Is it February already? Where did January go? Feels like I just blinked my eyes and another month has passed. And what a month! From the launch of this website to heading back to work and restarting my fitness, it’s been busy. I wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU, my readers and subscribers. You are the ones that keep me inspired to continue my writing!

February is the month of love, with Valentine Day around the corner you may have noticed all the candy and flowers popping up at the stores. You maybe wondering what to get your love ones or perhaps ignoring all the hype and for you it’s just another day. Because everyday is a day filed with opportunities to do acts of love, to yourself, your family and others.

Love is like the sun, bright and warm like a cloak of protection against all that is cold and bad. But if one gets too close, it can burn our heart and damage our soul. Love may appear simply but like all things in life, it can be difficult to understand especially since we all speak and express love in different ways.

Speaking of love, did you know that there are five love languages? I would encourage you to read Gary Chapman’s book on the five love languages to learn more about it. According to Chapman, the languages are:

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Acts of Service
3. Quality time
4. Receive Gifts
5. Physical touch

You can take a quiz here to see which one you express and encourage your significant other to take theirs.

My primary love language is Act Of Service. Whether it is cooking at home, supervising at work or running a non profit community, I love to help others. I also love to give gifts (and receive it :)) just to let them know I am thinking of them. Not so great with the Words of Affirmations but I am working on it.

What do you think are your love languages? And how would you like to be loved or appreciated?

February is also the month for the Chinese and Vietnamese New Year. It is the year of the OX and falls on February 12th. The Cambodian New Year is usually celebrated a little later, this year from April 14 to 16th and is a three day public holiday in Cambodia. April because it is the end of the harvest season, a time where farmers could rest and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

If you are from a family with diverse backgrounds, you get to celebrate 2021 multiple times in a year. January didn’t start right? You can press the reset button on February or if you are from Cambodia, on April 14th!

On a serious note though, I love learning about different beliefs and traditions that comes with diverse cultures. What isn’t different though, is the hope that a new year brings, the blessings that ones receives, the never ending feasts and of course the gathering of friends and family.

Like last year, COVID 19 has and will continue to impact large scale celebrations. However technology has made it easier for us to connect. Send a text, give thanks and send some love to those that you appreciate!

Whether it is Valentine Day or Chinese New Year, please celebrate it wisely and safely!