It is in playing that we learn about ourselves, about life, let go of the barriers and discover our interests.
You may find me under a 15 Lb. lion head entertaining the pedestrians during Chinese New Year (an activity women were barred from participating until the recent years); religiously practicing my asana with my yoga partner- Fiona LaBone: delivering an inspirational speech on the Toastmasters’ stage; traveling the world and immersing in the foods or just being plain silly.
Lion Dancing
It’s not all song and dance, it’s actually a very intense workout that relies heavily on kung fu stance and movements. After master the fundamental movements, the best dancers would improvise and interact with the audiences to foster engagement and generate excitement.
Public Speaking
My Toastmaster president, Quintis, supporting me during my area competition where I took 1st place and advanced to the district level competition, taking 2nd. From 2017 to 2020, I went from Sergeant at Arms, Secretary to President of Ringers and Area 32 Director. The reward that I valued the most is witnessing the growth in other “shy” members as well as my own daughters!
I knew public speaking was something I needed to brush up on during my MLB Head Designer role where I had to give presentation to over a hundred associates at the annual sales conference.
It was not until I witnessed how terrifying it was for my daughters to give their school presentations that I decided it was time to face this “beast,” head-on.
With this award winning speech “The Apple,” and my journey as a Toastmaster and leader, my daughters witnessed my vulnerability, more importantly, the actions their mother took to overcome fear and win!
Yoga
I had practiced yoga in my 20s, took a break and picked it up again in my late 30s. I’m amazed how I’m able to do some of the poses in my 40s that were not achievable then. What changed other than my age?
My mind set.
I learned to enjoy the journey and focused on the moments. Instead of working on the poses, I gradually permitted the poses to work on me.
Fiona LaBone
Meet Fiona LaBone, my Yoga partner
Travel the world & taste the food!
My infatuation with travel started when I was 2 (perhaps even before that)- I grew up traveling. Dad was in sales. I have vivid memories of falling in and out of sleep on trains, boats, buses and bicycles. I would look out the window in the wee hours when the train passed by a small town. Seeing lights coming out of a house in the middle of a field. Wondering what it’s like to be in their shoes- waking up and starting the day...
I have been to 31 countries and a number of micronations such as Ladonia. I am proud to say that I am fluent in the Ladonian language- “waaaall” and “ÿp.”
Traveling expands my horizon to live momentarily in another person’s shoes and experience their lives. It expands my palate and discover tastes that I never knew existed. It broadened my perspective, deepen my understanding of what is fundamentally human- the shared values, qualities, and traditions.
I celebrate a variety of food in my life, my parents and grandparents had live through famine. The one rule I live by, is to not waste food.
From preparing my ceremonial matcha commencing my day, to drizzling my homemade rose petal jam on my desert “Zong,” I try to always feed my body with wholesomeness.
From tasting “real” Mezcal in the mountain villages of Oaxaca, (fermented by natural starter- human spit) to afternoon tea at Kensington Palace- both a celebration to me on equal terms.
Ropoto, Greece - Greeces sinking ghost town and crooked church
My recent travel to Ropoto, Greece
Monastery hopping in Meteora, Greece! UNESCO site. Breathtaking hike up and down through the stone forest to the monasteries and nunnery perched atop vertical peaks.
Who wore it better?
Sparking parallel trends has been a delightful pet peeve of mine.
I may not be able to slinky down the stairs, but I’m not backing down when it comes to fashion!
Glad to see my signature hairstyle trending in the produce department- the style that allow me to optimize my life and have more time to spend on important things, such as posing for this photo-op.
Stay wild!