May ‘24

Hello! Welcome to the end of May! May literally flew by, and while I had some goals set at the beginning of the month, a spontaneous trip to Barcelona with Gabriel came!

I always aim to improve in different areas at the start of each month, and this time, while I achieved most of them, one business goal fell short. But hey, that's life! This month's reflection is all about the good stuff: favorite memories, positive habits, and things I'm grateful for. Before we dive in, you might know I like to journal privately first. Some things stay personal just for me to reflect on, but I’ll be sharing a ton of positivity that motivates me to keep going. Hopefully, you’ll get inspired to do the same as well!

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top May moments

Hot pot at
ChongQing Lao Zao

At the beginning of the month, Gabe and I visited Brian in Queens, where we devoured delicious hot pot at the new ChongQing Lao Zao.

The wait was extremely long (2 hours!), but the vintage Chinese decor, mouthwatering food and smell, and amazing service made it totally worth it. Stay tuned for a dedicated blog post on this culinary adventure!

5 days in Barcelona

With Gabriel's new job came some unexpected vacation time. We decided that we wanted to find our perfect escape from New York and ended up doing a 5-day adventure in Barcelona! This was my longest city stay outside of Taiwan, and it was absolutely incredible! We fell in love with the culture, food, and architecture… and even encountered a few sketchy moments (saw some people robbing families and just people!)

I’m thinking about putting together a Barcelona travel guide or itinerary — comment below what interests you!

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positive habits

Prioritizing people I love

As I’ve grown older, I cherish time with loved ones even more. Life literally flies by, and I don't want to waste it on people who don't bring me positivity or joy in my life. Focusing on those who actually matter most and genuinely supporting them has been incredibly rewarding.

Daily checklists

Since January, I've been tracking daily activities with a checklist. Sure, life isn't just about checking off boxes, but seeing progress, even small steps, keeps me motivated. Flipping back and seeing improvements is a powerful motivator to keep me going!

Communication upgrade

Gabriel suggested a book for me to read called "Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life." Which I'm currently working on becoming a better communicator, not just with him, but everyone. I've always been very direct and honest (sometimes a little too blunt!), so this book is helping me express myself clearly and compassionately, without coming across as rude.

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things I’m grateful for

There's so much to appreciate in life! I'm grateful for the roof over my head, the upcoming new chapter with Gabriel in our new apartment, and my old doggo, Treasure, who's still happy and active at 14. We're fortunate to have food on our table, Even with my terrible allergies in May, I still love seeing all the blooming flowers, soaking up the sunshine, and being surrounded by lush greenery.

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May wrap up & what’s next

Even though May seemed like it flew by, but it was filled with delicious food, exciting adventures, and positive personal growth. Next month, we’ll be moving to a new apartment, documenting our progress, and of course, sharing it all with you!

Thanks for joining me on this monthly reflection journey.

How was your May? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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check out my recent vlog!

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