happiness

Change is my word for 2011

Posted on Jan 22, 2011 in happiness | 1 comment

I know I’ve been off the radar for awhile. A few tweets here and there, but not much else. These past weeks have been full with life in so many ways, I don’t know where to begin.

In just the past six weeks we welcomed baby Nico (aka Tiger) into our lives, spent 10 days in California, battled a crazy infection, launched an iPhone app, am working on an iPad app, hosted my in-laws from London for a week, hosted a baby shower, and launched a new business called Snapp. Toss in all the holiday stuff on top and I’m not sure what day it is most of the time. If 2011 starts out like this, I can’t imagine how it will end.

These past six weeks have taught me so much, it feels more like six years. Of course, our son has burst our hearts wide open with the beauty of life. Seeing family and friends dote on him brings me such immense joy. This little guy is so wise, aware, and ready for what life has to offer.

My Tiger

I’ll be completely honest. As grand as these experiences have been, there has also been moments when I wondered if we got ourselves in over our heads. A tear of exhaustion would fall into my coffee cup — that black stuff just didn’t seems to be doing the trick. And I knew that I had to dig down deep and change to make it all come together. I would have to do something I avoid at all costs and that is to ask for help. Normally, I will go the extra mile just because asking for help can be so incredible hard.¬† “I can do it. My self.” My stubborness tells me.

Like when I¬† pulled out the snow blower at the crack of dawn in sub-zero temps just to prove to my mother-in-law that I’m pulling my weight. Or posting 250 Christmas cards to maintain the family PR. Or baking something lovely at 5am so my husband wakes from a long night of baby duties to delicious smells. I can do it. I will do it.

Ah-ma feeding Nico

So this is why “change” is my word for 2011. Not only will I witness my Tiger change drastically this year. And I’ve been changing loads of nappies. I also get to see my business evolve. And I myself am changing more than I ever knew possible. I’m not sure if I will ever lose the stubbornness that I inherited from my dad. But I’m getting better at recognizing it and gradually I’m finding it easier to ask others for help. Insane independence is slowly being replaced by togetherness.

Local paper takes a snap of Snapp!

To my pleasant surprise, working together with something is far more rewarding than trying to always do it solo. My mom and her husband, siblings, friends have all stepped forward with a big smile, a feeling of honor, and ready to give me a hand. But mostly, my husband has been right there at every step, as always, with a small joke, a hug, some little magic touch to make it all an experience I never want to forget. Well, that’s if I can remember it all in the first place!

Art Every Day Month

Posted on Dec 6, 2010 in happiness | 1 comment

Inspired by the amazing Jennifer Lee’s project Art Every Day, I decided to start my own project. So this weekend I picked up a new journal and some colored pencils and started doodling away.

This is the perfect project for me because both my journaling and drawing have fallen behind. I’m hoping this will give me the kick I need to spark creativity, imagination and new ideas!

Sunday I spent the afternoon doing sewing projects.

This morning my dog woke me at 4am.

How a Puppy Completely Changed Me

Posted on Oct 14, 2010 in happiness | 1 comment

This is my puppy Castro. At only nine weeks and weighing just a few pounds, he had super powers to melt hearts and make you see the world completely differently. He’s twice the size now and his super powers are twice as strong.

If I have a rough day, give me two minutes with this guy and I’ll be laughing and bemused. He cuddles on my lap even when I have bad morning breath and medusa hair. His complete¬†fascination¬†with a fluttering moth makes me aware of nature’s incredible beauty. And the first time he saw trees blowing in the wind made me realize how fresh the world can be — still.

Office mates.

Since I work from home, we spend most days together. Him fast asleep, me working away catching glimpses at him to make my heart pitter-patter. He just graduated from puppy training class last night which is a wise investment all new dog owners should make. We now have a means of communication which has opened our worlds even more.

He knows to ring a bell to go out, and sits patiently on his rug while we put on the leash. He sits to get his treat, knows to heal on walks, and goes completely bonkers anytime someone shows him a little TLC.

He’s a Havanese which have longer back legs, so he bounces like a bunny when he runs. They have silky coats that don’t shed and are extremely playful. In fact, they are used as therapy dogs which doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s been amazing therapy for me.

He’s a healer of hearts. A guru of laughter. A magician of wonder.

Flooded with Blessings

Posted on Aug 4, 2010 in happiness | 1 comment

Last Friday night we were hit with a big storm that dumped over six inches of rain in a couple hours. Our basement never floods, so it didn’t even cross out minds to check it out. Shortly after lunch we noticed most of our neighbors had half their house contents sitting in their driveways. So we rushed down to find our own little swamp.

It wasn’t long before most of my family was here to help us move all the furniture, rip out the padding, prop up the carpet and locate dozens of fans to blow it all dry. It was Friday night and they all put their weekend plans on hold to help out. The cold beer afterwards didn’t seem like a big enough thank you.

Almost everyone pitches in to help.

The next day we hauled the padding to the dump in my brother’s truck that he so graciously gave us. On the way there, stopped at a light the man next to us yells over saying we can save some money if we put a tarp over our haul. So we pull into the next hardware store to buy a $5 tarp and spend $250. But we also discovered a well prized¬†dehumidifier. A rare commodity in town.

Returning from the dump, we decided to get rid of the carpet. So we set out to cut it in strips to make it easier to carry out. And just then, our friends came by to help. It took us less than an hour. Another cold beer thank you.

The biggest blessing is that we have insurance and they were wonderful about providing the full amount of our coverage. There’s a lot of stories brewing about some companies with crazy clauses that make it next to impossible to get a check.

Putting it back together again means moving some built in cupboards so we can install new carpet, changing out all the doors, trims, and while we’re at it, let’s put on a new color of paint.

This little disruption reminded me just how lucky we are in so many ways. Our family and friends are amazing. As well as living in such a friendly town.

Yes, he has that look all the time.

On another note, I’d like to introduce you to my main man, Castro. He’s a real charmer. Be careful, hang out with him too much and he’ll have you wrapped around his little paw!

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish to envision?

Posted on Jul 21, 2010 in happiness | 11 comments

The talented Jamie Ridler asks, “What do you wish to envision?” This week I decided to participate in her weekly wishcast by sharing my secret wish with you.

I wish to envision a world where adults are kids again. At work we get a recess breaks three times a day. Everyone stops what they’re doing and gets together for a game of kickball or skipping rope. At 3pm we’re done for the day and it’s tim to play on our sports team, practice an instrument, or scribble on the sidewalk with chalk. We are encouraged to get messy, experiment with paints, and wander through forests like great explorers.

Adults wake up happy and curious and sing for no reason. We are oblivious to race and gender and everyone is equal. We share their toys nicely and make up the rules as we go. Our creativity is bursting and there are no limits to what we believe we can do.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

Inspiration: Selfless Giving

Posted on Mar 1, 2010 in happiness | 5 comments

The talented and amazing Candy from Candied Fabrics tagged me in the Blog it Forward mashup — there are 300 bloggers taking part writing about what inspires us the most.

Ever since I signed up for this project weeks ago, I’ve been pondering this thought and always came full circle back to one thing — people who selflessly give of themselves and their talents inspire me the most.

This includes bloggers who openly share the details of their lives letting us know we’re not alone, like Susannah Conway. Or friends I met over the past year who give me encouragement and support through emails, twitters, letters and blog posts (you know who you are and I love you!). And my developer, David, who always has the time despite his busy schedule to provide me advice and help out.

Then there’s folks like Maggie Doyne who at the precious young age of 19 built an orphanage in Nepal. Or Danielle LaPorte providing her no nonsense wisdom and advice daily. And the hilarious Moggit Girls who combine their sense of style with their sense of humor making me laugh everyday.

Each of these people give without expecting anything in return. And the universe will keep providing to them so they may continue sharing their talents. Give thanks and give back. These are the two main ingredients to peace and prosperity. And inspiration.

Looking back, looking ahead

Posted on Feb 23, 2010 in happiness | 3 comments

Five years ago this very moment, I was standing by a beach in Bali wearing a white sun dress. There was a full moon and I was getting married. It was the smartest choice I ever made.

If our next five years together are anything like the last, I know I’ll love him even more. We’ll laugh everyday. And our life will far exceed our wildest dreams and expectations.

I’ve been blessed and lucky many times in my life. But sharing this journey with this cool, handsome, wise and witty man is by far the jackpot. Life is good.

ps: To celebrate, I’m making a Balinese dish called Gado-Gado. It means “mixed” because it’s an variety of vegetables. It’s also that’s what the locals called us there — “Gado – Gado”.

The Day My God Died

Posted on Feb 3, 2010 in happiness | 2 comments

Please invest at least 10 minutes watching this heart-touching PBS documentary about Nepalese women being sold into sex trade in Bombay for a few hundred dollars. They endure the greatest violation of human rights I can imagine. This isn’t easy to watch. I sobbed all the way though it. What I saw really rattled me.

The sad truth is that trafficking and slavery happen every day across the globe. Post earthquake Haiti provides the perfect conditions for this to occur. Our purpose is to help others less fortunate than ourselves. Not to help ourselves because others are less fortunate.

How you can help

• International Justice Mission is featured in this film. You can make a donation through their website.
• GlobalGiving.com has a project to build a new shelter for women victim to sex trafficking.
• Pray, light a candle, meditate on positive intentions for these innocent victims

Namaste