Happy Lunar New Year!!

The Chinese Lunar New Year is officially February 12th, tomorrow. I feel there is much to look forward to in this “Year of the Ox”. Especially given the year that is now in our rear-view mirror, which none of us will forget anytime soon.

I know many cannot wait to travel again, as we once did. I have friends that are already planning for destinations to far reaches of the planet. I feel so blessed to have traveled as much as I have already in this life. My travel plans now evolve around a return to Hawaii, to visit family that I miss a great deal. As well as them coming over to visit me too. It is the longest I’ve been away from them.

Although I FaceTime with my nieces and nephews quite often, it’s not like us spending a day at the beach together. Or getting together for a family potluck to celebrate a birthday or holiday.

I am so grateful the vaccines were approved and immunizations have begun to happen! Hopefully by this summer at the latest, most of our population will be immunized. I hope the same holds true for the rest of the world. Yes, we have adapted through this challenging time in our lives but what a journey it has been.

Isn’t it amazing all the things we used to take for granted? Going out for dinner or lunch with friends. Attending an art exhibit. Enjoying a live music performance in an intimate setting. Or going to church and hearing words of inspiration, while sitting together with other fellow members.

I am so ready for those types of activities to become part of our reality again…

I cannot wait for the day I can invite friends into my home for a shared meal together. I love to cook and the joy it brings in sharing it with others, it really is an act of love on so many levels. It reminds me of a song, that came out last year by The Highwomen it’s called “Crowded Table”. It goes a little like this…

“I want a house with a crowded table.

And a place by the fire for everyone.

Let us take on the world while we are young and able.

And bring us back together when the day is done.

If we want a garden,

We’re gonna have to sow the seed.

Plant a little happiness,

Let the roots run deep.

If it’s love that we give,

Then it’s love that we reap.

If we want a garden,

We’re gonna have to sow the seed.

I want a house with a crowded table.

And a place by the fire for everyone.

Let us take on the world while we are young and able.

And bring us back together when the day is done.”

Yes, my friends, near and far. I look forward to living life normally once more as I am certain you do too. I am here in Austin, Texas ready to open the doors to my new home I’ll be closing on in a month. I am extremely excited to say the least.

Hawaiian Airlines begins non-stop service from Honolulu to Austin in April—woohoo!!! I feel this “Year of the Ox” will be quite transformative in many ways. I look forward to hugs, embraces, holding hands and sharing a meal cooked with love.

Stay safe, stay the course—and again, I’d love to hear from you. We are in the home stretch!!

Kung Hee Fat Choy!!

(Happy New Year in Chinese)

Happy Valentine’s Day too!