MODERN DAY NOMADS

Inside a Cambodian temple, the view from below, and seeing the beautiful light at the end of the ruin

This new year is already revealing to be the most unexpected yet...

Firstly, I somehow convinced two couples to allow me to plan their weddings! I literally can't thank them enough for trusting me to plan one of the biggest milestones in their lives (you guys are amazing). While creating a foundation for planning their weddings, I'm stunned by the laundry list of things to do and how I can most effectively communicate them. Thankfully, I perceive all of this to be positive stress and I'm looking forward to constructive feedback that will make me a better wedding planner and an eventual business owner. I'm super excited to work on the little details that will make these distinct weddings come to life.

Secondly, Mike and I have two weeks left in New York. Where are we going you ask? We're not quite sure to be honest. What we do know is that our journey will kick off in San Francisco, a city that we have grown to adore for so many reasons. After that, who knows? Maybe we'll travel the world on a budget. Maybe we'll return to NY and recreate our lives here. Maybe we'll decide to settle in SF. It's funny how quickly expectations change. When I left my 9-5, I imagined an exciting new life in NYC for several years before considering another city where we might anticipate starting our family. Circumstances have steered us in a completely different direction and we're doing our very best to embrace it. It's scary though... when you were so sure about something and suddenly that something isn't what you thought it was and life changes just like that. Lately my thoughts have been getting the better of me. I can't help but feel totally lost most days. And then a few days ago, I stumbled upon this quote...

"It feels so good to be lost in the right direction."

I have no freaking clue where the right direction is, but it's definitely not in any place where I feel unfulfilled. So I'm following my gut, pushing through my loud anxieties, and feeling hopeful that it'll lead me to where I'm meant to be. Luckily for me, Mike has committed to being the Marco to my Polo on this crazy nomadic exploration. I seriously love this man so much. Oh 2015, you are proving to be one heck of a year.

NEW YORK THROUGH MIKE'S EYES

Above photos taken by Mike Hu

THE LITTLE THINGS

Phuket, Thailand November 2013

Ten small things I plan to do in 2015 (no particular order):

1. Drink more tea, less coffee
2. Donate at least 50% of my clothes
3. Keep track of my finances and spend wisely
4. Make health and fitness a priority
5. Wear makeup less frequently
6. Submit to the National Geographic photo contest
7. Try DIY projects
8. Be okay with spontaneity
9. Experiment with cooking
10. Accept new knowledge with open mind

JUST ONE MORE STEP

View from the meditation room upstairs, right before several big runs

I never thought I would go as far as to say that I actually enjoy running, which is why throughout middle school and high school I found solace in competitive swimming instead. I'm not exactly sure what incited me to create a running and workout regimen. I could thank the Ragnar race that Mike is trying to organize for April. I could thank my new workout gear and my first pair of legitimate running sneakers. I could thank all the extra time that I have albeit most days feel like there's never enough time. I could thank my extensive health care research considering I'm out of a real job with real benefits (rather, I should thank Mike for doing most of the research). The last thing I want is for my health to decay in the middle of me trying to pursue something. Because without your health, what can you really have?

I'm not sure how most people define success in terms of "getting in shape". The easiest way for me to think about it is in terms of how my clothes fit me. I'm still such a girly girl. Lately, my tightest pair of jeans seem to fit less snuggly and I've completely rid of my oversized shirts or sweaters because they just look ridiculous now (my girlfriends know what I'm referring to when I claim that I have an obsession with extremely baggy tops). And if it's any motivation, spooning with Mike at night feels more natural like two pleasantly stacked silver spoons. Sorry, TMI, I know.

I might be premature in saying this, but the last 4 weeks of consistent running have left me craving for more. As much as it physically and mentally hurts to run in 30deg weather, it's extremely exhilarating to be outside, to see your breath, and then to catch it. "Just one more step", I tell myself over and over again when I feel my body hitting the limit. Running is one of the only things in my life right now that I can track immediate progress of. Because attempting to start a business from scratch has many down days. I keep moving and I keep doing things, but it feels like I'm going nowhere because there's always SO MUCH more to do or think about. Despite it, my mood is still on the up and up.

Now back to work, back to my coffee, and then a really good run afterwards.