To continue with the same theme of new, part of my new year's resolutions for 2014 is to try more new things. By new things, I don't mean anything elaborate, drastically different from what I usually do, or anything earth-shattering, for that matter. What I have in mind is to just challenge and expand my comfort zone. Push the boundaries a bit, so to speak. So onward I go, and these are two new things I have tried so far this year:
Taking new routes
I have certain routes for places I go often, such as the grocery store and the post office. But one day, I tried a new road. This might come very easily for some people (Hubby is extraordinary with directions - and I am not exaggerating one bit), but for someone who is often directionally-challenged, this does not come to me naturally. Since I don't have a smart phone, I don't have a GPS at my disposal either. But I looked up directions in advance as much as I could and tried anyway, and it was quite fun! I got to see a part of town I did not see often so it was nice. I also found another new route yesterday, this time without having looked up directions ahead of time. I had to stop for a minute to figure out where I was, but the new route took me to a section of the road I had never gone before, so that was quite satisfying!
Doing a photo shoot (!)
That is something I had never thought too much about, and I had not had a photo shoot since our wedding day (for which I did not have to think twice about what to wear). But a dear friend of mine, who happened to be a photographer, gave me a photo shoot as my birthday present a few months ago, so off we went! As she gave me specific instructions on preparation, I was a little overwhelmed. I was not sure if I would embrace the idea of having a bunch of photos taken of me, and I had no idea how to pick out "colorful outfits" (how colorful is colorful?) and how many of those to bring with me. But as my friend coached me along the way, both before and during the photo shoot, I came to enjoy it very much, not because my pictures were being taken, but more so I could spend time with my friend as she did something she loved. We giggled, goofed around, and bounced ideas off of each other. Quite fun! And the weather was picture perfect too. It was sunny with blue sky and there was just enough wind to keep the air crisp. I have not seen all the photos yet, but from what my friend showed me from her camera, some of them turned out quite well. :)
How about you? Are you challenging yourself by trying something new this year?
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
First Thanksgiving Meal
This year was the first time we hosted for Thanksgiving and we were having twelve guests. My gravy did not turn out, the broccoli was overdone, in the process I forgot about the ginger-glazed carrots and cranberry sauce, my mashed potatoes were liquidy, and dinner was an hour late.
But we had a great Thanksgiving!
But we had a great Thanksgiving!
To begin with, my first turkey turned out! It was a 20-pound turkey and at first, I was very unsure about how to cook a turkey. But after talking to a number of experienced cooks and doing some homework online, I cooked my first turkey! I forgot to take out the foil at the end to let the turkey brown, but it tasted fine.
And the meal was a result of great team work:
My sister-in-law and I went shopping for some last-minute items on Wednesday. My friends and sisters-in-law brought and made some side dishes and dessert, making it much easier for me as I did not have to cook everything. And my friends carved the turkey, Hubby set the tables, my cousin helped with dishes, my aunt and my other cousin peeled the potatoes, my sister-in-law and another friend then saved the mashed potatoes from being a pot of yellow liquid, and worked on the carrots......the list can go on. In the end, there was plenty of food for everyone!
We were able to enjoy the meal. It was so nice to spend the special day with family and friends.
Centerpiece for one of the tables
After dinner, Hubby did ALL the dishes!
My sisters-in-law and I were even crazy enough to go to the mall at midnight for Black Friday! We were there for 4 hours and it was so much fun to have some girl time!
My sisters-in-law and I were even crazy enough to go to the mall at midnight for Black Friday! We were there for 4 hours and it was so much fun to have some girl time!
Other fun pictures -
Hanes and Miguel (the picture frame can be ignored)
Alex and Miguel Drawing
The boys enjoying mama's cookies
Big electronic device for big person, small device for small person, same serious look on the face
Sunday, July 19, 2009
North Carolina - Friends
The title is a bit of a misnomer, since we were in North Carolina already when we got to the Great Smoky Mountains. No matter, we spent quite some time - a week - in the state, not only sightseeing but also visiting with friends and family.
After the mountains, we went to Charlotte to visit with Chad and Angel, whom we had not seen in quite some time. We had a nice dinner at their back porch before Wii (again!). At first, all four of us were playing a variety of games and having loads of fun, but after Angel went to bed, and Chad and Hubby continued to talk engineering on an increasingly intense level, I was the only one playing Wii (tennis, what else?), and ended up with a sore shoulder the following day. My opinion that Wii tennis was more difficult than real tennis held.
Tennis and Wii aside, we had a great time.
After the mountains, we went to Charlotte to visit with Chad and Angel, whom we had not seen in quite some time. We had a nice dinner at their back porch before Wii (again!). At first, all four of us were playing a variety of games and having loads of fun, but after Angel went to bed, and Chad and Hubby continued to talk engineering on an increasingly intense level, I was the only one playing Wii (tennis, what else?), and ended up with a sore shoulder the following day. My opinion that Wii tennis was more difficult than real tennis held.
Tennis and Wii aside, we had a great time.
Chad and Angel
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Georgia
After Florida, we traveled to Georgia, where we met up with my other former roommates.
Lindsey and 10-month old Bethany
We had dinner at Sonny's - where else? Since my roomates and I met in Gainesville, that was only fitting. While Stephen and Lindsey looked at the camera, Sandy (my other roommate) was busy playing with Bethany!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Louisiana
I have been sorting through our 800+ pictures, and many posts will be coming. Enjoy!
Our road trip took us from Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and back down to Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
The highlight in Louisiana was the visit with Hubby's friends from when he was a college student on co-op. I actually had never met the family, but had exchanged emails with Allison, who takes wonderful pictures and keeps websites of each of their three wonderful children!
Our road trip took us from Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and back down to Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
The highlight in Louisiana was the visit with Hubby's friends from when he was a college student on co-op. I actually had never met the family, but had exchanged emails with Allison, who takes wonderful pictures and keeps websites of each of their three wonderful children!
Allison and 9-month-old Hannah
Eli, full of energy like Dad
Big sister Abby, who gave me a tour of their house and a heart-shaped sticker. She is a cutie, and was a joy to be around even though she was not feeling particular well that morning.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Home!
Hubby and I got back from vacation last night. We had a great time!
After 17 days, over 5,000 miles, 90 hours in the car, and 10 states, we came home with tons of memory and about 800 photos!
More posts to follow...
After 17 days, over 5,000 miles, 90 hours in the car, and 10 states, we came home with tons of memory and about 800 photos!
More posts to follow...
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Family and Friends
I am very thankful to have many opportunities to spend time with family and friends recently.
My mom was here just a month ago. Her "mission" was to bring my two young cousins to the States to reunite with my aunt. So we all got to spend time together.
My youngest sister-in-law came down almost two weeks ago from college to stay with us for the Summer. Hanes has been happy.
We had family and friends over for an "indoor cookout" on Memorial weekend. We had 9 adults (including my middle sister-in-law) and 7 children, ranging from 4 months to 8 years old (three of them were our nephews). It was fun. Sadly, we did not take any pictures.
Hubby and I are going on vacation next week. We will see many friends and family along the way, including our friend who just had the baby less than 48 hours ago, and my other sister-in-law and family who are expecting baby #3!
My mom was here just a month ago. Her "mission" was to bring my two young cousins to the States to reunite with my aunt. So we all got to spend time together.
My youngest sister-in-law came down almost two weeks ago from college to stay with us for the Summer. Hanes has been happy.
We had family and friends over for an "indoor cookout" on Memorial weekend. We had 9 adults (including my middle sister-in-law) and 7 children, ranging from 4 months to 8 years old (three of them were our nephews). It was fun. Sadly, we did not take any pictures.
Hubby and I are going on vacation next week. We will see many friends and family along the way, including our friend who just had the baby less than 48 hours ago, and my other sister-in-law and family who are expecting baby #3!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Burgers, Fries and Shake
A year ago, I became an American. At my suggestion, Hubby and I went to celebrate with burgers, fries and shake!
I do not eat beef hardly at all, so I could not tell whether the hamburger was good or not. But according to Hubby, the hamburgers were really good! To me, however, the chocolate shake was the best part!
A really fun feature at the restaurant was a "jacuzzi" for the hands. You put your hands in the holes, then water and the right amount of pressure came out to clean your hands. It was really fun. No wonder the kids there loved washing their hands! I even shamlessly took a sticker (which I am sure was more for kids than adults) -
We also took this meal in honor of our pregnant friend who could not eat any of these things because of gestational diabetes. She had asked her friends to eat these for her when she was first diagnosed, and we finally ate them for her!
She had the baby last night, so congratulations!
I do not eat beef hardly at all, so I could not tell whether the hamburger was good or not. But according to Hubby, the hamburgers were really good! To me, however, the chocolate shake was the best part!
A really fun feature at the restaurant was a "jacuzzi" for the hands. You put your hands in the holes, then water and the right amount of pressure came out to clean your hands. It was really fun. No wonder the kids there loved washing their hands! I even shamlessly took a sticker (which I am sure was more for kids than adults) -
We also took this meal in honor of our pregnant friend who could not eat any of these things because of gestational diabetes. She had asked her friends to eat these for her when she was first diagnosed, and we finally ate them for her!
She had the baby last night, so congratulations!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Ups and Downs
The past few weeks have been quite an emotional roller-coaster ride of many ups and downs.
In the beginning of February, we celebrated our anniversary and Hubby's birthday, and we went to his boss's birthday party in the same week.
But a couple of days later, we lost a close friend to cancer. While she is home with the Lord now (and for eternity) without any suffering, it did not take away the sadness of those who had known her and had been blessed by her. She had hosted Hubby and me for Thanksgiving and Christmas; she invited me to her Pampered Chef party when I was still a newlywed and had no idea how to cook; she also altered my bridesmaid's dress because it was too long and I did not know how to do it myself; made donations when I was raising funds for a crisis pregnancy center......Her entire family had "adopted" Hubby, and then me, ever since I met them.
Shortly afterwards, we learned that the baby boy our friends were expecting had been diagnosed with a serious genetic disorder that could require a kidney transplant, and that might even threaten his precious life.
But a few days later, we celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday. Then came Valentine's Day, my sister's birthday, my other friends' son's third birthday, and my other sister-in-law's birthday.
And then came the passing of a friend's friend, and another friend of mine is going through a very difficult time right now for reasons I am not in the liberty to share.
Then there is the ongoing cancer battle my friend's four-year-old grandson is fighting, the financial struggles another friend is going through......
Life is difficult at times, but through these ups and downs, there is always hope and peace that only comes from the Lord. Through everything, I am thankful to have a God who knows all of our thoughts and emotions, who is always ready to rejoice and to comfort.
We are going to another birthday party tomorrow to celebrate life.
In the beginning of February, we celebrated our anniversary and Hubby's birthday, and we went to his boss's birthday party in the same week.
But a couple of days later, we lost a close friend to cancer. While she is home with the Lord now (and for eternity) without any suffering, it did not take away the sadness of those who had known her and had been blessed by her. She had hosted Hubby and me for Thanksgiving and Christmas; she invited me to her Pampered Chef party when I was still a newlywed and had no idea how to cook; she also altered my bridesmaid's dress because it was too long and I did not know how to do it myself; made donations when I was raising funds for a crisis pregnancy center......Her entire family had "adopted" Hubby, and then me, ever since I met them.
Shortly afterwards, we learned that the baby boy our friends were expecting had been diagnosed with a serious genetic disorder that could require a kidney transplant, and that might even threaten his precious life.
But a few days later, we celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday. Then came Valentine's Day, my sister's birthday, my other friends' son's third birthday, and my other sister-in-law's birthday.
And then came the passing of a friend's friend, and another friend of mine is going through a very difficult time right now for reasons I am not in the liberty to share.
Then there is the ongoing cancer battle my friend's four-year-old grandson is fighting, the financial struggles another friend is going through......
Life is difficult at times, but through these ups and downs, there is always hope and peace that only comes from the Lord. Through everything, I am thankful to have a God who knows all of our thoughts and emotions, who is always ready to rejoice and to comfort.
We are going to another birthday party tomorrow to celebrate life.
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