August 24, 2009

Do-It-Yourself

Filed under: CraftsTags: , , , , , , , , , — darrenhe @ 11:27 PM

I’ve just moved into my new apartment. Besides my suitcases, clothing, and electronics lying around on the floor, I have nothing – no furniture at all.

Instead of buying furniture from IKEA or some local Boston furniture store, I will learn how to build my own furniture. My blog will reflect my progress, challenges, and successes. Hopefully, I will have some fun at the same time. While the cost of the wood and materials will be cheaper, I will probably spend more money total including equipment and time costs.

Here are the plans:

1) Full-sized platform bed

Clearly, I won’t be able to make one that looks as professional, but I’d like a bed that looks like this Loop Bed (but in black):

LoopEspressoQueenBedS9

It would be nice if I could incorporate some of the elements from this bed, including the bamboo. I definitely plan on having a mattress though.

tatami-bed-main

2) A workdesk

I don’t need drawers, slide-out keyboard holders, or anything of that sort. I want a simple desk – something like this:

L80071042

3) A nightstand

With the cubbyhole, of course

L10469068

4) Kitchen Dining Set (Table and Chairs)

If I’m feeling inspired, then I’ll try to make a dining table and chairs.

L12114696

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August 6, 2009

Workout Update

I’ve managed to continue working out as I’ve moved through California, Boston, Chicago, and Seoul. I seem to be hitting a limit with my upper end, though my middle range is improving. For example, I’m having difficulty pushing past my 145 max bench press, but I can do more reps at 135.

Thus I am switching it up. My previous workout plan has been 5×5x12 at ~70% (5 exercises per each muscle, 5 sets of 12 reps, at 70% of max). I’m switching to 5×5x5 at ~90%. After working out back muscles, I’m in a great deal of pain, but it’s fun. =)

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July 31, 2009

Seoul after Two Weeks

The Good:

1) Tasty food and desserts
2) Advanced telecommunications network
3) Lots of stores and shopping options
4) Effective public transportation system

The Bad:

1) Lack of healthy food options, particularly when eating out
2) Most gyms lack a lot of basic equipment
3) Rude, reckless drivers
4) Bad pollution
5) Deceptive business practices.

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June 27, 2009

Faces of U.S. Currency

Filed under: FinancialTags: , , , — darrenhe @ 6:29 PM

Since it might be good to know…

1 cent: Abraham Lincoln
5 cent: Thomas Jefferson
10 cent: Franklin D. Roosevelt
15 cent: Harry S. Truman
25 cent: George Washington
50 cent: John F. Kennedy
$1 coin: Sacagawea

$1 bill: George Washington
$2 bill: Thomas Jefferson
$3 bill: Grover Cleveland
$5 bill: Abraham Lincoln
$10 bill: Alexander Hamilton
$15 bill: Ronald Reagan
$20 bill: Andrew Jackson
$50 bill: Ulysses S. Grant
$100 bill: Benjamin Franklin

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June 26, 2009

Gym Progress

Filed under: ExerciseTags: , , , — darrenhe @ 4:05 PM

I’ve been working out about 5 days a week at the gym, and have settled down to a routine. I’m alternating between 2-3 week phases of volume and “max-out” workouts. On alternating days, it’s 1) chest, biceps, abs; and 2) shoulders, back, triceps, abs.

I don’t think other people can see much progress – it definitely takes a while to get “bigger.” Personally, I can see some small changes, which is a good sign!

The main area that I hope to improve in is chest, measured via bench press. When I started three weeks ago, I maxed out around 120 (one rep). Now I can do 135 (more than one rep, haha), and 155 on the racked bench press. Let’s see where this takes me!

On the side, still cycling. 200+ miles a week in the mountains, but it’s really starting to get hot here in California. Might hit triple digits this weekend!

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June 12, 2009

There’s Only 1 Thing 2 Do 3 Words 4 You, I Love You

Filed under: Exercise, MusicTags: , , , , , — darrenhe @ 10:51 PM

This is another gym related post. Ten hours at the gym this week. But I thought I’d change it up a bit by featuring a song I heard while at the gym…rock on! From now on, I will tell the Sled Hack Squat machine, “I love you.”

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June 11, 2009

Sports Teams

Filed under: SportsTags: , , , , , , — darrenhe @ 10:57 PM

I must declare my sports loyalties. As many of you know, I grew up in Los Angeles. I’ve spent four year of college in Boston and will be working there after this summer as well.

Basketball: Lakers fan, all the way. I grew up watching and cheering for the Lakers, my home team. I remember the good old days of Shaq and Kobe’s three championships, the shortcomings of the Fab Four, and now I get to watch them make another championship run.

Baseball: Go Red Sox! For one, they are awesome; and two, you just can’t live in Boston and not be a Red Sox fan. It just makes things so much more fun.

Football: I don’t have any strong ties…I was cheering for the Pats when they almost went undefeated, but football’s not my favorite game to watch.

Cycling: Whatever team Lance is on, of course. =)

Soccer: Undecided.

Hockey: Undecided.

Others: TBD

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June 10, 2009

Website Labor For Hire

Filed under: BusinessTags: , , — darrenhe @ 12:48 PM

Of course this is not the best way to advertise, and I am doing so elsewhere – but I am looking for new clients! Please spread the word.

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June 9, 2009

Reliving the Old Days

Filed under: Music, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , — darrenhe @ 12:25 PM

By old days, I mean high school. I’ve begun practicing piano again, and it feels relieving and pleasing to play when there are no pressures, deadlines, or competitions to prepare for. Right now, I’m working on relearning Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know!

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June 8, 2009

LA Fitness

Filed under: ExerciseTags: , , , , , — darrenhe @ 10:43 PM

I’ve become a walking (blogging) advertisement! But anyways, I went to LA Fitness today, which is about 10 miles from my home in California. They have some pretty nice facilities, and an excellent salesman (George Ortiz) got me to sign up. I made the mistake of wearing my Harvard Carnival t-shirt, which is actually in navy blue with obscure italic scrawl. However, he still managed to read the name of my alma mater, and there he goes…

I did some basic weights today – bicep curls and bench press – plus some basketball. I’m quite excited for Wednesday morning, however, when I meet with my personal trainer for a complimentary workout. Apparently he’s a Marine wrestler or the like. I’m going to get big, finally! =)

LA Fitness

LA Fitness

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