HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, it's 2009. The numbers seem to change, but the days and nights stay the same. We're already half way through January, which tells me this year is going to fly by, maybe even faster than last year.

I keep thinking nothing much has changed in the new year, but when I really think about it, things change every day. With my mom here, we've developed an obsession for Korean soap operas and Filipino movies. I never thought we'd go through such a conversion to Asian pop culture, but I guess we're just as bad as the rest of em'.

Anthony and my mom are at the tail end of 'stairway to heaven' which is an overly dramatic Korean soap, but boy...does it appeal to the emotions. In the last two weeks we've watched 'you are my destiny' and 'full house'. I just have to say American soaps have nothing on those "koleas".

Sina has changed a lot in the last year as well. From her wobbly steps to now twirling and tumbling off our couches...she has become quite a handful. Her favorite words are now "gramma", "sowwy", "oops", "pupu", "dawwy", "wah wah" this means sesame street - don't ask me why, but I think it's because in the beginning of the show big bird sings "wah wah wah") "bawny" which is Barney, of course, "dop it" (stop it)and her most favorite word - "NO!!!" (with that much exclamation to it). Every day she shows something new, grows an inch taller, hair gets longer, temper seems shorter, but she's so much fun. I look forward to seeing her every day and watching her grow. She's been more than spoiled since grandma and aunty showed up, but we're having a blast. She really does light up our lives with her spirit.

Another change is that Sulu and her husband are living here now as well. She just started working at ACS while Pe'e is pending his FEDEX application. Though we're packed like sardines in our little place, we stay happy and we are enjoying each other's company. This is a huge change from exactly a year ago when we first moved in to our apt. Today, last year, was our 3rd day in our apt. All we had was the bed from Aunty Ivoga, the love sack from Fua that served as a couch/daybed, and the flat screen TV from rent-a-center. Wow...that was a depressing time. Anthony out of work, me working two jobs, tired and cranky all the time. Sina just being Sina....

When I look at it over a year span I can't help but appreciate all the changes...the progression, and the milestones we have met. It makes me try to count all our blessings when I realize they are countless. The people that have helped us through -Aunty Ivoga with her love and hospitality, Sa and Cine and their uncompromising charity were always there for us - thanks for the dining set guys! And of course Fua and Belle who supplied lots of laughs and fun times not to mention our first makeshift couch - we'll never part with it!

I wouldn't be able to talk about chance without mentioning the changes that have happened in our own little family. Anthony has become a loving father and a wonderful husband. He still drives me nuts with his crazy antics, but I can't help but love him more every day. That has to be one of the best changes of this past year - growing as a family. We also joined a new ward - the Vaiola ward. At first I was really hesitant about the ward and the members, but after serving in primary and now being in the YW, I have really grown to love the people and it has helped my testimony of the gospel grow.

I guess change really is inevitable. I used to hate the thought of change, now I can't help but look forward to it. It just means new experiences, new growth, and new appreciation for life. Changes make us who we are as long as we take the good with the bad and live for the progression of it all.

I just felt compelled to reflect as I look ahead to the new year. More goals, more things to accomplish, more milestones to meet. Such is life, I'm just glad I have wonderful people to share it with.