I know that we came out of this stronger than ever, that although we had moments of doubt, although we probably made more mistakes and said more things we shouldn’t have this last year, we also gained maturity. We aged, but like good wine, it flavored us deeply and richly.

We are more sure of each other, less fearful of the "what if’s”; we spend precious time together with a new depth, a new appreciation. And yes, there can be awesome, heart-stopping feelings with that depth, that love-no-longer-brand-new. It’s the beauty of love that is hard-fought and won.

I’m sure there is still plenty left to conquer, and just because we have had one tough year does not mean no more will follow. Maybe God intended to strengthen us for even greater hurdles. Maybe we will mess up even bigger, fall even harder. Who knows, us two with the tarnished hearts, we humans walking on broken ground?

We’ll be okay, though.

We’re saints and angels in love.

Posted by: smilele at 07:08 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 172 words, total size 1 kb.

Doubt is not a good feeling to admit. Everyone wants to be SuperSpouse, say they never feel less than giddy, heart-pounding feelings, say they have a perfect relationship, and cover up doubt with clichés; clichés that only make sense if you have never Been There. But doubt, although a very unpleasant place to be in long-term, can in small and occasional doses be a good thing. It can force you to decide what you will believe about love and commitment. It can purge you of the façade you’ve been hiding behind, confront you with your own inadequacy, and show your colors. And if you overcome doubt, you become stronger.

After the last year, I think I can say that we have been married Long Enough. Life is probably never a walk in the park and no matter what your circumstance, there are challenges. But the year 2010 was one we will remember. It included a pregnancy that was none too easy emotionally/physically, some changes and adjustments, crazy schedules, post-partum depression, a colic baby that screamed for hours every day, a challenging two year old, commitments that took Mike away from home a lot… more upheavals than ever before. There were days when we wondered.

"What are we doing here?”

Posted by: smilele at 06:52 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 214 words, total size 1 kb.

Which brings me to a very odd conclusion that I never thought of before.

Running is like faith. The times I least feel like doing it are the times I need it the most. When the alarm goes off and I stumble out of bed, all I can think about it how much easier it would be to just lie down and sleep. But that doesn't get me where I want to go, it doesn't accomplish what I want to have done.

How many times do I decide that instead of believing and doing what is right, it's easier to just give up and lie down, and then later look back and see the shapeless, unhealthy results?

How often does my failure to go forth in faith correlate with my failure to accomplish my goals and my God-given purpose for my life?

Why is it that the more hesitant I am to believe, the heavier my load becomes?

Now I know why the Bible likens life and faith to running a race.

We "run with patience the race that is set before us."

Tomorrow, my body and mind will be strengthened by physically running. And tomorrow, more than ever, I need to run the race of faith for my soul.

Posted by: smilele at 06:51 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 214 words, total size 1 kb.

I am impulsive, and speak my mind far too quickly. He thinks through everything, including his words.

I work in short bursts of explosive energy. He is steady efficiency.

I love meeting new friends, reuniting with old ones, and making small talk with random strangers when the occasion calls for it. He is fine with a total of twenty people in his life, does not seek out new activity, and thinks there is never an occasion for talking with strangers.

I am of such pathetic engineering and mechanical skills that the wheel would not have been invented yet if all humanity were like me. He is an electrician; need I say more?

I set expectations high, sometimes absurdly so, even for myself. He shoots within a reasonable range and is seldom off-target.

I brood and worry; inclined to deep plunges of despair. He either deals with it, stores it, or forgets it, and is the model of stability in even the roughest of situations.

I am passionate and sometimes ruled by my emotions. He is a controlled, collected, and factual.

I like life to be changing, interesting, even a little risky sometimes. He likes routine, predictability, and safety.

I’m a romantic. He’s a realist.

I like crowds, action, bright lights, public speaking, and shopping malls. He avoids all of those things.

Posted by: smilele at 06:50 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 224 words, total size 1 kb.

we are in the midst of the january thaw. the 30 inches of snow we got a couple weeks ago is melting away, although i don't believe it will totally disappear before the next storm. there are no snowstorms on the radar for the coming week. i'm not really sure if i'm happy or sad about that.

it is warm this morning (above freezing) and drippy and foggy. when i went out to get some wood this morning i sunk in with every step. i love the fog, it's quiet.

i am skipping church this week and next because there seems to be a lot of flu going around and via facebook i am aware of several people in the church who have it. so, i am all for avoiding closed in places with people as much as possible.

today i will work on my bible study (i try to do it at least a few times a week--i've never been able to set aside that "quiet time" each morning)

I also want to make a few valentines day decorations i found on pinterest.

i'll probably cook some,

go snowshoeing,

work on my packing for vacation,

relax.................... what's that?

Posted by: smilele at 06:49 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 201 words, total size 1 kb.

I must say that 2013 has been great so far, and I have every intention of continuing that otterbox 防摔手機殼.

It's only been three days, but so far I've found, applied for, and got an interview for a job. I found, viewed, and decided to rent a house serviced apartment hong kong.

My only complaints are friend-related, and that is usual HealthCabin shipping.

Here is to a great year Claire Hsu!

How is your year treating you?

Posted by: smilele at 07:56 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 80 words, total size 1 kb.

Google has brought out the list of the most searched topics in its search engine this year.

According to the search engine, Euro 2012 beat Olympics tickets as the top internet search of the year in the UK, the Sun reported.

The company's stats also show that pop diva Whitney Houston's death in February attracted more interest than Kate.

'Gangnam Style' beat 'Call Me Maybe' as the most trending pop song and 'Skyfall' topped 'Prometheus' as the most enquired about film.

Rio - home to the 2016 Olympics and a host city for the 2014 football World Cup - beat Greece as the most searched-for destination.

Google's UK results are split into trending searches and most searched.

Justin Bieber's split from Selena Gomez was the most enquired-about relationship bust-up while Victoria Pendleton beat Georgia Salpa as the most searched-for participant in a reality television show.

Sport dominated the trending searches, with Euro 2012 and Olympic tickets showing the biggest rises in interest ahead of Houston and the Duchess of Cambridge.

But the duo topped the trending celebrities section followed by 'X Factor' judges Gary Barlow and Tulisa.

Andy Murray's US Open victory and Olympic gold medal helped him to become the most searched-for British Olympian.

Usain Bolt was the most searched-for non-UK Olympian.

TV soaps regularly top the TV ratings but the highest trending show of 2012 was the BBC kids' show 'Mike The Knight' that beat US terror drama 'Homeland' and 'Towie.'

Posted by: smilele at 02:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 249 words, total size 2 kb.

"Avatar" star Zoe Saldana, who played a sexy blue alien in the 3D extravaganza, made People magazine's annual best-dressed list on Wednesday, alongside "Glee" actress Lea Michele and Prince William's girlfriend.

Singers Gwen Stefani and Rihanna also appear in the top 10, which does not rank its entrants in order. Actresses Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba and Diane Kruger made the cut as well.

Saldana, 32, seen in "Avatar" wearing little but blue and an elegant tail, was dubbed the "Red Carpet Queen" by People for her grace, taste and sense of fun.

Michele, 24, who plays geeky Rachel Berry in the TV musical "Glee", is "The Newbie" in the 2010 list, praised for wearing bold shades like scarlet and emerald on the red carpet.

And Kate Middleton, 28, the long-time girlfriend of the second-in-line to the British throne was dubbed the " Princess in Waiting" and won plaudits for always looking "chic and refined."

Kruger, 34, who played a German double agent in last year's "Inglourious Basterds," was called the "Runway Renegade," admired for doing her own make-up and putting style before comfort at celebrity events.

People also picked out some fashion moments that were just inglorious, including unfortunate red carpet appearances by Rita Wilson, the actress wife of Tom Hanks, and former screen siren Sharon Stone.

Posted by: smilele at 04:22 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 219 words, total size 1 kb.