1/24-28

Its been an interesting week. Johnny and the kids were stuck at home for a few days because of the snow. We spent quite some time shoveling, and playing in the snow. I am especially impressed with Evan. He's been a sweetheart and volunteered to help shoveling our next door neighbor's driveway. Our neighbor had offered him money before, but he insisted of doing it for free. I am so proud of him!

On Tues, Johnny decided to take on a different job. He will be working from home 100% in the future. The good thing is I would get plenty of help around the house, and I probably can get a part-time job if there is any available. I am excited on one hand, but also a little worry about the transition. It's a little hard to imagine staying at home 24/7 with any spouse. I don't even recall spending that much time with him when we were at school. Let's hope we'll be used to it soon!

Then on Friday, I dropped off Vanessa at Cami's house to sew some fleece socks and mittens. She missed it last time because of the lost key, so I am glad that she made it this time. Thinking about service... I would still rather be the server than being served.

It was snowing and raining for a little bit around 2:00pm, so I decided to pick up the kids from school. We then drove home and took my parents to their favorite fast food restaurant, Churxx Chicken. When we were done, we headed to the mall trying to walk off the extra pounds from the fried chicken. Well... to be honest, I think the off season bargaining was the real reason for our trip to the mall. :D This is the best time to shop after all!

Mom got some really deals on fuzzy socks, dad got the pair of Timberxxxx boots he has always wanted at a fairly decent price, mom got Jeannie and Evan a few tee shirts, and I got a few sets of lotion and body mist as end of year gifts for the kids' teachers. We did not come home until 8:15pm.

Sat morning... Johnny dropped off Evan at a nearby school to get his merit badge first aid training for his scout. He played volleyball with a few church members, then we went to Chinatown to get some Malaysian food and grocery shopping. When we came home, we worked on getting some snow off our roof. Then we went and helped the Nasmxx clearing up their driveway (I only invited Evan to help since I thought Jeannie was working on her SAT, and she surprised me when I saw her came out with the shovel! I am just so blessed to have good kids!) After dinner, Johnny, Evan, mom and dad played mahjong...

Friends and Family

Jan 22, 2011

The Cheungs, Chengs, and Martins spent the weekend with us at our house for the Chinese New Year dinner. Mom and dad were the main cook, and host pretty much. :) They were just amazing!! For dinner, we had a vegetarian dish, some chicken, char siu, pig feet, shrimp and cashew nuts, soup, and ginger milk custard for dessert. Then the next day, we had taro pudding, and congee for lunch. I don't think I am brave enough to make all these dishes by myself, and I am just grateful for their presence, and spent the fun evening with a group of "crazy" people. :)

As always, we had a great time hanging out and catching up with the other families. It was only a few weeks ago since the last time we saw each other. We celebrated the New Year with them in New Jersey snowboarding, a visit to the Chinatown in Manhattan, and spent the night at the Chengs on New Year's Eve. I am just so grateful for their friendship. They are awesome, and funny people.

I am also grateful for my friends from the ward. Kim D, Laura D, Sandy G, Tammy S, Angela G, and Cami K. These are the sisters that I enjoyed hanging out with and they are always performing service to people, and I just love to learn from them!

Stay Healthy...

I was told that a sweet sister from the ward was diagnosed with breast cancer. How could that happen? I was just chatting with her at Cost. the other day, and I did not know what she was about to go through. She is such a loving sister, and dedicated mother. I ran into her a few times when I shopped, and she is always accompanied by her kids. I know the Lord makes miracles. She will blessed and comforted at this time. I know she is in good hands with all the top notch medical professionals in the area. She will win this battle beautifully!!!!

1/15

It was a busy Sat. after all.

Sat:

Left home at 7:30am...

1st stop:

Dropped off my parents at the Chinatown in Manhattan, NY. Jady and Evan went with them for Dim Sum and grocery shopping.

2nd stop:

Drove to the temple in downtown NY. Something I learned from this session... as I looked at the ceiling inside the temple, I just couldn't stop imagine how beautiful the scene would be on the other side of this world. It will be the most peaceful, warm, welcoming place that everyone wants to be.

3rd stop:

Picked up my parents at the same location. Dad got us a really good lunch box. Johnny and I gobbled up the whole thing in less that 10 mins.

(came home around 3:40pm, had some snacks and took a shower before we left for a dinner appointment)

4th stop:

Went Liz J. and her mom Mary P.'s home for some yummy Italian food. I fell in love with the homemade wedding soup. It's was really good and so as the ravioli, and the homemade marina sauce. YUM!!!!!

(its was 9:40pm when we got home. thank goodness we had a shower before we went out.)

Tantrum

A short conversation between me and Jady before I put her to bed.

Me: Jady, you need to stop throwing a tantrum because mommy doesn't like it!

Instead of feeling sorry about throwing a tantrum earlier in the evening; she goes, "OK, I will play drum next time!"

Got to have a sense of humor when dealing with kids. :D

It's All Good

1) Had a good lunch with my parents and hubby at an Indian restaurant.

2) Chat with two great sisters at Cos. while shopping with my parents.

3) Mom and dad prepared a very nice dinner. We had salmon, broccoli and rotisserie chicken.

4) Johnny was able to go play badminton since we finished dinner early.

5) Had a nice chat with Cammi on the phone.

6) Working on Jeannie's SOAR application; and Jen D. is so nice to help with her essay!

7) Kids went to bed before 10:00pm! Hooray!!!

8) Looking forward to the Chinese New Year gathering on Feb 5.

Be of Good Cheer

It was a great RS enrichment meeting tonight. Lou and her sister presented a topic on techniques for overcoming negativity. I never am an optimistic person, but I would love to be one. So, this year, I am going to in cooperate a few of these techniques in my daily life.

A few quotes that serves as a good reminder:

"By focusing only on that which is wrong, we rob ourselves of the quality of life that we are capable of having."

"If it's not fatal, it's not a big deal!"

Just keep smiling and everything will be alright!!! :D