Bonjour from Switzerland ⛸✈️

I am blessed that life is pretty amazing lately. Alhamdulillah for all the things that I am fortunate to have and experience. Never in a million years I would have imagine that I am writing this post from Switzerland. The land with many beautiful scenery that take my breath away. If possible I just want to stay her, admire the view and saying Allah hu Akbar and Subahanallah over and over again.

I wanted to write more about my experience here but somehow my eyes want to close shut. I am so tired and sleepy. Waiting to Isya' is really challenging for me because I have to wait until 10:30 at night.

In the mean time enjoy these beautiful photos from Switzerland

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Simply beautiful

My first attempt to post video from my iPad. I am not sure if it will play right.
I have not see this much snow since I left Pittsburgh in 2005. This does bring a lot of beautiful memories for me.

It has been awhile since the last time I travel with my husband. Just the two of us.
Follow me live as explore Switzerland for the first time on Instagram @hanizeyecandy



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5 lessons learned from 21 Day Fix Program

Last month I decided to do 21 day Fix Program after finished with Insanity Max 30 program. I am glad that I did. After a few months doing exercise program without weights, it feel so good to use dumbbells again.

After doing the program for 21 days I can see the improvement in my overall body. People start noticing the change even though I didn't see the scale move down as much as I hope for. These are the 5 lessons that I learned form 21 day fix program!
1. It took 21 days to make a habit After finishing with this program I can say that moving and stay active has become part of my lifestyle now. I just can't sit for one hour straight now. I need to move. And weekends are no longer the time to sit around and do nothing
2. Don't undo what you did in the kitchen I never really pay attention to what I ate before I did 21 day fix program. Now I've become the crazy person that is obsess with what kind of food I put in my body and the portion of it. Now that I have control the portion of food I ate, I can no longer eat a lot in one sitting.
3. Motivational quotes form Autumn really inspired me Hearing Autumn encouragement through out the workout really make me want to do better and want to push myself.  Here are some of my favorites form her:
" Be Stronger than your Excuses" "If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up" "When you feel like quitting, think about why you started" "You can do ANYTHING for a MINUTE"
4. You can do ANYTHING for a MINUTE A minute can be short or it can be longer depending on what you are doing. No matter what you can do anything for one minute a.k.a 60 seconds. This is how I approach my life now. When I thought about reaching 10,000 steps a day, it feels so overwhelming. When I break down the goal into minute and smaller steps it became manageable. So my goal as become to achieve at least 200 steps per minute every one hour. 
5. Focus 21 day fix program really helps me embrace my word for 2015 which is Focus. Through out the workout Autumn always remind us to focus on the exercise for on minute. Do everything that we can for one minute. When you are done with the workout, forget about it and move on to the next one. I really like the idea of focusing on one thing at a time, one pound at a time. Like Autumn said no matter how many pounds you want to loose - either 10 pounds, 20 pounds or 30 pounds - you have to loose one pound first. It all begin with loosing one pound at a time. This is an eye opener for me. I have never thought about it that way before. 
I highly recommend 21 day Fix program for those who want to form a healthy lifestyle habits and loosing weight at the same time. It's the best investment of your life!
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About Today // Project Life App

I have not made a Project Life layouts in a long time. I just didn't feel it. Sometimes when you can speed scrap, you just need to hit a pause button and take a break. It's ok not to scrap every day or every week. Project Life system is all about memory keeping and not how many layouts you can make. 

Note: Good news to Android users, the Project Life App is finally available on Google Play. Now everybody can enjoy this amazing app and make beautiful layouts.

HERE ARE MY SCRAPBOOK LAYOUTS FOR THIS WEEK  

This week layouts were made using Project Life App and Phonto App right on my phone. I just love the convenience of phone scrapbooking. I have been using Adobe Photoshop less and less, I am not sure if it's a bad thing or a good thing. 














"Be Creative, Show up and Focus on what's important"

Life Right Now // April 2016

Listening to The Guilty by David Baldacci audiobook on audible. I am having a tough time finding a perfect time to simply read. Audiobook is the next best thing for me. I love how easy I can get sucked into the aurthor's world especially when it comes to books like The Guilty. This is the fourth book of Will Robbie Series that I am listening to. I have already in love with Will Robbie character.

Loving my new Apple Pencil. Finally a pen that works perfectly with my tablet [who am I kidding -- new ipad pro]. They should make the Pencil works with every iPad in the market. Writing with the Pencil feels great. So far the Pencil works with every note taking Apps I owned.

Committing every energy I have to move through out the day. My goal for the day is to hit 10,000 steps. I am no longer obsessing over my weight but rather how well I can move and how many steps I can reach in a day. Taking the stairs to my office has become my goal every single day. I never thought I would love taking the stairs but I do. I really love hearing the sound of my heart beating and the sense of accomplishment when I reached my office in one piece.

Taking 21 day fix challenge this month. I am making it my personal mission to do the workout every single day. It was challenging at first for the first week. I was Insanity Max 30 graduate and T25 graduate and I still find Autumn's 21 day fix program a challenge. I really love her motivational encouragement through out the workout like " You can do anything for 60 seconds".

Feeling blessed with the people in my life right now. Friends that I can rely on, colleague that I can work comfortable with and family that supports me. I secretly wish that my mom is still around. I do miss her so much. 

That's what's happening in my life right now.

What's your life right now ?

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FOCUS on Steps

I have been obsessing over achieving 10,000 steps a day since last week. Ever since I start monitoring my steps with fitbit alta I realised that I have not walk or move enough in a day. Fitbit set the daily steps goal is 10,000 steps. Last Tuesday I successfully achieved 10,000 steps at night. I realised that if I make a conscious effort to move I might achieve that goal before 7:00 pm.

So last week FOCUS means achieving the daily steps goal. I would do anything to hit that target. I cannot sit more than one hour straights. So from my one week experiment here are a few things that I learned:

1. I have to move around during office hours and hit at least 7 thousand steps before heading home in the evening

2. Taking the stairs instead of elevator really helps a lot at least by 300 steps more. Thankfully my office is not at the top floor of the building.

3. Marching on the spot in my room for two or three minutes can buy me a few hundred steps

4. Taking the longer route to the bathroom or the meeting room can add a few more steps

5. Doing cardio workouts for at least forty minutes or more can tremendously help boost the steps count to at least two thousand steps.

I am so enjoying this process so far. Watching the steps increase really motivates me to move more. My goal and focus for this week is to hit at least ten thousand steps for ten days in a row. So far I have managed to hit the goal for six days in a row.

I hope this obsession will be permanent and become a habit. Human body is meant for moving and stay active. In fact we are required to pray five times a day and we used our body for that. That is another few calories burn.

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Fitbit Alta after a week

Last week I bought my first fitbit devices, it's a purple fitbit Alta. I got mine at All It Store, IOI City Mall at RM630 plus tax. My main reason I bought this device is to track my sleeping pattern and habits. Little did I know that this device is going to awaken the beast inside of me. I've become obsess with steps, walking and calories burned. Oh boy I do not need another obsession.

Before I got this device I would never thought that I can walk 10,000 steps a day. I don't even aware of how stationary my day was. I still spend 62% of my day not being active. No wonder I am having trouble loosing weight.

This model of fitbit doesn't have a heart rate monitor. I used a heart rate monitor on my Apple watch to monitor my heart rate especially while working out. I am still new at monitoring heart rate during exercise and I am still exploring my optimum heart rate for weight loss or for burning calories or fat.

I really like the fact that the device detect exercise automatically and detect when I go to sleep every night. No configuration or setting up required. That is one thing I don't have to put on my to do lists. Sleeping with fitbit alta is also comfortable.

The battery life is so amazing. It lasted for more than five days. I did charged my fitbit alta this morning just because I hate seeing the battery indicator less than half. I just don't have to worry about the battery running out in the middle of working out. 

With the battery that is super lasting I can wear this device all the time. I don't ware it when I taking a shower or when I take wudhu daily. Other than that it stay on my wrist.

I don't know how well this device will help me with weight loss but I am hoping that it will.
I highly recommend this device if you want to keep track of how active your are on a daily basis. It's a great investment for your well being, lifestyle and how good you feel about yourself know that you do everything that you can to stay active.
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#thursday3 [14.04.2016]

I am not feeling like myself these last few days. I don't know why. Life feels a little bit weird. I feel like I have been pull into many different direction. My hearts want something else but my mind want to do different things. I am torn between doing the right thing and doing what I am passionate about. 

HERE ARE MY PHOTO AND FACTS FOR THE WEEK 

1. I am currently reading The Guilty by David Baldacci. The forth book in Will Robbie series. I love this book

2. I am missing my mother so damn much. It's not getting any easier. There's so much I want to tell her but I can't. Talking to her in my mind doesn't seem to help.

3. I am so into moving and being active this week. I invested in Fitbit Alta last week and I am totally loving it. I am more aware of my stationary life style and my sleeping habit. It's time for a change if I wanted things to be different. I have to do things I have never done before like walking for 10,000 steps a day. 

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Think about it this way…If you take one picture and write down three facts each week — at the end of the year you’ll have more than 50 photos of yourself and 150 facts about what life has been like. It would make such an epic All About Me book — and most of the work is already done." - rukristin.com

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Project Life Planning System 2016

One of things that I intend to do this year is to cultivate a good life and record it. Last year I did Project 365 and I didn't have problem sticking to making Project Life on a weekly basis. The photos were already there , I have Project 52 edition kit on my iphone and I can make two layouts weekly without any planning or thinking on my part.

This year I decided not to do Project 365 and that means I don't have a lot of photos on my phone. It has been a challenge to get a few decent photos to make a layout.  I am using Project Life App and that means I can create layouts in a matter of minutes without a lot of effort. With the photos that I had this year, I am all caught up.

I really need to do something. It's already April and I haven't got a lot of layouts for 2016. I am not going to lie, not having a specific project to work on taking photos and documenting my life has been a challenge. I decided to make a Project Life Planning System, not using my Kikki K planner or Erin Condren Planner but using Evernote. I need something simple and available to me anytime, anywhere and in multi platform.

This is still a work in progress on my part. I created on notebook in Evernote called Project Life Planning. In that notebook I created multiple notes that I think will be very helpful to me like -
- PL Things to buy Lists
- Project Life App Kit Inventories : I just realised that I have a lot of kits after listing and take a snap shots of everything I owned.
- Digital Project Life Kit Inventories: The same goes for my digital project life kit in my collection. I have many. 
- Physical Album Planning - I still have a few physical album that need my attention. I need to plan and do something about it
- Things I plan to Scrap about - I am going to make a lists of all the things I want to scrap about that is not week by week related. 
- Quotes - this will hold a collection of my favorite quotes I want to use in my Project Life layouts
- Inspiration - I will put all the Project Life inspiration here
- Resources and Ideas - all the things related to scrapbook, memory keeping and project life that I find interesting on the internet 
- Project Life Layouts for 2016

I am still playing around with these ideas. Adding Monthly notes by month - January - December. My idea is to use this notes for planning and choosing which photos will go together in a layout.

I found the calender 2016 template on the internet. I just copy them to my Evernote.


This is what my current setup will be like. I can access these notes and planner from my ipad, my phone and my computer. Everything will be sync. Evernote just added inking capabilities but I have not tried it yet. I can't wait to give it a try, writing and doodling in Evernote. If you curious about Evernote, try them for free here.
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FOCUS at Work

What does it Really mean to be FOCUS?
I put this sticky note at work on my iMac. I wanted to be reminded about my word this month during my eight hours away from home. I used to love my job but after being here for twenty years, I really need to hit a pause button, readjust my FOCUS and rediscovered why I love my job in the first place.

After a few weeks of self assessment I realised that back in the days, life was simple, internet and technology were unknown territory. Being in IT world has the advantages because we set the tone. We showed what can be accomplished when one computer connected to the internet. How fast we can communicate with each other via email. How fast we can typed a report and minutes meeting in a day. Do it yourself mentality started to grow at the office. 

Fast forward to twenty years later, every person in the office has a device a.k.a smart phone that connected to the internet all the time. Information at your finger tips. Almost everyone can create content. People are not scared to hold a mouse anymore. So what's left for people like me (the IT people)? Evolve and adapt perhaps? Are we still relevant? 

I realised that lately "The Management" didn't see us as relevant anymore. Maybe they believe that they know everything there is to know about IT world or maybe they can't really process the things that they cannot see. There's no more IT Project, there's only Business Project. IT has become the tool, the enabler, no longer the drive.

What does this mean to me? During my one little word journey this year, I discovered that in order for me to stay current and relevant, I need to be a solution specialist. People still need to do their work, people has all the tools available to them, which can be overwhelming, to do their work. So it is up to me and my team to guide and help them to do their work more effectively.

Just by exploring this new idea and role has managed to make me feel excited with my job again. I have always love technology and I love discovering what these technologies can do to improve my life and help me be more productive.

So I am giving FOCUS a new meaning in terms of work.
1. FOCUS = clear my inbox weekly
2. FOCUS = Reread and implement GTD methodoloy
3. FOCUS = Use Evernote to store important data and information
4. FOCUS = learn new tools, be excited and teach others how to use it
5. FOCUS = planner for work to help me manage my to dos and things that need my attention

I am loving this month assignment, getting connected with my word. I really like Ali Edwards idea of converting ideas into something tangible. Just by writing down a question "What does it really mean to be FOCUS" on a sticky note and put them every where that you can see regularly. The idea is to be a visual reminder of your word and answer them , write down your response.

"Be Creative, Show up and Focus on what's important"

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My tools for brain dump

I have been obsess with bullet journal and brain dump lately. This is something that I have been trying ever since I discover planner. I have always love writing, journaling and all things related to notebook and stationaries. There are so many ways that you can used to do your brain dump. The simplest thing you need is a pen and a notebook. Since I don't carry my notebook or my planner everywhere I go, I try to find other ways for me to capture things, thoughts and ideas on the go.

HERE ARE A FEW TOOLS I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR BRAIN DUMPING
1. Camera phone + iPhone Notes app - I collect most of the things visually with my camera phone. Sometimes when I was out and about I like to take photos of books I wanted to look into later. I snapped those photos and put them in my notes app. I am loving the new Notes app especially when it support inking and lists.

2. Evernote - I have been using Evernote app and services for more than three years now. I can tell you that this is the best investment I have ever made. I am dumping my lists, projects, creative team related things, travel plans and many more here. a place where I store all of information that is important to me

3. Traveler's Notebook - I have been meaning to try traveler's notebook since last year but somehow I didn't get around to it. This year I have been exploring and writing things down more in this type of notebook. I really loving the size and how light it was to carry around. I might use this notebook as my master brain dump lists.

4. Google Keep - this is the latest tool I am trying on my phone this last few days. I kinda like it. This is like having a post it note with you all the time.

5. My journal - I would not have thought a journal is like a brain dump but when you think about it, journal is a place where you pour all of your most deepest thoughts and feeling . It is a brain dump. When the words and the feelings are out there it's no longer in your mind.

Having all of these tools to help me stay organize and on top of everything is really helpful. Like David Allen said in his book Your Mind is for thinking and generate ideas, not for storage.

"Be Creative, Show up and Focus on what's important"

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Peaceful Mind Kit // Pixelily Designs

I just love kits that promote self care and empowerment. I really needed that especially when I am down and wanted something uplifting to help get through the day.

Pixelily Designs has a new kit called Peaceful Mind that has amazing positivity and beautiful colors for your layouts. Get the bundle at a lower price of $6.00 now at gottapixel.net store.



Here are my layout using the above kit



And here are more inspiration from the creative team members

By Deanna



By Claire Bourque


By Francine Taylor


By Debora de Krom


"Be Creative, Show up and Focus on what's important"

What does it mean to be FOCUS?

My one little word assignment for April is to reflect and discover what FOCUS means to me. Meaning that is way beyond the definition of FOCUS from a dictionary.

For me today, FOCUS means getting serious with staying active and adopt a healthy lifestyle. I still have a long way to go in terms of meal planning and healthy eating but when it comes to exercise I am all in. I have always love exercise ever since I was a girl and running is the only thing that I was good at. If only back then there was such a thing as fitness industry, I probably will jump into that business.


So today I make an executive decision to buy a fitbit alta. It's not because I think Apple watch fitness tracker is not good, it's because I want something constantly on my wrist and can monitor my sleep. Battery life is also suppose to last for 5 days. I will do a full review once I have used this device for a week.


So far I am constantly keeping my appointment with myself to workout every evening after work. This month I am doing 21 day fix program daily and I also add in a few dance workout in the mix. My intention for this month is to try achieving at least 400 calories burn a day which not an easy thing for me to do.
I have to shift my FOCUS from watching the scale to watch how my body fit into my clothes. I am feel a little bit lighter  (which I think is a good sign) and I am aiming to wear my old jeans by end of the month.

Through out this month I am going to make a few post like this " What does it mean to be FOCUS", it maybe about fitness, work, cultivating a good life and even something random that might speak to me.

"Be Creative, Show up and Focus on what's important"

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#thursday3 // 07.04.2016

I am feeling a little bit lost lately. Things that I want and things that happened seems to be a lot different. 2016 is going to be an amazing year because I am going make a few changes to my lifestyle like eating habits and moving a lot. It's not an easy thing to do especially when you are not seeing any changes to the number on the scale.

HERE ARE MY PHOTO AND FACTS FOR THE WEEK 


1. I am obsessing over Agents of SHIELD at the moment. I am not able to stop watching seasons 2 and now I am on season 3.

2. I am loving 21 day fix beachbody workout program. I love the exercise program but I am not able to follow the nutrient part of the program. But I think I am getting there.

3. I really can't believe that it's April now. I am eyeing iPad Pro 9.7" at the moment and for the one that I want, it's going to cost me RM3,999 which I still think it's a bit expensive. If only the currency go back to normal than I think the price will not be more than $3,000.

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Think about it this way…If you take one picture and write down three facts each week — at the end of the year you’ll have more than 50 photos of yourself and 150 facts about what life has been like. It would make such an epic All About Me book — and most of the work is already done." - rukristin.com
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iflix the next best thing

I discovered iflix last year from facebook feed. Back then I already subscribed to netflix and hulu. I was curious about what iflix has to offer so I try it for a month. During that time there wasn't a lot of the content streaming from iflix. I think I tried it for another month before deciding to subscribe. I think the Scorpion and Episodes tv shows that made me decided to subscribe.


What I like about iflix
- the price is cheaper than astro and you can watch any show you want at any time
- It has all of the tv shows that I love like Agents of Shield, Friends, Haven, Teen Wolf and many more
- I like that they allow us to download movies or tv shows to be view when there wasn't any internet connection. This is definitely useful for traveling
- I like that they don't restrict the content geographically. I wish they have iflix app on Apple TV tvOS so that I can watch movies on a big screen
- I really think that if they can stream more content, iflix will be the best option for internet tv
- Currently they only have apps for mobile devices. So I basically watch iflix on my iPad 
- Subtitles for foreign movies and tv shows is a plus.

I highly recommend iflix for a decent content streaming in Malaysia. You can even try it for free first before subscribing. And if you have unifi or celcom you get iflix for free.

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Fitness journal

Part of cultivating a good life is to stay healthy and fit. I have been trying a few method to plan and document my fitness journey with erin condren planner but somehow I just can't get into the system. I watched a lot of youtube channel about bullet journal and I fell in love with the concept.

So this month I decided to make my fitness journal in a bullet style journaling.


This month I am doing 21 day fix program. It is one of the best program have ever tried after Insanity Max 30.


I want to keep track of habit related to fitness and this is what I got so far. I probably will break down all things related to fitness a little more detail.


This is how I setup daily fitness journal. I like writing down my thoughts and feeling about the workout I did that day.


I am trying to do a weekly review. Reflect on what works and what didn't work.

Adding Fitness wish list in the mix. I am eyeing fitbit alta just because the battery last for 5 days and it constantly monitor steps, calories burn and sleep. I am also trying to record what I ate for the month. I am still looking for a prefect meal plan for me, a woman in my forties and living in Malaysia. This is not an easy thing to do. Most of the healthy stuffs here are a bit expensive. We are a society that celebrate food and carbohydrates . I hope in the process of documenting my fitness journey I will find a meal plan that works for me.

My inspiration for the month is to list down why I want a body like Autumn Calabrese.
I believe that when you know why you want to achieve something, it's easier for you to push through and endure the pain.

Here are my reason to have a body like Autumn
1. It's easier to move around when you don't have to carry around extra weight with you
2. Keeping up with my 4 years old would be so much easier
3. Taking the stairs will not be such a challenge
4. I can carry my 4 years old easily without running out of breath or back pain
5. Zero belly fat will improve my health a lot
6. Daily Praying will be so much easier and not so much a challenge

I am looking to add a meal plan and recipes in this journal but I have not found the one that I like yet.

I am hoping that this fitness journal will help me in my quest to have a perfect body for me and my lifestyle. I want to be active and I want to be healthy for my kids and for myself. If possible I want to pray normally (standing up) even though in my seventies

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Books I've read growing up

I am in my forties and I have read books since I was in preschool. The fondest memories I had while I was growing up was when my mom read me a story from a fairy tale book while I was doing her hair. I think that was the moment I fall in love with books and stories. I let my mind wondering that I was a beautiful princess living in a beautiful castle.




Here are a few books that I growing up reading
[at least the one that I still remember]

#1. Fairy tales story like Cinderella, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs and many more. I probably read the one in Malay

#2. Sweet Valley High Series - my first english book that I read in my teen

#3. Hardy Boys series
I think I still have them in my parent house. Probably the translated version.

#4. Nancy Drew series- this was when my love for mystery and thriller started to develop.

#5. Malory tower series - the book I got me started to fantasised about living somewhere in Europe


#6. Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - I had to read this book for school but I think I enjoyed it

#7. Famous Five by Enid Blyton
Another mystery book with lots of action and clues that kept you guessing

#8. Salina by A. Samad Said
I don't really remember much about this book but I think I read it too early. This is definitely an adult book

#9. Bercakap dengan Jin by Tamar Jalis
This one I do remember because my mom loved it. I can't sleep well after reading a book. So many scary stuff in there.

#10. The secret of terror castle - Alfred Hitchcock and three investigat
Don't remember much but I think it's about mystery, clues and some bad guy.

It definitely would be nice if I could reread some of them now.
Does any of you remember or read these books? Let me know what you think?

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April is for

Alhamdulillah April is here. The more we go into the months and into 2016, the more money we don't have to spend at work. It's pretty bad. Personally I am glad that this happened because I can have more time to spend with my family and focus on the most important things like my heath and learning new things.



April is for ..
- travelling to a far far away country
- Read more books
- Birthdays of my younger son and my husband
- New season of Empire
- Color more pages in my coloring book
- Watch the rest of Agents of Shield season 2
- Review my 2016 goals and make actionable plan to achieve them
- Doing 21 day fix for round 2. I intend to do this program one more time before moving on to 21 day fix extreme
- I still did not get a chance to make photo book for 2015 and 2014 photos. I have to schedule this in my planner otherwise I am not going to do it