How to Make This Year Better Than the Best Year of Your Life

My friends and I pose for 2014's corniest graduation photo.

Entering a new year is always a great time to reflect on what you’ve done in the past 365 days. As I lay in my bed thinking about the past year, it hit me that 2014 was the best year of my life.

I travelled, graduated, perfected “on fleek” eyebrows, finally got over an ex, left a crappy retail job, got an internship and then a job at my dream workplace, and paid off my student debt.

So I wondered is this the peak?
No. I won’t let it be.

I know there are things I purposely didn’t attempt last year in fear of failing. So be my witness and hold me to it, 2015 is a year I will not be scared to fail.

1. Learn to Drive

I’ve gone 22 years without a license because transportation in an urban hub is plentiful and cheap-ish, but also mainly because I think I’m scared of driving. The idea of driving looks easy and I’m sure with practice it becomes more natural but in fear of being judged by other drivers and avoiding deadly accidents, I think I’ve tricked myself into being scared of the wheel. In 2015, I promise to complete my driver’s education course.

2. Learn Italian

I love their food, I love their men, and I love listening to their song-like conversations. This past summer I tried learning the language — I even got an app! After two weeks my laziness and over-tired-self-from-working-retail kicked in and I said arrivederci to that. In 2015, I promise to learn Italian.

3. Explore New Places

Travelling is a given but how about discovering places at home? I love the city I’ve been born and raised in but outside the boundaries of my daily life, I know different neighbourhoods as much as someone who recently Googled it. Not only will this open up so many different possibilities but also I’m pretty sure I’ll look cool in front of my friends from out of town. In 2015, I will discover the full potential of Toronto.

4. Hike

Nature is a gift we truly need to appreciate. I’ve been on a couple of hikes and each time I can’t help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature. Ravines in the city leave me wanting more from the wild. I want to see what those Planet Earth documentaries are all about and I think hiking in small forests is a good starting point. In 2015, I will take a hike (or more).

5. Express Myself

No Diplo, already tried that and failed. I realized while writing this that the more I put my thoughts on paper — or a virtual document — I come closer to understanding myself. You need to be your own best friend. In 2015, I promise to publish more blog posts and keep my creativity flowing.  

The Playlist That Will Beat You Up.

The most intense workout songs are ones with high beats per minute.

A good workout playlist keeps your cardio on track.

It is springtime, well, at least the calendar says it is. Even though the weather in Southern Ontario is temporarily flip-flopping from day to day, that does not mean outdoor workouts should be affected.

The popular New Years resolution to stay fit may have failed but with the new season sprouts a new opportunity.

Jessica Martinez, a Goodlife Fitness trainer, says apart from January, spring brings in the second wave of new gym memberships.

“People are inspired by the beautiful weather after being kept inside all winter,” says Martinez. “It’s also a wake-up call that reminds people summer and bathing suit weather is near. They want to look good so they exercise to get a body they’re happy with at the beach.”

One of the most successful ways to burn fat and to maintain good health is to conduct regular cardiovascular (cardio) exercises. But just like with homework, cleaning, and all things good for you, exercising may need an extra boost of motivation in the form of music.

Cardio workouts exercise the heart and other muscles of the body. At the beginning of a run or any cardio routine, the body is filled with energy to burn, but near the end it is common to feel tired.

The solution to pushing through until the end of the workout is a great music playlist.

A great cardio workout requires fast paced songs because the body will move according to the beats of the music.

That is where the magic of beats per minute helps. BPM is used by DJs to find out how many beats there are in a minute of a song. This helps them with mixing songs without clashing.

In exercising, songs with high BPM will help maintain fast paced routines, which lead to a good heart workout. 

For the average 20-year-old the targeted heart rate zone is 100-170 BPM. Targeted heart rate depends on the health of the individual so this average is just a guideline and may not be suitable for everyone in his or her early 20s.

To calculate BPM, count the number of beats within 15 seconds of a song then multiply by four to get the count for 60 seconds.

Here are a variety of mathematically perfect cardio songs:

·      Hey Ya – Outkast (132 BPM)

·      Panama – Van Halen (152 BPM)

·      Nice Guys Finish Last – Green Day (187 BPM)

·      C’mon (Catch ‘Em By Surprise) – Tiëst vs. Diplo (136 BPM)

·      The New Workout Plan – Kanye West (118 BPM)

·      Getting’ Over You – David Guetta, Chris Willis, and Fergie (136 BPM)

·      Levels – Avicii (128 BPM)

·      A City in Florida – Deadmau5 (128 BPM)

·      212 – Azealia Banks (126 BPM)

·      Express Yourself – Diplo ft. Nicky Da B (108 BPM)

For faster remixes of multiple songs try any of DJ Bl3nd’s mixes. The young Los Angeles DJ makes music that guarantees sweat to drip off your body, along with any extra clothing.

Finally, for that extra push to finish the last three and a half minutes of a cardio workout, the best-paced song is Sandstorm by Darude (136 BPM). At around 1:26 minutes into the intense beats, the song has an appropriate one minute break down which can be used to catch your breath and prepare yourself for the next minute of intense physical cardio.

Good luck my urbs!

-Ashley

Tips on Handing in That Two-Week Notice.

As a recent two-week-notice-hander-inner, I realized it was more than just a simple task. Here are some Ashley-made tips I think can help you out in this bittersweet time.


1.) Why are you quitting?-- You have to admit jobs are very important in our lives so to leave one will be life changing (degree of significance may vary).


2A.) How long have you been working here?-- The longer the employment, the more deserving of a decent/nice two-weeks notice they deserve. It's like a breakup; it's not you, it's me. 
2B.) Take about 10-20 minutes to write up a professional, page long, leaving letter. 


3.) Do you have a back-up job?-- No matter the case, try to leave on a good note just in case you do want to come back.


4.) Hand in a physical and verbal two-week notice. Your manager will appreciate this. 


5.) See the end of the tunnel?-- GTFO! That's a joke, don't let your work deteriorate as your days are numbered. Start strong and end strong!