Shared Journeys, Shared Memories

Today I extended my birthday celebration and had a brunch with several of my closest friends and family along with their moms.  When I was thinking of what I wanted to do for my birthday I decided I wanted to keep it small and casual, but do something a little different and special.  I wanted to include the moms that have led us on this journey and been there to support us along the way.

Several of my friends thought it was so thoughtful to include their moms and I was happy to do so...mainly because I've grown so close to my mom over the past several years, so it just felt like an extension of that love and gratitude.  And all of the moms were so thankful that I included them...it was my pleasure!  It was so fun to see all of them today and see all the joy and laughter shared with one another.  Remembering shared experiences, stories and discussing our futures.  It was a moment of gratitude for our shared journeys, our shared memories and the connections we've made.  That's all that really matters in life.  It's those moments...those people closest to you and those bonds that sustain us.

I feel blessed and honored that everyone I invited to the brunch today accepted and came on a cold, wet and windy day.  It's very rare that everyone you invite to a party actually accepts and shows up, so I'm truly grateful for their time, friendship and support!!

Even though I was freaking myself out leading up to my birthday (because of the age I was turning), it came and passed and all was well.  I knew it would be, but the realities of age are creeping in now.  We're all of the age now where you're not "young" anymore, but you're not really old either.  It's that in-between where the body starts acting up and you realize what is happening to you.  You're getting older and you're feeling your age now!  Yuck.  Before, that was just for your parents or your grandparents.  But, now we've entered "that age" where it all begins.  Oh joy.

But, with age comes wisdom and we are all much wiser than we were.  We've all learned so much and continue to grow each day.  It's the journey of life and if we're all lucky enough to connect and share it with others that care and support us then we will have a full and joyous life.  My heart is full, my soul is grateful and I AM blessed beyond measure.

I hope you have a blessed week ahead and make an old or even new connection with someone this week!

New Show

Have any of you watched the new show, Fresh Off the Boat?  It's about Asian immigrants from Taiwan adjusting to the American culture.  I haven't watched it yet because it seems a little over the top.  It looks like it emphasizes the Asian stereotypes a little too much just to get the laugh...and yes, it's a comedy, so it's expected.  But, why can't there be an Asian on TV that we're not stereotyping and that's just part of a normal story line, like Christina Yang in Grey's Anatomy.  You may have seen her as the cold, hard, ambitious Asian when the show first started, but over the years you just saw her as Christina Yang and not the Asian doctor.  I think we need more role models like that.

If you've read my book you know I mention the fact that we don't see many Asians on TV that we can emulate or want to be like because there are very few represented on TV.  So, when I first heard about this new show I thought "Finally, a show with a whole cast of Asians!  Maybe a little overload, but still a step in the right direction!"  But, then I saw more of what the show was about and it really didn't intrigue me enough (yet) to watch it.

How do you feel about seeing Asians on TV?  How do you feel about how they are portrayed on TV?  I am interested to see how this new show fares, though...to see if mainstream America wants to see a show like this and cares enough to keep it on...only time will tell.

If you've watched the show, let me know what you think about it.  Otherwise, have a delightfully blessed week!

Birthday First..

I enjoyed a long and wonderful birthday weekend this past weekend...and actually have today off of work, too!  I definitely need today to get everything back to 'normal' and organized again.  But, on my actual birthday I experienced a first that I know many adoptees have had and probably much earlier than myself.....

As I was driving back from my morning workout, I thought about my birth parents.  I wondered if they were still alive.  I wondered if they were thinking about me today and had thought about me on every previous birthday of mine.  I wondered if the father even knew he had a daughter...maybe he didn't know.  This was the first time I've really ever thought about my birth parents on my birthday...that I can remember...perhaps I did when I was younger and don't remember.  But, I don't remember ever being in such deep thought about it as I was the other day.  Perhaps it was because it was the age that I was turning and I've been extremely reflective over the past few months or perhaps it was because I truly wanted to know.

Either way, I found it to be a profound moment on my birth-day.  And, I know many adoptees wonder these things not just on their birthday, but many times throughout a year.  It's just something I don't normally think about because I've always known they did what they did for the right reasons.  The right reasons for them...and for me.  I've never held any anger or resentment towards them for their decision and I've always been grateful for the life I've been given.  

So, as I enter another decade of my life I feel joyfully blessed and grateful for who I am, where I am and for those that love and support me.  And, I'm thankful for my family, especially my parents, for making my birthday a special day!  It was great to spend the day surrounded by loved ones...playing, laughing, and making new memories!  

Have a blessed week ahead and embrace who you are and where you are in your own life!

D-Day...B-Day...V-Day

Yes, my birthday is on Valentine's Day which means it's only a few days away...D-day!!!  D-day...doomsday, downhill from here, depressing...these are all the things that have been running through my head the last several weeks, months leading up to my birthday.  Why all the drama?  I'm usually not so dramatic or depressed about my impending birthday, but this year hits a milestone...one of those years!  And, it's the one that I've always had in the back of my head as the one that says "yes, you are old now."  And now it's here!  Eeek!  How did I get here?  How am I this age already?!

I now realize I took time and my 'youthful' age for granted over the past several years because they've flown by and now I'm here...at 'that' age!  Gulp.  Really?  Already?  Don't I have a few more years to go?  What happened to this last year?  Where did it go?

Yes, I'm not dealing well with this birthday and I know it'll come and go with no big fanfare, but I think at the core of it it just makes me think more about how much less time I have with my parents now.  Now that I'm hitting this milestone, I know (hopefully) they only have another couple decades left which makes me want to rewind time and enjoy it more.  It makes me want to spend as much time with them as I can building even more great memories with them.  And it just makes me sad.  I know several of my friends who have lost one parent or both already.  I don't think I could deal with that.  I can't imagine losing one of them.  But, it's definitely crossed my mind more often these days.  It makes me panic a little because I'm not married yet nor do I have kids and I definitely want them both around for that!  I don't want them to miss out on those milestones in my life...and I know they don't want to either.  And, I also know some of my friends that will never reach this milestone, so it makes me realize how lucky I really am.  Their families won't get to celebrate with them or hold them or laugh with them again.  Life is short and I know it's just a number, but I think it's bothering me so much because it's 'that' number.  I know I'll be fine after it passing and with each subsequent year that comes along.  It was just hitting this number that has me all freaked out.  

So, I have a couple more days to get my head on straight about this...and I'll get there...and I'll be grateful and blessed for the day, celebrating with family and friends and yes, for the number!  So, wish me luck as I deal with my impending b-day on v-day and I hope you enjoy the day, as well!  Have a blessed week and thanks for continuing to follow my journey!

Change...Is It Coming?

Most of the time I like the routine of life as one week comes and goes, but of course we all like to mix things up and we all know that change is inevitable.  The more comfortable you are with change the better...because life is all about change.  Of course the big life events, but the unexpected ones, as well.  The little adjustments to your day or the hope of trying to make change in your life...to move forward, to grow and make a 'new' life...a new routine.

So, as I look ahead to some possible change in my life I wonder what I'll be able to control and see and what I won't.  It will definitely be a mix of both and as a planner by nature I would rather control what change comes next in my life...and to some extent I'll be able to do that.  But, in other cases it won't be up to me and I'll just go with the flow the best I can.  That's all any of us can do.  

I feel change is upon me...in many different ways, I just don't know what exactly.  It's just a feeling.  So, as I prepare my self for the unexpected...hopefully good unexpected...I hold fast to my values and beliefs, as well as, to the promises of a full life...God's promises to me.  How am I to be used today to serve God and fulfill his promises?  How will I be changed?  What does today...tomorrow hold for me?  In God's hands I stand and faithfully accept the change that is coming.  Today.  Tomorrow and everyday.

So, whatever change comes your way today...feel the blessings of God lift you up and move you forward!

Super Bowl Fever

The Super Bowl has come and gone with all the hype, controversy and glitz that builds up every year to the big game.  Yes, it's about the football, the play calling (a big deal this year..."what was he thinking with that last play call for Seattle?"), the match-ups and the legacies of teams....but, it's now also about the commercials, food and the half-time show.  What's your favorite part of Super Bowl Sunday?

I'm a big sports fan in general...most any sport...so, the game is first and foremost important to me, then it's probably the entertainment (commercials and half-time show) and finally the food.  It's just all one big reason to self-indulge in party foods, bet on a big game and cheer or jeer about the game.  That's Americana at it's best and it just seems to get bigger and better every year.  How is that possible?

However, the collective 'theme' if you will of most of the commercials was less than goofy, comedic or uplifting as most years are...this year they were trying to tap more into our emotions with heartfelt ads, shocking and somewhat depressing messages.  Of course, they were all done to either shock us, make us talk about the ad and/or product, and raise awareness of a product or social issue.  And, most of the time the ads do just that...especially now with social media...you can see things trending immediately.  So, however you reacted to the numerous Super Bowl ads, hopefully you were entertained...because in the end that's what it's all about.

There's the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat and in this year's Super Bowl that can't be more true for each team.  Unbelievable.  So, until next year's big game...I hope you enjoyed this one!  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.  

Have a blessed first week of February!!