Happy birthday, Kiet!

As this has already been an extremely long week, I will make this a quick post.

(photo taken by Alan Ma)

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY, GUPPY!

2012 already?!

photo via el em bee

Hello to a new year!! 2011 has come and gone, and I feel as though the older I become, the faster time tends to fly. Luckily, I have the best people in my life to keep me grounded. Otherwise, I'm sure I'd float away to La La Land. 2011 was full of unforgettable moments, and I am so grateful and fortunate to and for all my loved ones- especially my Hubs! Favorite part about 2011? Well, that's obvious, isn't it?

PETE AND I GOT MARRIED!

I've been terrible about keep up with posting on our blog, but I've made a new year's resolution to post at least once a week from now on. I had a few pressing topics I wanted to bring up, but with my schedule, I wasn't able to make time to just sit and write. Aside from writing more, I have a few other resolutions I'd like to share:

- I know it's cliche to have a weight loss resolution, but I want to make it so that in addition to doing cardio 3 times a week, I want to take at least one class a week at the gym. I only pay $20 a year for my membership, and I sometimes use that as an excuse to not feel guilty for not going as often as I would if I paid $20 a month, but this needs to change- pronto! You guys can hold me accountable to this!!

- What a nice segue to my next resolution: I need to stop making excuses. There are so many things I want to do more of, but because of how crazy and hectic my schedule can get, I always find a reason to avoid doing them. That being said, I want to take the camera out at least once a month to just simply take pictures. You're probably thinking, "Once a month? That's not often at all and it shouldn't be that hard!" Well, between schoolwork, house hunting, family time, and husband time, I hardly have time to read let alone go for a leisure stroll with the camera. Besides, these are my resolutions, and I'm just being real.

- I'd like to keep in better touch with my friends. After college, my friends and I kind of went our separate ways. The three musketeers have even managed to be in three separate states! Phone calls, snail mail, texts, emails, skype dates, etc- whatever it takes. I need to keep in better touch.

- Random resolution, but I'd like to discover one new thing about Portland each month. Perhaps a blog post topic each month?

and finally...

- Laugh more. Learn more. Live more. Love more. One of my uncles likes to tease me about laughing too much, and it always makes me laugh even more. I love to laugh. I love to learn. I love to live. And I love to love. Why not do more of what you love?

To conclude my very first post of 2012, I'd like to showcase my favorite photo from Christmas of 2011:

This photo is of my 8-year-old brother, Khuyen, and was taken by our dear friend, Alan Ma. Khuyen was opening a gift (which I chose, by the way) from our parents, and his reaction just warms my heart. I know Christmas isn't about gifts, but if you just saw this picture without knowing anything about it, you'd assume Khuyen had just received a Nintendo 3DS or something. Well, he did receive a 3DS from our parents, but in this photo, what he got so excited about was the newest book to his favorite series, How to Train a Dragon. A book!! I don't know a ton of 8-year-olds, but I doubt you'd get this kind of reaction from just any kid. Alas, my baby brother is a true nerd. So stinkin' sweet.

Anyhow, Pete and I wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas as well as a truly happy new year. Tomorrow, I'll post a slideshow up of our Christmases in San Diego as well as in Portland.

All our love,

p.s. :):)