Before The Coffee Gets Cold

2.5 out of 5 ★ for me. I think when I initially finished the book it was a 3/5 stars but then as I had time to digest and discuss the book, I dropped half a star. I will probably journal about why on my physical book journal to avoid spoilers here. Overall, it was a quick read and I liked some of the lessons & perspectives in conveyed. The first chapter took the longest and it was pretty slow but then it definitely picked up. I read like the last 75% of it in two sittings. This book is the first book of a series of 5 books. I am not sure if I will read the other books because there are so many other books that I want to read and overall, this book was okay for me. It wasn't bad but not the best either. My first completed book in 2026 and so excited to do a lot more reading this year.

2025 / 31 Years Old

Brief recap of 2025 and being 31 years old in no particular order. What a year this has been filled with so many ups and downs. It flew by though, can't believe it is over and onto 2026 now.

• Went to Banff for Caroline's Bachelorette celebration. 
• Went to Las Vegas for the G-Dragon's concert. 
• 1 Year with Moon Moon, my precious baby.
• 10 Years with Gabe! A whole decade.  
• Got engaged at the end of October hehe.
  
• Attended Tiffany & Bradley's 5 year wedding anniversary celebration, Caroline & Hai's wedding, Vickie & Jordan's wedding, and Kana & Kevin's wedding. 
• Daniel, Wing, Ellie and Kevin moving back to Oregon. 
• 3 times to the Oregon coast - Astoria/Seaside with Gabe for our anniversary, Seaside with WPY for V's birthday and Astoria/Seaside with Gabe for my birthday/engagement.
• Joann closing all stores due to bankruptcy. So freaking sad because this was my go-to and favorite place to buy yarns.  
• Did one volunteer event. Tea Fest with Daniel and Vanlena. 
• Parents, grandma and aunt were in Vietnam for 4 weeks. Beginning of July to beginning of August.
  
• Went to Pink Sweat$ conert in March with Rose, Sonny, Kim, Austin, Caroline, Hai, Jackie and Jeff. 
• Attended Vickie's Bachelorette celebration in Portland.  
• Took a ceramic matcha bowl/cup class with Rose, Vanlena & Christine.
• With WPY, took a private Pilates class for Kim's birthday, ceramic painting piece for my birthday, escape room with for Daniel's birthday and a rug tufting class for our Christmas activity.
• Somewhat of a mini high school reunion at Jiwon's Friendsgiving at her parent's home. 
• Busy and stressful work year due to the other analyst on my team getting laid off, Tableau to Power BI migration and so many tasks/projects. 
• Re-learned Power BI for work.
  
• 3 different ER visits and 1 ER scare throughout the year (Gabe's dad, brother and grandma). Gabe's dad being in the hospital for almost 2 months. It was so stressful.
• Continue of my crocheting hobby. 
• Lots of cuddles with Moon Moon. My needy cute boy.
  
• Being able to run a mile without stopping. Haven't ran a mile since like middle school probably.
• Got a Fitbit to track my steps and exercises. 
• Eye sight getting worse. Found out I have an astigmatism. 
• Started making my own hojicha lattes at home. 
• Completed a total of 9 books.
  
• Watched 7 dramas: Moonlight Mystique (completed), The Blossoming Love (incomplete), Feud (completed), When Destiny Brings the Demon (completed), Legend of the Female General (completed), Love in the Clouds (completed), Speed and Love (completed).
• 1 year on Duolingo!  
• 3 pole dancing classes with Karen. First time trying pole dancing.
  

 

All the things I Crocheted in 2025

I was not very good at taking photos of my finished crochet pieces in 2025. Sometimes I completely forget to take photos of the finished item oops. Will be better about it this year.

Sleeping pad/blanket for Moon Moon. I started crocheting it at the end of 2024 and completed it at the start of 2025.

Beanie for my Mama as part of her birthday gift

Basket-weave bucket hat. I made it too slightly too big because I had to guess on a certain part since the video tutorial was not clear at all. It is still wearable but loose.

 

 Little throw blanket for Mai Linh for her 1st Birthday

 

 Patchwork cardigan. I messed up on one of the sleeves, but it turned out better than I expected. Sewing all the pieces together took so so long. 

Basket-weave bucket hat for my aunt's birthday. I was able to correct my mistake from the previous one and this one is more fitted.

  

 Beanie for Gabe. This was a fun pattern to do.

 

         Bag/car valley of the lily. I made 2 for Rose, 1 for Caroline and 1 for Kim for their birthdays. 

   

 Daisy tote bag for V's birthday

 

 Bed for Moon Moon to keep him extra warm when we aren't home

 

 Tangerine bucket hat for Gabe since he requested it

 

Labubu hat behind my Hojicha latte. I made one for Kim for her birthday and another one for my Labubu since it was so cute. Super quick and easy to do.

 

 V-Stitch mesh cardigan. Added a few extra rows length wise to make it not as cropped.

 

 Scarf that I made for Daniel's birthday. Loved how each side shows a different pattern.

 

Small pouch for Gabe 

 

Don't have a photo, but I crocheted this black headband/ear warmer but it ended up being not wide enough oops. It was a quick project and I underestimated the width.