2013 New Year's Resolutions

I don't know about you but I like to write down New Year's Resolutions. I like to make them for a number of reasons:

• I like giving myself new challenges or goals to achieve. 
• Making them at the beginning of the year sets the boundaries or time frame of when I will aim to achieve my resolutions.  
• Physically writing down my goals is a reminder to myself. By putting it out there for me to visually see regularly, I'm making myself accountable. Subconsciously motivating me to achieve these goals. 

So what were my resolutions 12 months ago and if I did a PIR (post implementation review .. project terminology and process conducted after IT projects have been completed) on these goals what would be my assessment?

[X] Be Fitter Than I was 14 Months Ago

Somewhat achieved. The first 10 months of 2012 I was pretty dedicated to exercising. I was more religious and disciplined than I thought I could be. I was actually a lot more stronger and felt my reflexes had improved. You hear personal trainers talk about how exercise (and diet) is a life style change .... I got that, as in I understood what that finally meant. I didn't find exercising a chore or something I should do but I felt it was a daily task that was part of my life. I didn't second guess doing it anymore, I just did it. I was doing P90X / P90X2 every morning then either running at lunch or playing ball in the evenings. Then in October we moved and the change in environment impacted my routine. I was tired more resulting in being lazier about exercising and even more lazier about dieting. After a long day I'm too exhausted and hungry to cook something healthy. Most week nights I was up later catching up on home chores making me still tired to get up early in the mornings to work out.

But this year I want to revert back to my work out routine and incorporate a eating plan. The reasons why I failed to achieve better results was due to my diet. I didn't plan what I ate and sugar is my kryptonite.

[X] Be Available to Family More

Having Eli definitely has bought us closer to our families. He brings us all a lot of joy and sharing more experiences together. I love having a growing extended family. 

[X] Find a Home for My Family

Achieved.

[X] Clarity in my Career Path

Achieved. I know when I'm ready to start working again what I want to do next and what I've out grown. Next step would be doing some training to make it happen.

[X] Go on an Overseas Family Holiday

Does my current vaccay to QLD count? I'd still consider this resolution achieved because I did go on my dream European holiday this year although not as a family. I was able to visit London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Crete and Santorini. I'm still to complete the detailed posts for the last few cities we visited. 

[X] Blog as Much as Possible

Achieved. I've even publicly started sharing it with people.

[ ] Learn Something New

How did I miss this one? I don't think I've learnt anything new. Does blindly navigating through motherhood and learning what does or doesn't work count? 

[ ] Pursue My Own Business

Still figuring this out.

[X] Give Back to Australian Charities

I've put my hand up and volunteered for a few charities this year and a registered blood donor. Admittedly I'm not regularly contributing to a charity. I'm yet to find one I'm passionate and completely interested about. If anything I've been reading a lot about the unspoken violence against women in India.

So what are my 2013 New Year's Resolutions? This year I want to challenge the following areas in my life:

• Change my eating habits. Eat healthier and minimise sugar intake. Minimise eating pre-packaged/pre-made foods and learn to cook basic stuff from scratch
• Tone my temple
• Study appropriate course for my next career move
• Take up a new hobby that I will continue to do post learning how to do it
• To not be not afraid to take more chances
• Seriously document and speak to someone about my patent idea
• Really understand Eli's allergies and get him eating more 
• Plan for Baby #2
• Stop over analysing and just be me

I think that's plenty for 2013 and will be a challenge to achieve some of those goals.


Do you make new year's resolutions? Care to share?
Are you good at sticking to them?

Investment Property #3

This afternoon we drove past our potential new investment. 

It's going to be a brand new 220sm one story free standing home comprising of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a single garage. What made the property attractive was not only is it a brand new free standing home but all the inclusions included with the price. Extras which you would normally have to pay on top for such as the driveway, fencing, landscaping and blinds. It's a ready to move in home in an ideal location of the suburb and believe we can get premium rental and resell value for the property. 

We are taking advantage of the no stamp duty the government is offering to NSW home owners for any new homes being built under $600K or land purchased under $400K. This will exempt us from paying for up to $40K worth of stamp duty.

At this point in time we're not planning to move into the house only because its so far from our network of support people who are helping us look after Eli. 

I feel this purchase is a sound investment especially for the price we purchased it at and it's going to strengthen our financial portfolio. I've always believed in smart investing and making well calculated decisions not just going with the trend. My approach to property investing is to purchase decent, not expensive homes that will provide strong rental income and has the potential to make profit when we come to sell it.

Another bonus is settlement isn't until the completion of the property which isn't scheduled until the end of the year. What that means is we don't have to pay anything except the 10% until the home is complete therefore we can take advantage of securing the property now at the price we negotiated at the time without having to pay the banks back just yet. 

I see us keeping this property for 5+ years and just sitting on it for a little while until the property market picks up again or the area continues to grow, hopefully increasing the value of the home. 

Now to find a home for us. We're so undecided as to what we want to do. I don't mind renting however renting is so unstable at time. I was made well aware of this reality this week when my sister was given her 4 weeks eviction notice from her landlord. The reasons for the eviction is unknown however whatever the reason is its within contract grounds. 

Do we want to buy around our parents? My parents want to sell their home and move between states or countries in the colder months so then what's the point of staying in the area if my parents aren't around for support? I also don't want to stress either parents with the expectation that they have to be so involved with raising our children - they've done their time and I want them to enjoy their retirement period, they deserve it. 

Do we want to buy closer to work? The 1.5hr each way commute to work is killing my life. I know the M2 road works will cease in a year and in 10-15 years time there will be a North West train line. But how much time will I be saving anyways? Besides being close to our families we do live in an ideal location. Good schools, family orientated, people within the same salary bracket. C'mon lets get real the homes in this area aren't cheap. It is assumed a certain salary amount is required to even get approved for loans to buy homes in this location. So it is a good area regardless its just that the travel into the city is so tedious everyday. 

Do we want a sea change? Ian and I have been taking about getting away from Sydney. The cost of living, the lifestyle, the mortgages and everyday living expenses are ridiculous in Sydney. We complain but we don't do anything about it and maybe its time we did. Time we moved to some place that isn't so expensive. The con would be that we won't have support people around us and potentially salaries wont be as competitive as the salaries in Sydney. 

Dedication

On Saturday we dedicated our son to God. We invited mostly people whom we believe we will still be friends with in 10, 20, 30 years from now … basically people who will see our family grow. In my opinion it was an event I felt I did the less preparation for. I barely organized anything and a few days leading up to the event I began to worry about whether I did enough for my son.

To my surprise the event was a success. The church ceremony was short and sweet with most guests turning up to the ceremony. Everyone looked lovely, well dressed and polished. The reception was held at Siam Corner, a local thai restaurant down the road from us. The feedback on the food was it was delicious and the buffet option was a hit. I noticed most people went back for seconds and thirds. The giveaways, macaroons wrapped in personalised tags that Ian and I did at the last minute was well received. Someone even asked whether I got it done through a third party vendor.

I was glad and relieved that the whole day was simple, beautiful and an intimate affair.

Eli was also well behaved (as always). He slept through most of the ceremony and the reception. At both occasions we eventually woke him up from his sleep so we could take photos as proof he was present (and awake) at his own dedication. A lot of people commented on how cute he looked and how well behave he was all day. Around large groups of people he usually keeps quiet and observes his surroundings, a character trait I hope and believe he will carry on as he gets older especially when he’s a toddler.

During the ceremony Ian read out the love letter I wrote to our son before he was born. I wrote it after a message I heard from a guest speaker at church. He exhorted on how he physically wrote down prophesies on his children’s lives and explain that they came to life and encouraged us to do the same with our children. So I wrote a love letter to my son detailing the kind of man I want him to be and explained the love his father and I have for him. When Ian read it out loud I felt a little emotional however I contained it because I didn’t want to cry in front of everyone. After the ceremony several people came up to me and said how beautiful and blessed they felt hearing my letter and what an impact it had made on them. Again I was surprised by this feedback. I know I put my heart into this letter so I know what I wrote is with the most sincerity.

Below is the love letter to my son … as suggested by some tita’s I will write this and frame it to be kept in his room.  

"To our dearest son,

Firstly know that you are loved. Before you even come into this world the though of you made our hearts over flow with love that we never knew we felt. May you feel that love throughout you life not just from us your parents but from our families and those you choose to open your life to. You are the most precious gift God gave us and we will cherish you forever. Your life was perfectly timed at this moment for you have a purpose.

Before you were born we knew you will be knowledgeable beyond your years, exhibit many talents and posses unique gifts God crafted especially for you. You will be beautiful inside and out, posse confidence with humility, be compassionate and giving, sweet and loving - a true gentlemen. You will be obedient and honest especially to your parents.

You will be successful and reap rewards in everything you put your heart into. You will be a role model and leader to many, making a positive impact in whatever area you pursue in life. You will love your family and be close to us and your future siblings.

Remember to dream big and never stop dreaming for God has great plans for you, plans beyond your wildest dreams. You will achieve things that will surprise you and be set apart from those around you.

Most of all you will be God fearing and have a relationship with your creator.

Our encouragement is for you to know that your misjudgements do not define you, do not take into heart negative criticism but learn from your errors and avoid the same pitfalls.

Son, you have bought out the best out of us but know we are not perfect. At times we may not meet your expectation and we may make decisions that may seem unfair but you will understand those reasons later in life. Our words and actions are never to harm you but to equip, challenge, guide and protect you.

Know that you have our support and our love forever. We love you son

Love

Mama & Papa" 

Pastor GP doing the honors

With the Ninang's - SSL & YS

The Ninong's DD & MA

 Amazing dedication day. I couldn't have wished for a more special and perfect day for our son.

Never Enough

Yesterday Pastor GC preached at church. He preached on the story of King Soloman who had everything yet it was never enough. He took excessive to the extreme and still he felt empty. He reaslied through God, is the only way he could really value and truly enjoy what he had in his life. The story struck a cord with me.

I know that feeling of always wanting more, and more, and more. To me there’s always something better and because of that mind set I find I don’t seem to enjoy and value what I do have at that moment. My heart and mind is never at peace and it always yearns for something to fill it but can’t seem to find it.

Pastor GC echoed a really good quote … if only I can remember or find it online. It basically went along the lines of to truly enjoy what you have now you need to stop thinking about what you could have or what could have been.

I need to stop the whole “keeping up with the Jones” and the “wondering what-if’s” and just focus on my family and my relationships with people. Strong solid foundations start from home and once imbedded it will out last and out test anything it faces.

I also need to find God. I’m curious to know that content and fulfilled feeling Soloman talks about. The one that only through God will fill.