"We want Mr. Chiu to stay!"

Have you ever accomplished something and left you wanting more? I think we've all had some experience like that. Today, I finished teaching a second Junior Achievement program to my daughter's 3rd grade class. It was the 11th session with these 21 students since I started several months ago and we have grown fond of each other. The experience of teaching a bunch of bright and chatty 8 and 9 year old kids was so amazing. I've learned a lot and it validated my desire to be an elementary school teacher one day.

It's particularly rewarding when each student shared what he/she learned in the sessions I taught. Now that the last session with this class is over, I wish I could continue. Especially, when several students shared the same sentiment with their teacher when I left the classroom today. Aww....

Got Stuff?

Stuff. We all have stuff. And we all know someone who likes to keep things like empty boxes of small appliances, clothes that are out of style and/or don't fit anymore, VHS tapes when they don't even have VCRs, or items that don't even work. Why are some so resistant to letting stuff go? Sure, everything has a potential future use or represent some memories from the past. But, is it really worth the precious space in our living space, closets, garages, and basements to keep stuff until that potential is realized?

After spending a tidy sum to add space to our house, it was clear to me that making room for stuff has an actual cost. We certainly didn't spend all that money to add space for stuff that we don't need or use. Instead of storing things for possible future use, let the retailers do that and buy what we need when we need them.

Today, my siblings and I spent hours clearing the condo where my mom lived for 25 years. She was not a hoarder but there was still quite a bit we tossed, kept or will donate.

Stuff. Do you have more than you need or will ever use? I think we all can honestly answer "yes".

Besides posting statuses on facebook and writing the occasional email to friends and family, there just aren't enough ways for someone like me to share random thoughts. So, here I am writing my first ever blog post.

I got the inspiration to do this while driving home from a business trip. See how spending four hours in a car can give you crazy thoughts like this? While driving "safely fast" to get home to my family and listening to a random mix of my favorite artists like Journey, Asia, Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, Poison , Joan Jett, Peter Cetera, Bon Jovi and KISS, I was thinking how cool it would be to share some random thoughts to those who are willing to read them - like you.

Lately, I've been away for business several nights a month. Add my roundtrip commutes to/from work of almost 3 hours a day several times a week to that. Not only are the tires on my zippy '99 Prizm wearing thin, so's my desire to continue spending so much time away from my loving family. I'm well aware that many people face the same exact dilemma. But, I wonder how many actually do something about it. How many actually pursue their passions or make choices to achieve their life goals? Do you?

I'm discussing this topic at an upcoming networking event and will attempt to inspire attendees to think about what they're doing to pursue the important things in their lives. Wish me luck on that discussion and my own efforts to change up things so that I can enjoy my kids while they are still young.