Reflection and goals kind of day. I like New Years and resolutions. It's a reminder to stop and reflect on the year past, and then to re-sync priorities and goals. Last year, I co-led a Goals Workshop putting the process into clear steps. And last year, I set a goal that required every detail to be just right that I didn't think was possible, but I followed the process and hoped for the best. Today as I look back at the process... it's pretty amazing. My step ladder is filled with lots of contributing little steps...and when I look at all the little steps summed together, it was a LOT.
* Consistent friend accountability
* Greater goal, greater purpose - for the next generation of women
* Networking - Athena, WIT, SWE, reaching out and connecting with former colleagues
* Toastmasters - practice public speaking skills under stress
* LinkedIn activity - motivation, seeking opportunities
* Consistent Technical Studying
* Practice, Practice, and Practice
* Learning new skill - Python
* Interviewing as much as possible
I'm proud of the process - the ups and downs, disappointment, learning, and never stopping. My ideal day meditation from last year is now a reality. And I'm excited to set a path toward new goals! Wishing everyone an early Happy New Years. Set your intentions, set your steps, don't stop.
--> Behind the Scenes : Sakurada 2015 Holiday Card
This year, and future years to come, I want the kids to be an active part of holiday traditions. The kids helped put up and decorate our Charlie Brown tree (while only managing to knock it over twice). They also assisted with putting up a garland of holiday cards strung across our living room window. When it came time for getting our holiday cards done, I also wanted them to have a hand in it. So this year, we went back to the basics.. homemade holiday cards, which also made for great craft time! (Also reason as to why we're late!)
Kids at work.
--> Year in Review : 2015
2015 was another typical busy year (I know.. it's a re-occurring theme every year!), juggling various schools, work, and activities on top of basic responsibilities. It has had its ups and downs, struggles and joys, successes as well as failures, and always, always never enough time.
Kids with their Charlie Brown Xmas tree & presents.
Emilia started kindergarden this year, and she loves it. The social butterfly walks into school and gets greetings from everyone. It's pretty amazing to see her personality shine in an environment that is her own. Liam has had to learn to be in preschool without his older sister. It took a little bit, but now Liam has found a few best buddies to play super heros with. While the kids each have their own lives and school environments, Ryan and I are still learning how to be supportive parents and to be involved in our kids' community - volunteering for school, meeting other parents, etc.
Camp/Climb Trip May,2015
In spite of juggling everyones' schedules, Ryan and I have been able to somewhat maintain regular rock climbing. Though I'm sure it is at a sacrifice of time for possibly something else (friends, family, sleep, food-lunch/dinner times). This year we were able to do a couple of family camping/climbing trips (Priest Draw in Flagstaff,AZ and Kraft Boulders in Red Rocks, Las Vegas) where we spent days climbing and hanging out at the boulders. At times when climbing outdoors just didn't fit either due to weather or timing, we would tour rock climbing gyms, sometimes meeting friends or famous climbers along the way.
Aside from us, there was lots going on with our friends, family, and the world. Lots of heavy stuff to think about and really reflect on life and what we can do in spite of things that seem out of our realm. The Syrian refugee crisis, the terrorist attacks, both my kids had lock down drills at school, military friends that were deployed as we followed in snippets of their experience and their families, grandma passing, and news of reoccurring cancer to Emilia and Liam's cousin Luke (age 15).
Luke, Spencer, Emilia, & Liam, 2012
--> Important Sidenote : A Request
The best present the kids can have is a chance to have a future with their cousin. I don't know who reads this blog (other than grandparents) but by chance we do have friends and family reading, Luke really needs a bone marrow match. Please please consider being a bone marrow donor and help spread the word. The test is easy, simply 4 cotton swabs of the inside of your cheek.
Obviously 2015 had a lot going on around us that really brought us back to evaluating life, values, and our priorities. How do we go about teaching our kids resilience through fear and hardships? Appreciation for the simple basic joys of life, and not to take what they have for granted?
The "Less is More" motto has resonated a lot recently... less stuff, less distractions and more doing. The kids actually are a lot better than adults about that and they teach us a lot. They already have minimal toys and spend most of their time MacGyvering things to fit their imagination. They get excited when they see a puffy funny shaped cloud, or a moving train while we are driving on the road. On our camping trips, we give them a shovel and nature is their sandbox and play yard. So for 2016, the goal is to get the parents inline with the values we stress for the kids. Luckily the rock climbing life style fits in very well with this. =)
Kids, shovels, and the outdoors.
This quote that I came across Facebook one day sums it up, and as 2016 starts up, this is a continued focus.
"Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is a way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself."
-Gregg Braden
Kids painting the inside of a paper bag. (Thanks Carey for the great idea!)
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Maya Angelou
Happy Holidays everyone! And wishing you all many simple, ordinary moments that take your breath away in 2016!
2010 is the year of the Metal Tiger , a strong Chinese zodiac symbol for baby!
"Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs " (excerpted from here)
She's going to be a feisty little one, as evidenced by her current constant moving and kicking in the belly... especially when the acupuncturist and chiropractor are poking her! That's my little girl! =)
It also means I'm going to have to keep a close watch on her. Luckily I'm a Dragon and Ryan's a Dog, so both of us having compatibility with baby should help.
I grew up as an only child, and my parents taught me that in my culture, cousins are just like brothers and sisters, and family always is fa...
About
Ryan and Connie officially began our journey in life together (wedded bliss) on August 1, 2009. This blog chronicles our journey through whatever life throws at us.
On February 27, 2010, we welcomed a new addition to the family: Emilia Ying-Zhi. She tipped the scales at 7 lbs 2 oz, and measured in at 19-3/4".
Liam Noboru joined the family on October 20, 2011. His fighting weight is 7 lbs 4 oz with a length of 19-1/2".
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