It's Christmas In Illinois without any snow!

Something a resident at fairview haven has put out for some extra cheer at Christmas time!  

Our Christmas tree at the Reis household with some nice gift bags and presents for the family.

My nephew Jackson was pretty excited to see the presents this boy has always manage to make me laugh.

He loved his train that makes noises

I make those snowflakes for the kitchen at work

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I sure enjoyed my family's company and hot served homemade food. However I am a little disappointed that we didn't get any snow on Christmas but overall I am greatful for everything that I have in my life. Let's hope 2016 will be another year filled with joy and cherished all the memories that we hold so dear to our hearts. Life has taught me so many reasons to cry but my heart always convinced me to smile. Thank you to all my friends who has supported me emotionally and my family whom giving me a second chance in life. Without your support and love I wouldn't been so strong in my journey! most of all I thank God everyday for watching over me without him I wouldn't be on earth. It's so often that I question about my life and felt like I haven't done anything in life. It's like fishing on a lake you got to be a person who has pateience in order to catch a fish. It seems like it not about the weather or the time of the day when you catch this fish that's important. To me it always been who I am with that has brought me so much happiness in life to enjoyed the moment even if I didn't catch a fish. We can't set our standard so high that we lose ourselves while trying to impressed others around us. I need to be happy with myself first and let the rest followed my path. Well that's my speech for the day hope that I didn't talk about myself too much.. Wishing you all have a happy New Years and always cherish what you got in life... With all my love your friend Anna Reis

Doesn't this view just take your breath away?

October is here!!

The crisp cold air is around  us as we breath, with the beautiful different shades of orange, and red color trees surrounds us.There is Tons of recipes involves pumpkins sure makes me felt like Fall is finally here in Illinois. One of many perks of living in Illinois is the different four seasons. Summer has always been the one season I enjoys the most. The warm sunshine,no sweaters or Socks required I mean what could get better than that.. But I do like October caused even through I am not a little kid anymore I do like Halloween a lot. Who doesn't want to dress up in goofy clothes or acted silly for one day..besides the fact you do get bunch of nice comments about how nice or funny you look. I guess a part of me still want to act childish sometimes who blames me really.. You know the saying"To never growing up" that is my motto lately. Adults just has too much respondablitites in life which equals headaches who wants that in our daily life certainly not me. Life sure changes everyday around us no matter where we live. People my age is either getting married or pregnant now days. Then we have another of generation who's a lot older than us that's dying. That's is a tough part of my job at a nursing home you get to know them in a personal level and they become part of my life. It's impossible to have everyone to be in our lives forever but the one thing is for sure we can make them our best memories and kept them in our hearts. For the tears we shed it not weakness it's called Love. Enjoy right now in the moment for life isn't always the brightest but it's up to us to make it a memorable one..enjoy your Saturday. My is a lazy one( in a cozy hoodie and under the blanket)

My nephew Jackson isn't he just the cutest!!  Smile everyone!

My summer vocation to Oregon

I was in Oregon for a week.. The view of the mountains was breathtaking and the people who has a berry farm was very awesome. I love the fact how it's so simple to walk on the field and see it full of blueberries it kinda cool if you need any berries or fruit you just go outside and pick it I mean oblivious there's also hard work that goes in to it..just love the fact how our lives styles are so different but yet we all live in the same country. I had the privilege to stay with a friend and her family they are so kind and generous people.. I am not really a person who likes baby very much,they are kind of messy. The one thing I can't stand is changing their diapers which I can't stand the smell..I mean they cant help it.. Overtime I kind of got a little comfortable with babies. Anyways my friend who I was visiting has a daughter who is 4months old. After sometime I began to love her. I mean she's 

so adorable it hard not to just cuddle or hold her. Everyday we did something. Newport bay has a ocean that's so calming and the street full of shops it was definitely worth the spending the time there..the sea Lions was pretty comfortable laying there making their special sound every second. The sliver fall is very relaxing and the view of the water coming down is very calming. The weather was sunny and nice not too humid. We also went to a garden its was full of flowers but some didn't bloom yet..there was still some pretty bright ones that catch my attention. Shopping is always fun specially when there's no sale tax in Oregon. My first time picking fresh green beans and stick them in a jar neatly that was fun..this was my first time in Oregon and I was very happy with me taking the chance of going there with a friend. I guess what's important in life is making memories with those who you cared about in life. And for that I will cherish my first trip to Oregon in my heart forever! Of course I will post some pictures and hope won't disappoint you..this has been a special trip..Enjoy!!

 

In life it's the simple and little things that matter the most...

I won't normally shared this but my heart told me to.. I have met so many people in my life. To be honest I was always attracted to people that are kind hearted and took nothing for granted in life. My cousin who is 10yrs old had to pick someone whom has passed away in life and who she missed dearly.. For a project in school. Of all people she chosen my sister GuoDan. For a minute I almost had tears in my eyes caused my sister had make a difference in this little girl life. GuoDan always had a weakness for kids she had a connection with them that I couldn't describe in words.    

 

     Anyone can make a difference in the world but it takes someone special whom's kind,caring, awesome and generous in life... 

its not hard to loved someone who would do anything for you and ask nothing for return..

A day at Brookfield Zoo

its a Saturday morning full of sunshine and a little breeze in Chicago! I am so greatful it's not a rainy day  considering the fact  That we will be outside all day. I never been to a zoo in America. When I arrived at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago it was rather bigger than I image.. Full of little kids and their parents walking side by side holding hands. I like the Curiosty of the little ones they often asked what animals is that or what they ate? I enjoy watching  the Dolphins show it was packed with people..while watching Dolphins I learned that they can't heard any noise which is quite amazing to me that they can do so much without any  verbal communications. I was quite impressed with all the tricks that the dophines are doing.. After the show we walk around more and saw Monkeys, bears, snakes,loins. And so many more animals....My favorite animal is pandas which sadly Chicago didn't have which is alright the zoo was still a first and very delightful experience for me.

The Dolphins said goodbye!

I was so happy

for the wonderful weather and very caring friends who make this trip possible for me...

Chinese New Year

When I lived in China at orphanage the only holiday we celebrated was Chinese New Years.. It was very festive and fun for us kids.. Tons of different food stay up all night and a lot of bright loud fireworks which we always enjoyed tremendously..of course like every year each of us got a red envelope usually filled with some cash. That make us happy of course. Chinese New Year is a huge holiday in China. It kinda neat how different countries has their own unique holidays. I can't really explain to you all what Chinese New Year was all about cause as kids having the chance to celebrate was fun and not going to school for a few weeks was  awesome;) cause the school and the teachers are very strict. Which I didn't very like school in China.. I still remember one time I forget my book for a class and I got slapped  in the face by the teacher..

Unless you are my father u will get gift-cards which is pretty nice;)

miracles do happen

Life passes by us so quickly, in a blink of my eyes it felt like my childhood didn't really existed until today that memory just flash back all because I met a boy named Jordan.. It's a Saturday night my family and I are having supper at China kitchen.. Jordan is full of energy who couldn't stop talking without a breath it seems like. Don't get me wrong he reminded me when I was his age and so childlike. As of now he might feel like everything is taken away from him that he's familiar with but along the way he will understand his future is much brighter then he can imagine. I personally been through what's he experience it's difficult but the one advantage I had was both of my sisters came from the same orphanage as me. My life has been truly blessed and am so thankful for everyone in my life. To me life is not a walk in the park on a sunny day but rather once awhile the rain pours and the storms follows.  At the orphanage I accepted everyone as my family no matters ifs its a cloudy day they somehow make my life seem so bright for that I am so grateful of my blessings in life. When months flew by and in June of 1999 a baby girl name Lu quan(Katie) who got adopted I was sad cause she's a cute baby who I took care of and play with. When John and Jan got ready to get on the bus to leave from the orphanage forever I started crying knowing I won't see her anymore..the following next year in 2001 of July my good friend Guo Dan got adopted by the same couple I was very upset. As this point I felt like losing everyone that I truly cared about.. So at night before I fall asleep I will ask please will I see them again? Will I be the girl that one day have parents who loves me? I guess at this point I just didn't think that God had a plan for me also, until a few months later I got a letter from John&jan saying they wanted to adopt me.. Which I was very happy about this letter which I didn't understand at the time.. May 8th 2001. Finally come and I got adopted by the same family.. Coming to America and get on a plane for first time was scary but seeing  Guodan at the airport in America  kind of make my fears disappear.. But sadly the first Chinese word came out of my mouth was PIG in Chinese to GUODAN that's very rude of me..believe me she wasn't happy with me.  So hate to cut this story short..

   I just want to say miracles happens in life it might take patience but in the end it's worth all the money in the world..maybe one day I will found the courage to drive a car and start my next journey. 

 For now thanks for anyone that's reading this miracle of my, it means u cared for that I am a very lucky lady whom at this time is trying to figure out life...Enjoy your Thursday!!!

Valentine's Day just around the corner

This holiday seems kind of pointless unless u have someone special in your life, that what I guess lot of people think. I enjoy most holidays cause I always think that holidays is like spend with closed friends and family. Don't get me wrong for a girl who ever have a boyfriend is kind of sad to watch couples holding hands. To say that I don't care that I don't have someone special in my life would be lying.. In my life to share memories with anyone would be kind of special and comforting to me.. Most importantly to have a person who not only judge me but understand who I am..walking down a beach or riding bikes to the park with a picnic seems romantic to me;😏  but like every year I will be spending  my Valentine's Day working then hopefully on a couch with a box of chocolate maybe then my heart be filled with sweetness;)

     I read a quote today and it make perfect sense to me!! 

         Anyone can catch your eyes but it takes someone special to catch your heart. 

       I hope you all have a special Valentine's Day!     

My grandmothers clock

At my grandmas house the time goes too fast

She always hides cookies in the oven

Her house is spotless and the radio is always on

There's no place like my grandmothers 

She says don't tell your mother! 

No rules at grandmas

Love her caramel popcorn balls  

Her sugar cookies was the best around

 I love my grandmas house

She's nicest woman on the block 

6 years seems so short like a train ride which I enjoyed

I work at a nursing home full of residents who has great sense of humor..

 At the very beginning I am very shy girl who didn't think this job is something I would enjoy. The thought of my own grandma who might be in a wheel chair or couldn't feed herself makes me very sad. Often Life and the different stages elderly people goes though seems so devastating. But in my eye no matter how old or young a person is we all has spunky personality or enjoys attention from everyone around us. My grandma is living at the nursing home that I am working at she enjoys bingo. And of course the company of others..whom couldn't resist desserts or jello. In my opinion she's a wonderful woman also a great cook in her earlier days.. Before she came to the nursing home she loved telling me to comb my hair and now she wants me to have a boyfriend. I would get annoyed with her at the same time she's my grandma whom cares about me. One of the sad part of working at a nursing home is people often leaves this earth cause health  issues or their old age. I try to do my best to get to know them individually and personally enjoys when they talk about their childhood or married life.. The way their eyes get wide or when  their face lit up like a Christmas tree almost as though like they are living through the memories. Which I truly enjoy listening.  Every job has the good and bad like life. As each individual I try my best to treat them like treasures in life. Cause they all are special in their own way. I would be lying to say that I have a perfect job. Perfect is a word that I don't quite believe in if you know what I mean. It amazes me that it's 2015 already, and I started in May of 2009. For now I am looking forward to the future and its little special moments..     Hope you all have a great day!!

  

Thank you for making life seem so inspirational      and sharing your journey with me..

It's the simple and little things that matters in life...

     To My Daring Mickey who's wild                     She looks through the windows as like there's another world 

      Beyond her imagination, wiggles her tails when the leafs fall  

      At night when she see herself in the mirror and often believes it's another Cat😯 

      Sometimes I wonder what's she thinks in that head of hers

      She's very alert to vehicles and must peak out when passing by our house 

   Very Playful and loves yarn.. My mother often calls her all kinds of names 

     The most common one is Brat or Come Down!(kitchen counter)

      (Hopefully y'all won't get sick of me talking about Mickie who's my cat)

Goodbye is always hard no matter if it's a animal or person

 I am 26years old.. And believe me I met tons of great people in my life. Saying GOODBYE might be one of the most dreadful emotion that I  have personally experienced. Nobody enjoys losing people they cared about, but part of life is we  keep moving on cause the clock never stops ticking so therefore we need to follows that ticking like the seconds or minutes as continues. In my 26years of living I have learned to love my friends like they were my family. To be honest some drives me crazy or goofy but in the end I wouldn't have it any other way. Don't get me wrong love is a very strong word. Theres someone that has inspired me and also giving me the chance of understanding the meaning of friendship..with the all the rough patch that we endure everyday in the end we became best friends and sisters.. That's is the story of GUODAN & ANNA...I  will try to do my best to keep this short and sweet of course.. guodan has always been the outspoken and  very likeable person. In my opinion she's also the strongest person I have met in life..not only has she had 2 heart operation. In school girls would make fun of her because of the way she speaks. I guess sometimes people don't understands  is that not only did she learned a totally different language at the same time she had to adapt the change of a new country. Believe me that's very difficult to experience all at once.. As times passed by she got more comfortable. She always been a people person and kept busy..unlike me she had tons of energy and wasn't ever shy around anyone. She was my closed friend at the orphanage but when we got adopted by the same family we became sisters. In America she become my older sister who I followed around like a puppy. We were always closed but the older we got the closer we became if u can believe that.. When she apply for a job at fairview haven of course a year or so  later I followed her. Our relationship is very unique. It's something I can't explain in words if you were around us we could of been sisters by blood and nobody could of tell.. She touched my heart in so many ways.. Guodan loved to be surround with people.. Who enjoys camping and shopping.. Sadly as of 2012 in august I had to let her go. That was one of the most difficult weeks in my life but at the same time we went camping in TurkeyRun Indiana with friends. Her car accident happened the day we got home from Indiana.. Like our friendship I was always with her.  The day of the accident on a sunny bright august she was driving and i was right next to her.  I am so thankful that God let her In my life and let me be with her till her last breath.. 

Mickie from Mcdonalds

Here's my Mickie...

There's a reason for Hope

It's a Tuesday morning full of snow yes I live in Illinois I truly enjoy all four seasons..family has always been so important to me..sometimes I wonder if I ever will find someone to be my partner in crime..well my life has been like a roller coaster..it seems like people or pets that I have took for granted neither runaway or passed away..please don't feel sorry for me. I guess over all that traumatic experience I have learned that everyday I have to live life like it's my last breath..people might say moving on its difficult their right.. I always say" unless you walk in my shoes please don't judge me..cause we each have a different journey or story to tell...yet at this moment I am not ready to give you guys all my secrets yet.. I am the type of person where I have to get comfortable before I start talking.. Yes I am a cat lover so beware I treated them like my babies if u can believe that.. On a Tuesday night in November my family and I was visiting my grandma at a nursing home like 20 miles from our house, the unexpected thing happen to us when we went to McDonalds driveway in Pontiac,IL for supper.. My dear mother was grabbing her food and all of sudden we heard a kitten meowing by the trash can under the bushes..it's a chilly night of course my mom has a heart of gold. She always had a weakness for cats and people in general.  My brother Alex quickly walkout of the our car grab the gray and white shaking kitten and she became our pet before Christmas..And sadly we all felt in love with her the moment we met her.. On the way home we came up with the name Micky.


It's a Saturday night. I met this boy name Jordan.. He had a great personality and talked without a breath it seems like.. Looking at him made me have a flashback of my child in China at the orphanage.  And that my folks is my next story!!