tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43284713961832031232024-03-05T07:56:31.160-05:00The Life of Shannon ArielleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-22656470731087617592017-01-25T07:10:00.000-05:002017-01-25T07:10:21.095-05:00My Morning Routine | Thailand 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext";">Hello, everyone. Today I'm going to share my Morning routine with you. I'm going to take you through a typical weekend day, since during the week there isn't much to my morning except showering and eating.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">6:30am</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">The first thing I do when I wake up is say good morning and thank the Universe for another day. I then stretch and say at least three things I am grateful for. After this, I usually stay off of the internet until I'm about to eat breakfast, but sometimes I spend thirty minutes to one hour online.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">7:30am</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">The next thing I do is make my bed. I find that a made bed really helps set my day in the right direction. Then it's breakfast time. I make some form of oatmeal almost every morning for breakfast because it's quick, easy to make, and the possibilities for what you can put in it are vast. This particular morning I made a Peanut Butter and Jelly oatmeal, which tasted delicious. I can make a recipe post for this, if that is something anyone would be interested in.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">7:50am</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I usually watch something on Netflix while eating breakfast. I just finished watching all of Gilmore Girls and the revival, so I'm still trying to figure out which show Im going to watch next. Thailand Netflix has Vikings and Outlander, so I think I'm going to watch one of these next.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jk9kgzBSf4DjiXWWUdGXFbFoOqwPvy5JTOCFG65jL9HOsZwQ44-CdYGfRVjCNRwTCXqT5esMXNGql6x78Gg78z4GHsIRMCKEXqSjBv2hjZTYOeJZWwcXA0iqP4TSHWZM6vVooicmX6I/s640/blogger-image-1863956369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jk9kgzBSf4DjiXWWUdGXFbFoOqwPvy5JTOCFG65jL9HOsZwQ44-CdYGfRVjCNRwTCXqT5esMXNGql6x78Gg78z4GHsIRMCKEXqSjBv2hjZTYOeJZWwcXA0iqP4TSHWZM6vVooicmX6I/s640/blogger-image-1863956369.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">9:00am</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">After breakfast, I sometimes do yoga or some form of meditation. I've been doing yoga every day this month and I'm loving it. I used to do yoga two to three times a week a couple of years ago, but I stopped when I went off to college. After I exercise, I clean my dishes and take a shower. I tried to get a cool picture of my shower, but there isn't really a cool way to get the shot. You can see that Thailand bathrooms are different from Westernized ones. The bathroom is all one big room where as opposed to America where the shower is its own separate room.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhk8Sje7XoUUahGHPu2pqpzJOkaqRcBNYJqtKFv5q6wPVN2oYXcoNiY6pVwdz22azdlEa3k5uTWg7DMg0gheac5_8sCPFpcFVUFCXkYxES_5m588vJj_6fKAbxYbfx73IGT_1cLfk1sE/s640/blogger-image--1735123181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhk8Sje7XoUUahGHPu2pqpzJOkaqRcBNYJqtKFv5q6wPVN2oYXcoNiY6pVwdz22azdlEa3k5uTWg7DMg0gheac5_8sCPFpcFVUFCXkYxES_5m588vJj_6fKAbxYbfx73IGT_1cLfk1sE/s640/blogger-image--1735123181.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">10:00am</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I put my laundry in the washer after I shower. Then comes kitten time. I usually make a cup of green tea and go sit outside of the balcony while I drink and pet all of the kittens. They are growing up so fast. This picture is of Carla. She is an adventurous little thing, but she loves to take a nap in my lap.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoOWcF9L01B3CQU6YcCF66S2uiiLtlHUmMhWTAV8g-zm9pLNkGis7Tz6jJkK8wN2xoyoExDE5YVFldUFxrJWgI8a3AJFZ5ywh0paTDKSxbczx9E7J2BPPWxGkirqDblGC5F1hNhKtzzI/s640/blogger-image--1670107748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoOWcF9L01B3CQU6YcCF66S2uiiLtlHUmMhWTAV8g-zm9pLNkGis7Tz6jJkK8wN2xoyoExDE5YVFldUFxrJWgI8a3AJFZ5ywh0paTDKSxbczx9E7J2BPPWxGkirqDblGC5F1hNhKtzzI/s640/blogger-image--1670107748.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">10:45am</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Once I've had my morning kitten fix, I read. I just finished Beyond Wirds: What Animals Think and Feel, and I'm working on Thinking As Fast As I Can. I usually read for somewhere around an hour. Sometimes more or less, depending on my mood.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">11:30am</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I'm starting to get hungry, so I'll put beans or rice in my rice cooker to get those started for lunch. Then I hang up all of my clothes outside on my balcony to dry.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">So that's my Thailand morning routine. I'm not sure how great of a post this was, but if you enjoyed hearing about my morning let me know, and I can do a night routine post as well. See ya next time.</span></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_56545529"></span>here<span id="goog_56545530"></span></a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-69065648500062587262017-01-23T07:13:00.001-05:002017-08-23T20:27:10.028-04:00How to Make a Home Away From Home (10 Tips)<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n2RMAqzq7hlL3FM7wUy8zIZsutZ8wf8btX4JWtD5CtFAr33RxGrzfrWfRUtdCbdgQb3Y1j97A8qGH_rOWDQ_CtJTHj5WVR6eLqFGo2LL-ouirzFiO-k9gmFryWLUn3CpqTEj5di5FH0/s640/blogger-image-1856460429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n2RMAqzq7hlL3FM7wUy8zIZsutZ8wf8btX4JWtD5CtFAr33RxGrzfrWfRUtdCbdgQb3Y1j97A8qGH_rOWDQ_CtJTHj5WVR6eLqFGo2LL-ouirzFiO-k9gmFryWLUn3CpqTEj5di5FH0/s640/blogger-image-1856460429.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
I've lived on my own in Thailand for over six months now. This has been a life-changing experience, full of positive moments, but there are times when I am homesick. I miss being able to visit my family and friends, drive myself wherever I want to go, comfortably shop in a store, etc. I don't let my homesickness get me down though. I acknowledge the way I am feeling, let it sit with me, and do something to move past it. Here are some tips to make a home away from home.<br />
<br />
<b>
1. Have a movie night.</b><br />
<br />
The first thing I recommend is to have a movie night. Try and find one of your favorite movies online and watch it by yourself. Put on your pajamas or some other comfy clothes, dim the lights, and enjoy. Since my computer is broken, and I can't watch the movies I brought with me, I find movies on Netflix to watch.<br />
<br />
<b>
2. Hang up DIY artwork.</b><br />
<br />
Make some DIY artwork for your room. I like to take index cards and write inspiring quotes on them. I then put some washi tape around the borders of the index card and put them on my wall. You can make an entire gallery wall of these if you want to.<br />
<br />
<b>
3. Keep your space clean.</b><br />
<br />
Do the dishes from the day before you go to bed, make your bed when you wake up, sweep the floor one or two times a week, clean out your fridge once a week, spend one weekend morning or afternoon a month cleaning your entire apartment, etc. Keeping your space clean keeps your mood up. The cleaning process is also a great time to get in some exercise and clear your thoughts. I find cleaning to be more of a therapeutic experience as opposed to a chore. If you find cleaning to be boring, change the way you view cleaning. See it as a fun activity rather than something you have to do.<br />
<br />
<b>
4. Make your favorite food.</b><br />
<br />
If you don't live in rural Thailand with nothing to cook out of but a rice cooker this will be easier for you to do then it is for me. Make some chocolate chip cookies if they are your favorite food. Cook some mashed potatoes. Indulge in your favorite food. I like to make French fries in my rice cooker sometimes. They're truly one of the greatest things I've ever tasted.<br />
<br />
<b>
5. Do something you love to do at home in your international home.</b><br />
<br />
Draw, knit, write, exercise, play an instrument (if you brought it with you), start a blog, take a nap, listen to music, cook, bake, ride a bike, etc. Whatever it is you love to do, do it. Set aside a specific time once or twice a week to do the things you love most. Work can be stressful. Add on the stress of living in another country and you can get overwhelmed. Take some time for yourself to do the things you love.<br />
<br />
<b>
6. Talk to your family and friends.</b><br />
<br />
Something that always makes me feel better is talking to my friends and family. It's so easy to stay in contact these days with Facebook, Line, email, etc. I like to call my friends and family at least once a week and talk to them for a couple of hours. It makes me feel better to be able to stay connected with those I love and care about.<br />
<br />
<b>
7. Have a solo dance party.</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes you just have to stop what you are doing and dance your feelings out. Put on some of your favorite tunes and let the crazy out. Whenever I feel a lot of built up stress coming on to me, I just put my headphones in and dance for as long as I need to. I always feel better afterwards.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Meditate or do yoga.</b><br />
<br />
I love doing yoga. I've been practicing every day this year and I honestly never want to stop. Yoga isn't just a physical practice. It's also a mindful practice. I like to meditate as well to help clear my mind. Many people are under the impression that meditation is about not thinking at all. Meditation is really about letting your thoughts come, being mindful of them, and lightly pushing them away. It is an easy practice. With either yoga or meditation, the point is to do your best at whatever stage you are at every day. Some days you can meditate longer than others. Sometimes you won't have good balance during your yoga practice. The point is that you show up and try.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Pamper yourself.</b><br />
<br />
I did bring some face masks and nail polish with me to Thailand. Sometimes I like to pamper myself by using a face mask while I paint my nails. Your pampering could involve putting cucumbers on your eyes while you listen to music. It's up to you how you want to go about this.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Reorganize your space.</b><br />
<br />
When you get homesick or feel stuck with where you are, one of the best things to do is to reorganize your space. This could involve changes like moving big pieces of furniture around, or it could be small. I recently cleared off a shelf in my apartment to put some of my dishes on because the top of my fridge was getting crowded. I also cleaned out some things I kept outside in my kitchen area. I never used them, so I wondered why I was wasting valuable counter space with these things. I now feel like I'm in a different apartment.<br />
<br />
I hope these tips help you as much as they have helped me over the past six months. Please leave any suggestions you have in the comments below! Let's build a community!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2017/01/being-in-moment.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-16302019397488467752017-01-20T05:58:00.000-05:002017-01-20T05:58:46.712-05:00Being in the Moment<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYQLYKFqIAfF6ijag-prPN9JP4Y8vdVVavN0wrUnIr8xImSo-QUNaTzxee77Ioh_y29vkacXVC295fZU5bB3GhQ4d3Qxi2DxubQ2a3n0qqqAm4YnLLql6hgcIoV9Lj8H6svkWdcu_zsw/s640/blogger-image--1124375340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYQLYKFqIAfF6ijag-prPN9JP4Y8vdVVavN0wrUnIr8xImSo-QUNaTzxee77Ioh_y29vkacXVC295fZU5bB3GhQ4d3Qxi2DxubQ2a3n0qqqAm4YnLLql6hgcIoV9Lj8H6svkWdcu_zsw/s640/blogger-image--1124375340.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Life should consistently be full of astonished moments, but it's not. Most people focus their time on the past and future. We stress over every little thing they could possibly go wrong, and don't get me started on those worst case scenarios. There's always something that needs to be fixed or an event that needs to be planned right now or the world is going to end. How about you try something else instead.<br />
<br />
Take a moment now and just breathe. Feel the air enter your lungs as you inhale and listen to it leave your mouth as you exhale. Don't try and control your breath. Be an observer. Once you've done this a few times, think of three things you are grateful for. They could be anything from being grateful for the coffee you're drinking to being grateful that you're driving a car that works properly. Now observe your surroundings. Watch the trees. See how they sway in the wind. They aren't frantically wishing for rain or worrying about who could chop them down today. They are simply existing. Watch children playing soccer down the street from your office. See how the children aren't focused on anything except the ball and the game. They are simply existing.<br />
<br />
When we take the time to be in the moment, we feel better. Our stress levels go down, which in turn helps with our blood pressure; we have mental clarity; and we become aware of our surroundings. We spend every second glued to social media or the events of tomorrow instead of focusing on what is around us. Life has a simple beauty about it if you just stop, breathe, and take it all in.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2017/01/learning-thai-basics.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-61903983029042374452017-01-18T06:07:00.000-05:002017-01-18T06:07:57.849-05:00Learning Thai: The Basics<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo3ERWDIsg_IbujHObaWKpawvMHcvOvyg7xfW_tjzvbWHFEfNwbPA3oyJxktWvXdCy4dnNKyV6aSjPBYGXeG-0MclWvLvCM3oCbZbZL0Z7sTjnAQxfexq3DFORp50GuTCawNt5c-iaUc/s640/blogger-image-1959867435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo3ERWDIsg_IbujHObaWKpawvMHcvOvyg7xfW_tjzvbWHFEfNwbPA3oyJxktWvXdCy4dnNKyV6aSjPBYGXeG-0MclWvLvCM3oCbZbZL0Z7sTjnAQxfexq3DFORp50GuTCawNt5c-iaUc/s640/blogger-image-1959867435.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
So I've been living in Thailand for over six months now. I've picked up some of the basics that you need to know to get by. If you're visiting Thailand, most likely you'll be in a place where everyone speaks enough English to communicate with you, but if you venture from the touristy areas, you need to know some Thai. I'm also a believer that you should know some of the native language, regardless of which city you're in. You're in a different country, and I think it's respectful to at least know how to say hello and thank you in the native language.<br />
<br />
So let's break this down.<br />
<br />
<b>Tones</b><br />
<br />
Thai has five tones: mid, low, falling, high, and rising. The tones are difficult to differentiate, but do your best to learn them. Thai people will appreciate you trying to speak their language and won't yell at you if you say something wrong. Because there are five tones, there are less words in the Thai language then there are in English. The same word could have two or more meanings because it means one thing in the low tone and another in the high tone. In my case, this makes learning Thai difficult. But I always do my best.<br />
<br />
<b>How to be Polite</b><br />
<br />
A way to always be polite in any language is to say thank you, but in Thai, you can take it a step further. It's seen as polite to put the word 'ka' or 'kahp' at the end of a sentence. If you are female, you use 'ka'. Males use 'kahp'. So as a female, if I wanted to be polite when saying hello, I would say 'sa wat dee ka' as opposed to just saying 'sa wat dee'. When I say anything in Thai, I always put 'ka' at the end of my sentences.<br />
<br />
<b>Basic Words</b><br />
<br />
Hello: Sa Wat Dee<br />
Thank you: Kahp Khun<br />
Bathroom?: Hong Nam<br />
Yes: Chai (Sometimes people who speak fluent Thai will just say ka/kahp instead of Chai.)<br />
No: Mai<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope this post helps those of you traveling to Thailand. If you have any questions, please leave them down below and I will answer them as best as I can. Have a great day, friends!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Check out my previous post <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1299813466"></span>here<span id="goog_1299813467"></span></a>.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-40903694854566733402017-01-16T06:10:00.000-05:002017-01-16T06:10:10.602-05:00Day 3 in Tokyo, Japan: Lost on the Subway, Ueno Park, and Off to Bangkok<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>This post was written in August 2016 and will not be edited from its original form.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3W8rGe-S1Q8w3pJ-ROlCsm7HEoFOPyAL_9Ux_6BzaeKWWHdhZ2PFKy3yA_xWRVNiqOsXagNVGom0equVjkb8AEOGXtTqt5uPgdpEwPiZeFvml4q8B5VbiBkM0NhcfXayWzodqxpAr6U/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3W8rGe-S1Q8w3pJ-ROlCsm7HEoFOPyAL_9Ux_6BzaeKWWHdhZ2PFKy3yA_xWRVNiqOsXagNVGom0equVjkb8AEOGXtTqt5uPgdpEwPiZeFvml4q8B5VbiBkM0NhcfXayWzodqxpAr6U/s400/IMG_1250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
Day 3 in Tokyo
started out with another delicious breakfast. I had a salad, bread,
rice, and other various fruits and vegetables. They did not have miso
soup available like on the first day, so I skipped out of the soup.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Vanida wanted to go
to a big Buddha Statues somewhere outside of Tokyo (and off the
subway map). We asked the hotel staff for subway route directions,
and they told us to take the Ginza line down to a certain stop before
transferring to a different line. I got us as far as the stop and we
asked a worker at the station how we transferred to get to our
destination. Somehow we failed to get on the correct line. We later
discovered there are two JR lines, but we took the wrong one. By the
time we realized we were on the wrong line, we decided to just go
back to Ueno and head to Ueno Park. When I look back now, I would
have liked it if we had pursued going to the Buddha statue more than
we had, but I’ve said before that jetlag is not a joke. We were
tired and fancied riding the subway back to Ueno more than pursuing
an unknown destination and getting lost.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4EscYLu9O1uXB04bpPZvN0DbDD4jnZ6FXEJ6k19QH6D79OGm88rGK7VYImQLp8M1WBL_QAU5WPMm_Su2GvQ9fOn6rdtrug5GY4UxPSPZGGPxDP5UUvkUrSV3DM9raEk1iAuG6cXG_GY/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4EscYLu9O1uXB04bpPZvN0DbDD4jnZ6FXEJ6k19QH6D79OGm88rGK7VYImQLp8M1WBL_QAU5WPMm_Su2GvQ9fOn6rdtrug5GY4UxPSPZGGPxDP5UUvkUrSV3DM9raEk1iAuG6cXG_GY/s400/IMG_1232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0TudrXtocJBZEeu8TWXlOlnPyrg_i0gsbwIKhqMZe8fKoH4b4oNQoWbeDmjmgfjT4ZLhYuRBiNINSryNWS8FZP1jWAeyh2wcG2A3fr_pMyaszMdnZyI4WMXkSmE3xex6PRj30bUyC0M/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0TudrXtocJBZEeu8TWXlOlnPyrg_i0gsbwIKhqMZe8fKoH4b4oNQoWbeDmjmgfjT4ZLhYuRBiNINSryNWS8FZP1jWAeyh2wcG2A3fr_pMyaszMdnZyI4WMXkSmE3xex6PRj30bUyC0M/s400/IMG_1233.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We managed to make
our way to Ueno Park after asking some of the Ueno Station workers
how to get there. The park was stunning, even on a hot summer
afternoon. There were a few temples and exhibits. Be cautious that
the exhibits are temporary and cost money to enter. The exhibits we
saw were not crowded while there, but I would recommend buying your
tickets ahead of time, just to be on the safe side. The views of the
nature inside the park had me hypnotized. I am a lover of mother
nature, especially trees. This is a tourist destination, so it is
difficult to take pictures without people being in the background. It
is possible to get some good shots though.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNvvjGXTlyykd_OR24zLqtEikAg_5G1AbWT4qWfgkkRq7E7hZvpkyuAXZbS66RCeMWqWiff0Ghun_dbZ6DksOmD2iHbZC_KUi7Wo3WQjhx4xWrAh6p2DtE_64Z4yO_Zn2hNNOFmgDxCU/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNvvjGXTlyykd_OR24zLqtEikAg_5G1AbWT4qWfgkkRq7E7hZvpkyuAXZbS66RCeMWqWiff0Ghun_dbZ6DksOmD2iHbZC_KUi7Wo3WQjhx4xWrAh6p2DtE_64Z4yO_Zn2hNNOFmgDxCU/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKjRB_aamplxr67UQMRJh9fDNh_627A45yGjzW3ndjXjibzfhWKlaVDMQGs_nBWYzEp6csbIBNa81ZSU-Mhm1e_kheEHtQr10_lBoZKpsU1YqH2IYyfUIrs6ucrHTW5NP6Koqq-E6tYU/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKjRB_aamplxr67UQMRJh9fDNh_627A45yGjzW3ndjXjibzfhWKlaVDMQGs_nBWYzEp6csbIBNa81ZSU-Mhm1e_kheEHtQr10_lBoZKpsU1YqH2IYyfUIrs6ucrHTW5NP6Koqq-E6tYU/s400/IMG_1241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1q5n9hb5QaSZFcFVOGWk74AxRRUjO4236gfjvWKf-OJorU6ES3Ah69Xa_PJ8Rp5Ku7Bo5sF_rboywRj9ZcoEcqLD9WgZuZGbm7noZtaT4pEEUGizLO9cfkKRx2XRNOWFe4OToki8UqQ/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1q5n9hb5QaSZFcFVOGWk74AxRRUjO4236gfjvWKf-OJorU6ES3Ah69Xa_PJ8Rp5Ku7Bo5sF_rboywRj9ZcoEcqLD9WgZuZGbm7noZtaT4pEEUGizLO9cfkKRx2XRNOWFe4OToki8UqQ/s400/IMG_1222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtMWnfcpPtURwW361PguXly0r6LY-bwVVhglTy0sftT4GlVXx3NQ0EIC-Prd_134lGWSOZ9F1PGJBQ1VIVQHX1bVmSo8udgzk_WDk29B8009q5KFLVt_1Cx-efncnb8UbNcU8Aj5t9D0/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtMWnfcpPtURwW361PguXly0r6LY-bwVVhglTy0sftT4GlVXx3NQ0EIC-Prd_134lGWSOZ9F1PGJBQ1VIVQHX1bVmSo8udgzk_WDk29B8009q5KFLVt_1Cx-efncnb8UbNcU8Aj5t9D0/s400/IMG_1228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37TkluJ-1QlV48MggOfs6BtyHhZqPDNgZdNqAHMWZ3WFw9sz8SFPjX5Gk2vTFXuWZJM3PwOz_pa2lZUovHwTpGGyFoilGtPy9kVqEb59kES0NJAB-_lrqYLjh5-SVRQa7V9hswOZesgw/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37TkluJ-1QlV48MggOfs6BtyHhZqPDNgZdNqAHMWZ3WFw9sz8SFPjX5Gk2vTFXuWZJM3PwOz_pa2lZUovHwTpGGyFoilGtPy9kVqEb59kES0NJAB-_lrqYLjh5-SVRQa7V9hswOZesgw/s400/IMG_1244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbs2TV03zvAbOU4PW72KBBW5bEEqZitEOxtkgDwg5TQ2dixYuR-njx6W6DNW5t252CBHisSkrlbMJf8D3Khr2hyU7R7i56pk0r6-cC3jL5MXQaYifFaMFrXQsDwtNa4by1b6rTPl8JZVg/s1600/IMG_1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbs2TV03zvAbOU4PW72KBBW5bEEqZitEOxtkgDwg5TQ2dixYuR-njx6W6DNW5t252CBHisSkrlbMJf8D3Khr2hyU7R7i56pk0r6-cC3jL5MXQaYifFaMFrXQsDwtNa4by1b6rTPl8JZVg/s400/IMG_1245.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the park, we
went to a nearby restaurant and ate a Japanese version of a pizza
along with a Japanese salad and dessert. I liked that all the
restaurants we went to, as well as many others, had menus in English.
It made my life easier than just pointing at pictures, like I’ve
had to do sometimes since arriving to Thailand.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our flight was at
6:20PM, so at this point we went back to the hotel to get our luggage
and make the 1 ½ hour journey back to Narita Airport. Going back to
the airport was a lot easier than going into the city, as I expected
it would be. I liked having the opportunity to see more of Japan
through the subway windows on the way back to the airport.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We made our way to
our gate and still had a couple of hours to kill. Vanida did some
shopping in a Japanese candy and sweets store in the airport while I
manned our cart. At this point, I was pretty much our of Japanese
yen, and I didn’t want to convert anymore of my money, so I didn’t
get anything. Once done shopping, we went to our gate and waited to
make our journey to Bangkok!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope you guys
enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it! Next week I will
start to post about my many adventures in Thailand! See you next
week!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Check out my
previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/day-2-in-tokyo-japan-asakusa-skytree.html">here</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Check out my other
Tokyo posts <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/3-differences-between-usa-and-japan.html">here</a>, <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/day-1-in-tokyo-japan-jetlag-subway-and.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/day-2-in-tokyo-japan-asakusa-skytree.html">here</a>.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-18434223492392043112017-01-13T08:20:00.002-05:002017-01-13T08:20:17.989-05:00Quotes That Make You Think Vol. 3Hello! Here is the third installment of one of my favorite posts to make. I hope these quotes challenge your thoughts and opinions. Stay open minded, my friends.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh070tCx9sgtlqqAtqy1hOurbdNd3geugkEnIOowWKgX-ndZdjMUzH92ozFUsDQ7mt68WHqmF9Tp-o7tkpGXWaLVocTLyGilP4M1WM-Fu2UZCIPXm1ul-JYzE0Ln8TGB_5AnCe3ohsc5bw/s640/blogger-image-2033904746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh070tCx9sgtlqqAtqy1hOurbdNd3geugkEnIOowWKgX-ndZdjMUzH92ozFUsDQ7mt68WHqmF9Tp-o7tkpGXWaLVocTLyGilP4M1WM-Fu2UZCIPXm1ul-JYzE0Ln8TGB_5AnCe3ohsc5bw/s640/blogger-image-2033904746.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV6OnXNn56PWjtSfwxldfAkUK9FCM5YdjOf_oToYXjUph6nE6f-_Jfez25FttfYQyLgkh88jNGB7cwIPxZJOl1vCDgbfFAU2me4p2QD5tQS1_YvisUb9DPHKORjZORMFdkOsGdby7xoM/s640/blogger-image-431326517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV6OnXNn56PWjtSfwxldfAkUK9FCM5YdjOf_oToYXjUph6nE6f-_Jfez25FttfYQyLgkh88jNGB7cwIPxZJOl1vCDgbfFAU2me4p2QD5tQS1_YvisUb9DPHKORjZORMFdkOsGdby7xoM/s640/blogger-image-431326517.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7uwOWFi-kk7pAAXQZQFfVDWpvLhRJJE8HTm7t2uHqyW5M4xyWn8Nc_yACmV6FdxqmKdmI6118IQjQD8HvtSiOIuRK6YHaM8xQj4Z7DPkwLFLvCGtDIwUibC5YzO0TSjjaH4unV50GcQ/s640/blogger-image--1109182134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7uwOWFi-kk7pAAXQZQFfVDWpvLhRJJE8HTm7t2uHqyW5M4xyWn8Nc_yACmV6FdxqmKdmI6118IQjQD8HvtSiOIuRK6YHaM8xQj4Z7DPkwLFLvCGtDIwUibC5YzO0TSjjaH4unV50GcQ/s640/blogger-image--1109182134.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRf_lJKtsvwGtvyA9QZakqwBTWeNo7476270RQozueBnt4GScKOPnqJgBVEJpi2gMW3Fmq57hvTW2Hx3gRVjefxc-C39thfv64Q8A7A0Ca2Fr0rHGwdhExw5HjsgKAT0CjdTM7fbcOpQ/s640/blogger-image--548849936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRf_lJKtsvwGtvyA9QZakqwBTWeNo7476270RQozueBnt4GScKOPnqJgBVEJpi2gMW3Fmq57hvTW2Hx3gRVjefxc-C39thfv64Q8A7A0Ca2Fr0rHGwdhExw5HjsgKAT0CjdTM7fbcOpQ/s640/blogger-image--548849936.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-k0491nzYILID-WrvbjdtO-Eo2SjRAYeVabAkI8_VCmffrnyoxLFc9rLVfh2QtxsLP6lsgv18pl5gyEQN8SC0hVvr8-xBlTbMPZ-48FZt2zebMIEjLuvsHBQE3St8jtiHS7RrrvuiJc/s640/blogger-image--725403463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-k0491nzYILID-WrvbjdtO-Eo2SjRAYeVabAkI8_VCmffrnyoxLFc9rLVfh2QtxsLP6lsgv18pl5gyEQN8SC0hVvr8-xBlTbMPZ-48FZt2zebMIEjLuvsHBQE3St8jtiHS7RrrvuiJc/s640/blogger-image--725403463.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyOh1XhSmyytzxPRrTg0TIF6poE7h-QXRUt6M_xjU4LPn1Lbagj_-csBDqb7Gx7osQ9DUab_V4HzjiuNR9VBssgnuKrAOVXqnSF5xMcU3ehvKq4ouDcKNfq3u8doypBIe8omH3Ma6FAA/s640/blogger-image--848301190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyOh1XhSmyytzxPRrTg0TIF6poE7h-QXRUt6M_xjU4LPn1Lbagj_-csBDqb7Gx7osQ9DUab_V4HzjiuNR9VBssgnuKrAOVXqnSF5xMcU3ehvKq4ouDcKNfq3u8doypBIe8omH3Ma6FAA/s640/blogger-image--848301190.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBOA0dXSHH4ELXDWeqeT6sGbopaC04FJdyruUnndYmYNbH_MP5NNP6-EGfK9QLAN7ebdcBDdZWQrxh9goleyniCQ1mExjVqs6xvhZ1lv7yh1qLkYbAkU14DCuUT5MwjnxxnHMSuA7Soo/s640/blogger-image-848490719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBOA0dXSHH4ELXDWeqeT6sGbopaC04FJdyruUnndYmYNbH_MP5NNP6-EGfK9QLAN7ebdcBDdZWQrxh9goleyniCQ1mExjVqs6xvhZ1lv7yh1qLkYbAkU14DCuUT5MwjnxxnHMSuA7Soo/s640/blogger-image-848490719.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVmIaVLbeyWSNkc6V3jMaWepsA0VK5E9uCHdVT37bNqJqiLJoiFqyrt5yKY7j66gjY2HdBVgSu8S5IaajfPyCn1UjaoTKkzfIc_bLSRxgRnia1MbQErPAXbRTnOMEPL_jfslerfVkXAo/s640/blogger-image-988802005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVmIaVLbeyWSNkc6V3jMaWepsA0VK5E9uCHdVT37bNqJqiLJoiFqyrt5yKY7j66gjY2HdBVgSu8S5IaajfPyCn1UjaoTKkzfIc_bLSRxgRnia1MbQErPAXbRTnOMEPL_jfslerfVkXAo/s640/blogger-image-988802005.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefW5b-M0KpmgQiItdhuggzHTVyeA9btzxFAcQTGSRiZs6i8JNBXX-89cFu3rhJ5qogOVJBE4A5De1bztVRk4Mox48yQkpNHEyXJJH-qZoJmk8cDc9Av_C3HE0E2CzUgEBoMhM6CnVSHY/s640/blogger-image-1892768990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefW5b-M0KpmgQiItdhuggzHTVyeA9btzxFAcQTGSRiZs6i8JNBXX-89cFu3rhJ5qogOVJBE4A5De1bztVRk4Mox48yQkpNHEyXJJH-qZoJmk8cDc9Av_C3HE0E2CzUgEBoMhM6CnVSHY/s640/blogger-image-1892768990.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KNuBObR3Y1HMEYUNz2iDWvjtxpPdzLpCgRD7ycp9AkZvhz4T7oi0xu-Aw4Ik8FXp4OORg1RGKz_g9BksofaH8d186NOlvBaZrq5QN3aafkx8s8YwIQ9SQ5BjBUbQgKLmpybun7Wwutk/s640/blogger-image--985389459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KNuBObR3Y1HMEYUNz2iDWvjtxpPdzLpCgRD7ycp9AkZvhz4T7oi0xu-Aw4Ik8FXp4OORg1RGKz_g9BksofaH8d186NOlvBaZrq5QN3aafkx8s8YwIQ9SQ5BjBUbQgKLmpybun7Wwutk/s640/blogger-image--985389459.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post here.<br />
Check out Vol. 2 <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/quotes-that-make-you-think-vol-2.html">here</a>.<br />
Check out Vol. 1 <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/11/quotes-that-make-you-think-vol-1.html">here</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-61866158916680507432017-01-11T06:53:00.000-05:002017-01-11T06:53:52.916-05:00Books I Plan on Reading: January and February 2017<br />
If you read my New Years Resolutions post you know that one of my goals is to read 2-3 books per month. I love spending a lot of my free time reading. It's especially easy to find time reading where I live in Thailand because I don't have wifi at work. I also want to read more because it's important to me as a writer to read everything I can get my hands on from the news to autobiographies to mystery novels.<br />
<br />
So, here's my Reading To-Do List for January and February.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyGlET2f0Z4LDmA45EZL2P34X0DrFYBJbotDHsFA-KZsEY7A93JqwAAVWkVy0Go1ni9fzdzXaKOZjRnCLgS94wzNl9ndc1QqX2dlm19-EW3M6RpNN3CVS3es0jQIEWTwP2MNje_zNS2o/s640/blogger-image-1894045948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyGlET2f0Z4LDmA45EZL2P34X0DrFYBJbotDHsFA-KZsEY7A93JqwAAVWkVy0Go1ni9fzdzXaKOZjRnCLgS94wzNl9ndc1QqX2dlm19-EW3M6RpNN3CVS3es0jQIEWTwP2MNje_zNS2o/s640/blogger-image-1894045948.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>
Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel</b><br />
<br />
I am incredibly fascinated with learning about animals. This is a scientific book that studies the conscious minds of elephants, whales, and wolves. Do they think the way humans do? Do they have feelings? I guess we'll find out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0TWe4pQvrepg-aZ6bGugs8iVU21B6Y6gz-bivlvydTw-cQsonZiuwbhcaUxXYPdWtbddI0SCvmI2QK7zN2_MPDXGSuF727SWoEVLOjHXD-olgrxDbyFNeFB4eKqDfi0uezse8NUrM6o/s640/blogger-image--1575384820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0TWe4pQvrepg-aZ6bGugs8iVU21B6Y6gz-bivlvydTw-cQsonZiuwbhcaUxXYPdWtbddI0SCvmI2QK7zN2_MPDXGSuF727SWoEVLOjHXD-olgrxDbyFNeFB4eKqDfi0uezse8NUrM6o/s640/blogger-image--1575384820.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>
The Starch Solution</b><br />
<br />
For those who don't know, I went plant-based with my diet about two and a half months ago. This book is seen as the holy grail of books about the plant-based diet. So naturally, I'm going to read it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uVBY1dtDY517ElIuWgnsk9r83UAKWAeP186jonPYS011Z53PuTBRcNKMmABaKAvYR3P1CYv768gClcSIFAdAjLbQSkw_5ywkT_rXSH_i1tsvmLlYbQ5Xhq7yEg3hnIzdAzNdg3OuPtA/s640/blogger-image--212263173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uVBY1dtDY517ElIuWgnsk9r83UAKWAeP186jonPYS011Z53PuTBRcNKMmABaKAvYR3P1CYv768gClcSIFAdAjLbQSkw_5ywkT_rXSH_i1tsvmLlYbQ5Xhq7yEg3hnIzdAzNdg3OuPtA/s640/blogger-image--212263173.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>
The Atlantis Gene</b><br />
<br />
This book is about Kate, who finds what she thinks is the cure for autism, but is really a gene that could change the human race forever if it gets in the wrong hands. I saw that this book was popular, read the sample, and became interested. I can't wait to read this and potentially get the other two books in the series for later months.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7tWFaQlV_LS5CsYipfnBHDqAgMyRURHz58txbmZcTsJ32cw33NeIEiFw1UMMkI9oFq6-0yirmoDQ7tIi9t14ftFd05jOrDj4ZU9iKqmoEJ8cKGXd09rfgI3Ejj-wvMvijY4oCd3aJSY/s640/blogger-image--614281080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7tWFaQlV_LS5CsYipfnBHDqAgMyRURHz58txbmZcTsJ32cw33NeIEiFw1UMMkI9oFq6-0yirmoDQ7tIi9t14ftFd05jOrDj4ZU9iKqmoEJ8cKGXd09rfgI3Ejj-wvMvijY4oCd3aJSY/s640/blogger-image--614281080.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Talking As Fast As I Can</b><br />
<br />
I have been OBSESSED with Gilmore a Girls for the past month and a half. It's all I watch. Growing up, I would watch Gilmore Girls when it came on in the morning and there wasn't anything else on that I wanted to watch. I enjoyed it, but I was never in love with show. I then tried to watch it early last year and didn't like it. Then I decided to try again when the relaunch happened and I seriously don't know what was wrong with me before because this show is comedic gold. I love reading autobiographies, so of course, I've grabbed Lauren Graham's. This autobiography is centered around the Gilmore Girls time in her life, which works out great for me, since I love that time of her life as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLQ2ZfInxJDoXHMfw7fvetLQKf8oCXK5k7xHU9ERNzGrGZnxTZD25XGsvwBFzuPBypxRb0SgiC9st3W2b73LBo4ycRU26kOBXEoVK3UbEAOJHNghubwS4t88_El4Q1eu4HTUBtPbQvj8/s640/blogger-image--2556657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLQ2ZfInxJDoXHMfw7fvetLQKf8oCXK5k7xHU9ERNzGrGZnxTZD25XGsvwBFzuPBypxRb0SgiC9st3W2b73LBo4ycRU26kOBXEoVK3UbEAOJHNghubwS4t88_El4Q1eu4HTUBtPbQvj8/s640/blogger-image--2556657.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>
Me Before You</b> (if I have the time to fit this one in one of the two months)<br />
<br />
I know this book will probably make me cry, but I gotta read it before I watch the movie. I typically like having the knowledge of a book when going in to see the movie. I'm usually not one of those people who compares the movie to the book (although the movie version of Beautiful Creatures did set me off one time). I like to see the two as different art portrayals. So I'm going to read this popular book and see how it goes. Hopefully I'll get to this one in January or February, but if not, it's not a big deal. I'll just add it to March's reading list.<br />
<br />
What are you planning on reading in January and February? Let me know! I love hearing about books and getting book recommendations and I just love books, books, books!<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2017/01/day-2-in-tokyo-japan-asakusa-skytree.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-27305202864794761282017-01-09T05:43:00.000-05:002017-01-09T05:43:25.644-05:00Day 2 in Tokyo, Japan: Asakusa, Skytree, and Tusukiji<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Disclaimer: This post was written in August 2016 and will not be edited from the last draft I saved.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qCSQeA4enaNXMVElU3DhQ1GWzphWC0SJSQkokIBfOFOlD1Ya9VW3ev9ESMDQbGD2pq5D1vYgiBPMjV5qujg2kmEihzfQbyN7PmRcfXpyXgS6sPrXyrYNJYCWCcpNH1JAzUdzKp1sc4w/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qCSQeA4enaNXMVElU3DhQ1GWzphWC0SJSQkokIBfOFOlD1Ya9VW3ev9ESMDQbGD2pq5D1vYgiBPMjV5qujg2kmEihzfQbyN7PmRcfXpyXgS6sPrXyrYNJYCWCcpNH1JAzUdzKp1sc4w/s400/IMG_1065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hi, everyone! I hope
you are enjoying my Tokyo posts so far! I’ve had a lot of fun going
through all of the sightseeing pictures I took on my trip and picking
the best ones for my posts.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Day 2 was our only
full day in Tokyo. Breakfast was served between 7 and 9. The food was
laid out buffet style, similarly to how it is in hotels in the US.
What was different was the food served. Instead of the typical
American breakfast food (waffles, cereal, bacon, orange juice, etc),
we had many vegetable dishes to choose from, chicken, and soup. There
were also different kinds of bread that you could toast if you wanted
to. The bread I ate had pink swirls in it. Turns out it was
strawberry flavored, and delicious. I also ate a bunch of vegetables
and a cup of miso soup (my absolute favorite!).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJKNC4UMeVtpNPY6h7k3jwoXlsNPdqVnNCR1e8dXp32Ig0d-sTTZLHAlKVIvxkbPluHhFu4CXDOLI0OPQe0nGCMbIlfySvK6jp9Hzdv0yvjO2qAB3SJSPsxYPuf0Q7z92mQgC2Ufa-zM/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJKNC4UMeVtpNPY6h7k3jwoXlsNPdqVnNCR1e8dXp32Ig0d-sTTZLHAlKVIvxkbPluHhFu4CXDOLI0OPQe0nGCMbIlfySvK6jp9Hzdv0yvjO2qAB3SJSPsxYPuf0Q7z92mQgC2Ufa-zM/s400/IMG_1041.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NX5Ak6Br1emnYFC6vcVmd6e0uTafuAPAVX2Gs33r0UgOc64KpoHPOCJW7CxxnX7FAM67T-M3CMllgDw0A-gLlekaWYqmFaSnlC6F79DcbMAUYZGe4R7C6IyC0ysAiifiaErXylf-SEk/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NX5Ak6Br1emnYFC6vcVmd6e0uTafuAPAVX2Gs33r0UgOc64KpoHPOCJW7CxxnX7FAM67T-M3CMllgDw0A-gLlekaWYqmFaSnlC6F79DcbMAUYZGe4R7C6IyC0ysAiifiaErXylf-SEk/s400/IMG_1042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After breakfast, we
headed back to the subway and towards Asakusa. When you get to
Asakusa, you pass through Kaminarimon Gate, which is guarded by two
protective deities, Fujin and Raijin. Keep in mind that you want to
get here early if you want to get pictures with as few tourists as
possible in front of the gate. We got there around 7:45 in the
morning and there were already many tourists present.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRyEQTbnqbQBC7OEFuIdH49Ym7NUEUXjKG2_1UO2JvOz9u211fvab4K2yX_7-sRx0KrnZpwecc9MxxyUmjsbMmlK61mVYXKYMMsiQtfdTAQ0gxyQkQ6vBRtTqFN1XpTUvX98Ocjneid4/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRyEQTbnqbQBC7OEFuIdH49Ym7NUEUXjKG2_1UO2JvOz9u211fvab4K2yX_7-sRx0KrnZpwecc9MxxyUmjsbMmlK61mVYXKYMMsiQtfdTAQ0gxyQkQ6vBRtTqFN1XpTUvX98Ocjneid4/s400/IMG_1049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvZWBso3T6uEM6ScTp-baVNPXViv8mTRhvK-bIiADayMPJ9bYD9ieF5ssIiq7c0SES2quIqRz4S12KfIrx1prYB1-s0Wqwa-yeGFD8WnUjRsWkpjxa4IPxHOawv2blmQ12fbzz1jDOiA/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvZWBso3T6uEM6ScTp-baVNPXViv8mTRhvK-bIiADayMPJ9bYD9ieF5ssIiq7c0SES2quIqRz4S12KfIrx1prYB1-s0Wqwa-yeGFD8WnUjRsWkpjxa4IPxHOawv2blmQ12fbzz1jDOiA/s400/IMG_1051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8i1BEsoZVoszmtk3GeNtq0Y8FpnvlVALc9IsZaQ1Z1Tj37m_3ClzPrhXiex0_yq8udDDYyIdqlVOwexGzS_b6VMM9laTVaTz6rXq47Mhz5570Ofbv9kw0FrVoz3oOJ9qjLOR6egQZL8/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8i1BEsoZVoszmtk3GeNtq0Y8FpnvlVALc9IsZaQ1Z1Tj37m_3ClzPrhXiex0_yq8udDDYyIdqlVOwexGzS_b6VMM9laTVaTz6rXq47Mhz5570Ofbv9kw0FrVoz3oOJ9qjLOR6egQZL8/s400/IMG_1058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Past the gate is the
Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street (ANSS). Since we were there so
early, many of the shops were still closed or were just starting to
set up for the day. All of the shops should be open by the time you
are done sightseeing at the Senso-ji Temple. ANSS has plenty of small
souvenirs for those who don’t have a lot of room in their
suitcases. I bought a keychain of the Kaminarimon Gate. There are
also plenty of shops with bags and other larger souvenirs. If you are
ready for a snack by the time you are making your way back towards
ANSS, I suggest trying a few different flavors of hot bean buns. I’ll
insert a few pictures of the shop we stopped by. Vanida and I ate the
flavors “Standard” and “Monja”. Both were delicious!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sthm_0-4yaFU_8wc99jW1PP7jgX94gENZ1oYhrpe3ydtFHe0rpwb8Ft9HyDEQ1O96xbIaK-fLJL5Mt7_viBtpT2hAJv8Siyyx-sXiiF-_Nrr0_7qiE6ZhqD0TUI4TtvzEy4I2Rd5gsw/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sthm_0-4yaFU_8wc99jW1PP7jgX94gENZ1oYhrpe3ydtFHe0rpwb8Ft9HyDEQ1O96xbIaK-fLJL5Mt7_viBtpT2hAJv8Siyyx-sXiiF-_Nrr0_7qiE6ZhqD0TUI4TtvzEy4I2Rd5gsw/s400/IMG_1060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzPV6OXU1SqyiK3LBgY2FN1AHbWBrUJFN1yTqKsfqyarX41AQGxTYPU2paQsLt90bsn-0j2zzRpkw2Em8xBo6BcTn6v-4YWpncXNWLRpaMj0jJSU0twSEzc5D0vI9zos4hYX7EGwmlfA/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzPV6OXU1SqyiK3LBgY2FN1AHbWBrUJFN1yTqKsfqyarX41AQGxTYPU2paQsLt90bsn-0j2zzRpkw2Em8xBo6BcTn6v-4YWpncXNWLRpaMj0jJSU0twSEzc5D0vI9zos4hYX7EGwmlfA/s400/IMG_1061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza-pB-sfCtI3geiVBXIoa-KRk2z2DRQ8s8tm_aJvXL5MhAZuwtRtdXF6fc_DfEg6FbNyJu4dmUmSnvGzqEYX4iyuf3pyPysW9mwEApzehSmNNY9cMeQYHMZkieyMZx_m4muZ1QGyWZyk/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza-pB-sfCtI3geiVBXIoa-KRk2z2DRQ8s8tm_aJvXL5MhAZuwtRtdXF6fc_DfEg6FbNyJu4dmUmSnvGzqEYX4iyuf3pyPysW9mwEApzehSmNNY9cMeQYHMZkieyMZx_m4muZ1QGyWZyk/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN4FEW8xYLySmDMSxLOhmd6xbdAaDfDalvnZC9JawFbIm1U3qBvOCMtONYWdbbQke74xCNxLekhykyLDebaSf_vbyAfNPyFKvn-YTKDFXfd0GAfoPK2PC4GqN6etKCEr77PRv0znbtSM/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN4FEW8xYLySmDMSxLOhmd6xbdAaDfDalvnZC9JawFbIm1U3qBvOCMtONYWdbbQke74xCNxLekhykyLDebaSf_vbyAfNPyFKvn-YTKDFXfd0GAfoPK2PC4GqN6etKCEr77PRv0znbtSM/s400/IMG_1134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once you get past
ANSS there are a few other sights to see, including the second gate
and the water statue. I’m not sure of its technical name. At the
water statue, you can fill up a cup with water and make a wish while
pouring the water onto your hands. I was also told the water brings
you good luck.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnna6hmITMS2TNDZKUUWA4gZKoNRB1jX9ZZ9LA9TGowKCCiw0dUpPq053jfQ9hfY9Li04KHeoZz63QH1rMtImnpVM1lm8b4dQx2VTW5dPmfju8yrOt5lJDLnl6KcfBsMhyphenhyphen2LDV3D6vps/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnna6hmITMS2TNDZKUUWA4gZKoNRB1jX9ZZ9LA9TGowKCCiw0dUpPq053jfQ9hfY9Li04KHeoZz63QH1rMtImnpVM1lm8b4dQx2VTW5dPmfju8yrOt5lJDLnl6KcfBsMhyphenhyphen2LDV3D6vps/s400/IMG_1084.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y2LhdlnyNC2CfzuMmLUAM-qlElZ50LU0HWwWphE19gyanW4Z9dgo_olIPoM-9fNgwexBJCWfX2LYGkvkYhsC4hmOYjS1NRGPXiWsxynU-CZb4SEAFGCBM-S_Eh1H8OpUm5GoshV9aG0/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y2LhdlnyNC2CfzuMmLUAM-qlElZ50LU0HWwWphE19gyanW4Z9dgo_olIPoM-9fNgwexBJCWfX2LYGkvkYhsC4hmOYjS1NRGPXiWsxynU-CZb4SEAFGCBM-S_Eh1H8OpUm5GoshV9aG0/s400/IMG_1085.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJExUzE8OnKw7MbyzGhao6MbWzjU1nXuMJLBGBXNle4PdaRfkXBkkUjnjBrh6GNVideSi24ODCt4G5wJ5UMPAXbs9TANvGl8Re1uW3EkYd8h1mzukGOBjqS2FTBPzKAB8dC64OvKuFOSo/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJExUzE8OnKw7MbyzGhao6MbWzjU1nXuMJLBGBXNle4PdaRfkXBkkUjnjBrh6GNVideSi24ODCt4G5wJ5UMPAXbs9TANvGl8Re1uW3EkYd8h1mzukGOBjqS2FTBPzKAB8dC64OvKuFOSo/s400/IMG_1086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Senso-ji Temple sits
beyond the water statue. The temple was absolutely beautiful. The
paintings on the ceiling were my favorite part. I tried to capture
all of them as best I could. You are not supposed to take pictures of
the innermost part of the temple, but of course, I didn’t see the
sign until after I had taken 10 pictures. Oops.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pkvFC_zquq71CR3zzIXE2g0Af7D2xbhjG30zsdiHX8MQRyvHetgvp2hHDH3GUSTIgTZfXjypSKKHbH8U_cd-g6EPf9RGOMTbUOh6p4xWolnaCfmf9vGmU77hscv9TbIs725uwo3P2Y4/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pkvFC_zquq71CR3zzIXE2g0Af7D2xbhjG30zsdiHX8MQRyvHetgvp2hHDH3GUSTIgTZfXjypSKKHbH8U_cd-g6EPf9RGOMTbUOh6p4xWolnaCfmf9vGmU77hscv9TbIs725uwo3P2Y4/s400/IMG_1087.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgnEHx4k0_rggGOOSITgb2XeO_zQb2RmORLqGU0xc0n27LlcFSQ0o3IOHPe_cDJIr3VfNa7WLM7OcFOwaSxjMa2TN2g8Bk1VCZNtOtM6_x2-nrCM-dkVvbHNVN6z5WKJI7qq_I3urxws/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgnEHx4k0_rggGOOSITgb2XeO_zQb2RmORLqGU0xc0n27LlcFSQ0o3IOHPe_cDJIr3VfNa7WLM7OcFOwaSxjMa2TN2g8Bk1VCZNtOtM6_x2-nrCM-dkVvbHNVN6z5WKJI7qq_I3urxws/s400/IMG_1089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosIeWGeRANIklC5O9ZBbI4dRA2iP56zPVrcdKYlorticPT_YZAgpmrhrgpfKAMtkFn-Lk06ItwvgROrfqITLs2ov4KAjHdixe90JjmE1r0RIy3VHnV-ADFL8hdW6hBmeeNoUlOOw4VJE/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosIeWGeRANIklC5O9ZBbI4dRA2iP56zPVrcdKYlorticPT_YZAgpmrhrgpfKAMtkFn-Lk06ItwvgROrfqITLs2ov4KAjHdixe90JjmE1r0RIy3VHnV-ADFL8hdW6hBmeeNoUlOOw4VJE/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxosKxcrxE9FOSdm4A1-VV-biV9c7cKyy_7MK6zZ9AWvg8fwm5kLHmByJPrtc6pDQ_92-a9bbZU_dbZK8jvJFEINPIb8as4MRDkO_GcsMQ2t-r085-BQQnhdjaoIcJWcxoXkR84Pxh6Y/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxosKxcrxE9FOSdm4A1-VV-biV9c7cKyy_7MK6zZ9AWvg8fwm5kLHmByJPrtc6pDQ_92-a9bbZU_dbZK8jvJFEINPIb8as4MRDkO_GcsMQ2t-r085-BQQnhdjaoIcJWcxoXkR84Pxh6Y/s400/IMG_1094.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkARDvKE4jiiVyiOAJE01tS1MsM3DTza_LyVB8krhQwSVQbZoFxx4hBY7DLxHDcCaU1dfSYYUnl1zEDYYOS9Ki_Y7vg6eNFABUH6wIFvullKkti35sJ-TubgoHtVKmdrlcIgaRdG89j4/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkARDvKE4jiiVyiOAJE01tS1MsM3DTza_LyVB8krhQwSVQbZoFxx4hBY7DLxHDcCaU1dfSYYUnl1zEDYYOS9Ki_Y7vg6eNFABUH6wIFvullKkti35sJ-TubgoHtVKmdrlcIgaRdG89j4/s400/IMG_1095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lIxynBJ9ZyGcJWB397bG3qEeED6ubd4RsWOzljdKwwY7qGM92cmhKQRA43dgGUaO4jfxhZTv6l6RXKsJDQ-MXjIK30HR28NTCG2y4REfjnAS2feCMFUwzbAGu1k6XCLXYzRq7rO-dfo/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lIxynBJ9ZyGcJWB397bG3qEeED6ubd4RsWOzljdKwwY7qGM92cmhKQRA43dgGUaO4jfxhZTv6l6RXKsJDQ-MXjIK30HR28NTCG2y4REfjnAS2feCMFUwzbAGu1k6XCLXYzRq7rO-dfo/s400/IMG_1096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAlgZ0dIZr5iCYB6I_2u0le8m2mP_S-Cxb2JUwx6RiRlR82Q8De-NcRqOR0LbKND1RxYkH27u2oiuSlXJNMgY83lUUvHh4UOCdV6KDvs75xS3sYZNsdmZwrnSnywTac66_krPeIURZGs/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAlgZ0dIZr5iCYB6I_2u0le8m2mP_S-Cxb2JUwx6RiRlR82Q8De-NcRqOR0LbKND1RxYkH27u2oiuSlXJNMgY83lUUvHh4UOCdV6KDvs75xS3sYZNsdmZwrnSnywTac66_krPeIURZGs/s400/IMG_1097.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is a smaller
temple past the Senso-ji Temple. If you walk behind the main temple
towards the bathroom, you should have no problem finding it or any of
the other sights.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR_w2OX82UZwKfQL0e4vhWxxlVZHiDUMJ59Pd-G1-OVhMGWSc8cj_FqYeVMaTivw4ojRPlSDgHE6gC5SjMzpzxzpUu8K8MQxxIfrZld6wjnpSN4Y5NK1deMK0nBV-5Wc2tlaohPc4BaY/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR_w2OX82UZwKfQL0e4vhWxxlVZHiDUMJ59Pd-G1-OVhMGWSc8cj_FqYeVMaTivw4ojRPlSDgHE6gC5SjMzpzxzpUu8K8MQxxIfrZld6wjnpSN4Y5NK1deMK0nBV-5Wc2tlaohPc4BaY/s400/IMG_1114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37w1LnFpVDEzexJwJei6vjJh2_GEKCqeQz8QX-WfxHwXy6iEKohHDRzCk0-_oXZXN_6FTSZOa9cPQn9FNxlDNIn1K5eBWne8lBHUC0CekdR8ATmqUjqrduZPBzV0pp-gnzumdZ7Bz-H4/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37w1LnFpVDEzexJwJei6vjJh2_GEKCqeQz8QX-WfxHwXy6iEKohHDRzCk0-_oXZXN_6FTSZOa9cPQn9FNxlDNIn1K5eBWne8lBHUC0CekdR8ATmqUjqrduZPBzV0pp-gnzumdZ7Bz-H4/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdkne3w0CPuRVqi_YAT3_j7u_01QEtTHZ2g8tS4BmzxmScxhiAaslUlxAzZKTnfRIqbZhbWUyMAe2gR4tnLJZBUqyIVHR8n7pXMv3O_3y7m292u5EQzoFggkO6htPl4fyz5gMeTbjUPo/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdkne3w0CPuRVqi_YAT3_j7u_01QEtTHZ2g8tS4BmzxmScxhiAaslUlxAzZKTnfRIqbZhbWUyMAe2gR4tnLJZBUqyIVHR8n7pXMv3O_3y7m292u5EQzoFggkO6htPl4fyz5gMeTbjUPo/s400/IMG_1117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58uESVAfc1mR3ASKHmTGf92jDifcGSmcDPC1T2ssfmd0IVEk0Q9rHRJ9v6z5ZzWNYc0LskXt-gyubMJcjylmpQomsxdN0jaLh1Nhh-E_BSJyKFr8GsYe9F57C78EMxo3AGb2UBnaQAgo/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58uESVAfc1mR3ASKHmTGf92jDifcGSmcDPC1T2ssfmd0IVEk0Q9rHRJ9v6z5ZzWNYc0LskXt-gyubMJcjylmpQomsxdN0jaLh1Nhh-E_BSJyKFr8GsYe9F57C78EMxo3AGb2UBnaQAgo/s400/IMG_1119.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After Asakusa, we
went to the infamous Skytree. I was really excited for this because I
love birdseye pictures of cities. Seeing a city captured from this
angle always amazes me, because it shows you just how small us humans
are in this big world. To get to Skytree fast, you can buy a ticket
for what I believe is just called the “Skytree Line”. The ticket
costs less than $1 and takes you right up to the Skytree building
itself. The signs to the ticket counter are very easy to follow if
you can read Japanese or English (or just follow the arrows). Vanida
and I opted to only buy a ticket for the lower deck, called Tembo.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You take a quick
elevator ride up to Tembo Deck. Be warned that if you go during the
day, the deck will be very bright. I wore my sunglasses most of the
time we were there. Tembo Deck is completely indoors. We got there
around 10:15AM and it was already crowded. Be prepared to be patient
and to wait your turn to get pictures with the views. Tembo deck does
have photography areas set up where a worker will take your picture
for free.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhAZr81m4Y7dJvu-Z4ZfUpcC7nES2y0Wz1kWEdplawgsQnFkEVgbSibvx9xCZTg-HvnW6lHXc8gEx04k2bg9a3iHFIqupGuiz5fdgDrAGISHiQcRRaWePHlHvm1A4jdA1Dnmb3frBiz4/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhAZr81m4Y7dJvu-Z4ZfUpcC7nES2y0Wz1kWEdplawgsQnFkEVgbSibvx9xCZTg-HvnW6lHXc8gEx04k2bg9a3iHFIqupGuiz5fdgDrAGISHiQcRRaWePHlHvm1A4jdA1Dnmb3frBiz4/s400/IMG_1139.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkugJXUOlKpxKPTCPanInGifO-wZnzgiaT4dQ-Nx3gQsMfiKQHKrr_fGqM6bvaR_oZ-pwVVV6A2PlTfvPSzpI4vB0vw6vi5iduso8v4Y0DfbBgAblx_5MVPD8Gvmvs7_i9ukZok1P_R8/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkugJXUOlKpxKPTCPanInGifO-wZnzgiaT4dQ-Nx3gQsMfiKQHKrr_fGqM6bvaR_oZ-pwVVV6A2PlTfvPSzpI4vB0vw6vi5iduso8v4Y0DfbBgAblx_5MVPD8Gvmvs7_i9ukZok1P_R8/s400/IMG_1149.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGSYTktwj35eftgiwpGg7zm9nVKGRyfWJ4tnk1_RUn0lD_jPhAU0eRZW4ZbiUe3ZAAI0dv6jyFBAQEw8UKxGSSLTD97-77r-EzzhoJ2eZ1IpwCaaZLRsAfS61uxVPWBga0Futtd_5Vis/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGSYTktwj35eftgiwpGg7zm9nVKGRyfWJ4tnk1_RUn0lD_jPhAU0eRZW4ZbiUe3ZAAI0dv6jyFBAQEw8UKxGSSLTD97-77r-EzzhoJ2eZ1IpwCaaZLRsAfS61uxVPWBga0Futtd_5Vis/s400/IMG_1162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixltNQ98TPXRP2dbf2VJGqOI4NBEtFc6OqTmCmE5rIeEcSDuXT4o4SY094-7K93lyupJjNy1-r7njcXOFpGFFEq5frY4bokiesVJMKmGtZSR_cZHP_JLPKOdHoGm8e_Vwn5yDWseuulU0/s1600/IMG_1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixltNQ98TPXRP2dbf2VJGqOI4NBEtFc6OqTmCmE5rIeEcSDuXT4o4SY094-7K93lyupJjNy1-r7njcXOFpGFFEq5frY4bokiesVJMKmGtZSR_cZHP_JLPKOdHoGm8e_Vwn5yDWseuulU0/s400/IMG_1166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After you explore
Tembo Deck, do not take the elevator. Follow the stairs down and
explore each level before you take the elevator down the rest of the
way. My favorite area of Skytree was down a couple of levels. Like in
many famous sightseeing buildings in major US cities, Skytree has a
small area of glass flooring where you can see down to the streets of
Tokyo. I tried to take good pictures, but they don’t do the
experience any justice. This area can get crowded, so wait patiently
for it to clear up and you can take your time getting the best
pictures possible.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rxOCfO_VTHwSwrzPoJ-_idhMcSNmODxV49Kky__Cyz2oxj0kaMnTyPa5zF_EtyYSv7yCa-dfguX9NUL0Xw4vnUncDoXpetPpYPuIlnwSymPwMMlvUSuu3RyDONrNRfQGo7m7JKr74I0/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rxOCfO_VTHwSwrzPoJ-_idhMcSNmODxV49Kky__Cyz2oxj0kaMnTyPa5zF_EtyYSv7yCa-dfguX9NUL0Xw4vnUncDoXpetPpYPuIlnwSymPwMMlvUSuu3RyDONrNRfQGo7m7JKr74I0/s400/IMG_1191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We ate Korean food
for lunch and did some more exploring of the city, a few stops down
in Tsukiji. We had heard from one of Vanida’s friend that there was
a large fish market we should check out. Naturally, I didn’t get
any pictures at the market, but I did get some pictures around the
area.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU_nZH0A5U5Q6siNPERc-XoCWHNfb5Xn4cHxrXBR-x6ilpahAs2JnXC4idU_lnPkOFiuC8QI0P72V1CJ9G1TXbn7x5B7fz1luA3blr5Yf_zlmaGk3FBUtgL-bodTAJGE2hyaLjOpQCKk/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU_nZH0A5U5Q6siNPERc-XoCWHNfb5Xn4cHxrXBR-x6ilpahAs2JnXC4idU_lnPkOFiuC8QI0P72V1CJ9G1TXbn7x5B7fz1luA3blr5Yf_zlmaGk3FBUtgL-bodTAJGE2hyaLjOpQCKk/s400/IMG_1205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQeyehVqJsdK6asC54fvyre2JVwvVil2BQf6mf7Hl7VLSeYogXAX6Dj_-g_xW9IR5Z2fzkrTv-6Gyk1GKtmXBanbIAhLiYsss1iwGizdjXuI46oedYmMeOARNZbktcBCdXJbW1JCrH0Q/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQeyehVqJsdK6asC54fvyre2JVwvVil2BQf6mf7Hl7VLSeYogXAX6Dj_-g_xW9IR5Z2fzkrTv-6Gyk1GKtmXBanbIAhLiYsss1iwGizdjXuI46oedYmMeOARNZbktcBCdXJbW1JCrH0Q/s400/IMG_1206.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5CGq2GC-GRLZy3O_ZlpqVnFMBH-VWLgulTENLXMyz9CgL5-ktJkwArww7Am8tqHtLYiez0kXbSDa8cFWh_-ns0lfIxxOt6AkU-9cwGGjeXOCX_FxLJlLEb7zDElQ1cRT_jAwxSaKn50/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5CGq2GC-GRLZy3O_ZlpqVnFMBH-VWLgulTENLXMyz9CgL5-ktJkwArww7Am8tqHtLYiez0kXbSDa8cFWh_-ns0lfIxxOt6AkU-9cwGGjeXOCX_FxLJlLEb7zDElQ1cRT_jAwxSaKn50/s400/IMG_1210.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sbn8JrmdNsWZjO4QpdgCMUhxR4GTBhGE8355fqhJQhnqGHmM7ILw7PonZs1hhtSeS17A4dvQkDJTY55kx8hm3JAUEM6bG5c8_R6kXKxcNhTbfsSrHRr9d2yQuiA3AHQ9t7DtlmJvBGc/s400/IMG_1213.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After exploring, we
ate more food and headed back to our hotel. We were tired and
jetlagged, so we had to call it an early night, even though we didn’t
want to.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope you enjoyed
this post! I will see you guys next week with Day 3 in Tokyo!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Check out my
previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/day-1-in-tokyo-japan-jetlag-subway-and.html">here</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Check out my other
Japan posts <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/3-differences-between-usa-and-japan.html">here</a>, <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/day-1-in-tokyo-japan-jetlag-subway-and.html">here</a>, and here as they are posted.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-83786571761090845832017-01-06T05:50:00.000-05:002017-01-06T05:50:05.485-05:00Who Am I? (A Reintroduction to Me)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGkaNKm9pTeFbY4VGzLV-11bmSYz23qagEGVCoVkn23ytU3V8PRkB7UmZhjgKybE64KAjh4QfF8afgut1-c53dMi0YYCXEFngJokk3hlCzrhFNw2J8Dk35OfYzviVXu7uDP5lJ-jxbXw/s640/blogger-image--791582391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGkaNKm9pTeFbY4VGzLV-11bmSYz23qagEGVCoVkn23ytU3V8PRkB7UmZhjgKybE64KAjh4QfF8afgut1-c53dMi0YYCXEFngJokk3hlCzrhFNw2J8Dk35OfYzviVXu7uDP5lJ-jxbXw/s400/blogger-image--791582391.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been such a long time since I've consistently posted on my blog. Almost an entire year. I have changed so much since coming to Thailand. I feel like a completely different person. But I'm also very similar to who I was before. Many of my likes and dislikes have stayed the same. I've learned a lot though, and I finally feel like I'm coming into being an adult. So today I'm going to share some of my likes, dislikes, fears, dreams, and thoughts that could be expanded upon in later posts (if you're interested in this).<br />
<br />
1. My favorite stand alone book is Pride and Prejudice.<br />
2. My favorite book series is A Song of Fire and Ice.<br />
3. I'm afraid of snakes.<br />
4. I dream of being a published author.<br />
5. I officially finished the first draft of my first novel at the end of 2016.<br />
6. My tongue does not like spicy food, but sometimes I eat it anyways because it tastes good. I want to enjoy spicy food, but my tongue is the enemy.<br />
7. I teach English to 9th grade and 12th grade students in the eastern part of Thailand.<br />
8. I've lived in three different places since being in Thailand.<br />
9. I don't like staying in one place for too long.<br />
10. I'm working on finding the beauty in my daily life.<br />
11. My favorite colors are yellow, purple, and silver.<br />
12. Burnt orange is not an appealing color.<br />
13. I love to play The Sims 3 in my free time.<br />
14. My favorite TV show is Once Upon A Time.<br />
15. I have dreamed of living in Thailand for most of my life. And now I'm living this dream.<br />
16. I like to wake up, stretch, and say at least three things that I am grateful for every morning.<br />
17. My apartment complex has a pet cat. Her name is Princess. And she gave birth to four adorable kittens at the end of November.<br />
18. The kittens live in my outdoor kitchen.<br />
19. That's probably weird, but I love it.<br />
20. One of my dreams is to swim with sharks in open water. Particularly whale sharks. It's been a dream of mine since I was nine.<br />
21. I've been drinking out of the same green water bottle pretty much every day for over a year now.<br />
22. This isn't because I have a fascination with this water bottle. I just like that it holds 30 ounces of water at one time.<br />
23. My eyes are very sensitive to the sun, so I never leave my house without sunglasses, even when it is raining. You never know if the sun will come out to play while you're not home.<br />
24. I cook my meals out of a rice cooker. On the weekends I like to do experimental cooking to see what can be made in a rice cooker. So far, pancakes have been a flop, but I'm not giving up yet.<br />
25. I enjoy watching the sunset from the balcony in front of my apartment most nights.<br />
<br />
<br />
So there's some likes, dislikes, fears, dreams, and thoughts about me. I would love to get to know you better so please leave a comment below telling me about yourself!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2017/01/my-2017-new-year-resolutions-and-goals.html" target="_blank">here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-25741742070959634312017-01-04T05:38:00.001-05:002017-01-04T05:38:02.362-05:00My 2017 New Year Resolutions and Goals<div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo-nXF86aja34sfUGTpUducdtIYTMQXql0m8jAn9p-TYXc4Kl-uzhZaNMhlmKScyJ2M310OT-ekFjQmVt7napoboUZYTLVTO7CGjbhjOnuJUIno-cu7IzvT3JbOHhPpv462W4gV2zeK4/s640/blogger-image-1182497928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo-nXF86aja34sfUGTpUducdtIYTMQXql0m8jAn9p-TYXc4Kl-uzhZaNMhlmKScyJ2M310OT-ekFjQmVt7napoboUZYTLVTO7CGjbhjOnuJUIno-cu7IzvT3JbOHhPpv462W4gV2zeK4/s400/blogger-image-1182497928.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">It's a new year, which means it's time to make New Year Resolutions. The only resolution I constantly succeed at is reading at least 1 book per month. In 2016 I managed to read 24 books. Last year, I tried to start a six month Happiness Project. I only wanted to do six months because a. I only had six main categories that I wanted to focus on and b. I knew I was coming to Thailand later in the year, so I didn't want to have myself working on too many things at once while I was adjusting to a new country. Needless to say, the first two and a half months of the plan were pretty successful, but then life happened and I never finished.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">And I'm really glad I didn't. Most of those goals were things that I thought I wanted to focus my time on, but actually didn't. The second half of 2016 turned into a time of learning and growing for me. It's true what they say. If you really want to see yourself grow, move to a different country for a few months. Change will come. It's inevitable. I want 2017 to be a lot like the second half of 2016. I want to continue to grow as a person and focus my time on my health and writing. So let's break down the categories and what they each entail.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "sfuitext";"><b>Health</b></span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-eat a vegan, plant-based diet.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I've been eating a plant-based diet for over two months now. While I'm in Thailand, I'm conscious about the things I spend my money on, trying to make sure they are completely vegan before I buy them. When I get home, I'd like to work on eliminating makeup, clothes, accessories, etc that aren't cruelty-free. It'll be some work, but this is an important step on my journey.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-exercise every day.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I really got into doing at-home yoga videos last month. I love doing yoga at least three times a week. I also started to get myself into the habit of getting in some exercise every day. Not having a car while in Thailand does have its advantages because I have to bike or walk everywhere I go. By the middle of this year, I'd love to have an exercise routine down, where I do yoga, walking, strength training at the gym, running outside or at the gym, exercising with friends, etc. I love being active and I want to keep it up. It's important to me to live a healthy lifestyle.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-get a gym membership.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I really want to get a gym membership somewhere cheap. I know it's possible to work out without a gym. That's what I do for the most part here in Thailand! But I'd like to have a place to go to workout during the winter and when working out at home just isn't working for me. Plus, I think having a gym membership will help me workout more because I'll be paying for a service, and I'll want to get my money's worth.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-become more minimalist</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Living out of two suitcases for the past six months has taught me a lot about what is and isn't important. I've also done trips where I stored all of my belongings in my backpack. I'm able to see now that holding onto things just for the sake of 'what if' isn't a justifiable answer. When I get home, I would like to get rid of things I'm holding onto just for the sake of having them and start to invest in quality pieces that will last me a long time.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-work on spirituality</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I've been doing yoga 2-3 times a week already, but I'd also like to start meditating more and reading more books that teach me new ways to access different levels of my spirituality. This is a subject I am really passionate about, and I can't wait to see the things I learn about myself.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-go to Canada</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Because who doesn't want to go to Canada? In all seriousness, I'm going to Canada with my two best friends sometime this year. I'm not entirely sure when, but it's definitely happening.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><b>Writing</b></span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-read 2-3 books per month. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I read 24 books last year, beating my goal of reading 12 books. I'm pushing the bar this year and aiming for at least 24 books. I would love to read more, but we'll see where life takes me.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-finish The Headquarters and get it published.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I finished the first draft of my novel, The Headquarters, last year, but now I've got to do a bunch of editing in order to get it ready for publishing. My goal was to be completely finished with the book before I leave to come home to America at the end of March, but since I don't have a laptop charger, I can't access 90% of the story. So this goal will be put off until April.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-get an agent</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">There's one step that comes before getting published, and that's finding an agent. I want to find an agent this year who loves my story as much as I do.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-post 3 or more times on my blog each week</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I really want to become a consistent blogger. Writing is my soul's calling, and it is extremely important for me to make sure I'm writing a lot. What better way to get my thoughts and feelings out then to blog?</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-publish 1-3 poems</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">This is more of a "I hope this happens, but I'm not sure if it will" goal. I'm trying to get myself in the mindset of telling myself that it will happen, I will get my poems published this year.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><b>Other</b></span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-save between $7,000-$10,000</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">This one will require me to do some smart spending and have more than one job. I'm going to start looking into jobs that are hiring in March so I can set up interviews in April and get myself to work. I would like to work myself up to a place where I am making money from my blog as well.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-plan to move out</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I'm 23 years old and I want to move out of my childhood home. As much as I love living at home some of the time, living on my own in Thailand has taught me that I'm okay on my own. I can make things happen. I don't think moving out will happen in 2017, but I want to plan to be moving out in early 2018. So I have to pick a state (I'm stuck between a couple) and figure out which city I want to be in for at least the next year.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-start paying for all of my expenses</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">I pay my expenses here in Thailand, but back home in America, my parents still pay for my insurances and healthcare, and all of my stuff is still in my room, living there for free. I'd like to get to a place where I can start to pay for everything on my own. It'll take time, but I know this year is the year to make everything happen for me.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">-get my own phone and plan</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">This is the first step towards being financially independent. I already know which phone plan I want to go with, and I'm working on figuring out what kind of phone I want. I've always had an Android phone, but I'm leaning towards getting an iPhone. It's such a silly decision to have to make, but it is important for staying in connection with myself, friends, family, life, etc.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">So those are my New Years Resolutions. What do you want to accomplish this year? Let me know down in the comments...or link your blogs posts or videos!</span></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">Shannon</span></div>
</div>
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2017/01/16-things-i-learned-in-2016.html">here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-1503081245261397052017-01-02T06:03:00.001-05:002017-01-02T06:03:09.856-05:0016 Things I Learned in 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHfbestigftypK8uvii01V_p5HT5d3GJFeBgTjchow_ml_z_YHW7vemots_dPMoTlmVJucVBmSSGBSi5SEZ5L40726m_TG4NAHhiyQKMnJ8bxtj4jxjmltM5WOtM4_pvOMcBULTjvH8s/s640/blogger-image--1786263443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHfbestigftypK8uvii01V_p5HT5d3GJFeBgTjchow_ml_z_YHW7vemots_dPMoTlmVJucVBmSSGBSi5SEZ5L40726m_TG4NAHhiyQKMnJ8bxtj4jxjmltM5WOtM4_pvOMcBULTjvH8s/s400/blogger-image--1786263443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
1. Being alive is a miracle.<br />
2. Forgive and forget. Holding onto grudges does nothing for you.<br />
3. Nothing you stress over is as big of a deal as you make it out to be.<br />
4. Don't be afraid to say no.<br />
5. Go after what you want with 100% determination.<br />
6. Fear is what holds us back from living the life we want to.<br />
7. Travel changes you.<br />
8. Be grateful for everything you have.<br />
9. Watching the sunrise and sunset can do wonders.<br />
10. Saying thank you is more than enough.<br />
11. Being alone is necessary.<br />
12. Being an adult is a challenge, but the payoff is indescribable.<br />
13. Love.<br />
14. Journaling is therapeutic.<br />
15. Give yourself time to rest and don't feel bad about taking the time to relax.<br />
16. Saying hello can lead to a world of possibilities.<br />
<br />
There are many more things I learned this year. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Blogging will be returning at least three times a week. I hope you had a great 2016.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-34316361973956757192016-08-17T05:15:00.000-04:002016-08-17T05:15:23.841-04:00Day 1 in Tokyo, Japan: Jetlag, Subway, and Ueno<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq46pg9Xiddx3pgY_ALPAU5MxI6lNIARNe52kx5hW8cQ0bAiQhQtA9oMXT6HbgxM79er8ARsEwLfE9S4xlar6TMiUE2Mx4PjrX5mFhsrIHWABR4-XHzJEAawBOWEnXJ5OYP83P6K3Xa0M/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq46pg9Xiddx3pgY_ALPAU5MxI6lNIARNe52kx5hW8cQ0bAiQhQtA9oMXT6HbgxM79er8ARsEwLfE9S4xlar6TMiUE2Mx4PjrX5mFhsrIHWABR4-XHzJEAawBOWEnXJ5OYP83P6K3Xa0M/s400/IMG_1029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hello, friends! I'm technically lying when calling this Day 1. It is more like Day 1/2, but we're just going to go with it.<br />
<br />
Getting off the plane was a surreal experience. It hadn't really hit me that I was in Japan until I saw the "Welcome to Japan" sign. I mean, I had been working towards this goal of mine to travel around the world and teach for years now, and to see it come to life absolutely blew my mind. Not everyone gets to say they have been to Tokyo. I was lucky, but I had also worked my ass off to get here. And I was going to make damn sure I enjoyed it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBJd5MUvCcgkDuqZvRAlYXyYItzLI1woqQed5msNhdfdidAhv-4xMXPvU6dv-SRBypYU5NDU1N4E5SLw-Q6uDpSIvaPuuuQ343cDZlWRpiFOICaFDo7D-fnsemLHUSbKHDTyD-5tbhsE/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBJd5MUvCcgkDuqZvRAlYXyYItzLI1woqQed5msNhdfdidAhv-4xMXPvU6dv-SRBypYU5NDU1N4E5SLw-Q6uDpSIvaPuuuQ343cDZlWRpiFOICaFDo7D-fnsemLHUSbKHDTyD-5tbhsE/s400/IMG_1015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Going through immigration, baggage claim, and customs was easy. For those who don't know, you have to fill out an immigration form and customs form to enter Japan. The immigration form is essentially basic information about yourself, why you're in Japan, etc. On the custom form, you pretty much check no to anything, unless for some reason you brought large quantities of booze or cigarettes over with you. After going through all of the steps and knowing that we were legally allowed to be in this country for 90 days, we exchanged some money, bought express passes to and from the airport, and 48 hour subway passes. Japan uses the Yen as its form of currency. I really did not have any trouble using it. It just takes a few tries with the coins to make sure you grabbed a 100 and not a 1.<br />
<br />
Vanida and I then made our way through the maze that is the halls of the subway (and put in the wrong subway card a few times) until we reached the train cars. We got in what we thought was the correct car and took off towards Ueno, the place our hotel was near. The journey was supposed to last forty three minutes but took an hour and a half. We learned on our way back to the airport that we took the local line and not the express. But we just laughed it off because we had a good experience on the subway.<br />
<br />
When you first leave Narita airport, you are greeted by lots of trees. I felt like I was still at home while the trees zoomed by. It wasn't until we started to see buildings and then buildings on top of one another and right next to one another that it felt like a different city. Something to know about the Kei Sei Line is that 90% of the stops are not on the map. Only the major stops for this line are included. So we really had to go on faith and the confirmation from two lovely Japanese girls that the car would eventually end up in Ueno.<br />
<br />
When we got off of the subway, we had to transfer to the Ginza line in order to get to the stop our hotel was supposed to be semi-close to, or at least that is what my research had told me. I got us off at the correct stop and we made our way out onto the streets. I wish I could say I had this amazing experience where I looked around the city with wonder in my eyes as the camera zoomed out, but that is not what happened. Instead, I almost tripped and a cyclist almost ran me over. But hey, how else would I enter a city for the first time? This is me we are talking about here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFxLrGaDC725FcCsqhFHJxSt18AbqsXVxay-29YPbQpSzZfh7BmJWfb1-BnJqTsUKRsJBjaDmolRyuVoVSTIkP4fwrWOJ5NQVwOMy9B5rWGvhuWRplVD1MQpP-BOIGBT3TUN9jTyBwNU/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFxLrGaDC725FcCsqhFHJxSt18AbqsXVxay-29YPbQpSzZfh7BmJWfb1-BnJqTsUKRsJBjaDmolRyuVoVSTIkP4fwrWOJ5NQVwOMy9B5rWGvhuWRplVD1MQpP-BOIGBT3TUN9jTyBwNU/s400/IMG_1023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The hunt for our hotel could really be a post in itself. It took us a couple of tries to find it. We walked to the stoplight closest to us and tried to figure out where we were. This clearly did not work because a. We really had no idea where we were b. The cars were on the opposite side of the road and I really wanted to get in one c. Our maps did not help in the slightest. So what did we do? We asked people how to get to our hotel. An older man pointed us in the right direction and said in about two meters our hotel would be on the right. We thanked him and went in the direction he told us to go, neither of us really having any idea how long a meter actually takes to walk.<br />
<br />
Turns out, we walked right past our hotel, determining it wasn't the one since it was on the other side of the street. We stopped and asked a local shop owner where our hotel was a few minutes later when I determined that there was no way two meters took this long to walk. I was aware that my research said it took twelve minutes to walk from the subway stop to the hotel, but this seemed to be taking much more time than that. The shop owner told us our hotel was the one we determined was not ours and sent us on our way. At this point, it is probably a good time to note that we were drenched in sweat. Carrying luggage through a city and heat while experiencing that initial new city adrenaline rush does that to you.<br />
<br />
We checked in to the hotel and immediately hit the shower. Showers are different in Japan, or at least this one was. We had to turn on the bathroom sink and turn a knob to get the water to come out of the shower head. It was touch and go for a while as I tried to find the balance between the hot and cold water, but I found my way eventually. Our hotel provided razors and combs at the front desk, the typical shampoo/conditioner/soap combo in the bathroom, moisturizers, and towels. The room was smaller than I was expecting, but I never felt like there wasn't enough room for two people to easily move around.<br />
<br />
After showering, we hit up Ueno, because we were told by one of Vanida's friends that Ueno was the place to be when hungry. We examined many streets full of restaurants, bars, and one casino, but everything was crowded, and we were tired and just wanted to shove food in our mouths. We wound up just stopping at a local mini mart and stocking up on rolls and noodles (you need those carbs to keep the body running!) and headed back to the hotel room. I stuffed my face before getting ready for bed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGawYAeqsZkb-SL6k3gjhwljW4gq4Lgi0rOpGl8v1VL4XV0qOOQa56Ut8BT6DtEUN3W4KHgsM-HV8yKBSiXgWVTXIRRCiW0s-jjrDOQDNyHtyF8k6OPpL3FaUSZ31_hVw70otrO9fm2aw/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGawYAeqsZkb-SL6k3gjhwljW4gq4Lgi0rOpGl8v1VL4XV0qOOQa56Ut8BT6DtEUN3W4KHgsM-HV8yKBSiXgWVTXIRRCiW0s-jjrDOQDNyHtyF8k6OPpL3FaUSZ31_hVw70otrO9fm2aw/s400/IMG_1034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2towkwFrJUFrQldAxwoKuk21QKvXff7c54K0m-SrIV5SIfWQ5pkAw8gEnhIJU6dLH3nRVqu4nNLCizSs2qEZyze-gt0ozeUMgkq5BwBBs0Hjwwm4qmMUn4TQO1FEqHpusf-ujI-m7P8/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2towkwFrJUFrQldAxwoKuk21QKvXff7c54K0m-SrIV5SIfWQ5pkAw8gEnhIJU6dLH3nRVqu4nNLCizSs2qEZyze-gt0ozeUMgkq5BwBBs0Hjwwm4qmMUn4TQO1FEqHpusf-ujI-m7P8/s400/IMG_1037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Jetlag hit me hard that night. We were in bed by nine thirty because we were exhausted and wanted to make sure we were well-rested for our full day in Tokyo. I wound up waking up around eleven forty at night, but my body thought it was morning, because I was still used to EST. I was still exhausted but soon realized it was dark out, so there was no way it was eleven forty in the morning. It was a strange experience having my body so out of sync with time. I wound up sleeping through the majority of the night, but I did wake up a few times, because my body was telling me it was the afternoon and I needed to get up.<br />
<br />
I hope this tale of my first day in Tokyo was a good read! I will see you guys later with Day 2 in Tokyo!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/3-differences-between-usa-and-japan.html">here</a>.<br />
Check out my other Japan posts <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/08/3-differences-between-usa-and-japan.html">here</a>, here, and here as they are posted.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-32558716119732559732016-08-15T05:36:00.000-04:002016-08-15T05:36:24.220-04:003 Differences Between the USA and Japan
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YtzzQGSfXV1d4VzkVtn5jZab-ViTHD24ExjiKr-eT9DlqD4CbrqO4IufBHtaRK5o3t5wuy2VpPugSFJX18JgJTcHhNYv3stMP1KIdfINPrB72GbPpHnlxGKUY6YQrOmOAH4LetEj3lQ/s1600/pink_begonia_flowers-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YtzzQGSfXV1d4VzkVtn5jZab-ViTHD24ExjiKr-eT9DlqD4CbrqO4IufBHtaRK5o3t5wuy2VpPugSFJX18JgJTcHhNYv3stMP1KIdfINPrB72GbPpHnlxGKUY6YQrOmOAH4LetEj3lQ/s400/pink_begonia_flowers-wide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Hello! Sorry it has
been a long time since you last heard from me. I have been updating
my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shannonarielle7">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/samcleod316">Instagram</a> as often as I can, but the Wifi/Internet
connection here truly sucks. It has taken a few weeks to adjust to my
new life here in Thailand, but I can finally say I am getting the
hang of things.<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Enough about
Thailand though. I have a ton of things from the past month to talk
about, including my trip to Japan. I had such a fun time exploring
Tokyo for two days with one of my friends. I hope the next time I get
to go back I can stay longer.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While in Japan, I
noticed many differences between it and the USA.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. Bikes are ridden
everywhere.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When my friend
Vanida and I got off the subway and entered the city of Tokyo, I was
almost ran over by a bike. That was one of many encounters I had with
these deadly contraptions. I’m over exaggerating here,
but I was amazed by how many people rode bikes around the city. Right
in the middle of the busy sidewalks of the city. If you’ve ever
been to New York City, you know how crowded Times Square gets from
tourism. Imagine riding a bike through Times Square and you’ve
pretty much got Tokyo summed up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I did like the fact
that people were choosing to ride their bikes around the city. It
promotes a healthy lifestyle, which I believe we all could benefit
from. One of the good things about Tokyo is that most of the larger
more heavily trafficked streets have bike lanes available for riders
to use. That doesn’t always mean they are used (hence how I almost
got ran over), but it is good that they are there.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. People are more on the
go and time oriented than Americans.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On our second day
in Tokyo I thought I was going to get knocked over and stomped on.
Getting to work on time is no joke in this city. Vanida and I were
transferring between subway lines when all of a sudden we were thrown
into the fast paced mob of people walking past us or towards us as
they hurried to their trains. I consider myself to be a pretty fast
walker when I need to be, and I needed to be in this city, but even
what I thought was fast didn’t matter here. I’ve dealt with
subways in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. I
know what the hustle and bustle is like going to work every morning.
But wow, it was a culture shock to see what underground Tokyo is like
on a weekday morning.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. People drive on the left side of the
road and walk on the left side of the sidewalk.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The biggest culture
shock for me has been seeing cars drive on the left side of the road
and having to walk on the left side of the sidewalk. In the USA, we
drive on the right side of the road, and when walking, you stay to
the right. It is something we are taught to do from a young age. It
was quite an adjustment trying to remember that the cars were coming
from the opposite direction. But I figured it out by our second night
there and was able to successfully walk across the street without
waiting for the locals to go first (and without getting run over).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are many other
differences between the USA and Japan that I could talk about, but
these are all I am going to share today. If you are interested in
seeing more posts on my trip to Tokyo, keep an eye out because they
will be up later this week!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope you all have
had a great month. See you on Wednesday!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Check out my
previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/07/my-first-14-hour-flight-across-globe.html">here</a>.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-8085380054829650912016-07-15T10:11:00.000-04:002016-07-15T10:11:10.869-04:00My First 14 Hour Flight Across the Globe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597 iQbrW0t7NS8U-zixyDjKkw5M" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwjBnPGG0fXNAhULMI8KHcv3DxkQjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.co.th/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjBnPGG0fXNAhULMI8KHcv3DxkQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theodysseyonline.com%2F8-types-of-people-on-plane&psig=AFQjCNGd-3kg_D_kg0_FoJwp64kMzJFR3Q&ust=1468677728185206" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="irc_mi iQbrW0t7NS8U-pQOPx8XEepE" height="225" src="http://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2016/03/07/635929352622573191-1360068289_plane-in-blue-sky-136397593033103901-150416160347.jpg" style="margin-top: 21px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I woke up at six am on Sunday. My fan was slowly blowing cold air on my face, my soft mattress hugged the curves of my body, and I wasn't wearing any pants. It was one of those moments where you recognize every sensation around you. This was the last time I would experience waking up exactly like this for a year. I wasn't scared. I wasn't sad. I felt calm. A feeling of serenity came over me as I rolled myself out of my bed one last time, making sure to trip over everything as I put on my pj pants. I opened my bedroom door and looked down the stairs to see if my mom was awake. This always determined how quiet I had to be in the morning. I showered, ate, finished last minute packing, and put everything in the car. And then we left the house that had been my home for the past twenty years. As I shut the garage door, it felt like the end of a chapter in my life. I had experienced so many of them in the past year alone that I almost didn't recognize it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything at the airport went well until I hugged my dad goodbye. He told me that he loved me. This is a phrase he doesn't use that often. Hearing those words brought tears to my eyes, but I pulled myself together as quickly as it took the tears to come and raced off towards my dream. This was where I was meant to be in </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">this moment. I had been working towards my dreams for years, and they were finally becoming a reality. I wasn't about to let anything stop me.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I must've showed my passport to every person I came in contact with at the airport that day. It was an </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">interesting experience to say the least. When we finally found our seats on the plane, I was in awe of the number of seats per row, and of course, the tv. All I ever wanted was to track my international flights on one of these tvs. After seeing travel bloggers and vloggers post photos and videos featuring this moment and dreaming of doing it myself, I instantly turned on my tv and found a map. Seeing that I was still on the East Coast bummed me out, but following the path to Tokyo made me instantly smile.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I probably should've mentioned by now that I have been traveling with my friend, Vanida. She is from Thailand, but I met her at my brother's temple. We were supposed to sit in a row of four seats with two other people. Much to our delight, those two people never showed up, so we got the whole row to ourselves for the fourteen hour flight. Things have a way of working out for those who do their best every day, and treat everyone and everything around them with kindness and love.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I kept the tv in front of the aisle seat on the Time Zone Map the whole flight. I had</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> always dreamed of the day I went to a different time zone, and I was going to make sure I was looking the second I reached it. I kept my eye on this map for the majority of the flight. I smiled when we were above Canada (I've been to Niagara Falls, but only on the US side, much to my dismay) and almost jumped out of my seat screaming when the clock on the screen was finally an hour behind EST.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had two meals and a couple snacks while on the plane. The food was good for plane food. There isn't much else to say about it. I watched a few movies and episodes of TV shows. I got into </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gotham</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> during the flight, but stopped after three episodes so I wouldn't become hooked.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I stayed awake for the entire flight. I did try to sleep on multiple occasions, but I've been in the same time zone my entire life. I was used to be awake during this time. I was never bored while on the plane. Friends and family told me I would be, but I told them I am very good at keeping myself busy for long periods of time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Well, it's time to wrap this post up. We are going to board our flight to Bangkok in ten minutes, so I have to make sure my water bottle is filled up. I also need to walk around for a bit before sitting for another six and a half hours.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'll see you all next time with Day 1 in Tokyo, Japan.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/07/july-2016-monthly-goals-happiness.html">here</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-56228249171669428682016-07-01T14:17:00.000-04:002016-07-01T19:32:31.303-04:00July 2016 Monthly Goals: Happiness, Discovery, and Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02KQxcrPauO2TWDD35pRtwOnPjbmlfnFpfUg8lBgWxbK4dKPCNj5u6m2XLYUz_WjEm8QJbzcKI3yhKExncugqdVr56sbTkjuQ7T0521fCQoj9cqBuYF6pg2ywNgdm-nRPvdMdafPSyUU/s1600/Root-an-African-Violet-Leaf-Step-6-Version-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02KQxcrPauO2TWDD35pRtwOnPjbmlfnFpfUg8lBgWxbK4dKPCNj5u6m2XLYUz_WjEm8QJbzcKI3yhKExncugqdVr56sbTkjuQ7T0521fCQoj9cqBuYF6pg2ywNgdm-nRPvdMdafPSyUU/s400/Root-an-African-Violet-Leaf-Step-6-Version-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Has it hit anyone else that we are officially halfway through 2016? So much has happened in the past few months, but it still seems unreal that it's July.<br />
<br />
If you've been following my blog, you know I started my own Happiness Project this year based off <i>The Happiness Project</i> by Gretchen Rubin. I kept up the first three months of my project, but once April hit, I didn't keep up with the goals I had set for myself. I wish I would've kept up with the project, because I know I was making a lot of progress during the first three months of this year. This being said, I'm not going to follow April, May, and June's goals in July, August, and September. I'm moving to Thailand later this month, and I've realized my interests have changed. Of course, all of the categories for my Happiness Project are important to me, but I have since decided to take a different approach to my goals.<br />
<br />
This month, I will be focused on:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>-Letting go</b><br />
Letting go is something all of us struggle with. We live in the past and the future so often that we forget about the present moment. This month I want to focus on living in the now.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>-Being happy</b><br />
I want to be happy as often as I can this month. I want to give a smile to everyone I see and say hello with enthusiasm. Of course, there will always be moments throughout some days where I don't feel happy, but I'm not going to sulk in my unhappiness. I will smile and be kind to everyone, including myself.<br />
<br />
<b>-Discovering</b><br />
I'm going to two new countries this month. I want to explore both of them as much as I can. I only have two days in Japan, so I want to make them count. I would like to explore all of Thailand while living there. This month, I hope to explore a little bit of Bangkok and most of the Sisaket province. I also hope that I will discover more about myself this month. I believe that as humans, we are constantly evolving. I can't wait to learn more about who I am in this moment.<br />
<br />
<b>-Making new and strong friendships</b><br />
Something I want to focus on is forming stronger friendships with people I am already friends with and making new friendships based on love and trust. I believe it is important to be honest with our friends and to show them the love they deserve from a friendship. We should treat every person we come in contact with this way.<br />
<br />
What are your goals for this month? Leave a comment!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/06/twelve-days-until-japan-and-thailand.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-48588939005044848222016-06-27T22:00:00.001-04:002016-06-27T22:04:09.584-04:00Twelve Days Until Japan and Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaZjUmnOxkW0ZupJ69nvD-1WyTiE9L94VJKGJ8xK5ucCdrn-OlvO1f4K-M4PR2SQJNvrSrWvZXPZgSQBxEf6CSD6gPk_rqnH4lI_5BbcyMR37Wk5lvc0mdafrLNTlClpU4tZJtyyCUiE/s400/images2GL02H95.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaZjUmnOxkW0ZupJ69nvD-1WyTiE9L94VJKGJ8xK5ucCdrn-OlvO1f4K-M4PR2SQJNvrSrWvZXPZgSQBxEf6CSD6gPk_rqnH4lI_5BbcyMR37Wk5lvc0mdafrLNTlClpU4tZJtyyCUiE/s1600/images2GL02H95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
It has just dawned on me that I am leaving the United States in twelve days. I've been so excited to get out and start exploring more of the world that it didn't hit me until now that I'm actually doing this. I'm actually doing what I set out to do. I see people post about how they would love to see the world, but they can't afford the costs involved with travelling. I'm lucky with how generous my parents have been so that I could save money to use towards travelling. I'm lucky to have found a great community of people that have helped me with my airfare for getting over to Thailand. The amount of love I have seen in the past year is unbelievable to me, and I can't imagine what I have done to deserve to be surrounded by such loving people. I guess it's true what they say. The way you think and act dictates how other people treat you. When you do your best every day, even if you don't feel well, you attract positivity and light into your life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not sure where this post is going. I just felt like writing, and my move to Thailand is always on my mind. I will be writing more posts in the next couple of weeks on my last few days in the United States. Once I am settled in Thailand, I hope to put at least two posts up per week documenting my life while I am there. There will also be other posts sporadically added on my blog that fit in with how I ran it before my move. I could never have a blog without writing about books, quotes, etc. My friends and family are excited to see what I will be up to while in Thailand, and I hope all of you follow me on this journey.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think that's all I have to say for now. See you guys later this week.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lots of love,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/06/catching-up.html">here</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-76153105197985384262016-06-06T20:53:00.000-04:002016-06-27T21:51:19.807-04:00Catching Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597 iNjKsMcKzZfw-zixyDjKkw5M" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwiRwLO82JTNAhVJNiYKHbr6AvAQjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiRwLO82JTNAhVJNiYKHbr6AvAQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fxfotokex%2F10287662665&psig=AFQjCNHtybohOtUyLoZZBtlG0w93V_1mUA&ust=1465346828612000" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="irc_mi iNjKsMcKzZfw-pQOPx8XEepE" height="264" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5460/10287662665_28e2ff9cc7_b.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've debated on trying to start blogging again for the past couple of weeks. I love writing and expressing myself, but I've wondered if this is something I truly want to devote my time to. The answer is simple. I am not sure. This may be the last post I ever make. I may never stop consistently blogging. I don't know what will happen in the future. All I know is, I have grown so much in the past few months, and if there is one thing I have learned, it is to slow down and listen to what I need.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I became depressed again towards the end of March. It came out of nowhere, as it usually does, and I started to rely heavily on the few people that made me happy...and alcohol. I haven't had a drink in almost three weeks at this point. Well, it's been 18 days. When I feel overwhelmed, I want to go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of wine, but I don't do it. I don't need alcohol to get me through my depression anymore. I am strong. I can be there for myself, sober. I cut someone out who I really relied on. Someone who made me very happy, until that person didn't anymore. I went through a hard discovery with that person, well, many hard discoveries. Sometimes people walk away, even when that person is the only one you know who understands what you are going through, and you don't get to know all of the reasons why. You just keep moving forward. And that is what I have done. I got myself through my depression and here I am today. Happy.<br />
<br />
I will be moving to Thailand next month for an ESL job. We finally got the airplane ticket situation worked out. I'll be going to Tokyo for two days before Thailand, and then spending a couple of days in Bangkok before I'm shipped off to the unknown. I will be teaching in a small town where English isn't widely spoken. I should be terrified, but I'm not. This will give me the opportunity to become fluent in Thai much quicker than I would in other parts of the country. It will also give me the opportunity to disconnect from the world and focus on growing as a person in every way I can grow.<br />
<br />
I've gotten into astrology lately. I have a book which I've taken notes from, so I can study them while in Thailand. Astrology is something I've always been passionate about, and it's time I understand more than my Libra Sun sign.<br />
<br />
My latest confession: I can't stop buying poetry books. I love poetry. This has been a fact for years now. But lately I have found so many incredible books of the most beautiful poetry I have ever read. I love reading through the poems and dissecting them, trying to figure out why the author picked that particular word or why one word got a line of its own. I think of what would happen to the poem if you shifted the placement of certain words or cut out an entire line altogether. Poetry is a never ending process that I will never get sick of studying or writing.<br />
<br />
I've been taking walks almost every day. It's been important for me to get out of the house and move. I'm so used to being cooped up inside for days at a time (I put the 'i' in introvert), and I just decided that I have to start taking better care of myself. This is a start to improving myself physically for my own well-being.<br />
<br />
I think this is all I have to share for now. I hope you all have had a lovely few months. Hopefully I will be back another day with another post.<br />
<br />
Till then,<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/03/10-ways-to-cheer-yourself-up-when-youre.html">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-33343410427156466962016-03-15T16:27:00.001-04:002016-03-15T16:27:35.361-04:0010 Ways to Cheer Yourself Up When You're Feeling Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJDIo8zlApgg9abhgtcsb6SZKW84frXun5flOiHoDSoynOkKoOeBY0xhZYnTBpLBL888wB9hGBjCr-xq_7eSqsh9nVW_kFCMtGERxP4qyjkV4zO9J1sgTgPVG6oOfuN5x51L3YRj6BFY/s1600/lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJDIo8zlApgg9abhgtcsb6SZKW84frXun5flOiHoDSoynOkKoOeBY0xhZYnTBpLBL888wB9hGBjCr-xq_7eSqsh9nVW_kFCMtGERxP4qyjkV4zO9J1sgTgPVG6oOfuN5x51L3YRj6BFY/s400/lavender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi, everyone.<br />
<br />
I've been feeling under the weather the past few days. Last week was warm and sunny in Maryland, and I was taking walks through all the neighborhoods near where I live. Now the weather has been chilly and dreary, which normally I'm not against, but the drastic shift from hot to cold has made me sick.<br />
<br />
I hope you all are doing well (I always do), but if you aren't, I thought I would share some ways to cheer yourself up when you're feeling down! <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>1. Put on your favorite comfy clothes.</b> I always find that putting on my favorite pair of sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt lifts my mood, especially after a long day of work.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>2. Drink a cup of hot tea.</b> Hot tea is a life saver. Green tea is great at increasing your metabolism and providing nutrients to lift your spirits back up. I've heard that ginger tea is also a great option, but I've never tried it myself.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Write your feelings down. </b>I'm a firm believer in putting your feelings down on paper. This is a great way to relieve any stress or negativity you are feeling. A bonus is that you can rip the paper up once you're done writing as a way of making peace with the feelings you felt and moving on to positive thinking.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Watch an episode of your favorite TV show.</b> Who doesn't love watching their favorite TV show when they're feeling down? While you're are it, make some popcorn. Throw some chocolate in there!<br />
<br />
<b>5. Go for a walk.</b> This may not apply if it is ten degrees below freezing or there's a blizzard, but if it's warm enough out, go walk for fifteen minutes. Even if it's cloudy or raining. You can always carry an umbrella and buy some cute rain boots for the occasion.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Call someone you're close with.</b> Sometimes talking to someone you're close with is the way to get your feelings off your chest. Plus, this person may offer you a different outlook on how to see your current situation. We are constantly changing and growing. We learn a variety of methods of accepting and moving on from our negative feelings through others.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Take funny pictures of yourself using Snapchat's new filters.</b> I finally have Snapchat on my iPad, and let me tell you, there is no way anyone can be in a bad mood after using these filters. Invite a friend over and use the face swap option. Trust me, you'll be laughing until your stomach hurts!<br />
<br />
<b>8. Make and eat your favorite comfort food.</b> For some people, like myself, cooking can relieve stress and negativity. Try making your favorite comfort food as opposed to getting it pre-made. For example, you can cut up potatoes and make chips or fries by baking or frying them. If you're struggling with how to make your favorite comfort food, look up the recipe on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shannonarielle7/">Pinterest</a>!<br />
<br />
<b>9. Throw a solo dance party.</b> Guilty as charged. I support putting on your comfy clothes and dancing around the living room like no one is watching. Heck, leave your curtains open and put on a show for your neighbors. Just smile and dance the negativity away!<br />
<br />
<b>10. Take a hot bubble bath.</b> Lavender does wonders for our bodies. Mix a few drops of lavender essential oil into your bath and feel the stress melt away. This is also a great time to close your eyes, smile, and think about all the things you are grateful for. I promise you that your smile won't fade for the rest of the day.<br />
<br />
I hope you all are able to take something away from this post! I'm sorry I didn't post last week. I'll try and make it up to you guys the next couple of days! Let me know things you like to do to cheer yourself up in the comments below!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/03/march-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-52621959707429925102016-03-03T08:47:00.005-05:002016-03-03T08:47:47.272-05:00March 2016 Goals: My Happiness Project (Spiritual)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlOBBvkoSYfJ_3ICF3H5Fpc4XJZJL-tM2LneHBHsTU_2VZnnCjM6hP1ODVfMJmC9cblOeDz-a_U9bZxDRd-rF08HK9MyjGLgiwFKS0VMkcfr-cEoEIoNIWNBmIN9qcoWqR_VJsFmbbjE/s1600/happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlOBBvkoSYfJ_3ICF3H5Fpc4XJZJL-tM2LneHBHsTU_2VZnnCjM6hP1ODVfMJmC9cblOeDz-a_U9bZxDRd-rF08HK9MyjGLgiwFKS0VMkcfr-cEoEIoNIWNBmIN9qcoWqR_VJsFmbbjE/s400/happy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What's up everyone! I hope you all are doing well on this beautiful day! Today's post is all about my goals for the month of March. If you're new here, I'm following my own </span><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-happiness-project-overview-for-2016.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happiness Project</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> this year, with different goals for each month. I'll link my book review to </span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Happiness Project </span></i><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-happiness-project-by.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. This book inspired me to do something different from making a list of resolutions that I won't keep at the beginning of the year. This project holds me accountable, as I have to continuously look at my goals to make sure I am completing them. I'll have links to all of my posts about My Happiness Project linked at the bottom of this post. So, without further ado, let's dive into what's in store for March.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Goals:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-meditate for 10
minutes every day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-write mantras and
practice them every morning and night.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-do yoga twice a
week.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-learn the basics of
chakras, astrology, and crystals.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Meditate for 10
minutes every day.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used to be into meditating every day when I was 17-19. I lost sight of it when I transferred to FSU and started to focus more on my schoolwork, working, and developing friendships. I want to start off slow and ease myself back into meditation this month. Meditation calms my mind and helps me focus on the present, which is something I struggle with. I like to live in the future. I'm constantly thinking about what my life could be like or what I need to do to get to where I want to be instead of living in the moment. I'm hoping to start changing my thought processes this month and connect more with where I am at any given moment of the day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Write mantras and
practice them every morning and night.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've never written a mantra or practiced repeating a phrase to myself multiple times a day. I have written my mantra for this month and know what it entails. I'm hoping that practicing my mantra every morning and night will help me change my mindset towards life and get me closer to being the person I want to be. I'd love to do a post on writing my mantra if that is something you would like to read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Do yoga twice a
week.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There isn't any other physical activity that excites me like yoga does. I used to do yoga 2-3 times a week before I started going to FSU. This month I'm going to dedicate myself to doing yoga at least twice per week. I know that once I get myself into a routine I won't stop yoga again. The benefits are extraordinary, and I'm excited to see and feel them again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Learn the basics of
chakras, astrology, and crystals.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know a little bit about chakras, astrology, and crystals, but I want to expand my knowledge on all of them. When I originally wrote this goal, I only wanted to understand the basics. Now I would like to go a bit deeper than the basics, but we'll see what happens. I've also been studying essential oils and natural health the past couple of months, so I would like to learn more about those topics as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On top of my goals for March, I also have to keep up my goals from </span><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">January</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/02/february-2016-goals-my-happiness.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">February</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I'm excited to challenge myself even more this month!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me know how your happiness project is going, or just tell me about what's been on your mind lately. I'll see you guys next week with some new posts!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-happiness-project-february-2016.html">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out an overview of My Happiness Project </span><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-happiness-project-overview-for-2016.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out my </span><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">January Goals</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-happines-project-january-2016-energy.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">January Goals Review</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/02/february-2016-goals-my-happiness.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">February Goals</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-happiness-project-february-2016.html">February Goals Review</a> posts.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-74028001421642721192016-03-02T09:18:00.001-05:002016-03-02T09:18:18.719-05:00My Happiness Project: February 2016 (Writing) Goals Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sv2BWMfGTeB0JnVugbzRIXDH_qQ6qF1W03xHOuKwio3UDxflLklrDpHUiJX_3DzemU78qSjhGXu2bZLP-Nmaj-qeuFhCNkOK90o4uk1q2rnQQeN9xkn7UlQyPU9VJWoSjsdTS-am7_Y/s1600/hap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sv2BWMfGTeB0JnVugbzRIXDH_qQ6qF1W03xHOuKwio3UDxflLklrDpHUiJX_3DzemU78qSjhGXu2bZLP-Nmaj-qeuFhCNkOK90o4uk1q2rnQQeN9xkn7UlQyPU9VJWoSjsdTS-am7_Y/s400/hap.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi, everyone!<br />
<br />
It's that time again for an update on <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-happiness-project-overview-for-2016.html">My Happiness Project</a>! This month was all about <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/02/february-2016-goals-my-happiness.html">writing</a>, which means I was SUPER excited to get started. I'm going to go into detail on all of my specific goals in this category and how well I kept up my <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html">January Goals</a>. If you're curious about the book that inspired me to make my own happiness project, you can find my book review on it<i> </i><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-happiness-project-by.html">here</a>. Let's get starteddd!<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goals:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-write at least 300 words every day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-learn a new word every day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-finish the first draft of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">The Headquarters</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Write at least 300 words every day.</b><br />
<br />
I was pretty successful with this goal. By the end of the month, I expected to have at least 8,700 words written, and I ended with over 22,000, with most of that count dedicated to <i>The Headquarters. </i>I've mentioned on my blog before that I struggle with keeping myself on track with writing. I often write when I feel inspired, but never any other time. This month I stepped up my writing game and made myself proud!<br />
<br />
<b>Learn a new word every day.</b><br />
<br />
This goal started off going well. I was recording new words that I learned so that I could practice using them every day to ingrain them in my mind. This was a poor approach that I took from years of being subjected to standardized testing. I haven't practiced going through the words since week 2, and I honestly could only name 1 or 2 of the words I wrote down. I have since decided to take this goal off the table. I may decide to come back to it in the future, but for now, I am accepting that it wasn't helping me at all.<br />
<br />
<b>Finish the first draft of <i>The Headquarters.</i></b></div>
I honestly don't know how I expected to finish the first draft of my book this month, and sure enough, I didn't. I did manage to write over 20,500 words towards the first draft, which is more than I have written towards it in the past couple of years. I realized towards the middle of last week that I could make it to 20,000 words if I buckled down every day and gave myself a couple hours to write, so I did that and went beyond 20,000! This next month I plan on writing close to 1,000 words of <i>The Headquarters</i> everyday, so I should end up somewhere near the 30,000 word mark by the 31st. <br />
<br />
<b>January 2016 Goals</b><br />
<br />
I've been doing a pretty awful job with following my energy goals. I haven't been waking up as early as I should, which leads to me going to bed early but not falling asleep for a couple of hours. I have been eating fruits and vegetables, but not as many as I would like to be eating at this point. Processed food has made its way back into my life, which has definitely been a downside for my acne. I have been exercising pretty consistently the past couple of weeks, so I'm proud of that. I also managed to downsize my belongings, which was one of the tasks I needed to complete on my list. I was fine the first week of February, but I became tired and wasn't in a good place mentally, so that led to my downfall with following my January Goals. It also led to me taking a break from blogging. I plan on trying harder this next month to be consistent with all of my goals.<br />
<br />
Let me know how your Happiness Project is going! Or just tell me how your day has been! I would love to hear from you!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/03/sometimes-we-all-need-break.html">here</a>.<br />
Check out my book review on <i>The Happiness Project</i> <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-happiness-project-by.html">here</a>.<br />
Check out an overview of My Happiness Project <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-happiness-project-overview-for-2016.html">here</a>.<br />
Check out my <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html">January 2016 goals</a>, <a href="tp://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-happines-project-january-2016-energy.html">January 2016 goals review</a>, and <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/02/february-2016-goals-my-happiness.html">February goals</a> posts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-11354686596975189122016-03-01T14:27:00.000-05:002016-03-01T19:14:11.026-05:00Sometimes We All Need a Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597" data-href="http://allthe2048.com/community-games/flowers.html" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwiUl9GIm6DLAhXKFz4KHUO-B2YQjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiUl9GIm6DLAhXKFz4KHUO-B2YQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fallthe2048.com%2Fcommunity-games%2Fflowers.html&psig=AFQjCNG4v-5J8hXhOYwKYbEBc_7xruNFMQ&ust=1456946561169521" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img class="irc_mi" src="http://www.drodd.com/images10/pictures-of-beautiful-flowers20.jpg" height="249" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
Hi everyone!<br />
<br />
It's been a few weeks since we've seen one another! Let me update you on what has been going on.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>-I went skiing.</b><br />
One of my friends from college invited me to go with her and some friends up to her boyfriend's cabin the first weekend in February to go skiing. I had a blast! I came up to FSU early to meet up with some of my friends (and eat Moe's) before we left for the cabin. We only went skiing on Saturday, but it was great to get some practice in. I was better at skiing then I ever remember being, and this trip made me realize that skiing isn't always about going down the slopes as fast as you can. Sometimes you have to slow down and work on improving your skiing skills. Everyone can use the practice.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>-I cleaned my room and started living more minimally</b>.<br />
I spent four days going through my room and purging relentlessly. I've been doing a ton of research on living a minimalistic lifestyle. I don't think I will ever get to the point where I only own 20 pieces of clothing, including socks and underwear, but I do think cutting down on my belongings and clearing space in my room has made me feel more at peace. I'm also planning on having a yardsale later this month, so I have a lot of cleaning to do around the rest of our house to prepare for that. I also plan on doing another one once I've travelled for 1-2 years and come home.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>-I think I'm having my quarterlife crisis.</b><br />
The middle two weeks of February were a challenge for me. I went from feeling on top of the world to unmotivated, lost, and trapped within a couple of days. I started to panic as I realized my life is passing me by. What am I really accomplishing right now by working a part-time job I don't want forever? I know that I have planned to the point where I can move to Chiang Mai at the end of this month, but the fact of the matter is that it is hard to get a job without being there. I've panicked over if I can find a job without having any formal teaching experience, and how much I would need to make tutoring and performing freelance writing jobs to survive if I can't find a job. I've considered not teaching in Chiang Mai for the sole purpose of it being terrifying going over there without job security. I've thought of every option possible from trying to find a teaching job in the US, teaching in another country that will pay me a lot of money for my time, moving to a different state in the US and focusing more on writing, etc. The possibilities are endless, but through it all I've realized that it's okay to be scared of the future. I don't know if things will work out for me. But I have to move past the fear of failing if I ever want to succeed.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>-I've started doing strength exercises and stretching.</b><br />
One day I decided I was going to start exercising and stretching. I've been keeping it up for the past couple of weeks, and I show no signs of stopping. I'm hoping that my arms and abs will start to show their new strength sometime in the future!<br />
<br />
<b>-I've been considering freelance writing as a side career.</b><br />
I think it's obvious writing is one of my top passions in life. For some reason, freelance writing has never been that appealing to me, but now I would love to get into it. If you have any experience with freelance writing, please give me advice! I'm not sure where to start!<br />
<br />
Well, that's it for now. What have you guys been up to the past few weeks? Hopefully you've been having a great time and haven't been stuck in a crisis! And if you have, let's get through this together!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/02/create-with-me-vision-board.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-13665512825773804312016-02-03T13:52:00.000-05:002016-02-03T13:52:07.915-05:00Create With Me: Vision Board<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNbXgHYDYxLDxwG1g9SNIkMUlsODfkST5_5ZX5fuM2Cgkfc0pC5cxQ5bg9E80fiEldZyf4aIAWxnJuZ_xbT9b2hW4JQS3NO1qR3H6pIuQ_cJRRbIv0Zob86xyeq3yZu7ZLU30Rd2ghbQ/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNbXgHYDYxLDxwG1g9SNIkMUlsODfkST5_5ZX5fuM2Cgkfc0pC5cxQ5bg9E80fiEldZyf4aIAWxnJuZ_xbT9b2hW4JQS3NO1qR3H6pIuQ_cJRRbIv0Zob86xyeq3yZu7ZLU30Rd2ghbQ/s400/IMG_0932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Hello, everyone!<br />
<br />
I've recently been seeing a lot of videos and blog posts about vision boards and the importance of them. A vision board is a collage of pictures, quotes, words, etc that inspire you to reach a goal. The goal can be something specific for the next couple of years, like graduating from college, or it can be something that will take a longer period to build, like building a family. Vision boards are daily reminders that keep you focused.<br />
<br />
I decided to make my own vision board. It is nowhere near finished, but I like what I have accomplished so far. My vision board is focused on specific goals in a bunch of broader categories. I have writing, mindfulness, fitness, and spirituality as my four categories. I hope to expand upon my vision board in the future to include other goals of mine, such as starting a family.<br />
<br />
Now that I have gotten all of the background information out of the way, let's create!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>What you'll need:</b><br />
<br />
-scissors<br />
-glue<br />
-tape and/or washi tape<br />
-magazines<br />
-some sort of canvas to put your cut out pieces on<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vC5ld9neBrcK0I8NRck0m_CspIjUYPTkHpSz2P2qWyPwX8iyeZ6-ZdZ237AQaPB_IlG6oY61CJGDMFkjr_gTsQtuCyFoYXbJDgSAq_DmoS9AHVR5C1uPEK60F9hJvT_WLN8KtsA6NMc/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vC5ld9neBrcK0I8NRck0m_CspIjUYPTkHpSz2P2qWyPwX8iyeZ6-ZdZ237AQaPB_IlG6oY61CJGDMFkjr_gTsQtuCyFoYXbJDgSAq_DmoS9AHVR5C1uPEK60F9hJvT_WLN8KtsA6NMc/s400/IMG_0908.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwULspFoY7ReecBe1HsOQcmSod9RXll9KvLEYzMTVULZ-8SpmOPB-LTe5ziErGvPBwbYuEBsDs_lVrZ0LukE3uMlCqEw80AODTaExOjjxH6yhChREJCwCOGr1q65ZUNSJQEjTrdBhQ284/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwULspFoY7ReecBe1HsOQcmSod9RXll9KvLEYzMTVULZ-8SpmOPB-LTe5ziErGvPBwbYuEBsDs_lVrZ0LukE3uMlCqEw80AODTaExOjjxH6yhChREJCwCOGr1q65ZUNSJQEjTrdBhQ284/s400/IMG_0903.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What I did:</b><br />
<br />
1. I cut out different images, quotes, and words from my different magazines.<br />
<br />
2. I then trimmed down the pieces to the size I desired.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIzSRQ24vfTsHhTufCK1CBYV6lSxrow896hkPGR8WOdf4y3nq7j2JVPKn9P2v9f_6iCGKs89EIGo1ZCoxNKMB2s2ZLtYsCMZCbOrW3H8zfQWJQf6EQTasDRgvpeIhqYYy5q11czyyFb0/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIzSRQ24vfTsHhTufCK1CBYV6lSxrow896hkPGR8WOdf4y3nq7j2JVPKn9P2v9f_6iCGKs89EIGo1ZCoxNKMB2s2ZLtYsCMZCbOrW3H8zfQWJQf6EQTasDRgvpeIhqYYy5q11czyyFb0/s320/IMG_0917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
3. Then I placed the cut out pieces onto my canvas without gluing or taping them down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeXNo6_RY_LpxyrsAIv8uCJPDjA6awuZ-_X2s_1_vvSGbEPsecdMZR3BtqwZ4w6IOfJjvv6V6DNGg-171n7hzpP1jX8GXOGwb6jQHcLUW6svR0PyIFyFnS5X6O2JJDK7VaFfZUWacM9A/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeXNo6_RY_LpxyrsAIv8uCJPDjA6awuZ-_X2s_1_vvSGbEPsecdMZR3BtqwZ4w6IOfJjvv6V6DNGg-171n7hzpP1jX8GXOGwb6jQHcLUW6svR0PyIFyFnS5X6O2JJDK7VaFfZUWacM9A/s400/IMG_0921.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Once satisfied with the layout, I glued or taped all of the cut out pieces onto my canvas.<br />
<br />
Finished product:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByLcUbZGomm0AneqnorcUoSREgAFAzBN2iqmPesz306hH8G-glmThhie4ieXwjhOZH6FuL6dSnDqK_Br8ebdTu0U9QF6PYjuNxe7TyE3tNO_Ty0DiOn9DRheyrPilWaQxD4cjcVhEM6w/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByLcUbZGomm0AneqnorcUoSREgAFAzBN2iqmPesz306hH8G-glmThhie4ieXwjhOZH6FuL6dSnDqK_Br8ebdTu0U9QF6PYjuNxe7TyE3tNO_Ty0DiOn9DRheyrPilWaQxD4cjcVhEM6w/s400/IMG_0932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm very happy with how this turned out. Art projects usually don't go that well for me, so I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.<br />
<br />
If you make your own vision board, please tag me in a picture of it on Twitter or Instagram, or tell me about it in the comments below! I would love to see all of your creations!<br />
<br />
Have a fantastic Wednesday,<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span><br />
<br />
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/02/february-2016-goals-my-happiness.html">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-73012560692615074752016-02-01T16:27:00.000-05:002016-02-01T16:27:40.545-05:00February 2016 Goals: My Happiness Project (Writing)<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="irc_mutc" style="display: none;">
<a class="irc_mutl i3597" data-href="http://favim.com/image/2632211/" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwi2zrafvdfKAhWCOiYKHeOaBtcQjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi2zrafvdfKAhWCOiYKHeOaBtcQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffavim.com%2Fimage%2F2632211%2F&psig=AFQjCNFqeE8L0arzk-lSfbDVjmzBw-mFwA&ust=1454447424689880" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk"><img class="irc_mut" height="462" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxQTEhUUEhQWFRUUFRQVGBUXGBgXFhgUFRQXGBQXFBQYHCggGBolHBQVITEhJSkrLi4uFx8zODMsNygtLisBCgoKDg0OGxAQGywkICQsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsNywsLCwsLP/AABEIANgA6gMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAbAAABBQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAAIEBQYBB//EAEIQAAEDAgQDBgMFBgQFBQAAAAEAAhEDIQQFEjFBUWEGEyJxgZEyobEjQnLB0RQzUpLh8BViorIHJDSC8UNTc4Oj/8QAGgEAAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMAAgQFBv/EACcRAAICAgICAgICAwEAAAAAAAABAhEDIQQSMUETIlFhFDIFQoFx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwD0FyGQjOCGWJghMEVwp7mphViDU1ycU1zlAg3FMlEKYQiQWtNJSKYSiEIjuwBIBbBlBoYd7/gaTcCRsJ5qTh3upuLXCCLEclVy9Jlur8lbUp7qOQhdoc3GHMljnB0wRAbPIngfRUeA7YMe8B9MsHF0zx4WvZF5KRaMWz0vJsHopAlp1PvHQXBj1Tcdmjqdam2wa7UTO8AGAD5wp1R7TS1MMM02JH3YgSDfZYM5m/EV4awup05GriXGIgnymFy43PJb8DHSRs6mbNmAZsq/Eg1XibtmxHDmsxVz7DsqBj6mkmCHaSWEHYh4EEdVqP8AEKdNrdB1AxpcDIOoEgh3LqtU+uPwWx4pTdI02GbDQOiLKydPOnme6aCRwMkk9YV1hc3Y5riTpLDpe10SHD1gzw5rLtjMuCcHTLElD1KFhM0p1W6mkxMXsQeRUltQe6iFSg4+RznJBDeZKJrgKFQVQqLWqwu47EQ0lUNTM5s255/onY8bZAuZ4k/CNz7qvw+XuvqFzsp+Cy1ziHOkceqvC0MbtsmvIoaQTN1MmiDbbbjKj/4d0CtsbiCASf7CoTW6lMg5NBNGSual11NDIVjGjrihOTyVyyJALgmEIxahohsYmkIkLjgomggShEKQ4JhbeOaNotFbLLD1+4Y2Ll0uPIxtHS+6Fm+Y0TT75z2UyLEOIDjcDbcwqvOs5ZTDAWVHvuPA2WXPwl/A2BDRJg7Lz3Pszqlz9dM0wHwyjO748bqun4vCQInj5rnwUnOzqTxw+P8AZfZl2ywhDmhrq0/c0jSRxLnP4eh9FQZdQONJFLDNosm9UOeWgcoNiTbYKV2P7ONqn9orNaWz4G6QA4j72kW0iLDjC3QAAgAADYCw9lu6p+TnuSjpGTzk/s9JrKuJrOBkNpMcGtdAvqLpMbfKyyFOk/EVmsogtnhrc4AcXOLjYeUDovVMRRa6zmhw5EAj5oWFwdOnPdsYyd9LQJ9QosaXgimq2ZEdhKoj7dhH4XwJ4gKnz7LsVhoB1d2wnTVpucWX3B2LJ3ggcV6gKqG+4IMEEQQbgjkRxCLxpl4ZpR8GP7HdoiaVai+S92ktqjiARqY7laSI6o+IxLhquSLahe8XE81eZb2Fp6nPouNMn7ky0eQ3CpX0K1GrVo16bGSRpdOo6YMeIWvcrLJJSaR2eJli1+WFw+YODi0H4jEWNhcEH2K0OUZw5tPTvBJBJmx4D++KyFPAEEumYsT5WHyWs7PYDVSceUaY484+XuqwSvYznqHxl5g8/AB1C6jVu05M+GFV4mgQYCm4XIHOAJ4+i1OGNbZwCDXzOpUMEwDwCtcoosZcmT9FJqZWBTgNLnWmP1Wdxoc0mQQinGapENPi88YywuUDB5yapuIA95VNlGWOquGoEN581q8LlVKkZDQlTWOGvYSqzLMhBEfJUXfdFr8ZSY83EgKIaLP4AjjmkvBCW0ynGjHxKcMBBkXCksLQII91R5fwIUCirYcbtKA9hG4iVc4nAyZZboodamXHSdwrxyWBxohC6aaSLUpaU0BMsqSMtpA6tTZAi/IqJjszoh3dNEOcbdCJ+Rv7qVUxww+HdUdcTxiGzaTx9F45nmcF1UOpucIs0iQSZtpgT5LB9pZnT0aIwtHqmNrsp07nxHci5AkExwmLeqpmZg+tWFNjNFOHOqVDfXDZ7qkBsLiXHytN61mNqmi2nXnUGtPiBDgSAb894UnJKxDhcz/fyTEpNtM7D48FjUgmLqVO81CWkHbaYMiYsTf5p1HKsNW1VnDU+dWl/DU4khrfMk3lW2J0lkAeKSSTzNyR6wFW4bDEPLriDMcDI3BVseOSkVz5sU8X7JkRYW6dE0rpKaStpxGNcmFPITSiQ41TqWCc4TFuagtKsMFmmmQbgqsrrRZMiZl2dqYoEMxVWhp2DPgJ5uDYcf5vRVGG7H5h+6qupV6Ydao+tU1NBIkgESTAsDte91pqeawTAU+nnLQJO6yzhMfizOG0eaYhjGVzQfU7nSNTmua9rQRMhsiXc5FjwWp7K/8AEHDvaKNc9zUHha9winUH3XaxZpNrGLrU1jSrsmoxjwOD2h0e68a7fYF9PEnumhlGoG6BTYwCQIeLCZmT6qijemPy8h5VTPXBlhfV1l0ixEcRwVxSaI3Bi3qOC83/AOF2Hx1NtXW77Gn4e6qB2oPgGWTBYIPKDPqtHl+YllSpOz3FxA4OO8fp1VJybdWJ6OtGgDbmVHxmXteCDtHzQKeLm8wDxT344RYyilJbRRlax9SidMAjhe8K1puc8cEAVmi5SfmIEpjuXojJP7K3fiq17DJ8J35rlPOwGz8lCdnonZGOOZEbmVHr0ncL9EqIHMynVa+nyWdJplW00OoPBHkhml4rBIVQLz1Q6mYNAmRG/ojT8oK3oDj8G3STN1WU2XUs4/U7Ts5zHOEi0D7vnv7LMZ32iFAltNhe9rS90iGsZxc6Lxe20xurwyOqJPA7BduKM0wXOilTBeWtu99QnTTA4C8xuSXGBaRX9ieyTqZ/acSB3jhDKdj3QPE/5z8vkG9jMFVxBONxTnVHVHufTYT4GbtDms2bAGkcgOq1znFOjGik5NLqiJnGVNfBJuLgjfyKgUMAGEO4xfkTzVvVpPiYMKNVpOFyEyKRZZ8nXregK4V0lMKaKs4U0ojWpFtlCAZXHJFcRIMXCnlNJRIcXHJ0pQoEJRxDgI4JlV7Yl8QIdJiAQbG/GU0JVKYc0tOzgWnyO6pJaYbNQ7MqTqbS14Ic2xB+KLG3us1Tc2mXEEuLrgcZjYDlx9VlnYDFUHRT+0Zwg/PRILT5Sm4bF4kV6TcSHta/UGkjTJIkTa4kbrnfC4s1Y8lJo0lIECTYlosnjEkbLmiLITwujCCSoRJh2YneSmVcVIUYhNITVFFbFTfe6keDl81FAXZRaBZ6N3hMCYSdhydnKM6pJR6Va8HZc5prwUi0weJYGganxPhA6kEx8ioNESReWmNuRRu07HmkDTiBd1pMDiPJY7LczdTPd1HEU3GxEzxsD90bbKim3cTp4eH2x/JF7XoNnuKcKh7gloa5o73gyAAWsn4iDM8B7hZvtJmIpUTQpX79+uo43e4NIPifuZMW5Aheh47A067Gk3AiNO2kcLcF53iMn73HVqYMtoNptLotqeCYPufZRRpGlZsc4df9jX9j+0VCpTY0Du+7axndACf4QQfvN+d/fUloLyA0RPGy8mwHZ/EYXF0jUpPNJ1QMLgHaXNeQPER8O835L1jE4Vw06STM/XmrJJeznclK9ExtKTa4Ci5hl+vaxSfg6jYLXxa468UDE1axgSD5KRTvTM7f5RS4mg5h8QiUAlWGKYXu8Zg8Z/RQHMWyLtbFj6DdTg3mQFoquSsLQBM8/wCizDDBWiwGa6WAPMnmlZlLzEvBr2VGOyt7C6AS0XlVxWlzTHSzw3B35rOOF1fHJtbI6GLhTy1cITAA13UuuantokHxAjzBH1RIDlOBUmlhC86WAuJ2A/NBqUy0kOBBBgg7oWiHJWL7RYusK72OOkPqGoAPhJPwvB36RNiT67puAq6A/QdJ2KE7LadVwbWZIB3uHNPNpFwZScqTV/gfi80AyLNKNTD06jm+J7CDqcNIcJDnbRYj5EqS3Ch48BBcL72LdMg/3zWPzjL3YelTpvgs1ViHD7zdcsDthNyT6K17PvIoNMkE6hb+GSL9N1mhKV2mdN4sfVxZJcE2ER4TYXSXg48lTGQknFchQobhwTC5IuTqVLUQB/Y5rI2krKxV6HMqnYXWaz9uH1CXsbfxAbCOPh4ofbDON6NI+EbniXJ+X5QzD4MV3wa1RuoPcJLA74dIOxiJKxznezucbE8EVJvb9HHZ5RoeFge9vxfwxOwbNyFmMFnzsJjjiGlxpYl/2jXGd946t3HsmsY6o6XOLjzN1U9rKob3VMb+J/kNh+fsrxduh2TBjq/bPaf8TZUh1MhzTxBspX7RIpxaS4exH6ryfsbiqge0M1FhjUOEHieS9Kawmk2HNbpe+5MbgbJnRUcnkY/jnV2XhZYeX5pjKABEc7qtxGPdTFPZwLTcGRZ3AouHzMODzBGls+psEv45CuyFiKLX1HagIEEHjdoRywBnhA+IyCAQbcUJ1dvhuPExp+o/JGpjwCLy4/RFtk0Umc4JtNwc0WkGOEKVi3d7Ur0nQdDXFlhLS0AiDyRMxxAc8tEG4CHWp6KuIqmzdBaJ4ucBAHNNi3WypS5di3se0NcQHObI53G6fn9Zzqrg4yGOcG7WE8/RRMN8bPxN+oRs3/fVfxu+q0V9it6J9Fgdgwz7zjVqN6mmRI89JPsqElW5raKOGePuvqn/AFNket1CzfDaKjgPhIDm/gcJH6eiEdWEk9oXfbTx0U/fQFIz7Magq1aYd4DpGkgECWNNpFtyovaD9+4dKY//ADapPaLBjvKj+8ZMt+z+98LR/VBVqwkbDP04eq5pguexhPJpBJ94USlB+Im59b9VJylwdromwqgBp5VG3ZPnceqrqzSCQRBBII5EWIVkttANBm2Na2o8X8PhA4ANEBKm8AATqLiCSBIkiRdV+ZjvGsxA4wyp0qNEAnoQAUatj6bGhrHOed3OgCY4CRbzWbLBtJRNfHnGLfYZnkaNLoIMzIGxjwgdfyVLh6IDQ0ECLAExYbC/HzULOcyMu1kMh7BMkjRUBDHGf84AJ6IGFa/vIcyIIJIiDxufJLgpY2dWCw5ce2W1dmkkbxZD0orhaTEoa6EJXHZws0VGTSBkJQnFJXFGxRMzrjD0TPxuHt0UjAUR8Z4bDrzWT7XU69R8kjTwaNRMdbLk5slvqjbwsKck5Gfw2DNes1jfvvgniG7uPoJK0/bvE+BtNvwiB6C35KX2ey4Yakarx9q5tv8AK3cDzMA+yx2dZgatU/wgwPTilLZ1E/ly36RHdiBSovqn7jZ9dh8yFkXYo4kh1RrbWlo0u0zYF1wT1IWwxmC7zD1WHZzD7i4+iosHl8NAaLDiU7G0tjvi7Pfg3HYzGUu6FFpfqbJAqaZIJmA5oAcB5A3WnqfufKp9Wf0XnOStd3lPR8WofW/yleklv2D/AMbfoQnwlZxebiWOevZHxn7mj/8Ab/uCbSth6h/iexvtLj+SdXH2NPo+oPfSUY13UqFPQYLy9xsDIsBuEz1X7MXsjYwHuaL/AMbPZ0j80Y4lzcK0hxvUcDHKNl3FV3VMMC6JbViwAsW2sPNCqNnCN6Vj82lRfv8AISBRqnUPxD6qZn9VxrvBJIBECbCw2Cr6fxN8x9VO7QtjEP66T/pCvS7IHog0fjb+Jv1CkZ02K9X8RPvf80DDUy57Q0EmZgX2urDtBhXirUfpOgkeKLbAb+aN/cPoj4o/8tR/HV+rU7FfaYZjvvUnGmfwuuz9F2sP+Tp//M7/AG/0XMkbrc6kdqjY/wC5viafkfdVfi/2T2Mz3/qH9CwezGhO7S/9TU/7P9jUPOnTXqH/ADke1vyUjtHRd37jpNwwyASPgAN/MFFeV/4EqJ5cFPzrxOZU41abXH8Q8LvooVOi53wtLrxYE+Sm5wYNOnxpU2tP47lwn1Vn/ZA9Cyfxd5SO1Sm4+T2DU0/IqtDFbZbSNPvKr2loaxzRIIl7hpaADvuVWqLyw+in7SYE1MPUDRLixzY4kGCAOocGkeRQOy2DqUqR1Ve8DjIbHwniC43npsrrFDwO6DV6tOq/SwVL2XnS+ZiWOvwLm6iJ4+Es91SvuMUmoaLcppCeU1wT0JGlKEoShEhvcI610Ct8eoxA2bxLubjy6JlepGyih5Nz/VefmvuzpYo/VMj59jdNN7pINx1np8l57RPiutP2uxEMDBxP0Cy9AJ8V9To4V1iXFE2ieCocwzWnSljCHumAG3IPEHkfNXWGN1Q43AsbjXcO9DXA8nEEelwfdGFDoPeguRZpWpOLwGX4ETA5B08ea9Fy3H97S1C0nxN5OH/mR5rBVMMGxz4+i1HZmvTbTILvE46ogm2wiOO60QkY+fx+0e0VsuqjzpDeAJI8zv8ARCq1CYBM6RA6BGcEF4WlUcB6GGo4NLZ8JMkdQud87Ronw6tUdYjdIhNIVqJYMhdxdZz3anGSYv5CAkU2Ef2QY1xBkEg8xYp1Su53xOcfMk/VcLU1HRLESYiTEzHCecc0mEgyCQRsRY+64koE44zvxUp2aViI7x0bb8FFKao0mSwtHEObOhzmzvpJE+cIBTkoUog6rXc6NTnOjaSTHlKYF2EDH4ptKm+o64YJjmdgOkkgSg3SLLZWdosdVomk9gDqZfoqNIt4iNN9xxCJkGiKzKe1PEVmTzAfDST5QPRV2S56awrjEBpaKbqoAAgNZu2P5SOMrbdkuzrMLhXF7i6pXDXvmLGJ0j1n5LLkzKDsY1/qVTgmwpeKo6Tw439ePVRitUZKStC2qdAyFxEXFcBsMUyf781ErjT5qxc2VTZvVi/ntePOFwZ/3Opx9pIxuf4kveRwCr6TV3E1tTiUTChaHpHTSpEyiDZUPbIP72i5nFjgZ28LpE/zLQNbJlR84otdoJ3GqAOMx+iEHTIlbooquIrueHPEscW32IOm8jkTMeivcPiS1wAFyARpmeogKHj64p0XuMWbYf5vu/OFY9kXsrua90tDrMIgg1GSX03fwuiHDmDZOimy+XNDHBpm3pjwttHhFuItsUN4UpzUBzVqTPKSduyOQmEKdQwT3/CPyCKckq9PdT5I/kHVlSVwqViMG9h8TY+nuo+lXUkyMYmkKQygTMcEEhSyIGQuFPhNIVrINTSESE2FAjYShdK4oFIQCiZzhO9oVGcxI82+IfRTAhYvGto03VHfdB0j+J/3Gxxkx6Aqk3otFOzH9j8BRqE96HOcCDpa6G6G6XQ6AZlxbYkcVv8A9rY932gcCGAhk+Cdjdu8EceiznZTKX0aRdVBFWs4vcCIIBktEepKt61MOHEciNx5LNkwd0WlqdkrFOlvr/f0UApMY4fE/VyER7pxC0YYOMaYJyTlYwpqfC5CaUNy5tvNZjO3C8m0GeX92WmxtQAGbDqYCwXaHMg4lrL7yZ+nNcGLuVnY4sGZ+o2XGLKZh2BAo01KDU5s6NhiFY5fkRrw5zi1gtb4ieQPAbXVdoWzyalpoM6ifcz+iviVsw8zM8cdeTKdqBTY3uKbAGAgui+p4gsJMzLSJuqWk4tM7CAYiOoPQg3lekfsjBqhol0mevkqbN8oLtbqbZOkwLX3MC/kmPtehnG5WFx6y/6HyHNH1h4oJI4CLtiZ9x7rQ4PBXl+3JeZZDlFbEMNeme4q0XltFzgRq/8AcbVHKREx0IMKbie2tbTVa8to1qcNOHIlxI3fTfaWngL8DN1aXatHI5PxrI3A9DxOd0qTtL3NbyB3jaYCk08QHtDmGWnYheM5Z2gPeGriHEW4cxt1JW97OdtMNVaKZqCnUmIqQyb2h0wT0seiz9JIkU3GzTPM2Nwq/EZYwyW+E8uCt9IKG9g4q0JtPRVxMvUBYfJDqmbqXjgNRhRIXQjtWZ2BITSEbSmlqsQFC4Qilq5pRCCIU3L8AXOa5zfs9QkmwIm8c1FLVMdinNotc94ZTDg1siSSTwAEneLbkgJWaTUdDsNOWx9ZlIucTADZENgXBMzHkPdYrtGMRVeG0abzTpkPaWiXF9xqIF5Gw9+Kscc14MgFzH31bEHkfr6qTg8v1VKJOoOaRpIeW/FYyRwP5LCpSO7PjY4w7mFr5Bji/W6lX1TGt4cL73e7hbmt5hWuaxoe7W4NAc7+J0XPqVaZlQrU6ZBeXtcQRNyDIBbq6SD6FVrTZauPJyRy+Ul1TvY5MK6SmrWYaEmynJKEKzN88fWJEkCYHKP1VfRprrKKk0qa42kepSSVI4GKSymuinsjEQq2VAPK2uWVtdFh6R6tt+SxThda3s6PsB+J31T8Jzf8grgmTnJkorghuC0HHG6lm+2fZgY1rHMcGVqc6XEWLT91xFwOIPD1WiK5KuRSp2eT5r2PxdFoeGiqL6hSJcWbX0kS4b7BH7I4zLGuBxPeCqI/egGkHD8I/wB69RBVfmOS4ev++oseeZEO/nbB+aFDlmb0y7wWb0ajZpVWPHNrg76JlbHeLTImJ6x5LyvPexIpF1TDvc6mN2We+mJuRxe0fzC/xK4yvHGlojVYRefhAvvw33SpRUdo2YOK8pr8TyO6ikKLXz8RrdJaJ2HiHoN/6IWE7R4WoJbWaOj/AAH/AFQnY8loRyOLPE9k4hLSiNgiQQQeIMg+RCKyjJgK8pqKtmWjP5jnDWVqdFvie57A7k1rj/uhWulYU1qWGx9T9qqGaby4ENcS9zrtNhYAEfIK0zXttSa0ig11R0WqFpZTDjsBqEuPGLDqUuOTVjXC6SJ2d9oKeGIbodWqus2izcu4BzvujyBMcFV1MPiqzxXxhDCBop0af/pMIPhBB8M8TMnieCo8g7TMovL6tE1Hv+Krqh8E30giBzN79BZen5biaOMojuZ7t1i6Ic0i5B67e6rNryPx/SSvwZ7D15IYTZosI3MX8oKsKNF5brDXaRsfXh6q4rdlqbtJa9zC0RIgz1M8bq2oYUU2BjBDR6zO+6zRn1dnR5PLhOHWJl8VinvDQ6IbsAIjb9FDK3DsKzfSPZdbSbyHsnrkxWkjlONmIp0nO+EEnoJRaWBqO2afW31W0DQNgB5CExxU/lv0gdEZH9heCLKYMI/kf5QtGXAJnfN5hV/kyfoPRHmMI1Ji5TpypTW2WRno2xj+C64WTXNk+SHUeoig17rrZ5FTigyeMn3Jj5Qstk+WPrvBgimD4nnj0bzP0W4DIAAsAIhaMao5POyp/VHS2UJ9kRNfdORzQLmoJCllCc1WTK0ASTy1NhWRLoqM1wjGNFQU26gY1SQY3Fgb77rN4xusbRoIIHHy9j81uatIOaWuEg7g7ID8tpEyWD6W5W3SPjdna4/+RhCFNbMlhKbngeBzmA+LSLxxi28f0WUzXAdw86vFh3utUbBDmTsbEB4G7Tdeo4+sadmMuW/EBZobz5wqDLcOahOkWJgiLc5d7kyj/XSNDyfyI95OkAdkxOGbUyyq6mbksY93dVCCQ7QKhOkyJHNaHsNSxDaTq2Mc8vdam1wgtaIlxbG5M73gcFOoUAxoa3ghY/GP1NBA0ERP+YE2J5kR7JedTapHIi05UNzTRVcQ5jXwZBIv5jiEejQYKZZoaWO3a4agZ/indQaNFxM8FYHojghS2TkNLUTMYvsLhHv1DvKYm7GOGnfYagSPQrZYHBtZRbToNDWtEAA/3J6lQV1tSOKfKNiVkfsvaIcB4iEVxVTTxnVOfUeTY+xCzvE72N7olnE+KOiJSqW8ViqZrqtzEprsY8Wd7FWeGwdy6q1wN0OnVDrhUr8Q7eY4dUTABztzA5/oo8FKyKRaVKM8UH9j6p4pMFy4lE+z/slK8DDDMZCTiuuKGSkI7ljHuU/IsoNd2p8im0+Wo8geXMoOV5e6vUDRZou53IdOp4Lc0aDWNDWCGtEAdE+EfyYeVyOq6xGtpgABoAAEACwA5AJQiEIjKsDZMb/Byqt7I+lIsUsPC4Y5Kvdh6IgOauMClVWjghhqZ2FuOwL6aA5qmvQHtVoyA0AhKEXSulit2QKAlqr8KynTcabQRtwm14l28XVlVpy0g8fRUWYAt0+PQQZ1bu0wbMCzZsnV2aMbbXUuek35KM+q12oETpIm03FwolLF+GWgudMERDmk8uYKg4qvosQCBcTJAJ+IT5Dgs8+S/AVj9ovqVxPPpCRCpnZ7TpljHavEPCG3Bv7q3pPB2N+V+S1Ys6cRc4NCLEyE6qQfDY+e3l5p2lOhk7FJRoAWrvlKeWpjgmgGNqEbFNeSd04hOZSJ2EqaCDBEXF+aa556or6Ub8U11DijaCh9DEabm5Uv/E+ir6lAt3Q1Vwiy3ZoqyQu4bCurPDGep4AcyUklzYrZ3ckmotm2y/BsosDGR1PFx4ko+oJJJyONJtu2IuHMLhjmkkiChhPULmrqkkiUZzWOaWrqPdJJFIhwuTZCSSJWjojmFx+xgiYSSVJeCyRnmY8Aua8i14cLkkx4ekAoeYkVabtDvFJ2iw9PRJJc3PN+DTGK8kHJ6UUnOqND36jEkkgBsAkHabx5qNjausQ54MEAMtA5EQbWB33hJJLe5WFjM0pwZqXZTp6mOaTJeY2MfFA2PzVrhc5DmNZpGu0m7QWkCC2bkniB1XUk6TaToCVkrD42k5xB0gybHeQef5FWNuYSSW/jP6mfKtnD5prm80klpsX6GkJBJJSyIRpk/wDlOZgXHiB6pJKkptDoxQ99FzB8QPCygn0XUlaEnVgkqP/Z" style="margin-top: 74px;" width="500" /></a></div>
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="irc_mutc" style="display: none;">
<a class="irc_mutl i3597" data-href="http://favim.com/image/2632211/" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwi2zrafvdfKAhWCOiYKHeOaBtcQjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi2zrafvdfKAhWCOiYKHeOaBtcQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffavim.com%2Fimage%2F2632211%2F&psig=AFQjCNFqeE8L0arzk-lSfbDVjmzBw-mFwA&ust=1454447424689880" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk"><img class="irc_mut" height="462" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="margin-top: 74px;" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597" data-href="http://favim.com/image/2632211/" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwi2zrafvdfKAhWCOiYKHeOaBtcQjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi2zrafvdfKAhWCOiYKHeOaBtcQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffavim.com%2Fimage%2F2632211%2F&psig=AFQjCNFqeE8L0arzk-lSfbDVjmzBw-mFwA&ust=1454447424689880" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="irc_mi" height="369" src="http://s1.favim.com/orig/150408/basic-beauty-boho-cloud-Favim.com-2632211.jpg" style="margin-top: 74px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hello! I'm so excited for this month because the focus is on writing! Writing is without a doubt my favorite thing in this world. It helps me express myself in a way that is unexplainable. It is the only thing that has always made sense to me and something I never have to question. So, what do I want to work on with writing this month?</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goals:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-write at least 300
words every day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-learn a new word
every day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-finish the first
draft of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">The Headquarters</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write at least 300 words every day</span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If I'm being honest, this goal should realistically be at 2,000 words if I ever want to finish the first draft of my novel. But I am not the kind of person to over exert myself when it comes to writing. I will push myself to an extent. Some days that extent might be 300 words, others 2,000. With this goal, I want to get into the habit of writing something every single day. Getting the words down on the page puts me one step ahead of the writer who didn't get anything down..</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn a new word every day</span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think something important for all writers is having a vast vocabulary of words to pick from. I am not sure if I am going to follow a daily word/definition account on social media or pick a random word from the dictionary. I do know that I am going to keep a handwritten list of all the different words I learn this month and practice writing sentences with them to make sure I retain the words.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finish the first draft of </span></b><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Headquarters</span></b></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah, this book is my baby. I came up with the original idea for this book back when I was 14. I have been working on it periodically over the past 8 years, but I have yet to finish it. I've prioritized everything else in my life over this book, but that is all changing this month. I am going to do my best to write something for this book every day in February until I finish the first draft. I am not going to go through and edit anything this month. I have a habit of doing this, but the importance here is to get down what comes to me and edit later. That is the mentality I am going to have to have this month if I ever want to finish this book.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Something not included on this list is to read more this month. I already read 2-3 books every month, so I don't see how adding such a goal would be beneficial to my happiness project. If you are serious about getting into writing and came here looking for answers, know that reading is one of the key components in becoming a better writer. Read everything you can get your hands on. All reading material is beneficial to a writer.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On top of writing, I also have to keep up my January goals this month. If you don't know about my January goals, I will link that post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html">here</a>. I'm excited to continue to challenge myself as the year goes on and I add more goals!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you enjoyed reading about my goals for the month of February. What are your goals for this month (or year)? Are you doing your own happiness project? Let me know in the comments below! (I swear I didn't do that rhyme on purpose!)</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-happines-project-january-2016-energy.html">here</a>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out my January 2016 Goals post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Check out My 2016 Happiness Project post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-happiness-project-overview-for-2016.html">here</a>.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-22497922205100275322016-01-29T14:49:00.000-05:002016-01-29T14:49:06.058-05:00My Happines Project: January 2016 (Energy) Goals Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597" data-href="http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Happiness" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwi6u8Pe5M_KAhXFWD4KHQjCC-0QjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi6u8Pe5M_KAhXFWD4KHQjCC-0QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcreepypasta.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FHappiness&psig=AFQjCNEReCSMoeLZWAlghWoGCtHd3dyqaw&ust=1454173526822536" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="irc_mi" height="300" src="http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/creepypasta/images/d/d8/Happiness-Hands1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130410170402" style="margin-top: 70px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
January is over, which means it is time to go over what happened during the <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-goals-my-happiness-project.html">first month</a> of My Happiness Project! If you are new, I will link my book review of <i>The Happiness Project </i><i></i><a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-happiness-project-by.html">here</a> and an overview of My Happiness Project for 2016 <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-happiness-project-overview-for-2016.html">here.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a name='more'></a><br />
Let's get into what happened this month.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Goals:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Wake up at 7AM every day (unless working).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Be in bed by 9:30 every night.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Eat two servings of fruits or vegetables every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
-Cut out processed food.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Get at least half an hour of exercise on days off of work.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Complete 1 task on the list of things that need to be done.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started off 2016 sick. And then I somehow got pink eye (my best guess is that I got it from wiping my eyes with my dirty hands while at work.) This put me off to a bad start, because I was unable to follow my waking up and sleeping patterns. Then I had to work the night shift four nights in a row while not feeling that great, so that put me off schedule even more. It took me until around the middle of the month to get myself back on track. For the rest of the month, I had no difficulty waking up by 7AM and being in bed by 9:30PM. I like keeping to this schedule, and I've realized not to panic if I do go to sleep a little later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was successful almost every single day in getting enough fruits and veggies. I can only count a couple of days where I missed out on getting the amount of servings I wanted. If fact, there started to be more days where I got more than two servings of fruits and veggies. I noticed that eating healthier led to me having more energy. It has also made my body feel better, inside and out. I have also been able to lost some weight, which is a bonus, even though it isn't a goal for my project. Recent grocery store shopping trips have led to me paying close attention to something before grabbing it. I am checking the nutrition to see how much salt is it and making sure there are far more carbs than fat. I think my mom finds this self-discovery of mine to be a good thing, as she lets me stare between two loafs of bread for a minute while I determine which one is a better pick.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As for those good old processed foods, I have done a great job avoiding them. I have had a couple of days where I ate some pizza rolls or gave in to the craving and had those bbq chips or peanut butter cookies, but overall, I've eaten healthy. I would say that my cravings for processed food have diminished tremendously. I was snow shoveling a few days ago. I thought I was hungry for some peanut butter cookies when I came inside. I then realized that my body didn't want the cookies. It needed sugar. Instead of eating the cookies, I ate a banana. The banana curbed the craving, and I felt good about my discovery the rest of the day. I realized that if I listen to my body, I will be able to figure out what it wants and give it a healthier option, until I am only craving the healthier options.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The exercise regiment that I wanted to put myself on hasn't quite gone according to plan yet. I spent the first five days in bed, then worked five days. I still didn't feel 100%, and my sleep schedule was off, so I spent the next few days feeling sluggish. I did manage to get exercise on days I went out of the house. I went shopping with my mom so that I would walk around, I asked my friends if they would walk around with me for a little bit, and I even managed to do some core exercises on a couple of days. This past week has been the most successful. I was able to get exercise snow shoveling (and believe me when I tell you shoveling two feet of snow off a driveway for three days is a lot of work) and at work. I definitely want to try to keep exercising every day for my health and overall wellbeing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The last thing I need to go over is completing one task on the list of things that need to be done. I was able to complete two instead of just one. The first task I completed was fixing my iPod. I was able to figure out why I couldn't sync my iPod to my new computer, and I got it to work. I also downloaded a bunch of new music and cleared out the music I have but never listen to. The second task I was able to complete was going through my makeup. Since I am planning on moving to Chiang Mai in two months, I need to downsize my belongings so that I only have the things that I really need to take with me. I was able to get rid of close to half of my makeup. I gave some things away to my friends, but a lot of my makeup is very old and no longer sanitary, so I tossed it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This month has been a learning experience for me. Overall, I would say that I do have more energy than I did before. I feel better when I take care of myself by eating right, exercising, following a sleep pattern, and getting things done. I'm very excited to keep these goals up as I move into February. I will have a post going into detail on my February Goals very soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Did you start a Happiness Project? How did your first month go? Leave a comment below!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b>Shannon</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-2016-monthly-favorites.html">here</a>.</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328471396183203123.post-10731980465260452642016-01-27T12:16:00.000-05:002016-01-27T12:37:36.910-05:00January 2016 Monthly Favorites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597" data-href="http://evennia.blogspot.com/" data-noload="" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fevennia.blogspot.com%2F&bvm=bv.112766941,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNEhfJZKgVQF05bshSL2qIiyiodp6g&ust=1454002501867477" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="irc_mi" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd_MTrPrNKxUJNlAyMs9bBq026uvW5HahlIZ2zXrTrJlpwuqH8ZlgYk2CO7moY2-CdOlTksI8mA-UieoO8krkKN1saO1-ji1GII5s3JRkCKvDxCUtBH1LgrCqXBMHKj7ldxrf1N3R4Jq8/s400/Sunrise+landscape+render+retouches.png" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
Wow! I cannot believe the first month of 2016 is coming to an end! I've had an interesting month to say the least. I was sick and then contracted pink eye (most likely from rubbing my eyes with my dirty hands while at work), visited my grandparent's old house where I spent a good part of my childhood, had my first experience with working the night shift, survived #Snowmaggedon2016, and <br />
much more!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Today's post is all about what I have been loving this month. I have had a lot of fun discovering new things about the world around me and myself. Keep reading to see the things I have been loving this month!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Almond Milk</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This may seem like an unusual favorite, but it is meant to be on this list. I have known for almost a year now that I am lactose intolerant, but I chose to ignore it and continue to feed my body things it does not need. Recently, I decided to make changes in my life. Somehow this decision led to me trying vanilla flavored almond milk, and let me tell you this tastes just like vanilla. I've never liked the taste of milk, but this milk tastes great! A bonus is that it is healthier than cow's milk.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>The Hobbit</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I don't know why I couldn't finish this book when I was a kid. I've always had an overactive imagination, so I don't see how I never got on board. I will have a book review up on this book soon, so keep an eye out for it! I will link it here once it has been posted.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Snow</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Snow and I tend to have a pretty great relationship with one another. I love to watch snow fall, and I don't mind shoveling it, even the two feet we got from this past snowstorm. I like making snow angels, sledding, and skiing. In fact, I'm going on a ski trip in a couple weeks. Thank you, #snowmaggedon2016, for lending a hand on the slopes!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>Lost</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This show is INSANE! I cannot believe I ever stopped watching it. I only ever made it to the middle of season 2 a few years ago when I first started using Netflix. I am in the middle of season 3, and I am hooked. Most shows are predictable, and I like finding the ones that aren't. Nothing about this show is predictable, making it a challenge for me to unravel all the mysteries found on this island (seriously though, what the heck is going on?!)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Chiang Mai, Thailand</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As you may or may not know, I am planning on moving to Chiang Mai late March to get a job teaching English. I have been studying Chiang Mai for months now, but this month has made me appreciate the city so much more. I am excited to get out of my comfort zone and face the successes and challenges that come with living in another country! I will have posts on Chiang Mai coming in March, so keep an eye out!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Blogging</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I never understood all the posts on "how to get more followers" or "how to optimize social media". I remember pinning blogging posts on Pinterest and questioning how I was ever going to use them. Recently, I have been getting into learning how to be a more successful blogger. This is something I am interested in doing, as I would love to turn this space into a community. This is a work in progress, and it will take awhile for this blog to grow, but the more I study, the more I know. The more I know, the more I can do to make this blog an inspiring place for all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Writing in my journal</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started writing in a journal every day to keep myself up-to-date with my happiness project. This is the longest I have ever been able to keep up a journal. I can't tell you how many times I tried to do this before in the past. I am going to keep up this journal the entire year. If I still love doing this at the end of December, I will definitely continue to do it in 2017.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Having more free time</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The holiday season is over, giving me more free time. I have tried my best to use this time wisely. I've been doing a lot of reading, studying Chiang Mai and blogging, and doing my best to be healthier (and maybe watching a lot of Lost). I used to think I had way too much time on my hands and enjoyed working 40+ hour weeks, but now I am slowly teaching myself how to utilize my time in a way that will benefit me now and in the future.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>The first month of My Happiness Project</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This month has been great as far as <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-happiness-project-overview-for-2016.html">My Happiness Project</a> goes. I will be making a separate post on this, so be sure to come back to my blog on Friday to find it! I will also link it here.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What have you been loving this month? Leave your favorites for this month in the comments below! Have a great Wednesday!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Shannon</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Check out my previous post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2016/01/more-things-that-make-me-smile.html">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Check out my previous monthly favorites post <a href="http://thelifeofshannonarielle.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-2015-monthly-favorites.html">here</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0