19 January Things

Hello!

It’s hard to believe a month has already gone by in 2019! What have you been up to this month?

In this post, I’ll be sharing 19 things that have been happening in January.

Why 19? Simply because it’s 2019! Hope you enjoy this little update!

Here are 19 things I’ve been up to this month…

1. Walked the Witches Falls Walking Track and saw the Glow Worm Caves on Tamborine Mountain

Read all about our New Year’s Day hike at Witches Falls in this article (and find out how I got stung by a tree!)

2. Went Ice-skating at Iceworld, Acacia Ridge

I was an artistic roller skater for 10 years but I am not an ice-skater and it shows! Nevertheless, I loved it. My dad, of all people, had so much fun on the ice that he took us all again for a second time!

3. Ate breakfast at Café 63 with a lovely friend from school

Thank you to my beautiful friend for a wonderful catch-up! I satisfied my sweet tooth with the Kee Pancakes – complete with ice-cream and berry sauce! My friend ordered the mouth-watering Sullivan which included toast with eggs and avocado. Yum!

4. Took pictures with Gollum’s Door at Scarborough Beach

Read all about our trip to Scarborough beach in this fun article! Do you know about Gollum’s door?

5. Joined the Instagram community!

It’s official! Young and Unheroic is now on Instagram!

Follow me here!

6. Applied for jobs, jobs, jobs

I’ve contacted/applied to 40+ places and haven’t had much luck. Ah, such is life isn’t it?

7. Travelled to Sydney for a job interview

I hopped on the 14hr train to Sydney for a job interview at a vet surgery. They gave me a tour of their very nice facility and the staff were incredibly friendly. I didn’t get the job though.  Nevertheless, it was a good learning experience.

8. Walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Well, after the job interview, I made the craziest, impulsive decision. I decided to speed-walk 8km in the scorching summer heat to get to my train station because my Opal card wasn’t working. Lucky I’d packed some sportswear!

What made the walk worthwhile was when I finally stepped onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge after about 1.5 hours on foot! The breath-taking view of the Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House made it all worth it!

The things you do when you don’t want to spend money on a taxi, hey?

9. Looked for koalas and learned about platypus with Pine Rivers Koala Care Assoc.

I attended some events by the Pine Rivers Koala Care Association including a platypus talk and very informative koala tour on which we were taught the basics of rescuing koalas and how to look for koala scat and scratch markings up the trees. Spotted 3 wild koalas too!

Can you see the koala?

10. Hung out at Eat Street with my sister and my dad!

Because family is your besties! It was my first time at Eat Street Northshore, and we enjoyed fish and chips. Such a cool place – they’ve recycled old shipping containers and turned them into eateries!

11. Surrounded myself with alpacas at an alpaca farm

They are such beautiful animals! Read all about my visit to the farm here!

12. Cycled around Brisbane City in a dress!

A fellow blogger and I travelled to Brisbane City to scout around for places to take pictures of! Our parking time was nearly up, but we desperately needed more pictures!

We thought we’d go faster by cycling so in the name of blogging, we boldly rode two of those huge, bulky city bikes and I had to do it in a dress!

Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Such is the life of a blogger. Read the finished product by my fellow blogger here!

13. Went for my eye test and was told that I have ‘incomplete blinking’ – what?

Apparently, when I blink, I only do so partially meaning that a section of my eye is always exposed to the elements. Then my family tells me I sleep with my eyes open - how creepy is that?!

Alongside some eye drops, I now have to practice blinking properly!!

Hmmm, how does one simply practice something that is meant to be involuntary, like … blinking!

Moral of the story:

You should never do a mediocre job of anything – including blinking!

14. Spent the afternoons walking my beautiful dog, Missy!

Missy means the world to me. The best part of any day is when I get to go on a relaxing walk with her in the cool breeze of the late afternoon.

15. Took my driving test again after failing it and … they let me have my P-plates!

Have you read the article on how I failed my driving test?

16. Said a tearful goodbye to my mum at the airport

She left for Japan to take care of my beloved grandpa. I am so grateful that they can be together during this time. I am praying for you both.

17. Watched movies: “Ocean’s 11” (1960) and “Glass” (2019)

“Ocean’s 11” from 1960 had such an unexpected twist, and “Glass” kept me on the edge of my seat! Have you seen them?

18. Listened to these songs over and over again…

I’ve been religiously listening to these songs every day because they hit me right in the heart, you know?

“Take On Me” – A-ha (1984)

“Maniac” – Micheal Sembello (1983)

“Flashdance … What a Feeling” – Irene Cara (1983)

“Jai Ho” – A. R. Rahman (2008)

“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen (1975)

Take a look at my top 15 FEEL-GOOD songs here!

19. Wrote blog posts!

Of course, the blog! January has been my second month of blogging and I’m enjoying the adventure just as much as when I started. Thank you to my readers for joining me on this journey!

Don’t miss any of January’s posts…

Vet Viernes

1^st Year Vet School: What’s in a subject?

How I got into Vet School: Uni of Sydney

1^st Yr Uni Vet: How is the Workload?

Motivation Monday

Kind words don’t cost much

The power of a family’s love

What lies beyond your comfort zone?

Back-To-School Motivation!

Quotes

Quotes: Week 1

Quotes: Week 2

Quotes: Week 3

Quotes: Week 4

Plus more!

Countdown to the New Year

Japanese Tradition: Rice & 7 Veggies

Summers in Scarborough

Witches Falls on Tamborine Mountain

Llama or Alpaca?

19 things that have been happening in my life! 

Of course, not everything gets blogged about even if I really want to, because there’s so much to write about and not enough time in January! Hopefully, I’ll get to share more about these experiences with you in my upcoming articles!

Remember, each year has 365 opportunities and 12 new chapters to write. January’s pages have now been written, and it’s time for the next chapter: February! Let’s make this next chapter even better!

I believe in you.

Love, Young and Unheroic


All photos by: Young and Unheroic

Instagram Bloglovin

Llama or Alpaca?

Instagram Bloglovin

E

very morning, I’ve woken up not knowing the difference between a llama and an alpaca.

Is it just me?

One particular morning, I woke up and it was like every other day. But when I went to bed that night, I wasn’t the same girl who’d left that bed in the morning.  

Back-To-School Motivation!

My sister's 2019 planner! It's Back-To-School time!

Hi everyone! Happy Motivation Monday!

The holidays fly by so quickly, don’t they? *sigh*

Quotes: Week 4

Hello!

Can you believe it’s already been 4 weeks into the year?!

1st Yr Uni Vet: How is the Workload?

Welcome to the 7^th post in the Vet Viernes series! Today, I’ll be trying my best to answer that pressing question: how is the workload at vet school?!

What lies beyond your comfort zone?

B

e grateful for the things in life that put you out of your comfort zone. The things that scare you, the things you fear; these provide the platform upon which you’ll prosper!

God, fate, or whatever higher power you believe in has purposely put these obstacles in your path because the time is right for you to grow stronger. It is part of your destiny that you’ll be met with these challenges to overcome, because in doing so, you will gain the skills and strength to keep fighting for your dreams.

Therefore be grateful because these trials and tribulations are here for a reason. God wants to test your strength in preparation for what’s coming next on your path to success. Remember, ‘you were given this life because you are strong enough to live it’. Know that God wants you to go through this because from it, you will GROW.

Eric Thomas emphasised the concept of conquering your fears of the unknown. He said, “Get to the point where you feel comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Imagine the pillar of strength you would be, the day you step out of your comfort zone harbouring no fears on the mind.

No-one ever became great by doing what made them comfortable. Successful people don’t walk down easy lane. They thrive on the boundaries of their territories of familiarity. They live on faith, not fear.

Go and explore untravelled lands.

Go and discover uncharted territory.

Go and venture out into the unknown.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Get familiar with the unfamiliar.

Know the unknown.

See the unseen.

Conquer whatever it is that is forcing you to step out of your comfort zone.

Is it a test? A speech? An interview?

Is it a person? An opponent? A relationship?

Is it travel? Freedom of choice? Trying something new?

Is it fear of judgement, failure, disapproval, rejection?

Is it non-conformity? Not fitting in? Making a stance? Breaking the mould?

Ask yourself, what is it that you fear? 

What is it that lies beyond your comfort zone?

As Neale Donald Walsh put it, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”.

No matter what happens – good or bad – know that it is part of the process to get you to where you want to be!

Trust the process! The road to greatness is seldom smooth.

Remember when you first set that goal for yourself?

You said you were willing to do whatever it took to reach that goal!!!

Well, doesn’t that include accepting the challenges, wrestling through the tough times, and sometimes living through the uncomfortable?

Are you still determined to give it everything you’ve got and let nothing stand in the way?

‘Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will!’ – Suzy Kassem

Next time an obstacle or adversity plants itself in your path, don’t fear! Just think of how much you will GROW once you overcome the uncomfortable!

Remember the words of Eric Thomas: “Run through the pain because your success is on the other side of it!”

Stop fearing the unknown. The comfort zone is no place for winners!

Happy Motivation Monday!

Love, Young and Unheroic

Instagram Bloglovin

Quotes: Week 3

Happy Sunday!

It’s that time of week again to round-up the seven quotes from the 365 quotes jar!

Here is each Quote-Of-The-Day for week 3, 2019. Hope you find them as empowering as I did!

How I got into Vet School - Uni of Sydney

Welcome to the sixth post in the Vet Viernes series! It’s been exactly a year since my life took an unexpected turn and lead me to a place I never imagined I’d be going – Vet School at the University of Sydney! This is how it all happened…

Witches Falls on Tamborine Mountain

Witches, what witches? Read the article to find out more!

I

f you’re holidaying in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, or any surrounding areas, you must include Tamborine Mountain on your itinerary. 

Or even if you’re a local resident of SEQ, a day trip to Tamborine Mountain is always a fine idea.

The power of a family's love

I

t is during the toughest of times that families grow closer.

When a member of your tribe is in trouble, a true family would be willing to drop everything and go, so that they may be close to you again.

Quotes: Week 2

Hello!

It’s Sunday again which means it’s time to put together the seven quotes that have been pulled out of the 365 quotes jar this week!

1st Year Vet School: What's in a subject?

Hi! Welcome to the fifth post in the Vet Viernes series!

In this series, I talk about my experiences studying veterinary science at the University of Sydney. I hope to share with you what vet school is really like!

Summers in Scarborough

D

aydreaming about the sun, sand, and sea? Why don’t you make the most of the warm Australian summers and take a day trip to the beach?

Japanese Tradition: Rice & 7 Veggies

Finding it hard to get back into healthy eating after a full holiday of sweet treats, rich foods, and delectable indulgences?

Kind words don't cost much

I

f you look at someone and think nice comments in your head, like ‘that outfit looks really nice’ or ‘her smile is really beautiful’, then why don’t you tell them?

Quotes: Week 1

Happy New Year!

I hope you are enjoying the New Year so far. I can’t believe the first week is almost over! I feel like I’m already slacking off on my new year’s resolutions haha!

Countdown to the New Year

It’s hard to believe that 2018 is coming to an end.

As the countdown begins tonight, remember that it will be time to say goodbye to any of the negativities, suffering, sadness, heartbreak, and pain of 2018, and welcome the happiness, prosperity, good memories, health, and improvement that 2019 will bring.

I want to start a little 10 second countdown right now. It’s the 31^st of December, and after today, there will never be any more of 2018 again. So let’s all take the time to enjoy this day while it lasts and be grateful for all the lessons that 2018 has taught us, and for the people who have been by our sides this year.

For my 10, 9, 8… countdown, I thought I might share 10 thoughts on my mind as I look back on 2018 and reflect on the year that has been.

Let’s begin the countdown…

10!

Year of the Dog

This year was special because in the zodiac calendar it was the year of the dog. Dogs are my favourite animals and Missy, our beautiful dog, means the world to me. So in January, I decided that for us, the year of the dog could also be the year of Missy!

Being away from her this year because I was living at university made my heart ache longingly for her every day. When I did come home to her, we would go on walks together, play together, and simply soak up each other’s company.

Earlier this year, I started listing down the life lessons she had taught me, three of which I’ve shared here, because I never want to forget all the miraculous ways in which she’s changed my life and made me a kinder human.

I want to thank you Missy for all your love and patience, for always greeting me with the same level of enthusiasm no matter how many times you see me during the day, and for reminding us of how to love.

9!

New Year, New Motto

At the beginning of every year, I decide upon a new motto for the year ahead. Nothing fancy, but just a few words to leap out at me from my bedroom wall each day. Some mottos in the past have been…

2014: The Year of Improvement

2015: Maximised Improvement and Input!

2016: Your admirable qualities make you a winner.

2017: Is that all you got?

And this year…

2018: No complaining!

I was in Japan on the 1^st of January, 2018, at my beloved grandma’s house. My uncle gave us a lesson on calligraphy and wanted us to write a word or phrase for the New Year; much like a motto. My phrase didn’t feature very special characters but I wrote ‘monku o iuwanai’ which means ‘No complaining’.

Monku o iuwanai - No complaining!

Through my time in Japan, I watched as my grandparents smiled at us lovingly. They never complained and they hid their pain or struggles from us, even if they had it tough. I was so touched by how strong they were for us, and how they poured all their love and devotion to family while we were staying in Japan. It made me realise how foolish I had been to whine, whinge, groan, moan, fuss, and complain about trivial problems which are puny compared to some of the things my grandparents have had to go through.

Their fortitude inspired me and that’s why I resolved to never complain about anything in 2018. Every time I felt the urge to hold a grudge, I would think of the calligraphic ‘No complaining’ on my bedroom wall, and remember my grandparents’ strength and positive outlook. I would think about the millions of people around this world who have it worse off than me yet still keep fighting for their loved ones and families. And I would remind myself of my grandpa’s life lesson that ‘when we’re alive, we’re becoming stronger, and no matter what stands in our path, life is a gift and shouldn’t be worth complaining about’.

To my grandparents in Japan and Mexico, I am so grateful for how strong, forgiving, and loving you are to us year after year. Thank you for inspiring me to be more grateful. I love you so much.

8!

Unexpected Year

In many ways, 2018 was so unexpected. I wasn’t accepted into the university I had originally applied for, which left me unsure as to what I was to do this year. I ended up getting into a university in an entirely different state from where I lived, and so for the first time, I moved away from home.

What made 2018 even more of a year to remember was that I still managed to compete in my sport, Artistic Roller Skating, in my home state. Each weekend, I would travel from Brisbane to Sydney, going back and forth so I could study in Sydney and go to training in Brisbane. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way though. It helped me ease into life away from home because, well, I could still see my family each week! And I loved skating and performing in the quartet routine this year. By the time I found out that I had to move interstate, we had already put together a routine. It was a team skate and so I wouldn’t want to pull out and leave abruptly. With our skating goals already set for the year, I think it was important to keep that momentum going, even if it meant traveling 900km on a 14-hour train!

Thank you to all my skating family, my quartet team and coach, to my mum for making this plan work out so I could basically live between two states, to my dad for picking me up from the train stations at 4am in the morning, and to my parents and family for their generous support.

At the start of the year, none of us would have ever thought that 2018 would play out the way it did. It was wildly unexpected! But it turned out to be a blessing and I am so grateful for the learning experience that it was, and for the people who helped to make the unexpected a little less scary and a lot more enjoyable.

7!

University

2018 was my first year of university. Before that, I was just a schoolgirl with no clue what uni would be like. The thing that frightened me the most was the thought that uni would be busier than twelfth grade. And since I barely survived twelfth grade at school – too much stress, too little sleep – I was mortified of the fact that uni would be even worse.

Two semesters later, I have come to the conclusion that it is less stressful than twelfth grade! Maybe that’s just first year and everything will change next year, but there’s no denying that uni was more manageable and it’s possible to get a good night’s sleep! I think it helps if you’re studying what you enjoy and are passionate about.

I’m grateful for how the University of Sydney opened my mind, expanded my horizons, and put me out of my comfort zone. I’m grateful for the wonderful friends I met along the way, and for finally learning how to keep motivated, move away from bad study habits, and not get distracted (somewhat!).

I definitely did find some subjects quite difficult and my time management during those final exams was pretty appalling and positively unheroic. There’s always room for improvement so no matter what we’re pursuing, let’s all put in 120% in 2019!  

6!

After 10 years of skating…

2018 was, sadly, my final year of competitive Artistic Roller Skating. After 10 years of this beautiful sport, I had to say goodbye. It was like letting go of a huge chunk of my life but I’m grateful because the lessons I learned on the rink are lessons for life. I was so thankful that I could skate my final performance in New Zealand with the quartet.

Thank you to my beautiful coach, to my skating friends, to my family, and to my parents for supporting me financially and emotionally all these years. I will always cherish the memories I’ve made through skating.

5!

Living alone

I definitely learned a little bit of what it means to be independent this year. Having to cook and wash and clean for myself and basically, keep myself alive, was at times, tiring and monotonous but it taught me a thing or two about responsibility and independence. To be honest, I think there was a lot more microwaving than cooking though! I guess I’m pretty lazy!

Living away from home came with its benefits too. The new study environment was a welcome change from my cluttered room during those high school years. By twelfth grade, I couldn’t walk into my room anymore without my stomach somersaulting in stress. Spending this year in a new distraction-free environment was like ‘new room, new me!’

Although I missed my family a lot, spending time with myself allowed me to get to know myself a bit better and learn about who I am, what my inner ramblings are like, and little things like what music, films, and food I genuinely enjoy. It also gave me the time and space to think aloud and consciously engage in self-improvement and wellness.

4!

My grandparents

I think about my grandparents a lot. I miss them all the time and wish I could go to Mexico and Japan to see them. In 2018, I wanted to keep in touch with them more often and make the effort to be present in their lives. Because if you really love them, then there should be no excuse not to keep in contact and show you care, even if you’re oceans apart.

This year, I tried to make the effort in sending postcards to my grandparents throughout the year and call them too. I hope that I could bring happiness into their days and show them that I am thinking of them, even if they’re on the other side of the world. To my loving grandparents, all I wish for is that you are blessed with health and comfort and are always surrounded by loved ones this year.

Let’s all show our grandparents how much we appreciate them in 2019.

3!

Thank you family

Thank you to my sister for your support this year. Thank you for your understanding and your compassion, and for lending a helping hand and a listening ear when I needed it. You have a fiery determination. Always let it radiate from your heart. I hope that 2019 can be your year to shine.

Thank you to my parents for believing in me this year. Without your support, I am nothing. You both work so hard behind the scenes and never complain about it. You sacrifice so much time, money, and your own pleasures so that you can support us and encourage your daughters to grow into happy adults. Thank you for making 2018 happen.

2!

Bring on 2019!

Let’s make the rest of our lives the best of our lives! Starting now! If you’ve felt unhappy about yourself, leave it all behind in 2018, because when the clock strikes twelve tonight, it will be a brand new year to start afresh! There will be 365 new opportunities to grow stronger and become the best version of ourselves!

How do you want to grow yourself in 2019? Which aspects of your life do you want to revolutionise in the New Year?

Is it your wellbeing?

Self-esteem?

Career?

Study?

Travel?

Sleeping habits?

Sociability?

Spirituality?

Health?

Time with family?

Relationships?

Whatever our goals or resolutions are, let’s try to do one thing each day that will take us one step closer towards our goals! Take it one day at a time!

1!

The launch of this blog

In December of 2018, ‘Young and Unheroic’ was finally born! After 8 months of thinking about it and dreaming up articles in my head, the blog came into existence this month. It’s only been a month but so far, the journey has been truly wonderful.

I want to thank my readers for being here with me! You are the reason I write, and although this little blog probably hasn’t made much of an impact yet, if it has helped one person’s life in some way, even if in a small way, then it has served its purpose! What truly matters is your happiness and wellness! Let’s keep going on this journey together!

10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1!

As I’m writing this, the midnight fireworks are lighting up the skies! I can hear them right now! I started writing this post last year (hehe) and now it’s 2019!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

2019 has been waiting for us! Now, we’re finally here and we’re ready to make each day count!

Love, Young and Unheroic

Photo: the beginning of a new day at Lady Elliot Island, Australia, from our 2017 holiday.