Some of my stuff (and two cute cats), before

I had an entire apartment full of stuff and I had to part ways with most of it in order to fit my life into one large suitcase. Doing so helped may have made me feel a bit homesick in the beginning, but it was also liberating.

Some things I have noticed after letting go of my stuff:

• It’s now much easier to ruthlessly purge my wardrobe
• It feels good to donate to charity / give to friends
• If I ever had to move countries again it would be much easier to let go of my possessions
• When my stuff is organized, the rest of my life is easier to organize as well
• I’m more picky about what stuff I spend my money on. I ask myself “Do I really need this?”

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying everyone should live a minimalist lifestyle with no collections or frills. I have quite a bit of stuff now, in the UK.

I just think that being able to make the distinction between ‘want’ and ‘need’ is important. And also, it’ll save you public embarrassment on How Clean Is Your House.

I’m proud to announce that I have now stuck with my diet and exercise regime for a week. According to the gym scale, I’ve lost some weight (approx 3-4 pounds). More importantly, I’ve gained some self confidence and determination. Here are some other things I’ve learned:

• I’m better with portion control if I know exactly how many calories are sitting on my plate. It makes me more inclined to stop when I’m full enough and save some for later!
• I push myself harder if there is a random stranger on the cardio machine next to me, particularly if they are givin’er
• I push myself harder if I am angry or stressed
• It’s not being at the gym that sucks, it’s the waking up early and making myself go.
• In the past I’ve used my asthma as too much of an excuse not to exercise.
• My social life is inevitably going to take a beating. If you want to meet me for a drink, ok, but I’m going to shoot vodka!
• About 12 minutes into my cardio workout, the endorphins reach my brain and everything becomes easier.
• I can still have peanut butter every day, just not as much of it.
• I’m doing this so I can be happier with myself and not to impress anybody else.
• Rowing machine near the beginning of my workout isn’t a wise idea yet.
• The cardio machines that face the weights room have the best view
• I’m going to have to have a gym membership forever if I want to stay healthy

Well kiddies, today was officially “Day 1″ of my new fitness regiment. I’ve long since realized that a sedentary lifestyle won’t yield the results / positive body image that I long for but lacked motivation (I’m sure many web professionals can relate to this).

In combination with diet & exercise, I’m also–with Chris’s guidance–starting a course of natural fitness supplements, namely Sci-MX Pyro-MX Leanburn. People have very mixed opinions on the subject but all I can say is that I have had lots of energy today and not a huge appetite, considering the diet change. It has natural stuff like green tea and hot peppers in it, to jump-start the metabolism.

I think I found my motivation somewhere between finding out my blood pressure is slightly high (it runs in the family), realizing I was de-tagging every picture of myself on Facebook and having to get weighed at the hospital last week for my pre-surgery appointment.

As well, the Bristol Softball season is coming up, which is even more reason to get in shape. I am playing on an even more competitive team than last year and I need to make sure they don’t regret recruiting me!

My goals are not solely to lose weight but to improve my core fitness. I’m going to measure myself not by stepping on the scale, but by how my clothes fit, how much endurance I have, and what weights I set the machines to.

Best of all, the gym didn’t charge me an initiation fee again since I used to be a member before. Ok, off to drink water and get on with my day!

As such I’m going to give it a makeover with a lick of paint, some wall shelves, a white painted pine desk and a few indoor plants. Ikea, here I come!

I’ve been dying to use a salmon pink and apple colour scheme ever since I saw it on Cougartown.

Q. What’s the difference between a car and a golf ball?
A. Tiger can drive a golf ball 400 yards.

It doesn’t matter if Tiger gets charged with careless driving, his putting will make up for it…

After a wayward drive, Tiger Woods found water before nestling behind a tree…

We now see that Tiger Woods drives very well on the fairway but doesnt fare very well on the driveway.

Q. What’s the difference between Santa and Tiger Woods?
A. Santa stops at three Ho’s

Q. What’s the difference between Santa and Tiger Woods?
A. Santa visits the nice girls.

Tiger lion cheetah

Tiger would like to take a mulligan on this one.

Q. What do Tiger Woods and Tony the Tiger have in common?
A. They both tell women they’re great during breakfast.

I heard Phil Mickelson called Elin to ask for tips on how to beat Tiger!

Tiger Woods is 13 over par…

Q. What do Tiger Woods’ girlfriends and 5 star cuisine have in common?
A. There’s some in every major city; you just have to be willing to pay for it!

You, Me and Mom

Remember how you always said that my tastes would change? You used to love your tomato sandwiches and I never understood how you could like them on their own! I declared that I would never like tomatoes, but guess what–I do! I now know what you meant when you said there was nothing better than a fresh tomato sandwich with cheese and lettuce.

I know, I know – you disapprove of my “Joy” tattoo. I am just decorating my temple! If I were telling you this in person, you’d say “Oh Amy” in a disapproving tone. But you couldn’t stay mad at me for long. Then I would make dumb jokes about pop culture to wind you up. I’d probably tease you about Harry Potter and you’d say it’s evil stuff. Then I’d try to convince you to read one!

I have inherited something from you. Singing Tourette’s! If somebody mentions something that reminds me of a song I know, I’ll burst out into song. Sometimes I don’t even know that I’m doing it – just like you.

You always said to be good to my mother and that she’d be my best friend someday. I used to be pretty horrible to her sometimes and I always thought it was annoying when you said it, but it’s becoming more and more true. I find myself emulating her all the time. You learn a lot from your mother and mine had a good teacher!

We didn't know it had a steep drop, but our reactions were great!

The other day I was putting mascara on and I remembered the first time I ever used it. It was before church, at your apartment. I must have been about 12. You taught me how to use the wand and I put an undetectable amount of mascara on but I felt like a princess nonetheless!

Those were the best, the lazy Sunday afternoons at your apartment. I’d go with you to Swiss Chalet after church and then we’d relax at your apartment. I’d help myself to your gumball machine and the vintage toys you had and you’d do a crossword puzzle. Then we’d go for a swim and watch Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman or Touched by an Angel. Afterwards you’d blow-dry my hair and tell me about how your mom used to do your hair in ringlets. Then you’d make me a simple dinner of poached eggs on toast with tea and honey.

I think of you every time I fold a fitted sheet, eat pickles and cheese, hear a Scottish accent or see a mountain landscape painting.

I miss you lots.

Love,
Amy

A lot of the doodles are eCommerce related since that is what I mainly design, but feel free to comment with suggestions for further doodles. Also, if you use them, I’d be interested to see where!

Download the file (1.2mb)

Handdrawn web design elements, 1.2mb

It may have been February but inside it was 27 degrees (Celsius, of course) and humid. The place was packed beyond fire reg capacity, I’m sure! We were all enclosed in this tiny room with foggy windows, juggling our winter clothes and drinks and trying to make small talk over the background noise of others.

This is embarrassing to admit but in these situations, I sweat. I’m talking wet, sticky hair with drips rolling down my temples. Gross, I know! I feel like everyone is breathing my air and it makes me nervous about getting sick. Once, in school choir, I fainted and fell off the risers. Clausterphobia? I’m not sure.

I had to get out of there and cool off, so I grabbed Chris and we stepped outside. One of the locals was already outside, having a cigarette.

From what I can remember, he was tall and lanky with long frizzy ginger hair and a full beard. He was wearing a very distinguishable outfit: a vintage plaid shirt with pea green trousers rolled up so that they were about 3 inches above his ankles. He had on suspenders as well, and his trousers were hiked up to his belly-button, at least.

But I didn’t really pick up on these details until a few seconds later.

I said to myself, “Whoops, I brought my drink out with me… oh well!” and just then, my phone rang. My ringtone was (and still is) ‘Paper Planes’ by M.I.A.

Lanky ginger guy actually replied (and I’m not making this up), “Maybe you could get away with it if your ringtone didn’t suck so much.”

Excuse me, seriously…! Of all people to prejudge me, that guy?!?!

In particular, I’m a fan of the adverbs (both formal and informal!) spoken in the UK. I’m sure I’ll be corrected on these, but below are five different ways of expressing hunger, in order of intensity:

• I’m rather hungry. I’m hungry to some extent.
• I’m quite hungry. I’m hungry to some vague degree.
• I’m well hungry. I’m hungry to an appropriate extent.
• I’m awfully hungry. I’m exceptionally hungry.
• I’m right hungry. I’m hungry to the extreme.
• I’m bloody hungry. I’m hungry to the extreme.

There are a bunch of verbs that I have fallen in love with as well. I knew some of these before moving here, but I didn’t really use them in speech.

• prod - to poke or jab with or as if with something pointed
• nick – steal
• bodge - make a mess of, destroy or ruin
• tread - to step, walk, or trample so as to press, crush, or injure something
• leg it – run!
• waffle – ramble on about nothing

I’m sure there are more, but that’s all I can think of at the moment…