self

January to April Updates

/ orchidus

Since the last update in January, most things have been settled. Returning to the East Coast did mean that I had to adjust to the weather and the work culture. While it was not much different at work (since I just transferred within the same company), it just took me a bit of time to get used to the people and the environment. I connected with people and explored the area, getting to know what is out there. It helped that I had been in this part of the East Coast during my visits to my paternal family in the past, so it was not entirely a new experience.

These past few months I have worked on mini creative projects, including making a pin banner to display my pin collection and drawing personal cards for family and friends. Please see Gallery » Traditional Art » Card Designs for the most recent designs. In addition, I have been continuing to build upon healthy habits while finding time for myself in between work and family matters.

Future Plans

In the upcoming month of May, I will be posting my travel journals for South Korea (2017) on a semi-regular schedule (once to twice a week). Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! If progress is satisfactory, I will also work on finishing up the remaining travel journals for my trips to China in 2018 and 2019; and Singapore 2019.

Also, in the works, is a major project! After almost three years since the end of the web series, A Gathering of Heroes: Anhu, Taki and I have decided to return with a new story set in the same setting but with xianxia elements and some returning characters. The story will be special in that I had– on whim– commissioned an artist to help with designing two of the major characters; both of whom have been around in a story concept that I had from my younger days. We are currently in the story development phase, so it will probably not be debuted until Winter 2022/Early 2023 (should things go well!).

That is all for now! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!

Belated Reflection of 2021 & 2022 Goals

/ orchidus

My apologies for going MIA. I was in the process of moving across the continent in October 2021, and now, I have more or less settled in with some things still in progress.

2021 was a tumultuous year of changes and challenges. From receiving the Covid-19 Moderna vaccine to handling the rapid, abrupt changes at work, it was all about finding ways to cope and to be safe. I had to learn to adapt to change rapidly and to prepare for the move. This meant sorting out what I did not need, what I could sell, and what I wanted to keep.

Most importantly, I spent more time with family, celebrating small joys and overcoming challenges with them. When things don’t work out as planned, something else will work out in one’s favor.

As for the goals of 2021, I have read 48 books (including light novels and manga), completed CEs, and practiced Chinese regularly. Unfortunately, I was not able to do some writing.

For 2022, I plan on building on and tracking my habits using Habitca and Mossery’s yearly planner.

  1. Complete a sudoku book.
  2. Write a short story about my original characters.
  3. Read 50 books based on the Popsugar challenge.
  4. Exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week.
  5. Journal daily for 30 minutes.
  6. Complete CEs.
  7. Complete a crafting or personal project every month using the materials I already have.
  8. Complete 5 video games over the course of year. Cannot buy until 5 are completed.
  9. Finish 5 books in “to be read” pile.

2019 Resolutions

/ orchidus

Sunset at the Monterey Tides Hotel, Monterey, CA (11-3-18)

Sunset at the Monterey Tides Hotel, Monterey, CA (11-3-18)

Between lapses between working and daily life, I reflected on what I learned from 2017 and 2018, and what I can do to make 2019 more fulfilling and better. Since 2017 and early 2018, I dealt with health issues related to work stress and work environment. I also participated in my local pharmacy association activities and eventually was elected as a board member in 2018. In the summer of 2018, I took on a new role at work and was challenged due to having to balance administrative duties, managerial duties, and workflow. Throughout all of this, I co-wrote a web serial with Taki called Gathering of Heroes series: Anhu and tried to find time for hobbies and relaxation. I supported quite a few artists (thanks to sleepyriceball‘s influence) and indie game developers, such as Zeiva Inc and roseVerte. I visited Shandong province, Henan province, Nanjing, and Beijing in September 2018.

Ultimately, I realized that my health is important and reducing stress is the key to improving my health. In 2019, I hope to continue to improve my health and continue growing as an individual.

  1. Exercise 3-4 times weekly (running, walking, hiking).
  2. Read regularly and complete Popsugar 2019 challenge. [50% on the 2018 challenge]
  3. Do 1 continuing education assignment every 2 weeks minimum.
  4. Write something this year.
    1. Complete writing piece for Legacies Anthology (due in February 2019). Near completion, March 13, 2019 due [COMPLETE!]
    2. Complete travel journals for Japan, Korea, and China (2018).
    3. Write a new story(?).
  5. Participate in Inktober 2019 or an art challenge. [canceled]
  6. Learn Mandarin Chinese.

 

Resolutions for 2017

/ orchidus

2016 was a challenging year, in terms of life and work. I changed jobs but had to adjust to the new work culture and how to handle different colleagues. I determined what steps I wanted to take for my future. I bonded closer with my family and extended family. I used the time I have off to do what I need to achieve my goals and to maintain my well-being. I bonded closer with friends and got started on a story collaboration that will be coming in the future. There are still multiple things to accomplish so hopefully things keep on coming in 2017.

  1. Exercise regularly (at least 3-4 times per week).
  2. Continue to face difficult situations and once done, it’s done.
  3. Learn Mandarin Chinese.
  4. Draw or write at least once a week. [Including blog posts]
  5. Reduce the amount of possessions and unused items (physically and digitally).
    [I have already eliminated my Crunchyroll subscription so I resolve not to watch too much Japanese Anime this year]
  6. Read regularly and complete the 2017 Popsugar reading challenge.

Best of 2012: A Year of Changing Tides

/ orchidus

From January to August, I completed my second and third semesters of my 1st year of pharmacy. I survived the difficult pharmacokinetic courses, worked in a hospital pharmacy in Sacramento and busy 24-hour CVS pharmacy for my Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) hours; and managed to balance study with outings with friends. I also began thinking about my ideal independent community pharmacy as a result of the entrepreneurial pharmacy course

August 4-24 was my well-earned break from a tough third semester. My family and I traveled to major destinations along the Southern Silk Road in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. We had many enlightening experiences learning about the minority cultures (the Bai people) and the ancient Shu people of Sichuan; and Buddhist beliefs. Like the people in the past, we made a 5-hour pilgrimage up the Meili Snow Mountain (one of the holy Buddhist mountains) and explored the beautiful scenery of Yunnan province. After the adventures in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, we stayed in Beijing for a week and marveled at the modern changes the city undertook as a result of the 2008 summer Olympics. It was quite a change from my first visit in 1998.

Immediately after my trip, I started my first semester as a second-year pharmacy student. The coursework took a different turn from the first year, going more in-depth in the practice of pharmacy. Therapeutic courses consist of learning about the disease state and treatment algorithm used to treat and (possibly) prevent complications as a result of the disease. I learned about the treatments used for gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders. I also completed my health fair outreach hours required by the school.

Following my semester, I enjoyed 3 weeks off in December, during which I caught up with a few friends and saw some movies: The Hobbit, Lincoln, and Skyfall. I also managed to complete Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and read a few books. Although I only read 11 out of 12 books, I was pleased to read something other than the textbook. As for meeting goals, I completed my 2011 travel journals but failed to regularly exercise and read pharmacy-related (or non-fiction articles).

In 2013, I plan to

  • Reduce clutter by not buying unnecessary items.
  • Balance work and school appropriately.
  • Relieve my anger/irritation in a peaceful manner.
  • Be flexible. Accept what cannot be changed and let go.
  • Exercise regularly to relieve stress (30 minutes/day)
  • Limit internet usage to 1-2 hours daily (Exception: Checking school email and resource website). Also, includes smart phone usage.