My Asian Excursion

Okay, in at attempt to expand my horizons and get back to a little more adventure/travel.  We embarked to the Asian Gardens Mall in Little Saigon (Westminster).  The online review said it is as close as you can get without getting on a plane.  I wish we would have had more time to explore the surrounding area but in an effort to get back early we just limited ourselves to the mall. 

I also wish we would have ate at the Little Saigon restaurant in the mall - maybe next time.  Instead we ate at Lee's Sandwiches, which was the busiest looking spot for locals with their newspapers and laptops.  I stuck with a smoothie and egg rolls, but I did try butterflies (a sweet deep fried pastry) and some other pastry that was slightly sweet in a triangle shape (don't know the name).  They were all good. 

Most of our shopping consisted of looking for a jade ring for me (which I bought) and toys for V. I wanted a t-shirt for myself but couldn't find one that said Little Saigon.  Oh well.  I did also learn that Hello Kitty is extremely popular. 

I enjoyed the experience and Case was a good sport.  He said he didn't feel like he was in a foreign land though.  I did note that I am very limited on my communication skills in Vietnamese.  The mall had cool statues outfront but I will say that some areas the incense was very, very strong.  If a person wants to try something different I would recommend checking it out if you have time.  It is not a huge mall though, but did have lots of jewelry stores. 

So that is our latest adventure.  I am hoping to take V to Legoland soon, as she's never been, along with a trip to Disneyland and a place called Paradise Point (if it is still around). 


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My latest interests

In trying to keep with my 2013 goal of blogging more, I thought I would update on my latest interests and hobbies - just for fun.

Things I like these days are shabby chic decorating (not country), and old books (which I bought one from 1910 and written in 1899 from a Library auction recently).  I am also on the look out these days for old jewelry (on the watch for cameos especially), although I'm really into rings and earrings right now (necklaces don't work with small children to yank them off). I am especially liking gemstone rings - thanks Kohl's for the great jewelry sale a couple days ago. Picked up a citrine and diamond ring for less than $100!

Of course, I'm always into all books and still have 50+ from Barnes and Noble and Library auctions that I am trying to work my way through.  Can't do the Kindle or ereaders yet.  I still love the feel and look of a tangible book.  I guess I'm getting old. :) This last week I got to do some extra help cleaning at church, so I am very grateful and glad for the opportunity to do that.  I'm also back on my Weight Watchers tracking - my diet has been out of control.  Not good.  So back to my points tracker on my phone. 

We started Sportball with V yesterday which introduces small children into different types of sports.  We'll see how it goes.  I also have a craft book for toddlers, so we have been creating crafts every week. 

So those are my latest fads and hobbies.  Hope everyone has a great week!

Crystal





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2013 Goals

Okay, I finally had time to see how I did for my 2012 Resolutions and work on my goals for this year (I've decided I prefer the term "goals" over "resolutions).  As before, they are not in any special order.  Let's  start with 2012:  

My 2012 Resolutions

1. Continue writing freelance articles and blogs for extra money. Update blogs & articles once a week.   – Over half done @ 60% or 31 times in 2012

2. Exercise 4 times a week with a core/upper body workout twice a week – Almost made it at 3 times week

3. Continue outside hobbies including reading, recipes, crosswords, etc., and make time for them - even if it is only an hour a week. - DONE and In progress

4. Get and keep scrapbooking caught up - this is tough with so many cute pics! NOT DONE – in progress

5. Continue time for family and friends - schedule it on my planner if needed! – DONE and in progress

6. Continue taking better care of my skin, including washing my face at night. – Started DONE, but NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

7. Save up money to get the fence repainted and pool cover replaced. – ½ DONE – Cover replaced – fence not painted.

8. Finish paying off credit cards. – NOT DONE

9. Be a flexitarian - eat fish at least once a week and do Meatless Monday meal once a week! – Fish 67% ONLY – but Meatless Meals – DONE! J

10. Get body fat below 30% - it’s 37.5% as of 1/1/12 – NOT DONE – crept up to 42% L

11. Read at least 10 books and keep record of them – ½ DONE – Read 5

12. Continue Cairo's socialization once a week – DONE 98%

13. Continue donating time/money to charities - donate time or money at least once a month – DONE Averaged 2 ½ times a month of time or money

14. Continue trips and outings with Case - go some place on our Trip List at least quarterly! – DONE – Nine outtings – almost once a month average

15. Read to Vivian at least 3 times a week – DONE!!!

16. Decrease my daily to-do list – DONE and in progress

17. Be present in my activities and what I am doing right now - Be balanced in all endeavors. – Better I think – In progress

18. Do a 10k - at least one! – DONE sort of – did two 5ks instead.

19. Take Vivian to swimming lessons and possibly gymnastics – ½ DONE – currently in gymnastics and swimming next summer.

20. Try to be the best mom I can be - Yes, this is the REAL number one on my list! Hopefully in progress!

21. Continue walking Cairo regularly which sometimes coincides with regular exercise. J - Not done – due to Cairo’s health issues she has to cut down on walking. 

22. Be more patient and forgiving, especially with my husband. - ??? In progress

23. Work on my spiritual needs and goals, continue to pray and study at least once a week! – DONE and in progress

24. Plant a small garden in the spring for fresh veggies. - DONE

25. Start using my Rosetta Stone to learn some Spanish, and continue to learn some more Sign Language words.  – ½ DONE – need to focus on Spanish

26. Get my pile of old magazines caught up and cleared out – NOT DONE but I have a plan for 2013

27. Buy a bicycle – Not done maybe next year?

28. Adopt a shelter dog? – Not done maybe in 2013 or 2014

29. Be more punctual – Improved but could still needs improvement. 

30. Started at least 3 servings of fruits/vegetables a day in July – DONE 

     For 2013 -  Again, not in any order and most are the same or similar with some adjustments

     My 2013 Resolutions

1. Continue writing freelance articles and blogs for extra money – Update blogs & articles once a MONTH. 
2. Exercise 4 times a week
3. Continue outside hobbies including reading, recipes, crafts, crosswords, etc., and make time for them - even if it is only an hour a week.
4. Get scrapbooking photos caught up – Once caught up then big trips will be done with blurb/shutterfly type photo books (regular pics still scrapbooked)
5. Continue time for family and friends - schedule it on my planner if needed
6. Continue taking better care of my skin, including washing my face at night.
7. Save up money to get the fence repainted
8. Pay off credit cards.
9. Be a flexitarian - eat fish at least once a week and do MEATLESS meal once a week!
10. Get body fat below 30% -
11. Read at least 5 books and keep record of them
12. Continue donating time/money to charities - donate time or money at least an average of once a month
13. Continue trips and outings with Case - go some place on our Trip List at least quarterly!
14. Read to Vivian at least 3 times a week
15. Decrease my daily to-do list
16. Be present in my activities and what I am doing right now - Be balanced in all endeavors.
17. Do a 5k – hopefully two
18. Take Vivian to swimming lessons
19. Try to be the best mom I can be - Yes, this is ALWAYS the REAL number one!
20. Be more patient and forgiving.
21. Work on my spiritual goals; continue weekly study and try to make at least one assembly meeting, and continue reading Bible at least weekly (highlight favorite verses)
22. Start weekly family study night
23. Start weekly family game night
24. Do one weekly project/craft/outting with Vivian
25. Plant a small garden for fresh veggies.
26. Start using my Rosetta Stone for Spanish, and continue to learn some more Sign Language words. 
27. Get my pile of old magazines caught up 
28. Buy a bicycle
29. Stop biting nails (again)
30. Start my monthly friend/family list
31. Finish and order my poetry book from Booksmart
32. Get at least 3 servings of fruits/veggies a day. 

There you go!  I have a couple more than last year, but most of them are the same overall.  Though some of my goals fell short,overall I didn't do too bad.  I look forward to 2013 and hope for the best for everyone.  Time is one thing that we can't buy more of. Peace.