Los Angeles

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July 22, 2011

Commuting in Los Angeles

Posted by GraceFace under Los Angeles
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The traffic in LA makes me very angry. It almost discourages me from going anywhere, that’s how bad it is! I am really hoping that once the metro route is extended to the westside, traffic will lighten up….a lot.

So today after work, I spontaneously decided to ride my bike to this restaurant where I was planning to have dinner. It was only 4-5 miles away, so I thought it would be nice to ride my bike. The route I took wasn’t bad at all. There weren’t any hills, BUT there wasn’t a bike lane. So most of the time I rode on the sidewalks. I tried the streets when the sidewalks were too narrow but I think that would’ve been better off than the road with a bunch of LA drivers. It was a little frightening because a couple cars drove passed me as if I wasn’t on the road. What the hell! I definitely will try to take advantage of riding my bike to near by places, though. It felt really good to ride my bike to dinner. It wasn’t too bad. Just experienced a little fear, but fear schmear, right? Ha. ;)

Just the other day, I read online that someone in downtown LA got killed by a road raging driver while he was riding his bike. A couple months ago, my coworker got hit by his car while riding his bike home from work. He was out recovering for several months! Last year, my boyfriend was hit by a car while he was on a bike ride and the driver didn’t even stop!!! Yeah, it doesn’t sound so safe out there, huh?

So as much as I’d like to help out LA traffic and ride my bike to more destinations that are local to me, I only feel discouraged by the stories that I frequently hear. It’s scary out there. I wish more drivers were more careful about their surroundings and the other commuters who need to share the road. And I wish Los Angeles would provide a more bike-friendly environment for us.

I guess I can only wish, because just like the say ‘you can’t change a person’, I suppose you also can’t really change a city.

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April 1, 2011

Hurricane Los Angeles Marathon

Posted by GraceFace under Friends, Goals, Los Angeles, Marathons, Running
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WHAT. AN. EXPERIENCE! As much as the weather wasn’t my ideal preference for running, or even being outside really, I honestly don’t have any regrets for deciding to make this marathon my very FIRST.  What can I say?  I LOVE LA!  Traffic, potholes, unexpected hurricane weather, you name it.

So here it is.  My shiny medal.  I shed tears for this bad boy, no joke.  It was quite a journey to the finish line, but it was ALL WORTH IT!

The first couple miles, I was cheerful, feeling optimistic, feeling good, and proud of myself, but when mile 6 and 7 came, the rain was coming down hard.  In my head, I was thinking, “Are you kidding me?  Are you really?”  Still trying to be optimistic, I hoped the rain would let up, but it didn’t.  It was a steady downpour and there was nothing I could do but keep going.

One thing I am MOST grateful for is my support group.  Erin, Jaylyn, Johnboy and Byong!!  Then there was also Michael, Erickson, and Kyle who came out on bikes and took photos of us along the entire course.  I am SO lucky to have great friends!  They were there every step of the way even till I crossed the finish line!

As soon as I saw the finish line coming up, my mood suddenly changed.  I suddenly felt so serious.  I didn’t feel like talking to my friends who were running with me, I just wanted to focus on what was standing right in front of me.  In my mind, wheels were turning, a reflection period began, and my body and mind started to think of what started this all,…why was I running this marathon?  My dad.  A victim of cancer.  Right!  I did all this to run in honor of my dad.  2011 marks his 10 year anniversary of being away from me and my family.  I thought to myself, “Man, time flies…and I can’t believe I’m about to fly right through this finish line!!!”  Immediately, tears came down as hard as the rain and I had NO control over it, so I just let go.  I didn’t care about the photographers and my finishing photo, and I didn’t see anyone around me.  But I heard Byong yelling, “You can do it Grace, almost there, you can do it! C’mon, don’t give up!”  And just like that, I stepped over the finish line, and it was all over.  Ahhhh!!!  What a relief!  It felt so good to cry and hug my very wet friends.

My mom surprised me and came out to Santa Monica.  She toughed out the rain and was waiting for me at the finish line!  I was so happy to see her but I felt so bad taht she was standing in the storm for a good hour just to see me finish.  I actually found her standing there by accident!  I love my mom for being so strong these past years without my dad, and I love her even more for coming to support me, despite the horrible weather conditions.  She looked cute and miserable at the same time, standing in the rain, wrapped in a large plastic bag.  Thanks mom!  Seeing you waiting for me meant a great deal!

To give you a better idea of what the weather was like that day, here’s a clip of what we had to run through.

CRAZY!

Thanks again to my friends who came out to support.

And, thank you so much to those who helped me raise money to donate to Think Cure charity!

Greg Yip, Vivian McWilliam, Tweetie Nguyen, Bo Zalalerio, Chris Saavedra, Jharvis Licera, Sam and Myrriam Cardinal.

So when’s the NEXT marathon?? :)

Here’s a better question: Would I run another marathon?  YES!  And I think it will be LA!!  Gotta have a do over!!!


P.S. I am LOVING my LA MARATHON jacket!  Totally worth it! :)

 

March 19, 2011

Times flies when you are running

Posted by GraceFace under Friends, Goals, Los Angeles, Marathons, Running
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When I made a final decision into fully committing to running the Los Angeles Marathon, I knew training would take up a lot of my time. Between running weekly, eating and drinking healthier, and spending money on more gear, it’s amazing how my life is revolving around the marathon. Imagine this…less shopping at Forever 21 and less late nights at a bar being hammered. Instead, it’s more like only drinking water or gatorade, and shopping at running stores.  But I’m not complaining.  I actually enjoy being in training.  It’s gives me something to do, it’s healthy, it disciplines me to wake up early, it brings me closer to my friends, and it is a great accomplishment.

Anyway, I have to give most of the credit to my good friend, Erin, and my co-worker, Greg, who really motivated me to run LA.  If it weren’t for you two, honestly, I wouldn’t have signed up.  So thank you. :)

The big day is ALMOST here!  I can’t believe that March came by so quickly.  Wasn’t it just December when I was so shocked at myself for signing up for my first marathon?  I wish my dad was around to cheer me on.  After all, I am running this marathon in honor of him.  Thank you again to all my friends and family who have helped me raise money for Think Cure.  Everyone who donated to my fundraiser has inspired me to train to my best potential.  I can’t thank them enough for the support!  I am so blessed! :)

Well, here I go, rain or shine…..26.2 miles.  Hopefully, I will still be able to jump in the air as I cross that finish line.  I’ve come this far already,…I won’t let anything get in the way of me and that finish line.

Good luck to Erin and Jaylyn, who are also running the LA marathon!

Thank you to Michael, Erin, Johnboy, Byong, Kyle, Creese, Gio, and Jaylyn for helping me with my training runs! :)   You are the BEST!

P.S. I can’t wait to cut my hair and I’m anxious to cross “full marathon” off my bucket list.

 

January 27, 2011

Los Angeles on alert, Typhoon has hit

Posted by GraceFace under Los Angeles, Music
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Typhoon is so awesome, I just HAD to share.  They performed at Satellite (formerly known as Spaceland), and I was fortunate enough to finally watch them live.  It was a great show, and I was so impressed with their talent and articulate musicality that I could not wipe the smile off my face.  From the first day I was introduced to their album, I instantly knew that Typhoon would be my next favorite band.  Their style is so unique, every member of the band makes a huge contribution to their distinct sound and deep lyrics.  Each song is so grand, it starts off simple and then crescendos into a huge orchestra-like piece leaving you stunned and blown away.  “Belly of the Cave” was such a phenomenal performance that by the end of the song, my involuntary response was, “WOW!” ; like a little kid having candy for the very first time. :)

 

“I don’t want any enemies, why are they still digging their claws in me.”

 

January 5, 2011

Will Run for Donuts

Posted by GraceFace under Friends, Los Angeles, Marathons, Running
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Running.  How did it become such an addicting activity?

I was never a great runner.  I was always one of the last ones when running the 50 yard dash for P.E. in elementary school.  Running to warm up for tennis was never a favorite of mine, and I was still one of the last ones to finish.  I hated it, I dreaded it, and I would avoid running like it was the bubonic plague.  But now, not a week will go by without talking to someone about what race is next to add on the 2011 running list.  It’s the new “what’s going on this weekend?” discussion.  Instead of asking friends, “Hey, any good parties going on this week?”, it’s more like, “So how many miles are we running this weekend.”  :P

SO TRUE!

Anyway, I’m not complaining.  I’m glad I’ve picked up this new love for running and participating in 5ks, half marathons, and full marathons.  I’m still not as fast as the others, but that is OK.  I will get there some day.  Anyone can run.  And it’s not a competition against your friends to see who can run the fasted race, or what not, but it’s about how far you have come along in your running since you first started.  And you don’t need anyone to tell you that you are improving, you have the numbers to tell you that, and we all know that numbers don’t lie.  :)

I am proud to say that since I started running, which was January of 2009, my run time has improved by a lot.  I probably started at a 12-13 minute mile on average, and today, I am averaging 10:30-11 minute miles.  I am definitely proud of that accomplishment, and I hope to keep climbing.

One thing I must say,…I have the greatest friends in the world. They have been such a positive influence on me, and without them I would have never started this at all.  I was SO sure that I wouldn’t last one or two miles and I would be the last person in races being picked up by the “sorry you are running too slow” truck, but they believed in me and helped me throughout every training run.

It’s 10 miles for me this Sunday, and I am going to smash it…..and then eat a dozen donuts and totally defeat the purpose of running 10 miles. :P

Word!

 

December 26, 2010

Run for Christmas

Posted by GraceFace under Friends, Los Angeles, Running
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I can’t believe I ran 8 miles on Christmas morning, but I am glad I did.  The original plan was to run the day after Christmas, but the weather man told us that it would rain on the 26th.  Erin had to run 20 miles for her Arizona Marathon training, so Michael, Creese, and I decided to help Erin out and split up the mileage so Erin wouldn’t have to run 20 miles by herself.

It was a beautiful day in Santa Monica.  It was also nice to see other people running along the beach with us.  Creese and I ran the first 8 miles with Erin starting from Shutters hotel all the way to the jetty, past Venice beach, and Michael ran the last 12 miles with her.  I felt pretty comfortable with our running pace, and I didn’t think we were going any faster than what I was used to.  Turns out that we were averaging an 11 minute mile pace!  I was really happy to find that I was able to hold that for 8 miles.  The one thing I really enjoyed about our Christmas day run was that other runners were saying good morning and Merry Christmas as we passed by.

I have no idea how bird droppings got onto my clothes, but I found this after the run.  Gross!  It smelled too.  =T

While waiting for Erin and Michael to finish 12 miles, I rewarded myself with a glazed donut.  Mmmm, it was so good.  And it felt great to get that run out of the way.  I was definitely ready for Christmas. :)

I admit that I am still nervous about the LA marathon.  I still don’t know how I will be able to muster up super strength to finish 26.2 miles, but if I keep up with the training, I don’t think it will be as bad as I think it is.

My training for the LA marathon has officially started!!  Wish me luck, and please check out my LA marathon fundraising page!

Merry Christmas!!

– From future marathon runner, Graceface:)

 

November 9, 2010

Day 9 – 30 Day Project

Posted by GraceFace under Los Angeles, Marathons, Projects, Running
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Something I’m proud of in the past few days

In the past few days??  Hmmm….I was able to pay rent without selling my kidney!?! =X

I honestly can’t think of anything I’m proud of within just few days…BUT, I am proud that I got through the LA Half marathon a couple weeks ago.  The week before the LA Half was the Long Beach Half, so my friends and I ran back to back halves in 2 weeks.  Kind of cool, huh?  Well, after the Long Beach Half, I caught the flu and was in bed for a good 5 days!!  I barely got out of bed on Saturday, the day before the LA Half.  I was tempted to join in at mile 8 since the marathon route ran near Michael’s place, but I ended up toughing it out and running the entire thing!  I didn’t go fast at all, but that doesn’t matter to me.  All that mattered was that I crossed that finish line and got my medal.  It was a good day for my friends and I.  For a couple of my friends, it was their first half marathon, and they killed it!  I’m proud that I was able to push through, and I’m very grateful that Michael was running with me, pushing me through every step of the way.

 

November 2, 2010

Day 1 – 30 Day Project

Posted by GraceFace under Childhood, Family, Los Angeles, Money, Music, Projects, Reading, Running, Tennis
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A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.

1-  I am currently addicted to donuts and soy caramel macchiato’s.  I’m a Starbucks gold member.

2-  I enjoy buying new things, even if they are small and cheap, like socks or pens.

3-  I enjoy listening to Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.  I barely started listening to their music THIS year.  Yes, I know, I’m VERY behind.

4-  Running is something I love and hate at the same time.

5-  My iPhone is attached to my hip.  Sometimes it sleeps right next to me.

6-  I love to read, but I have a bad habit of reading books half way and never finishing them.

7-  Lyrics. I ALWAYS butcher them.  I used to think that the “Grease” song, “You’re the one that I want” was really saying “Yonamanamanat!”

8-  My dad taught me how to play tennis ever since I could start walking, talking, and holding things.

9- I am barely starting to explore new things in Los Angeles.  I’ve lived in Southern California my entire life!  I just learned of the La Brea tar pits!

10- I never thought I’d want to live outside of LA (or southern California), and now I’m actually considering it.

11- I avoid watching the news like it’s a scary horror flick.  There’s something about it that scares me and depresses me at the same time.

12-  Purple is my favorite color, yet I don’t own one piece of clothing that is purple.

13-  Call me old fashioned, but I like having dinner at the dinner table.  No TV, just dinner and good conversations,…and maybe a bottle of wine. ;P

14-  Within one year, I moved to 4 different cities.  I think this was 2007-2008

15-  Have a receipt that has a survey on it?  Give it to me!  I love filling those out.  I’m dying to win the sweepstakes for Target, Best Buy, Rite Aid, and other stores that offer survey prizes!!!!  I WILL win one of these days.  If not that, then definitely the lotto. :)

 

October 6, 2010

LA, Sweet LA

Posted by GraceFace under Los Angeles
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Living in Los Angeles can be a hassle, but even though it is a ‘pain in the ass’ kind of city, it’s beautiful place to live in.  I never thought I would end up living and working in LA, but a series of events caused things to end up this way, and it has worked out to my advantage.  I’m not a fan of the traffic that LA produces, and poor air quality, but this city has a lot to offer.  I’m learning new things about it everyday, and it is a shame that I’ve lived in southern California my entire life but only discovering it now.

Did you know that they are starting to build new stations and routes for the Metro?  Now that is REALLY exciting!  One important thing that LA is lacking is a good public transportation system.  I can’t wait till it comes to the westside.  Driving to downtown LA on the 10 from Santa Monica can take up to 2 hours!  It’s only 10-11 miles away!  2 hours?  Man, just last week I ran 9 miles in about 1:45 hours.  What?  Yeah..so imagine what a relief it would be to fellow commuters when they have the option to metro into downtown?  WORD!

LA, I’m glad you and I met.  Your weather is a little crazy, but crazy in a good way.  Thank you for not making me shovel snow off my driveway.  :)

 

September 24, 2010

Guns aren’t evil, they’re fun…right?

Posted by GraceFace under Birthdays, Friends, Los Angeles
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A group of my friends and I went to the LA Gun Club to celebrate Kyle’s birthday.  Overall, it was a good experience.  I didn’t think much about it when I found out we were going to a shooting range.  I thought, oh this should be fun.  We get to shoot stuff, for REAL!  That all changed when I got there.  We signed papers, gave our fingerprints, and within seconds, they handed us guns and bullets.  All of a sudden, my nerves were getting to me.  I was nervous!  I got a weird feeling when I was holding a gun.  What if the slightest finger/hand movement would set off the gun?  What if it accidentally shoots?  It was a crazy rush.

It was my first time ever shooting a gun.  I think it was a first time for everyone who went!  Within a couple minutes, the gun guys gave us a crash course of how to load and shoot a gun.  After that, they sent us out into the shooting field.  That was it?  They weren’t going to watch us try and shoot for real?  They trust us to just walk around with guns in our hand in a completely different room?  I guess that’s how it works.

As soon as I walked into the shooting room, I was on edge.  The sound of gun shots are loud and SCARY!  I felt so intimidated in there that I was close to tears.  Yeah yeah, call me a pansy.  It was my FIRST time!  Give me a break! :)   Shells were all over the floor, shots were made left and right, the room was cold, and you can see sparks from the guns.  Crazy experience.  They boys definitely had fun trying out different guns.  I stuck to one gun, and shot one time.  That’s good enough for me.   At least now I can say, I’ve shot a gun.

But now the my nerve has calmed down and I think I am ready to go again.  A lot of the girls said they liked the revolver, so I think I will want to try that one too.

Next time!

And again, happy birthday Kyle!  I’m glad we surprised you….with GUNS! :)


 

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