Indoor Garden Update | February 2015

Hi everyone! I'm sitting on the couch, sipping on a hot chocolate, and it came to me- I haven't posted a blog post in forever! So that's what I'm doing right now. :)

It's been a while since I've shown you my plants, so that's what I'm going to do today. Also, there were several blog posts that I wanted to put out in January but I didn't get around to doing it- so I'm going to start today with scheduling a few to go up throughout February and maybe even into March ^.^

I'm not making any promises as to when / how often I will be posting- as I don't want to break any promises. But I'm hoping to get back into blogging mode!

First I wanted to show you my Phalaenopsis Orchid. Unfortunately, the blooms fell a couple of weeks ago, but I am super proud of it nevertheless. I've never had an orchid bloom as long as this one (basically 6 months) and the stem is still thick and green! I keep it by bright-ish window and give it water whenever the medium gets dry. Also, when I cut off the spike, I cut it right above the 2nd or 3rd node, and I sprinkled a little bit of cinnamon on it as that's supposed to prevent it from getting infected. 

Next is my Aloe Vera! It's doing absolutely amazing- actually a little too amazing. The "leaves" are getting so long it can barely hold it up! I keep it by a sunny window and water it when the soil gets completely dry. I will do a more "in depth" blog post in a little while so stay tuned for that!

Here's my Chinese Evergreen / Agleonema! I really love this plant and it's incredibly easy to take care of! Also, I put rocks on the top for two reasons. One is to make it look awesome, and two is because it's supposed to hinder fungus gnats from coming and hanging out in the soil. 

Here are my two Zinnia seedlings. Yes I know, I shouldn't have neglected them- but in my defense this was merely an experiment and I didn't expect to have them-long term (because I never has success with seedlings in the past). So I chopped them down really low and if they don't start growing soon I'm going to have to throw them away. 

Here's the "baby" Lucky Bamboo! I'm going to have to add more soil to this- and soon transplant it! It's growing pretty quickly, and also in a really funny shape!

Speaking of "Lucky Bamboo", here is the main / "mother" plant! I am super proud of this plant, it has grown like crazy over the last couple of years. I've had this plant for about six-seven years, and in that time it basically turned into a really healthy, sturdy bush!

Last but definitely not least is my Dracaena! I love this plant, and my mom gave it to me as a birthday present, so it's extra special to me :) It hasn't grown too much, as new leaves grow, the old ones go. It's still doing amazing nevertheless. 

That's all my plants! Hopefully I can get another plant or two in the future- that'd be cool! Also, incase you're wondering why my plants look dry- it's because they are. I'm doing it on purpose in an attempt to get rid of the fungus gnats. I'm keeping the soil dry as much as my plants can tolerate- this way the fungus gnats don't stay. 

Also, I'm going to cover the surface of the soil with gravel if the fungus gnats don't go away. It's supposed to "hinder their arrival". 

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for a lot of exciting posts in the future!

-Isaac

Change || Thursday Thoughts #3

Recently, we got a new piece of furniture for the living room- and it's taken a while to get used to. Granted, change is great- but it does take sometime to get used to (in most cases). Originally I had my plants all in one section; I basically had my own garden- right in my living room. Ever since we got the new furniture piece, that space now no longer exists, and my plants are spread randomly throughout the living room.

What I've noticed about myself is, I love change, as long as it's a relatively small change. For example, I love changing the background of my phone- but changing something like a house, is slightly more drastic.

I think a main reason that I love vacations is because it's a change from my normal way of life- and I like that change.

Overall, I think change is great- as long as the main things are still the same. Change can be an absolutely amazing thing- it's fresh- and it'll most likely motivate you to complete your tasks / whatever else you need to do. Change always makes me feel slightly more productive- which is definitely a 'pro'.


Do you like change? Let me know down below!

-Isaac

My Weekend Night Routine

Hello, 

Today I am going to share with you my weekend night routine. Weekends for me are filled with a lot of family time and relaxation time. On a Friday / Saturday night, right before dinner I take a shower. I like eating dinner so much better in my PJ's! After dinner, I generally come to my room and chill out for about an hour or so- I'll watch my favorite show, watch some youtube videos, or play a game on my phone.

After that, I go into the kitchen and make myself a hot cocoa. This is typically around 9:30-10:00. I absolutely love my weekend hot chocolates! Once I bring my hot cocoa back to my room I usually read  a book. Currently, I'm in the middle of Allegiant by Veronica Roth- and I'm absolutely loving it! Once I finish it I will write a blog post telling you my thoughts about the book.

After reading a couple of chapters, I get under the covers and listen to music for about 15 minutes while scrolling through Instagram and playing some Candy Crush. (I'm up to level 277 if you were wondering). At that point I start to get tired, so I get back on youtube and watch more videos until I fall asleep! 

That was my weekend night routine; It isn't as eventful as a week-day night routine- so I will definitely do that in the future. 

-Isaac

Fears of 2015 || Thursday Thoughts #1

Hi everyone! Today is the first installment of Thursday Thoughts. With it being a week into the New Year, I thought I would write about everything I'm "afraid" of coming in 2015!

GRADUATION// This year, my best friend is graduating from High School. Next year, in 2016, my graduation will follow. I am so nervous about graduating- mostly because I have absolutely no clue as to what I want to be when I grow up. This year, I would like to spend figuring out who I am, and what I want to do with my life. Once I'm marching down those aisles with my cap and gown on
half-way through 2016- I should have at least a clue as to what I want to do with my life!


TECHNOLOGY// Most people typically don't think about this on a day to day basis- but the thought popped into my head. Technology is advancing so fast, it's scary. Who knows what 2020 will look like? What will the iPhone look like? Will people still have "normal" conversations anymore?
A part of me loves technology; but at the same time a part of me hates it.


That's all I can think of off the top of my head! I most probably have more, but that's going to have to wait for a different time.

Maybe I'll continue this series on another Thursday, if I come up with more "fears"!

-Isaac

New Years Resolutions! (2015)

Happy New Year!! Today I wanted to tell you all of my New Years Resolutions, and hopefully I follow through with them. I think if I share my goals on my blog, it will make me more likely to follow through with them.


BLOG//
I really hope that I can keep up with my blogging "schedule" throughout the year. That will consist of a post on almost every Thursday and another 1-2 posts on other days of the week. (To see the full blog post on my new blogging schedule, check out yesterday's post here!)


HEALTH//
Oh you know I have to have some health-related New Years Resolutions!

First, I want to have at least one fruit and one vegetable a day (And that's taking baby steps!) Hopefully within the next few months I will get more used to eating fruit and vegetables and it won't seem like such a chore!

Next, I want to have at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. Ideally, that should not include the two water bottles I drink throughout the day in school. Water is incredibly healthy, and it's time that I start drinking a lot more of it.

Lastly, exercise. I definitely won't push myself to exercise that much, because I'm in school walking around the whole week- so I like to relax on the weekends. However, it would be beneficial if I did some sort of workout at least once a week- just to get my heart pumping and my muscles moving.


LIFESTYLE//
Reading. I would like to read about one book per month. Books are very beneficial, and when it's a good book, there is nothing like drinking a cup of hot cocoa while diving into a story.

Making Decisions. I am so incredibly indecisive it's unbelievable. It's to the point where I can't even decide what topping I want to get on my ice cream, or what candy bar I want to get from the store. I thought it was about time that I start getting used to making decisions, and sticking to them. 

Academic. Maintenance of a good average in school isn't all that difficult for me. It just takes time and effort. So I would like to maintain at least an 80 (B) average in every class. 

Retainers. Ever since I got my braces off, I've been terrible at keeping up with wearing my retainers. I would like to start wearing them at least 3 times a week. 

So those are my New Years Resolutions/goals for 2015! Sometime during February or March I will make an update post talking about how I am keeping up with these goals! Also, this list can keep growing! These are just the things that I can think of off the top of my head. Let me know you're goals for the New Year in the comments below!