Saturday, December 30th, 2006
Seriously. Saying it in a Meredith Grey / Izzie sort of tone. This kinds of practice should be banned.
It’s just wrong. In every sense of any direction. It’s fine if you don’t agree with me. But honestly, I would not want my own mother to be 80 when I’m merely an adolescent. And she isn’t even my biological mother (DNA wise) not that that is an important issue or an issue at all, but worthy of mentioning nontheless.
Like one of the articles says, the woman is merely a surogate because both the egg and the sperm were donated. I realize this will sound awful, but if you must go that far to become a mother, why not do it earlier? Why not adopt? Why put the child/ren through “early orphaned”? WHY?! What is next? MEN getting pregnant? We already know sex-change operations can be done, will the doctors invent a way to “install” wombs too? OMG.
I’m perfectly fine with people using technology to achieve pregnancies and have babies. It’s the age part that does not sit well with me. Look at this one. I mean, for lack of better words, what the hell?!?! 47 years of marriage and no previous children, and now when they are 64 and 74 respectively, they do IVF. It’s.. I’m speechless.
There should be an age limit imposed on this. I will definitely cast my vote.
In this country, and many others I’m sure, there are age limitations on a lot of things such as drinking (alcohol), voting, driving, etc etc. They mandate a ‘minimum’ age limit. For the in-vitro and the likes there should be a ‘maximum’ age limit as well.
Wednesday, December 27th, 2006
Today was the last day of business for my Mom’s employer. They planned it all along but didn’t tell any of their employees, until today, although there were rumours for the last couple of weeks. WTF. Is that even legal??? They live in California. If there are any lawyers reading this, would you please let me know if this is illegal so we can sue the bastards?
Can we please just fast forward to the New Year and hopefully gooder and better things will happen instead of all these layoffs and shutdowns?!
Saturday, December 23rd, 2006
Oy ye. Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanza. And a Fabulous New Year to everyone.
Cheerio!
Thursday, December 21st, 2006
As I’ve mentioned here before, Seb goes to a preschool at a local church, even though I’m not a religious person. We both love the school and what it has to offer, compared to others in the area. The religious aspect is an added bonus as Hubby is a believer of God. It has been a great semester (is that what it is called for preschool as well?). They even had a Christmas program one evening where Seb stood amongst over a hundred little children, swaying and singing to Christmas tunes. Well mostly he just stood there making faces while many of the children sang but it was really fun and cute nonetheless.
On the last day of school, before the two-week winter break, he was given a wrapped present (judging by the wrapping appearance, it’s likely a book, probably one of the educational scholarstic ones). He also brought home the very lovely ceramic type ornament with his own handprint on it. I believe each of the children made their own as one of the many fun projects.
Here’s the deal. I didn’t get the teachers anything. Not even a card. I didn’t even think of it, and I certainly didn’t know this was sort of a “tradition” thing to do, even though I’ve lived more than half of my life here in the US. What will the teachers think of me?? I was just reading another blog the other day and found out Most People Get Something For Their Kids Teachers for Christmas. It is surely too late to do anything about it now. Or is it?!?!
Did you know such of a “rule” existed? Am I the only one who seemingly live in another universe? I am frugal by nature/upbringing, but I don’t want to be thought of as cheap or unappreciative, especially when/if it affects other people’s perception of my children.
Tuesday, December 19th, 2006
The thing I mentioned in the last post, the thing that I said I couldn’t discuss at all?
Hubby got laid off. Two weeks before Christmas. What lovely timing on the company’s part. He was one of several that got the boot and was the happiest one of all, which if it’s any indication, should say he’s fine. I was the one who was shocked.
We’re OK. Hopefully this will mean better opportunities will come our way. Things are kind of hectic for everyone during the holidays / new years time, so we should kind of know some time after the new year what direction we’re (I mean he is) going to take.
Thursday, December 14th, 2006
Something happened on Monday. However, I don’t have the luxury of discussing it here even in the most remote form. I don’t know how it will unfold and what will come of it, but I just wanted it on record.
Last Sunday we put up the Christmas tree. We do the fake kind around here. 
The kids loves it and kept playing with all the ornaments and lights. Seb has a ceramic handprint ornament that they made from school and it’s the prettiest one of all.
We (Hubby and I, not the kids) watched Kate & Leopold again. It’s one of the last good romantic comedies that’s been made in a long while. The new ones are really lame, that, or I’m getting too old and don’t much appreciate the humour of the younger generation. Have you watched Kate & Leopold? It’s very good if you enjoy that type of genre.
Sunday, December 10th, 2006
I can’t shake it. I keep thinking about James Kim and the whole ordeal of what they went through and imagining how things were said or done and this and that. I keep putting ourselves into the situation and driving myself crazy with possible conversations and actions and inactions and endings.
I don’t think I’m alone.
I keep reading about it on various sites. Almost daily there is something new about it, and with each new twist or fact to the story, I find myself sinking in deeper and deeper, and being drawn closer and closer into this… I don’t even know how to call it.
Is is possible that I am mourning for a complete stranger? I think so. Very much so. And I think it’s rightly so. After all, who hasn’t been deeply touched by this tragic story in one way or another? It’s so hard even for us strangers, I can’t possibly know what it’s like to actually have known him or being related to him. Oh how I wish the family and friends of James much peace and strength to get through this very difficult time.
The grief is very different than when my grandparents passed away (they were the only two who have passed ever since I can remember), and of course the age difference sets it completely apart too. I don’t know how to deal with this and don’t want to slump much more into it. I’m afraid I might need to see a grief counselor…?! Please if anyone has any advice, I’d love to know. Thanks.
Thursday, December 7th, 2006
Words completely failed me. (Among the many googled links, you can also read more about James Kim here and here. He was a husband, a father of a 4 yr old and a 7 month old, and worked for CNET.com )
I first read about this story yesterday morning on another blog. I was very much hoping, like everyone else, that they will find him alive and reunite with the rest of the family. I’m not the praying type but I consciously looked up and said a hopeful phrase in my mind.
While I’m very very glad that they found Kati, Pennelope, and Sabine safe and sound, I, a stranger who’ve never known the man, became paralyzed with sadness and pain when the news came that they had found his body. She is now a widow, and the two small children are likely not to have much if any recollection of their father. The story is incredibly incredibly sad. It could have been any of us, it could have happened to anyone.
Hubby and I are about the same age as James and Kati; their two children are about the same age as our two kids. I just cannot think of Kati and what the array of emotions she’s going through without breaking down myself. I tried to put myself into her shoes, of going through a whole 11 days in the wilderness with two small children and dwindling hope of being found. Of keeping everyone, especially the baby and toddler warm and fed and occupied in the small confined space of their car (it’s difficult for me even in the luxury of my home with aids such as toys and computer and TV). Of the probably many conversations they had trying to decide what to do to get out, to get help. It was too much to bear even just thinking about it. My heart aches for Kati and the two children. And to think of what must have gone through James’ mind during his last hours and last minutes on earth is enough to break a heart of stones.
I know many others will feel a strong connection to this family and their painful story, especially those who are parents of young children themselves. Imagine if it were your family, how would you like strangers to send help?! Please go to their website, made by one of their friends, and consider making a donation to help their family. I’m sure even $5 or $10 will help. I will be making a donation myself. Collectively, perhaps our gestures will help ease their pain just a little bit.
Sunday, December 3rd, 2006
(1) Thanks to all those who commented and or asked questions. I apologize I haven’t gotten back to you yet, but I will soon. I promise. Things are kind of crazy here as of late, that, and I’m having a slight hangover from nablopomo. Kudos to all tho are doing the holidailies!
(2) If you are not “Ruby” then don’t read any further than this. OK.
So, Ruby, I KNOW you are reading me. How and WHY you found this blog… is not important. I also happen to know you are reading our family blog as well. What I don’t understand is, WHY you don’t ever ever comment, in either blog, and yet come to read almost daily?!?!?!
I’m flattered that you find my writing interesting and come so often, but it is CREEPY never saying anything and then still follow us so closely. It literally feels like you are stalking me/us, virtually of course, but still it feels that way. For instance, why couldn’t you just bring yourself to write the cheesiest “happy birthday” comment when I posted on my children’s birthdays?! Is that too much to ask? Also when I recently wrote about the days when we first came over here.. you didn’t have anything to say at all regarding that?! Things like that… Sigh.
Again, I’m honestly flattered that you are interested in reading about me and what’s happening in our lives. HOWEVER, I would really really like you to participate in the dialogue and commenting once in a while. I’m sure you are internet savvy enough to know how / where to write the comments. I would call you to talk about this, but that would be really awkward and I don’t know how to say it over the phone. Thanks for reading my rant, and I’m looking forward to have our relationship be a 2-way street again.
