Heppy New Year!

Posted by Vina on January 2nd, 2009 filed in self-enrichment

I’m not one for much fanfare when it comes to holidays.  Of course, I love being with my family and friends.  This year Christmas and New Year’s means a lot more only because it meant I could come home and see my loved ones.

I’m actually quite sad to be leaving.  A lot of things have changed around here: some for the worse and some (surprisingly) for the better.  There is something altogether different about being “home” and being with your crew.  In DC, I have friends aaaand we have fun.  But it’s not the same – there’s not the same sense of goofiness and inside jokes that comes with years of stupid fun.  I feel much more introverted in DC than at home.  But then again, I am surrounded by all the boys in my family and all the girls from the sorority and high school – it’s hard to be quiet when everyone is so rambunctious.

Things that have changed for the worse:

  • Immaturity of certain friends (well this was the same; I’d thought maybe time would heal them)
  • My room. My brother took over.  Doesn’t feel exactly like coming home if the bed isn’t yours.
  • Realization of and reconciliation with family drama (another post, another day)
  • My brother Andrew’s temper since joining the army
  • My dad’s health, he looks so much older and haggard since I saw him in July

Things changed for the better:

  • Bryan’s new baby Kai-Yu
  • My new cousin, to be renamed
  • My mom’s attitude (still have a “wait and see” mentality though)
  • Chinese food in Denver…whoo-hoo new awesome restaurant Star Kitchen

Things happily the same:

  • My awesome cousins: Samm, Michael, Kevin, Alvin, Edvin
  • Our old creaky house
  • The endless hours of  inanity with friends
  • Dad’s cooking
  • The generosity of heart from my friends and family

Resolutions Revisited (many from birthday post)

  1. Become a political diva – In recent months, I seen more and more what this means in terms of sacrifice and dedication.  What those revelations mean, I don’t yet know…I will just keep moving forward.
  2. Train my brain to remember more – Working on it!  I bought a brain teaser page a day calendar to get me started.
  3. Work harder at maintaining my relationships – still true.  But I’ve been a bit better since September.
  4. Take more risks; especially emotional ones.  Not had the chance yet, but I’ll letcha know if one comes up.  (Letcha – bit too Palin-esque huh?)
  5. Bring credit card debt to under $1,000 – debt has actually INCREASED since I wrote this resolution.  But I’ve been traveling a lot and there were many Christmas gifts I wanted to give.  Bah.  But the only thing in my wallet right now is my debit card so that should help.
  6. Read more.  The goal in September was 4 books a month – OK that is a lot.  Two is a more doable goal for now.  I do want to get a DC library card soon.
  7. Stay up on the news.  Getting a little better.  I have my RSS feeds and I read news on the metro to work but more news is always better!
  8. Exercise more – I have no excuse not to.  The gym is nice and free and 4 floors down from my work.
  9. Work on photog skills.  Still a goal, yep.

    10. And a couple of additions for 2009:

  10. Drink at least 60 ounces of water a day.  I don’t do this consistently enough.
  11. Make a bento.  (Or at least cook more!)
  12. Make one non-community, non-work friend.

Currently Consuming:

  • Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog. Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day, Nathan Fillion – hilarious super villian fun.  I paid for the soundtrack, PAID.  And I’ll buy the DVD soon as well.  It’s.  That.  Clever.
  • The Tudors. Guilty Pleasure.  I watch for the…uh….historical fiction aspects of the show.  Yea that’s it.  I’m learning.
  • Chronicles of Narnia Films. Watched both of them with my cousins and we thoroughly enjoyed them.  Great visuals.
  • Star Kitchen. Dim Sum is about average though a bit pricier than Super Star for same quality.  Dinner is where it’s at here.  Get salt n pepper squid strips, sea bass was fresh and fleshy, crabs and lobsters are currently BOGO – get crabs in the traditional ginger/scallion goo and the lobster in the smoky/sweet black pepper sauce.  The frog leg clay pot was good as well.  And the sauteed “dou miao”…uh what is that in English…something sprout – that is good as well.
  • Slumdog Millionaire. New favorite movie.  Left me breathless both times I watched it (yes paid, in the theatres.)

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