As I think about my relationships, career, and overall life goals, I can’t help but to be excited for the next few years to come! With 4 and 1/2 years til the big 3-0,  all the things I want to do, the places I want to see, and the life experiences that I want to enjoy seem to get more challenging to accomplish simply because of time, or the lack of it.

And although there isn’t a real deadline to crossing any of these off, it’s still motivating to have clear goals in mind and in sight.  I know, they say that your 30s are the new 20s because you really know who you are and what you want by then. But why waste time when you already know?

This is my #pursuitofhappiness (for now).

1. Achieve financial stability.
2. Attend the Olympics.
3. Be a mentor/ Change someone’s life/ Inspire someone  to do something awesome.
4. Be in the best shape of my life.
5. Camp in a tent.
6. Climb a mountain.
7. Continue to be a child at heart and don’t lose sight of the simple things.
8. Don’t stop the hustle – always thrive to learn and be better.
9. Establish my career in CPG Marketing (and on path to become VP).
10. Fall and stay in love (and get married to him!)
11. Fire a rifle, shotgun or pistol.[June 2011]
12. Go white water rafting.
13. Have a Professional Designation/ higher education (CMA,MBA,etc.)
14. Host Turkey dinner.
15. Learn to cook without following recipes.
16. Learn to do a cart wheel.
17. Learn to snowboard and/or surf.
18. Own a pair of designer shoes and a purse that I buy for myself.
19. Own a place.
20. Read at least 30 books.
21. Ride an elephant.
22. Ride in a hot-air balloon!!!!
23. Scuba dive.
24. Skydive. [Summer 2010]
25. Stop swearing.
26. Travel the world as much as possible –  Asia, Australia, Europe, Peru, South America,etc.
27. Upgrade the Acura EL.
28. Walk the Great Wall of China.
29. Watch the sun rise and sun set [Jan 2011, Jamaica] somewhere amazing.
30. Witness a meteor shower.

What makes the top of your list? Please share!

- C

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My BFF is getting married in October and as her Maid of Honour, I had the privilege of planning/hosting her sexy Bachelorette Party and beautiful Bridal Shower [so far].  It’s been so much fun, but it’s only the beginning…..!

Let’s get sexy first.  I’m in Miami B!tch!
I can’t remember how many times we played the LMFAO song but we definitely lived up to the ‘drink all day. play all night. let’s get it poppin.’ truth of South Beach, Miami Florida.

Planning for 10+ girls (with all sorts of personalities) for a 4-day trip is no easy walk in the park.  Everything from arranging plane tickets to figuring out where the parties are at, to creating the perfect itinerary and making sure rooming situations are good, is your job.

Here are a few things that worked for me.

1. Set a Budget, they are not meant for breaking.  Budget for a) plane ticket and accommodations, b) budget daily spending for food, partying and other ‘mandatory’ activities you would like everyone to attend to (i.e. shows).  Your guests will really appreciate this, trust me.
2. Accommodate to your best ability. You can’t make EVERYONE happy, and you can’t ask everyone where they want to go and what they want to do. Remember, your job is to make Bride happy, everyone else will learn to suck it up.
3. Research. If your Bride or your friends are anything like us, food is a priority.  Whateverthe priorities are within your Bridal Party, research everything online before going.  We found the most AWE-mazing, non-db, super nice and connected promoter – all because I Googled Miami Pool Parties about a million times. lol I know we all like to be spontaneous and go with the flow…but with a big group [of girls], planning is essential.  It doesn’t mean you don’t leave any room for excitement, have a little fun. (;
4. Use visual tools to help plan the trip. Not being too familiar with South Beach, I used Google Maps and mapped out all the restaurants, clubs, beaches and other interesting hot spots on the map.  We knew exactly how far our hotel was and whether we could walk or take a cab.  It also really helps with the itinerary and planning your days out, which is my next point.
5. Create an Itinerary but don’t make everything mandatory to attend.  People like to know what they’re doing and when, mainly because we want to know what to wear and how to do our hair that day/night.  If you are a close group of girlfriends, its easy to do everything together.  If there is a large group and you’re in a big city, I would suggest that you leave some ‘free time’ for girls, who may not enjoy the same things as you/Bride enjoys whether its for shopping or visiting a monument; they will appreciate this.  Of course, all dinners and partying are a must-go event!   It was also very important to schedule ‘get ready time’; add an extra 30 min safety always.
6. Have Themed Nights. We had so much fun dressing up and making sure we were noticeably a Bachelorette Party.  You get free stuff, other girls are nicer to you, boys buy you drinks – it’s really all good in the fun!  Our themed nights consisted of Black/White & Sexy Ballerina (with corset tops).
7. Ignore the drama.  There will be drama, but ignore it.   Ignore it and it will go away.
8. Ask other MOHs/ Bridesmaids for help. People are very willing to help if you ask.  @millieng sent me her entire Vegas Bachelorette  itinerary for her BFF, but then we changed our plans and went to Miami! haha
9. Buy anti-acid pills.  If you’re Asian, you’re likely going to have the “Asian glow” – the effect of being flushed red after one sip of alcohol. Pepci Ac and Zantak work well and it’ll make everyone look less buzzed in pictures!
10. Have fun! Enjoy it and pray that you’ll only be MOH once. :P

Stay tuned for Part 2 – Showered with Love!

-C

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Over the summer it’s been jammed packed with fun in the sun, patios and lots (and lots) of feasting.  But what I enjoy the most are the dinner parties in, homemade BBQs and festivities that my friends and I host together.  There’s something amazing about planning these intimate events that really sparks my creativity and fuels my passion for food and bringing people together.

It’s amazing what a few girls, a little money, a hungry stomach, and a lot of love can do!

“It’s the little things that paint the big picture.”

I appreciate detail, a lot.   I stole this quote from a good friend of mine, and it has always stuck with me.  With everything that I do, I try really hard to add the small things – the little touches that make everything feel just right.  This is no different than the way I enjoy food; whether it be a secret ingredient so small but brings out the flavour or as simple as a garnish to enhance the visual presentation and appeal – I fall hard.

However, taste by all means is still numero uno but hey, we also eat with our eyes right?  On that note, I hope you’re hungry because here are a few highlights of my faves this summer, from my loves to your stomach!

Mini Caprese Salad Sticks

Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches

Crab Salad Cucumber Cups

Feta Spinach Wonton Cups

Beef and Cashew Lettuce Cups

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I’m in a routine funk, and I need to change it up.

For the past two weeks, life has just passed by me through actions of routine.  I drive to work without much thought, tuning out traffic completely and in a daze for most of the hour commute – it’s almost as if my car was on cruise control all the way to work.

At work, I’m engaged and I get things done, but my ability to think creatively has hit a wall.   I’m not as productive as I would like to be, I’m not as focused as I usually am, nor am I pushing for the awesomeness that I know I am.

Post work, my schedule is my schedule:

• Monday/Tuesday – Gym
• Wednesday/Thursday – Vball
• Friday-  Gym (sometimes) then chill
• Saturday – Vball clinic/chill at night
• Sunday – Fam jam lunch/ do nothing

WHAT THE F IS WRONG WITH ME?!!

Time to look for some inspiration…

Check back.

- C

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Week 4 of Project Me and I’m slowly integrating these proposed changes into my daily grind.  However, the one I’m struggling with the most is reading the news on a regular basis.  On the days I take the TTC down to the office it’s easy for me to pick up the Metro and get caught up with the rest of the world, but other than that… it’s not working so well. :| As for budget me green… let’s just say I’m tracking my expenses but it’s looking a lot more red than green! ha ha

Today at work, my Director gave me advice about how successful business women make it to the top, referencing an article she had read over the weekend. Two things stuck in my head:  Successful business women keep it short and to the point (or in other words, talk like men) and secondly, they do not take things personally and get emotional about it.  As a result, this inspired me to think about how I deal with situations at work and reflect upon my style of communication and management of stress and conflict.  Here goes!

Point # 1 – Straight to the point.

In all aspects of my life I’m pretty good with being honest, open and to the point.  I say things as they come and I filter accordingly, depending on who I am speaking with, how well I know you, and whether or not the recipient is used to my communication style.  Of course there are exceptions of when this is not true, for example, a) talking in circles because I am nervous and can’t for the life of me wrap it out and/or b) I just met you and I’m not going to go right into it.  Some refer to this as “the fluff” … i.e. “Hope things are well/weekend was good/etc.”, but I do believe that (at least from me) it comes from a genuine place and that it’s respectful to ask someone how they are doing.

With that being said, there are two things that I could use some work on: confrontation and feedback. Sometimes in the workplace you may have experienced blame or pointing fingers.  The best thing you can do is stay positive and then take the  CYA = Cover Your A$$ approach (an acronym my coworker had used which I had no idea about until today) by always making it a habit to save emails that you think may be important later.

The other part that I’m working on is feedback, both upwards and with peers.  I take feedback very well but giving negative feedback is another story because you need to be constructive and choose the words you use carefully. With practice comes a developed skill, so who wants some feedback?! lol

Point #2 – Control those emotions!

Not surprisingly, I’m better at this at work than I am in my personal life.  When it comes down to a professional setting, I have learned the art of controlling my emotions over the years, whether it be anger, stress, and/or disappointment.  It’s hard not to let your emotions rip when someone has a bad day and decides you’re their target for the day or when you make a mistake and get called out on it… BUT sometimes you have to just suck it up.  My best advice thus far is to stay positive in all situations and find a solution rather than focus on the problem.  It’s not worth b!tching about it for more than 5 minutes.  Instead get yourself in a get sh!t done mode and take care of the problem right away – you’ll be surprised at the people you impress when you’re able to make problems disappear.

Of course, I haven’t mastered this skill yet but it’s something that I will continue to do and improve on.  Most of the time my emotions are happy anyways, and the only disadvantage of that is being too social and not getting any work done! :P ha ha (just kidding…)

Happy March!
-C

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