Running yet another marathon and how I do it

A woman in running clothes sitting on a railing and looking at the viewer.

Recently I signed up for a fourth marathon. I ran my first marathon in 2008, and it wasn’t until 2016 that I ran my second. My third was run last November, and now training has started for the fourth. It’s no secret that I love running. I never thought I’d be the kind of person who runs multiple marathons, but that’s where we’re at now. It’s one of those things I live for: running in a meditative state and watching the world go by, followed by the most exquisite endorphin high that no drug can ever measure up to. It’s really the best.

Running a half-marathon is easy; I think that most people can do it. Those 13.1 miles are a friendly distance. Running a full marathon, however, requires more time and commitment, but it can be done.

Tell me all of your running secrets!

If you want to know my secrets to successfully finishing a marathon, you may be pleased to find that there is no secret! It’s hard work, a lot of self-care, plenty of rest, and good sleep. Plus moral support helps, as does a can-do attitude.

(As a full disclaimer, I will say that this is not intended to be medical advice. Always see a doctor before starting any training program. Here, I’m sharing what worked for me.)

Training programs

A training table indicating the weekly mileage
A race training table. It goes up to Week 18

The training program I use is formulated by Hal Higdon, a running legend who has done more than 100 marathons! The website shows 18-week training programs for all levels, from novice to advanced. Usually the novice is good for many; advanced levels are more for Olympics training and the like. You’ll need to be able to run six miles before starting training under the Novice program. Also, you don’t need to pay to use the programs. I just write the mileages in my calendar and go from there. Or just print out the tables and write dates on them.

For my first marathon, I ran with a team, which supplied a 6-month training program and moral support. Running with a team will help you get through the finish line. For my second race, I searched for the program that looked the most familiar to the first. Hal Higdon’s programs are foolproof, and I keep going back to them. For the third marathon, I upped it a notch by choosing the first Intermediate level. Perhaps that is my limit, because a knee injury resulted, which dampened my performance.

The knee pain still creeps up like a whisper saying, “hey, I’m still here.” So, this time I will lean more towards the Marathon 3 training program, where there’s more cross-training and rest. But it’s far from easy. Running three 20-mile runs at peak training sure is a lot. I got this.

But where do you get your protein?

Diet is something I get questioned on a lot. The vegan diet is beautiful, nutritious, and delicious, and it utilizes every calorie to help you cross the finish line. I have always run marathons on a vegan diet and can speak from experience how strong it makes me feel.

Runners rely more on carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, and bread, as a source of fuel. The protein part is good for rebuilding muscles after strength training, but runners don’t always do that. A lot of bread and pasta already have lots of protein in them; a single serving of noodles contains as much as 7-9 grams. It’s a good source.

The meat and dairy industries do a great job of selling marketing hype that we don’t get enough protein and calcium, and that the only way to get those needs met is to consume more. If you really pay attention to how much you eat, chances are that you are getting enough, especially on a vegan diet. All those fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats supply enough vitamins, minerals, and of course, protein to fuel your performance.

As for how much to eat, I don’t count calories. I just keep eating until my body feels like it has had enough. In general, I eat more than most people, since that metabolism is constantly humming. I will stress that you do not want to diet during this time, because your body needs extra calories in order to gain more endurance. During peak training, I consume least 4,000 calories during the day of long runs. Your needs might be different. Listen to your body.

An hand holding an energy gel pack in clear focus with a blurry background.
Tastes like strawberry pudding!

Starting on longer runs (at least 10 miles), I consume Clif energy gels midway through the run. (Followed by water, of course.) Any kind of vegan energy gel will work in order to replace what has been burned through. Some have caffeine for an extra kick. This time, I might even bring easy snacks for extra calories, especially during the longer runs. I didn’t always do that before.

During the longer runs, you may notice a flaky white substance on your skin. That is salt that has been sweated out, so it must be replaced in order to maintain your system’s electrolytes. I tend to eat food where I can taste the salt. That’s the advice given to me during training for the first marathon. It seems to work.

As always, drink lots of water. A fuel belt is around my waist during the longer runs. I know where all the water fountains are along the routes, so that I can refill as necessary.

Run until your feet bleed (maybe)

A pair feet wearing hot pink running shoes on a wooden floor.
Brooks Ravenna VI is the model of these shoes

Shoes are a subjective subject. What I did was go to my old coach’s running store to see what kind of shoes might work best for me. Coach made me run on the treadmill for a few minutes while he analyzed my form and listened to my concerns about frequent shin splints. Now I use Brooks Ravenna shoes with Spenco inserts and haven’t had the shin splints since! The models have evolved some over the years, but it’s been reliable and my go-to. If you need better shoes, try getting your running form and measurements analyzed by a running professional. A good pair of shoes makes all the difference.

I don’t have experience with managing blisters. My toenails are usually intact, so they don’t fall off.

Cotton is rotten

When you sign up for enough races, you’ll accumulate technical shirts as race swag. Those shirts are designed to help with ventilation and cooling your body, especially when it gets warmer out. Wearing cotton holds onto moisture, which gets stuck in the fabric. It feels gross, plus it’s not breathable. Wear running clothes that have breathable fabric technology. They’re a little more expensive, but it will make the experience all the more pleasant.

Other things to remember

Sleep

Sleep is very important when training. When you’re training, you will need enough rest, because it gives your body a chance to catch up. After every long run, you may want a nap. And you should take it! Running isn’t just a physical endeavor; it’s also a psychological one. When you get enough sleep, it’s not only your body that is repairing itself. Your mind also needs to process what you’re putting it through. With enough sleep, you will perform better. It’s a no-brainer, so remember to be good to yourself.

Stretching

This is something that I struggle with. It just doesn’t occurs to me to stretch, but that has been changing lately. Sometimes I’ll take stretching breaks when I’m working. These are stretches I’ve done during cross-country practice in high school and even during marathon training with the team. They seem to work.

Redirecting your focus

I used to think that meditation is for new-age types; it just seemed so out there. The saying, “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it” applies here as well. Focusing on the breath instead of free-falling in thought has helped me stay centered along the course. When mental energy is redirected into the body, it is more sustained. What I’ve learned is that anxiety is energy that is often wasted or lost; I’ve been learning that channeling it back into the body does help me go stronger longer.

And most importantly…

A woman flashing a "peace sign" while standing on a sculpture that reads "26.2"
Once you’re in the 26.2 club, you’re in it for life

Finally, a strong attitude on crossing the finish line is a must. You need clear reasons on why you want to finish a marathon. Saying, “why not?” isn’t enough. The journey will give plenty of reasons on why not. As I mentioned before, running a marathon isn’t just physical; it’s more psychological. There will be times where you wonder why you signed up in the first place. Maybe some loved ones may try to talk you out of it, out of concern. So, this is something you must be sure that you want. But remember to be kind to yourself. Then find your support network to get you through the whole experience. Maybe you can train on your own, but you don’t have to. Just find reasons why you want to finish, and the rest will follow. And once you’ve joined the 26.2 club, you’re in it for life.

Teal Is the Warmest Color

A bed with many pillows next to a colorful lamp in a teal bedroom

Breathing in new life into an old room

An off-yellow Craftsman home with bushes and a white picket fence under a snowfall.
Our beautiful Little Yellow House in a winter wonderland

I’ve lived in the same house for the past 4 1/2 years. The entire time, the four beige walls of my bedroom were my companions while I slept. I’m a firm believer of changing one’s environment to reflect one’s personality, but at the same time, the idea of forfeiting my security deposit kept me confined with a bedroom that didn’t feel like my own.

Since it’s a new year, a change is necessary. After traveling to Europe and Santa Fe, a new spark of inspiration struck. Many of the places I’ve been to were so colorful and full of life, and I didn’t want to go back home. That inspiration stuck with me, and I fantasized of painting my bedroom a bold, jewel-toned teal. It’s like taking some of my travels back home with me in a spiritual way.

The effects of last year are still sinking in. I’ve spent all of last month slowly going through my belongings, one section at a time. Like everyone else who watched the Netflix special, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” I’ve been KonMari-ing my life. This means saying goodbye to things that no longer serve me.

And so it begins…

A hand holding a teal paint sample and a color card.

So, I went to Lowe’s, got some paint samples, and began to lay new ground by painting my bedroom a beautiful shade of teal.

It always takes longer than expected

Painting a 10×10-foot room is more expensive than I had expected. The costs came to about $50 total, and that was for a gallon of paint ($25) and a roll of painting tape ($9), as well as a painting starter kit ($15) that included a brush, a pan, and a roller. (And don’t forget the sales tax!) Thank goodness there was already some leftover drop cloth from a previous paint job I did back in 2013. The painting tape I used was Frog Tape, instead of the blue painter’s tape. It’s more effective in keeping paint from seeping underneath the tape, so lines are cleaner.

Painting a room that small is also more time-consuming than I had anticipated–I thought it could be done in a day. Because it’s the winter, the paint takes longer to dry in cold weather. It also took three coats for the walls to be evenly colored. Maneuvering the furniture around was like a puzzle, and at one point, everything was blocking the door! So, I had to finish the walls, so that I could get out.

Does it spark joy?

An organized closet filled mostly with black clothes
My closet is an organized sea of black with the occasional splash of color

I deep-cleaned the floor, both of my closets, and filled up only two trash bags with clothes and other things that no longer sparked joy. The KonMari method involves putting all of your clothes in a big pile on the bed, and whatever sparks joy gets to stay. If it doesn’t, it goes into a trash bag. An important step in the process is to thank the item of clothing that no longer serves you. It is a way of having closure with the item.

A black baroque-framed mirror with a plant and a lamp that looks like brain neurons in a teal bedroom

The same can apply for other things in life, such as painful memories, friendships that have failed, and things that no longer carry a significant meaning. I made it a point to embrace them, thank them for their purpose, and let it go. Holding on takes so much more energy, which could be directed towards more creative endeavors.

It’s time to move on

A pink handmade lamp next to a plant in a teal bedroom

I rearranged the furniture back to where it belongs, and then it was time to clean everything up and put it all away. My roommate lent me her smudge stick. While I’m not religious and am skeptical of the “woo-woo,” it doesn’t mean I’m not open to all of it. So, I slowly and mindfully saged my bedroom, clear with intentions to snuff out whatever lingering bad energy was left. That’s what matters more: setting intentions.

A cluster of colorful framed artwork and wall decorations on a teal wall.

After everything was in its right place, I looked around my newly painted teal bedroom. The feeling is reminiscent to falling in love. It’s the perfect time to have created a new setting, as the halfway point between winter and spring has passed. It’s time for new beginnings.

Close-up of colorful paintings and wall decorations on a teal wall.
Wall decorations from Thailand

Two years ago, I was heavy into planning that life-changing trip around the world, as an effort to jump-start a stagnated life. Then, I survived the trying test of last year. Now I am pulling out even more old roots to sow new seeds, in order to once again grow something amazing.

A quirky made bed with lots of pillows next to a colorful lamp in a teal bedroom

This year is already full of new beginnings. There’s new work with a new team, I’m making new art for a show, and now I have a new teal bedroom. It was snowing in Seattle while I painted, but our magnolia tree has grown tight little buds… A reminder that spring always comes.

Meow Wolf & The House of Eternal Return

Santa Fe has much to offer when it comes to art, as described in my previous blog entry. The first attraction I visited was Meow Wolf, a surreal, immersive art collective, where nothing is as it seems. The installation currently present is the House of Eternal Return. It’s like the Twilight Zone meets Alice in Wonderland.

A beautiful house where nothing is as it seems

What is Meow Wolf & the House of Eternal Return?

The backstory indicates that it’s a 2-story Victorian house harboring a secret that led to the Selig family’s disappearance, perhaps into another dimension of the universe. While the house seems like any other from the outside, it is riddled with wormholes to an alternate universe. Many portals and paths loop back into the house and back again, hence the name. The same pattern also happens in the backstory, where information loops back onto itself, while at the same time, applies to other information as well.

There are clues that give insight onto what may have happened. The visitor can go through diaries, letters, photographs, and lab handbooks inside the house, while exploring hidden passageways, nooks and crannies, rainbow caves, and even treehouses–all while charter agents in white lab coats are watching you.

A lovely day for a dinner party

It’s very easy to miss passageways or details, so you’ll come back hours later to discover them. For example, this black-and-white dining room was right under my nose for hours, because the door blended in with the wall. Seeing a doorknob piqued my interest. I’m not sure what this dining room has to do with the backstory, but it sure is a neat place to sit. Also, they’re not shown here, but there are monsters inside those cabinets.

Unraveling the mysteries of the House

The hamster’s name is Nimsesku, and he’s a crucial part of the story.

Another time, I saw a safe and couldn’t open it because I didn’t have the code. A couple hours later, I flipped through someone’s planner and found the code purely by accident! It took another half an hour to find the safe again. The code worked, and the safe revealed another piece of the puzzle.

There’s also another safe in the office of the house, which seems to be the main one. The code seems to work on both safes.

Can I just stay here forever?

It’s so easy to spend literally all day piecing together information of what happened to that family in the house. If you want to decode all of the clues and codes, you will practically need to move to Santa Fe and get an annual pass. A mystery like this one could take days or weeks to solve, with overwhelming amounts of information to sort through. Even if you succeed, it’s your–and only yours–interpretation alone. Nobody is right or wrong about their interpretations, because there are so many. The House of Eternal Return is designed to be open-ended like that. There are no formal endings to the story or mystery; it is what you make of it.

But remember to take care of yourself…

I got pretty hungry and didn’t want to eat, because that meant I would have to leave. Admission is an all-day pass, and there are food trucks outside, but it’s hard to break out of that entranced zone. The best comparison is like playing a video game, except that you are physically immersed in the game. You hear of those gamers that don’t take care of themselves because they’re so wrapped up in it… That was me at Meow Wolf. Maybe someone else may not view it as a “trap” the same way I did. It surely left an impression.

The main stage where performances are held

As an aside, Meow Wolf also hosts shows and events regularly. I haven’t been to one, but it has become a performance venue as well.

Being inside your own mind

Welcome to my home planet.

At the same time, it felt like my home planet. I never wanted to leave. It felt like being inside my own mind. Maybe that’s why it was all intuitive.

Some good advice

Santa Fe has an art scene that caters more towards the upscale. And then there’s something like Meow Wolf. This has been the highlight of my visit, and I will definitely be back!

Santa Fe, the City Different

Santa Fe, NM is the first trip of 2019, where I got to see a dear friend and her family for the first time in seven years. It’s an artistic city, where artists like Georgia O’Keefe once lived. Native American influence is also prevalent. I went during the off-season, where it wasn’t crowded at all.

Snow in the high desert

There is something about snow that amplifies an eerie yet comforting silence.

Also known as the City Different, the small Southwestern city sits in the high desert at an elevation of 7,199 feet. For a sea-leveler like me, it can be a lot to adjust to. Altitude sickness varies for each person. It’s better to take at least a day or so to acclimate to the higher elevation than jump right into working out like I did.

The very first morning after landing in Santa Fe, I attempted to run 10 miles, which was an experience. I was so out of breath at mile 7. Pressure slowly built up in my head before turning into a full-blown headache. I slept the entire day afterwards.

Navajo influences are ubiquitous, as seen on this rug.

When thinking of the desert, images could be cacti, cow skulls, and adobe homes under the bright sun. Snow doesn’t always come to mind. It’s the first time I saw snow in the desert, and it was quite a beautiful setting.

It is also extremely dry, so it’s a good idea to pack lots of shea butter and sunscreen. The UV rays are stronger in higher elevation. I kept rubbing shea butter on my hands every half hour to keep them moisturized. You may also need tissues, since the dryness can make your nose drip. A humidifier also helps when sleeping.

Santa Fe is a small city, and while public transportation exists, it doesn’t cover the whole area. The main lines run mostly near the attractions around the city, but there isn’t service from the regional airport. Ride sharing services such as Lyft and Uber are rare late at night or in the wee hours in the morning, which can be an issue if your flight comes in during those times. Renting a car would have been too expensive. I was lucky and found a Lyft to get me to my friend’s house at midnight.

A treasure trove of art and history

For $30, the Culture Pass provides access to multiple publicly funded museums and monuments in Santa Fe as well as several other cities in New Mexico. I highly recommend using it, as you can save money that way. There is also a free shuttle that goes from Museum Hill to the Plaza and even Canyon Road, so that’s also worth looking into as well.

Santa Fe has a vibrant art community. Modern art legends such as Georgia O’Keeffe lived in the town, the landscape often used as a source of inspiration. There’s a museum featuring her work, and it’s worth a visit. It isn’t covered by the Culture Pass, since it’s a private museum, but it still helps give a better understanding of her work and process.

Another day, I visited Canyon Road, a half-mile stretch of high-end art galleries inside old-world adobe buildings. Canyon Road features inspiring artwork ranging in style from traditional, to whimsical and contemporary. There are over a hundred galleries, boutiques, and eateries to brows through. A magical place like this makes it clear why many artists have made it their home.

There is another side to it all. I talked to one of the artists, and he said that he only paints what he does so that anyone with that kind of money can buy his work. He would like to paint what he likes, but it wouldn’t sell. While it’s always nice to be able to express yourself, it’s not a bad thing to make work that sells, even if it’s not what the artist prefers to do. It is, after all, a business.

Speaking of art, tomorrow I will go over what my experiences at Meow Wolf were like. It’s an art installation that is reminiscent of the Twilight Zone meets Alice in Wonderland, kind of. It’s trippy, delightful, and full of mystery. It deserves its own entry.

On being vegan…

A vegan meal from Love Your Body cafe

The vegan lifestyle isn’t unheard of in the City Different, but not everyone is aware of what it is. There aren’t many exclusively vegan restaurants in Santa Fe, but there may be vegan options at a few places. Other than that, it’s easier to buy ingredients and prepare stuff at home. My friend graciously cooked dinner for us, since her husband is mostly vegan. She was a lifesaver.

Could I live here?

I visited Santa Fe to see and catch up with my friend… and also to see just how Ronnie-friendly is this city? The vibe is friendly enough. While I appreciated the art, the vibe caters towards people on the more upscale end. In fact, the only place where I truly felt like I belonged was at Meow Wolf, which will be a separate blog entry.

Santa Fe’s public transportation system doesn’t cover the whole city, but the bike trails might get you places as long as it’s not too icy. Finally, being vegan is possible, but options may be limited when it comes to finding a restaurant to eat.

Other than that, I very much enjoyed my stay. This is a city where I’d like to return again!

A Fresh Start

New Year’s Day is probably one of my favorite holidays. Nothing feels more optimistic than a fresh start, especially when a challenging year is now behind you.

Some of you make New Year’s Resolutions. I used to do that and even kept about two-thirds of them. After going through a tumultuous time last year, I still need a little time for those lessons to sink in.

Many of my goals happen to spring up in the middle of the year, when I least expect it. Sometimes, they appear at the end. Lately, I’ve been in a good headspace to make new plans at the beginning.

Here are some plans and goals so far:

  1. Visiting Santa Fe next week. A good friend lives there with her husband and her two little girls. It will be the first time seeing her in seven years, when she moved. Santa Fe is said to be artsy, sunny, and friendly. More on that when I visit.
  2. Sugar is getting the boot for the most part. Excessive sugar is what I mean, such as desserts. Carbs are still important for those cardio workouts, so those need to stay. I will make exceptions, such as my birthday, others’ birthdays, and holidays. It sounds like a realistic goal versus cutting all sugar out. I cut out excessive sugar once last year, and it was almost like combatting a drug addiction. I’ve never had a drug problem, but I imagine that’s what it might feel like. My sugar consumption has been declining the past year anyway, so it doesn’t feel as bad this time.
  3. Lowering my caffeine intake. This one is about as hard as decreasing sugar intake, because it’s ubiquitous here. When you order decaf coffee in Seattle, people look at you like you just asked for the ultimate sin. Black and green teas are much milder and less abrasive than black coffee. Plus, anxiety can be much more easier to manage with the switch. I practically slept for three days when lowering my intake, though. At least my mind isn’t leaving my body when I’m anxious.
  4. Reaching out to friends and family more. I am an introvert through and through, like a cat. My space and time are very important to me. Last year, I fell off the face of the planet. There was hardly any energy to see anyone. I also became depressed from the isolation. At the same time, I didn’t want to burden anyone with what I was going through. Now that I’m in a better spot in life, I have more energy to give to others. I also don’t want to be so wrapped up in my own head. When you’re stuck in your own world, especially when you’re going through adverse times, you might pick up a salty attitude. I really don’t want that. My goal is to give more, and to practice more patience and gratitude.
  5. Surrounding myself with people who deserve it. Boundaries are so important. The early 30s are great. You care less about what others think and more about what is best for you. My thoughts have shifted from “who likes me?” to “who deserves me?”. Giving my time and energy to others who don’t appreciate it is a drain. I will continue practicing making boundaries and enforcing them. Instead, it’s better to spend time with those who do want to hang out and actually make efforts to do so. I’m in my 30s and am just now figuring this out.
  6. Making more art. I haven’t made much art in the past two years, as my focus shifted from fine art, to writing and traveling. In the spring, I’ve been invited to participate in an art show with two other artists! Here is some of my work. I’m going to make an entirely new series with brand new pieces. My style will also go in a different direction for this series. I. Cannot. Wait.
  7. Seeing my best friend’s family this year. My best friend, Brad, and I have made plans for me to meet his family in Santa Barbara this yea. We’re also going to Disneyland with them! He’s literally the closest thing I’ve ever had as a brother. I’ve been wanting to meet his family for a long time now, and we’re finally going to make it happen!
  8. Be more organized and efficient. I love organizing. I used to work in the records department of a law firm for five years, so organizing and labeling things is second nature. Lately, however, things fell by the wayside. I won’t repeat how last year was a doozy. But now, I have a better grip. I want to be more on top of things. As for efficiency, I’ve been meditating more as to keep my thoughts together. My mind can be so spread out, with thoughts going every-which-way. I want to be more effective and efficient.
  9. Delving into my new career more. Sometime last year, I mentioned how I went to a vocational psychiatrist and had an assessment taken on my skills and abilities. It turns out that writing is my strongest skill, except I didn’t take that advice until nearly 10 years later. Now that I’m in my new career, I will continue to go down that path. Seattle seems to have many opportunities with that field.
  10. Above all, be more forgiving towards myself. I can be very hard on myself. Growing up, girls are often conditioned to dislike themselves and to see themselves through the eyes of criticism. Where I’m from, it’s more socially acceptable for a woman to hate herself than to love herself fully. However, if those things are learned, then they can also be unlearned. It takes a lot of mindfulness to learn new and healthier habits. I want to be more forgiving towards myself and to fully own my power. And I can feel it, little by little. When you give yourself more credit and love, things fall into place easier. Things don’t work against you so hard, because you’re not working against yourself. Most importantly, it feels peaceful, knowing you can trust yourself. I feel pretty good about it.

Maybe I’ll even run a fourth marathon, if my knees can handle it. My mind has been a little clearer. I feel more like myself. Maybe last year’s challenges and rewards were necessary. It feels like an old emotional skin has been shed to reveal a shiny new layer underneath. I got this.

Eurotrip 2018, Part 4: Prague, Czech Republic

The final stop of this Eurotrip takes place in Prague, Czech Republic. Prague is a city I kept hearing about through friends and artists. It’s one that boasts a strong arts scene as well as its own long political and cultural history.

Felt like home

I stayed in the Old Town of Prague, right in the thick of the action. Tucked away on a quiet street is an unassuming hotel called Bed&Books Art Hotel. It’s where I spent my first night. The vintage-chic decor and the Czech books made me feel right at home, a good environment to get work done.

Murals are done by Catalina Estrada

The next place I stayed was at Art Hole Hostel. If you’re looking for a quirky, lively place to stay in Prague without it getting too crazy, then Art Hole is for you. The hostel is friendly and welcoming, plus the staff make you feel right at home. It caters to a younger crowd (age 35-ish and younger), but they seem to welcome anyone. This place is also introvert-friendly; the energy is mellow. The murals also make the space feel more like a home away from home, especially in the lounge.

The Wi-Fi is strong, and there’s free breakfast. Art Hole also hosts nightly dinners. There’s a kitchen that anyone can use, including an oven to bake vegan pizzas in! Free hot drinks are available all day, everyday. There’s a small bookstore/exchange library as well.

Exploring some of Old Town

Many times, I have to use Google Maps to help me navigate through a city or find my way back to a hostel. Prague is one of those cities where I barely did that. The city felt intuitive and easy to navigate, like I knew where I was going.

There was the Christmas market in Old Town Square, which features the Astronomical Clock.

There were also many alleyways with little shops and mini-museums around Old Town as well.

This barely fit into the frame of the camera.

Prague Castle (close enough to Old Town, but isn’t part of it) was one of those places I almost skipped, until someone insisted that seeing it is a must. The sheer size of the Gothic 9th-century castle was astonishing. I could stand there all day and survey all of the pointed arches, flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and mosaics. Calling this “incredible” or “amazing” doesn’t quite cut it. A castle this grand feels like time has stopped.

A good day for a run

Prague was a wonderful place to go running. It’s a great way to see the city, especially Letna Park. It was also snowing! Here is a beautiful restaurant I accidentally found during a run. That’s the beauty of running in a city; you never know what you might find.

Prague Vegan

Eating vegan is exceptionally easy in Prague. Like Amsterdam, many things are clearly labeled as such, and there are plenty of places to eat. Loving Hut, an international vegan restaurant chain, seems to be very popular in Prague. There are several locations in close proximity. Although much of this food is fried or seems to have loads of sugar, it felt oddly nourishing. Below the Loving Hut restaurant is a vegan health store called World Vegan. Can I stay in Prague forever?

Matcha cupcake from Loving Hut

Art with Czech Roots

In Old Town, there is the Gallery of Art Prague showing the Art Nouveau illustrator/designer, Alphonse Mucha and Andy Warhol’s work. This exhibition also dedicates an entire floor to Warhol’s Czechoslovak roots and family history. It’s the kind of stuff we don’t hear in art history classes.

Pushing reset

Honestly, it has been a tough year. Before I left for this Eurotrip, a friend quipped, “traveling isn’t going to solve your problems.”

On the surface, he had a point. I think what he meant was that you can’t just run away forever. However, what he seemed to miss was that traveling comes up with all sorts of problem-solving opportunities that can spur growth in one’s mental health. Leaving the country for a little bit also helps to clear up my fogged-up head, since I’m constantly making sense of new information and surroundings. Encountering new languages, people, sounds, smells, and settings makes me more alert, so it’s hard to stay on auto-pilot. To answer my friend’s point, in the short-term, traveling might not solve anyone’s problems immediately. But in the long run, the lasting changes in the mind are sustainable and beneficial to anyone traveling and to those around them as well.

Eurotrip 2018, Part 3: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Whereas France was a whirlwind tour, Amsterdam provided a chance to take it a little more slowly.

Amsterdam uses bikes to get around, just like how Southeast Asia uses motorbikes. I considered hiring a bike to get around the city. Usually how I get to know the area is by walking or running, and taking the environment through the senses. When riding a bike, it’s hard to take it all in, since the focus must be on the road.

What is also hilarious is that sometimes people will start singing on top of their lungs. No big deal. Some people text and ride. Some even have small children on their handlebars. No one wears helmets, but everyone is fine. It’s all an organized chaos. These are kinds of things you can get away with in Amsterdam, but they would never fly in Seattle. Maybe I should write another blog post about that. (Ha!)

On being vegan in Amsterdam

I first stayed at Firejuice, a queer-owned vegan bed-and-breakfast. It’s run by this very sweet queer couple, Ben and Sonia. I met Ben four years ago during my first visit here, and he was talking about it. Now I got to see it for myself! The vegan breakfasts they make are guaranteed to energize the body and mind. Firejuice isn’t exactly your grandma’s B&B, but the space is quaint, beautifully decorated, and emanates good energy. What’s not to love?

Being in Amsterdam was the cleanest I have eaten during this Eurotrip. It’s very easy to eat vegan here. Everything is clearly labeled. Pictured here are some spring rolls from the vegan store, Vegabond. This is some delicious, nutritious, beautiful vegan food.

After Firejuice, my friends, Kristina and Thomas, graciously hosted me in their apartment. They’re another sweet couple with a cat named Kelso.

That digital nomad life…

What I really do all day and night.

As was the case while seeing my friends in London and Nancy, work continued to keep me glued to my laptop in Amsterdam. Part of the reason why I’m doing this Eurotrip is seeing how I can handle being a digital nomad. Much of the anxiety comes from finding a reliable Wi-Fi connection. I mostly stayed home with Kelso and my laptop. But this kind of opportunity is one I’ve never had before. The whole world has become my office. It’s incredible.

And the best art galleries/museums

The last time I visited Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum had reopened after undergoing renovations. I spent well over five hours marveling over art history lessons coming to life. There wasn’t enough time to do that again, so here are some places worth mentioning.

Amsterdam has a museum called Katten Kabinet, and it’s a cat art museum. Yes, you read that correctly: a cat art museum. I’ve seen it once before, and a second visit was clearly needed. It’s a collection of paintings, posters, and illustrations that feature cats, and going there is a must if you love feline friends.

I also went to the Moco Museum, a boutique museum displaying contemporary art. Currently they have exhibits featuring the work of Banksy and Icy & Sot. It was the first time standing in front of a Banksy original. Although I can’t say that Banksy was ever high on my radar, the political and humorous messages in his work are still something to be appreciated.

“Dreamland” by Meryl Donoghue

Amsterdam’s pop surrealism gallery is KochXBos. This piece is by Meryl Donoghue, an artist who works on the theme of painful narratives with a surreal twist. This piece here is called “Dreamland.” The owner of KochxBos said that it’s about the age of social media, how we share only the highlights of our lives on this digital medium. We hide behind those parts while masking the darker parts of ourselves. My parallel interpretation was along the same lines, but without the social media. To me, it seemed like a child seemed to have it all, but is hiding a very dark secret deeply beneath this façade.

Turn on the bright lights

On the last night in Amsterdam, my friends and I walked under the twinkling Christmas lights. We went on a canal tour to see the Winter Light Festival, a collection of illuminated art installations throughout the city. The canal tour gives a different perspective, as the boat navigated under bridges and between streets.

Amsterdam is one of those cities I could live in. It’s progressive, bike-friendly, has a freakin’ cat art museum, loads of vegan food, and being queer is widely accepted. This is a city I’m coming back to again and again, for sure.

Eurotrip 2018, Part 2: Paris & Nancy, France

A patch that the French Revolutionaries wore

Paris

Bonjour! I went through France in four days. It was a two-day whirlwind in Paris, exploring Montemarte (including the Dalí Museum), Musée d’Orsay, and the area around Gare du Nord. I tried taking this trip more slowly and ended up zipping through France like a spinning top! 

Musée d’Orsay

I tried picking up the basics of the French language. In high school, I took three years of Spanish, which seemed to help a little, since there are many words that look similar. Spanish is a little more forgiving, whereas French demands a certain precision on how words flow when spoken. At least, that has been my experience. (That’s also true with many languages.) My French pronunciation needs work. Thankfully, I met up with another friend in Nancy who is fluent, so he took me under his wing and quizzed me on the basics.

I’ve been working a lot, which leaves little to time to see much. It’s quite alright, because the world has become my office. I was already expecting this to be the case and wanted to take advantage of doing that. What a wonderful opportunity this is, to work on my laptop and watch the world go by.

Paris is one of those cities that leaves you in awe. It’s the architecture, the extensive history coming to life. It’s the way strangers called me “madame.” Every city has a personality, and Paris exudes a venerable elegance that commands respect.

Nancy

I took the bullet train in the morning to go to Nancy. Sometimes, little things like watching the sunrise is all you need.

Nancy is further east. What I loved the most about it was the Art Nouveau architecture throughout the city. Some of the buildings have such intricate details, inspired by botanical forms. Art Nouveau is an art genre from the 19th century, characterized by stylized, graceful forms of nature, such as plants and flowers. I could spend all day just admiring the shapes of doorways and façades. Sometimes, I’ll do a double-take, noticing a detail that was missed before. It’s the little things like that.

My friend, Owen, took us to a beautiful Art Nouveau gallery called Musée de l’École de Nancy. It’s a collection of art and furniture in that genre. It features lush gardens, beautiful furniture, utensils, vessels, and paintings. It’s a certain kind of excitement and inspiration that makes the brain tingle.

France is a country I would like to explore more of, especially Paris. Next time, I’m definitely hitting up the Louvre, which is apparently an all-day affair. I’ll be back one of these days!

Eurotrip 2018, Part 1: London, U.K.

Last Tuesday, I embarked on a trip to the U.K., France, Netherlands, and Czech Republic.

Sometimes, self-care involves running a full marathon and then going on a three-and-a-half-week Eurotrip two days later. It’s something I’ve wanted to do while I can keep this freelance job. It does, after all, let me work anywhere in the world. Here, I will break this trip down by country in a four-part series.

Instead of planning every detail out like I did in my around-the-world tour last year, I am taking a different approach and being more flexible this time. Why not slow down and take everything in more fully?

Where I Stayed

I started in London and, after being awake for over 24 hours, crashed in the Dictionary Hostel in Shoreditch, a quirky part of the city. It’s a hip, friendly hostel, and it’s chill. I wouldn’t exactly say that it caters to the partying type. Unless you have a private room, you will meet others. As an introverted traveler, this was fine; I wanted to do just that. This hostel has free continental breakfast and Wi-Fi, plus an exchange library, which I always love browsing through. I spent much of my time in the courtyard, working.

London has a lot of beautiful street art. Sometimes it’s worth it to just wander around, because you never know what you might find.

Shoreditch also has a cat cafe, but it’s highly recommended that you make reservations. It’s usually full otherwise. That’s a mistake I learned, but I’ll make sure to visit these cats next time.  They probably meow in British accents. (Kidding about the accents part…maybe.)

There’s Something for Everyone

London also has some of the most beautiful cafes, such as Élan Cafe. I have never seen one like it. Every goth girl has a soft side; we like simple comforts like tea and vegan cake…even pastel colors from time to time.

My favorite art genre is pop surrealism, so a visit to the Dorothy Circus Gallery was worth a visit. This space just opened a few weeks ago, and they’re just about done setting up. They’ve done an excellent job with the space!

The Sweetest Friends in the World

I also had the pleasure of seeing two friends of mine. My friend Sarah and I used to work together at my previous job. We met up for tea in a cafe and caught up. And then Einar and I met in Iceland a couple years back. In Reykjavik, we shared stories and drew in our sketchbooks. As someone with PTSD and social anxiety, it can be hard to make friends. There is this wall that serves as a defense mechanism that I’ve been slowly chipping away for the past four years. But when I travel, much of that melts away; it gets easier. Now I have some of the sweetest friends in the world.

We had planned to do more stuff in London, but unfortunately, I suddenly got so caught up in work despite requesting the week off. I felt bad, since it was his birthday week. But he was so patient and stayed with me while I worked.

When there was time, we wandered around Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Crowds can stress me out sometimes, but after working hard to meet my work goals for the week, a good break was in order. Winter Wonderland is like a German Christmas market mixed in with a carnival. It’s big, and full of flashing lights and laughter. While I usually shy away from crowds, the energy was invigorating.

I’ll Return One Day

London is one of those cities that has something for everyone. It’s so big, that even a month isn’t enough to do everything. With being swamped with work, this is a city that definitely calls for a revisit. This is a city where I fit right in. I cannot wait to go back.

Seattle Marathon: Part 2

Yesterday I ran my third marathon. I finished at 05:04:29, my slowest time yet. In comparison, earlier this year, my fastest half-marathon was completed at 02:01:10. If I kept that pace up, I would have finished at 04:02:20, an hour ahead of today’s finishing time. But I made it a point to not be so hard on myself. The most important thing is to finish.

At Mile 14, the familiar sharp pain in my knee crept up again. The pain slowed my pace down considerably, to the point where I was shuffling my feet like an old granny Ronnie. Even old ladies were passing me.But I never stopped. By Mile 22, my mind had blanked out. All I remember was running down the Aurora Bridge, hallucinating shifting colors. A gentle voice said, “keep going. You have got to keep going.”

It was my own.

You may have heard one of Aesop’s Fables, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” If not, it’s a story of how the Tortoise challenges the Hare to a race, since she was tired of his arrogance. The Hare, with his overconfidence, sets out in a fast pace, quickly leaving her behind. Confident that he will finish, he takes a nap. Eventually, the tortoise passes him, and when he wakes up, it’s too late–she is the first to cross the finish line. There are different interpretations of this fable, and the most common one seems to be that perseverance wins in the end.

Injuries aside, I was never the strongest or the fastest; usually I was always the last picked in gym. But somehow, I have a knack for endurance sports. I may be slow, but my pace is consistent… Like the Tortoise.

When I crossed the finish line, I wasn’t even upset about the finishing time, knowing that there was a good chance the injuries could slow me down. But I made it. And there’s always next time.