Well, I'm still getting over the end of the flu/cold. You know, that hacking, annoying cough that lingers. Sigh! I've been so busy getting ready for my presentation with some architects tomorrow and now I'm afraid I might go into a cough spasm. I just hate that!
In addition to the presentation, I'm getting ready to head to NYC to meet up with my sister. My cousin is coming along with me. We, as mothers, don't have a lot of time to ourselves and this has become our annual or every other year trip. We can only afford the 48 hours that we are gone. So, we take the red-eye out and arrive early next morning. Then we hit Manhattan. I lived there a while ago and it's always so fun to walk the city and bump into my friends. My sister and my cousin want to see "Young Frankenstein" and so I will be seeing it again. I saw it this past summer since my husband was working on the premiere in Seattle. It was a fun show, but I had an opportunity to see Patti LuPone for "Gypsy". Love Patti. Oh well. Maybe next time. Of course, there will be drinks after the show. My sister mentioned some place that will give me 50% off drinks if I show my Equity card. Have to make sure I have that with me. Yup, still Equity and proud of it!
Till the next time................I'll have to write about this new facialist we'll be seeing and the restaurant we chose. Wow, after all that we fly right back. The conflicts of mothers...want time to ourselves and then feel guilty the minute we leave them. sigh...again.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Astonishing
Just finished watching the Oprah show. I enjoy her show. Well, there are times when it's okay, but for the most part, I enjoy the topics.
So, while making Mac 'n Cheese (whole grain pasta and Ellie Krieger's recipe where you mix the cheese with pureed squash....this was way before Jessica Seinfeld's concoction) for my boys, I hear about this couple who had twins and then................sextuplets! My mouth dropped. I'm so busy with 2 boys, I can't imagine having 8 kids. I was truly astonished as to how this couple keep it together. My hats off to them.
I've been feeling tired lately due to the flu hitting our house here. Sleepless nights with worry, fever, vomit, crying, etc has taken it's toll on me. I've been eating raw garlic and vitamin C to keep me semi-protected. If they aren't sick, I'm taking them to gymnastics or swimming or playdates. It's all so crazy sometimes and it forces me to stay completely present since I have no other choice. It's a blessing. How this couple handles that with 8 kids will be amazing. Hmmm...what kind of car do you purchase for that many people? A bus? Amidst all the craziness, I did have time for some "me" therapy. I had a great time at Anthropologie's sale in Palo Alto. Ahhhh, much better.
So, while making Mac 'n Cheese (whole grain pasta and Ellie Krieger's recipe where you mix the cheese with pureed squash....this was way before Jessica Seinfeld's concoction) for my boys, I hear about this couple who had twins and then................sextuplets! My mouth dropped. I'm so busy with 2 boys, I can't imagine having 8 kids. I was truly astonished as to how this couple keep it together. My hats off to them.
I've been feeling tired lately due to the flu hitting our house here. Sleepless nights with worry, fever, vomit, crying, etc has taken it's toll on me. I've been eating raw garlic and vitamin C to keep me semi-protected. If they aren't sick, I'm taking them to gymnastics or swimming or playdates. It's all so crazy sometimes and it forces me to stay completely present since I have no other choice. It's a blessing. How this couple handles that with 8 kids will be amazing. Hmmm...what kind of car do you purchase for that many people? A bus? Amidst all the craziness, I did have time for some "me" therapy. I had a great time at Anthropologie's sale in Palo Alto. Ahhhh, much better.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Vivian's Lament
Every fall the controversy of taking or not taking the flu shot comes up. Everyone says it's a hit or miss as to whether the biotech companies have come up with the right flu virus. Well, I have to say that this year they missed the mark. My boys have been so sick!!! I'm praying I don't catch this flu. It seems so nasty!!! High fever, congestion, exhaustion, coughing (that dry hacking cough) need I say more?
I used to be an elementary school teacher and my first year teaching I swore I had some disease. I was constantly sick and always at my doctor's office. He would just reassure me that due to my exposure to the little ones, my immune system was building up. After that one year, I ended up taking the flu shot until I stopped teaching. I have to admit that it helped. When I stopped teaching, I stopped the flu shots.
Fast forward to now having children and once again teaching students again; I have decided flu shots will be our choice. My oldest son is 6 y.o. and he never has had something like this until this year. So, I guess when I take a look at the grand scheme of things, the flu shot has been helpful. I know there are other confines i.e. maybe we weren't exposed to the virus that would make us sick. Either way, it's been worth it. As a mom and a teacher, thumbs up for the flu shot.
I used to be an elementary school teacher and my first year teaching I swore I had some disease. I was constantly sick and always at my doctor's office. He would just reassure me that due to my exposure to the little ones, my immune system was building up. After that one year, I ended up taking the flu shot until I stopped teaching. I have to admit that it helped. When I stopped teaching, I stopped the flu shots.
Fast forward to now having children and once again teaching students again; I have decided flu shots will be our choice. My oldest son is 6 y.o. and he never has had something like this until this year. So, I guess when I take a look at the grand scheme of things, the flu shot has been helpful. I know there are other confines i.e. maybe we weren't exposed to the virus that would make us sick. Either way, it's been worth it. As a mom and a teacher, thumbs up for the flu shot.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Happy Talk?
Well, this was the closest song I could think of in my delirium. It's been a crazy few days preparing for Chinese New Year. We celebrated the New Year's Eve dinner tonight with enough food to feed 50 people. I took my mother with me to Oakland Chinatown to pick up personalized fortune cookies for both of my son's classrooms. In the meantime, my mother is running around Chinatown standing in line for roast pork, duck, chicken, etc. There were so many people running around getting food for the New Year's Eve dinner. It was a bit crazy and hectic, but exciting at the same time.
Now, this place where I ordered the fortune cookies was amazing!! First of all, I wanted fortunes that kindergarteners would understand. Secondly, I wanted them individually wrapped. If you have kids or are around them a lot, then you would understand why. This place called KarMee Bakery makes them fresh. I ordered them on Monday and they were ready today. I could have had them rushed and be ready by Tues. What service!!!! It's even easier to order them online and have them shipped (www.forniafortunecookies.com). The owner, David Tse, was sweet and very professional. I ended up buying a bag of chocolate fortune cookies. It was delcious and a major hit with the kids.
It's crazy during this time of year and yet it's such an awesome time. My mother comes from a family of 10 siblings. So, times that by 2 and then their kids and their kids............a wild time had by all. My husband says it's like herding cats during the holidays here. We love it!!!
Gung Hay Fat Choy!!!!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sing Happy
As the Chinese New Year celebrations begin, we are looking forward to our blessed New Year full of love, laughter, and peace. We had an awesome day today at the Oakland Museum. They were celebrating the Lunar New Year with a ton of kid-friendly events.
We arrived at noon and it was still drizzling. So, the museum changed the location of the Opening Celebrations to the indoors. The boys had front row seats and experienced the Lion Dancers up close and personal. Geoffrey just loves this stuff. I had brought him to a Chinese New Year celebration when we were on the road and in Philly. We went to the Chinatown there and it was filled with Lion Dancing plus the crazy fireworks up and down each storefront. Let me stop digressing about Philly.
The museum did a great job!!! There were so many activities to be had by children. After the Lion Dancing, it was mochi pounding. We LOVE mochi. It's rice that has been pounded into this smooth consistency and chewy texture. My kids just absolutely love this stuff. I grew up on this stuff as well. My mother was born in Kobe, Japan and brought some of these Japanese traditions to my Chinese upbringing. You should have seen us. We were all salivating watching them pound the rice to the beat of the Taiko Drums. Geoffrey had a chance to experience the mochi pounding. He had a blast!!! The best was when we all got to eat freshly made mochi. YUM!!
Off to make Chinese Lanterns and the Year of the Rat Ornaments. I was so impressed that Geoffrey realized the volunteers for the Rat Ornaments were deaf and he used his sign language skills with them. I"m a very proud mommy right now. Sebastian had a great time as well. He needed a little more help, but really had fun using the ornament as a puppet.
Finally, we went to the theater for their cultural show. It was all very good. Geoffrey loved the Shaolin KungFu the most and Sebastian just loves whatever his older brother loves. After a full day, we took a very short drive to Oakland's Chinatown for dinner and by the time we got home both boys were fast asleep. I have to say it's the most satisfying feeling to know that I exhausted my boys.
Sing Happy
As the Chinese New Year celebrations begin, we are looking forward to our blessed New Year full of love, laughter, and peace. We had an awesome day today at the Oakland Museum. They were celebrating the Lunar New Year with a ton of kid-friendly events.
We arrived at noon and it was still drizzling. So, the museum changed the location of the Opening Celebrations to the indoors. The boys had front row seats and experienced the Lion Dancers up close and personal. Geoffrey just loves this stuff. I had brought him to a Chinese New Year celebration when we were on the road and in Philly. We went to the Chinatown there and it was filled with Lion Dancing plus the crazy fireworks up and down each storefront. Let me stop digressing about Philly.
The museum did a great job!!! There were so many activities to be had by children. After the Lion Dancing, it was mochi pounding. We LOVE mochi. It's rice that has been pounded into this smooth consistency and chewy texture. My kids just absolutely love this stuff. I grew up on this stuff as well. My mother was born in Kobe, Japan and brought some of these Japanese traditions to my Chinese upbringing. You should have seen us. We were all salivating watching them pound the rice to the beat of the Taiko Drums. Geoffrey had a chance to experience the mochi pounding. He had a blast!!! The best was when we all got to eat freshly made mochi. YUM!!
We arrived at noon and it was still drizzling. So, the museum changed the location of the Opening Celebrations to the indoors. The boys had front row seats and experienced the Lion Dancers up close and personal. Geoffrey just loves this stuff. I had brought him to a Chinese New Year celebration when we were on the road and in Philly. We went to the Chinatown there and it was filled with Lion Dancing plus the crazy fireworks up and down each storefront. Let me stop digressing about Philly.
The museum did a great job!!! There were so many activities to be had by children. After the Lion Dancing, it was mochi pounding. We LOVE mochi. It's rice that has been pounded into this smooth consistency and chewy texture. My kids just absolutely love this stuff. I grew up on this stuff as well. My mother was born in Kobe, Japan and brought some of these Japanese traditions to my Chinese upbringing. You should have seen us. We were all salivating watching them pound the rice to the beat of the Taiko Drums. Geoffrey had a chance to experience the mochi pounding. He had a blast!!! The best was when we all got to eat freshly made mochi. YUM!!
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