2013-In A Nutshell

We are so grateful for the many blessings we have received in 2013. Here are some of the things we experienced:

Kim worked as an elementary school PE instructor for a Chinese Immersion school program in Provo, UT while Charles finished his degree.

Charles finished his last semester of school at BYU, receiving his Masters of Accounting degree in April. Family from California, Minnesota and even Singapore came to celebrate his graduation.

We joined Charles' family on a trip to Zion's National Park. We made it to the top of Angel's Landing!

Kim and Charles spent 2 weeks in Boston babysitting Tim's 2 kids. We had a great time and still love each other. 

Kim and Charles took a trip back to Asia where Kim got to see some sites of Singapore. We also got to go back to Taiwan where both of us served our missions for the LDS church and visit old friends and families. We had a total of 8 delicious mango smoothies while we were there (with boba of course) 

Kim got to see Hong Kong for the first time 

Kim and Charles moved into their apartment in Orange, CA... Just minutes away from Disneyland and beaches. 

Charles studied for and completed 2 out of 4 parts of the CPA exam. Halfway to getting his CPA!

Kim started her second year of optometry school and is really enjoying it (maybe not all the studying for exams part)

Charles accepted an offer and started working for KPMG as an auditor in Irvine.

Kim and Charles attended a Chang family reunion in Denver, Colorado over Thanksgiving break.

Kim chopped off and donated over 12 inches of hair- her first time ever!

Kim and Charles traveled to freezing Minnesota to spend Christmas with family on both sides. 

Kim was called as a Relief Society instructor in church, and Charles as a self reliance committee member helping out with family finances (his first time in a long time not being financial clerk)

 

2013 has been very good to us. We are thankful for our health and for all the many opportunities around us. We are grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. And now, we are excited for 2014 and the adventures it will bring!

Here are some random photos from 2013

Auntie Kim and Uncle Charles go Full Time in Boston for 2 weeks!

Kim's brother and sister in law, Tim and Lynn, took a trip to Europe for 2 weeks back in May and needed some babysitters. Well, it just so happened that Kim and Charles were free before their trip to Asia and were available to help out.

So we flew out to Boston and had a day to see the routine for Kaden (5) and Kara (2 1/2) and to get the hang of things. Then Mommy and Daddy left for the airport, only to be seen on Skype for the next 2 weeks. 

We had a fun time learning to be parents and being full time parents. The kiddos were really good and were no trouble at all! 

Good bye, Farewell, Provo

Well, this is good bye and farewell, Provo for good! Charles and I are ending a chapter of our lives and turning the page of our book of life :)

I've been teaching Elementary Physical Education for a Chinese Immersion Program. I taught grades 1-4 and loved it! Well, it had its ups and downs, but it was a great experience. Was so fun getting to know the kids and hearing their Chinese progress. We did all sorts of things including basketball, field hockey, volleyball, Four Square, parachute, dodge ball, Chinese jump rope and lots of tag games :) I'll miss the kids, but I won't miss that echoey gym that drove me crazy all the time. I got used to yelling but I'm glad I don't need to lose my voice anymore. But these little guys are too cute! I liked being called 胡老師 (Hu laoshi). But then again, I got called Oo loushee and Mom and gym teacher sometimes :) Will miss these little guys!

We will miss my relatives here in Utah as well. We paid a visit to my Grandpa Bill and Grandma Betty. They took in my Dad as sponsors when he immigrated to the states. We love our Grandma and Grandpa's sets of humor! So cute. 

I've taught Primary CTR 6 class this past year and have loved teaching these 6 and 7 year olds! Rambunctious at times, but love them just the same :) I'll miss them and hope they don't just remember me for my treats and cookies, haha.

And then we got to say good bye to a lot of our friends at dear Rachel Tan's wedding to Parker Teshima. It was a beautiful sealing reception at the Mt Timpanogos Temple. So happy to see Rachel and Parker tying the knot :)

The reception at night was at a place called Wadley Farms in Lindon, UT. It had a classy barn feel and was beautiful! So glad we could see friends and say good bye since we were moving.

I taught these twins, Charity and Hope, Primary. Still can't tell which is which...

I worked with Xavi at the elementary school. We'll meet up in HK very soon!

Charles and I are moving on to the real world in California. Provo has been great, but Charles is ready for the working world. And I'm ready to get back to Optometry school and get my degree :) 

We'll miss our friends in Provo, but we are very open to visitors in Orange County. Disneyland, the beach, warm weather? Just let us know when you'll be coming :)

Zion's National Park with the Woo Family

A couple days after graduation we took a little trip to Zion's to enjoy the hiking and scenery. We stayed in a cute lodge and had fun teaching Charles' parents Settlers and Ticket to Ride board games. The weather was perfect and we got in some nice hikes. Some pictures from the hikes... We enjoyed Watchman's Trail. Awesome view!

Keith's ginormous burger from Oscars. We ate there so many times while at Zions!

Our mini bench

Charles, Keith and I ventured to Angel's Landing. Even though I felt a little lame when some of the 60+ year olds were booking it up those steep switchbacks.. I felt accomplished to get to the top :)

                

 

We really enjoyed the Watchman's Trail. Such great views!

My lizard friend. He was posing for me 

It was a great trip all of us to get to know each other better. It's nice to get in tune with nature every now and then :)