Whenever I’m with Panda, I have a lot of fun and often forget to do things I routinely do, such as update my blog or write in my journal. In fact, back when we met is the first time I stopped writing in my journal ever since I started in 2nd grade. I always attributed it to having too much fun to sit around writing about it. Alas, it seems to be true yet again as I get to hang out with him and find myself neglecting my writing. But I’m ok with that if it means more quality time with him!
Posts Tagged ‘panda’
Breaking in the new year
laelene Posted in photo blog，Tags: experiences, hotel, panda, pictures
07
January
2013
Panda and I got a chance to stay at the brand new Hyatt Place LAX/El Segundo, which just opened its doors on 12/12/12. Check it out! (Oh, and kudos to them for being the FIRST hotel I’ve been to that doesn’t require me to reach or contort too much to reach the toilet paper.)
Walking into the room, it was very spacious and neat.
From inside the room looking back at the door, you can appreciate the nice little living area with couch and light.
A cool and modern ice bucket awaits you.
You can’t quite make it out, but the bathroom had a nice frosted glass sliding door.
I really enjoyed the gentle glow of the lights behind the mirror!
The quiet hallways were well-lit and very long.
Both on the side and at the back of the hotel, you’ll find outdoor fireplaces that make for a nice place to sit.
I really enjoy water walls since you get the trickle of water without the distracting noise.
The lobby area was nice and open, but also included a recessed area for a more cozy feel.
Right now the rest of the Campus El Segundo property is pretty empty, but I’m sure in years to come this view will get less green.
Quiet Christmas
laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: experiences, family, holiday, panda
25
December
2012
This year the holiday season hasn’t quite felt real. Perhaps it’s the lack of Christmas decorations, wrapping and exchanging of presents, or a family vacation. The sense of festiveness and warmth just hasn’t struck me this time around despite the celebrations I see going on around me. Instead, I’m spending some quiet, peaceful time with Panda. It’s nice in its own way, but it’s something to get used to – soon enough, Panda and I will be creating our own little traditions that make this time of year special to us.
For so long now, this was the time of year that my parents and I got together pretty much without fail. Whether I flew out to China, they came here, or we all went somewhere new, my dad always figured out a nice little vacation for us. We’ve enjoyed some wonderful breaks as a family and it’s definitely a major reason why this year it doesn’t feel like it’s that season already. Plus, it’s one of the rare times when I don’t actually “take” a vacation. My days don’t change much and I’m still doing much of what I was earlier this month. There is no traditional work or school to get away from, or crazy schedules to pause. And so this year feels decidedly less exciting.
Of course, there are still some festivities planned that have yet to come, including a trip to Vegas and a day at Knott’s Berry Farm with Panda’s family. Also, there are some old friends to meet up with while we’re all in town! While the past week has been quiet and relaxing, this last week of the year will pick up a faster pace. Before we know it, 2013 will be upon us and I do look forward to what it will bring. I have plenty of ideas and I’ve got to get motivated to push forward with some. Might as well join the pack and set some solid resolutions to help push me along.
I got a wonderful fortune cookie that says: “Your work interests can capture the highest status or prestige.” Yes, please! It’s time to make that happen in 2013!
Celebrations & challenges
laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: career, experiences, family, future, panda, work
18
December
2012
Oh, 2012. It’s been quite a year. There were a lot of highs and lows, ranging from glorious celebrations of love to frustrating work-related challenges. The year started off normally, then started to dip as I didn’t find enough growth in my career. So, I decided to quit my job and pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. I then got a chance to attend my first wedding as an adult, watching my cousin get married in a lovely event. From there, I began to work on my own ventures, with great highs of productivity and excitement and great lows of little motivation and progress. What this new lifestyle did afford me was a lot of self-reflection, personal growth, and time with Panda. What it hasn’t afforded me (yet) was the satisfaction of succeeding by “normal” measures.
It’s definitely been challenging and there seems to be a bit of an inverse relation between quality family time and substantial career growth. While it’s been a strong year for family, it’s been a weak one for work. I mean, we all know it’s hard to balance the demands of home and work, but I know it can be a better balance than I’ve managed thus far. I’ve enjoyed and appreciated the time I get to have with my parents when they’re in town, with Panda when we’re together, and with my cousin who has come to study in the US. However, I constantly feel judged for the lack of a job that I have and my whole “self-employed” status. Granted, I haven’t been as motivated and hard-working as I could, but there’s a lot I did do that nobody really knows about.
I’m struggling a bit right now to find my way and figure out where to focus my efforts. My eBay endeavors have reached a plateau and it doesn’t require as much upkeep anymore, so I need to decide what my next thing will be. I did just get contacted by someone with an opportunity that could potentially lead to something rewarding, so we’ll see how that pans out. In the mean time, I’ve been doing some work for Yuzen and should probably put some more time into that. Now that it’s the end of the year and the holiday season is in full swing, I’m finding it hard to really plan too much more work for the rest of the year. Between travel plans and birthday/holiday celebrations, I’ll probably be pretty busy. That doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking and strategizing about the future the whole time!
A TOUS holiday
28
November
2012
Panda went browsing at the TOUS store the other day and came back with some free goodies! Don’t mind Missy, she was just admiring her new toys…
TOUS gift bag!
Inside the bag were two TOUS stockings and a copy of their catalog.
Mealtime browsing
laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: behavior, food, observation, panda
24
November
2012
Panda has this habit of people-watching (actually more like people-staring) whenever we’re out and about. This is especially evident at restaurants, when he’s looking just about anywhere but at me. Whether it’s a cute kid gurgling on mom’s lap, a rowdy bunch having a blast, or just a couple sitting quietly, Panda will observe every little thing – staring and sometimes even gawking. It’s painfully obvious to me and I wonder if others notice it too.
Since this seems to be so distracting for him, I’ve taken to making sure that he sits on the side facing the wall, or the least interesting part of the restaurant. This seems to have helped a bit but I still find myself competing for attention over meals. I guess that should encourage us to eat in more often, eh?
Hurricane Sandy
laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: experiences, panda, storm, weather
28
October
2012
Well, here we go! A few days ago it became clear that Sandy would affect our region, so since then Panda and I have been gearing up, stocking up on food and filling up all the water bottles in the household with fresh filtered water. We’ve brought out the flashlights and charged up our devices. Now it’s time to settle in and wait it out.
As a federal employee, Panda has seen a notification on TV that his office will be closed tomorrow so we’ll be holed up together as the worst of the storm hits us. I’ll be watching the fury of the winds and rain as they pick up and probably post pictures/videos in the coming days. Other than that I expect to relax a bit since I’m pretty sure USPS is closed, so I can’t send out my packages. Maybe I’ll even get some reading done.
Surfing Waikiki
laelene Posted in photo blog，Tags: beach, experiences, fun, hawaii, ocean, panda, pictures, surfing, waikiki
26
October
2012
When Panda and I vacationed in Hawaii this summer, I was determined to finally get around to surfing. I found a great instructor via Yelp and lucked out with my timing by being able to join two sisters of similar physical abilities and experience, so our skill levels were basically the same. That allowed us to progress at about the same pace, with nobody holding the others back. Perfect!
Meet Erik the surf instructor with his dog Malu (who used to surf with him but is a bit old now) and Ray the photographer!
The day started with an intro lesson at Erik’s surf shop, and then we were off, carrying our surfboards to the beach!
Apparently there had been jellyfish spotted earlier in the morning, so there was a warning sign up.
Erik showed us the jellyfish that had been caught and was being kept in a cup at the lifeguard station until it could be released back to the ocean.
We then got into the water and started to paddle out towards the waves.
Before I knew it, I was catching my first wave! I lost my balance pretty early on but got much better after a few tries.
Out in the water, Ray accompanied us so we could get some awesome close-up shots on his pro camera. As you can see my first try was just me trying not to fall off.
By the second or third wave, I had figured out how to squat a bit for better control.
After catching a few waves, Ray had us pause for some pics on the water. That’s him on the left with the camera, one of the girls in the lesson getting her pics taken, and me sitting around waiting my turn.
Then it was time for me to get a posed shot on the surfboard out in the gorgeous ocean waters.
Feeling in the surfer spirit, I threw up a “hang loose” sign for Ray.
By the end of the lesson, I was pretty confident on the kind Waikiki waves and even had people watching me! The wave looks bigger than it felt.
Next time I’ve got to convince Panda to join me in a lesson too.
Spotted at Target
laelene Posted in photo blog，Tags: experiences, home, panda, pictures, products, shopping
16
October
2012
I’ve been spending more time at Targets lately (Panda got me into it), and one thing I’ve noticed is that they have a lot of cool products that come and go quickly. In addition, it seems that a fair amount of limited edition items are offered there, including the two lip balm sets you’ll find below. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to grab the item if you really want it, because the next time you decide you’ll swing by and get it, it’ll probably be gone. Happened to me a few times, especially with that bungee chair! I sure do hope they bring it back next year for back to school.
Awesome bungee chair! Should have bought it when I saw it because now it’s gone. 🙁
Don’t be fooled – these sunglass picture frames are actually really large. What a cute way to display pics!
How adorable! Anytime is meal time, right?
Ah, the product that launched my eBaying beyond iPhone cases and into beauty products as well.
Gum in fun tubes that also contributes to a cause. Cool!
It’s a pillow – it’s a seat! There were owls and elephants too. 🙂
I frantically searched stores for these once I decided to buy and came up empty. Turns out most of them don’t have them out on floors yet!
Traveling saleswoman
laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: business, experiences, opinion, panda, travel
14
October
2012
Ever since I started selling things on eBay, my choice of products has been affected by my physical location. When at home, I list the items we have there; when at Panda’s I list the items we get here. These things vary based on our interests, as well as what stores we have access to. So, when it came time for a bit of traveling, I found myself packing a suitcase full of products so I’d be prepared in case something sold while I was on the road. It certainly made for some interesting packing!
It’s funny how I’ve become a sort of new-age “traveling saleswoman.” Rather than traveling around the country to try to increase sales, I’m traveling as I please and bringing my inventory along for the ride. As my needs change, I hope to one day travel to discover new products to add to my offerings. That way I’m enjoying myself while still managing to get plenty of work done to further my business! Plus, I can find excuses to travel to some awesome places around the world, searching for the best gift items out there.
