Saturday, December 8th, 2007
Nablopomo 2007 - I loved it. I’m overwhelmed with the 6 thousand plus blogs that I have not had time to wade through. Heck, I haven’t even made it around to everyone in my “friend” list yet - SORRY! When the holiday season is over, I’ll likely be able to go around and check out more blogs. Whee!
Broadband provider - The price is going up. By about 55%. I’ll have to look around and see what else is out there. Any ideas?!
Blogger - You suck. Now I can’t do a direct link to my own blog when commenting on any of the Blogger blogs. I have to do a roundabout thing, indirect linking, blah blah blah. Can you fix it please? Yes you’re still better than some out there, who REFUSES to let you comment if you’re not signed up or registered with them. But comparing with the bad ones does not necessarily make you better. It’s like lesser of the two evils… Ugh.
Scrunchies - You know, the thing that Carrie so despises on one of the episodes in Sex in the City? I use them, and I like them.
#####.com - I randomly came across a website the other day, which I cannot link here because of me being a business owner and need to maintain a certain level of professionalism etc yadda yadda, but I NEARLY DIED LAUGHING when I saw the URL!!! I’ll probably be able to share it if you asked privately. OMG I still can’t believe it. It’s REALLY bad, and it’s really silly..
Coming soon - I’m typing up a post about vacationing, tropics, spelunking, and jungles (where we had our brief honeymoon, with Hubby’s sister and a friend tagging along…). I thought honeymoons are supposed to be the married couple only, apparently I was wrong…
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
Grab some tissues before proceeding if your tears run easily like mine.
- - -
A lot of times I don’t believe things happen for a reason, but if I allow myself to take a closer look to dissect and analyze events and sequences in which they happen, I often end up with the conclusion that indeed, things do happen for a reason.
I “met” Sandy because of this year’s Nablopomo. Her blog is Momisodes. She’s funny, witty, talented, beautiful inside and out, and our two-year-old daughters are exactly 6 days apart. From reading her blog, she’s also likely to have the same taste in food choices as I do. I wonder how often we would hit the noodle joints and dimsum places together if we lived closer and close to good ethnic foods.
Unbeknownst to me, Sandy is also a co-founder of ConnectingMoms, and she wanted to interviewed me! I was very excited at the opportunity and said yes. Here’s the interview link, in which you’ll read about some of the things in my past and where I talked a little about our store KangarooBoo as well. Little did I know she also wrote a very moving post about me yesterday on her blog. I cried when I read her post. I broke down and wads of tissues ensued wiping my eyes and nose.
Thank you Sandy for everything. I am so glad to have met you online and hope we will meet in person some day. I’m sure our girls will enjoy each other’s company as well.
Saturday, December 1st, 2007
OK guys. I’m upgrading, kinda. If you subscribe to my blog via RSS, I’ll be changing my RSS feed address on next Thursday night, Dec 6.
(If you don’t read my blog via RSS, just ignore this post)
Just so I give some cushioning time, I will only update it on Thursday night, Dec 6. So be on the lookout for the new feed address. Thanks!
Crossing fingers that I don’t lose anyone who likes to read my drivels…
update: I meant to say drivels! not dribbles! You guys need to correct me when I make that sort of mistake.
updated: pelf just told me I need not update the RSS feed to switch it to a new one, because there’s a cool plugin that can do just that. Hmm.
Friday, November 30th, 2007
Today’s post marks the 300th post since I started blogging, coinciding with the last day of this year’s Nablopomo. How cool is that! (the song “I’m too sexy for..” suddenly starts in my head)
And I have completed the challenge, again. Hooray!
In these previous 299 posts contain lots of sad events and recordings, because that’s when I feel most vulnerable and need a place to make sense of it all, or at least to write it down so my head won’t burst spontaneously. There are also lots of happy posts as well but somehow I tend to have so much fun until I forget to write them down here. I’ll definitely try harder to capture the happy moments in bytes simply because I don’t want to forget about them when I’m 80 years old. I want my kids and grandkids to read what silly things I wrote, and what was mom/grandma like… Maybe by then there will be some new technology that allows one to read books and blogs or journals or whatever simply by wearing a pair of “glasses” and scroll by pushing a small tiny remote button/controller.
In the last 3+ years I have made lots of wonderful friends via sweetisu.com. I may not know what you look like, or how tall you are, or how you like your coffee, but I know your heart is good and your soul is beautiful. I’m so glad you’ve decided to hang out here time and again. Thank you!
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
There are discussion threads on whether not commenting on posts is rude and bad netiquette behavior.
My personal take on it is, it is absolutely impossible to comment on every post that I read. I wouldn’t even have time to blink if I commented on everything I read. Or ya’ll would get only a one-word comment from me. I try to comment as much as I can, but sometimes I’m just not in the right frame of mind, or there’s not enough time to write a decent comment, or I had nothing to say regarding the post. That said, if I comment on someone’s blog multiple times and don’t see any response or acknowledgment whatsoever, or reciprocating comments in my own blog, then it is more likely I will stop reading it sooner or later. The exception to that is if the blog is extremely high traffic and I’m just a nobody to them.
When I get comments, if I have the time or I feel I should respond to it, I do so by replying via email. It is easier for me, and faster as my email client is much faster than a web hosting site with so many requirements (name, email address, URL, captcha, moderation etc). In my opinion, it is also easier and better for the commenter, as they wouldn’t have to keep checking the post for possible replies/updates in the comment section. Certainly one can RSS to most comments now, but I don’t want to fill up the RSS reader just to check for that.
I hardly engage in the comment sections, aside from using it to leave comments. Occasionally I do scroll back to see what others have said, but don’t check it much at all. It’s not intentional if I missed your replies in the comment sections of blogs other than my own. Sorry!
Saturday, November 17th, 2007
That is the longest title I’ve ever given to any post.
(Read Part I here)
So we devised a plan. It was a really good plan! A very dorky but romantic idea. Now I can’t even remember who came up with the idea.
The plan was, to place a picture (or pictures) of our selves into a book! A book among millions and millions and millions of other books in this massive university library. A university that caters to 25,000 students and has a 3-story-high library, with an additional “old section” that has another 4 stories attached to it, plus a gigantic basement. There were no rules of which floor or which section we must put the picture(s) in. It was up to the individual person.
Once we placed the pictures inside a book, we are to email each other with the book title. And then we shall go search hi and lo for The Book which withholds the precious picture of the other person whom we’ve been talking to for over a month now.
Kind of stupid, but romantic nonetheless, no?
There were exams and homeworks and projects in the way. I don’t think either of us went straight to the library right away. After all, those days cell phones and text messaging were pretty non-existent. So the emails sat in our inboxes for at least half a day.
What if someone gets to the book and finds the pictures before we do? The adrenaline. The excitement. The anxiety. Most of all, what if I’m not what he thinks I was? What if he was not attracted to me physically? The insecurity start to rise.
After what seemed like days, we finally talked on the phone again. Except now we know what the person at the other end looks like. I sensed it right away. He was not attracted to me physically. He didn’t say it and he didn’t make it obvious. But shortly after the most romantic picture exchange of the century, we stopped talking with each other. We had common friends and passed each other on campus from time to time, but the chemistry that we had over the 4 week period has vanished, at least from his side. I was devastated and didn’t know what to do, so I didn’t do anything. FWIW, he was quite good looking and I found him to be attractive. Hot.
Recently I found out he now lives few hours from where I am, still single, already in his mid 30’s and no significant other in the picture. Not that it’s a bad thing to be still single in your mid 30’s, but I always thought he’d have settled down by now.
To this day I wonder about why, and what happened. To him, to us. And how it might have been different.
But, I’m thankful that it is not different. Sure I wonder about it. I think for the most part, everyone does wonder a little about their past. However I don’t live in the past and I don’t want to. My life has turned out to be rather great and I’m glad nothing happened. Otherwise I would not have met my wonderful, supportive, loving, caring husband and bear our two beautiful children. I cannot imagine anyone more supportive than Hubby to carry me through the trials and tribulations of the cancer experience, and the miscarriage, and the other crap I throw his way. He’s my best friend. My love. And did I mention he’s tall, and HOT?
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
Now KangarooBoo has its very own blog!
It is a space where we make announcements, new features, new brands or new toys, share with you about our media and press coverages, and anything else related to KangarooBoo.com
You can subscribe to the RSS feed to KangarooBoo blog (our “new arrivals” are also on RSS feed!). We welcome you to comment on our blog, make suggestions, comments, or anything else related. We’d love to hear from you.
I probably will cross link the info on my personal blog from time to time, but check there for all the details 
Monday, September 24th, 2007
Saw it on the Internet.
This is so wrong, on so many levels.
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.
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.
Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Two things:
(1) I completed NaBloPoMo. Although some of the posts weren’t all that great, I did post every single day, sometimes more than once. Yay!
(2) I urge you to tell as many people about Chemo Angels as possible. Read on to find out why.
* * *
As a cancer patient, you find that you never ever dare to think the future like you did before the diagnosis came. It is very scary and overwhelming to make plans of any sort because you never know where you’d be or how you’ll be tomorrow or next week, let alone next month. The diagnosis takes away the belief that you are invincible, that Nothing Bad Will Happen To Me mentality is forever vanished; it also makes you feel like your body has betrayed you, and you are not in control anymore. But the truth is, you were never really in control. It was just an illusion. An illusion that we all as humans believe, for the purpose of self preservation.
When I was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatment, I had heard about this Chemo Angel program through my online support group. Shortly thereafter I signed up as a patient. It was one of the very few things that kept me looking forward into the future. Try as you might, it is highly unlikely that you will make any sort of plans further than one week away, at least not until treatment has been completed. So really, life revolves around treatments, its schedules, and its side effects. The world becomes colorless and everything smells like the hospital.
Chemo Angels really was an angel to me, during a time when I needed something to remind myself that I’m worthy, that I’m loved, that someone cared, that there’s something positive to look forward to. A few times when I came home after a chemotherapy session, I would find a lovely card in the mail from a total stranger, and it brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. Sometimes it’s a bookmark, a small piece of candy, a drawing done by her toddler child, anything that she thought would help me forget about cancer, even if it’s just for a split second. It didn’t make the side effects more tolerable, it didn’t take away the nausea, and it didn’t stop my hair from falling out, but it did give me that few minutes of tenderness as if someone was hugging me.
Just silently hugging me and not letting go.
So, please. I ask you to consider being an Angel to someone in need of a hug or two. It does take some time and commitment to become an Angel, but the reward of knowing that what you are doing, bringing a smile to someone who’s world completely crashed is truly fulfilling. And if you know of anyone who is undergoing chemotherapy, they probably would love an Angel or two looking over them.
Cancer has touched so many peoples lives. Please please please pass on the link to everyone and anyone you know. Make the world smile a little more.
And this, wraps up my final post for NaBloPoMo. Good night.
Tuesday, November 28th, 2006
Tomorrow I will pst Part II to my Hillbilly story. I promise. Meanwhile, I have some ranting to do.
< rant >
When you share the roof with someone (specifically my brother, his wife and their 2 children in this instance), and you have absolutely opposite parenting styles like night and day, it can lead to a lot of stressful moments. There is also very little you can do or say, because who are you to tell them how to parent their own child/ren. Of course, if they are harming their child/ren physically or emotionally, then you certainly have the right to say and do something. In fact, I think you are obligated to as a fellow parent. Otherwise, you’ll be just a loud mouth who should keep your traps shut.
Sigh. Maybe I will come up with something constructive that doesn’t sound so … judgemental. It is so hard not to be, if you know the whole situation . . . And the children will benefit, everyone will benefit, if there are ‘improvements’ implemented.
*
*
The other thing is, people! Stop with the DS and DD and DH etc. already!!! It’s super annoying. They have a name. If you don’t want to use their name publicly, then make one up. Otherwise type it out! Son. Daughter. Husband. It’s that simple!!! Gah.
< / rant >
Tuesday, November 21st, 2006
I’m glad I’m participating in NaBloPoMo. I’m learning to write better and more frequently, I’m also reading a lot of blogs that I would otherwise missed (but my house might prefer that I do without, as I’ve kind of neglected some things). I try to leave comments as I go through the Randomizer, maybe this will generate a little bit of traffic for my own blog, but more importantly, I think people love comments in general and what better way to spread a little love than typing a few short words? So ahem, if you like what you’re reading here, leave a little love won’t you? Even if it’s just to say “HI”
I went to archana’s site not long ago, browsed through a bit and realized that she is a cancer survivor herself. She is the first and only cancer survivor blog I’ve come across through the Randomizer so far. I left a short note and didn’t think much of it at the time. Turns out, she was diagnosed with the SAME type of cancer, at roughly the SAME age as I was( 23-24), had the SAME chemo regiment. HOW FUCKING WEIRD IS THAT. Another Hodgkoid.
She just finished chemo this summer and has been doing well. She just had another great CT scan that said “clear.” The battle is over for now and she has won, but the real recovery (emotionally) is going to take much much longer. I know I’m still reeling, even after 5 years of being in remission. With that, please send some love her way too and a hearty ‘congratulations’ on beating the crap out of hodgkin’s. Well done my dear and may you never have to deal with the big C ever again. Enjoy your vacation.
* Hodgkoid was what we referred to ourselves when I was an active participant of an online support group for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
