2008 Biography

I still can't believe this year's almost over. Is it just that the older you get, the quicker time flies? Without a doubt, I have so many things to be thankful for this past year. On January 1, 2008, David and I celebrated our SIX year anniversary together. Crazy!The next few months kept me super busy with all the wedding planning, the overtime shifts at work to pay for the wedding, sessions at the gym with my personal trainer, baby showers, birthdays, and so much more. On March 2nd, I completed my first-ever marathon. I thought it would be cool to run 26 miles at 26 years old. Yep, this was a ONE-TIME deal, that's for sure. It took me a grueling 5 hours & 11 minutes to complete the run through LA, but I was damn proud of myself. I spent a few days in mid-April in Palm Springs for a mother-daughter retreat. We soaked ourselves in 100 degree+ hot springs water at the spa and of course, my mother shared her words of wisdom and bits of pre-marital couseling with me. Overall, we really enjoyed each other's company and it was nice to be able to have that bonding time after so many years. On May 4th, even after I had tortured myself with the LA Marathon, I convinced myself to finish the "Run through Redlands" 1/2 marathon and accomplished my best running time yet! With one month left 'til the wedding, there was a lot going on in the month of May. My bridesmaids threw me an exciting and adventurous (or should I say "dangerous?" keke...) LUAU bridal shower. On Memorial weekend, my dear friend & sister-in-law Chihye ended one chapter of her life as she graduated from Loma Linda University Medical School and I was so happy to be there for her! She is now working as an Internal Medicine resident at Huntington Memorial in Pasadena. Last but not least, how could I ever forget the bachelorette party in Vegas?!?! With my closest girlfriends around, I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate the last bit of my freedom as a single lady! As June finally hit, every day, every hour, every minute of my time was consumed by the oh-so-fun wedding planning and I couldn't have done it without my biggest support group, my girlfriends. I love you all! On June 22, everything that led up to this day finally paid off. I went from Ms. Lee to Mrs. Lee. And no, we're not related. Although our wedding day was probably the hottest day of June, we made it and amazingly, so did the makeup!!! (*witnessed by our cakey, pale faces of course). The next week was spent relaxing on our honeymoon in paradise, first Moorea, then Bora Bora. EXPENSIVE!....but AMAZING! Even though we were miles away from home, we got word via email that our close friend, Jonathan was ENGAGED and is soon to be wed in May 2009. Once we returned from our honeymoon, we vacationed some more with the Saesims, Changs, & Liaos in Palm Springs. Just when I thought things were slowing down, July was just as busy with two weddings back to back (Ben & Jullie 7/20, June & Hyung 7/27). Now that I was a newlywed, I ditched my night shift buddies to become a normal day shifter 7am-7pm so that I could spend more time with David. Although I missed the shift differential ($4 more on nights) and mostly the company of my partner-in-crime, Jessica, I have to admit that the switch was definitely a good choice! I no longer sleep 12 hours on my days off now and I'm a much happier person! =) Ask David! In August, a fairly big group of our friends took a weekend trip to SF & NAPA for wine-tasting and fine dining! A few days later, I invited everyone over and grilled Korean BBQ for David's birthday/housewarming party. Luckily, we somehow managed to accomodate 25+ people in our little dinky apartment. Then, on August 31st, Gina and James finally tied the knot! 2008 was definitely a busy year for weddings! Late September, our CKSDA family visited an orphange in Mexico and made the most out of our one day mission trip (providing medical, dental, and even hair care by BAUHAUS's senior hairstylist Saejin Oh, spending time with the children through arts and crafts, and preparing a nice meal). It was truly a blessing for all of us. By now, in October, I had definitely put on more than needed pounds after the wedding. In an attempt to get back into shape, I completed the Long Beach 1/2 Marathon with Christine (first time 1/2 marathoner). On October 18th, CKSDA threw a benefit concert to raise money for RIO HONDO, a temporary housing facility in Norwalk. With the help of our featured perfomers (FUTURE OF FORESTRY, Lost Ocean, & Colma Clarity), we raised over $5000 donated to RIO HONDO. Sarah and I went kind of crazy this year with our multiple costume outfits for Halloween, but it was so festive and fun! This year, I dressed up a little inappropriately as a devil and tamed it down later as a greek goddess. Who knew Halloween outfits could be so expensive!?!? In November, we visited Phillip (David's younger brother) in Vegas for his birthday. Sarah won BIG in Vegas on a slot machine with $1800!!! And for her birthday, I convinced her to purchase her first LV bag with her winnings. Yay! This year, I had the chance to eat TWO thanksgiving dinners! First, we had a massive CKSDA Pre-Thanksgiving potluck at the Saesims where Danny made his first turkey ever. It was delicious! Then, David & I spent Thanksgiving in San Diego with his side of the family. We had Korean BBQ & turkey! Yeah, I think I'm still trying to put off the extra pounds from those feasts. Finally, in December, I attended the last wedding of the year (phew) for Heidi & James. Congratulations guys! Elena & I worked our party planning skills for the CKSDA 5th annual Christmas banquet, "The Black & White Ball." The weather made a big jump from the first of December, 90 degrees and sunny to mid December, 40 degrees and pouring rain! Just in time, David and I escaped from the dreary weather to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where it was 80 degrees...perfect weather! We stayed at an all-inclusive resort (RIU) with absolutely no worries and interruptions...just pure relaxation...with the help of many mojitos of course. We returned just in time for Christmas with my side of the family. With 2009 coming around the corner, I'm doing some last-minute planning for New Year's Eve at my brother's house. We've invited all the LL posse and it's definitely going to be a blast as we ring in another year! As I look back on 2008, I am so grateful for all the fond memories, good health, new and old friendships, and most of all, the love and support from all of you! HAPPY 2009!