Time for another tattoo, perhaps.

2012: The Year of the Dragon.

The great thing about being Vietnamese is that we get to celebrate the new year twice. Regular New Year started off on the wrong foot for you? Well, here's a chance for you to get back on track.

The Year of the Rabbit brought with it some ups and downs for me last year, but I found out how resilient and strong I am as I not only bounced back (like a bunny!) from each and every obstacle, I also found clarity and meaning through each challenge. As a result, 2011 brought with it tremendous lessons and opportunities for growth in several areas of my life, and I am grateful for each and every one of them.

The Dragon is known to be a symbol of good fortune and intense power, so this year will prove to be fruitful for new endeavors, partnerships, and the strengthening of existing relationships and accumulation of wealth for many. If you've been nursing and working on a lifelong dream like I have, this is the year to make an exciting splash.

Best wishes to you all for the greatest of successes and happiness in 2012!

Swan princess shoes.

Was browsing around the web and stumbled on these breathtakingly gorgeous swan embellished white satin pumps from Manolo Blahnik.

Despite its astronomical price, I added it to the "Future Wedding Inspiration" folder under "Bridal Dress & Accessories" -- until I landed on Bergdorf Goodman's description of the item and found out that Bella wore it to her own wedding in the latest Twilight movie. Um. That fact alone made me delete every single saved photo of the shoe from my files.

Manolo, of the Carrie Bradshaw/Sex and the City fame: you are utterly shameless.

In other non-designer shoe news, I finally found the most perfectly understated yet ridiculously sexy pair of black pumps while shopping with Manfriend yesterday. Ever since I lost my staple black suede peep-toes sometime last year, I have been on a persistent hunt for a worthy new replacement. As my luck would have it, I was thrilled to find out that the store had one last pair in my size.

My new 5-inch heeled babies make my legs look deliciously long and toned, and I danced, danced, danced the night away in them yesterday at a new club in the city, surrounded by some of my favorite people in the world. I can't wait to don them again for Valentine's Day for a night out on the town with my love (Mother Nature, pleasepleaseplease cooperate). Already got a fiery hot dress ready! ;)

At some point in life.

At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough.  You don't need to photograph, paint or even remember it.  It is enough.

- Toni Morrison

Embracing another New Year.

For 2012, I'll be living the life I always imagined -- waking up with the sun, going above and beyond at work, doing my best in school, wander around the city, traveling to others, spending time with my loved ones, kissing the man who has my heart, laughing with my girlfriends, making time for writing, reading every night before bed.

What more could anyone ever want?