Thinking Out Loud

Hello, July - my birth month! June came and went in a whirlwind. It was a month packed with deadlines, travel arrangements, expenditures, and the ever-important PCard reconciliations — all of which had to be completed by June 30th. It was busy, intense, and at times a little overwhelming, but I was up for the challenge. I’m happy (and proud!) to share that I met the deadline in flying colors! Working from home for most of June — thanks to ongoing road construction — turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The quieter space gave me room to focus, stay organized, and manage the workload with a little more calm and clarity. At home, life didn’t slow down either. Between household chores, car problems, and spending time with family, I found a moment to go biking around the neighborhood with my niece and nephew. It didn’t go quite as planned — I fell off after just five minutes! But as the saying goes, it’s not about how you fall, but how you get back up. And I did — brushed myself off, th...

 Hello, June! June quietly marks this midpoint—a gentle reminder that time is both fleeting and full of opportunity. With the warmth of summer beginning to settle in, the world around us seems to soften and open, inviting growth, reflection, and renewal. Nature is in full bloom, and perhaps we can be, too. Unlike January’s resolutions or December’s grand farewells, June arrives with subtlety. It doesn’t announce itself with noise, but with a warm breeze, longer days, and the quiet promise of new beginnings. In this way, June may be the most powerful time of year to start again—softly, intentionally, and in harmony with the season. The name “June” traces back to the Roman goddess Juno, the protector of women and marriage, and the wife of Jupiter, the king of the gods. Because of her, June has long been considered a lucky month for weddings—a tradition that continues to this day. In the Northern Hemisphere, June welcomes the beginning of summer, marked by the summer solstice (ar...

Me, the Moon Child In astrology, the zodiac sign Cancer (my zodiac sign) is ruled by the Moon, which makes me  the ultimate "moon child".   A moon child is sensitive, intuitive, and deeply emotional—like the tides pulled by the moon. Their moods can ebb and flow, just like lunar phases. One minute, they have cozy, nurturing energy… the next, they retreat  into a shell to recharge. They often hold ancient wisdom in their hearts.  The Moon gives Cancer that strong connection to home, family, and their inner world. Plus, they tend to feel things on a whole other level. It must have been the moon child in me that  made me endure the cold Thursday night and stay up late as we observed the lunar eclipse and witnessed  the blood moon. I usually go to bed early since I get up early. But I will not miss the lunar eclipse.  After setting up our telescope, we saw the partial eclipse and the total eclipse as seen in the pictures below:      ...

Goodbye February, Hello Mars? Last night, after dinner, we optimistically went out to check the planetary alignments. Geared with our telescope and binoculars, we could see Mars and Jupiter at first with the help of an app I downloaded. An hour later, as it was getting colder—it's still winter after all—we decided to head home and try to check the planetary alignments from our front or back yard.  At home, after warming up, we set up our telescope in our front yard and found Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and even the Moon and the Sun.  It was nice to know that they were aligning. Here are some photos taken from the app we used: We looked through our telescope and binoculars, but they were too small to be viable as pictures.  Planetary alignment is one of the most awe-inspiring celestial events, captivating astronomers and sky watchers alike. This rare occurrence occurs when planets appear to line up in the sky from Earth's perspective, forming a straight or nearly straight...

Friends, are we?  Ah, friends—those marvelous beings who make life's journey much more enjoyable! Friends are like the family we choose for ourselves. They bring laughter, support, and a sense of belonging. Whether having deep conversations, sharing hobbies, or simply enjoying each other's company, friends enrich our lives in countless ways. Not all friendships are built on trust and sincerity. False friendships can be deceptive, often characterized by manipulation, jealousy, or self-interest. A false friend may only appear during good times but disappear when challenges arise. Recognizing such relationships early can help protect emotional well-being and allow for the cultivation of genuine connections. Determining whether someone is a friend or a foe often involves observing their actions, consistency, and intentions. A true friend supports you, respects your boundaries, and brings positivity into your life. They celebrate your success, stand by you during challenges, and off...

Winter has come ... Winter is such a magical season with its own unique charm. It’s when the world seems to slow down, and everything is covered in a soft, frosty blanket. Winter finally came when it's snowing every day, and a winter day isn’t complete without building a snowman! A snowman on a winter day brings to mind a charming, cozy scene full of joy. It’s the type of day that invites you to pause for a moment, marvel at the beauty of nature, and perhaps share a smile with the frosty figure you’ve created. There's something undeniably nostalgic and magical about a snowman standing tall in the middle of a winter day as if it’s a reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple, peaceful moments of the season. We've been waiting for at least 2 to 3  inches of snow. And it finally came. With fresh snow, before it will be plowed or melted, my nephew and niece endured the cold weather and built a snowman family from this week's snow. The pictures below show their imagination a...