Goodbye 2017

Here I am at the end of the year looking back.  I realized that what makes the difference in how I feel about my life this year is not any one big event but all the small and simple things.  Looking back I am happy and content with how I spent my time this year.  I wouldn't say that this is the best year ever, but pretty close.  

A few years back I read a book, "The art of Happiness" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  He said to be happy try to visit a new place every year.  It doesn't have to be far away to exotic places.  Since reading that book I have tried to follow his advice, and my life has been enriched because of it.

The three most notable events/accomplishments for this year are
1. I became a US citizen and got my US passport
2. I walked 1000 miles 
3. I read 65 books 

   
2017 in pictures.

 *A big snow storm in January
I am really grateful that our nephews came and helped us with snow removal from our roof. 

*opera with our girls
It is always fun to go out with them.  This year's show was Puccini's Tosca.

*Minji's concerts
Our daughter, a music major, had numerous concerts and recitals throughout the year and we tried to make it to most of them.

*Citizenship and passport
After 25 years...

*Quilts for Mountain States Tumor Institute
This was to help a young man with his eagle scout project.  I made these with my daughter.  

*Family camping Trip
I don't know when and how all this started, but we go on a family camping/hiking trip over my birthday weekend and I love it.

*Huckleberry picking
My first time picking huckleberries.  We had a fun weekend with Mike's two brothers and their wonderful wives.  Complete with homemade marshmallows and an amazing sunrise.

*Happy Halloween 
My first time decorating for Halloween. I started with 5 ghosts, but they keep coming and I think we ended up with 9 of them (this happens when you have a lot of free time)  

*Mike's birthday trip to Utah
We took a quick trip to watch his basketball team the 76ers.  Mike has waited for years for the sixers to play well, and they have finally come out of the darkness.  We also stopped at the aerospace museum. 

*Meridian Temple open house
The temple was absolutely beautiful 

*Merry Christmas
A quick Sunday afternoon picture in our living room.  We are missing Suji and her husband Danny.

Looking forward.

For the new year I have two goals in mind.  Mike doesn't know about this yet, but we are a package deal.
1. Put our finances in order and save more.  Old age seems way closer now that we are over 50.
2. Take care of our health to avoid medical expenses and enjoy a better life. We already have planned a few hiking trips for the upcoming year, and I am going make better choices with the food we eat. 

I hope you all have a wonderful year full of love and prosperity.