It’s bittersweet to look back at who I was and see how every step helped me into who I was becoming. I wish I could go back and give younger me a hug because years later, specific memories still take me back to those raw feelings. I was an emotional and misunderstood teenager and a dreamy and careless college kid.

I’m still working on letting go of all the things I wish I did or didn’t do. It’s hard to be appreciative of the struggles, but I’m glad I can look back on them and see the good in how it ended. We’re constantly becoming the best version of ourselves, hopefully.

If I could appear to my younger self at different ages, these are the things I would tell myself. I probably wouldn’t quite understand or appreciate what future me had to say, but I like to think it would be a comfort to know someone knew how I felt. Sometimes I still need to be reminded of some of these things.

Things I Would Tell My Younger Self

You are loved, even when you’re not sure of it. The strict environment you were raised in is what your parents thought was the best way. It’s hard to understand and appreciate their sacrifices and customs at times but know it is out of love and loyalty. It’ll make you cautious and ambitious, but what is given to you is a blessing that will give you a foundation for the rest of your life. Even so, you are more than your grades and you are good enough.

It’s ok to have these feelings and ok to express them. You’re allowed to be disappointed. You can give the silent treatment, but it’s much more satisfying and clearer to use your voice. Be proud of who you are and where you came from. Don’t let other people decide your worth for you. Don’t let their fears shadow your power.

The right person will come along, even though you’ll feel heartache from the ones you thought didn’t care enough. Each person you date will teach you something, whether it’s friendship, individuality, passion, or carelessness. That feeling of fear and loneliness is you learning how to be your own person. You don’t need someone to complete you and you will never find enough love to sustain you by chasing after him. One day, you’ll find a partner who loves and respects you, and you’ll know. One day, you’ll look back at those relationships and smile.

Don’t quit the piano. Spend more time in the kitchen with your mom. Don’t be afraid to write your feelings down. Save more money. Alcohol is overrated. Keep reading books.

People come in and out of your life. It will hurt a lot. You will lose best friends, from your doing and their doing. It is something you will continually regret, fear, and work through, but it will challenge you to be a better friend and person. You can’t fix all problems, but you can keep yourself accountable and be brave enough to speak up.

Be brave. You don’t know if you don’t ask and it’s ok to not know. Don’t stop asking questions and looking for ways to dream bigger. There are a million possibilities for your future and YOU get to decide. The world needs your talents, your passion, and your heart.

You, young thing, believe in this holy grail, this exact moment in life where a switch is flipped and life is smooth sailing from here. In this moment, you’ll feel successful and completely enough. There will be moments throughout your life where you’ll feel this. You’ll think “this is it, life is perfect,” and it’s beautiful to appreciate those moments and seasons. But life will not be perfect. It’s a constant roller coaster. The only constant is change, and your goal is to do the work, see the good, and keep hoping for the best. It’s like this passage I read in a book recently, “I operated as if there’d be a verdict. An easy answer. A story. I operated as if we were setting the tone for the rest of our lives. It did not occur to me that we could simply muddle through. Learn as we go. Change things later. Forgive ourselves.”

So, forgive yourself. All the moments in life bring you here, in the present, and it might not feel like it now, but it gets better. (Or you get stronger, wiser, and more appreciative.) The future won’t be exactly how you imagined it. You’ll find peace for your past and somehow, you’ll be right where you need to be. You are worthy of the good things making their way to you.

What would you tell your younger self?

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Growing up as an Asian American, I had a prideful attraction to celebrities who were Asian like me, Lucy Liu and Michelle Kwan to name the very few. Without a lot of Asian representation, I looked up to the actresses of my generation, but I wonder how my life could have been impacted had I seen people like me on the screen more often.

I talked about what growing up with immigrant parents was like in this post. Growing up in a suburb where I was one of maybe five Asians in my grade when I started school, I naturally came to be more “Americanized,” something I’m sure many Asian Americans would recognize. Yet, it’s so strange to stop and think about the ways I’m keenly aware when an Asian person enters a scene of a TV show or movie. It’s a subconscious habit of connecting with someone because they looked like me and thinking that maybe they knew what it was like growing up suspended between cultures. They found success while trying to fit into the expectations of being American and Asian.

Representation matters because maybe if I had seen Asian representation in mainstream media, I would have realized it wasn’t a matter of being more American and less Asian. I wouldn’t have felt that pulling away from my Asian culture would help me feel like I fit in and make me more liked by my peers. I wouldn’t have been embarrassed when my mom spoke to me in Chinese in public or when I brought dumplings to school for lunch. I would have been more proud to be American AND Asian.

Representation matters. It’s why Asians have rallied behind the TV show Fresh Off the Boat, and actress Kelly Marie Tran, the first woman of color in a leading role in the Star Wars movies. The new movie Crazy Rich Asians is significant because it is the first Hollywood Studio film in over 25 years to feature an Asian American’s story. (The previous movie was The Joy Luck Club.) When you think about Hollywood movies with Asian actors, you’ll likely think of ones with martial arts (i.e. Rush Hour) or Asian characters as sidekicks or stereotypes. Those movies and roles hold their space, but one of the reasons why Crazy Rich Asians is so important is because there are Asians in the lead roles and Asian characters outside of the typical stereotypes. Plus, it’s a full Asian cast, including great cameos; did you LOVE musician Kina Grannis‘ song during the wedding?

Representation in mainstream media trickles down in ways we might not realize. Can you imagine what Asian American kids might think when they see Asians as the leads of a Hollywood movie? While celebrities seem a world away, we, kids and adults, look up to them because we view celebrities as successful and view movies as projections of a possible reality. It’s much easier to dream when we can envision it clearly. It also gives an opportunity for Asian stories to be heard and for others to learn about the culture and recognize the similarities in our stories. Humanity is much more connected than we think. When we get to know people who are different from us, there’s no limit to the success we can make together.

Aside from the cultural and representation significance, Crazy Rich Asians is an entertaining movie and a fun romantic comedy. Sure, it’s not as good as the books and it wasn’t the best movie I’ve ever seen, but I loved seeing the characters come to life. (#TeamAstrid) I got choked up a few times, maybe because of the sappy scenes or maybe because the movie showed Asian culture and in a way, I felt seen. I love all the cultural features in the movie, from playing mahjong and making dumplings to the traditions of family first and revering elders, and it means a lot to me for others to experience these things I’ve grown up knowing. This movie is not a representation of every Asian American’s story (I am not and don’t know any billionaires, ha!), but it’s a step to build other Asian Americans up. Culture aside, the movie has its funny moments and the fashion!

I’m so proud of director Jon M. Chu and the cast for this movie. We celebrate victories wherever we can because the significance can be fleeting, but I hope it doesn’t take another 25 years before a big success like this. I hope this success means increased recognition for Asian Americans in the arts.

Thank you to all of you who understand, support, and advocate this movie and representation.

If you can’t get enough, check out these articles:

• Why Jon M. Chu wanted Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ in the movie and how it happened
• Ken Jeong’s interview about his role and what this movie means for Hollywood
• Kelly Marie Tran speaks out
• Why an Asian American heartthrob on screen matters
• Crazy Rich Asians‘ mahjong scene explained in depth

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The post Why Representation Matters and What I Thought About Crazy Rich Asians appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

If you had asked me at 18 years old what my life would look like in 10 years, one of the things I would have said was married with kids. Ten plus a few more years later, neither of those things are true.

In the past 10+ years, my hardest, darkest, and most emotional times have come from romantic relationships. I thought to have a guy like you confirmed your worth, and I was always looking for my love story. I gave too much time to guys who didn’t care enough. I played the game in return, and not surprisingly, that didn’t end well either. It’s hard living in a Taylor Swift album all the time; the promise is a new partner will be along to sweep you off your feet and save you from past heartbreak.

In hindsight, all of the heartbreak taught me a lot about becoming the best version of myself and the partner I wanted. It’s inevitable to make mistakes when you’re young or when you put your self-worth in someone else. I learned how to be the hero of my story. I learned the depth having a relationship involves. All the uncomfortable confrontations have taught me about vulnerability and the true nature of a relationship. It took experiencing these lessons for myself to learn these lessons. Heck, I’m still reminding myself and re-learning them sometimes!

One of the best adventures in life is having a relationship with someone. Be it with your significant other, mom or dad, friends, siblings, or co-worker, relationships are unique and involve uncharted territory to keep it thriving. So, here are some of the lessons I’ve learned and value.

5 Things I’ve Learned About Love and Relationships

1. Love is expressed in many ways.

I think because of my upbringing, I have a view of expressing love that differs from my observations of how love is expressed. People have different ways to express love and emotion and that’s ok. It’s not always a vocal “I love you” but could be a kind gesture or giving someone undivided attention. Do you know your love language? (You can take a free quiz to figure it out.) Your love language explains how you want to receive love and how you give love. For me, I value quality time, words of affirmation, and acts of service.

2. Managing my expectations keeps me grateful.

I was always looking for my love story because I had this over-romanticized view of love. It’s been disappointing to see that love is not like the movies. Similarly, it’s not the social media highlight reel. Yes, there are sweet and loving moments, but the constant showering of spontaneous declarations, hidden love notes, and thoughtful gifts are an ideal that is hard to live up to. My brainwashed expectations of what I think a relationship is supposed to look like would never measure up. Fulfilling expectations will look different for every person and relationship, and it’s dangerous when you compare your relationship with others’ relationships.

3. Love is consideration for your partner.

One of my favorite lyrics in one of my favorite songs by The Lumineers goes “it’s better to feel pain than nothing at all. The opposite of love’s indifference.” (The song is Stubborn Love.) Consideration is being thoughtful and attentive to your partner’s needs and wants. Your needs and wants are valid but when you continuously compromise your partner’s happiness for yours, the relationship is unbalanced. The give and take should be equal.

4. Communication is key.

We have needs and wants and it’s important to express them. From the conflicts in my relationships, everything could have been avoided if we had communicated what we were feeling and what we needed. I’m one that will give the silent treatment and bottle up my feelings, but I’m working on it. We can’t read minds! Don’t forget there are nicer ways to say things. When we stop communicating, the relationship breaks down and we start assuming things that are likely not true. You can make assumptions through tone and body language but it doesn’t hurt (and makes things go a lot quicker) if something is said.

5. Relationships are a work in progress.

Humans are a masterpiece and a work in progress. We are made up of intricate emotions and nothing is perfect. Relationships don’t demand perfection but thrive on presence. As long as we acknowledge that we are and can continuously improve and become a better partner, all we need to do is show up ready to work. I’m continuously learning how to be ok with vulnerability and confrontation. The future is scary because emotions and relationships are delicate but on the other side of fear is, hopefully, a stronger relationship.

Conclusion

I’m sharing what I’ve learned not because I’m expert at love and relationships. It’s because I’m amazed at how far I’ve come and even still I need some guidance or a reminder. I know what I think will continue to build and evolve, but I hope I never lose the belief that love is real, magical, and a fulfilling life goal.

Marriage and babies might come one day, but for now, it’s more important to me that I love who I am, feel at peace with my past, and feel secure about how I love.

I would love to hear your insights! What have you learned? Any tips for better relationships?

P.S. It’s been a while since I shared lessons learned! Here are past posts. Also, this post about surviving travel as a couple might help too.

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The post 5 Things I’ve Learned about Love and Relationships appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

So many good reads and light bulb moments this month! I’m continuously curious about how to improve my life and this month was a jackpot. I learned more about depression, owning my feelings, empathy, and my rules of living. Here are the stories that captivated me this month.

11 Habits of Healthy Couples
My curiosity in what makes a successful romantic relationship continues, and this article gives some great insight on 11 things that will help.

Better Ways to Measure Your Life
How do you measure your life? The amount in your bank account? The number of friends you have? The number of vacations you’ve taken? Your definition of success will look different from the next person’s. Here are five “better” and ongoing ways you can measure your life that won’t leave you deflated.

Lola’s Story – A Family’s Slave
This story in The Atlantic is heart-wrenching and riveting. It’s about a Filipino family who brought a woman when they immigrated to the U.S. that was essentially their slave. Give this story a read!

How Much is in Your Savings Account?
Studies show 69% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings account and 34% don’t have a savings account. Whaaaaaat? Those percentages are about the same for millennials 18-34. Financial experts recommend having three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund.

Watched: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2
Who watched the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie this month? It definitely lived up to my expectations. Baby Groot was my favorite!

Women and Health Services
What happens to Planned Parenthood health centers affects millions of women nationwide. This eye-opening video gives a glimpse of how.

Watched: Master of None
Aloooora, I finished the new second season of Master of None on Netflix! Now all I want is pasta! I loved seeing the beautiful parts of Italy and getting another inside look of the lauded restaurant in Modena. (It was featured in season one of Chef’s Table.) I’m not sure how I feel about the finale but I’m ready for season three!

Differences of Italian and American Dating
Speaking of Master of None, I enjoyed this article (that contains spoilers!) referencing the new season and showing the differences of dating in Italy and the U.S. Even after reading the article, I don’t believe this kind of dating actually exists in Italy. If it does, Americans are missing out or being very efficient. What do you think?

Depression
Unexpectedly, I read a book about depression and another mentioning depression this month. Both books gave eye-opening insight into what depression feels like and how people can help people who are depressed. Mental health needs to be taken seriously on all levels, from friend-to-friend to government policies to scientific research. It starts with learning and understanding what depression is. Every person should read Reasons to Stay Alive. The other book, Hyperbole and a Half, is not specifically about depression but has a great description in the book. You can see part of it here. Also, here’s a good post from Momastery encouraging others to help.

More is Not Better
I found this article and it was a relieving light bulb moment. My whole life has been a ladder of improvements, goals, and “the next level.” The article is a reminder that daily gratitude might change your life and maybe “self-improvement is a glorified hobby.” Give it a read and let me know what you think! (This article definitely ties in with the “Better Ways to Measure Your Life” article linked above.

Rising Strong
I finally read Brene Brown’s book Rising Strong this month. Just as her previous book Daring Greatly challenged my thoughts, so did this one. It talks about the rise after falling, something we don’t like talking about because who likes to talk about the hard and dark places where they can’t see light and hope. We talk about the success when we get to the mountaintop, but the journey there is what makes us better people. It’s a great read! Along the same lines, I enjoyed this short post by Glennon Doyle Melton about hitting rock bottom.

“Look for the Helpers”
Love this quote from Mister Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.“ See the video here:

What’s captivating you lately?
I always enjoy reading your opinions about any of the ideas and links I post. Tell me your thoughts in a comment below!

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The post Captivations v.35: Rising Strong and Success appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

How Friendships Change
You can’t stop it – friendships change. This article about friendship in The Atlantic gives interesting insight and research in how friendships shift, especially in today’s digital age. I think the article gives excuses to why we take friendships for granted. Friendships aren’t a commitment like work or kids. Facebook makes it easy to think friendships are closer than they appear. But the article does emphasize the fact that face-to-face interaction is best!

Filling Space
“Just because you have an empty space doesn’t mean you have to fill it.” – The Minimalists. Advertising and social norms have made us afraid of empty space. I’m not only talking about walls and bookshelves but of time. Instead of filling our spaces and time with junk, why don’t we fill them with things we love and that bring joy? Have you watched the Minimalism film on Netflix yet?

When Your Husband Dies
I think I’ve said this before, but I’m fascinated by death and the process of mourning by loved ones. It’s like the love has intensified times a million. It seems like you feel everything and nothing. And for us watching, it gives a perspective of how we should be living – not taking things for granted and loving deeper. That’s why I enjoyed this article on The Everygirl, as heart-breaking as it is. Some people feel the fire of love through romance novels. I feel the depth of love through stories about mourning. It reminds me that I want to love and be loved like that. Isn’t that the deepest wish most people have?

Girls of the Wild
I saw this the other day and wanted to share. It’s by Nikita Gill.

Traveling: Roatan and Big Bend National Park
This month I took two long-weekend trips. It definitely satisfied my wanderlust. First came scuba diving in Roatan and then a long road trip to West Texas to visit Marfa and (finally!) Big Bend National Park. I stayed in a teepee! Check out those blog posts and let me know what you think!

THIS VIDEO
I’ve been following Ruthie Lindsey on Instagram for a while. This beautiful soul released a touching video this month that is so full of hope. It will definitely lift your spirits!

Good Relationships = Life of Fulfillment
Isn’t it silly how with all the research and stories, we still have trouble focusing on what will fulfill our lives? I know I struggle with it off and on. This 75-year research study proved that good relationships make people happier and healthier. (Psst…not the number of likes on Instagram! BUT I don’t think Instagram was around during this study so…)

In Praise of Ugly Food
Food bloggers will enjoy this article. It talks about the struggles of how photos make or break your popularity. Sometimes food, usually comfort food, is ugly. Why can’t it get more love? I want to hear what you think about this.

Let’s Entertain More
Speaking of food and life fulfillment, in this study, people were asked what their biggest home regrets were and the consistent answer was not entertaining more. Challenge accepted! Who’s coming over for dinner?

Sweating it Out at SoulCycle
I was excited to share my love of spin classes with my friends by organizing a class at SoulCycle. The ladies rocked the very sweaty, hour-long class!

Who Makes Your Clothes?
An organization called The People Label is challenging us to think about the clothes we buy. Is it the best quality? Was it made ethically? Check out the website to explore more!

Marriage Advice From Divorced People
This post has some insightful advice about how to care for your relationships!

Watching: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
My friend Abbie introduced me to the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend earlier this year and I love it! Seasons 1 and 2 of this CW show are on Netflix now. If you like musicals and comedy, you may like it!

Don’t Be a Crehater
This article was a hard and refreshing read. On one hand, I want to send it to all the crehaters out there who aren’t as collaborative as I expect them to be. (Hello, managing expectations!) We’re all working so hard, and it takes a village to get to success. On the other hand, it’s an embarrassing reminder about how supportive I could be. I think being a crehater has to do with jealousy and fear. Fear is at the root of jealousy. When we see others succeed (via social media highlights), we’re afraid that we might not ever experience that success. So, here’s a reminder to myself and you to keep encouraging those around you!

What’s captivating you lately?

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The post Captivations v.34: Change, Advice, Growth appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

March has flown by! I lived vicariously through all my friends who went to SXSW event after event. I felt more at ease than the last two months because I’m scheduling less and preparing ahead more. What else is captivating me? Take a look!

Love
This New York Times article might make you cry. What a relationship goal to pursue! The writer, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, died 10 days after the article was published. The article is a bittersweet reminder of how to live and how to love.

BE Conference
I was excited to join my friend Janna at the first BE Conference this month. The best session was hearing from my hero Kristen Bell talk about women empowerment, partnerships, and the hustle. The day was an inspiring program of female leaders who have worked their way to where they are, and it was interesting to hear their stories and encouragement. Here are some tidbits I walked away with:

• Every single founder of a big company stuck with it when things got difficult. (Don’t give up!)
• Be true to what you believe and what you’re building. Filter feedback.
• Do your best work as much as you can.
• Show up and kill them with competence.
• Take the time to be a critical thinker.
• As women, vulnerability is our superpower!

Read: What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding
Reading has been fast-paced this year! One of my favorite books so far is What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman. It’s filled with travel stories and an over-arching story about how Kristin learned what she wanted in life. The book inspired my wanderlust and gave thoughtful wisdom about how to view life. Overall, it was entertaining and I would recommend it for travel lovers!

Goals: Workout 3x a Week
I rocked this goal this month! I took at least one spin class every week (sometimes two) and enjoyed my last month of ClassPass. I haven’t decided if I’ll keep using it but I do have a one-month membership to one of my favorite studios to use first. I would love to run more (cheaper and closest workout to home) but we’ll see about that. I’ve loved rotating between some of my favorite workout studios in Austin. What do you do for exercise? Anything you’d recommend?

Blogger Parties + Crawfish Boil
I’ve loved throwing blogger parties this month! It’s a win-win to promote a business, create fun content, and get to know my fellow Austin bloggers better. I posted about our aerials class at Sky Candy and I’ll have more details about our pole dancing class next month. Boyfriend and I also hosted our 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil!

#ATXBloggerMixer
This month was the latest #ATXBloggerMixer event, and this time it was a workout at SoulCycle. We had a sweaty class and then enjoyed juice and snacks from JuiceLand and cookies from Shortbread Baking Co.

Now Listening
-I listened to Jim Gaffigan’s audiobook for Dad is Fat. So funny! Great read/listen for parents, I bet!
–It Ain’t Me by Kygo and Selena Gomez
–Stay by Zedd and Alessia Cara

Tiny Wardrobe Tour
I’m going through a BIG decluttering process right now. I’ve gotten rid of lots of stuff and am continuing to pare down what I own. This includes half my wardrobe, the majority of my books, and lots of items that I wasn’t using in every room. Seriously, the amount of stuff that has gone to Goodwill, the trash, and recycling is baffling. So, when Courtney Carver, a minimalist blogger, had a tour stop in Austin, it was the perfect timing. While I don’t think I’ll have a capsule wardrobe of 33 items every month like she does, I can do more to live more with less and to own things that I truly love. Her talk was encouraging to pare down my stuff even more and seek out higher-quality clothes that fit well. Any recommendations of where to shop? I’m thinking Madewell and Loft so far. (See more minimalism posts on my blog here.)

What’s captivating you lately?

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The post Captivations v.33: Reading and Parties appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Walking among elephants (Chiang Mai)
I walked next to an elephant! I touched an elephant! The average size of a male Asian elephant is 12,000 lbs and a female is 6,000 lbs. These creatures could easily squish me! Yet, they were calm and majestic. The ones I met had suffered a lot from abuse, and I’m glad I got to learn more about their stories. [Check out my post about our visit to Elephant Nature Park here.]

First moment going underwater when scuba diving (Similan Islands)
My first time scuba diving in the OCEAN was in Thailand. After five days of classes in a murky lake in Austin, TX, I put my head underwater in Thailand and all I could see was everything. (Haha, that’s not dramatic AT ALL!) That’s when the joy of scuba clicked for me. I wasn’t sure I liked scuba diving until then. It was like I had blurry eyesight and put on glasses for the first time. From right at the surface I could see the ocean floor. Later on, I saw a variety of sea creatures and huge wall formations. There is an unbelievable underwater world full of things to see and discover. It can be scary and dangerous if you let it, but it’s worth it! [Check out my post about our Scuba Diving Liveaboard here.]

Standing on the bridge, looking up to see the many lanterns floating up (Yee Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai)
We saw lights floating up as we were eating dinner and realized that there were still celebrations going on. (We thought they were the day before and we had missed it.) So we followed the lights and people after dinner until we were on the bridge where people were lighting them up and letting them go. Seeing the lights float away along with (symbolically) all the negative vibes and frustrations of life brought peace with how things are and appreciation for the opportunity to be there and celebrate joy with strangers. [Check out my post about our Yee Peng Lantern Festival experience here.]

Zipping through the streets at night on a tuk tuk (Bangkok)
We didn’t take many tuk tuks in Thailand, but I’m glad because we had an unforgettable tuk tuk experience. The transportation for our food tour in Bangkok was by tuk tuk, so we looked like a colorful parade of six tuk tuks zipping from one restaurant to the next. There wasn’t much traffic, so we sped through the street, feeling the wind in our hair and the adrenaline of exploring Bangkok at night and discovering all its best food spots. [Check out my post about Bangkok, including the food tour we went on, here.]

Sitting at a table on a sidewalk, inches away from the street, eating the best pad Thai ever (Bangkok)
Speaking of the food tour in Bangkok… We had eaten so much on our food tour that we were holding our stomachs, but there we were at one last place. This restaurant had been there for over 50 years! The seating spilled out from the restaurant onto the sidewalk with metal tables and chairs. There were cars whizzing by. There we were, our food tour group, enjoying the best pad Thai I’ve ever had. [Check out my post about Bangkok, including the food tour we went on, here.]

Being drawn into a bar on Bang-La by a Thai cover band singing Zombie by The Cranberries (Phuket)
I know it sounds strange, especially given how crazy I thought Phuket was. We wanted to see what Patong and Bang-La was all about, so we ventured out from our hotel after almost deciding we would go to bed instead. There was loud music, bright lights, and promoters asking for our attention for their show or drink special. Shortly after we arrived to the start of Bang-La, we heard some familiar lyrics and music coming from a bar. It was Zombie by The Cranberries covered by a Thai band and they were rocking out. We grabbed a seat, amazed by how enthusiastic the band was and surprised to hear this familiar song on the other side of the world. The covers didn’t end there. They played more songs and so did the next band. After all the (frustrating) craziness we’d experienced in Thailand so far, we sat back and relaxed, taking in a familiarity of home. [Check out my post about Phuket here.]

The beautiful thing about travel is that there are always new adventures. Even if you travel with someone, what you feel during your trip and what sticks with you is your own. Chances are, the memories you keep are moments unplanned or unexpected. You never know when something amazing is about to happen. Take note of the things that happen (that’s why I travel with a journal!) and reflect on the memories that make you smile. I hope you have many of those experiences in your travels this year!

What’s one of your favorite, unique travel moments you’ll always remember?

P.S. The Thailand fun doesn’t stop here! Check out all my Thailand posts here. Planning your Thailand trip? Check out the ULTIMATE guide here.

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The post My Top 6 Memories in Thailand appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Captivations is a monthly feature with links, stories, and news that captivated me. Take a look at all the things captivating me lately.

Hello and goodbye, month of love! It was a full month of activity! I promise I’m still trying to slow down.

Why girls go to the restroom together

Galentine’s Parties
I hosted two Galentine’s parties for some of my favorite friends and bloggers this month. One was Sarah and I’s 2nd Annual Galentine’s party that involved snacks and crafts. The other (just so happened to be near Galentine’s) was a wine tasting for blogger friends at Infinite Monkey Theorem. I loved spending quality time with all of these gals!

Valentine’s Day
Boyfriend and I don’t go all out on holidays because we’re good at celebrating with (spending money on) nice meals and fun vacations whenever we want. So, our quiet Valentine’s night involved cooking mussels and veggies and indulging in cherry pie. I also got a sweet card. Simple, just how I like it.

Austin Half-Marathon + Austin Distance Challenge
I ran the final race of the Austin Distance Challenge this month! For the Austin Distance Challenge, I ran five races, once a month from October to February. It included the Run Free Texas 8k, Run for the Water 10 mile, Decker Challenge Half-Marathon, 3M Half-Marathon, and the Austin Half-Marathon. (This brings my number of half-marathons to SEVEN!) The whole event was a tough challenge that I did not train for very well (or at all), but I’m glad I completed it! I’ve always thought races were a good long-term fitness goal (compared to my current “work out three times a week” goal), but I’d love to hear your ideas. How do you track your fitness?

Politics Stress Me Out
This is why we don’t participate. Because it is exhausting to keep up, mentally and emotionally. When we see horrible, senseless things happen and no one in power (elected leaders, influential leaders) seems to be doing enough. I watch and hear the news and think “people can’t seriously be ok with this?!” What happened to values as an American and as a human being? I read this Huffington Post article that echoes my disbelief, and I encourage you to give it a read. How are you feeling? What are you doing to feel ok? (This post might help?)

Microblading
I’ve been curious about microblading and wanted to share what I’ve learned. Microblading is essentially tattooing your eyebrows so that it looks natural and full without makeup. My friend Kate did a great microblading video answering tons of questions and showing the process. Ultimately, I don’t think my eyebrows would be a fit for it, but the results look great!

Austin Food Blogger Alliance 2017 City Guide
Each year, our Austin food blogger organization puts together a city guide about the best eats in the city. I contributed with three guides posted this month, so please check them out! I’ve also updated my personal favorite Austin restaurants list for all of you planning to visit. *hint, hint*

• Best North Austin Restaurants
• Best Pastries in Austin
• Best Cupcakes in Austin

“And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you”

Heroes
122 million. That’s the number of children’s lives saved since 1990 according to the UN. I’m thankful for passionate people like Bill and Melinda Gates and generous people like Warren Buffet who are working to make the world a better place by saving and improving lives. This letter has incredible numbers and evidence of the good that is being done. #heroes

Letting Go
I welcomed this article about letting go with open arms! I recently had a very close friendship go wayside and when I finally looked up, I realized it was completely shattered. While I can assume what happened, it’s sad to say I don’t know why it ended. I spent so much time not doing anything when I saw it happening, hoping it would fix itself and hoping she would come to me about why she saw issues with our friendship. It hurt and it still hurts a lot. I’ve finally come to the point (of exhaustion) where I need to let this go to find my sanity and to flourish. No more stress, no more negativity (asking myself what I did wrong or what I could have done differently), no more blame. Lessons learned: COMMUNICATE, and life is too short for negativity.

Until It Happens to You
I was reading this New York Times article about how a town of Trump supporters are rallying around their resident who may be deported. It echoes a thought swirling in my head this month. You stand for something until it happens to you. You want people to obey the rules but you would take the opportunity to break them without harm or punishment. Your thoughts and actions change when something could benefit you or would affect your life. Hypocritical, right? It gives evidence that we are emotional beings and survival of the fittest is innate.

This Is Us.
If you haven’t watched this show, stop reading because the following gives spoilers. I can’t stop thinking about the Memphis episode. In the episode, William says, “I haven’t had a happy life. Bad breaks. Bad choices. A life of almosts and could haves. Some would call it sad, but I don’t, cause the two best things in my life were the person in the very beginning and the person at the very end and that’s a pretty good thing to be able to say, I think.” We, the audience, have only seen a small snippet of William’s life. We’ve seen some wonderful moments and some hard ones, and we’ve grown to love his character. This episode is a great reminder of what truly matters in life. The good will outweigh the bad. Stop worrying about all the little details and how you’ll get there and what you’ll do next. Roll the windows down and crank up the music.

What’s captivating you lately?

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The post Captivations v.32: Month of Love, Half-Marathon, and #ATXBestEats appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Austin City Limits Festival
I crossed off two life list concerts at ACL this year! Willie Nelson was a must-see because of his impact on the music industry. Mumford and Sons is one of my favorite bands, and it was so fun to see them live. I’m already hoping to see them again! Despite the crowds, dust, and after-ACL sickness, it was a fun weekend!

Changing the World
I love this thoughtful and tear-jerking piece by Thomas Davis, linebacker on the Carolina Panthers. It’s an eye-opening account of how he got to where he is today and how he’s making sure kids in his hometown have more opportunities than he did.

Happiness and Regret
This insightful interview with a cognitive psychologist gives findings about happiness and regret. It’s interesting that when you ask a young person what they regret, it’s something dumb they did like getting too drunk, but when you ask an older person in a nursing home, it’s something they never did, like visit a foreign country. So, as you live your life, think “what will I regret not doing?”

I also liked this line about happiness:
“The problem is we adapt to that [stuff we buy] really quickly, and so the stuff we have doesn’t make us happy for very long, whereas the experiences we have make us happy for a long time. And I think sometimes much of our happiness comes from the expectation, the experience and then remembering it later.”

A Letter to the Doctors and Nurses Who Cared for My Wife
Death is never an easy thing to endure, especially when it comes suddenly. The care of doctors and nurses is an impacting part of the process. So, this man wrote a letter to those who cared for his wife for seven days before she passed and who was a thankful source of comfort and understanding.

Thanks, Canada!
Only a few more days until the election season/nightmare is over! Canada made the USA a website and video telling us how great we are to help us endure it. What a great idea!

Lessons Learned While Traveling
This article features insight from nine people who quit their jobs to travel long-term. While I was expecting to read travel tips, I was surprised to find life lessons instead. From appreciating simplicity to finding your true self, these lessons are great reminders of how we can improve our lives, even if we don’t travel long-term.

Sweating at SoulCycle
My friend Michelle at the blog StyleBeacon hosted a workout session at the new SoulCycle in The Domain. Yes, SoulCycle has landed in Austin! This spin studio is popular on the east and west coasts and I can see why. It was a sweaty and energetic workout!

Advice from Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an incredible woman who has paved the way for many women with her hard work and independence. At 83 years old, she is a wise voice on the Supreme Court and in the media. Check out this piece she wrote for the New York Times. I’ll paraphrase one her life lessons: “tune out the haters!”

Enchanted Forest Baby Shower
My friend Corey was thrown an Enchanted Forest Baby Shower this month! Her friends did a terrific job at decorating the house, planning activities, and creating a snack spread. We can’t wait to celebrate baby boy’s arrival!

The post Captivations v.28: ACL, Many Lessons, and a Baby Shower appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Getting Sweaty at The Lab
My friend Amy organized a workout and tasting at The Lab, a new workout studio in downtown Austin. This place is swanky! I love that it has ALL types of classes that I love: cardio/boot camp style, cycling, pilates/barre, and yoga.

The rooftop yoga and cardio area at The Lab

The pilates/barre room at The Lab

Cool and thoughtful design around every corner at The Lab

We tried all four types with owner Beverly, and it was a sweaty morning! Afterwards, we enjoyed bites and drinks from The Honest Bar, their in-house juice and snack bar. If you’re in this area, I highly recommend making this place your workout studio!

Me, Kathy, and Amy enjoying The Honest Bar after all the sweat!

The Lab’s Inspiration Wall upstairs!

How to Speak More Respectfully About Global Cuisine

The result of a recent controversial Bon Appetit video has opened up the food community to discuss how to approach unfamiliar cuisines in a culturally sensitive way. The lesson is to stop, listen, and learn. Read these responses in the Austin Chronicle to open your mind.

On Jealousy
I think jealousy is naturally developed. As we grow older, we want to become better people and better at our skills, so it’s easy to see others who are already there and feel jealousy. Also, our society is driven by insecurities and it plays on our jealousy. I loved this post by Hannah Brencher because it speaks clearly to something we don’t know how to deal with or talk about in our lives. Jealousy doesn’t magically go away. Sometimes the process is long and hard, but with conscious decisions and showing more love than fear in actions, maybe we can get past jealousy.

The post Captivations v.27: Working Out, Scuba Diving, and Hope appeared first on Fearless Captivations.