Life Through the Lens of My Handy-Dandy iPhone

Can I just say I don't know what I ever did without my iPhone? Literally anything & everything is accessible to me through this device that is glued to my hand. I owe a million thanks to Apple, 3G, the creators of Instagram, Maps, Angry Birds, Scramble with Friends, and more. You keep me informed. You keep me entertained. More importantly, you keep me looking busy when I'm trying to avoid an awkward encounter (come on, we all do it!)

Here is a compilation of pictures that I took last month. From capturing the scenery of my runs on Ocean Drive and downtown Newport to cake balls for Easter and a Ron Pope concert in Boston, I can always rely on my iPhone to help me remember these little, yet precious moments of my every day life in college :)

Do you have an instagram account?

What do you like to take pictures of?

Follow me @tn1079 :)

Running for the "Thrill" of It

If you took one look at me, you would never guess that I would be a “runner”. Wait, let me rephrase that. You would never guess that I run in my spare time, as I don’t think I am even worthy of holding that title. Besides a handful of 5Ks and a four-year less-than-mediocre track career in high school, I run here and there, mostly to convince myself that I have some willpower in me to do what I don’t want to do, but should do.

I don’t have the endurance of a runner to go on for miles and miles and not feel like I’m going to keel over and die on the spot. After two miles, you will find me huffing and puffing along the side of the road, desperately wishing I had an inhaler even though I’m not asthmatic. I certainly don’t have the legs of a runner, besides my short legs and giant calves (whose idea was it to come up with this combination?).

If you asked me three years ago if I thought I would be capable of running over two miles in one run, I would’ve laughed in your face. In my four years of high school, I ran track, mostly because it was the only sport that didn’t cut people if they weren’t good… aka me. I was put into the sprinter category – one who runs 100m to 400m. 100m = one quarter of a lap of a track… which is just a straight line. Olympic athletes can run 100m in less than 10 seconds. I ran 14.9 AT MY BEST. I also ran the 200m but that was nothing worth mentioning either. In my senior year, we had no 400m runners and during time trials, I came in second after my teammate who definitely was staying at 100m, so I had no choice but to step up and run not just the 400m but the 4×400 relay also. My initial thought was “What? I have to run more than a lap more than what I’m usually used to? NO WAY IN HELL.” My second thought was, “Crap. Coach isn’t going to give me another option anyway.” Because I was the only 400m runner on my team, I had to practice with the guys. Fortunately, my crush at the time was a 400m runner so I got to practice with him. Unfortunately, running in 80 degree weather and trying to play catchup with the guys don’t really bring the best out in me, physically and psychologically. Maybe this is why we never dated. You try running 6 400m laps at 80%-90% effort… with guys who could probably lap you but didn’t out of courtesy… in 80 degree weather… on a Friday… after taking a 4-hour AP exam and see if you look good enough to be asked out on a date.

In college, I began to run little by little, mostly on the days when I felt incompetent and/or unproductive. I only ran when the temperature was mild outside and ran no more than 2 miles at most. This year, however, something inside of me sparked and I’ve become motivated to run longer to work up my endurance. From mid-January to today, I've ran a total of 107 miles, averaging about 2-3 runs a week. Yes, there were some weeks where I didn’t run at all. Sometimes because it was raining, sometimes because I was busy, and sometimes because I was too lazy. Yes, I know some people run 107 miles in the span of 2 weeks. I'm trying here, people.

I never knew how stress-relieving and motivating running could be. The only thoughts I ever had about running before this year were: “This is awful. I can’t believe anyone would ever do this for fun.” and “How much longer until practice is over?” However, I realized that it was possible for running to have some positive side effects on me. Every time I go out for a run, I push myself to run just a little bit longer than I did the day before. I love seeing my iPhone track where I’m running and seeing the mileage slowly, but surely, increase. Now, every time I go for a run, I always make sure the GPS says I’ve gone at least 3 miles before I decide to stop.

I had mentioned that one of my few resolutions for 2012 is to run at least 400 miles by December 21 – since we’re all going to die anyway. I think it’s a reasonable and attainable goal and can be beneficial to my life. After all, running helps me stay healthy and fit. It keeps me energized and on top of my game. It gives me self-control and willpower. AND it can help me lose weight. Now who doesn’t want that?

Dear April, May, and June… I challenge you to this resolution. I can’t promise that it will be all rainbows and sunshine every day. I also can’t promise you that I will run every day because that definitely will not happen, but I will definitely see you on June 30th with another 100 miles under my belt, halfway done with my resolution.

BRING. IT. ON.

Plus, I read an article that long-distance running can actually make my calves slimmer. It’s a win-win solution.

TWO Magical Places!

Now that the spring semester is finally underway and my professors have begun to pile on the reading assignments, I find myself daydreaming about where I would rather be than sitting in class...

I traveled to Orlando literally 12 hours after my last final ended last month (talk about chaotic packing) to visit a friend and I had so much fun. It was my first time traveling after turning 21 so I was finally able to enjoy the night life in Orlando. However, my favorite part about Orlando is obviously Disney World... and always will be. I've been a lover of Disney since I first went in sixth grade and I haven't fell out of love since. No matter how old I am or how old the rides are, I don't think the magical feeling that fills me will ever subside. It was literally a dream come true for me to be celebrating the holiday season in Disney World!

Luckily for me, my friend is a former Disney Cast Member and still had a couple of guest passes before they expired, so I was able to get in for free! We went to Hollywood Studios on Sunday and Magic Kingdom on Monday.

Here are some pictures from my iPhone of my trip :)

This was the first thing I saw after entering Hollywood Studios. So perfect!

Mickey's Sorcerer's hat... always a classic.

This was my first time witnessing the extraordinary Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights on the Streets of USA in Hollywood Studios. Shortly after the sun goes down, they turn on over 8 MILLION of these dancing lights, which are synchronized to the holiday music that is playing. It is truly magical and a sight to see!

(besides Space Mountain, this is my favorite ride in Magic Kingdom!)

Cindrella's Castle all lit up in icicles. It's truly a gorgeous sight.

Taken during the Spirit of the Season fireworks show.

One of my favorite pictures taken during the trip. The iPhone works wonders!

So pretty.

And one last one for good measure :)

I also got to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal Studios, for the first time, which was very exciting! I'm a big fan after reading the books and seeing the movies and I couldn't wait to taste that "butterbeer" and see what the hype was all about and go on that awesome 3D ride. Both did not disappoint!

This is what I saw when checking into a restaurant/tavern on FourSquare. Too funny!

Mmmm... butterbeer!

For those of you who have never tried it, it tastes like cream soda with DELICIOUS whipped cream on top (and this comes from a girl who despises whipped cream). The carbonation in this sweet concoction was a little too much for me, but otherwise, it was worth it!

View of Hogwarts Castle from down below.

The line for this incredible 3D simulation ride was an estimated 90 minutes, but worth the wait! There were lots of queues for people waiting in line and lots of photo opportunities once you entered Hogswarts. Everything was very authentic! In the middle of the line, there is a locker station for you to leave your stuff so they wouldn't fall out when you were on the ride. I wasn't going to risk losing my phone on the ride so I left it in the locker, but if I had known how cool it was inside the castle, I would've brought it along with me!

Hogwarts Express!

If you're a fan and you haven't been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, don't miss this part of Universal's Islands of Adventure next time you plan your trip to Orlando! The shopping area in Hogsmeade really seems like it was taken from the movie. In Honeydukes, you can purchase chocolate frogs and Bernie Botts' jelly beans, while in Ollivander's Wand Shop, the wand chooses YOU instead of the other way around.

With enough magic and innocence to last me a lifetime, I still can't wait to return... hopefully soon :)

Have you been to Disney or WWoHP? What's your favorite ride? What's YOUR magical place?

May the odds be ever in your favor.

I have a SERIOUS problem.

I am beyond obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy. I actually feel ashamed that it has taken me this long to hop on the HG train and I wish I jumped on board much sooner. I was skeptical when I first heard about the book and wrongfully assumed that because it was considered sci-fi, I wouldn't like it. Boy was I wrong. But you know what they say, better late than never!

I picked up the first book on a whim a couple of weeks ago, just because I wanted to see what the hype was about. Well, the hype was right. I was hooked by the first page. The first night, I read 50 pages, watched the movie trailer, then went to bed... where I DREAMT about being IN the Hunger Games themselves. Crazy, I know. I finished The Hunger Games within a day and a half.

I then bought Catching Fire and Mockingjay last Monday right before returning to school. I finished the second book in one day (all while starting a new semester and getting back into the swing of things) and I'm now starting the third...

The thing is (and this may be incredibly nerdy of me, but I don't care), I'm really hesitant to start Mockingjay because I don't want the series to end! I know for a fact that I'll probably finish it tonight, due to being snowed in, and I can't help but read as fast as I can, just because I'm so eager to find out what happens.

I haven't been obsessed over a book in so long and I love it! At least I will have the movie to look forward to in March :) And you have probably heard the hauntingly beautiful song that Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars have released for the soundtrack. Check it out here.

Is anyone else as excited as I am for the movie to come out?
(Plus Liam Hemsworth is in it... *swoooooon*)

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Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

This movie came out yesterday and after inundated with the trailer on TV, I knew I had to go see it right away. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a beautiful heart-wrenching story about a young boy's journey to find more time with his father after losing him in the 9/11 attacks. Through his tremendous heartache and determination, he is able to overcome multiple fears as he treks through the city of New York to discover more about his father.

After uncontrollably (but silently) sobbing throughout the entire movie, I am so glad I made the decision to go see it. The poignant acting and cinematography were wonderful and I certainly am recommending everyone to see this if you can! It's an incredibly sad movie, but very touching at the same time. Just don't forget to bring tissues... lots of them.
 

(pictures: 1 2)