Noel Twenty Ten

I don't know why but I felt Christmas was better this year. I didn't get great gifts or something amazing happened; it was just a different feeling this year. A Savior was born many many years ago to save mankind.
I helped organize some sub for santa events to help poor families in the community, that was humbling and made me happy. I also bought my own (my first) christmas tree and decorated it. I love it. I don't want to take it down :-)

I also just realized that this is the last christmas of the first 10 years of the millenium.

It's almost Christmas

I got a real treat this year. I had the opportunity to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert featuring David Archuleta and Michael York. As always, I loved it! and even more, I adored it.

fall colors

I'd say my favorite season of all is Fall. Amazingly this year in Utah, I saw the most amazing fall colors in the last 7 or 8 years. I stole these pictures from my friends Lee and Will on facebook.
the week of halloween, we had snow in Utah
Mt Timpanogos

Some Lake in the Cottonwood area

I too had the opportunities to be in the East Coast this fall. I finally got to see the fall colors people always talk about.

Washington Memorial, DC

Central Park, NYC
Outside the DC Temple
Harvard Square, Boston

My New Life

Last Sunday, Sister Beck came to visit my ward and gave a talk. She spoke on how we should be more grateful and more positive about our life. That's the life we are given and instead of wishing for a different kind of life, we should cherish it and make the best out of it -- live it abundantly.

I have had a rough week. Gratefully, I received a blessing to receive a healing of the sick and comforting. I know that I will be okay no matter what and that trials are there to make us grow and become the person we need to be -- to achieve our potentials and to be more like the Savior. I came across this video on the Mormon Channel. I love hearing Stephanie share her positive attitude and her hope in the Savior despite the challenges she faces.



I love the quote at the end of the story: "Regarding our earthly journey, the Lord has promised, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88). That is an everlasting declaration of God’s love and care for us, including—and perhaps especially—in times of trouble." Jeffrey R. Holland

We are all given a cross to bear and we can absolutely carry it with the Savior. I have learned throughout my trials that life is hard and unfair but so was it to some of the greatest people who ever lived even the Savior of the World. It's my life; I will live it more abundantly.

Gettin' fined ... and scared

The citation from my speeding on the West Coast trip came in the mail last week. It's $219.00!?!
Helloooooo! I don't know but I think it's a little too much.
I am going to contest it at least to lower the fine. Wish me luck!

I have a few reasons why I want to get away with this.
1. This was my first ticket ever
2. I usually don't speed :-) Not 100% true but still I am not like I intend to drive beyound the speed limit whenever I drive. Sometimes, you just want to get to your destination sooner.
3. $219.00 for driving 10 over isn't fair.

Anyway, an incident this past week made me realize something and I actually want to make sure I drive more cautiously from now on or if I was a pedestrian, I will be more vigilant. Driving cars or walking on the street is just fatal. I know a girl who got hit by a car and died. See this link for the story:
http://www.fox13now.com/news/local/kstu-woman-hit-and-killed-on-byu-campus,0,4727081.story?track=rss

How shocking and sad!

West Coast 2010

I have always wanted to do this trip and it finally happened. The trip took 9 days and we drove over 3000 miles. It was a lot of driving but we had enough rest when we stopped.

San Francisco: It was too touristy and I hated the facts that parking cost was outraging, and that everytime we crossed the bay, we had to pay a toll fee. However, it was still fun to watch street performers, and art show, and of course going to the Ghirardelli chocolate store.

41 Pier

The Golden Gate Bridge



The West Coast: This was a beautiful drive except I got my first speeding ticket ever in No. CA. I think it was by Eureka. I totally missed the ocean. These views were awesome.

Somewhere on the West Coast

Point Arena Lighthouse

Oregon: probably my favorite; I loved the trees and the waterfalls in this area.

Nice hikes in this forest.

Multnomah Fall

North of Seattle: This was a pretty place to camp and enjoy the northern sea. It's called Deception Pass. This picture actually portrays what deception means in my head which is different from the English meaning.

Deception Bridge

Seattle: as usual, it was cloudy but no rain. We had fun exploring the Pike Market and staying at hour Renaissance Hotel. We noticed flowers were so cheap and beautiful there. We wish we could have bought some and brought it back to Utah.

a humanitarian

Through my work being involved with youth in the community, I came in contact with Youthlinc. It is a local organization that provides youth opportunity to serve in their local communities and abroad. They send volunteers to the place I work to tutor and mentor refugee students.
Anyway, I was asked by them to be a part of the judging panel for a scholarship they offered to youth called Young Humanitarian Awards. I got to review the applications of 13 finalists and then be on the panel to interview each every candidate. This was a great experience for me! It reminded me of what I really want to do in life. I don't want to make money or help someone else make money. I want to help the community in many ways I can. Also, these candidates inspired me even more. It gave me hope for this world that there are young people who are thriving to make a difference in their world.
Although many of them (only in high school) have done service projects abroad, they said that you don't have to go to Africa or other 3rd world countries to save the world, there are needs right here in your backyard.

End of soccer and summer so far

Spain won the soccer World Cup!!!! I was going towards Germany since the beginning but well ... at least they made it to the semi-final.

Summer has been awesome although it has been so hot especially in my room upstairs. I have a swamp cooler but it's still under repair. Anyway, these pitures will tell how much I have enjoyed it so far.
This week-end I went to my first Demolition Derby in Logan. I conclude Americans are crazy! lol

I did another overnight backpacking trip with some friends in the Logan Canyons. This lake is called White Pine, so pretty! I took this picture from a cave we hiked to when we were there.

Happy 4th of July! After a BBQ at a friend's house, we went to see the Sugarhouse fireworks, the best in town.

I also hiked Bell Canyons with my Ward 2 and half weeks ago. It was a steep hike. A week later, a girl fell off this waterfall and died. Scary hein!

Waka Waka -- This Time for Africa

Guess what part of my excitements this week is? the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa! I served an LDS mission there and I also come from a family and a country who are big fan of soccer. Soccer World Cup brings back a lot of found memories in my family. My parents were some of the first people in my hometown who owned TV in color in the 80's. They would have the whole neighborhood come to our house and watch the World Cup.

And watch this clip from Shakira!

A tribute to my Dad -- 4/3/1951 - 5/21/2010

I got a phone call from my Mom yesterday evening around 9:00 pm. It was to let me know that my Dad had passed away 2 hours earlier.
Death! what is death? Now that I am an adult, it's harder to bear the loss of loved ones. You realize better that that's the end and you won't see them again in this life. I have lost a real relationship with my Dad since my early teen. However, we kept in touch through visits and phone calls. I still remember the early years of my life when my parents were still together. Being the only girl, I was the closest to him and he was always very proud of me. People always say that I look like my Dad and he liked that.
Although my parents' relationship hasn't always been the greatest, my Mom has taught us for many years that our Dad is how we came to be. She would say, "he is how we found the sun". That stayed in me and my brothers. In our heart, he is how we found the sun.
There was a gap of many years in our relationship, but I will always keep the good memories from my childhood. I give him credit for teaching me the importance of hard work since I was little. He taught us to give more than 100% in what we do. I took this with me till this day. This principle has helped me succeed in life and feel good about myself. I was doing yard work yesterday and thought about the many times when I was just a little girl pulling weeds in the yard with my Dad and my brothers.
I am sad that I never got to say good-bye, at least we did spend time together on my visit home in December. I'll miss him tons, but I know we will see each other again.

Zumba -- move fast and have fun!

I know a girl who went on a 2 week special diet and did loose some weight. Then I know another one who is going on another diet to loose some weight. I don't think I can ever go on a diet. I have to eat or I'll die :-) The only motivation I have is to work out. So, these past few weeks I have had the urge to be more active so bad but haven't had or made the chance to. Something always come up -- slept in, had to stay late at work, or it rains etc ... I finally stopped the clock and went to a Zumba class I hear so much from friends these days. My new roommate took me there.

Boy, it was so intense but I loved it. It's a cardiovascular exercise with Latin rythms. You sweat within 2 mintues you start. I decided I am going at least once a week from now on and will add in some pilates and jogging for the rest of the week. Yay, go Zumba! It reminds me of the work out we get from practicing Luau dance back in the day while I was attending BYU.

a home owner

There is a chapter in each story and there a season for everything. I decided I to own a home last year. I started looking in July and finally found the one.

Where is Spring?

The weather in Utah is so random. We have had temperature in the 50's for like 2 weeks and suddenly it starts snowing again. Although I now enjoy winter and what comes with it, I am ready for Spring but something is telling me that it may not be here soon. I want to see blue sky and trees with blossom.
But no matter what the weather is like, 2 special events happen in early Spring. Thus is the General Young Women Conference and General Conference. I look forward to these because I get to interpret and hang out with some friends from home. And most of all, I get to listen to some powerful messages from general authorities from the church.

This picture makes me happy! They started putting these banner up since last year and there is one in Malagasy.

ETERNITY

Over 10 years ago, I remember going to my first Relief Society meeting while I was still investigating the LDS Church and the lesson topic was on "Temple". I recall I asked the teacher if we had a Temple in Madagascar and she said no but the closest to us would be in South Africa.


My older brother was sealed for time and eternity with his family in the Johannesburg Temple this week. This is special to me because my first temple experience took place there too before I went to serve a mission in Durban. What a blessing for my family! When I spoke to him on the phone before they left to South Africa, he said,"we will be a happier family."

negative sixteen!

Thanks to hand warmer because it was 3°F up at Brighton on Monday night. Usually I never feel that cold up there will all my gear on and moving around but this time, I felt it. It was soooo cold! I can't really relate to the temperature in °F so I had to figure out what would that be in °C. It's negative 16°C!
These little hotties (that's what the hand warmer were called) saved my life! They last for 8 hours.

Taste of home!

It's been a month since I got back from my visit home. Here are a few pictures:

Hope for Haiti!

Celebrities are on telethon all around the globe to raise funds for Haiti. I am impressed at the spirit of humanity that I see especially during time of need and disaster like this.
The whole world is calling for help for Haiti. The LDS Church has an amazing humanitarian service that will give 100% of any donation to help Haiti. The First Presidency gave a strong statement in the lds.org newsroom. I like it when they said: “Money is not the only need in Haiti.People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people.”
Click here to donate.

2009 in review ...

I was away for a while and thought my first post for this year would be a review of the happenings in my life last year:

WORK: A+
I found this amazing job towards the beginning of last year. It doesn't pay much but doing it makes me feel like I am making a difference in the world. I have accomplished much for the company and they accepted to sponsor me for a H-1B so that I can stay in the US after my OPT expired in October. Not only that but I also got promoted a month ago and there is little more money in my paycheck every month.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP: A
I just spent 2 weeks on the other side of the world to spend time with my family. It was a blast! The weekly email and phone calls are good for me but being there was exceptional. I missed them and I wish we couldn't be separated again. But well, I chose to live this far away so I have to deal with the consequences. There is this wonderful bounding that I can't quite explain between us. This includes cousins and uncles and extended families. It made me so happy to watch my mom and her siblings take care of my grandma who hardly remembers everyone. She just smiles! It moved my heart to listen to my cousins express their feelings towards their siblings and their other cousins. We all had tears of joy and compassion for one another. It made me so happy to see my older brother teach Seminary to the youth in his area on Saturdays. I loved talking to my mom face to face answering her questions about my personal life. I loved watching my 2 brothers swimming in the ocean together. And most of all, my 3 nieces are the most adorable girls ever.

SPIRITUALITY: B+
I am okay, healthy and sound. I just feel like God has blessed me so much but I haven't really done anything to deserve it. I lack reading my scriptures everyday, praying meaningfully, and going to the Temple regularly. I have joined the Institute choir all year long to reconnect with the spirit more often. I feel that singing praises to my Maker is the easiest way for me to feel closer to Him.

FRIENDS: B
I took a different turn when dealing with friends. While in the past, I used to have one close friend with whom I'd share everything, but that changed. I am not sure if that was good or bad. I just became so careful now choosing my friends. I noticed that my roommates have become my closest one and that is going pretty well.

SOCIAL/RELATIONSHIP: D-
No heart broken or injury :-) just a few dissapointments, it's because I hardly remember how many real dates I have gone to. I have arrived to the point where I don't want to consume myself into this. I lived my life without worrying too much about it. This makes me ask myself if I should try harder (but how? it's the boys ...), what else is there to do. Maybe write in my forehead that I am available to date if it's not so obvious to them.
BTW, I go out in groups, I do fun stuff with friends so I think I am social.

2010 ???? hope this one will be another good one!