猫の日

I read somewhere that Feb. 22 is 猫の日 in Japan. It also happens to be my sister's birthday (and my other co-worker's birthday and 2 co-workers' baby shower).

Anyway, this year the keyword for me is "Enjoy". I have decided that New Year's Resolutions are just the same old every year so instead, I think just picking one keyword to remind myself what is important for me this year would be much easier to achieve. So "to enjoy everyday, to find excuses to enjoy life, to enjoy work and chores and everything I choose to do or have to do" is my overall goal this year.

This idea did not come to me until I found myself more than slightly depressed earlier when I got the flu and could not really take care of my baby daughter. I was also worried about returning to work in April and what daycare options I have and the kind of arrangement I should make. I would have nightmares of being lost even in a place with many familiar faces. When I woke up I'd feel tired and completely lost interest in eating or doing anything. Then I have an urgent need to talk to people, so I talked to my sister, my sister-in-law, my husband, a friend, my old high school friend via Facebook (I think in that exact order) and felt much better. I was able to "walk out" from the depression. It dawned on me that life is not all about solving problems but about counting every happiness (and creating happiness!) What is most important right now is that I should be enjoying my timeoff with my baby as she will be growing up so fast that I will regret not remembering how and what we do to bond.

So, going back to Feb. 22... It was my sister's birthday and a rainy working Friday for the men, but instead of not doing anything, I suggested that we all go up to the city and celebrate with her after dinner. We got there past 9pm and did not come home until almost 2:30am and everyone was SO TIRED!! But now at least we all got something we could remember and with pictures to show. And it was my baby's first trip to San Francisco, her first time to stay out so late, her first time being on 28th floor, her first time participating in a birthday party and hearing the birthday song...etc. It was great!! Imagine if I was still depressed and didn't want to do anything ...

I have been thinking of maybe moving back to Hong Kong permanently but tonight, I recall these sayings that reminded me that maybe I should feel lucky at where I am.

1. My friend from Hong Kong telling me my house and my suburban life is like staying at some fancy spa resort in Thailand. She also loves the weather, the supermarkets, the convenient of driving and all the free parking here. She actually came for the ONJ concert, which we did not even know was happening. :-P - Check, check, check, check.

2. Someone from Hong Kong again said her dream is to have a master bedroom big enough to allow getting on and off the bed from both sides. - Check.

3. Someone from Hong Kong but studying and living in Germany said she wishes the winter is less harsh, the people are less serious and cooking something Chinese at home could be easier. - Check, check, check.

4. Someone in Hong Kong wishes he had a small cozy one story house with French doors in the living room that open to a small back yard with sitting area under the awnings. - Check.

So with so many checks, life here is really not bad at all and I should just enjoy it! Whenever I need a change, just take a short trip or a vacation. Break away from the routines and go create some happy, memorable events, like Feb 22.