pandemic – A Never Ending Bucket List

5 Best Reasons To Own A Corgi

Published on January 17, 2021 by jychen31 Comment

With travel at a halt right now, my husband and I are spending a lot (and I mean A LOT) of time together with our Corgis and taking them on small adventures closer to home. So, I am dedicating a post to tell you about our two best friends!

We have two Pembroke Welsh Corgis named Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby is a 5 year old red-headed tri-colored Corgi and he’s my little royal superstar. And, Daisy is a 3 year old red Corgi with snack time as her favorite time of the day, and she is daddy’s little girl. They’re both full of energy and can be a handful at times, but they bring so much joy in our lives!

In the way of background – There are two types of Corgis: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The most popular is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi which is most well-known by Queen Elizabeth II. Welsh legend says the fairies and elves of the land would use Corgis to pull their coaches to travel through the land and you can even see the saddle marks on their bodies. The Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis each have their own distinct color patterns and markings, and even some differences in personality. If you are thinking about getting a Corgi, I recommend checking out the AKC website for more information on Corgis and reputable breeders. So…what are the best reasons to own a Corgi?

Corgis are wonderful family dogs and companions.

I tell people that Gatsby and Daisy are our fur children and we’re their PAWrents. They’re super loyal and always strive to please their humans. Since we have been working at home, our pups keep a close eye on us. We often find them laying next to our chair while we work or staring at us intensely with puppy eyes hoping we would give them a piece of our snack.

2. Corgis are your own personal home alarm system and/or guard dog

Understandably, they can become very protective of their family. They do not mess around when it comes to their home and humans’ security. Even package deliveries are announced. Gatsby and Daisy alerts us daily when the UPS and/or Fedex truck has arrived in the neighborhood. They like to stay in the same room and rarely lets us out of their sight. If you were approaching our front door and didn’t know they were Corgis on the other side of the door, you would think they were two large dogs barking and ready for invasion. We rarely use our apartment installed security system!

3. Corgis need a routine and can help you stick with yours

Training and discipline are a must in your Corgi’s day-to-day lives. Our Corgis have also trained my husband to wake up at 7AM every morning (including weekends) to feed them breakfast. And they only wake up my husband because they know mom needs her beauty sleep. I find it hilarious, but my husband does not. Gatsby and Daisy also helps us stay active even during pandemic quarantine times. We try to take them on two 30+ minutes long walks each day and to the dog park when the weather is nice. Ohh be careful how loud you say ‘doggie parks’ and/or ‘doggie day camp!’ Their ears perk up and all eyes are on you!

4. Corgis are outgoing social dogs and make friends wherever they go.

Gatsby and Daisy are very social dogs in our neighborhood and at the dog park. To be honest, it’s how my husband and I have made wonderful friendships with our neighbors. There’s been so many times where someone would drive by as we’re taking a walk, roll down their windows and yell ‘I love your Corgis!’ or ‘your Corgis are so cute!’ They’re pretty used to the celebrity treatment, I suppose. What people don’t know is that Corgis can also be very sassy. They’ll tell you what they think if they disagree with you.

Not to brag, but they’ve even won the Pet Contest at our apartment complex!

5. Corgis are fun-sized and adaptable to their environments

Corgis are full of personality in small fluffy bodies. They’re small enough to fit into any living situation (apartment, house, etc) and are adaptable to their environments especially if you travel or move around a lot. We currently live in a 2-bedroom (1100 sq. ft) apartment with our two Corgis and it is just right for our little family. I also want to put out there that Corgis do need a lot of exercise as they are prone to get overweight quickly if their diet is not carefully monitored. Obesity can lead to hip joint problems and other health issues as they get older.

Here you go, these are my 5 best reasons to get a Corgi! If you have any questions you would like to ask me about Corgis, let me know in the comments below!

Farewell 2020. Hello 2021.

Published on December 31, 2020 by jychen3Leave a comment

Happy New Year!

2020 has been the most challenging year for all of us and it’s definitely given me my share of tribulations. But, I don’t want to dwell on the negatives of this year. Instead, I have also gained some valuable lessons from this year:

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to cry and seek help. Always make your mental health a priority and take time for yourself to discover what truly sparks joy for you. In my case, traveling is my therapy. Although I could not travel far this year, I was able to make new experiences closer to home and relive my trips through my vacation photos.
Your plans will not always work out or go as planned. It’s like the saying, ‘if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.’ I’m pretty sure I gave God quite a big chuckle with my plans. My husband and I had planned in 2020 to relocate and venture out on our own somewhere else. We were also supposed to travel to London and Edinburgh back in April; visit Highclere Castle and do some sightseeing. Obviously, the trip was cancelled and we stayed put in Kentucky for now. All’s well that ends well. I suppose I’ll have to leave it in God’s hands for now.
Having a 3 – 6 months (or more) of expenses in your savings account is very important. I’m a big believer in Dave Ramsey and the Baby Steps. If life throws you some rotten lemons, you will at least be able to keep a roof over your head and food on the table for a while until you can straighten things out.
Your actions can affect someone else’s health and life. Especially in a pandemic. Covid-19 is no joke and too many people have died who could have been alive today to see the new year. Please continue to social distance and wear a mask.
Relationships are a two-way street (whether it’s romantic, with family, friends or work) and boundaries should be respected by both parties. Don’t be afraid to speak up when your boundaries are crossed or let anyone minimize your feelings if you feel uncomfortable. I get it, it’s not easy, especially if it’s someone you care about who has disrespected you.
Challenging times will always reveal your true friends. My best friends have stayed close to me and been supportive for me even though they all live far away.
Taking a break from your busy lifestyle and getting some quiet time can be very beneficial for your mind and soul. My friend always says ‘please take comfort in silence’ and there’s definitely some truth in that. This year has been a constant reflection and discovery of who I am. Though I agree, the quarantine is getting to be too long.
Being open-minded and empathetic to people who are different from you. You might learn something new or gain understanding of a different perspective.
Dental procedures are very expensive even if you have dental insurance. Use an electric toothbrush and floss regularly. I learned this the hard way.
Lastly, but not the least. Be unapologetically you.

With all the lessons I have gained, I am also grateful for a lot of things. I am thankful:

That I am still employed with my company and had the opportunity to work from home.
That I can pay my bills/rent, keep a roof over my head and food on the table.
That my close friends and family are safe and healthy.
For Kentucky’s governor. I am glad I was in Kentucky during this pandemic as Kentucky is one of the few U.S states that has been managing the pandemic well since the shut downs began in March.
For our scientists and the rapid development of the Covid-19 vaccine.
For all the healthcare frontline and essential workers.
For the significant number of people, especially people of color, who came out to vote in the November election.
For my corgis, Gatsby and Daisy. They loved spending 24/7 at home with us!
For my childfree lifestyle.

Hooray, we survived 2020! I wish you all the best and have a wonderful 2021!

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

Published on November 23, 2020 by jychen31 Comment

2020 hasn’t been easy; from Covid-19 to shut downs to racial injustice, it has tremendously affected my mental health. I’ve never been very good about prioritizing my mental health until these last few years. Traveling is my therapist; it’s helped me to be proud of my true self, to stand up to opposition that threaten my mental stability, gave me courage to proclaim my child-free lifestyle, and allowed me to dream and discover what sparks joy.

So, saying ‘I miss traveling’ is an understatement. I have hope that I will be able to travel very soon again. But in the meantime, I flip through my travel photos to give me that dose of therapy and motivation to keep pushing at achieving my current goals.

My current dose of therapy: My husband and I decided to spend a week in London for our honeymoon and the second week in Paris. This is a picture of me standing in front of the entrance to the Tower of London for the first time. I can still smell the cool London air, hear the chatter of the other tourists and feel the energy of excitement around me. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words.

I was the happiest person in the entire world in THAT moment. Visiting the Tower of London was my childhood dream. Growing up, I was obsessed with British history (and I still am!); fascinated by England’s monarchy, William the Conqueror, the War of the Roses, King Richard and England’s lost boys, the infamous King Henry VIII and the tragic story about Anne Boleyn. The Tower of London was the central figure that brought those events together and kept the British monarchy strong!

My visit to the Tower of London motivated me to search for what sparks joy and opened the doors to discover other cultures/viewpoints. Ever since that trip to London, I’ve experienced true happiness, discovered what I am passionate for and that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I began to prioritize my mental health, started to use silence in the place of angry words and became more open-minded to others who are different from me. I have traveled to other destinations since then, and each destination has taught me their culture and has also taught me something new about myself.

Today, I am proud of myself and what I have been able to overcome personally. Traveling is my therapy and I have hope that I’ll be able to explore again very soon.