Author Archives: Mya Lee

My December 2023 Photo Dump: Decoded.

To those who follow me on Instagram, you might have come over to just read up on what I meant by the full stories of the pictures.

In previous years I have definitely told myself I would work more on this website, but somehow there ended up being excuses of not enough time, too tired or whatever else.
This year, I plan on doing my best to truly be consistent with my social media goals, especially being in a better place mentally.

So anyhow – the breakdown.

  1. Cheng-Du Style BBQ – on a nice night we managed to get out of work together and check out a Chinese BBQ place on Kingsway. I have always loved Chinese BBQ and it was such a fun experience sharing something new with friends.
  2. Grandma’s first eye check in 10 years!? Oh yes, so grandma did not get her eyes checked in the last 10 years! After her cataract surgery, she ended up not wanting to go out of fear that we were going to have to do the other eye, but also that we were too busy to take her to her appointments.
  3. One. Relationship reaches the one year milestone. Potentially more to come on this one!
  4. We didn’t make it out the door – we had plans to go out but honestly just spent such a good time together we didn’t make it out! It wasn’t a bad thing, we just ended up enjoying each other’s company until it was time to go home.
  5. Annnnnnnnd within that same 24 hours, I had managed to see one of my bestfriends again, and we just caught up and had some ice cream. What can I say? I do love a good ice cream and simple night out with a great friend!
  6. Reunion! Let’s just say, it’s been a while and making memories with good friends never failed – enjoying poutine and salad with these two reminded me of the thrilling year we all had. In the end, I’m just glad that we were able to all be happy and healthy.
  7. We don’t have our cards… As we went out for a company dinner, we forgot to take any of our business cards with us, fatal mistake and lesson learned. Now we all carry a couple on the go, just to make sure we put out the best impression we can!
  8. A little light out. We had this giant struggle to book Van Dusen Light festival tickets – reminder to self, book these ahead of time and just book as a group, it’ll save you a lot of headaches! We had gone right before Christmas, so unsurprisingly tons of timeslots were sold out. We had planned out to arrive around 4:30PM hoping it would be dark already as days prior it was dark around the same time, but when we arrived, there was still a little light out! We found that a little bit of light did help with the photos, it wasn’t a bad thing – it also did get dark very quickly after we were making the rounds.
  9. The planner means business. After getting things cleaned up in preparing for a small New Years get together, it was a good time for me to just truly sit back and really physically write into a planner for my upcoming semester and month of work. It’s maybe a personal thing, but I do find writing directly into a planner and also placing reminders on my phone is the best way for me to remember to do certain tasks.
  10. All’s well that ends well. A tidy finish to 2023, thinking of all the good energy and amazing friends I have made over the year. Thankful for the friends I’ve reconnected with and excited to share 2024 with the same positive mindset.

If you’ve read all of this, it would mean a lot to me if you dropped a comment and said hi 🙂 Thanks for sharing this time with me and decoding a little bit of the clutter I hold in my camera roll!

Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad Recipe

**Ingredients:**

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– Salt and black pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 8 cups mixed salad greens
– 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
– 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
– 1/4 cup balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
– Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Cook the Chicken:**
– Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
– In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing.

2. **Prepare the Salad Base:**
– In a large bowl, toss the mixed salad greens, sliced strawberries, and red onion.

3. **Slice the Chicken:**
– Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips.

4. **Assemble the Salad:**
– Arrange the sliced chicken on top of the salad.
– Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad.

5. **Drizzle with Dressing:**
– Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad.

6. **Optional Balsamic Glaze:**
– For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle balsamic glaze over the salad.

7. **Garnish and Serve:**
– Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
– Toss the salad gently to combine all the ingredients.

8. **Serve Immediately:**
– Serve the Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad immediately, allowing everyone to enjoy the vibrant flavors.

This salad offers a perfect combination of savory grilled chicken, sweet strawberries, and tangy balsamic flavors, creating a refreshing and satisfying dish. Enjoy this delightful salad as a light lunch or dinner option! 🍓🥗🍗

Embracing Change: 8 Months into 2023 and My Social Media Hiatus

As we find ourselves well into the eighth month of 2023, it’s almost surreal to think about how time flies. It feels like just yesterday we were ushering in the new year with hope and resolutions. For me, this year has brought about significant changes, and one of the most transformative decisions I’ve made is taking a social media hiatus. In this blog post, I’m excited to share how these past months have unfolded, the positive impacts of disconnecting from the digital world, and the new changes in my life that have me feeling grateful and inspired.

The Decision to Disconnect

In a world driven by constant connectivity, the decision to step back from social media can be both liberating and daunting. After much contemplation, I decided to take a break from the digital realm to focus on personal growth, self-care, and meaningful connections. Those countless hours spent scrolling, comparing, and curating the perfect online persona were replaced with real-life experiences and genuine interactions.

Embracing the Pause

During these past eight months, I’ve found myself rediscovering the joy of being present. Without the constant distraction of notifications and the pressure to post, I’ve been able to fully immerse myself in the beauty of everyday moments. From savoring a cup of morning coffee in blissful silence to taking leisurely walks in nature, I’ve learned to appreciate the simplicity of life without the digital noise.

Reconnecting with My Passions

One of the most rewarding aspects of my social media hiatus has been the chance to reignite my passions. With more time on my hands, I delved into hobbies that had taken a back seat amidst the online hustle. From painting and writing to gardening and playing a musical instrument, I’ve rekindled my creative flame and found solace in activities that truly nourish my soul.

Fostering Meaningful Connections

While social media promises connection, it often leaves us feeling more isolated than ever. Stepping away allowed me to cultivate deeper relationships with those around me. Instead of sending a quick message or leaving an emoji-laden comment, I started having genuine conversations and spending quality time with friends and family. These meaningful connections have been a source of immense joy and fulfillment.

New Changes, New Horizons

As I reflect on the months gone by, I’m thrilled to share some exciting changes in my life. The newfound time and clarity I gained from my hiatus led me to embark on a new career path that aligns with my true passions. I’ve also taken the leap to explore new places, immersing myself in different cultures and broadening my horizons. These changes, while initially daunting, have injected a sense of adventure and purpose into my life that I had been craving.

In a world that often glorifies constant connection, taking a step back can be a powerful act of self-discovery and empowerment. Eight months into 2023, I’m grateful for the decision to embark on a social media hiatus. It has allowed me to embrace the present moment, reconnect with my passions, foster meaningful connections, and usher in transformative changes. As I continue on this journey, I encourage everyone to consider their own relationship with social media and to prioritize the things that truly bring them joy and fulfillment.

A night to remember…

The upcoming UBC NiteHike is coming up, and I can’t wait to participate! I once attended this event, about a decade ago. I was attending girl guides and only knew of this event through girl guides, this time around I’m hoping to finish the entire hike… The NiteHike happens at night, the objective is to hike through the dark and reach stations where one plays games or participates in challenges as a group. I’m fortunate enough that my friends will attend the event with me, and I look forward to uploading a couple of pictures when we finish the hike!

Bridgerton weekend binge

Season 2 series poster – credit, Netflix

I admit, I binged this entire season in one sitting and I have to say I enjoyed it! I loved the costumes, the music and also the chemistry that Anthony Bridgerton and Miss Kate Sharma shared. The portrayal of Miss Sharma was amazing! She truly could do it all and had a feisty attitude as well. Miss Edwina Sharma reminded me very much of season one’s diamond of the season: Daphne, but I appreciated how the storyline went, and it was an interesting route to go for. I think when I get the chance, I’ll be sitting down and enjoying the books for the series!

Poison of choice…

Bubble tea

Admittedly, this is my poison of choice. Probably way too much sugar, and no nutritional value on any levels, I will still have bubble tea as the drink of choice when I go out. My mom tells me that I tried my first bubble tea around two years old, she had to break down the pearls and cut them in half because they are kind of a choking hazard. Safe to say, this drink became my addiction, although back in the day I could really only find this at the Richmond Yaohan shopping centre. Nowadays, you can honestly find bubble tea just about anywhere in Vancouver! This is both a blessing and a curse…