08/26: It seems like even now, I'm still feeling a little thrown off by my month of paternity leave; I often find myself complaining about the summer heat as if it were still spring when in reality most kids are already back in school and summer is almost over. Since BSF will be starting in two weeks, today is essentially my last full ASDO (assigned day off) without having to be anywhere from morning till night. Of course, there's always plenty to do to keep me busy, and balancing life's various priorities is something I'm constantly learning to improve in doing. This is a rather busy month, with several birthdays and weddings that, amazingly, we've been able to enjoy with Amias without going crazy. I've been increasingly trying to commit more time to reading God's Word - even a few minutes in a busy day of work can be extremely refreshing and help me maintain the right focus. Currently, I'm caught in some important financial decisions that can have a major impact for many years to come. It will involve cleaning up the past, planning for the future, trying to mend broken relationships, and simply having faith. Looking back at this past year, I clearly see that God has orchestrated an amazing journey in which He proves time after time that while nothing and no one in this world is perfect, He is ultimately in complete control. I look forward to letting Him continue leading the way one step at a time.

07/22: The journey of marriage takes you through many twists and turns. Sometimes it's exciting and other times it's frustrating. But through it all, the journey continues. Tiffany and I just celebrated our four-year wedding anniversary last night, thanks to Mom's willingness to help babysit. We enjoyed a fancy dinner at "The Cat and the Custard Cup", a little-known but amazing fine dining destination in La Habra. Yes, there's actually a fancy romantic restaurant in La Habra. Yes, it's been around for several decades even though few have heard of it. Yes, you should go try it, especially to celebrate a special occasion.

This was our first time going out for dinner by ourselves since Amias was born - a huge contrast to the weekly date nights we had observed since we first started dating. We've managed to still enjoy occasional "dates" in the form of take-out food or Netflix movies while the baby is asleep. Still, it was great to finally get to go out on a date again and simply enjoy our relationship without having to worry about anything or anyone else. After all, Amias was definitely in good hands.

A big part of celebrating our relationship is recognizing the journey that brought us to where we are, along with the many blessings we had or have. At this time last year, we had no idea that, before our next anniversary, we would buy our first home and have our first child, and that I would switch to a new job that could pay for it all. There's no doubt that every blessing also comes with its own challenges - after all, the journey isn't just about continuing to move forward, but also continuing to learn and grow in the process. God has always been faithful, and He always will be faithful. May we continue to model our love for one another after His perfect and unchanging love as we embrace another year together.

07/06: With the baby making it more difficult for Tiffany and I to enjoy going out to have fun, we've been increasingly opting to have people come over and visit us instead. When Joseph and Kimmy told me they would be back in Southern California for the Fourth of July and wanted to get a few friends together, we naturally offered to open our home. Of course, a Fourth of July party isn't complete without a barbecue - a perfect blend of my love for hosting parties and Ken's love for grilling. Those who have been to one of our old annual barbecues at my mom's house know that we certainly don't mess around when it comes to making every party memorable. Those parties came to a halt when I got married and moved out (with the exception of a handful of small gatherings for special occasions), simply because my apartment's "yard" wasn't suitable for anything more than one or two people staring at an old parking lot. But now that we've been blessed with a new home that came with a beautifully designed yard (and even an extra barbecue grill that the old owners left!), it was a perfect opportunity to revive a wonderful tradition.

Of course, things are quite different now compared to the old days. Our condo's yard may be beautiful, but it's not humongous. And unlike half a decade ago, I actually have financial responsibilities that keep me from going too crazy. Also, most of our friends are either engaged or married, or at least in a committed relationship. I haven't forgotten any of the people I called friends back in high school or college and would love to have opportunites to get back in touch with those I haven't kept in contact with. But when it comes to throwing a party with limited resources, it's now ultimately about those who are closest to heart and those who I have opportunities to bring close to heart.

So we kept the party small - small, but no less fun and exciting. And we went with more or less of a potluck, so everyone had a share in the outcome. After all, we're all working adults now, and if we'd be okay going out to a restaurant for a nice meal, we certainly shouldn't have any problems contributing to a house party that essentially provides equally great food but more time to spend together and more freedom to cater things to our own liking. I volunteered myself to be the barista and bartender, topping off the usual selection of beer and soft drinks with ice-blended coffees and coconut-flavored Cuba Libres (a favorite from the good ol' days). Ken compiled the meat menu with steaks, hot links, and lemon pepper flavored chicken, offering both quality and variety. Top that off with fresh mixed salad and lots of snacks, and we've got a recipe for unforgettably good times.

I feel a little warm and fuzzy inside every time I talk to someone about having a barbecue and they immediately bring up fond memories of past parties. As someone who enjoys doing things behind the scenes and grew up struggling with social acceptance, I've always found great joy in bringing people together and having an important role in a social gathering, and few things make me happier than realizing that even after years have passed, those gatherings still have a place in people's hearts. Now that we're all older and more mature, I've learned more and more to actually enjoy socializing with everyone rather than focus only on serving food and drinks. After all, the people I hold closest to heart are those who most deeply understand and accept me as I am, and I shouldn't feel like I have to work hard to please anybody. While I love throwing big epic parties and would love to do so again in the future if God decides to bless me with the resources to do so, a smaller group certainly creates a more intimate setting. One of my favorite things about hosting parties has always been to see friends from different circles come together to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones. And even in a small group, that definitely happened. I'm truly thankful for having the means of once again inviting people over for a barbeue party, and I look forward to continuing these celebrations of God-given friendships in the future.