Introducing Snohfit

Hey Everyone! It has been 2 years since I last posted a blog – and for that I apologize.

However, I am excited to say that I have recently started a new blog called Snohfit

(www.snohfit.com)

Here, I blog about my fitness journey including experiencing every sport (including Extreme sports), have Athlete Spotlights (interviews and workout sessions with athletes), my workouts, what I eat, recipes, fitness fashion, and more! (all fitness & health related).

To learn how to make that Pesto Chicken pictured above, just click on the image for the Recipe

I also will post polls either there or on my Twitter asking what types of fitness challenges or other things that I should take on.

#NoChallengeforSnoh

Please join my journey there as I work hard to produce engaging content~

Thanks for Reading!

Stay So Fit Snohfit!

@snohfit

Seriously though…make that Pesto Chicken – it is so easy & delicious~

New Fitness Instagram Account! @snohfit

I made a new fitness instagram account to keep me on track and also to be surrounded by people who are just as passionate, if not more, about fitness as I am. Follow me if you would like to be updated with my fitness journey/progress – what I eat – some exercises – random gym humor memes -and more 🙂

It’s @snohfit

The Innocents Abroad

“What is it that confers the noblest delight? What is that which swells a man’s breast with pride above that which any other experience can bring to him?
Discovery!
To know that you are walking where none others have walked;
that you are beholding what human eye has not seen before;
that you are breathing a virgin atmosphere.
To give birth to an idea–to discover a great thought — an intellectual nugget, right under the dust of a field that many a brain–plow had gone over before.
To find a new planet, to invent a new hinge, to find the way to make the lightnings carry your messages.
To be the first–that is the idea.
To do something, say something, see something, before any body else–these are the things that confer a pleasure compared with which other pleasures are tame and commonplace, other ecstasies cheap and trivial.
…
What is there in Rome for me to see that others have not seen before me?
What is there for me to touch that others have not touched?
What is there for me to feel, to learn, to hear, to know, that shall thrill me before it pass to others?
What can I discover?
–Nothing.
Nothing whatsoever.
One charm of travel dies here.
But if I were only a Roman!
–If, added to my own I could be gifted with modern Roman sloth, modern Roman superstition, and modern Romanboundlessness of ignorance, what bewildering worlds of unsuspected wonders I would discover!
Ah, if I were only a habitant of the Campagna five and twenty miles from Rome!
Then I would travel.”

An excerpt from The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
Formatted by Sarah Noh

Rome causes you to dig.
Something about it where there are layers and layers of history.
Where the architecture, the visuals, the air all exist horizontally and vertically.
This does not exist in many cities.
You get to discover so many different things.
You get random flashbacks to the past as you see pieces of history.
Buildings that have not been refurbished or mowed over.
Representations and reminders of what life was like and how things should not be taken for granted.

…

–Snoh

Due Baci

Place: Desk in my Apartment 
Time: 5:00 PM
Mood: Happy, comfortable Action: Chewing gum (random I know)

I am sure that it has been noticed before already:
where two Europeans or Latinos greet each other with a kiss/peck on each cheek.
…
I remember thinking that I could not do that and would feel super shy about it,
but I have adapted to it already and learned something interesting about it.
…
If you do not know of it, basically “Due Baci” (Dos besos) is a form of greeting that is common.
Rather than shaking hands, waving, or just simply saying “Hello”,
Italians (Europeans) say Ciao! (or any other form of Hello) and then proceed to kind of do this like
hug thing while kissing (with their cheeks mainly, not lips on the cheek) each cheek while making that kissing sound.
…
There is a slight difference in Italy compared to the rest of Europe concerning this
“2 Kiss” or Due Baci.
…
In Italy, you start with a kiss on the Right and then the Left.
On the otherhand, in the rest of Europe (mostly), you start with the Left and the Right.
So it could probably get awkward and confusing if this is not known of beforehand.
…
This seems to contribute to how Europeans are so open, touchy, and comfortable with each other,
even strangers, while in America and especially Asia, there is this like “comfort zone bubble of do not enter” around us.

–Snoh

Living (in an Apartment) in a Foreign Country

Place: Desk at my apartment in Rome, Italy Time: 14:22 PM ( 2:22 PM) Mood: Homesick, regretful, sad…

Note: It seems that the only locals that truly welcome a foreigner are the mosquitos. They truly love my blood…

A week has passed in Rome.
Feels like it has been so much longer than that.

As I turned on the boiler/heater before taking my shower (you have to heat up the water and wait quite a while), I began to just think about back home.
I had been avoiding thinking about home, family – and I had been trying to have minimal contact with family in order to prevent my homesickness. I did not want to hold back my family nor have them worry about me.
…
I did not want to cry…
…..
The water was still cold even after 15 minutes
…
Eff it, I will just take the shower. 
It will be healthy for me anyways and perhaps numb some of the pain.
…
People seem to always want to get out of their parents’ home and live on their own and yes that is fine; however, I do not think that they really realize how precious their time is being a dependent.
I have not had such an urge since I like living with my family and already felt like I have the home to myself as I am usually home alone when I am there.

Then there are those that cannot stand their dorm rooms because of this and that and that is fine and all, but once again they do not realize how easy they have it
(and this time I include myself in that crowd).

Almost all of the living necessities are provided.
You do not have to worry about setting up and paying the bills,
buying groceries, appliances, and kitchenware,
buying toilet paper, trash bags, detergent (well dorms yes, but hear me out),
cleaning the windows, walls, trashcans,
and so much more.
…Wanting to become independent is definitely a good thing and part of growing up and I am all up for it which is why I came abroad.

However, I definitely did not expect this feeling of being thrown somewhere.
I thought that living in an apartment rather than a dorm room or homestay would be awesome since I would have my own kitchen and the freedom to do what I want.
But then there are the cons and there is that one fact.
…
I am in a foreign country where I do not speak the language and where the currency is different.

Everything is more expensive here.
I have to buy my own toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, etc.
I have to figure out what some foods are here and how to even purchase them.
The way groceries are bought is different here.

I cannot be too loud during a certain time period.
I cannot have guests over for too long.
All because the rules are different here.
You also do not know when your next food or drink will come at times.
Not everything can be found in one place like Target, Costco, or Walmart.
You do not know what some stores are or where to get things.
…
One thing that I had decided was that I was not going to be like some of the others here:
complaining to my family and demanding care packages.
I am not going to expect any or request for any because I know how expensive it is.
I will find what I need and will get them myself.
It is not because I am stubborn or just want to rely on my self.
I just do not want to worry my family or have them concern over me.
I came here to become more independent after all.
And I know where this money came from.
I will spend it well, not recklessly.
…
I realized that Americans are so spoiled in everyday life.
We really are.
…
I could see vividly the image of my mother coming home lugging bags and bags of food and mainly fruit because she knows how much I love fruit. And I would complain that she bought too much once again when she only wanted to satisfy me especially before I left.

Aw crap I am tearing up. STOP IT SARAH STAY STRONG.
You do not want your flat mates to see…oh crap there goes one tear.

But now it is like, damn, why did I complain?
It was such a privilege and she did it all out of love.
She does everything out of love.
And I learned all that and knew and know that even during my stay in the dorm room.
But now that everything is becoming even more like the “real”, independent life
…
Aw frickin A, I cannot stop crying…crap.
…
I am noticing even more the little details that I should be thankful for.
I never thought that I am a super spoiled child although I know that I am in comparison to those who are starving. But I seriously am so blessed.
I really did take things for granted that I thought I did not.
I am just like everyone else that I did not want to become like.
I am a hypocrite.
…
I am spoiled.
…
complaing, being dissatisfied, getting angry at my mother when she does so much for me.
She always says that I will only know when I grow older, only know when it is too late, when she is gone from this earth
…
I guess I am glad that I know now before she passes. which I def do not want to think about.
She is turing 60 soon…
I always see her as this energetic, bubbly, young woman
…
I always see her as my friend.
But I really do need to realize that she is right.
I need to treat her better because I do have goals for my family that I wish to achieve.
I should have cooked for her, like legit.
I should not have focused so much on “being healthy”, losing weight, being in my own depressed world, watching korean variety shows.
When she actually wanted to go out for a walk, I should have.

I can not stop sobbing now, but I need to write this all out.

I know that it will get better.
I just hope that I will not take her for granted again.
I told myself I would not after realizing crap during freshman year of college…
I failed.

Being in a foreign country is hard.
Not knowing anybody in that country is hard.
Living alone is hard.
Being in a foreign country while living alone and knowing few people is
…
Well…fill in the blank.
……..
Although as of now, it seems that the only solution once again is to just keep me constantly busy so that I am too exhausted to even think about family.
But that will wear and tear down my body and mind all over again…
But I know it will get better.
***
Love you mom…

Question: So, can anybody relate? any advice?

–Snoh
Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
Snohwhite Study Abroad Blog
Minji Noh’s Music
Shields of Strength

Currently on Leave

So I am currently studying abroad in Rome, Italy. Obviously there to learn some recipes and such for this website 😉 But actually, I am. So I will not be posting on here most likely for a few months, but there are plenty of food pics and things about Rome (plus basically my honest thoughts which I guess I do not care who reads or hears or judges since I am just laying myself out here on the open internet) in my study abroad website:

My study abroad Blog

Alrighty then, A Dopo-

–Snoh

 

Recipe: Healthy Flour-Free Lactation Cookies

Don’t be confused by the title/name of the cookie. It is still delicious and basically tastes like a chewy, chocolate chip, oatmeal cookie. It is so delicious! Click to try out this healthy flour-free lactation cookies recipe!

What Lactation means is that this cookie helps mothers produce milk when they are breastfeeding. Honestly, I’m not breast feeding, but I ate a few myself because they are so delicious and trust me, it’s not some cookie that is forbidden to males or something.

More information on the page!

My sister asked me to make her some and I decided that I would make a healthier version because just because it’s good for you, doesn’t mean that there aren’t recipes out there that utilize butter, sugar, flour, etc.

This recipe is free of: Flour, eggs, butter, and refined sugar. It is gluten free as well.

If you want to know more about each of them and their health benefits and such, feel free to leave a comment!

Click for the recipe!

 

The Power of 정

Place: Dining table                      Place of blog: My sister’s home, J.Zhou Oriental Cuisine, DooRe and my home

Time: 12:26 PM

Mood/Action: Nostalgic/eating a sweet potato

I’m going to miss him.

It’s one of those things – those moments where you just feel a sudden connection/attachment to someone. I guess it’s also since we both have a lot of 정 (which is like feeling/emotion/love/affection/compassion/sentiment/passion/sympathy/heart …yes I took that from the dictionary.)

His dad and my dad have been friends to the point of calling each other “brother” for about 10 years and counting. I remember meeting my dad’s friend years ago and this time him and his family came to America to visit because his first son was going to attend the rest of his high school years in America.

When we first all met at my sister’s home, it was a bit awkward. Him and his younger brother could speak fairly good English while the parents could not. I could tell that they found Alexis adorable because she was so excited. And you can definitely tell who are good people because it’s not to everyone that she is that friendly or gets that happy and excited, bouncing up and down. (especially since she’s usually only sort of open to Koreans, but these people are not Korean.)

We all decided to meet for dinner that day (excluding my sis and Mike due to schedule conflict). We all ate in J.Zhou Oriental Cuisine in a private room where each dish was presented and then served to us. The food was all excellent including: Abalone, King Crab, some sort of bone marrow looking thing that was delish, and so many more dishes that I do not know the names of. I sat next to the younger brother and we chatted a bit and stuff.

He’s so adorable! The way he was calling me jiejie and serving me some food and tea. So much energy!

I asked them what their dreams are and they told me.

It’s amazing how he has his dream and is striving toward it already…

And he really is because we met about a week later (yesterday) and talked again. So he was homesick and wanted to meet my dad, his “American dad” (how cute) and they spent the day together. After church, I went with my mother to have dinner with him and my dad. We ate at DooRe Restaurant (Korean food) and it was really good as well.

What an amazing appetite he has. How is he still so skinny/fit? Glad that he’s enjoying the food so well though.

We relayed questions and answers off of each other and it was just really nice. It really felt like he is my brother.

There’s some unspoken as well as spoken thing that those two boys are my younger brothers. His family and my family both say it.

My daddy and didi walking together all chummy. Had to catch a pic of them~ so candid

After dinner, he came back to our place to have some fruit and I excitedly showed him my yearbook elementary pictures. I don’t know why I was so excited, but somehow I just wanted to show him, my brother. Then, my mom excitedly showed him videos on YouTube of me singing the national anthem and performing in Zipper Hall. He was surprised and said that I must have been the “Ace” of my high school and even now at college. (because he also knows my SAT score and stuff…) I just laughed and said that that isn’t true. There aren’t those kind of titles here in America unlike Korea or China.

Not gonna lie, that made me happy that he thinks that because he kept saying it, saying that I was being too modest.

Dad wanted to take a pic of us looking at the yearbooks. Look at us all shy like haha

Me showing him my elementary yearbook photos

When it was time to go drop him back at his home-stay place, I tagged along and we all chatted again and stuff. Then, we happened to see the crowd-filled Angel Stadium and it was quite the sight to see!

When we were saying goodbye once we got to his home, it was a bit sad. In the car he kept asking questions about whether I was coming back to California after Italy or if I would be going straight to Boston. He was happy to find out that I’d be here for Christmas and I was actually very happy too. I still am excited to think that he will be spending Christmas with us.

Just like family, the way it should be.

The three of us (yes my dad was still there too) hugged multiple times after he showed me his room and said goodbye. And it was just a bit sad, but it really isn’t goodbye. (as cliche as this sounds). It’s until next time. It’s just 4 months after all (as he told me). So until then, can’t wait to see how he grows in America and how I grow as well in Italy~

Alla Prossima~ Ci sentiamo e mi ha fatto piacere vederti.

Seeing the Angel Stadium filled on our way to dropping him off.

–Snoh

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Study Abroad Blog
Minji Noh’s Music
Shields of Strength

Forgetful and Busy, but I Care… (Social Cleanse?)

It’s just great to keep in touch with people that you care about. Obviously, even if there are others that you care about, sometimes it’s hard if it’s always you that’s hitting them up. So sometimes you just sort of stop that life of always being the one that initiates and wait to see who comes to you first. That’s how you know then..because they can either

1. sense that something’s wrong

2. miss you (me)

It’s got to be effort on both parts after all. And like they say, sometimes it’s not worth keeping/holding those that don’t put in at least some effort to stay in touch with you as well.

I went through a “social cleanse” around 2 months ago where I just deactivated Facebook and just kind of shut out from being the one always initiating to see who really cared after all, because just like everybody else out there, I was feeling and thinking “Am I the only one that cares?”

But then again, there are always also those friendships where you don’t even have to think those thoughts, because no matter how long it has been, once you hang out – it’s just epic.

I know in my heart who are important to me and it’s not a small list obviously. I just hope that they also realize that they are all equally important to me as well and that I love them all whether or not I see them a lot, talk to them a lot, take pictures together, or give gifts, etc. Because I will randomly do acts of kindness just when I feel like it. I will forget some facts about people because

1. I’m forgetful

2. I’m scatter brained

3. It’s hard to remember everything about everyone…

But I try. And I really do love them all, so I hope that it’s not misunderstood whether or not I like one above the other or what not.

See this is how scattered I am. I don’t even know why I started talking about that or how it even came up. But anyways…Time to go to the gym.

A dopo~ Arrivederci! Here are some pics that I have yet to upload. Obviously, there are a lot others with other friends and pics that I haven’t taken even while hanging out, but I hope to post some so that I remember these moments.

Boiling crab with these squeezes that are like sisters to me.

Met up with these two lovelies after about a year!

Just doing a “funny” face

Eyyy Connie

Eyyy Tammyy

Hung out with Anh today as well and will be hitting up Christie, Caitlin, Sarah Stewart, and Patricia~

 

Weilà Raga!

Place: Dining Room Table

Time: 12:32 PM

Mood: Happy.

I have been updating my Study abroad blog as I prepare for my departure. Today is D-16!!

I’ve been teaching myself Italian have started to post some dialogues that I have typed up as practice from my own knowledge onto the site. Hopefully, by doing this, I will improve in my Italian as well as the chatting that I have been doing with native speakers who live in Italy.

I really should post onto here some of my other adventures that I have been doing here as well…but I’m so caught up in the Italian language, culture, and people!

I’m starting to get excited as the reality is starting to hit me!

Well…time to head out~

My study abroad blog that I share with two other friends~: Click

Some posts will look something like this:

Posto/Luogo: La mia casa Tempo: 11:52 AM Umore: Felice

Disclaimer: Don’t guarantee all of the grammar is correct.

Signore: Salve e Buongiorno!
Io: Salve! Piacere d’incontrarti.
Signore: Come ti chiami?
Io: Mi chiamo Sarah Noh.  E tu??
Giorgio: Mi chiamo Giorgio. Come stai e da dove viene?
Io: Io sto bene. E tu? Tutto a posto?
Giorgio: Sì, tutto bene! Da dove viene? Parla italiano? Parlami di te.
Io: Sono statunitense. Parlo inglese e parlo poco italiano. Vorrei capire italiano perche vado a roma in settembre a dicembre. Io ho 20 anni. Mi piace cucinere e mangiare. E tu?
Giorgio: Sono italiano. Non parlo inglese, mi dispiace, ma parlo italiano. In italy, non è necessario parlere inglese perche vorrei imparare. Mi piace leggere e scrivere. Mi capisci?
Io: Sì, ti capisco. Perche più lentamente, per favore. Che fai oggi?
Giorgio: Io mangerò in quello ristorante. Vuoi venire?
Io: Sì, Sì. Andiamo.

–Snoh
Psalms 104: 1-4 – “Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.”
Minji Noh’s Music
Shields of Strength