The Great Aloha Run 2011: My SMART Goal and Personal Challenge
I remember in elementary school (and I think it was in PE, how fitting), we learned how to set goals. They weren’t dreams or visions, they were real, doable, SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based. So when it comes to improving my health and fitness (more of a life goal), I thought I’d get it going with a smart goal.
Rather than going with something generic like “lose 10 lbs. by Christmas” (which hasn’t exactly worked in the past), I decided to challenge myself with something I wanted to accomplish, something I’ve never done before, and something I can do with friends and family… The Great Aloha Run!
It’s an 8.15-mile race that takes place during President’s Day weekend every year, which always lands on or around my birthday, so the accomplishment will be a nice little gift to and from moi :)
So here it goes, the GAR-SMART goal:
I will complete the Great Aloha Run in or under one hour and 45 minutes by following a training plan that incorporates walking and/or running at least three times each week. I will know I am making progress because I will increase the distance I can jog without walking or stopping by at least a quarter-mile every two weeks.
As of today (well, yesterday, since this is going up on the blog tomorrow), the Great Aloha Run is exactly 20 weeks away. Most of the training programs I’ve seen are about 9 weeks long, so I guess I’m (way) ahead of the game! So I’ll be scouring the internet today, and probably this week, trying to develop the perfect training plan!
And, sure, 1:45 isn’t exactly hyper-speed, but have I mentioned that I’m outta shape?! At least I’m working on something :)
I wanna know, what’s your workout routine? Are you training for anything special?
Xoxo,
Tiera
PS: If you’re looking to do the GAR, let me know! I’d love a training buddy :)
Imagery via We Heart It
Read More »Mixplate Monday Vol. 1
Happy Monday! I’m still feeling a bit (okay, a lot) under the weather, so I’m not getting off to the best start, but I refuse to let it ruin my week! So here I am, with the newest Side Culture weekly column to debut, Mixplate Monday! Though if you’ve ever read TIERAsta, it may look a little familiar :)
You see, Mondays are always interesting days for me. I’m generally never ready for the week ahead, and a little stuck in last week’s memories (and outstanding to do list, yikes!). It’s sometimes difficult to get focused, as my mind is usually ping-ponging in a million different directions, so I figured I’d round it all up and put it out there every Monday, mixplate style :)
So here we go…
Last Week’s Highlights
- Returning from beautiful Kaua’i, where I participated in the Mokihana Hula Festival! It was a lot of work, as were the weeks leading up to it, but I had fun making new memories with my family and my hula family :)
- Sleeping in on a Monday! Our managers at work were hosting a meeting, so I didn’t have to be at work until 9 a.m. (7:30 a.m. regularly). This came in especially handy since I returned from my trip the day before.
- Working. A lot. Not only did I have lots to catch up on from my few days away, but I was also a busy little bee trying to get things in order for Side Culture!
- Deciding not to purchase a Nook. Yet ;) I’ve convinced myself to get through all the books I have at home before I dish out the moolah for a Nook… It is in my future, though!
- Signing up for 24 Hour Fitness. Yes, again. I’m re-commited to getting healthier, and it’s time I stop putting it off. PS: Hellooooo, corporate discount!
Hula sisters and musicians; My little makeup prodigy, Leisea, with her pink donut :)
Weekend Happenings
- Dinner with my extended family! We only stepped out shortly to pick up Korean BBQ, and spent the rest of the night (and some of the morning) just talking and laughing! <3
- Being sick in bed, ugh. I hate that feeling. I laid down to relax at a little after 1 p.m., and didn’t get up til almost 8! I snuck out for a little saimin and sushi, and went right back home. And then couldn’t fall asleep until 6 a.m., aiya!
- Catching up on The Glades (which I decided I love) and watching the season one finale
- Finally watching Sister Wives; Polygamy is a subject that is so fascinating to me, and this show is like the real life Big Love! It’s a little sketchy at times, but I always try to remember “to each their own”
- Laundry, my favorite thing in the world, lol!
*Pretending* to beat up my beautiful mother <3
On the Agenda
- Getting into a rhythm here at Side Culture, and finessing a few of the site and editorial details
- Drinking lots of OJ, sucking on Ricola (I tried to think of a better way to say that. Fail.), and sniffing on my Vicks VapoInhaler (it’s a miracle worker, I tell ya!) to shake this cold
- Finally hitting the gym; I planned to get in my first workout this weekend, but I haven’t been feeling well, so I didn’t get the chance :(
- Finding out the gender of my cousin Tiffy’s baby!
- Looking for photo inspiration since I’ve decided to
cutchop my hair!
My adorable godson, Tyxae, who is finally starting to walk on his own!
As of Today
- Smelling: I’m wearing a new fragrance (well not new, I’ve had it for a while, but this is the first time I’m wearing it), Fuel for Life Pour Femme by Diesel; It has a hint of my favorite flower, pikake!
- Reading: I’m making my way through “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I didn’t think I’d like it (you know, because I already saw “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”, lol!) but so far I’m enjoying it, and finding it quite inspiring :)
- Brainstorming: My aforementioned (love that word, lol!) cousin Tiffy has decided on an owl theme for her baby, so I’ve been trying to incorporate that into the “modern tea party”-style baby shower I’m working on!
I wanna know, what were your highlights last week/weekend? And what are you up to today/this week?
Xoxo,
Tiera
The Sunday Seven Vol. 1
Happy Sunday, dolls! Today is the beginning of my first full week of blogging, and I’m nervous/excited! One of the first things on my list is to establish a schedule for myself — an editorial calendar, if you will — and I’m looking forward to sharing with you all some of the regular columns I have in mind for Side Culture!
One thing on my new schedule is a weekly column called, The Sunday Seven. It’s seven totally random questions, and my answers to them (duh!). I thought it’d be a fun little thing for Sundays (probably the laziest of my days!), and I could share a little about myself so you lovely readers could get to know me. And, if you choose to play along, I can get to know you, too!
Let’s get started, shall we?!
1. The first thing I did this morning was __________.
Push the snooze button on my alarm! It currently plays Whatcha Say by Jason Derulo, and I usually only get through “Wha-wha-wha-wha-what did she say?” before I snooze it for 8 more minutes!
2. What is your least favorite school subject?
Definitely science, ugh. There are only a few topics I actually find interesting, other than that it’s pretty hard for me to connect with the material, which is often detailed and complicated.
3. What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
Quaker Oatmeal Squares, ftw! I used to snag these up at school breakfasts back in middle school, and they’ve been my favorite ever since. Unfortunately, they cost an arm and a leg! I try to stock up at Target ’cause they’re sometimes cheaper there. The fact that they’re totally healthy is just a bonus!
4. How many pets do you have?
Three! Two dogs, a pug named Maka and a mix named Ikaika. I also have a goldfish named TJ, he was a part of the centerpiece at my godson’s birthday party in July :)
5. Peas or carrots?
Eww, I really dislike both, but I can tolerate raw carrots as long as they’re drenched in ranch dressing lol!
6. How many tabs are open in your internet browser right now?
Four! Last.fm, Side Culture, Gmail, and Evernote.
7. Who is the last person you slow-danced with?
My friend Mike (who I’ve known since 7th grade!) at a wedding we went to last month! It was a beautiful wedding and we danced the night away (sort of) on a terrace, which overlooked an infinity pool, which overlooked the ocean. Gorg, right?! Our little group of friends got a little suckered into dancing by our friend, and gorgeous bride, but it was good times!
I think you should play along, it’ll be fun! Copy/paste the list below, with your answers, into the comments, on your own blog (with a link in the comments so I can check it out!), or answer any of them on Twitter — Make sure you send it to me @sideculture (and follow me, if you aren’t already!) and put a #sundayseven hashtag so I can see your responses!
1. The first thing I did this morning was __________.
2. What is your least favorite school subject?
3. What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
4. How many pets do you have?
5. Peas or carrots?
6. How many tabs are open on your internet browser right now?
7. Who is the last person you slow-danced with?
Have a great rest of the weekend, everyone! See you tomorrow, when I’ll be debuting the next Side Culture weekly column!
Xoxo,
Tiera
Imagery via We Heart It
Read More »Welcome to Side Culture: An Introduction
Well, hello there! And welcome to Side Culture, my little piece of the internet. I’m Tiera, and I wanted to officially get the blog going by introducing myself and Side Culture.
As for me, I’m a 20-something, living and loving in Honolulu, where I was born and raised; And I love to do things! More specifically, I love to: Read, write, watch television and movies, dance hula, spend time with my little brother and godson (that is NOT my kid in the picture below!), eat at restaurants (especially sushi restaurants), relax at the beach, create DIY/craft projects, gather wedding inspiration (not for my own, but for the ones I’d like to plan someday!), get dolled up with makeup, shop for school/office supplies, read blogs, explore religion and spirituality, take photos (cameras, iPhone, whatevs), walk through thrift stores, try new things, and meet new people — And I’ll be sharing all of that, and more, here on Side Culture!
One of my life goals (read: someday) is to make a living working for myself, and blogging is a great start. But in order to really spell out why I’m doing what I’m doing around here, I thought I’d share with you, lovely readers, some of my personal goals for Side Culture:
- Become a better writer
- Become a better photographer
- Become a better business woman
- Be more creative
- Expand my mind and horizons
And, in the long run, it’s my dream that I can parlay this into Side Culture, the brand; From blog to supporting some sort of writing-based or creative career.
In the mean time, though, I’m happy to be at my day job (an assistant at a wedding/event planning company), attempting to get my English degree in the near-ish future (though I’m in no rush!), pursuing side interests and projects, and running my mouth on this blog!
To be a smidge more specific, I’ll mostly be blogging about: Handmade/DIY creations, beauty, cooking and cupcakes, healthier and greener living, and celebrations. And while it’s a little odd (and more than a little narcissistic) to ask people to tune in for updates about my life, I’ll be blogging a lot about that as well — including my adventures and inspirations, the people in my life, professional projects, and personal challenges. So whether you’re looking for a better/happier/more beautiful/more successful life, or just to chit chat with a friend, chances are you can find something here on Side Culture; And I hope I can bring it to you. Consistently (as in minimum of four times per week, but hopefully more). And with a little bit of attitude and style!
I hope you like what you find around here. And if you do, or even if you don’t, please leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you! No spam or hostile/adult stuff, please. Thanks! Or you can always get in touch by e-mail or on Twitter (where I’ll be tweeting all new posts and updates, plus tons more) or RSS (Real Simple Syndication, via a reader or e-mail) to subscribe and stay fresh! I’m also trying to stay fairly active around the following: Goodreads, Listography, Last.fm, Bloglovin, and 20 Something Bloggers. Check ‘em out and say hello :)
Also, you can read more about all of this, more about me, and more about Side Culture.
Hope to see you around soon!
Xoxo,
Tiera
PS: Here we go…
Read More »