The most adorable girls in the world

Last weekend I got to take my nieces (as well as sis-in-law and bro-in-law) to Magic Kingdom at Orlando. The girls are just the cutest little things and are too adorable for words. I don't even know how to describe the cuteness..... (see photo) The girls had a great time with me while we danced and ate chocolate and played games at the hotel room. The development of little kids is just incredible - they have grown so much (and talked so much more this time) since the last time I saw them 3 months ago. The cutest thing was that they both fought for the opportunity to be sleeping next to me so they had to rotate on a nightly basis. I never knew how much joy I would feel wanted by kids. And I loved it!! I love being loved by them!!

I still remember 3 months ago right before we had to say goodbye, little Sarah cried and begged me to take her with me back to Cali. Oh she broke my heart that day!! I don't even know how I get attached to my nieces hard and fast?

The sad thing was that Erik did not get to come with me this time because I was in training in Orlando. He was disappointed that he did not get to see them this time but it had to work out this way. On the other side, though I was at the happiest place on earth with the most adorable family, I did miss my husband and wished he were there with me. Not being with him for one whole week was tough and I couldn't wait to get back home to be with him.

I am in!!! Toastmasters club continued....

I got the note last night!!! - that I have won the lottery to get into the Toastmasters club here at work. This is just FANTASTIC news! Though I don't consider myself shy at all, it does not hurt to have training and practice so I can become a better public speaker!

I remember my motto for life used to be 'Conquer all my fears' when I was younger. Not so much anymore... I don't think about conquering my fears as often and as my new year resolution. Why? maybe due to aging?

Below is a list of what I wanted to do before I turned 30:
1. skydive
2. white water rafting (level 4)
3. scuba dive
4. okay I can't remember what else I wanted to do..... but I certainly remember that I wanted tattoos amongst other things.....

Anywhow - did not do any of the above. As I continue to develop my emotional maturity, I have turned against tattooing or other body mutilation arts... what's the point anyways? Once I get older and my skin starts sagging, the tattoo will look like bad ink underneath my skin...

Okay - too much rambling - this was supposed to be Toastmasters Club and my desires to improve my public speaking skills!

- until then

Table has turned

I remember last summer. It was a summer of hope and excitement for me to finally leave the coldness of New England. Though we were leaving friends and family behind and the the city that I absolutely love, I still wanted to leave. I simply did not want to spend 75% of my life next to the heaters. It was sad but our minds were made up.

The table has turned this summer. We have met a wonderful couple who we love spending time with. And due to other reasons, they are moving closer to her family's place. We had dinner by the Santana Row one night, and it just reminded me of us last year. It was sad, but I understand their decision to be closer to her family. After all, it was exactly what we had done just a year ago.

What if we never have to say goodbye to anyone, anything, anywhere? would the world be a more peaceful place?

Toastmasters Club

Okay so I aced my public speaking course during my senior year in college and I have thought that I am now immune to the fear of public speaking... though, after years of infrequent public speaking opportunities that I have had, I need to get into it again after the butterfly in my stomach when I have to speak in public. I just came back from a Toastmasters Club kick-off meeting - there are only a spot of 20 yet there were 80 people who claimed interest... will I get in? Will I win the 'lottery' by random selection? I sure hope so because, this is one of the greatest investment in me and myself!

Wish me luck friends!

The Island

Last night Erik and I had a date night. We watched the movie 'The Island' starring Scarlett and Ewan. What a fantastic movie?! Not only is it action packed, it also has my favorite element in it - 'sci-fi thriller' and I love that suspense stuff! At the end of the movie though, you can't help but wonder the objectives and thoughts behind this movie. This movie was intelligently made and it contains several symbolisms such as the morality behind 'stem-cell research' and freeing of 'slaves'. Not that I agree with the conversatives point of view on the stem-sell research, but it gets people thinking the implications of having full-blown research as such.

If you have not seen the movie, definitely go for it! I sure was captivated!!