A Fun Way to Get Your Workout In

I know working out can be difficult for some especially because it can be pretty boring! I definitely dislike working out. I'm like most people: I make excuses to not work out. My mom received a treadmill as a birthday gift last year and it's sitting in my bedroom just waiting for me to run on it! Well, I haven't, or I seldom do. I probably ran on that thing for about 5-10 times out of a year. That's horrible! I don't like running on it because it's boring, even if I'm watching TV or listening to music. I'm easily distracted and, most of the time, I'm focusing on running and coming up with reasons why I'm running and not playing Candy Crush. Although, I know for a fact that if I sign up for a gym membership, and I have friend working out with me, then I will workout! But, I don't want to pay for a gym membership. I don't have the money for that! Well, what I'm about to recommend is also expensive, but it's SO worth the investment!

 

1. You'll need an XBOX Kinect, PS3 Move, or Wii.

One or the other. I'm using the XBOX Kinect. Now, this is a little different than the regular XBOX because it moves along with your body. Whatever you do, the game will do, depending on which game you're playing.

 

2. an XBOX Kinect (engaging/active) game like Just Dance 4

I love playing this game! This is the main reason for my post. It's so much fun even by yourself and it's even more fun with family and friends, such as at social gatherings or parties. This is such a workout! I sweat like a pig even after one song, especially Nicki Minaj's song "Super Bass" and even Ricki Martin's "La Vie de Loca." You're constantly moving around and dancing. You can even learn dance moves from this game! How awesome is that?! Play this for 5 minutes and you're good, but I'd recommend playing it a little longer. It doesn't hurt and it's extremely addicting and fun!

 

Some other songs included:

Justin Bieber "Beauty and a Beat"

Selena Gomez "Love You Like a Love Song"

Rihanna "Disturbia" & "Umbrella"

Maroon 5 "Moves Like Jagger"

 

and much more!

 

3. Fruit Ninja (Arcade Kinect) - optional

This game is also very addicting. After playing this one time my arms were sore for 2-3 days! If you enjoy playing this game on your smartphone, you'll LOVE, LOVE, LOVE playing this on the XBOX Kinect. Top this with Just Dance 4 and you'll be complete! It's my new workout routine! You can get your arms in shape--sort of. At least you're moving around!

 

4. Raving Rabbids Alive & Kicking

This game is great for both adults and kids. My favorite game in here is called "Hide & Seek," I think, and the other one is where you make the different shapes in a bath tub. "Hide & Seek" is like "Green Light, Red Light." You jump around or do some kind of movement and earn points and when the light is turning yellow to red, you hide so that the rabbids don't see you. If they do, then you lose some of the points that you earned. The other game is where you try to make a certain shape to get points and scare off the rabbids from finding you in the bath tub. It sounds easy, but people rarely ever get the complete shape. There's another one, I'll call it "Racing." This one requires two people to play and you simply race each other by jogging in place as fast as you can. This is a great cardio workout. You burn more calories jogging in place than you do running on a treadmill.

 

I understand that the above items can get pricey. I feel that they're definitely worth the investment. I'd rather pay for them and be able to workout and play at home than to be out in public. Also, if you can't afford these items, then borrow a friends or just buy one of the games and play at someone else's house. That's what I'm doing! Luckily, my sister has all the games. She's the reason why I'm playing all these games and working out again! (Thanks, sis)!



What did you think of my fun workout? Any other ideas? Let me know in the comments!



Battle of the Smartphones: iPhone 5 VS. Samsung GS4 VS. HTC One

Now we've all had this problem with finding the best smartphone out there! I certainly have! I'm still having a hard time finding the one. But, I've narrowed it down to these three bad boys! See any similarities in their physical features (hint, the size and shape)? Read on and see what I think about them.

The iPhone 5

It's an upgrade from the iPhone 4S: faster, longer, another row of apps, and in general, it's just better. BUT, I don't really see any thing that's completely different from the older versions of the iPhone. Siri is a plus, but she doesn't answer all your questions. She can be a little difficult. Playing games on the other hand, seems to be better than other smartphones, on the iPhone 5. Some games include Tap Tap, Bejeweled Blitz, and Candy Crush. The camera is fairly nice depending on the amount of light available. It is absolutely horrible in dark places or at night such as in night clubs or bars. I love the panorama feature in the camera options though. That's awesome, but I don't think I'd ever use it. It's great for Instagram and other social media sites.  It's easy to use since practically everyone has had an iPhone, of some sort, or else an iPod Touch. And, the battery life is fairly good. It's not like, say the HTC Evo, whose battery depletes easily. I also love how it's easier to find different mediums to charge the iPhone too (any model), such as with the iDock, the alarm/music player system, etc. One main flaw I see in the iPhone, in general, is the lack of a GPS app that's automatically included (and Google Maps navigation doesn't count--even with Siri). Again with the HTC Evo, navigation is already installed onto the phone. In addition, I hate how the iPhone doesn't have T9 or the option to have the words pop up so you can pick which is the right word. For example, if I want to text "do" it will pop up "do," "so," etc. so I can pick which word I actually want, instead of autocorrecting me. Overall, the iPhone 5 is great if you're mainly using it for games, social media and (kind of) for the camera.

The Samsung Galaxy SIV

I've never been very fond of Samsung phones--since I've been an iPhone user my whole life, but this one totally changed my mind! I love the new air gesture feature where you can just hover your hand above the phone to answer a call, instead of swiping it. This is extremely helpful since my hands are always dirty from doing something! Less germs, yay! You can take pictures from the front and back and edit them right away. You can have a back-up battery and there's also an SD card slot. This is a total advantage here since the iPhone 5 doesn't have any of the two I mentioned. Neither does the HTC One. I believe it still has navigation included already and the option to click your phone to another and see what's on another person's phone. Don't quote me on that though! A downside to this phone is that it's a little hard to get used to and learn how to use the new features. It might take a little time. But, hey, those who are patient reap in the rewards!

The HTC One

One thing I want to point out is the awesome sound system! Boom, boom, boom! I love how the speakers are actually on the front of the phone. This is great for listening to music in your room or playing music for other people--especially if you're like me and you had to play a song from your phone to a whole warehouse of people. This phone is made of aluminum, so it might seem a little too cheap feeling, but I think it's okay. It comes with the Facebook home feature, if you're into that, and BlinkFeed, which you can't turn off. There's an internal GPS system, which is always convenient, compared to the iPhone's Google Maps navigation. The camera is fairly decent. I'm picky about the cameras, so I wont' say anymore. That's for you to decide. Again, don't quote me on this, but in the past from using HTC phones there was the T9 option and the "choose the word" option, which I absolutely love, so I'm sure it's also included in this phone.

And the winner goes to...

The Samsung GS4!!!! I chose this one because it performs the same tasks and has similar features as the iPhone 5 and it has internal navigation and the "no touch" option. My second choice would be the iPhone 5 though, and then the HTC One. I hope you all found this post to be helpful!

April/May Love Culture Picks

There are so many cute things on Love Culture that I might even buy the whole entire website! In the past, I've never ever wanted to buy some many things on Love Culture, or any other store.This is the FIRST time! It might be a little heavy on my credit card though!!!!

Below are all the things that I'm loving, going to buy, or have bought.

I'll start out with tops: 

I've been reallly into anything crochet, lace, or tank top-y like this 

Ultimately cute, dressy and sophisticated! I want all the colors!!!!

Love the lace, but I'm not too fond of the back. It's cute, but I can't "work it."

Not exactly my style, but I'm digging it!

I love anything with skulls <3

Again, not exactly my style, but I could definitely see myself wearing this to work

I'm iffy on this one. The chain web is very unique though.

BOTTOMS UP:

NOTE: If you love Romwe's galaxy leggings or their leggings in general, you'll love the ones on Love Culture--and they're cheaper!

The galaxy leggings aren't my style, but I just wanted to show, all of you, how they look like.

And...there's tons more that I want to blog about, but it would take up so much space! Go onto Love Culture and check it out yourself! On a side note, I'm not getting paid to talk about this site. Honestly, I just love the clothing selection and the cheap price. It's like Forever21, but SO MUCH BETTER! Yeap, so let me know what you thought about my monthly pics and what you liked from the site!

Why I Love/Hate My Hmong Heritage

The Hmong culture dates back to the time when the Hmong lived in China. We were forced to move from China up into the mountains and then we migrated to Laos. We went through a lot of hardship to get to where we are now, which is living in America. I love living in America and I love the American culture and traditions! I admit, I've become Americanized! This is something that Hmong parents and clan members just don’t seem to understand. I realize that the younger Hmong generation, such as I, must retain the Hmong heritage, but…we are living in America. The elders feel that women are still inferior to men and must become housewives or perfect daughter-in-laws and bear children—lots of them! The girls have forced marriages for ridiculous reasons and are practically seen as bags of money. Daughters cannot go out with friends nor have sleepovers. It’s for this reason that most of the Hmong girls rebel because there isn't any freedom, the type of freedom that they see from other girls who are allowed to do such activities. The main aspect that the elders stress is hard work. They say that we worked too hard in Laos, like when we traveled miles and miles to arrive at our gardens, to provide for ourselves, thus we must also do the same here in America. The younger Hmong-Americans have grown lazy! We no longer feel the need to struggle so much to provide for ourselves, although it does help us grow as better people and in the workforce. I hate the fact that there are so many expectations from parents that I hate my culture. But, I love my culture at the same time because it’s different, interesting, and I love the food! I think when I have kids— maybe one—I will give them more freedom and also help them preserve the Hmong culture.

Vampire Diaries: Stefan VS Damon

Who would you choose if you were Elena: Stefan or Damon?

If you asked me back then when Vampire Diaries first came out,
I'd say Stefan--no matter what!

Today, I still say Stefan!

I think that Elena will always love Stefan and will eventually go back to him whether she is sired to Damon or not. I don't know for sure; it's just a thought.

Some factors that contribute to Elena's changed feelings are:

1) separation from Stefan around season 2 when he left Elena
(Damon was around a lot)

2) Damon's features such as looking like a badass with his leather jacket,
piercing blue eyes, and tough attitude

3) Elena is sired to Damon

4) perhaps Nina & Ian dating in real life is a cause

and the list could go on and on!

All I'm saying is that I will forever be a Stelena / Stefan & Elena fan! I think Damon definitely has the looks and personality, but...Stefan has always been in my heart. Maybe, it's because Stefan kind of reminds me of Edward and his character...from the book--not the movie! It's like this, Stefan is Edward and Jacob is Damon...but not really. I would choose Edward over Jacob anyday even with the movies being out and Jacob's nice body!

I love both of the characters though. It's a tough decision!

College Life: Economics

Who else struggles with economics classes? I'm taking my second course of economics and I'm just not seeing any progress in my grades. I'm not failing, however my grades aren't at the point where I want them to be. When I read the material I understand it, but when I'm in class and the professor is rattling on about it I don't have a clue what he's saying. Of course, somethings are self-explanatory, but I don't get what he's talking about! It could be his way of teaching; I'm not used to lecture based classes where it's all about the professor lecturing and barely any discussion. Seldom does my class ever discuss nor do we have homework. Our only homework is reading the chapters. Perhaps economics isn't my thing! I love accounting and all the other classes associated with business, but economics is a nightmare! *SIGH* I hope I can bring up my grade for economics...or else I'm going to take the class online...or maybe just at a different college. #FML

Lulus.com picks - My first order

Today was my first time ordering from Lulus.com and I have to say I'm very impressed with the selection on this site. There are so many things I want on there, but unfortunately I just don't have the money! :( I have to admit, some things are expensive...but they look great and unique!

The picture above are three things that I have on my wish list. I didn't buy them either because they're sold out or they're out of my budget. The first is a pair of nude pumps with a gold heel. These look amazing and I want them so bad, but it was sold out in my size! As for the other two pieces, they were $41ish and I just didn't want to pay that much for a sweater or a minty-green dress that I could probably get for cheaper somewhere else.

The purse above is $39 and the bracelet is $12. These are two pieces that I ended up purchasing. I wish the purse was black, but mint green will do. I love that it's a crossbody bag because crossbody bags are less of a strain on the arms and I know I'll never forget my purse because it'll always be hanging on me. The bracelet was just too cute to pass up and I've been really into anything with bows lately.

The only thing I purchased in this picture was the ring, which I thought was so cool and unique and I couldn't pass it up especially since it was only $8 on sale. The sandals are very cute and I love the mint green color, but they were sold out in my size...once again! As for the black dress...it's the same as the minty-green one in the pictures above, so that means it's also $41. I don't want to pay that much for a dress I can find cheaper somewhere else.

Have you shopped at Lulus lately? What did you think about this post?