2012 (Last Half)

So, the first half of 2012 wasn't good. (See We Miss you Bimblebee...)

The summer, and then fall, was spent in this weird fog (let's be honest, the fog hasn't really lifted yet, and don't know if it ever completely will).  We were trying to adjust our lives, figure out where to go from there. I still think we're tumbling and stumbling...it's so weird and surreal, but a learning process all the same, right? for all of us.

Monkey started preschool in September. OMG! My baby is such a big boy! *Knock on Wood* he loves school, and we lucked out with his classmates.  They are all so sweet, and their parents are just the same. phew...

Fall was BUSY, as this time of year tends to get.  This year was really tough, the fog growing around the holidays.  The Holidays was her favorite time of year. We pushed through September, then through October...then Sandy hit.  We weren't sure what to make of this storm initially.  The year before, Irene hardly made a dent on us.  We prepared nonetheless...and thank God we did.  Devastation all over the tri-state area.  Friends homeless for various reasons, offices and schools shut, some indefinitely.  2012 was really campaigning for worst year ever.  Our home was okay, electricity maintained, but Hubs' office was not so lucky.  It took some time to get everything cleaned up and reorganized. But it got done.


A couple weddings also fell in the midst of the second half of the year, beginning in August, (Welcome to the SAE Wives' Club, MS!), and then quite a few travels tacked on.  Florida, Vegas, LA, Maryland, London, and finally, Malaysia.

London came at a much needed time for us (Thanksgiving) and was really nice for Monkey to see all his cousins and Aunties and Uncles on Hubs' side of the fam.  It was also great for Hubs to spend time with his cousins.  He really needed it after the last year.   His family there is always so hospitable, and weenjoyed laughing and spending quality time.  We ate yummy Wagamamas (mmmm, Chili Chicken Mein & Raw Juice), Royal China (shredded Peking duck, dim sum, lots of wine), and Traditional English Fry-Ups every morning (Hubs & Monkey were so cute at the breakfast buffet each morning).  Missed Ping Pong, but tried a new Vietnamese place with my cousin and her husband (Salted caramel ice cream?! Yes, please!)  You know I can't talk about traveling without talking about food--whose blog do you think you're reading?!

Back to NY, and the December rush began.  Monkey's 3rd birthday (WHA?!), the different early family Christmases, and then our trip to Malaysia.

Monkey's 3rd birthday theme was Octonauts, of course...because Monkey is OBSSESSED.  It was another gym-based party...and Monkey had an amazing time with his friends and family.

Octonauts Cake Pops from my go-to, Lerida @ NY Cake Pops

Going to Malaysia was going to be our first trip in a long time that included nothing but relaxing, laughing, eating, and sleeping.  It was DEFINITELY much needed, and the most calm way to end this bizarre year.  Hubs, Monkey, Li'l Sis and I got on our Korean Air A380 flight headed to KL, excited to spend time with my Malaysian family, and my grandfather.  The trip did not disappoint, the first night being my cousin, Gui's Pub Golf birthday.  It was an ooltie of a time, apparently (I stayed in with Monkey).  We laughed so much, my face and stomach hurt.  Many nicknames came abound for the entire crew, and we ate so much, I really looked into purchasing some "comfier" pants.  Rot canai, fried rice, steamed buns, & exotic fruits for breakfast, Fierce Biryani (yummmmmmmy, cod fish biryani) -- the owner is this hilarious, dimple cheeked, fierce bear of a guy and we love him to bits, Nutella & Kaya rotis, Salted Gula Melaka ice cream (please, Taklu, step away from the freezer), Coffee Bean lattes (some Stateside comfort), and McD's fried apple pies (how could I resist?)

Chili Crab...yes, bibs were worn

Monkey enjoyed a new Thomas train everyday from Didi, and exciting jungle gyms and squirt gun fights with his Guy & Reinu Mamus.  Everyday, Hubs, Li'l Sis, & I would fight over the most amazing massage chair on the planet.  We even had our very own live-in Santa Claus in our Uncle.  One of the best parts of my trip was watching the interaction between Monkey and his Bada Nana. Separated by 2 generations in between, just a hug between the two would make me smile from ear to ear.
In between, Mom & Dad came down to visit from India, and we drove down to this awesome resort island, Pangkor Laut. For 3 days, we would wake up, eat breakfast, hang out by the pool, eat lunch, nap or get a massage, eat dinner, go to sleep. It was AMAZING!  While there, Hubs & I celebrated our 7 year anniversary.  We were going to do a romantic dinner just the 2 of us, but Monkey had decided he was not going to leave our sides the entire trip, so my parents & Li'l Sis decided to surprise us by bringing the romantic restaurant dinner to us.  Champagne & yummy grilled cod and seafood salads were had as Monkey watched the fish swim beneath us (while also noshing on his own ice cream creation).

A view from our seats on Emerald Cove Beach

New Year's Eve was spent at a "House" Party in our hotel rooms, all our cousins in tow.  Monkey jumping around like a, well, like a Monkey as we ate, laughed, and watched the Fireworks display outsideof our window.  Two days later we were back on the Korean Air A380...on our way back to NYC and to begin the New Year.

New Year's Resolutions

I know, I know...I promised I'd post more last summer...then suddenly *poof* I disappeared again.
Well I'm back, and #1 on my list of New Year's Resolutions is to Blog More...so, read through at your own discretion to find out what I plan on changing and how :)
Enjoy!

1. Blog more -- I love writing, and it has always helped me organize my thoughts and emotions. But "journal writing" has stopped helping me with that. I think the blog format makes it more interesting for me. I definitely need some sort of release.

2. Make a better effort with people -- have I mentioned before that I'm not much of a people person? Since I was born I've always just sort of been my own buddy. Entertaining myself. Being socially awkward and/or shy. Not caring much for ass-kissing, BS, or anything of the sort. I also think I wear my emotions on my face...so in the end all this just makes people think I'm a, oh what's that not so nice word for a not so nice female?? Yeh, that. I'm not. I promise. People who know me well will attest to that. But since a very young age, my shyness and lack of BS tolerance makes me look like...that word. So, I just sort of gave into it. Whatever. I don't care what people think. But I do. And although hubby is not much of a talker, everyone likes him because he is a good person, fun, and honest. I think i lack in the fun department. So i definitely need to step up. thus, I will try BETTER, not necessarily harder --as I shouldn't HAVE to be desperate. I just have to do better.

3. Be nicer to my hubby -- He works really hard, and I don't think I give him enough credit for all that he does for his family.

4. Create a realistic budget. Stick with it. -- this just speaks for itself. I'm a complete shopaholic. Not crazy expensive items. Just everyday everythings. If I want the big things eventually - our own home, topmost college education for my baby...I must stop shopping mindlessly. When I do shop, I must shop smarter. Also, pay off current debts.

5. Declutter my home, my work, my life. -- I'm a pretty organized person, at least I think so. But I'm a total hoarder. I need to declutter, I'm Monica from Friends. I don't have just ONE messy closet though...I have multiples + messy drawers, cupboards, etc. I also want organize ALL the photos I have (and those packed up somewhere in the warehouse), hard copy and online, so we never have to worry about losing them. Like I said--I'm Monica from Friends.

6. Take better photographs. -- a past hobby of mine that I miss.

7. Be more focused at work. -- too much to explain on this one. So let's keep it simple.

8. Drink more water -- at least 2 liters a day. It's just better for my skin, my hair, and my belly. Just ordered my first faucet water purifier (PUR) (as opposed to the 7 year old BRITA fridge pitcher water purifier we currently have.)

9. Cook at least 2-3 days a week-- for me, my family, and even finally for my friends. Obviously, we all know that cooking is healthier, cheaper, and apparently more therapeutic (I'm still waiting to see that last one happen for me). It's a way to better control what goes into mine and my family's bodies...and, well, i like control :). Why cooking for my friends? i'd just like to have my friends over more for dinners (something i prefer over the drinking binges at oh so many bars out and about in the city), and let them see the progress i have made since the hockey puck apple muffins and stomachache cold noodles of yesteryear. This combined with #2 -- be a better hostess.

10. Workout at least 4-5 days a week -- again, no brainer. I was able to do this for 3 months over the summer. And boy did it make adifference in all aspects of my life. Then a few trips (ie excuses) knocked out my momentum...and it was all downhill from there. All my progress wiped out clean. Also -- stretch, stretch, stretch. My body feels a hundred years old.

11. Eat less simple carbs, more fiber, protein, and good for my body foods, my allow indulgences so i don't go crazy -- this ties in with #10. I was doing the no carbs at night thing, more protein at breakfast, more veggies all day, triple thinking sweet treats, and tracking what i'm eating to make myself aware of what's going into my body.

12. Pamper myself a bit -- i need to finally use all those massage gift certificates people have given me over the years. (They have not expired, i checked). I need to get manis/pedis more often. I need to actually pay attention to my hair, and not let it be a frizzy, bumpy mess on a daily basis.

13. Meditate more -- breathe, do yoga, take a few minutes of quiet time a day, and, in conjunction with meditating, learn patience -- jetlag & potty training have really taken their toll on me today.

So 13 resolutions for 2013. Wish me luck! And maybe prescribe me a xanax.