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Beginning of My Motherhood
It’s been ages since I’ve been up here. I wish I could’ve returned to my blog sooner, but 2024 has been a whirlwind of craziness and exhaustion. Before 2023 came to a close, I set my goals for 2024, with meeting baby N, my son, at the top of the list. He decided to make his grand entrance a week earlier than expected, adding an unexpected twist to our story. Let me share an amusing tale. The Night Before The night before my labor began, my brother joked, “Wouldn’t it be funny if you went into labor during our meeting with dad and the others? We’d both be excused because…
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Celebrating National Museum Day: Discovering the Treasures of Our Past
Today is National Museum Day! This is a special occasion that invites us to step back in time, explore diverse cultures, and marvel at the ingenuity of humanity throughout the ages. As an entrepreneur, new mom, and lifelong learner, I find immense value in museums not just as reservoirs of knowledge but as inspiring spaces that spark curiosity and creativity. Why Museums Matter Museums are more than just buildings filled with artifacts; they are vibrant institutions that preserve our heritage, educate our communities, and inspire future generations. They provide us with a tangible connection to the past, helping us understand the journey of human civilization and the milestones that have…
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Reflecting on 2023 and New Year’s Resolutions for 2024
It is normal to look back and reflect on what happened during the year. According to Stanley, the end of every year always makes him feel like a storm is coming. He says I go into my annual end-of-year meltdown and I freak out because I don’t feel like I achieved any significant milestones. From his perspective, I only consider lofty pie in the sky as success and anything else is nothing. Therefore, I decided to write my first ever reflection blog to “remind” myself of what milestones I have accomplished and eventually, each section will become its own blog post (I hope). I will also list my new year’s resolutions.…
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Brewing Joy: Creating Your Dream Coffee Station at Home
Hey there! How do you start your day? For me, there needs to be coffee. It’s not just a morning ritual; it’s a hobby that’s stuck with me since my college days. I’m definitely not a morning person, and I rely on that jolt of caffeine to wake me up and kickstart my day. I remember being like a little tornado every morning, rushing out of the house to catch the bus to make it to class on time. Back then, the quality of my coffee was the least of my concerns – it was all about the quantity! How It Started I had this $20 Mr. Coffee 5-cup maker,…
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Winter Pregnancy Wellness: Finding Joy In Seasonal Challenges
It’s December now, we are officially in the winter season! As winter weaves its frosty tapestry across some part of the world, there is some undeniable magic in the air. This enchanting and charming season can come with its own set of challenges. Sometimes people get depressed with the cold weather and shorter day times. Luckily for me, I’m originally from Taiwan and currently living in California, so snowy weather challenges are not exactly on my to-do list! Most of the time winter doesn’t bother me much; in fact, I’m one of those weirdos who gets excited for more than just the holiday season- I’m talking winter excitement, baby! Now, I…
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Smart Spending: A Guide for a Budget- Friendly Holiday Season
Ah, the holiday season- a time of giving, but always, the season of SPENDING! Last time I talked about how to stay organized to avoid being overwhelmed by the holiday season. Read here! Today, let’s delve into the holiday money problem! Don’t let the holiday season break your wallet. Many people forget the concept of budgeting and money management, and when holidays arrive; they tend to overspend, or they don’t have the budget to celebrate the holidays. These are my tips to save money while still enjoying a happy holiday season. 1. Start planning early So many people stress out during the holiday season because of the spending on gifts,…
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Rediscovering Joy: The Unexpected Journey of Adopting Bagel
Today is Bagel’s gotcha day! After March passed away, the sadness of losing him was excruciating and I vowed that I will not have any pets in the future because I don’t want to go through that painful experience again; March was with me throughout most of my time here in America. The loss of March was an emotionally challenging experience for me, and it seemed impossible to fill in the emptiness inside me. It took me a few months to accept that he is no longer with me and begin the transition to my newfound sense of freedom and independence. Life without a pet was amazing and I had…
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Home for the Holidays: The Joys of Adopting a Pet
The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and giving, and what better way to embrace the spirit of the season than by opening your heart and home to a furry friend in need? Holiday pet adoption is a wonderful way to make the season even more special, both for you and for a deserving animal waiting for a forever home. Before you head to the shelter, please make sure you do thorough research, so you are aware of the expectations of being a pet owner. Pet ownership is a huge responsibility. Here is the article I wrote for OPC that can help you started with your research: New…
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Recreating Cozy Magic: A Homemade Mulled Wine Adventure
The first time I tried a mulled wine was in the autumn of 2015. I went to Frankfurt for the International Book Fair for a business trip. After the fair, I decided to brave the chilly weather and embark on a sightseeing adventure with my parents; The temperature hovered around only 9 degrees Celsius. My mom who hates the cold, and she still bravely joined and explored local marketplaces with us. When my dad decided to take his beer break, she questioned the sanity of us sipping cold beers in such cold conditions. She doesn’t understand how we can still order beer like German. However, she would like to have some…
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Defying Expectations: My Unexpected Journey to a Music Composition Major
Welcome back! Today, I’ll share the intriguing story of how I ended up majoring in music composition. Given my lifelong relationship with music, you might think this was a natural choice, but it’s quite the opposite. My journey was far from predictable, and here’s how it all unfolded. Difficult Beginnings Before college, I didn’t view music as a source of enjoyment; rather, it felt like a tedious chore. Piano practice was something I tried to avoid at all costs. In fact, I have a funny story from my fifth grade. To combat my reluctance to practice, my mom would sit with me during my piano sessions. One day, she had…
