entry way ingredients

One thing I realized after living in various housing situations and research, was that, no matter what kind of house/apartment/townhouse/basement you live in, a proper entry way with the basic ingredients will make your home so much more comfortable to step in to. It doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate or even expensive.

1. small table to drop off your keys and mail
2. mirror
3. some kind of sitting arrangement to take on/off shoes (pref with storage option)
4. some place to hang your coat

Trying to be money savvy, I've been shopping for a used bench that's sturdy and still in good condition, or even something affordable from Home Sense, but it seems like it might be cheaper and I will get closer what I want if I just make it myself.
Here's a quick sketch of what I'm kind of looking for. There's a small 40 inch nook by my entry way, so I'd like for the bench to fit in there. It would also be nice for the top of the bench to be a nice heavy wood with character, so maybe I can find a nice piece of reclaimed wood for that. The middle beam is for support and to keep our shoes separated and organized. I'm leaving the bottom empty for now because I think it'll be easier to clean the floor rather than the actual wood if theres salt, snow and mud residue.

Some inspiration for simple entryways. 

New digs!

We're moving again! Previously, we lived in a 2 bedroom, 2 floor townhouse. It was really nice, and we loved it, except as we actually lived in it, we realized that a 2 (3 if you count going down to the parking lot) floor townhouse wasn't really for us. It's not that we're lazy and going up and down the stairs is exhausting, (which it can be if you keep forgetting things on different floors) but it was generally uncomfortable. Some people might like it because you can separate certain parts of your lives. Very personal spaces like the bedroom and personal bathroom is upstairs, while kitchen and living room where you would entertain guests are on the main floor. In my head it sounds perfect. Of course I want to separate my personal space with guest space. We even had friends over almost every weekend, but even so we realized that it didn't really matter to us and that maybe we would've preferred if everything was on one floor. I guess in my heart, I was always more of a bungalow person with everything you need on one floor. It feels more intimate and somehow it gives a better sense of the space we call "home".

We moved out of the townhouse because we realized we couldn't stay there for a bunch of reasons, but mainly it was the rent. Rent was pretty ridiculous and it made it so much harder for us to save. I should've realized that before, but oh well. We live and learn. So we moved out, and into.. well it was supposed to be into the newly renovated basement in my parents house, but because of some really annoying construction delays, we moved into my old room which is being used as a storage room for boxes and stuff.  Normally, my room could only fit a single bed and a small table with a little room to breathe, but with the storage stuff, Jun, myself and our dog Hana, there was none. Hana and I barely fit on the bed, Jun slept on the floor and that's how we lived survived for over a month and learned the definition of cabin fever.

We searched for a new place immediately, which carried on for months. There were a few close calls, and some spaces we really wanted but you know if you really want it, you're probably not the only one. We weren't winners for any of those. Sometimes spaces got rented out before we even had a chance to see it. Such is the renter's scene in Toronto. Competition is fierce. (Let me explain something - we were looking for a very specific living arrangement. Condos/apartments were out of the question. There are plenty of condo options, but we wanted to live in a house. It's the competition for renting a 1-2 bedroom on a floor/basement in a house in Toronto that is fierce.) Countless hours were spent searching and visiting, money was spent on gas, needs and parameters were changed at least 5 times, minds were changed about moving at all at least 10 times - in the way people say "well.. it's not THAT bad, right?", and we were about to lose hope WHEN someone Jun knows let us know that they were moving out of their highly talked about, awesome walk-out basement. 

The location was farther than I had hoped from public transit, or work, but the commute time (1.5 hours) is what I've been doing almost my entire life so it was no big deal. Just a part of living in Toronto I guess. But this place hit almost all my basic needs. 

1. Quiet neighbourhood - Located on a crescent, probably the quietest type of street. = *CHECK*

2. Backyard (asking for a lot as is but I dreamed of a fenced in walk-out) - HUGE FENCED IN WALK-OUT = *CHECK*

3. 1 bedroom - I was only hoping for 1, but our new place has 3! = *CHECK*

4. 1200 util incl. - 1200+1/3 util but cable + internet is included so it's not bad at all for a 3 bdrm walkout! = *CHECK*

WINNER = Jun + Angela

So I said "almost" because originally I wanted to look for a place closer to work around Leslieville (which wasn't working out) and we still have to pay 1/3 utilities. It's not bad, but I was hoping for a painless all-inclusive rent. Despite that, the place is pretty perfect.

Amazing right? But this also happened not without a bit of heartache. As soon as we found out it was available, we also found out the same day that it was unavailable. Fierce I tell you. But the new tenant had luggage problems coming over from Korea, and I don't really know/care about the details because all that mattered was that a week later, it was AVAILABLE again and we had to see it IMMEDIATELY because someone else was going to see it the next day, and would most likely take it. That's how awesome the place is. You don't even have to see it to want it. 

The space lived up to my expectations. It's awesome. I couldn't have asked for better. It's spacious, cozy, walk-out, fireplace, everything we need is a 10 minute drive away - including my bus to get to work. Currently I have to drive 15-20 minutes to get to the station to get to work. We immediately nodded our heads like a couple of clucking chickens and signed the contract. 

*insert silent and inward moment of intense celebration of victory in all the lame poses you can imagine*

I got so excited, the next day I drew the layout so we can plan the space properly and took measurements at the next visit. I'm hoping to spend as little money as possible for renovations and furniture needs by making/finding/buying second hand items. It should be fun! 

love hanako

So we have a dog. Her name is Hanako. She is rehomed to us from her breeder who believed she would do better in a home with a family environment, where she can receive the love and attention she deserves. We love her to pieces. She's the prettiest, most loveliest dog ever. (Except for my previous dogs who now posses little dog wings). She's goofy, athletic and super cute. She's the perfect catch!! The problem? She hates going outside. She has a fear of the outside. Traffic, cars, loud mufflers, strange dogs, strange smells... the city. She came from the country side, so she has some adjusting to do, but it's been two months, and I'm starting to get worried. Yes, it hasn't been that long, and she may be one of those dogs that take a while to adjust... but still. When I think about what we have had to do so far to accommodate for her fear of the outside, but need for potty, it is exhausting.

When we first got her, she was relatively okay to walk around the neighbourhood with me. Then as time progressed, and she got to know us, and started to recognize that our home was a safe place for her, she decided she hated going outside.

Let me illustrate the best I can with words:

1. Get ready (this involves, booties, harness, and our jackets. Note: She is by no means uncomfortable with her harness or boots. On the contrary, sometimes she will go into them nicely, and she gets excited to go out when we put on our jackets.)

2. Open door

3. 
(a) Hesitates by the door, and won't budge. Starts to lean away from the door. (Think, the Leaning Tower of Pisa)
(b) Walks out on her own with no complaint. (Usually means she's gotta go potty bad)

4. If 3.(a) then most likely she will forget that she needs to potty and will want to go back in. This is displayed by constant pulling, walking backwards trying to get out of the harness, and some freaking out. She is also a little more "wild" in this state and nothing familiar will register to her. Cheese (her ultimate favorite food in the world) me (her current and only bff) or her yorkie friend (only dog bff) are all foreign and unknown to her. Standing still and letting her work out her issues on her own, and waiting for her to calm the fuck down is no use. Note: I am not emotional anymore. I will just let her freak out a bit, but she will never settle, so I just walk her back home.

4. (a) When this happens, we will go back inside. But a few minutes later after we've settled inside, she will start to whine and whine, wanting to go out. Then, "The Cycle" begins. Repeat 1 - 4 about 7 or more times.

5. If 3.(b) then she is most likely able to potty, unless something freaks her out (loud muffler, a car that drove by too close, scary looking large person walking by, etc). Sometimes on a good day, we are able to walk a portion of our "route" (which I can hardly call a route any more since she hates going outside so much now) but usually something will freak her out mid-way and we will have to turn back towards home.

4.(a) happens a lot, and this is what is exhausting. Sometimes she whines so much, wanting to go out, and nothing happens. I can only assume, she just wants to go out for a walk, because she's got a lot of energy to burn, and I know she loves being outside (in general) but hates going outside here, where we live.

Anyway. I'm hoping that it's just the "winter" phase of our relationship, and that spring will come soon...

PHOTO SPAM!!

Yeah. She's the sweetest thing ever. 

love superbowl

Superbowl Sunday has come and gone, and while I wasn't honestly too interested in the event itself, (although Beyonce's performance and outfit were nothing short of amazing) my girl friends and I got to cooking some delicious, amazing and simple finger foods for the occasion.

1. Shrimp rolls with cilantro dipped in fish sauce and 

2. baked and deep fries wings (could not find out deep fryer so we improved with a deep pan)

3. Baked nachos with E's salsa and guacamole 

4. Tacos with jae yook bokkeum (marinated pork stir fry)
5. Ice cream sandwhiches (courtesy of R)
6. KIMCHI FRIES

top that off with excellent company, good beer and sangria you forget has alcohol in it, it was a good night.

love 10k

I don't like exercise. Actually that's a lie. I love it, but it's so painful for me. Not because of the actual workout, but because I'm really impatient. I just want to GET there, BE fit already! Yknow?
Well, this time the goal isn't to be fit, although I'm sure with the training needed to do a 10k, that will happen naturally. The goal is to finish my first 10k run in an hour.

That said, the 10k run by sportinglife is an annual fundraising/charity run/walk for kids with cancer to attend Camp Oochigeas at no cost. Pretty awesome.

Right now, my friend A and I have started training, and we're running in Nike Free, which I loved at first for their lightness and flexibility, until I learned they were terrible for your feet. So we are now waiting for the arrival of our Asics GT2000 which offer arch support, absorbs shock impact and ankle support.

I ordered the one in black, and A ordered the one in purple. Gotta say, not the most attractive shoe, but proper runners are always kinda ugly.

Training log:

Day 1 - 3km in 22 min
Day 2 - 3.2km in 21 min

love wedding snippet

RIGHT before I walked down the aisle, my friend snapped this pretty picture on his phone.

I was a little disappointed in myself for not doing a "wedding blog" like so many other beautiful brides have done. It was the perfect opportunity to document our process, and provide future brides with inspiration (and warnings) for their own wedding. I will miss having a record of all the success (and some failures) we achieved leading up to the wedding date, but planning a wedding in 5 months (it CAN be done), plus moving, plus working long hours at work, it just wasn't possible without me looking like the walking dead down the aisle. Fear not, baby. All is not lost. A new chapter has begun, and yes, we already did our honeymoon in THAILAND (which I'll cover in another post/s) but life still goes on, and life is still an adventure, with many more to come.

honestly.

Not going to lie, this isn't the first time I've started to blog, but let's be honest here; me and blogging? Not the most faithful of relationships in the blogosphere. Yes, I'm a little late to the blog boom party, and I'm not hoping to gain celebrity status with this, but I can at least try to learn something (about myself?) from a committed experience. Let's christen the blog with a worthy photo: my old family dog (resting in peace forever) chilling like it's NBD on my dad's rock n roll Harley.