Making Wishes for 2014

I'm starting the new year with one of the worst sicknesses of my lifetime. I'm sure life can be a lot worse but I never knew having strep throat can be so painful and cumbersome. Taking antibiotics three times a day leaves me with the worst nausea that reminds me of pregnancy morning sickness and my throat hurts so bad that simple acts like swallowing and eating are painful.

To top it off, my younger daughter is also sick and we are on matching antibiotics. Yay- twinning.

On the bright side, 2014 has already taught me some valuable lessons.

1. Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection; bronchitis is caused by a viral infection.
2. Advil helps with various types of inflammations, including that of the throat.
3. I'm getting old.

Despite the fact that I'm feeling pretty shi**y right now, I'm still glad that I got to host another NYE get-together with my close girlfriends and their families. This may be the last year in this home and I'm thankful I got to make lasting memories with people who make me laugh and hopeful.

We also began a cool New Year's tradition this year- the lighting of the wishing lantern. I was initially concerned about safety but the lanterns proved to be safe in an open outdoor space without too much wind. As expected the kids loved making their New Year's wishes and letting the lanterns float up to the sky. I wish I captured the moment better on my camera, but I was preoccupied with making wishes for my family and breathing in the beauty and excitement of the night.

All in all, this NYE was one of the best I've had since getting married and having kids. I'm already looking forward to celebrating next year's NYE in our new home (praying that everything will work out!).

2013 was a year of hard work with little result, during which I learned the virtue of patience through quiet storm.
I worked hard on several projects only to face a series of disappointments, many of which were beyond my control. I'm still learning and being an adult in its truest sense, learning to smile through the rain and dance through the storm.

Sometimes though, I think I simply didn't work hard enough.

Whatever the case, I'm excited for 2014 and all the changes & challenges it will bring. I must work harder and continue to push forward while remembering to count the numerous blessings that surround me.

My most precious gift from God of course, are my two girls- and here is a picture of them right before releasing their wishing lantern. Elise was a little scared by the fire but Tessa, as always, proved to be a trooper with big dreams.

Live, Laugh, Love

Magic Hour by Sandra Arduini

Today marks day 2 of the Lunar New Year- 2012 The Year of The Black Dragon.  As a person of Korean descent, Lunar new year is more significant than that of the Gregorian calendar and this is a perfect opportunity to make another list of resolutions.  My list will be practical, functional and even if I don't get it right perfectly, I promise to be gentle and kind to myself. It's not about being perfect, it's about making it better one day at a time. Failure isn't falling down, it's staying down after you fall.

1. Be positive and uplifting to myself and others.
2. Remember to be grateful for the little things, even the bad little things.
3. Don't be so serious and rigid all the time, remember to laugh more.
4. Be PRESENT in my daily life, to stay focused in whatever I'm doing at the moment.
5. Read more with the kids and set aside time for reading, learning and exploring.
6. Create more happy memories as family even at home, doing fun activities such as cooking, baking and crafts
7. Take the kids out to the park more. Do more outdoor activities.
8. Stay active and healthy. Continue crossfit at least 3 times a week. 
9. Take time to pause and meditate daily. Use candles.
10. Complete the BCBA coursework. Begin supervision. Enjoy the process, don't stress. 
11. Read as many self-help and spirituality books as possible.
12. Cook more, eat out less. 
13. Stay creative. Blog more. 
14. Use healthy communication methods. 
15. Know anger is a secondary emotion to fear. Anger is not the problem. What I do with it is.
16. Resist the need to control. I can't control anybody but myself. That includes my children.
17. Maintain healthy boundaries. Teach children healthy boundaries.
18. I always have the right to say no. 
19. I always have the right to meet my own needs. Avoid guilt, fear and resentment.
20. Love more. Express love more.