2013

Dear 2013,

I already feel like you're going too fast. Like I somehow have catching up to do. So much has happened and we're less than a month in - Dan and I celebrated our three-year anniversary on January 1, my parents and sister came to visit, and we passed the halfway point of living here in Hawaii. At the same time, I'm excited for the many other things you have in store. Like 2012, I'm know you have some big changes ahead.

So that I will remember them later, here are a few random thoughts/seemingly disconnected ideas/"resolutions" for 2013:

Contentment:

In my mind, I'm already fast forwarding to June and I feel like our time living in Hawaii is over...like I should start packing or at least take the pictures off the wall and patch the holes...But I don't want to think like that! It's so easy to look ahead and it's so hard to shut down the planner in me. I don't want to always look forward to the next thing and "wish away" what I have now. I want to strive to be more content in the everyday moments of the present, and make the most of the time we do have left here in "paradise" (as everyone refers to it as). 

Faith:

Along with that, a lot of people have started to ask about where we'll be after Hawaii and what comes next. The answer, in short, is that we don't know. It's a long story, but basically there are just too many factors and unknown variables at this point in time (but we'll hopefully know more in March). Talk about patience and contentment - it's been a daily struggle living with so many unanswered questions, but we're trusting that God has a plan for our future. And that His plan will far surpass our expectations for both our family and our careers. 

Facebook/Blogging Resolution:

Truthfully, I don't really like Facebook anymore. Kind of a strange confession, but I've recently confirmed these feelings. Before this past week, I hadn't created a Facebook photo album since the beginning of 2012, when I started this blog. No need to duplicate, I thought. But for some reason (maybe in part because we got a new iMac and the new iPhoto makes it so easy!), I added a few this week. When I told Dan, he asked me why and said I didn't have to do that (almost in a "tisk, tisk" sort of way). I don't think he necessarily meant anything bad in what he said, but it made me think and I have to agree with him. I didn't have to. See, I love pictures and sharing our experiences with friends and family (especially because we're so far away), and at the same time, I truly love seeing pictures that friends and family share on their Facebook pages. I never had a problem before. So what is it? Well, it's hard to put into words. Maybe it's the broad audience of Facebook? Maybe it's how Facebook has become so "stalker-ish"? Maybe it's because I think it's strange how I end up knowing random things about people I haven't talked to in years? Maybe it's because I care too much about what people think? Or maybe it's a combination of these and more. However, I also think it has to do with my motivation behind sharing. Posting pictures and sharing an experience isn't bad or wrong, but I shouldn't feel the need to post pictures from every single event that happens in our life. I don't know if that makes sense. And after a year of blogging (somewhat consistently), I think I'd much rather blog and be able to share my thoughts and stories rather than just my photos...to be more reflective and intentional. I'd rather write and later read my narratives about a time in our life to remember, rather than scroll through my disjointed "timeline" on Facebook (which is basically just my Instagram photos, random status updates, and annual birthday greetings - all great things, but you know). So in 2013, my goal is to use the blog as an avenue for connecting and sharing more than Facebook. And if people care enough to see my pictures, they should want to read our blog and hear the stories that accompany them, too. Don't get me wrong, there are many good things about Facebook, and I will still use it (to post the links to our blog, etc. haha), but my perspective has just changed I guess. 

The-Obligatory-Eat-Better-And-Exercise-More-Resolution:

Obvious and self-explanatory.

Enjoying Winter in Hawaii:

They (whoever they are) weren't joking when they said there's a rainy season in Hawaii! I thought the beginning of January was bad - when it rained every.single.day. my parents were here - but apparently there's worse ahead. In fact, we currently have flash flood warnings (maybe just watches now) and several inches of rain were reported around the island. It poured all day and all night yesterday. Snow + ice accumulation back home vs. rain accumulation here. While I do miss winter, I will take rain over snow any day, especially if there's a chance of seeing a rainbow. Or the amazing waterfalls that form from the rain on the Ko'olau Mountain Range and are visible as you're driving on H-3.

I do occasionally have to stop and laugh, though, because we're definitely acclimated to the weather. Even our cars are acclimated and occasionally need to be de-frosted! Not joking. We're legit cold here now (especially at night). But being from the north east, I can't help but chuckle when 65 degrees categorizes a "cold front" coming over the island! In a way, though, it's nice to feel that there is actually a seasonal change. And again, I want to focus on being content and enjoying every part of living here. 

Last weekend, the weather cleared and Dan was off, so we took a trip to the beach with Sydney. Here's a video from our day together (also on my Facebook page).

Yes, it should say 2013, not 2012.
And yes, I now know I need to hold my photo horizontally to produce a widescreen video!
Other than that, it's a cute video.

You were fair-warned. Randomness! 

Up next: (catching up) Christmas and New Year's.

Keep Smiling...