It was 10 years ago today that I signed the papers on my 1st house! Yep, 10 years! Wow. It's doesn't feel like 10 years in this house already. It feels like maybe 6 or 7 years, but not 10. My how time flies!
Looking back on the jobs that I've had since then, the new neighbors that have come and gone and the changes in my family (marriages, divorces, nephews and nieces, etc). A lot can change in just a year, but a decade later where am I at now? How have I changed? How have I grown? What have I achieved? What have I failed at? What did I learn? What are my goals for the next 10 years? 5 years? 1 year ahead?
I normally don't look 10 years ahead because you never know what is going to happen, what bumps in the road will alter your path forever and what my interests will be 10 years from now. It's too far ahead for me to plan...or to even think about. I've been trying to live in the present...the here and now...so that I can appreciate the moments, to be grateful for them and to truly experience life as it comes. It's not easy, especially when I'm a planner by nature, so I'm always looking a week ahead, a month ahead and not living in the present. We really never know how much time we have on this earth, so I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. And, I want to make sure I'm truly living my life...not waiting for this or that and not letting my life pass me by for whatever reason (stressing me out at the moment or worrying me about my future plans, etc).
10 years, huh? Thanks for the shelter, the memories, protection from the storms, modern conveniences, water, heat, air conditioning, and comfort. It's been a wonderful 10 years! I hope wherever your home is or wherever you call "home" is filled with special memories made and to come! Blessings to you this week!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Back to School...
It's that time of the year again...back to school! All the kiddos planning out what they'll wear on their first day back to school, what classes and teachers they'll have, what extra-curricular activities they'll be involved in, what new friends they'll make...all the first day jitters, all the new school year memories to be made...ahhh, it's almost fall! My favorite time of the year!
Some schools have already started back, but most around here start back tomorrow...which means back to abiding by all the school zones that surround me! It's always an exciting time for kids and even parents, but those first couple weeks of early mornings can be a little rough. School lunches packed, homework mounting up, and non-stop taxi service ensues for another year.
So, whether you are a parent or a student...good luck in the new school year! I hope the new year is full of fabulous memories and great achievements!! Blessings to you as you start back to school!
Some schools have already started back, but most around here start back tomorrow...which means back to abiding by all the school zones that surround me! It's always an exciting time for kids and even parents, but those first couple weeks of early mornings can be a little rough. School lunches packed, homework mounting up, and non-stop taxi service ensues for another year.
So, whether you are a parent or a student...good luck in the new school year! I hope the new year is full of fabulous memories and great achievements!! Blessings to you as you start back to school!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Don't Forget...
Don't forget...if you haven't purchased a copy of my book, Corn-fed with Rice on the Side, you can order it at www.kimfenneman.com. If you're an e-reader, you can purchase the e-book on Amazon.com.
It's a great look at daily life as an adoptee and many adoptees will find several familiar stories they can relate to. It's a very helpful and insightful book for adoptive parents or parents who are looking into adoption. And, I've had several non-adoptees tell me they could even relate to many of my stories! So, it's a book for all! To see life from a different perspective, gain a greater understanding of what it's like to be adopted, and to share in the laughter of life stories!
I hope you enjoy my journey and look forward to hearing yours! Blessings to you the rest of the week!
It's a great look at daily life as an adoptee and many adoptees will find several familiar stories they can relate to. It's a very helpful and insightful book for adoptive parents or parents who are looking into adoption. And, I've had several non-adoptees tell me they could even relate to many of my stories! So, it's a book for all! To see life from a different perspective, gain a greater understanding of what it's like to be adopted, and to share in the laughter of life stories!
I hope you enjoy my journey and look forward to hearing yours! Blessings to you the rest of the week!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Connecting....
Yesterday I connected with some local Korean adoptees to share our stories and meet other adoptees in the area. It was nice meeting them all and their families...and, of course hearing their stories and finding similarities in how we grew up or how we view certain things about being adopted. It's always very fascinating to hear about other people's journeys, how they grew up, how they view being adopted and hearing their families (mothers, fathers, spouses, children) perspectives. As I've said before, all adoptions are different and all adoptees are different, so as with any individual gracing this earth we all have our own stories....journey in life.
And, it's always nice to hear other people having the same views or outlooks as you. We're all connected by the simple fact that we were adopted, but that picture looks different for each one of us. So, it's nice to find that commonality and understanding with others that have experienced it.
I definitely wish we had more time or more opportunities to share with one another (as adoptees) and part of my involvement in coordinating these get-togethers (like the picnic in June and this get-together) is to encourage adoptees to get out and share their stories with others. To know that you're not alone or that they truly are a lot more of us (particularly in this area) than we think or know.
So, if you're not near a big city where there are opportunities to connect with other adoptees, I would encourage you to create that opportunity. It could be a coffee break, lunch, happy hour or whatever works where you live. Get up, get out and get connected!
Blessings to you this week!!
And, it's always nice to hear other people having the same views or outlooks as you. We're all connected by the simple fact that we were adopted, but that picture looks different for each one of us. So, it's nice to find that commonality and understanding with others that have experienced it.
I definitely wish we had more time or more opportunities to share with one another (as adoptees) and part of my involvement in coordinating these get-togethers (like the picnic in June and this get-together) is to encourage adoptees to get out and share their stories with others. To know that you're not alone or that they truly are a lot more of us (particularly in this area) than we think or know.
So, if you're not near a big city where there are opportunities to connect with other adoptees, I would encourage you to create that opportunity. It could be a coffee break, lunch, happy hour or whatever works where you live. Get up, get out and get connected!
Blessings to you this week!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
O Captain, My Captain!
How stunned and shocked many of us across the world were this week when we heard the news of Robin Williams passing. What a sad and tragic loss of such a kind, generous and loving soul that had such tremendous talent that was organic, brilliant and such a joy to all those he shared his genius gifts with throughout the years.
Just watching the highlights of his numerous films, TV roles, stand-up routines and countless USO trips you saw a life filled with so much beauty and laughter. It's just heartbreaking to know that he was suffering so much internally because he made the world a much happier place for so many. Meryl Streep said it so well on the Today show yesterday, "It's hard to believe such an unstoppable energy is now stopped." It's so true...he was such a force of nature. I remember watching him on Mork and Mindy growing up. I loved that show! And, we all have our favorite movies that he was in...mine were Dead Poets Society (poetry on screen), Good Will Hunting (such a deep and heartfelt performance), Good Morning Vietnam (can you imagine him as your every day DJ on the radio every morning?!), Aladdin, Hook, and What Dreams May Come (about what it's like in heaven). Such an amazing body of work! We have all been blessed to see and receive his talented gifts which is why I think many of us feel so saddened by his passing.
Steven Spielberg's tweet I thought summed it up the best and was so poignant..."Robin was a lightening storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him." Thank you for sharing your many gifts, generosity and loving soul with us, Mr. Williams. May you be at peace and make God laugh!
Just watching the highlights of his numerous films, TV roles, stand-up routines and countless USO trips you saw a life filled with so much beauty and laughter. It's just heartbreaking to know that he was suffering so much internally because he made the world a much happier place for so many. Meryl Streep said it so well on the Today show yesterday, "It's hard to believe such an unstoppable energy is now stopped." It's so true...he was such a force of nature. I remember watching him on Mork and Mindy growing up. I loved that show! And, we all have our favorite movies that he was in...mine were Dead Poets Society (poetry on screen), Good Will Hunting (such a deep and heartfelt performance), Good Morning Vietnam (can you imagine him as your every day DJ on the radio every morning?!), Aladdin, Hook, and What Dreams May Come (about what it's like in heaven). Such an amazing body of work! We have all been blessed to see and receive his talented gifts which is why I think many of us feel so saddened by his passing.
Steven Spielberg's tweet I thought summed it up the best and was so poignant..."Robin was a lightening storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him." Thank you for sharing your many gifts, generosity and loving soul with us, Mr. Williams. May you be at peace and make God laugh!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
K-Pop!
Have you heard about K-Pop? Me either...until I read this article earlier this morning. Is S.Korea the coolest place on earth? http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/opinion/yang-korea-cool/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
It's an interesting look into pop culture, but one that S.Koreans have worked really hard to develop...and now it seems to be paying off. That's the thing about Koreans...they work really, really hard to be #1. It's a cultural thing and you can bring shame to your family if you don't work hard or succeed in whatever you are doing (school, work, sports, etc.). It's a high pressure way to grow up with a ton of expectations placed upon you, but it's how they are raised and what they know. I still think Koreans tend to be reserved and conservative, as well, but they do have a competitive spirit to be the best.
Have you been intrigued or sucked into the K-Pop popularity recently? What do you like most about it? What do you not like about it? I think there was a lot of awareness about Korean pop culture when Psy broke into the public mainstream with "Gangnam Style". But, other than that song and video I really haven't seen a lot of it where I am. However,now I'll be keeping my eye out and seeing if the local teenagers are aware of it. It could be a regional thing, too.
Whatever pop culture is catching your eye these days, I hope it's a nice (and safe) distraction to your week. Have a blessed week ahead!
It's an interesting look into pop culture, but one that S.Koreans have worked really hard to develop...and now it seems to be paying off. That's the thing about Koreans...they work really, really hard to be #1. It's a cultural thing and you can bring shame to your family if you don't work hard or succeed in whatever you are doing (school, work, sports, etc.). It's a high pressure way to grow up with a ton of expectations placed upon you, but it's how they are raised and what they know. I still think Koreans tend to be reserved and conservative, as well, but they do have a competitive spirit to be the best.
Have you been intrigued or sucked into the K-Pop popularity recently? What do you like most about it? What do you not like about it? I think there was a lot of awareness about Korean pop culture when Psy broke into the public mainstream with "Gangnam Style". But, other than that song and video I really haven't seen a lot of it where I am. However,now I'll be keeping my eye out and seeing if the local teenagers are aware of it. It could be a regional thing, too.
Whatever pop culture is catching your eye these days, I hope it's a nice (and safe) distraction to your week. Have a blessed week ahead!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Heating Up
It's almost mid-August and it's definitely starting to heat up here in Texas! Normally by now we'd have several 100 degree days, but it's been a really mild summer compared to most summers. No complaining here! We've had two cold fronts that have actually led to cooler weather over the summer...so nice! But, you can't keep the 'dog days of summer' away forever. Looking at the forecast, the 100 degree weather is definitely upon us for awhile.
I can't believe it's August already and 'back-to-school' is right around the corner, literally! Where has the year gone? We only have 4 months left of this year! It definitely seems to be flying by fast! I just saw a girl from my gym at the grocery store with her 2 year old son and I couldn't believe he was 2 already! It seems like just yesterday I talked to her after she had him and now it's 2 years later?!?! How did that happen? He was a cutie though...half Korean half Japanese.
So, as the temps heat up I hope everyone finds ways to stay cool, enjoy their last vacations before school starts and survives the school shopping madness! Enjoy the last few days of summer and may you have a blessed week ahead!
I can't believe it's August already and 'back-to-school' is right around the corner, literally! Where has the year gone? We only have 4 months left of this year! It definitely seems to be flying by fast! I just saw a girl from my gym at the grocery store with her 2 year old son and I couldn't believe he was 2 already! It seems like just yesterday I talked to her after she had him and now it's 2 years later?!?! How did that happen? He was a cutie though...half Korean half Japanese.
So, as the temps heat up I hope everyone finds ways to stay cool, enjoy their last vacations before school starts and survives the school shopping madness! Enjoy the last few days of summer and may you have a blessed week ahead!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Break Over
It may have been unintentional or just the busyness of everyday life, but I haven't spent much time generating book sales in the past couple months. It's definitely been on my mind, but the days come and go and it's still on my to-do list. So, starting this week it's time to get back in the game!
There are a lot of organizations I need to contact and some I need to follow back up with, so it's moving back up to the top of my to-do list. It'll be back to 10+ hour days...day job and then night (book) job. It's what I did when the book was first published. I spent long days trying to drum up interest and publicity for my 1st book! Now, it's getting close to that 1 year anniversary mark when my book was first published....the end of this month. Holy cow....already a year has passed?! Where has the time gone?
So, if you've been following my blog or are just new to my postings, let me know if your church, school, book club or any adoption agencies or support organizations would like me to come speak, write an article, do an interview or be part of your book fair. I'd be happy to do it! Big or small I'm open to it all!!
Email me at kimfenneman@gmail.com for any requests, suggestions or ideas! Thank you! And, may you have a blessed week ahead!
There are a lot of organizations I need to contact and some I need to follow back up with, so it's moving back up to the top of my to-do list. It'll be back to 10+ hour days...day job and then night (book) job. It's what I did when the book was first published. I spent long days trying to drum up interest and publicity for my 1st book! Now, it's getting close to that 1 year anniversary mark when my book was first published....the end of this month. Holy cow....already a year has passed?! Where has the time gone?
So, if you've been following my blog or are just new to my postings, let me know if your church, school, book club or any adoption agencies or support organizations would like me to come speak, write an article, do an interview or be part of your book fair. I'd be happy to do it! Big or small I'm open to it all!!
Email me at kimfenneman@gmail.com for any requests, suggestions or ideas! Thank you! And, may you have a blessed week ahead!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)