For once, I don't want to think about New Year's Resolutions, reflect on the past or ponder about the future.  I just want to live one day at a time and leave the rest to divine intervention.  What's meant to be will be.  So for now, I'm going to do what I need to do, want to do, live to do.  Sometimes life needs to be too busy to be reflected upon or written about.

I am thankful for all of you who have walked with me, carried me, lead me, followed me.  I am truly blessed.  May our friendships continue to flourish.   Happy new years to all! 

Eat lots, laugh hard, play and sleep well.  Happy holidays!

I anxiously await the release of this article every year.  It always sends me off in a good mood.  I pray my company never ends up on the list.  *nervous laughter*  http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0712/gallery.101_dumbest.fortune/index.html

There's been a slough of bad news as soon as I returned from my vacation in the Caribbeans.  One of my good friend's mother passed away unexpectedly and her funeral was today.  Stupid me forgot to save the address where the burial ceremony was being held but couldn't get a hold of my friend so I ended up missing one of the most important days of her life...I'M SO SORRY LIZ!    God, I am such a horrible friend --- totally kicking myself for my absentmindedness this time.  A few days ago, an acquaintance's sister went missing and there's no update news as of yet.  Last but not least, relationship woes among my group of friends, but what else is new when it comes to relationships?  When does the madness stop??? 

Vacations are meant to be rejuvenating.  They are refreshing in many ways, except most people sleep less when they're on vacation.  For the most part, I did exactly what I wanted...read, ate, tanned, lounged, danced, partied, and conversed with interesting people.  I slept whenever I could without intruding on my excursion/meal/partying hours...which is to say, I slept very little.  All in all, I had an awesome time in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua.  If I had to choose the most memorable moment, it would be the time we took the power boat to tour around St. Lucia.  That boat threw us around like rag dolls!  I think I want my own speed boat now.    The bittersweet ending of any vacation is the ultimate catch...returning to reality ain't so fun.

My mom and I toured six homes this late afternoon.  We are putting in a bid for one of the homes we saw.  It's a nice little house, low maintenance required, very cozy and comfortable.  Traveling has always been a priority for my mother and I so it'd be a waste to look for a big house when there wouldn't be anybody home to take care of it.  Funny, I shop like a guy...I've only seen six homes and I probably should have toured some more homes before putting in a bid but what the heck, it was a very decent home and if the counteroffer (because we know they will counteroffer) is reasonable, I'd rather not spend much more time "window shopping".  Let's hope for the best. 

Kathleen should be home by tomorrow so hopefully her and I can meet up with Liz this weekend.  *sigh*  LIZ IF YOU GET THIS, CALL ME BACK!!! 

Alright, I know you have been wondering when you can come crash the new bachelorette pad.  Ha!  Good news: the hunt continues in good speed.  Gonna start touring homes this month.  I'm scared and excited at the same time.  And yes, it's definitely a house hunt, not a condo hunt.  Woot!  By April...by April. *crosses fingers* 

In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man - if you want anything done, ask a woman.
Margaret Thatcher

A man's dreams are an index to his greatness.
Zadok Rabinwitz

Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting it back together.
Anonymous

An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.
Ernest Hemingway

Sometimes the person you fall
for isn't ready to catch you.
do you ever sit & think what if?
what if you had never said the first hello,
or what if your paths never crossed?
what if you had just five more minutes.
what if you could turn back time & make it all
stand still. where would you like be?
better? worse? less confusing? more confusing?
happier? or sadder? just what if..
maybe my heart told your heart
it had a parking place outside
or that we both like taking walks
& doing things at night
maybe our hearts have the same favorite colors
& found each other that way
or maybe it was because they both like sunshine best
& always tell the summer to stay
maybe your heart sent my heart a secret message
that said 'ive been waiting for you lets go love'
or maybe when it comes to things like this
there aren't reasons
HEARTS JUST KNOW.
never regret anything.
dont care about what the "populars" do or say,
they have no control over you.
dance crazy, you have no reason not to.
don't care about what other people think about you,
theres no reason to change who you are.
take weird pictures, you'll laugh hysterically later on in life.
smile until your mouth hurts, you dont need a reason to be happy.
take chances, you never know how things might turn out.
do things you never thought you would, its good to push your limits.
live like your dying.
no regrets...

Written by Hogan Tong

It was the best idea to fly south for the winter.    I'm coming home with a bad-ass tan.  hahahaha  See y'all soon. 

"People say they hate getting taken advantaged of.  Well, if nobody takes advantage of you...you're USELESS."

I need someone to drive me to the Sacramento International Airport at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning.  Any volunteers? 

In the midst of a very busy season, I'm heading out to the Caribbeans for a vacation.  Ain't that great?  I'm not saying I don't want (or need) a vacation....but I keep looking at the pile of work that still sits on my desk and also the mile-high responsibilities that will await my return.  On the other hand, I think I've become very productive in this stressful deadline-driven time.  hahahaha  BAD NANCY!!!  BAD!!!

On that note, I must get back to work to clear off as much of the to-do list as I can.  High priority: FIND DRIVER. 

I admit I've been avoiding the holidays.  Maybe not really avoid, but at least procrastinate on having to deal with it.  This year's definitely been a year of adjustments and self-realization all over again.  It's been a year of healing to mend a deeply broken heart that has yet fully recovered.  I look at this coming Christmas and New Years with great hope but am also reminded of the disappointment of the last holiday season.  It is not good to dwell. 

I'd asked to be excluded from certain traditions that once were so dear and precious.  They wouldn't let me get away.  Good friends insisted on including me for the sake of keeping things on good terms.  It's not the same.  I am an outsider in a group that I once belonged.  They don't see me as an outsider, only as a member that was understandably forced to distance herself.    We shoot for monthly dinners, which now happens to be less than bi-monthly dinners because people are busy.  I dare not ask for more of their time.  They are always so kind to oblige to individual dinners with me when they know I've missed them.  It's awkward on their end and mine...to be so close yet so far.

Being surrounded by good friends has always been a blessing.  I'm challenged with the lack of time and consequently a lack of sleep.  I travel long distances now in search of myself and others I want to know.  I am happy pursuing a career in something I absolutely love doing though.  More families are being helped as I carry out my mission.  As a result, my mindset has become more humble and my belief in what I do becomes stronger.  There is no such thing as a holiday or a weekend for me.  There is such a thing as work while you play and play while you work.  My career has somewhat become my life seamlessly.  Of course I struggle with  maintaining a healthy social life...but heck, nobody ever disagrees that I have so much fun.  There are times when I have to consider turning down invitations...but that's no complaint.   

In  the most  sincere ways, I am surrounded by love and trust...something I feel I've never fully appreciated.  How do you fully appreciate someone?