Favorite Items That I Own

I am thankful to have all these items.

1: My iPhone 14 Pro:

    I received it from my husband as an early Christmas gift last year. I didn't put much thought into it. He asked if I wanted to trade in my old phone, which at the time was about 3 generation old. I agreed that night and the next day we went on a hunt to trade in my old phone. We had to go to three stores. We ended up at the Apple store, at the mall. They had the last pink phone with the amount of memory that I was looking for. At first I wanted just the normal memory space but my husband convinced me to get the phone with the most memory since he knows how much of an issue it was for me with my old phone. I love having a phone, a reliable phone at that. It can be a distraction at times but I think it gave more value to my life vs take away value. I like how easy it is for me to check my emails and messages. 

2: My Apple Watch SE Version:

    I received it from my husband as a Christmas gift (honestly, I don't remember when he gave it to me since it has been a few years now). Growing up I was always a watch girl. I wanted a simple everyday watch but I always had my phone on me so having a watch wasn't necessary anymore. Having a watch was more to use as an accessary to complete my outfit. Then health became a thing and the Apple Watch definitely caught my attention. It was finally my excuse to get a watch because not only can it tell time but I can use it as a lifestyle. Took a while for me to decided which one I want and why I really want or need it. At the end, I got it as a gift and I am thankful to have it. Would I upgrade it if a new version comes out? NO. I probably will only upgrade it if a completely new design or something amazing was added to it otherwise I think I'm settle for a while. 

3: My AirPods Generation 2:

    I was very fortunate to have received both the first and second generation AirPods. I lost one pair of my AirPods and it got recently replaced with a new one for my 33rd birthday! Super thankful and hopefully this time I can take better care of my beloved items. I use AirPods for literally 2 reasons. Hands free so I can exercise without the cord and lastly respect for others. I don't like it when people are blasting their phone, tablet, or computer. So rude!

4: My MacBook Pro

    I've had this beauty for the longest time. I am forever thankful for it because it has done so much for me. I am also very thankful that my husband got it for me. My MacBook has become an essential in my life. It made not be food, water, or shelter but it sure gets my homework and work done. Because of the iPhone, I actually stop using it but when I went back to school to get my multiple subject credential, it because a must in my life and I am thankful to have a reliable laptop that I can use. I think this laptop will last me for another decade and until then I will be really sad to let it go. 

5: My Sony Camera

    Like I said, the iPhone kind of made me use my Sony camera less. My phone is compact and just so much more convenient but at the end of the day, the quality of the Sony just beat any iPhone. I am thankful to have my Sony camera. I hope with life being less busy (less busy as in I have a structure because as of now I feel like I have only 50% control of my time) I will get back into using my camera and creating more beautiful memories.

6: Pilot (Not my own car but I am still thankful)

    Even though my Uni is no longer with me, I was getting annoyed with her and was ready for something new. I enjoy the Pilot especially the AC! The only downfall is gas but the car gets me places that I need to go and want to go so with that I am very thankful. I hope when I start to work and is able to save money I can officially buy and own my very own car! As of now, I am thankful everyday to have a car to transport me places.

UPDATE: Hanging Out With Friends

I can't believe I did not believe my mom.

Being Content

There are a lot of things on my mind that I want to talk about. I hope that by releasing this energy elsewhere I can start 2023 with a slightly empty mind so I can focus on other things.

I was thinking about life and what truly makes me happy. I think this is going to be an ongoing thing. I am still learning things about myself every single day. My likes, dislikes and why I dislike something. What makes me laugh and gives me joy vs what makes me anxiety and afraid. 

I would like to blame hormones and I understand that my hormones does play a little part of why, but I know that I am in control. Like a boat, sailing in the open ocean I am in control of where I sail even when the waves or winds are against me. 

This past year has been a roller coaster for me (I'm sure it's worst for some). Not saying that a roller coaster is bad. I think riding one is better than a ride that twist you around the entire time. Or those that takes you up to heaven and suddenly drops you to hell. At least with a roller coaster, I know that when I am slowly going up, going down is next. It's like the calm before the storm. I don't necessary know when it is but I know it's coming. That feeling of knowing that something you're nervous about is near is the worst feeling. But at the end you always survive. Any ride, you will survive but it's the experience while going through that makes you who you are. A roller coaster is mostly fun I would say.

This year I am thankful especially for my in laws, my parents, my siblings especially my sisters, and my two daughters. The people I love are here with me and for that I couldn't ask for more. 

This year I've inhabit a bad habit of spending on Facebook. I've spent so much on pressed on nails. I promise that next year I'll try to have more self control. Actually, I'll have more self control starting today.

Also, I promise that I'll focus on more important things like my daughters, my little family, and myself. I think I give a good amount of myself to my girls but I know there is always room for more. I promise to be more patient, understanding, and supportive of my husband. I promise to be honest and true to myself. 

If I am given the chance to go to school, I will try my best to finish with good grades. Make my parents and my husband proud. Be able to support my little family so my husband can also chase his dream. I look forward to next year. I am content.

Lus Qab Zib

Thaum lub ntuj tsaus lawm,

kuv mam ua lub teeb

ci coj koj cev.

Cia kuv tuav koj tes

ntsia tej hnub qub ci thoob qab ntug.

Los pw rau hauv kuv xub ntiag,

mloog kuv lub plawv dhia

seb koj puas paub nws hais dab tsi?

Cia thws cua no tshuab nqa kuv txoj kev hlub

mus kom thoob qab ntuj

es koj thiaj li paub tias kuv hlub koj.

Minimal

I sign up for emails from many shopping sites.
I usually get emails like
ADDITIONAL 40% off clearance and sale
or
ENTIRE STORE 40% off
but when you check the site one dress retails almost $100.
Even with the sale you're still paying over the $50 mark.

Why do I feel like clothes now-a-days are overpriced.

1. if you don't take care
the materials can get damaged through wear or wash.
2. if you take care of the item
what's the point of getting a $100 shirt
when you're consistently on edge worrying about damaging it?
Is one white shirt that cost $100 really worth more
than a few decent white shirt that totals up to $100?
3. most fashion are trending
especially PRINTS.

Can you really have a minimal wardrobe
for the rest of your life without feeling boring?
Looking boring and lacking characteristics?

France Trip Memo

6/14/08

I feel so tired waiting for the train. I remember mom telling me not to fall asleep while waiting because it's not safe and I might miss my stop. I will make this trip worth my money. I will open my eyes and enjoy. It's cool how transportation is everywhere: underground (metro), land (car, bus, bike & train) and on air (up train, airplane).

My friends and I went to a church in Pairs and this guy wanted to tie a string around my wrist. I resisted. Not sure if I was being rude or not. In a way, I don't think it was because those that did let him tie a string around their wrist had to paid him 5 euros. A trickster in disguise.

I regret not taking French class more serious. I can speak and understand very little French. Besides from that I enjoyed the metros, train rides and their buses. When will this train get here, I'm still tired.

6/14/08

Back at Patricia's house.

Today is her birthday. I didn't know it was her birthday. To be honest, I don't recalled if she'd told me in the past through our conversations online or not. I felt bad because I didn't give her anything. Her birthday party was pretty cool. We played Truth or Dare. Hopefully, I didn't make a fool out of myself because my dare was to act like a monkey. Its fun with my French sister overall but communication is very hard so this makes me miss Blia and See. Madame Vu surprised me by calling to checked up on me.

Tomorrow seems like a busy day. I hope I have fun because I'm starting to be homesick, missing my family and my boyfriend.

6/15/08

Debated if I should eat breakfast or not today but ended up eating cereal. Patricia and I walked to a small neighbor mall. We had chicken with cheese sandwich for lunch. Later this day, Patricia's parents took us to a concert. It reminds me of the Hmong Water Festival. Patricia left me with her cousins and went somewhere. I remember it was slightly sprinkling but the dancers on the stage were in bikinis. That's quite crazy. I guessed I was bored because I had entertained myself by making a ring out of grass. I didn't keep it. I felt sad because my French sister ditched me but I got over it.

6/16/08

Today was a chill day. We hung out and watched movies. I remember this trip costing me $3,945.

6/17/08

I'm homesick. Maybe it shows through because my French sister arranged a date with Blia and her French sister. Seeing Blia again made my day! I bought myself a new shoe and shirt. The shoe hurts my feet.

Our date today was a visit to the Catacomb underground. Honestly, I don't think its real bones. I even touched some and held one big bone in my hand. Sorry. I was being stupid. The way Blia talks about her French family, it seems so nice and lots of fun but I don't mind my also. Blia's French sister smokes. Overall, today was one of the best day.

Back at Patricia's house. I'm upstair chilling while her family is downstair enjoying a soccer game. Dinner was good. I actually miss eating plain o white rice. Today's the last day and night here at my French sister's house. Tomorrow I'm going back to meet my friends and my teacher.

6/18/08

Last morning with my French family. I'm leaving soon. For the past 5 days I've taken it for granted. Now that I'm leaving them I feel sad. I wished I had done more and experienced more of what it's like to be a local in Paris. I don't know if I'll ever come back to visit them. Ideally not.

6/22/08

For the past couple days I've been having so much fun! I'm not really used to the food here but I didn't mind trying. Our hotel is right next to the beach. I had so much fun dancing on the sand. There was an outdoor event/concert. We couldn't stay out too late and had to go back to our rooms.

6/23/08

Something is wrong with my leg. Not sure if I got bed bug bites or not. It itches and is getting worst. Honestly, I want to go home and have my mom put medicine on it. Tonight is the second last night here in Paris. I am starting to feel sad that it's ending soon. One major regret is not being able to see my Aunt. I was supposed to called her and she was supposed to visit me at my hotel but it didn't work out.

March 12, 2018

Today is April 30th 2018, your birthday.
I wish you were here today
but I know you're gone forever.
Even though your physical body
is gone, I know spiritually you're
nearby looking over us all.

I want to wish you a very happy birthday.
I hope where you are now is a better place.
I hope you're happy and pain free.

I don't know when I'll see you again
But that doesn't matter.
You live on forever in my heart
and in all those that love you.