Here Comes the Dragon!

So Year 4710 begins today.  The bunny hopped away and the Dragon takes over.  People are excited because the Dragon is the most prestigious sign on the Chinese zodiac, and it's associated with royalty, power and good fortune.  If we could, we all would want to rub some good luck off its skin/scale.  Yes, we can all use extra protection as we start the new year.

A new year always brings excitement and a bit of apprehension.  So easy to look back but so hard to predict ahead.  I only wish for another peaceful year where everyone I know is healthy and safe.  Be happy.  Be content.  Be brave.  Be yourself.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Get Ready for 2012

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS...  Everyone is rushing to get things done in the next 3 remaining days of 2011.  It's like packing up, clearing out, cleaning up, getting rid of the old and making room for the new.

Year 2011 has been good to me.  No, I didn't win the lotto and nothing spectacular happened to me (still hoping though).  But, I have all the simple pleasures in life: my family and friends, happiness, health, the freedom to do whatever for myself, and the satisfaction of accomplishing things that I set out for myself in the beginning of each year.

WHAT HAVE I DONE??

2009: TO GIVE MORE
2010: TO DO MORE
2011: TO SHARE MORE

I don't think I'm perfect but I think I have stayed true to my mission.  I don't now if I have made any difference in any one's life, but I am a happier person because I did what I said I was going to do.

ONWARD TO 2012.  I'm thinking of starting a Project 365 and I would like to focus on my ability to express emotions and feelings through my photos.  My photos may not be too shabby to look at but they don't tell a story.  Why?  What am I missing?  That's what I'll be challenging myself to find out in 2012.

TO FEEL MORE.  Yes, that's what I would like me to do in 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Merry Christmas!

Robert and I will host the this year's Christmas Eve dinner at his house.  His family, mine and our dogs will all be together as one big family.

I asked everyone to wear something RED for dinner.  Let's get some color in our pictures, I said. And, I was peppered with questions:

"Can I wear a red bow?"
"Does a red scarf count?"
"How about red underwear?"

I just have to chuckle.  My family. Gotta love them.

Merry Christmas everyone.  The best gift in the world is to share a joyous night with your family.  I count my blessings.

I'm Very Thankful

THANKSGIVING 2011.  Jennifer claims Thanksgiving as her holiday and every year she goes all out in making the turkey and making this day very special for the Wu family.

Another great family holiday came and gone.  Can't believe that it was already a week ago when we gathered at Jason and Jennifer's place for the holiday meal.  It took Jennifer a month to plan and two weeks to put things together, and couple of days to get ready.  And just like that, it was here and gone.

As always, the family started with a toast and a round of Thank You to each one of us.  Yes, we are thankful that the family is always there for one and other providing unconditional love and support.  Yes, we are thankful that in this difficult time, we still have jobs and we still get to splurge a little bit.  Nothing fancy, nothing big but we were able to enjoy things within our means.  And yes, we are thankful that we are all able to celebrate Thanksgiving together.  Nothing is more important than that.  Unfortunately, for some families, that was just not possible due to unpredictable circumstances.

Personally, I'm thankful that life is very good to me.  Things can always be better, but I am thankful for what I have today.  I'm also thankful that I have the ability to do better tomorrow.

Thank you, Jennifer, for making this beautiful 20-pound turkey.  It was yum!

Double Dane for Keng

VICTOR IS OFFICIALLY A KENG!  After staying as a guest for the past two and a half months, he will now call Club JoLin his permanent home.

Victor's mom decided to give Victor up even though she has found a pet-friendly place.  Reason is that it's a condo with no outdoor space and Victor will most likely be crated and stay alone for most of the day during weekdays.  She just couldn't do that to this little happy rumbustious pup especially now he had two months of open space and companion.

So Alica asked if we would like to keep Victor for good.  Robert was, of course, more than willing.  YES-YES-YES!!!  I'll take him!

Dexter and Victor are great buds.  They are like two peas in a pod.  Dexter has grown into the big brother role.  He takes care of Victor and actually tells him what to do.  Victor is like, whatever you say, big bro.  Their canine communication is awesome.  It's just like human's.

We are thrilled to have Victor.  What a wonderful addition to the family!  The only thing is Robert will have to get used to picking up a 50-pound bag of dog food every two weeks.  It's back to double everything (like when we had Max and Dudu).