Thank you!!!

It is my birthday today. Unfortunately, Shawn left for his business trip to Japan this morning. I was missing him and feeling lonely - it's not fair that he is in Japan and I am staying here alone!?!? However, as soon as I got to work, I received a lot of birthday calls & messages. How did some of you know it was my day today? It must be Shawn's conspiracy - a sweet one. Also I just got back from dinner with friends who had invited me so I would't have to spend my birthday evening alone. As Shawn is out of the country, I was supposed to have a normal (blue) Monday, but everyone made my day! Thank you all(^_^)! Love,

Our Little Garden: Update

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Originally uploaded by momohall.

We finally got our first harvest (just a few grape tomatoes, though)!! I picked up one of them and had a bite straight from the plant. It was sweet like a fruit. Shawn does not like fresh tomatoes, so I gave my Momo another piece, too (he loves tomatoes and any kind of fruits).

I always look forward to seeing how they've grown. As a city girl who grew up in small apartments without a backyard or garden, it is so fun and soothing, even if this is just a small garden to share with other community members. I cannot wait to have eggplant tempura when it's ready!

The Summer of Me

For those of you unfamiliar with Franklin-Covey, they have a concept of successful habits that they sell to Human Resource departments around the world. Some of it is good stuff, some of it is hokey, but there is some items you can take to your personal life.

On of the first concepts is the ideal that you must get your personal life in order, before you can fully help others in your team. (It's the first part of the "win-win" situation). It includes a variety of things (goals, plans, actions), but the basic concept is that it's hard to successfully help others if you are constantly worried about your "self".

I have decided that I have been helping others recently more than I have been helping myself. So I have decided to have a Summer of Me...(and no, I haven't had any Franklin-Covey classes recently). I have already relinquished my position on our Condo board, for starters. So I have about 10 hours a week of my time back!

The next order of business is to concentrate on my health. I've already started swimming again (weather permitting), and I will start jogging again soon. Besides the usual goals of looking better, having my clothes fit better, reducing my cholesterol. etc, I have a very specific goal: 15 minutes of accelerated heart-rate with no breathing problems. I plan to take Judo again, and those randori sessions are tough!

I also plan on getting another tattoo this summer....I'll post a picture whenever it happens.

I hope all this doesn't sound too pretentious. Sometimes you just need to take care of your self, you know?