John is

Amber is

March of Dimes
Saturday, April 30, 2005

My husband is the bomb. He is 2nd place in fund-raising for MOD. MOD gives top three fund-raisers prizes, he got a night stay in one of the hotels in Long Beach. I would have prefered the 3rd prize: 2 tickets to Knotts Berry Farm. heh. Thanks to anyone and everyone who helped him to be the 2nd place winner.

He did the 5-mile MOD walk this morning along with thousands of other people from all the different companies. Afterwards, I joined him at Griffth Park for his work dept. picinic. Someone was supposed to join us there, but overslept. Ahem *cough*xinh*cough*

It was a fun afternoon, with a lot of kids' games and a magic shows. JE only participated in Tug of War and hitting the pinata. It was also very tiring. When we got home around 4ish, I took a nap immediately, didn't wake up until 7pm. But I kept having "fighting" dreams; such as fighting criminals. I felt very exhausted when I woke up. I have been having weird dreams in the last couple of weeks. Sometimes I woke up, feeling good; sometimes I woke up frightened and had to will myself not to go back to the same dream. Very strange.

The Friday Five (from you know who)
Friday, April 29, 2005

1. You have the summer and plenty of money to travel abroad. Where all would you go?
Europe, and europe.

2. What foods would you be sure you got to eat?
I will try anything except uncooked food. (except sushi, i love sushi.)

3. What landmarks would you be sure you got to see?
Since it will be my first time in Europe, basically all the trourist spots.

4. What airline would you use?
British Airways. For starters.

5. Would your knowledge of other languages influence where you went? (i.e. would you be more likely to go to France if you spoke French?)
Nope.

Friday, April 29, 2005

Blaze ~ 25% Water ~ 59% Wind ~ 48% Earth ~ 77% Fire ~

I've got a ruby red desire I've got to hear the red bird sing... Let's see... your personality reminds me of the... ...fiery Ruby, the red variety of corundum, or its little sister, the Garnet that inspires love passion and sensuality. Your colour is the luscious red or glaring pink. Interpretation: Out of the seven chakras, the Ground Chakra, which is associated with the element of fire and represents our basic desires and driving force, seems to be predominant in you. Though you will certainly be fun to be around, this may result in a tendency to make decisions impulsively or feel restless and agitated. You can balance it by wearing an Aquamarine or a Turquoise; they both inspire balance, peace and serenity. A Tarot references concerning your predominant element: If you are a young lass or lad and still unmarried your card is the Page of Wands. Young women, especially married ones, identify with the Queen of Wands, also known as the Queen of Clubs. If you are a young, unmarried man, you are the Knight of Wands , and married or “mature” males are identified with the King of Wands, commonly known as the King of Clubs. Ladies, here is your strong-willed man you’ve been looking for.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 0% on water You scored higher than 3% on wind You scored higher than 13% on earth You scored higher than 82% on fire

Link: The Elemental Balance Test written by Nitsuki on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Happy Anniversary (this time for real :)
Monday, April 25, 2005

Tomorrow* is our wedding anniversary. 7 years baby! Happy Anniversay honey.

We took the opportunity today being a Sunday and dropped our kids to the free babysitters, then went to Cheesecake Factory in Pasadena to celebrate. We mainly go there for their cheesecake. It was good as usual.

While we were waiting for our meal, we heard a crash and turned to see a kid knocked a glass onto the floor. Luckily it was empty. But that wasn't the point of the story. With the crash of the glass I saw one of the guys at our neighboring table was listening to ipod. He was sitting with his family, a table of 10 people. And he was listening to ipod? It was just as rude as yacking on the cell while eating with someone else. Unbelieveable!

Anyway, We had a good night. But I think I'm catching a cold with the sudden change of weather, from summer weather to fall weather. I popped a couple of dayqui, hopefully I took them in-time.

And Happy Birthday Anzac. It isn't really Anzac's birthday, we don't know when it is. But he was found and taken to the shelter on April 25th, so we are using it as his birthday. Hence his name being Anzac, since April 25th is Australia Anzac Day.

* When I typed this entry on the notepad, it was 15 minutes to midnight. When I posted it, it was past midnight. So tomorrow is actually today, April 25th.

6-month
Friday, April 22, 2005

Amber is 6-month young today. She weighs 17 lb, is 27.5" long.

Happy Anniversary
Wednesday, April 20, 2005

No, it isn't our wedding anniversary. Yet. That will be on April 25th. Almost seven years. Sheesh. :)

I was browsing my achives and realized that I have been blogging for a year as of April 17th. A WHOLE YEAR. Wow.

I took JE for breaky at McD this morning. They have really good coffee now. What a change. Not the bland kind they used to have. The new one is GOOD.

Since I'm on the subject of coffee. There are two Starbucks in our neighborhood, both of them have drive-thru. WOohoo. I love drive-thru. It's very convenient. I do almost everything drive-thru: coffee, food, banking, re-fills. Just wish there are more places out there that have drive-thrus. I know I'm probably being a lazy ass, but it's just too hard to cart baby in and out just to have a couple of coffee. And she is weighing more and more each day.

Random thoughts
Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Signed up for baby sign language class for Amber at La La Ling. The class starts on May 6th. It should be interesting. Personally I always want to learn sign language. It will be a good opportunity for both of us to learn. Maybe I can communicate with her without her talking first. We shall see how it goes.

One of our neighbors in the complex is selling his condo, he's asking for $ 380,000. He's having an open house this Saturday. We went in to check it out on Sunday. He changed all the carpets and put a fresh coat of paint, but nothing else. The carpet is really nice. Maybe we will get the same person to do it for us as well? The owner told us that a lot of people have already called and wanted to put a bit on it. Geez, crazy market. If he sells, it's good for us. By the time we sell it, we will get double of amount we paid for.

Amber is turning 6-month in three days! Where has the time gone? She's totally fattened up. :)

JE's pre-school is having their semi-annual open house this Saturday. It's really a good school. They teach a lot, which helped JE to prepare kinder. He should pass it with flying colors. They provide breakfast, lunch, and two snacks, which are unheard of among all my friends who have kids. May will be the last month that JE attends that school, then no school at all for June, since we will be in Australia for three weeks.

I'm preparing for JE's 5 yr-old birthday in early June. It's the first year I'm doing a theme party for him and I'm only inviting people with kids. No aunties and uncles. But it will be different story for Amber's 1st birthday. Kids birthday are so expensive. Especailly a theme party and I go extreme. Here is a sneak peek of his invite.

Gacked from Xinh
Friday, April 15, 2005

1. How often do you get sick?
Maybe once a year I get a nasty cold when the weather really sucks during November and December. I used to get sick all the time when I lived in Chicago.

2. Do you take a lot of over the counter medicine?
Yes, dayquil and nightquil. They work really well. Especailly as soon as I feel something is wrong and I take them, usually my cold will be shut down.

3. Have you ever been in the hospital for an extended period of time?
When I was fiteen or sixteen I went in to have my appendix removed.

4. Are there any diseases that run in your family?
Plenty. Heart attack, cancer, diabetes.

5. What is the best remedy for the common cold?
Lots and lots of sleep. And stay away from people who has cold.

life lesson #1
Wednesday, April 13, 2005

JE pointed to my tummy (which I have not lost since giving birth to Amber) and asked: "Do you have a baby in there?"

I looked at him for a moment, then told him a very important lesson, especially for a boy who will become a man later.

Me: John Edward, do not, ever, I mean never ask a woman if she's having a baby if she has a big tummy.
JE: Why? (As all 4 year-old asks these days whenver I tell him something.)
Me: Because first it's very rude, second don't ever assume anything, third if you are wrong you will get physically hurt.
JE: Why?
Me: (sigh) Don't ask me why, just remember it, ok?
JE: All right.

I'm not sure if he really remembers it or not. But he hasn't asked me since this morning.

The Wiggles, yikes!
Saturday, April 9, 2005

The day started very early as a full day of activities was waiting for us. We all got up around 6:30ish, after getting ready and dropping Amber off with my parents. Then three of us went to Homestyle Cafe to meet up Chris (John's co-worker) and his son for breakfast.

Today was the big Game's Workshop Convention in Ontario, John decided to go with Chris. Boys and their toys. As for JE and I, I have previously purchased The Wiggles tickets. They are performing at the Universal Amphitheatre. JE is a big fan of the Wiggles. They were here this time last year, but we missed out. Do you know the Wiggles was the biggest income earner in the entertainment industry in Australia? They even beat Nicole Kidman.

So I sat through one hour of the Wiggles and screaming kids. This is life with kids, you no longer go to see U2 or Green Day (they were in Southern Calif recently), it's the Wiggles, or Dora the Explorer. But I won't change it for anything else.

It was such a lame ass show though. So disappointed. They looked good on TV, but not in person. I don't think JE was impressed either. It didn't help we had lousy seats.

After the show, JE and I walked around Universal City Walk. I got some popcorns, got a couple of gifts, he had fun playing in the water fountain. It wasn't really a fountain, more with water shooting up. All the kids just loved it running into the water and getting soaked. I took JE's socks and shoes off while he was running in and out of water. I would not want him to wear wet shoes afterwards. Yes, there was a sign posted there stating no bare foot, no running. Hello? You want kids to NOT to run into water? Are you insane? Do you have kids?

After I took JE's shoes and socks off, this "security person" walked up to tell me to put his shoes back on. I was tired and cranky. So I shoot rignt back to her, and here was how the convention went;
Security Person (SP): Hi Ma'm, can you put his shoes back on?
Me: No, I am not going to have him wearing wet shoes afterwards.
SP: Well, just so you know, we are not responsible if he gets injured.
Me: I never asked you to be responsible. And why are you picking on me? There are other kids who are not wearing shoes?
So she walked away sulking. Whatever, bitch.

Anyway, JE had fun. Nothing is better than getting soaked. I should have skipped the show and taken him directly to the water instead. :)

All done
Thursday, April 7, 2005

JE is all registered for kinder for this Sept. We were 5 minutes late for our 10 o'clock appointment, but once we started we were out of there within 10 minutes. John said it was due to my extrememly organization skills. I had all the paperworks filled out and required forms ready in one folder. And yes, I pride myself to be very organizied. My house might be in shitty condition sometimes, but when it comes to work, bills, paperworks, I'm very organized.

Even the lady who did JE's registration said so. Because ours were the first complete one she did today. The other three appointments all had to be rescheduled due to incomplete requirements.

From the Cheesemistress
Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Have You Ever:

(X) snuck out of the house
(X) gotten lost in your city
(X) saw a shooting star
(X) been to any other countries besides the United States
(X) had a serious surgery
(X) gone out in public in your pajamas
(X) kissed a stranger
(X) hugged a stranger
(X) been in a fist fight
(  ) been arrested
(  ) done drugs
(X) had alcohol
(X) laughed and had milk/coke come out of your nose
(X) pushed all the buttons on an elevator
(X) made out in an elevator
(  ) slept in an elevator
(X) swore at your parents
(  ) kicked a guy where it hurts
(X) been in love
(X) been close to love
(X) been to a casino
(  ) been skydiving
(  ) broken a bone
(  ) been high
(X) skinny-dipped
(X) skipped school
(X) flashed someone
(  ) saw a therapist
(X) done the splits
(X) played spin the bottle
(X) gotten stitches
(X) had an IV
(X) drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour
(X) bitten someone
(  ) been to Niagara Falls
(  ) gotten the chicken pox
(X) kissed a member of the opposite sex
(X) kissed a member of the same sex
(  ) crashed into a friend's car
(  ) been to Japan
(X) ridden in a taxi
(X) been dumped
(X) shoplifted
(X) been fired
(X) had a crush on someone of the same sex
(X) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
(X) stole something from your job
(X) gone on a blind date
(X) lied to a friend
(X) had a crush on a teacher
(  ) celebrated Mardi-Gras in New Orleans
(  ) been to Europe
(  ) slept with a co-worker
(X) been married
(  ) gotten divorced
(X) had children
(X) saw someone die
(  ) been to Africa
(X) driven over 400 miles in one day
(X) been to Canada
(X) been to Mexico
(X) been on a plane
(X) seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) thrown up in a bar
(  ) purposely set a part of yourself on fire
(X) eaten sushi
(X) been snowboarding
(X) met someone in person from the internet
(  ) been moshing at a rock show
(X) cut yourself on purpose
(  ) been to a moto cross show
(  ) lost a child
(X) gone to college (X) graduated from college
(  ) done hard drugs
(X) taken painkillers
(X) love someone or miss someone right now

We are back
Monday, April 4, 2005

It's going to be short. Just saying we are back from our 3-day mini vacation at San Diego. We basically went to all the kiddie place, Sea World, SD Zoo, and Legoland.

We had fun, especailly JE. We went on the Shipwreck Rapids ride at Sea World, and got soaked. HAH..