Sunday, September 30th, 2007
Yesterday, Seb was playing race cars on the floor with Grandma, both sitting down and facing each other, rolling the cars back and forth. Grandma wanted to go take a nap, as she normally does in the afternoon. She told Seb “Grandpa is going to play with you ok.”
Seb, who usually takes a while to transition or adjust to a new idea, plus he is in between giving up naps so he was crankier than normal, naturally protests, “NO NO NO”
Grandpa stands in to take Grandma’s place, except he is standing, with his hands hanging to his sides.
Seb, realizing that the protest won’t work, tells Grandpa “Sit down Grandpa, sit down”
Grandpa, “No”
Seb, “Sit down!”
Grandpa, in all seriousness, “No. I’m a grown up. Why should I sit down!”
Me, speechless. Grandma, speechless, then proceed to shoo Grandpa away and took over playing with Seb again.
He and I had a small altercation the day before, and it wasn’t really resolved, we just agreed to disagree in the end because it was obvious that we both have different (and strong) viewpoints. But I just couldn’t believe my ears when he told my 4-yr old son that, in such a tone. You can just imagine what it must have sounded like. Yep, just like that. I don’t know if he realizes what he said was out of line. Sometimes it is so hard to live with someone in the same house. It’s been 2.5 months and I guess everyone’s getting kind of edgy. They are leaving in a couple of weeks. I hope it will leave us with good parting memories.
Sigh.
Added note: he’s usually pretty nice and easy to get along. Maybe it’s stress related to his work, or he hasn’t gotten over the argument with me, or he just plain sucks when dealing with toddlers (he was great when they were babies, but babies as you know don’t do much and don’t ask for much..) Whatever it is, I still think it was out of line.
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
Smithsonian Magazine is having a Museum Day across the US, presented by Hyundai to give FREE admissions for this Saturday! Go here to search if any participants are in your area.
Have fun!
Monday, September 24th, 2007
My father’s aunt. I learned of this the day after. It’s been nearly one month now. I don’t think the sadness and grief has lessened any, if at all.
Monday, September 24th, 2007
Saw it on the Internet.
This is so wrong, on so many levels.
Monday, September 24th, 2007
What type of layout do you prefer for your blog? 2 columns, or 3 columns?
Did you ever decide not to continue reading a blog because of their layout/theme/background colors? Before I knew what RSS was, I had to stop reading a few blogs who had drastic dark backgrounds and lighter color fonts. A few had too-small-fonts as well. It was KILLING my eyes to adjust to the contrasting colors. I didn’t like the content enough to hurt my eyes on a regular basis. Then I learned about RSS. 
Have you come across some cool themes that you wanted to try, but just don’t have enough time (or the know-how) to mess with it? Where do you find themes?
Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
Light the Night Walk took place here on Saturday. All of us went. There were hundreds upon hundreds of people young and old, even some dogs (and swans in the lake). There was food, dances, bounce houses, hot air balloons, and of course, lots of tears.
In less than 3 weeks’ time, my Hubby and I raised a grand total of $1968 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (in cash, checks, and online donations)! We chipped in ~ $700 to match donations but overall our friends and family did the most! I want to thank each and everyone of you who made it possible!!! Next time, whenever that is, we will certainly start earlier to have a even better outcome.
It was not as emotional as when we did it back in 2002. I was rather occupied with caring for the kids. However I still cried rather unsightly - I’m not a pretty crier - when the dance / drum team came through. They were very good! They roused up my inner feelings and I just couldn’t stop for a good few minutes.
Amongst the hundreds of white (and red) balloons, I spotted a young girl about 7 years old or so at the walk holding a white balloon (cancer survivors carry white balloons while supporters carry red ones). One would never have known the trials she went through if it was not for an event like this. She was cheery and happy, so full of life, holding tightly onto her mom’s hand.
This, is exactly why I want to do my part in raising money.
Monday, September 17th, 2007
I’m it. I’ve been tagged. Interestingly, I have never played the actual tag/it game as a child. How does it work?!
I’m going to do it in reverse. I was tagged by lotsacheeks in which she says she LOVES my blog! I fainted a little bit when I read that. 
I do read quite a few blogs, probably more than I should. There are practical blogs for finances and business, funny blogs about people’s kids and the funny things their kids do, painful blogs that chronicle plights, inspirational blogs that just makes you feel good because their motto is “there are more good in this world than there are bad,” and so many more others.
I read all of my friend’s blogs. However, these ones really stand out to me, in no particular order:
ac360blog (CNN’s Anderson Cooper, and his colleagues. And it doesn’t hurt that I think A.C. is very hot)
so close (Tertia. I found her after my miscarriage 3 yrs ago. She’s multi talented — wrote and published a book while raising small twins, working full time. She’s down to earth and yet damn gorgeous at the same time. And I love her recent boob job)
chookooloonks (Karen is a true inspiration, in every aspect of life. She is one of those that when I read her, my spirit and mood gets a huge lift. She is someone who I would want to be when I grow up. And her photo skills are beyond superb)
ask moxie (moxie has all the answers of raising kids, anything and everything about kids, but especially sleeping issues)
Please don’t feel left out if I didn’t list your blog. I love to read about your lives as well as see all the pretty pictures of your kids, and read about your troubled and frustrating days, and about how stupid people (friends, families, strangers) can be.
Some day I need to redo my page to add in all the blog links. Yes some linkylove!!!!!
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The other tag was by mumsgather to write 8 random facts about my own mom.
1. My mom and dad were born 9 days apart. Same year. Their cities of birth were less than 20 miles apart.
2. She was “sent” to the boonies to do farm work at some smaller village/community during the cultural revolution. I think this was before she got married.
3. My mom (and dad) were forced into hiding when they implemented the “One Child” law, to give birth to me. See the About me.
4. My mom is one of 9 children.
5. My mom is one of the most patient person I know.
6. My mom has one fake front tooth.
7. She was very well lactated when she was breastfeeding us kids. Sorry mom, you probably find that disclosure to be embarrassing, but you should really be proud of yourself.
8. My mom is the one of those women who stand by their husband, no matter what.
* * * * * * *
Now I want to tag anyone and everyone who comes across this post. Let me know in the comment section where I can find your own responses. You are all IT!
Sunday, September 16th, 2007
Warning: please don’t click on the link below if you have a weak tummy, having a meal, or are pregnant. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Someone gave me this site. I don’t know them at all. I read through the whole thing, and I’m so incredibly sad for them.
If you are the religious type, please say a prayer for them, as they are as well. Even if you are not, stop by and say a kind word or two. To me, it matters not if you know them or doesn’t know what/how to say, in my humble opinion, just a “I’m so sorry” will help them heal a tiny bit more…
Thanks.
Sunday, September 16th, 2007
I’m sure this has been thought of and many people are practicing it already. However I just wanted to jot it down here in case it potentially make even the tiniest difference for someone, within someone.
Take some time to consider getting several sturdy canvas bags. Leave them in your vehicle, and when you do need to go shopping — groceries, the mall, farmer’s market, and wherever else you can think of that you’ll need a bag — take them with you and use these canvas bags to carry all your things.
Sure it is a hassle and not very practical in the daily life, but I think if the majority of us start practicing this method, then there wouldn’t be so many plastic bags being produced. Making plastic bags require a lot of energy and resource, energy and resources that the earth could very well keep for other more useful things. Not only that, it will make a cleaner beach/street/city/world. Have you seen plastic bags all tangled up in the tree branches, washed up from the ocean? Have you seen them strewn about in the outfields of your child’s school? Have you seen them stuck in drainages and allies? They are everywhere!
For our children and their grandchildren, we should make a wiser decision. Now, the question is not paper or plastic? The question is Can You Canvas?
* * *
Note: I am and always have recycled the plastic bags as trash bags. I don’t really know if I can canvas. So for my case, if I canvas, I would end up buying plastic trash bags. What a dilemma. Is Canvasing such a great idea after all? I don’t have all the answers.
Anyway. /End of Sunday morning wee hour musings.
Saturday, September 15th, 2007
I really hope so!!!
Only one more week to go until the Walk, and the goal is 5 gabillion light years away. What am I going to do!
(Special thanks to all those who already made donations! Smooches to all of you, including but not limited to Kevin.)
Friday, September 14th, 2007
Last night I was reading stories to Fiona and Sebastian (Chinese storybooks, read in Cantonese). As usual, they have a million questions to ask regarding each page, especially Fiona. She has been asking WHY for the last month or so already. I don’t recall Sebastian started with the WHY stage until at least 6 months older than her.
One of the pages showed a pair of tigers. One tiger didn’t have ears, while the other didn’t have his tail — I promise, the story is not violent at all! Being the observant girl, Fiona pointed to the tiger and questioned (in English) “why he has no tail?” in which I answered, (in Cantonese) “maybe he was born without a tail.”
She was deep in thought for a moment. And then asked again. I answered again.
I thought everyone was ready, so I proceeded to turn to the next page. Fiona then turned the page back with a slight force, and said “LET MEEEEEE TALLLLLLLK” and then asked yet another (similar) question.
Tuesday, September 11th, 2007
Some of you have received an email from me regarding this already. Feel free to ignore this if so.
In a couple more weeks we’re going to do a walk called Light the Night, for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The last time I did this was in 2002 where our team raised over $4000!
I would very much appreciate it if you would consider making a donation for it (tax deductible). You can either donate online here via the secured site, where it only takes a few minutes and you can remain invisible or have your name displayed on the ‘contributor’ section. Or if you’d prefer, email me for my address to donate with a check, payable to “Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.”
I would also understand if you don’t. Honestly.
Light the Night is a really moving experience (I think any event of such scale or cause would be, like the 3-day, or the relay, just to name a few). When we participated in 2002, there were literally thousands of people there. After dusk, participants carry red illuminated balloons and cancer survivor carry white illuminated balloons and walk the designated distance — the balloons are illuminated because there is a small battery-operated light inside. It’s a heck of a sight, makes me teary eyed just re-thinking about it. Some walk in honor of their friends/families while others walk in loving memories of those lost in the fight. It’s a VERY humbling experience, knowing there were so many people who lost their lives, or so many who have gone through what you went through and are proud to show their battle scars. You just feel they get it, and I’m not alone, and I’m here for you, and you and you.
Seeing how the weather is lately, I hope it doesn’t rain that night!
Sunday, September 9th, 2007
My in-laws are visiting us (only several more weeks before they go back to Malaysia). As we explore this new city and new state, my father in law has taken a healthy interest in the local wineries and vineyards. We have gone to a few, and every time we bring home 2 men who are pretty wasted (Hubby and my father in law. What were you thinking??). Two bottles is the maximum, for the 4 of us. A lot of the wineries have scheduled events twice a week for the whole duration of summer — and some in the wintertime as well. We all enjoy the free concerts / shows, kids find whatever is nearby to play in / with, and everyone munch on snacks all evening long.
I never knew there were so many wineries here! In fact, one is just 10 minutes outside of where I went to university but for the 4+ years that I was there, I had no idea it was within arm’s reach. Not that I’m a big wine drinker, or consume much alcohol at all (I’m the designated driver), but it would have been nice to know and attend some of the free concerts.
This evening though, the band was some sort of blue gra*s genre, and none of us enjoyed it. I don’t know if it’s the genre of music or the quality of the band, but it gave a few of us headaches! We’re all making notes — never come close to that type of music again.
Wednesday, September 5th, 2007
Fiona went to her first day of preschool today. I think she did very well!
It was from 10:30 — 11:30 a.m., a required “introductory” period for TWO weeks, where the toddlers attend preschool for a mere ONE HOUR, instead of the regular 2:15 hours, personally I think it should be called “MESS WITH THE PARENTS’ SCHEDULE” period because really, what can I accomplish in ONE HOUR, do groceries? The grocery store is at least 10 minutes away. Run some other errands? Again, far away from most things. And there’s no free (rip-off) wi-fi in that area either, not with the weak signals this computer gets. I might bring a book.
Fiona had NO problem at all separating from us. She is rather independent and mature, and plays well by herself or within a group of children. Half of the kids in the class were crying and or screaming for their mommies when we dropped Fiona off. We’re very proud of her.
Speaking of being proud of her, she’s turning TWO tomorrow. Where did the time go?? Tonight as I was snuggling with her before bedtime, I told her it’s her birthday tomorrow. She lied there drinking her milk, and suddenly perked up and asked “where are my balloons?” She remembered big brother Sebastian’s birthday in July, and there were balloons.
Oh I think we could swing some balloons, just for you. And probably some presents and even a cake! Happy 2nd birthday our precious baby.
* * *
Sebastian did quite well at his first day of preschool too. His first day was Tuesday (also one hour long…)
Today the delivery man brought our first inventory shipment! Wheee!
Monday, September 3rd, 2007
Eights years ago today, Hubby proposed to me, asking me to spend the rest of my life with him.
Meeting him was one of the best things that happened to me.
Happy Anniversary Hub. I will say YES all over again.
