Life in the year 2023

January
Jasmine turned 18.  I became an empty nester as Jasmine decided to live with her dad.  In fact, she went to stay with him most days in December already. I used to live by myself alone while Jasmine was in middle school in Thailand but I did not feel quite lonely back then, that might be because each year I had a plan to go visit her in July and December, so, the trips offered what I was looking forward to. But now as an empty nester, I admitted that I started to feel lonely, especially with no friends whom I could call and go hang out with. I started guitar lessons.

February
I tried to avoid writing about my separation and divorce that had lasted for almost 6 years already. In February, the financial forensic completed the marital balance sheet and discussed with me and my ex. The very first day I met the financial forensic through zoom, I cried.  I hope the divorce would eventually ended this year.  I started my new year day at Wat Phramahajanaka and since then, I started to go to the temple more often. P Tia's hunband, Lung Bill passed away and I went to help P Tia at the funeral on Saturday Feb 11. 

March
I was waiting for the settlement offer from my ex. The temple had cleaning days one weekend in March and I went to help on that Sunday.  I brought the rake and the bulky dust pan. My spiritual friends and I became a big help cleaning up the fall leaves, plus spread lots of pebbles to smoothen the path way. We were so proud of ourselves. Then, the following day my body ached badly. I was sure we all did. LoL 

April
I realized I did not continue to write through the year after I stopped the March summary. Now in December, I could hardly remember my thought, feeling and what happened in my life in April. Finally I received the settlement offer from my ex. It was as expected that based on Wife's view, I would get almost 10% less. My lawyers tried to fight a bit more but after all, I told them, I had enough and I would accept the offer and move on. 

May
Duang visited me from May 20 to May 26. She was talking my ears off. LoL  Jasmine finally finished her high school years. Duang and I went to Jasmine's graduation ceremony. Jasmine decided to go to Kennesaw State University.  She said she might try the nursing school there. Earlier this year, she thought she would go to Chattahoochee Tech for Automobile education.
Duang and I also went to help to prepare for the Sangha Meeting at the temple.
I took 2 Saturday morning classes on Retirement Planning. I have learned quite a bit but still was not able to have a good plan for my retirement yet. I meant to review the books received as well but again, now in December, that had not happened yet.  LoL  

June
I felt so restless with what seemed to be the never ending divorce. I needed to be patient. It looked like 80% of the delay came from the lawyers of both side (sighed) .  P Piak passed away. Life is too short and uncertain. P Maew and I went to her funeral on June 7. Pa Sri's Birthday was on June 18. Jasmine and I stopped by her house to give her a present. This year, I had been helping Pa Sri on her husband (Lung Nid)'s inheritance management since February. Lots of work indeed. Jasmine had spine x-ray done and everything was still fine. I was very happy to hear that. 

July
Jasmine and I went to do merit things at the temple on my birthday. We got to help cleanup 8-9 tents that the monks would use during the Buddhist Lent. Just a week before Kennesaw State U started for the fall semester, Jasmine decided to take a gap year. I had several of routine checkups done.

August
Finally, My ex and I signed the final divorce agreements!  Out of the 7 rental houses; I got one.LoL plus some retirement money from my ex. Even almost 10% less than what I should have received, I feft tremendously relieved and it was the best thing ever happened to me after all these years.  I was ready to move on. The rental house paint was really bad inside and outside. Also, there were like 4 huge outgrown oak trees close to the house. Most of the windows could not be open, two ceiling fans were not working, etc. I had a lot of work to do.

September
The judge finally signed the final divorce decree on September 12. My ex and I officially divorced! I did not cry, I did not feel like hooray, I did not feel a thing. My house water heater got rotten. Water pipes also got 2-3 pinhole leak spots; both in the basement and from the 2nd floor hall bathroom to the den's ceiling. While I was handling my rental house, unexpectedly, I needed to handle my own house too. I was extremely tired and I lost 5 lbs in 2-3 weeks. I wanted to cry and I thought what if I had a shoulder to lean on, an understanding partner who can help, or give me a big hug or just listen to me. Well, I had good friends around me. With the help from Tam, and Phi my Vietnamese colleagues, plus Zillow website, I finally got the house rented by the end of September. I was so proud of myself indeed. 

October
The repiping was done in October. It took about a week to get everything done done. Hooray! I signed up a dating website. ie ie ie I hoped this time I would indeed find the right match with the same interest and expectation. BTW, based on the Buddha's lesson, a happy couple should share the same level of morality, faith, generosity and wisdom. So, I keep this lesson in mind as well. This month, I had Dexa bone scan done and as what I expected, I had osteopenia. The doctor would like to keep an eye on it for now. She asked to take higher dose of calcium and vitamin D. 

November
After going out for 3 first dates which I did not feel the right match, finally, I met Mr. Ducky. I feft I could talk any topic with him. I felt comfortable with him and it was fun having him around. I should use present tense actually as I still feel that way at the time of writing this.  He is also very handy and is willing to help me with small house projects. He did help me change the HVAC filters and wrapping up the A/C pipes outside with insulators. We also enjoy  cooking together. We both decided to continue our relationship to get to know each other more. 

December
I started my PTO from December 15 and would be back to work on January 8. Hooray!  I went to visit Mr. Ducky's house for 5 days. We visited Dahlonega downtown. We watched couple movies at home. Mr. Ducky went to Saint Simons Island to celebrate Christmas with his friends. Jasmine and I went to P Thee and P Maew's house on Christmas night.  We also saw Nicha, Nong Kaan, Miw and Book there as well. We had shabu shabu. I brought along watermelon, pineapple, kanom Kleeb Lum Duan and Sakoo Lumyai with Corn kernels and coconut milk. Everybody said the dessearts were yummy!  ie ie ie  Oh, I started to work on changing my last name back to Sukudom. It was quite a bit of work but with progress. 

Today is December 27, I am planning to go to the temple on Saturday December 30. Jasmine is planning to help make flowers garlands on December 29.  I am planning to make Sakoo and bring along. I will keep all my loved ones, my family, my friends and everyone in my prayers. On New Year Eve, Mr. Ducky is taking me to his friends' houses to celebrate and welcome the year 2024!  Happy New Year everyone!