Get your day going by turning on some upbeat music. Get ready with music on the background. It changes how you feel and in turn will change your actions.  Sing along, dance along...I’m SERIOUS!! You may feel silly, but who care? No one’s watching you...all that matters is how you feel and how you can be better.

Here's a song I enjoy listening, to get the day started!

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky...

4 - Swim with Dolphins

Do you  know how in cartoons and movies they portray dolphins as the "friendly fish" of the sea? They do tricks with balls, jump through hoops, dance with you and they even save lives when you're in danger!! (Of course, unless you're in a Jaw movie) 

Well, my first experience with dolphins is EXACTLY that!!! They do all that plus more..! They'll pause, smile, pose and kiss you on the cheek just in time for a perfect candid shot.  It was an experienouce I'll never forget and something I'd highly suggest you do when you're on your next vacation. Book your play time with the dolphins ahead of time, they fill up pretty quick!

Any stories you like to share about your dolphins experience? Would love to hear from you!

3 - Kids say the Darnest Things: Ask THEM for Advice!

I love children and the enthusiasm they bring into life! So pure, so joyous and carefree… We as adult are always telling them what to do. "No you can’t do this, no you can’t do that."  No wonder as we grow older, we are fearful of some of the things we want to achieve in life.

Children are free spirit and they do and say things like it is, fearless.  If they want that piece of chocolate, they will find a way. We as adults need to learn to be like them. A a little less fearful & a little more carefree, then maybe we’ll go for that piece of chocolate we’ve always wanted.

Have you ever ask a child to tell you a story or give you an advice? You’ll be surprised by what they’ll have to say.



Here’s a conversation I had with my 4 year old niece after work one day:

Nicole: “Auntie, you’re sooOOooo adorable!!”
Me:  “Why thank you Nicole.”  (blushing with a big smile)
Nicole: “Auntie, what does adorable mean?”

2 - Read and Feed the Mind Daily

Feed the mind daily.  There’s so much to learn in this world, it’s amazing what books can bring into your life.  Any challenges you may be facing, any questions you may have, there’s someone out there who has written a book about it for you.

Was I a bookworm back in highschool? Never. Infact, I don't think I've even picked up a book to read until approximately 3years ago and I haven't stop reading since.  Currently, I have 5 books by my bedside and I refresh my books monthly!  There's so much to read and to learn, lots of catching up to do and no better time to start than now.

1 - Train for a Marathon

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You learn a lot about yourself while you train for a marathon. One thing I’ve learnt while training is that I’m one of the most determined person you’ll ever meet and capable of doing anything I put my mind to. You'll challenge yourself  and you will know what your strengths and weaknesses are. Whether you are excited about running in the rain or snow, getting up at 5:15am or you're just not motivated to move. One thing I know for sure is if you 're commited to train for a full marathon, you'll stretch yourself to much greater length as a person with displine & determination.

Do you get up excitedly before the alarm goes off at 5:15am on a rainy Friday morning to go for a 5k run? When you love something so much, you just do it. You go with the flow.

Do you love what you do? If you don't, why are you still doing it?



A funny conversation on a Facebook post

May-Ling Yuen Another 6:30am run! Good morning!

• Tina Shawil Omg, how do u get urself so motivated to wake up that early?!
  

  January 13 at 8:32am via Facebook Mobile ·

• May-Ling Yuen I have the most awesomeness dedicated running buddies that r crazy enough to run early together in the morning :) :) January 13 at 8:38am ·

• Trevor B. Kwok good on you guy's ... way to go iced my ankle all night long it was difficult sleeping but worth it ... ill be back to the run in no time January 13 at 11:03am ·

•  Yvonne Huynh SERIOUSLY Guys...
  
  I got home at 7:30am, then took a nap cuz I was running with 2.5hr of sleep. I jumped up at 8am!!!! and I was like WTF!!! I'm late for my run....then realized I just came back from our run!! then I crashed again until 10:2...0am...did NOT want to get out of bed!!! I did NOT want to get out of bed!!!  January 13 at 12:09pm ·

• Shaun Lockwood You guys are the running all stars, nothing can stop them! :)  January 13 at 1:58pm ·

• Greg Viger M B I admire your commitment to your goals. Way to go girls! January 13 at 8:25pm

01.20.11 - Training for the Vancouver BMO Marathon on May 1, 2011 in the snow