Woke up, and drove to the park thinking I can probably squeeze in a last run for the year.

Driving towards the park, I noticed a few really dedicated runners all geared up and already running.




 

I just love winter wonderland! I’m not so sure about shoveling all that four feet of snow from this week's snow storm, but I still think snow is beautiful!
When I’m on top of a mountain at Smuggler’s Notch, Vermon skiing there’s this feeling I just can’t explain. No one adjective to describe it. And for me, it keeps me in check about my faith, my purpose in life.







There’s this hole in my heart that remains unfilled, because my family is not complete.

But I know that there’s a season and a time for every reason.

As I was reading today’s Daily Hope reading, it reminded me of what my parents have always taught me and my brothers:

“Serve others in love without distractions, being all there, focused on them.
  Sometimes we serve others simply through our presence.”


As we say good-bye to 20Ten, may 20Eleven bring much love, peace, faith and hope.

When the kids were little, every New Year’s Eve, I used to ask them to write what they’ve done the past year and what they look forward to accomplishing in the coming year.


I’m sure now that they’re all grown-up and celebrating the New Year’s away from home, they still somewhat reflect on what the past had been and what the present-and future can bring!

This year, I have one big New Year’s resolution and I have 12 monthly goals for the year.

( I think breaking up the goals into 12 attainable ones, will make it easier for me to work my way into completing that one big goal for 20Eleven!)


Happy New Year, everyone!
Keep smiling :)

PS: Do you want to stay fit and help the American Red Cross at the same time? If so, please join me to help fund-raise in the Treadmill 10K . Click HERE for details. (The RedCross Treadmill icon is on the right hand corner, too)

It’s 11 o’clock the day after Christmas, I have a kitchen full of dishes, boxes and mess. I wish I can just twitch my nose and make everything clean, put away and organized.

But in the real world….no such thing, ha!

But it's okay...in due time, everything will be in place...


 




 


One lesson learned,

“Life is not about how you weather the storm, but it’s how you have fun dancing in the rain!”


So keep smiling. It's really not that bad.





Have a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone!

As I was taking a run,

I noticed that all of the leaves on the trees I passed had started to wither and fall.
I assumed this to be the natural order of things:
the leaves grow;
they flourish;
and nature takes its toll until the leaves die, the branches fall, and the tree is barren.



However,
when I came across several evergreen trees, its stability and consistency reminded me that some are not subject to the weathering forces around them.
This truth reminded me of our family.

Despite nature’s toll, we always manage to survive and find happiness.
That made me think, “Why is our family like an evergreen and not like the other faltering trees?” I realized that the reason why our leaves don’t fall is because of you.
No matter what, whether you are sad, tired or sick,
you are always willing to be there and encourage the family.

I guess it is ironic that on your birthday you are the one giving us the gift, and that gift is you.
I hope that this thank you reminds you how important you are to the family
and how much we love you.

(This letter was written by my 15yo as a birthday greeting for mom)





This Christmas, just remember what the real meaning of Christmas is.
It’s all about love…love…and love…



Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
Be nice when you're out shopping...

So when he sang “Let Go Crazy” …just the opening lines,


     “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called LIFE.”


 

















After a few minutes break while people are screaming his name and asking for more, Prince came out all decked in fitted red pants and shirt – and rocked the house again with songs like “Little Red Corvette” and “Kiss”, (my daughter’s favorite).






For the last song, the Purple One was joined on stage by celebrities like Jamie Fox, Shari Shephard, John Leguizamo, Alicia Keys, Whoopi Goldberg, Spike Lee, Naomi Campbell, and Sinbad. (I thought I noticed Don King, too.)





I just love music and I think that’s what keeps me young, that’s what helps me keep the “Peter Pan” in me. (I spontaneously dance around the house, for no reason at all! Wait, I think that's why it's called spontaneous, hehe!)

Once in a while, I lose that child in me, but luckily I have a few “tinker bell” friends that are willing to sprinkle golden dusts over me to give me some happy thoughts! – and in this case, an enormous treasure of happy thoughts!

Merry Christmas everyone. Always keep that kid in you. It’s what makes you happy!

"You complete me …
I love him! I love him for the man he wants to be. And I love him for the man he ...is."

Have you seen the Tom Cruise’s “Jerry MaGuire” movie? It’s probably one of the few Tom Cruise movie that I love to watch.

For years now, my older friend has been telling me that once I am nearing “menopause”, I will be putting MEN ON PAUSE. She said that once my hormones go awry, I will be looking at my husband in a different view – and she said, "It’s not that Twilight Edward-Bella kind of moment either!"


So far…I can say that I stare at my husband with the same love as I did before. (Sounds corny, but it's true)

In fact, the other day, while he was driving and I was seated at the passenger seat, I took a glimpse of his profile – and it reminded me of how I fell in love.

I’m a busy mom who enjoys seeing her kids happy;
I’m a sister, who misses spending time with her five brothers dearly;
I’m a daughter, who longs to be with his parents – especially these holiday season;
And yes, my husband does complete me!

I don’t know if there is such a thing as a perfect person, but my husband and I are perfect for each other.
We compromise.
We learn from one another.
We pick our battles.


Over two decades of being a mom,
I’ve messed-up quite a few,
I’ve learned a lot more,
And I’ve managed to live through -
hormones, tears and joy!

The little cuties love to say, “Yes, but…”
The pre-tweens start conversing like aliens;
The late teens will drive you insane;
The college kids will push their independence.

When things don’t seem in order,
Your initial reaction is to rattle their senses;
To say don’ts here and there;
To question the why’s and how come;


My husband, my partner, their father, my support –
He keeps me in check and taught me a lot;
“Pick your battle” – he always says;
It took a while, but it does make sense.


Not every single chore’s a fight;
Not every little chaos is an X-mark;
Not every request is a negotiation;
Not every discussion is a debate;
"Pick your battle", does make sense.

Compromise, analyze,
Guide and understand.
Reason, take a stand,
Discipline and Encourage.

Raising children is a job;
It is easier with honey around.
I can be the “good” one;
And sometimes be the “un-bending” one.
But either way, it’s all love - a mother’s love.

So learn how “how to pick your battle”
A lesson well-earned;
Smiles, peaceful disagreements;
Hugs and kisses – hand and hand.

Trixie, you are our angel!



When a child says goodbye and never comes back, a big hole remains in your heart. But then you know that it’s not really good-bye…it’s just “later alligator” or until we meet again. 

Should it make us cry knowing that she's not physically here with us?

Or should her memories make us smile because we were blessed enough to have been part of her life?

Trixie is with us. I see her when I look at my children, nieces and nephews.
I feel her presence when I hear the kids’ voices and music...
The little corners of my house, the height markers on the door frame and her little acoustic drums are just little reminders of her personality.

I don’t intend for us to cry today because we feel bad that we miss her.
I just want every one to know that she’s always with us..always a part of what we do every day...

This is my way of lighting a candle or strumming her favorite song with the guitar...
It's just my way of saying...Trixie, I love and miss you dearly and thank you for being our angel.


December 10, 2006, four years ago, a loving daughter/niece/cousin/grandchild/friend said good-bye. Most of us who love her dearly didn’t get a chance to hug her or say “so long…until we meet in heaven”. But knowing her, she definitely came to all of us and gave us kisses that continue to linger in our hearts. We remember her not just on this day but every day, and every night that I kiss my little ones good-night.  My niece, Trixie, was just 15 when she passed away because of dengue fever. It was unexpected, sudden – and to this day I can’t find answers to explain to my little ones why such tragedies happen...

...and all I can think of is that we are all here on earth for a purpose, a reason...
...and G-d has a plan for each of us. 
How we fulfill G-d’s plans is what living is all about.
We can’t wait for tomorrow, and we certainly can’t blame other people.
We have to learn to forgive and to grow in love.
That's what Trixie taught us...




I still remember the last conversation we had in the summer of 2006 in the Philippines.


It was the night before my flight back to NJ. I was talking to Trixie about her future. And with her wide smile, she said,
     “Tita Jen, I know I’m you’re favorite – so I’ll see you again next time, right?”

I gave her a tight hug and said,
      “Of course, sweetie”.

I didn’t realize that that would be the last time I get to hug her here on earth.
I didn’t realize that I was saying good-bye to a loving child – an angel who had lived among us for 15 years…

Trixie, we miss you. Your smile continues to tickle our hearts…

Four years ago, my youngest was just 5. When his cousin passed away, he was totally heart broken, and with his innocent mind, he asked me if he can go to heaven to see Trixie.

I sometimes wonder….what happens when we go to heaven?



(To my son who made this video 4 years ago...
  I know it was tough for you  but I'm glad you did..
  It's a little something to remember her smile...)


Eric Clapton’s song, “Tears in Heaven”

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven

I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven

I'll find my way, through night and day
Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please

Begging please …


Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more...
Tears in heaven


Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven

I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

A lot of fun...a lot of hardwork...a lot of commitment.

Our weekends and weeknights are hectic driving our younger sons to their activities – music recordings, gymnastics rehearsals and competitions. (Luckily, our 2 older ones are in college). So yesterday, on the way to the train station – as I dropped off my husband, he mentioned that it had been quite some time since him and I had quiet moments together.

We had 20 minutes before the train arrives so we walked to the coffee-bagel store nearby and had some precious 20-minute quality time, and made plans for a simple dinner date before the holidays, Purple Rain concerts and Broadway plays! Happy thoughts...

I drove back home, and ran 3.4 miles in the snow-flurry freezing cold with my dear friend. We were just chatting for 35 minutes as we ran around the block, to the nearby lake and back home. We didn’t realize that we actually accomplished something neither her or I thought was even possible – and the best part of it all, I totally enjoyed the run. I guess the professional runners are right – once you do a mile, you just keep adding another mile! I am definitely going to channel the Forest Gump in me this year (lol). Maybe I can convince my friend (running partner) to sign-up for the half-marathon in May 2011. More happy thoughts...

I guess if you enjoy doing something, tasks do come easy…

Which brings me back to my little guy.









Of course, the little guy was smiling ear to ear now…and a few parents asked me,
       “Is that your son ?”
And I nodded with a big smile of course!

And the parents said,
     “He won first place for the BEST SMILE – if you ask us!”

I humbly said, “thank you!”.





At that point, we figured, my little guy must have been in cloud nine!



Here are some photos of the little guy on rings...




And then the awards for the All Around were announced. My husband and I thought that maybe our little guy will be in the top 6 at least...needless to say, we were so happy for our little one! He won his first gold medal in the All-around!










HOME…home is where the family gathers together. I am so lucky to have a home, a home for my family. I am thankful that my family can be together “somewhat” this holiday season. I am thankful that no one is celebrating the holiday season alone.

With all that accomplishments, there's one thing my little asked for: Christmas lights outdoors!
He even added,
 "Mom, if we don't put the Christmas lights outside, it just seems like we don't care about Christmas anymore..."So I guess I have to bundle up and put up the Christmas lights...for my little guy!


There are times that we tend to think that life is “fercockt” …but if we pivot our perception to what’s good, we will definitely see a few little things that makes us “ver clempt” because every day, there’s always something you can do to make your day – and someone else’s… a better day: and it’s just by making that other person, SMILE.

As my favorite phrase goes,
    SMILE, you’ll get more of it in return!