For some time now I’ve been reading Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project blog at http://www.happiness-project.com. I’ve finally committed to starting my own Happiness Project.

It’s simple: everyday, I will identify one thing that made me smile.

I welcome you to join me on this journey

Categories: happiness-project
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I’ve been avoiding Facebook. I get sad when I read status updates of friends I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s not just me who is too busy though; it seems like we are all too busy.

On a happier note, Kevin and I took some time off this month to take the kids to Disneyland on their spring break. We stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel, where we had a similar custom-built bed to the one we experienced at the Grand Californian. We exhausted ourselves playing everyday and got fantastic sleep every night. I love these beds so much I asked Santa for the Disney Resort Encore Pillowtop Bed Set for Christmas. Now, to be good for the next 8 months…

Categories: Disneyland, Facebook
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So far this weekend I have finished rewriting two papers. Tomorrow I will either rewrite another paper or start on a new paper. I had forgotten how much writing you have to do in school. It’s already my second semester and it’s still taking me by surprise. Oh well, I should be used to this by the time I start year 2.

Today I asked some folks what our schedule will be like during the summer. My program is in session year-round, but I didn’t know what that really meant during the summer months, especially August. Turns out the demands are much lower during that month. I’m really excited about this because it means we might actually be able to take a family vacation. Where? I don’t know yet. Frankly, anywhere will do.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m really enjoying school. In fact, I like almost everything about it except that I don’t get to hang out with the kids on the weekends. Since my parents come over to play with them while I study, I think they’re doing just fine. It’s just good ol’ maternal guilt messing with my head.

I just decided what I’m going to do tomorrow. I’m going to write some interview questions for a study I’m conducting for the research class. I’ll have to run them through a long list of criteria to see if they make good questions. That will be new and different and fun.

Categories: school
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Before the Chinese New Year feast at my parents’ house yesterday, Kevin and I went to the theater and saw Valentine’s Day. It’s our first movie theater experience together since Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. (Kevin took Alex and his friends to see The Lightning Thief for his birthday, but I stayed home with the girls.) If you enjoy ensemble cast romantic comedies like Love Actually and He’s Just Not That Into You, you’ll love this movie, doubly so if you live in Los Angeles; every picturesque scene is a Valentine to this city. My favorite characters were played by Taylor Swift and Julia Roberts. One made me laugh, and the other made me cry. The rest of the star-studded cast was pretty good too. I only wish the older couple played by Shirley MacLaine and Hector Elizondo had gotten more screen time.

Categories: entertainment, movies
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Tomorrow is Chinese New Year. We’re heading over to my parents’ house for a feast. I can’t wait. I baked some almond biscotti tonight to take over tomorrow. It’s a family favorite, but it takes me about 3 hours to make from start to finish, plus the cleanup is heinous, so I don’t make it nearly as often as they’d like.

I count Chinese New Year among one of the coolest benefits of being Chinese American; I get to celebrate the new year TWICE. This year all I’m hoping for is something a little better than what I’ve been feeling: overworked, underpaid, and perpetually sick. I’d also like to have a few moments of clarity, pretty please.

My first semester back in school has made me question my sanity. Why am I taking on this intense obligation, both in terms of time and money, when all three of my kids are young and we’re constantly counting our pennies? About half of my classmates have grown children, and many others have no kids. These people think I’m insane. Frankly, I think I am too.

Despite all this, I still have hope. I have a conference presentation I’ve been stressing over, but as of next week it’ll be done. I’m going to see a new doctor in a couple of weeks, so maybe my health will improve sooner rather than later. I’m working on incorporating a bit of meditation into my day, which should help in many ways. I just discussed our budget with Kevin, and we think we should be able to survive until our furloughs end, whether it’s one or two years from now.

On that note, I wish you all a happy Year of the Tiger. May you eat lots of good food and prosper in the new year!

Categories: budget, chinese, school, work-life balance
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