Sandy and My Phoenix ...

When the world is mourning over Sandy the storm that devastated many individuals. I too was hit by a storm. A storm that took over my heart and I felt like I have aged a decade older over night. The other day when I said this to a blogger friend, "Good news is, Sandy is long gone," And her answer was, "Unfortunately sandy is not gone… so many people in hard hit areas are still suffering from her wrath… it is very sad…"

My little phoenix was sick for months. It was all started with little flu that turned into a big storm. One after another and finally like the Sandy that came and gone but left so many debris around. That storm that hit us did come and go but left so much pain behind.

Not only we have to deal with the fact she was sick but all of the logistics from the school. Just like people who was hit was Sandy. NOT only they have to deal  the storm but all of the aftermath. Same here, we have to deal with aftermath of being sick.

As of the storm was NOT big enough, she was infected by yet more viral infections couple more times. Just like those victims of Sandy who have to cope with the rising cost of Gasoline and loss of electricity.

Regardless, whether Sandy or the storm that hit us hard here have long gone or not. All I know is the sun is always there and I can feel its warmth and hopefully it is strong enough to move us forward.

Until next stop,
Journey of Life 

Are You in Complete Charge of Your Life?

Now that you have made a wish or learned a bit the history behind making a wish tradition, why not come back to reality and ask yourself a question, "Are you in complete charge of your life?" And that was the question that Stuart Fish asked, which marked the very topic of BlogFEST of the day -- 

 

Interesting question, in fact very inspiring one! Looking back in my life, I am always in complete charge, be in education, relationship, and my family. However ... recently I have discovered that I have been ignoring certain aspect of my life that I need to take charge, caring for my loved ones. I always do --in my own way. I used to spend tons of time with my kids --always available. Ever since they are more independent, I have filled the blank with more activities --mainly with blogging and works. I believe it was couple months ago, looking at both my own mother and my mother-in-law, I felt that time have gone by so fast and yet I have been keeping them waiting. Waiting for my up-close attention, no matter where they are. I am a personable person, meaning if they are in front of me, I am very close to them. Once they are gone, my feeling starting to have distance --not that I don't care but I just don't have enough cycle of my day to reach out to them. 

All of sudden, I felt like this is the part of my life that I would like to take charge now --wanting to spend more time with them, caring for them before it is too late. I don't want to wake up someday regretting that I haven't paying much attention to both my mom and mother-in-law even they are distance away. As much as I dislike talking on the phone, I am making extra efforts to call --reaching to them and chatting with them. And that somehow have made me completely in charge of my life at this very moment. 

Enough about me, how about you? If you could take charge of one aspect of your life right now, what would it be?

Until next stop,

Journey of Life

First Camping Trip –My Family

This long weekend, we had our first family's camping trip. It has been awhile since we camped. I believe we have gone to camp for about three times or so in the past with our friends. And this time was our first camping trip on our own. As always, I did all of the planning ahead of times, from booking camp ground to finding out what we needed to bring. My hubby was responsible for our menu. Let's see, he bought fish, chickens, filet mignons to a surprise dish–lobsters, my favorite.

It was unfortunate that we arrived so late –9:30 pm. We wanted to leave earlier but my girl didn’t want to ditch her class even though we have suggested otherwise. Leaving at 3:30 pm, as you can imaged sent us directly to the jam packed traffic –taking 2 hours longer than expected. As we arrived, though we were greeted by dark sky, we still managed to find our tent site in one single swoop. Setting up tent was a piece of cake, wow you think. Well, my hubby downloaded the video from youtube and with the guide from the computer, my hubby and my girls setup the tent. I was too busy with unloading stuff and arranging them accordingly.

After all of the setup were completed, the girls and my hubby were busy trying to start the fire, getting ready for our fabulous dinner –fish barbeque and yam… As the night got dimmer and serene, we decided to turn ourselves in. That was our first night at the camp and it was freezing!! So cold that I couldn’t sleep well -- between turning and tossing, I managed to sleep a bit here and there. The worst of all, wanting to visit the restroom in the middle of the night.

The sun was high up by the time we had our brunch –over easy eggs, and ramen were the menu of the day. Then we headed to the beach for fun time. The girls had so much fun pedaling the boat while my hubby was chasing them for photo time. I, on the other hand, had my quiet moment, observing the lake and the people surrounding me.

Before we knew it,  time for dinner had approached –I wondered, if camping is all about preparing for food and surrounding the camp fire :-)  Having said that, at this very camping trip, I have noticed something interesting --how four of us managed to work so well in a team to overcome our challenge in making our first camping trip a lasting and memorable trip. Seeing how the girls and my hubby put their heads together in setting up the tent, starting the camp fire and how we always manage to entertain each other, as if the whole world belongs to us and only us. We are quite content just being together, no matter where we are.

As we gazed at the sky, the surrounding camp sites, the full moon, our captivating, and warm camp fire and when our eyes met, all of the sudden our hearts were filled with the warmness of the camp fire. In that very moment of my life–I am convinced that we are destined to be a family in this lifetime.

Until next stop,

Journey of Life

The most unforgettable gift in my life …

[Disclaimer: Sandra has a blog hop for writers’ workshop that I am participating in (http://www.awriterweavesatale.com/2012/06/29/sandras-writing-workshop-hop-3) and the following is the third fictions that I have ever written so far. If you have missed my very fist one, co-authored with my girl, check that out! http://journeyofmylifendestiny.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-believe-that-if-we-meet-once-we-are.html  

I must say the following is not a fiction at all--in fact this is one of the most unforgettable moments in my life. Now sit back and enjoy!]

He looked very fragile. His eyes drooped heavily and looked like he was in great pain. But still, his smile was very vivid and soothing. He was about fifty one years old, six feet tall, with black hair, brown eyes, a tall nose and his facial was bit pale. He dressed in coffee-colored shirt with black pants.Sitting across from me, beside a dining table was my father.

For whatever reason it may be, it was just the two of us and I liked it that way. He and I, spending a special moment together. As much as I enjoyed that moment, I was lost for words. I wanted to say a lot of things to him or perhaps chat with him like I used to. My mind was struggling to find a topic to discuss or perhaps some comforting words to him, but, again, I was met with dead end.

“Are you ready and packed?” He broke the silence. 

I looked at him intensely and replied, “Yes, father.”

“I want you to know that there is nothing that I can give but an opportunity to study abroad to broaden your knowledge.” He continued with his even voice, but I could tell it was tightly controlled.

Struggling to hold in my tears and I managed, “Yeah …”

“Once you are successful, I want you to take care of your siblings. Is that okay with you?” He was on the roll.

“Um … of course!” Yet again, I coughed up a couple words before finding myself running toward the kitchen. I couldn’t control my rolling tears. They just kept rolling down and they wouldn’t even listen to me. I kept asking them to stop and go way, but still they stuck around like magnets.

After a moment that seemed like an eternity and simply a heartbeat at the same time, I finally walked back to the dining room and sat down—again, across from him. I felt like he was looking right into my heart as he went on talking like no time had lapsed between when our last words were exchanged. 

“Even though, I can’t leave you much wealth in money, knowledge in itself is a wealth. If you study well,  knowledge can help you build on your own wealth. Money would be gone in no time if we are not managing it well, but knowledge that you gain will accompany you and will open up many avenues in your life and perhaps bring you much more rewards other than money.”

I nodded in silence, again struggling to block the gush of water that was about to pour again from my eyes. He seemed not to know that I was struggling inside or perhaps he chose to ignore that and went on, “Once you have the knowledge, you could use it anyway you want. And that would be your foundation to your life that you can build upon. Knowing you, I know that you would be successful someday. I hope, you don’t forget to look back and take your siblings’ hands with you. And pass on this gift that I have given you.”

I nodded again and this time, I let out a bit of my trembling voice, “I would father. I would!”

That was it, the last dine that we shared and one of the most unforgettable moments in my life. I took his advice and absorbed as much knowledge as I could and passed it on. I did! I lent my hands to all of my siblings—younger and older. And like me, they are also doing well. This gift didn’t stop there, I am passing it on to my girls as well.

My father had passed on to another world when he turned fifty two, six months after our last encountered and I was not there to witness it. It had been years since he had disappeared from this world, but somehow he is always there in my heart, and perhaps he is watching me from there. I have treasured the gift that he had given to me. I never stop learning. Everywhere I go, be it my girls’ field trips, be it the vacation visiting museum, archeology sites, I am always there in the front, listening intensely. As one of my co-workers noted, “One of the things that I admire about you is your spirit of learning!” Today, my father’s gift has been  rooted in my family and I know it would be passed on to many more generations. 

I hope you enjoy this little stop looking into one of the most unforgettable moments in my life --the time when I received the most unforgettable gift: knowledge.

Journey of Life

Happy Mother's Day!

The world is celebrating on Sunday. Why? The very day to recognize that a mother has been born. Like Rajneesh once said, “The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new. “

And I like to dedicate this blog to each and every one of that special woman who has become a mother. Today is your day! --And you rock!

Before I ask you to take me on a journey to meet that very special woman in your life, I would like to take your hands with me and meet the most incredible woman in my life. The woman who gives me the best gift ever –life.

My parents

She was eighteen when she married to  the most wonderful man in the world –my father. They live their lives to the fullest where they were blessed with six children –three boys and three girls. She tenderly attended all of her children while assisting her husband in their business. Unfortunately, just like any party that would end, she lost her husband to cancer when she was forty two years old. –What an age to be a window!

Never once crossed her mind to pursue another marriage, instead she had determined to devote the rest of her life and love to each and every one of her children. One by one she sent her children abroad to study and she paid for every single penny hoping her children would start their lives with debt-free. Many years of hardships and countless heartache, yet, she stood tall and still smiling. She admired all of the achievements that her children have accomplished. She has produced two business owners, three engineers and one founder for a startup and currently pursuing an elite MBA from Harvard. 

Smiling and feeling contented with her misty eyes, she murmured to her deceased husband, “Aren’t you proud of me? I have done it! Your (Our) children have grown up beautifully. Not only they have their own lives but also they are very successful. I hope you are feeling as complacent as I am today.” --Isn't she wonderful?

I hope you enjoyed this journey that I am taking you as much you have enjoyed your own journey traveling to meet you own special woman in your life.

--"For the hand that rocks the cradle - Is the hand that rules the world” --  William Ross Wallace quotes.

If you enjoy my blogs, would you come 'Like' me on my FB fan page: https://www.facebook.com/AngelJourneyofLife --Thank you!

Tell me ya ...about that special woman in your life ...

Happy Mother's day!

Journey of Life

Meet our furry animal …

On February 5^th 2007, we went to the airport to greet our little fella. He came in a cage and was shipped from another state. He came from far away to be with us. It all started with a simple promise to Pepper when she was four years old. She told us she wanted a dog and I casually mentioned, "Let’s wait until you are 10 years old." Little did we knew … she came back to claim it and here he was her 10^th year old birthday present all the way from Arizona. That poor fella was crying for nights as probably missing his mommy. I couldn’t imagine parting with my girls at that young age. He was only few months old

Now at the age of five, this guy has his personality. Do you believe that dogs' personalities were defined based on the environment they grew up? Well I do!

Each time when I came home and hugged my girls. He would whimper on the side as he wanted to be hugged as well. He would sit down waiting for his turn to be pet. Isn’t he adorable? if time passed and he didn’t get his turn yet, he would whimper again as of reminding me that he was waiting.

The most funny thing that I noticed about our ‘doogy,’ as the girl may say, is he likes to sit down. I means he would sit on the sofa watching TV with us or he would sit on the bed with the girls. (I mean literally sitting down.) –That was just too funny sight to pass. Perhaps he thinks he is the girls' friend, a little human.

But, among all, that he often cracked people up was his action when we took him to the beach. I believe it was part of the habit he picked up when he was little as the girls would play on the sand. Check this out!

Isn't he amazing? 

Then he would place his chin on the sand and get ready to pose. Oh … I must tell you, he loves posing for pictures. He is so used to us taking pictures of him and he kind of enjoys it. Do you think he knows that he has a cute face? I think he does! Sometimes when we are busy, he would place his chin on our laps until we couldn’t resist but to pet him. Meet our little furry animal who loves playing with stuffed animals as my girls do! –Their personalities have a lot of to do with the family they grow up with.Yes?

Tell me about your furry animal(s) and their cuteness!

If you enjoy my blogs, would you come 'Like' me on my FB fan page: https://www.facebook.com/AngelJourneyofLife --Thank you!

Until next stop,
Journey of Life

What is your brand name?

I recently attended the Women in Technology Forum and hosted a Birds of Feathers session about blogging. We talked about blogging and other passions that we had outside our work and families. It was quite an interesting session, I think. But what I found much more interesting was the talk that I attended by Jo Miller, CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching. Inc. In fact, today I am taking you on a journey to visit the subject of a brand name. --What is your brand name?

When I think of tissues, I think of Kleenex. Even though I may not buy the Kleenex brand, I would call the tissue ‘Kleenex.’ Somehow that brand name has become a noun to me. Even Google has becoming a verb nowadays … Let’s me google it!

How do we want to be known as? A fearless leader? A leader who inspires other leaders? A loving mom? My girl's best friend? --Whatever we choose, we want that brand name to be a positive reflection of us.   

Here is one example of a brand name that may not be so positive. “I am a hard worker.” –Great to know. Since you are one, let me give you some more work to do. You see the point here. Choosing the right brand name could potentially move us to the next level in career. I suggest instead of ‘hard worker,’ perhaps ‘I love challenges.’ –That probably would enable this individual to move up in the ladder to the next rung. Instead of working more, perhaps work on more challenging stuff that can lead to a promotion.

--courtesy of inewsindia.com

I believe a brand name can be applied in either a work-force or a family, or even in our society. Now the challenge is to find our own brand name that fits us charmingly. Afterward, we need to communicate our brand names, even advertise them via whatever means we are choosing.

Having  the right brand name could possibly enable us to be known the way we want to be known. Having  the right brand name could trigger a positive reflection on us and when need be, it can be served as a reminder to what we want to be known as.

As Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, J.D., L.L.M., Senior Vice President & Chief Tax Officer, Wal-Mart once said,

“When I'm in the throes of a difficult decision, I often go back to that (brand) statement, and test my reaction to the situation by the statement.  Does my reaction measure up to who it is that I represent myself to be?

There have been moments in which I was going to pursue a course that was not particularly courageous but was expedient; and I realized that that was not what I stand for. I regrouped and refocused and proceeded in a way that was more courageous.”

I hope you enjoy this journey with me visiting, ‘What is your brand name.’ Tell me, what is your brand name?

Until next stop,
Journey of Life