Portmanteau of Life

2011… a look back

I usually like to take a look back on the year a lot earlier than this, but I figured that it would still be good to make a list. Without further ado, in 2011…

• I went on a lot of ski trips with friends
• I played golf at a casino and hit balls into the water
• I was brave enough to try the terrain park… and I did a mini box!
• I saw my beautiful nephew get baptized
• I took my first trip to Europe
• I watched Barcelona win the championship
• I stood in front of one of the marvels of the modern world - Sagrada Familia
• I had one of the best meals of my life - Cinc Sentits
• I went on a lovely evening stroll with my boyfriend on La Rambla
• I hobbled back to the hotel with one of my boyfriend’s shoes…with my boyfriend in tow as well!
• I learned about my love for Gaudi
• I fell in love with another city
• I sipped vermouth in a Spanish cafe
• I got my lovely pupster, and I couldn’t imagine life any better!
• I learned how to wake up at 6am to take care of another creature
• I went to Monterey for the first time 
• I waited in line for 6 hours for the final installment of Harry Potter with fell Harry Potter fanatics
• I had a beautiful lunch in Tomales Bay where I grilled and shucked oysters and drank mimosas in the sun
• I got two bags full of Pretzel Crisps for my birthday
• I shot a shotgun for the first time and hit my targets… 16 of them!
• I had a wonderful birthday dinner and celebrated my day with great friends
• I was there for my friends when they got engaged in Napa
• I met a celebrity chef… and got a free morning bun (awesome)
• I celebrated my nephew’s FIRST birthday with him
• I watched one of my college friends get married
• I took my annual trip to Disneyland and had a magical evening with friends
• I carved a Death Star… AND a QR code
• I celebrated my grandfather’s 88th birthday
• I took my mom and brother to Tahoe … my brother’s first trip and my mom’s return trip after 20 years
• I saw my mom sled (priceless)
• I had a blast in Orange County where a holiday party was interrupted by the police…twice. At 8pm.
• I started a new job in the start-up world
• I heard the news about one of my close friends getting married
• I had a lovely reunion with my friends from high school
• I never felt luckier to have such wonderful family and friends in my life!

All in all… I say a well spent 365 days! Bring it on, 2012…

Ruminations of 2012

I really like the new year. It’s a blank slate, a new start. It’s like a new journal that you purchase from the store, fresh with that scent of new paper that is begging to be adorned with pictures and genius.

But like any journal of mine, many times I feel a sense of frustration after a few weeks in. My scribbles suddenly offend me; they mock me and remind me of my struggles and mediocrity. I crave immediately success and greatness, and unfortunately, theses new journals are too quickly tossed aside.

I guess the same could be said of this site. Started off as a blank digital slate, only to be haphazardly updated.

But today, I figured I would give it a shot and bring this back to life. Mostly because one of my other pet projects has suddenly grown weeds and taken over (weeds being the pesky spam comments of link farmers and malicious autobots).

So 2012! A new year! When I think about 2011, it was quite a ride. We added a new furry companion to our little household, I changed careers and embarked on my first foray into start-up life, we traveled to Spain and ended the year with much needed time with family.

Of course, I had to take a look at some of the things I said I would do back in 2011…

- To prioritize my spiritual health, whether through classes or reading in order to find more meaning in my life and how I can give back to my community

- Continue to strive to be a good daughter, sister, cousin, friend and employee - to stop being complacent with just doing things routinely

- Call my mom more regularly

- Proactively take steps to pursue my passions and interests, such as editing my book or taking more design classes

- Actually make a real effort to improve my Chinese, like writing cards and purchasing a textbook (and reading it)

- Write more blog posts regularly

- Learn to budget better

- Take trips…and always be on the lookout for opportunities for new adventures!

Admittedly, I could have done a lot better. But, nevermind…onto the next year! My resolute resolutions for 2012…

• Once again, put my spiritual health as a priority…and finally go to church!
• Stay optimistic. Things get tough, but nothing is forever. Always remember that.
• Count my blessings…because really, there are so many ways that I’m much, MUCH luckier than most and it’s so easy to forget
• Keep an eye out for opportunities all around me.
• Write. Write. Write.
• Exercise and be active!
• Spend more time keeping in touch with family and friends.
• Cook more.
• Spend less.
• Love lots and lots.

Here is to another wonderful year!