FROM THE CCL TEAM: WHAT WE’RE THANKFUL FOR!

CAT LEO

2020 certainly was not the way I imagined it to be. With everything that happened this year with the pandemic, racial unrest, and so much worldly matters that I am still digesting, I’d imagine that it would be considered the worst year for me. However, it’s been an eye-opening year that has forced us into our homes to learn to slow down, rest, and embrace a slower and more uncomfortable pace of life. I am so used to constantly moving and grooving, so learning to not do so was a tough change.

I’m truly THANKFUL for this year. It has been a year of learning more about myself, constantly learning to let go of things that are toxic to my well-being, cherishing time with my family, and reminding myself that we only need enough to live a happy and fulfilled life.

I’ve cooked more, exercised more, read more, dreamed more, watched my daughter grow more, used my creativity for myself more, and grown both mentally and physically. I’ll raise my glass to 2020, and will be hopeful that 2021 will be the year we use what we practiced in the year prior.

CARREN UPASANI

I am so thankful for my family and friends who have shown so much love and support through everything this year. This year brought a lot of challenging moments as being a new parent, getting a new job, adapting to new routines, grieving lost ones, and living the quarantine life. My daughter, Emilia, has been the one who has kept me together. It’s been so great to watch her learn, grow, and mature into her own personality. She is a consistent reminder that life is precious and to cherish all the moments we have together. I truly feel blessed with the life I have 🙂

ASHLEY SUN

What a year 2020 has been! I certainly did not expect any of this to say the least when I originally planned to have my wedding this year. Although plans and the world around me changed, the things that actually mattered did not. Throughout all the struggles that we all needed to endure in different ways, it brought a silver lining. I’m thankful for the time I got to spend intentionally doing the things that brought me joy. For me, I think it’s safe to say that I live a somewhat busy life and have many different interests that I might not have always had the time for. I’m thankful for the ability to spend a lot of time with my family and also my family-to-be. I have never lived in a time where the world seemed to literally standstill, so we definitely took advantage of the darkness and found very creative ways to entertain ourselves! I am thankful that I got to spend more time with my busy boy fiance and even learn to share a common interest in golf; at the end of the day, we get to say we’ve survived a pandemic together!

I’m thankful that I got the time to reflect on the things that are actually important to me and understand what it is to see the good and the bad of many different situations. Even though this is not what any of us imagined the “golden year” 2020 was SUPPOSED to be, it helped us all change our paces and learn what it is to truly appreciate life for what it is – the small joys. Also… I’m thankful and so happy that the Dodgers won the World Series! GO BLUE!!

GLORIA YI

2020 has been a year of crisis. However, this year has also given me the opportunity to step back and reflect on both new and old blessings in my life. Here are just a few of them:

1. Time: I had a generous amount of time to not only spend with my family but also time to focus on my own growth as an individual.

2. Health: I feel tremendously blessed that God has kept my family and the people I love in good health.

3. Job: Knowing that millions of people have and continue to lose their jobs due to the pandemic, I’m thankful to still be employed today so that I can support my family during this time of need.

4. Frontline & Essential Workers: These professionals risk their lives daily to make our lives easier. For that, I am grateful.

2020 wasn’t great by any means but I certainly learned a lot from it and it was quite the learning experience. With that being said, 2021, I’m ready for you.

CHRISTINA LEE

2020 was quite the year for our family. But in the midst of the chaos, I am first and foremost thankful for my family and the health of our family. My baby boy turned 1 and is a healthy and growing big boy. Although my daughter was unable to go to preschool, I am thankful for the extra time we had to spend- doing crafts, lots of make-believe playing, and singing/dancing to Disney songs on repeat. I am especially thankful for my husband who has kept us grounded and has been working hard. Lastly, I am also thankful for my community of family/friends who kept me sane during those times I thought I was going to go crazy. I now more than ever appreciate the statement it takes a village to raise kids. I’m looking forward to more adventures this coming year!

CONNIE WONG

This past week, I served as a poll worker for the 2020 General Presidential Election. Seeing my community show up and proudly showcase their pride struck a graceful chord of gratitude through me. As much as it felt like 2020 has flown by, in a sense, it feels like it has all lead up to this, to November. This year, I never have been prouder to be an Asian-American woman surrounded by like-minded friends who value social impact as much as I do. I appreciate that my voice can be heard – whether it’s on the streets when we are demanding justice; or if it’s in the workplace, where I’ve found my “perfect fit” in a new job where I’ll be joining a team that took a chance on me; or if it’s when I’m asked for my restaurant and recipe recommendations from people I barely know online.

Surely, I am thankful for the wonderful roof over my head; being able to work-from-home safely; a partner who supports me through literally everything; a healthy, strong family that still doesn’t know how to use Zoom 7 months later; and the best dog ever – but the best gift 2020 has given me is: knowledge and patience and how to use that power to show up for myself and for others. And what a great way to enter the holiday season: refreshed with faith renewed in what’s to come in 2021.

CAROL LEE

2020 allowed my husband and I to spend more time together at home to prepare and welcome the new addition to our family this past September. It’s definitely been physically and emotionally challenging given the circumstances with COVID-19, but I am thankful for a community of friends and family (especially my CCL gals) that have shown so much love and support from a distance. Thankful for their health and safety. Thankful for being able to bring new life into this world and raise them to be our future generation.

Thankful for all of the people out there hustling at the restaurants and food delivery services because I definitely called upon them. Thankful for the firefighters and police officers that have kept all of our homes safe from the fires. Thankful that this year brought on a huge opportunity for change because what’s growth without change?

JESSICA TAHATA

This year has been a whirlwind of unknowns for many of us. Although I’m bummed about the many canceled events and missed gatherings, I’m also very grateful for the blessings that I’ve gotten. This season has given me ample opportunity to spend quality time with my pets, my family, and myself. I’m very thankful for my health and my ability to do the things that I enjoy with the people I love – like going on hikes, experimenting with new recipes, or building chicken coops!

JESSICA BAE

I was expecting 2020 to be a great year because it was the year I turned 30 and a year I planned on travellng a lot. Little did I know that we would still be in this pandemic to this day and all my extraordinary plans got cancelled. When Covid hit, I got furloughed from my job, but thankfully, I was offered a new job in a different industry – something I had been pursuing for the past 2 years. This new career transition came at the perfect time. During quarantine, time seemed to slow down a lot. It forced me and my family to spend more time at home with each other – mending relationships, eating dinner together every night, and watching movies and playing poker to entertain ourselves. Our dog, Ollie, had the time of his life during this quarantine because he got to spend all day everyday with us. Ollie experienced a lot of firsts this year – first birthday party with all his doggo friends, first summer cut, and first time at the beach! Overall, I am thankful for my family’s good health and the time we spent together this year.

With not much going on because of the quarantine, I tried to find joy in all the little things. Because gyms were closed, I picked up running with my siblings. I never thought I’d enjoy running, but I was able to experience a runner’s high for the first time! And even though we couldn’t travel internationally, I got to travel locally to San Diego and went to the zoo for the first time since I was a kid. I also appreciated all of the intimate birthday celebrations at home and picnics with friends throughout this year. 2020 didn’t go as I planned, but there is so much to be thankful for and still plenty of time to make more memories~

HEIDI HAN

2020 what a year. Despite the pandemic and ongoing political issues, I’m thankful for my overall health and safety throughout this time. I’m finishing up my last semester of graduate school and have been teaching online. Distance learning has officially taken place this school year which had its own challenges and limitations but thank God for technology!!! I’m so thankful that we had so many online modalities to continue our students’ education and be creative in our learning. Although the students and I all miss being at school in person, students have been so cooperative and patient to make the best of virtual school.

I’m especially thankful for my family, friends, and loved ones around. Facetime dates and video chats have been a new norm to stay connected! I’m thankful for encouraging and positive souls who have shared their joy, food, socially distanced quality time, and prayer.

This is what quarantine has looked like for me- long hours teaching online, picnics, take out, covid dates, & lounging at home!