Every time Sister and I are home together, we always go to the gym in Irvine. A little unusual since there is a 24-Hour Fitness in Fashion Island, which is 7-8 miles CLOSER than the Irvine one. But, Sister and I like to go to the one in Irvine because we run in to way too many people at the one closer to home. And then our workout suddenly becomes two hours because we spend half the time chit-chatting with other people.

I think Sister likes to go to the one in Irvine because it’s next to Panda Express, which has both Diet Pepsi and Pink Lemonade in their fountain-drink-machine-thing. (Sister doesn’t blog anymore, which is absurd. But when she did, she wrote a post about her concoction).

Anyway, the reason I’m diving into this long spiel is because, while we were there today, we also bought a bag of fortune cookies for my Nani, who likes to eat them with her chai. I grabbed one out of the bag on the ride home and did my usual fortune-cookie-eating routine of 1) breaking it like a wishbone, 2) eating half of the cookie, 3) reading the fortune, 4) eating the second half. Because if you don’t do it in that order, it won’t come true. Obviously.

I thought the fortune I got was pretty appropriate for my last day at home. I can’t believe the two weeks is up and, in a few hours, I’ll be back on a plane to San Jose. I have had such a wonderful time at home.

I came into this break thinking I would spend a solid 2-3 days catching up on things that I’m behind on at work but, truthfully, I did zero of it. I shut my brain off entirely and completely immersed myself in books, family, and friends.

I also thought I would use this break to eliminate sugars and get back on track to starting 2015 with a BANG! Truthfully, I indulged in all the baked goods and delicious holiday food!

I thought I would make a list of resolutions and set myself up for a “successful” 2015 before the clock struck midnight. Truthfully, I only came up with one resolution.

I thought I would fall asleep before midnight. Truthfully, I stayed up until 12:30 playing Bananagrams with the family. 

And lastly, I thought I could never love another human being the way I love my Veer. And then I met this one. Truthfully, these two babies make my heart explode with SO. MUCH. love and happiness and all that other mushy-gushy stuff.

I am so blessed. My family is my treasure. My family is my everything.

Questions of the Day:

• How do you eat your fortune cookie?
  
• Who was the first person you hugged in 2015? 

I started this blog over two years ago but, before converting to this modern form of journaling, I’ve accumulated quite a few diaries over the course of my life. Each year, on January 1st, I sit down with my journal/diary/blog and develop a list of resolutions or goals to strive for throughout the year. I figure if it’s in writing, I’m more likely to GET IT DONE (I read something along those lines in a Self-Help book).

Last year, I went big. I created a vision board that mapped out my 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year goals for myself. I attempted to make all the goals really measurable and attainable. And, to be completely honest, it’s the first time I followed through with more than one objective.

I started a book club.

I held a Professional Development session for teachers.

And I ran a half marathon. (Not the SD marathon that’s stated on my vision board, but I figure Nike counts).

But, despite accomplishing so much this past year and feeling a sense of PRIDE, I actually felt a little bummed when I was looking through my vision board and found that I fell short of one particular objective.

In December 2013, I created a goal to lose 1 pound a week (on average) until June. At the time, I thought I was being practical and that the goal was definitely attainable for me. I had actually been on track to meet it until February. Until I got bronchitis and was on bed rest for a whole week. From that point forward, it was just back to that yo-yo crap.

I felt like, at that point, I had missed too many weeks to continue on with my goal. And, instead of simply persisting – knowing that I would fall a little short – I just stopped caring about it.

And then a few weeks ago, when I pulled up my vision board to review my goals, I felt a sense of sadness. Over that one goal. As if that was the only thing that mattered.

Year after year, my resolutions have been centered around ONE thing (or, rather, I place the most importance on the one thing): losing weight.

Even at my healthiest and most fit, my goal was to lose even more. Because I wasn’t “there” yet. I don’t even know what “there” was supposed to be. I just knew that I wasn’t good enough. And I could always be better.

Sure, we, as humans, can always strive to be better. But for some reason applying that mantra to my weight loss just didn’t seem like the healthiest thing to do. 

So, as I sit here reflecting on what I want this year to look like for me, I know what I do not want it to look like come December 2015.

So, I am saying this in a public forum. And I am saying this because I genuinely, honestly, with all of my heart and soul BELIEVE this.

I am enough.

I am enough.

I am enough.

I may never fit into a pair of size 4 pants. And I will probably always have some jiggle on my arms.

I like chocolate and French fries and wine way too much to ever consider a life without them.

I don’t enjoy doing Burpees. And, sometimes, I would rather curl up with a book instead of go to the gym.

Despite all that, I AM ENOUGH. 

I refuse to let the number on a scale define who I am and determine the level of happiness I should feel.

I refuse to let a number make me feel like all my other accomplishments aren’t INCREDIBLE and worth acknowledging.

Because I am so much more than a number.

I am enough.

With that being said, the only resolution I have set for myself for 2015 is to do more things that make me happy. Like giggly, giddy, childish and happy. Because when I look back at 2014, it’s those moments that I remember. Not the ones where I was standing on a scale and celebrated a pound lost.

And, at the end of the day and the end of the year, if I am happy, then everything else just seems to fall into place.

Question of the Day:

• What NY resolutions did you keep from last year?
  
• What resolutions do you have for 2015? 

2014 was a beautiful year. Just like the 20-something years before this one, there were ups and downs and highs and lows. But we came out a little bit stronger, a little more experienced, a little more appreciative.

This year, I’ve made a list of Top 14 events and/or moments in 2014. Reflecting on these things have made me realize what exactly it is that I want out of 2015. But more on that in another post. For now, I just want to review some of those special moments that made 2014 pretty damn amazing.

1) Books, Bites, and Booze was launched in January 2014. It was a NY resolution of mine to start (and sustain!) a book club to rekindle my love for reading. It was an absolute success and I’m reminded again what it feels like to completely get lost in a book.

2) I met Temple Grandin, one of my favorite authors (and the person who first got me intrigued in doing autism research) in Monterey at a conference.

3) I signed up for my first produce delivery, Full Circle. I know it sounds silly that this is one of my top highlights of the year, but it really truly is. Getting that box/bag every Tuesday morning made my day a little brighter and happier. Like I was getting a present every week!

4) Gina and I went to see Gavin Degraw in Napa and it was so wonderful getting to spend the weekend with my favorite while we explored wine country.

5) We somehow managed to get [most of] the family together to take a trip to Cancun. (First Post, Second Post).

6) #sisTurkey – one of the best, most memorable trips I have ever taken. And with my best friend, which makes it all the better.

Turkey Post #1

Turkey Post #2

Turkey Post #3

Turkey Post #4

Turkey Post #5

7) I got to watch some of my favorite people get married this year.

 Fay and David

Lino and Sabrina

Conor and Melissa

8) I accomplished something I never dreamed possible after I completed the Nike Women’s Half Marathon.

9) I met my mentor and organizational guru, Maia Heyck-Merlin, author of Together Teacher.

10) I attended my 10 year HS reunion and, though it was nothing like Romy and Michele’s, it was really special to get to see people after so long.

11) My favorite friend got engaged to a man who makes her so happy every single day.

12) I dominated Disneyland on a Sister-Sister-Mommy trip.

13) I was able to witness my little babies explore the wilderness. And I could just see their excitement for learning develop during Science Camp.

14) And the tippy top event of 2014 was when my niece, Aishwarya, was born and made me remember how quickly and strongly love can develop.

That face. This baby. I will do anything for her.

Here’s to 2015.

Question of the Day:

• What are two highlights from 2014?
  
• What are you looking forward to in 2015? 

Good morning! 🙂 Can’t believe how quickly 2015 is creeping up on us!

I spent most of yesterday being extra Kindle-y. First, I read near the fireplace. Then, I read on the stationary bike. Then, I walked over to Starbucks and read there too.

 

Can’t stop. Won’t stop. (Well, I might have to stop once work starts back up). 

Sister’s friend, Rose, was visiting from DC. They spent the whole day together, but I tagged along in the evening.

 

They picked me up from Starbucks and we drove over to the Shake Shack on PCH. It was definitely NOT the ideal weather for shakes, but Rose is from the east coast so she just laughed a little bit when I complained about being freezing.

 

We got there shortly after sunset, but it wasn’t entirely dark yet, so we got a glimpse of the water as we sipped on our delicious shakes!

Rose got strawberry. Sister and I shared the cookie dough shake. (But really, I just picked out all the cookie dough from the shake and ate it before Sister could find out). SNEAKY.

Post-shake pedicures (when I became Kindle-y once again).

After pedicures, we drove over to Javier’s on PCH, where we met up with Rose’s fiance, Tom, for dinner and drinks.

Workout clothes + oversized coat + makeshift flip flops = new runway material.

Don’t even judge me. I’m on vacation.

 

I’ve got a dentist appointment today, so that should be fun. I say that with all seriousness and no sarcasm whatsoever. Sister and I are obsessed with our dentist. The kind of obsessed where we won’t find dentists in DC (her) or NorCal (me) because we love him so much. He’s been our dentist for FOREVER. And I feel nervous that he’s going to retire soon. And then I don’t know what I’m going to do. We’ll just pretend that the day will never come.

See ya on the flip side.

With some shinier teeth.

Questions of the Day:

• Favorite shake flavor?
  
• Would you rather be overdressed or underdressed? 

I love the weekends where you don’t really remember what day it is or worry about Sunday approaching because you are on a 2-WEEK VACATION.

According to my mother, I’ve been awfully “Kindle-y” lately. It’s a new adjective I use to describe myself when I’m on vacation mode.

 

Saturday:

My mother adores having me home. Because, for starters, I’m really fun. But also, she has someone to send off to run all her errands for her. On Saturday morning, I picked up some groceries for her…

 

…only to get sent out to Trader Joes a couple hours later.

 

But, I can’t complain too much. It’s a pretty decent trade-off to eat some of the yummiest food ever.

In other news, can we talk about SNAP-VIDEO-CHAT? I just discovered it, thanks to Liang (look how EXCITED we are). I vaguely remember something about the video chat feature, but I just never really had the desire to figure it out. It’s REAL fun.

Saturday evening, Sister and I got ready and parted ways for the first time this week. She met up with a friend and I drove over to Varm’s house for dinner!

 

Ananth’s mom cooked some Indian food for us and the whole set-up was so festive and thoughtful!

 

After dinner, we prepped the table for Beer Pong and Flip Cup. Because, when surrounded by friends from college, you just gotta.

 

We also played this new Beer-Pong-esque game called Baseball. I didn’t really understand it. I just stood there and followed directions. Not very well though.

A year ago, we played with ornaments. This year, we upgraded to Ping Pong balls (or downgraded, depending on how you look at it).

We also threw in some Heads Up and old-school Taboo.

And then finished off the night with a selfie. I’m really proud of this selfie. I didn’t even use a SELFIE STICK and everyone’s in it. Baller.

Sunday:

I was a little sluggish after all the festivities on Saturday night, but the family wanted to go walk around Balboa Island early in the AM! (WITHOUT the support of coffee because the Starbucks line was too long. The smile you see below is FAKE!)

We bundled up because the morning was a little chilly, but the clouds cleared up and it was just PERFECT outside.

We are ridiculously spoiled over here in California.

 

It was really fun to see all the Christmas decorations. They go ALL out on the island!

 

 

Santa was pooped. Busy season, I presume.

 

After our walk, we went to Whole Foods in Fashion Island for an early lunch. It was my first time there. I know most Whole Foods markets are generally pretty similar to one another. But I really like this one because of the outdoor seating. They have these incredibly strong heaters (that are probably unnecessary for most of the year, but still a delightful treat).

I was planning on going to LA later in the afternoon for a White Elephant Gift Exchange party that all the camp folks hold annually. But, my dad had a shorter work day and Sister and I like to be home on those days since he’s working for most of these two weeks!

We all watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I may have been slightly distracted during the movie since I just got a new iPhone 6 and it’s SO PRETTY AND FUN. I’m also pretty bad at movies. So, I just sat and hung out with them while THEY watched. 🙂

I love being home. <3

Questions of the Day:

• Favorite game to play with a red solo cup?
  
• How frequently do you go to the grocery store?