Problem Solved

It's been a year since the last time I talked to my friend. There was a huge misunderstanding between her family and ours, and we had not talked since 2007. I got a few of her emails last week and I was reluctant to reply at first, but then, I decided to open up and told her what I had in mind. We had some sincere cocnversations and it truly helped mend our relationship. Being a stubborn minded person, I am so gald that she started the process. Without the courage that she had to present her side of the story, I would have still have unease feelings about her. Thanks for a loving Father who teach us to learn and forgive each other. It was a great reunion afterall!

Email from the Publishers.

I finally heard from both publishers, and they are reviewing my proposal. I called the one from HK and she told me that the team is looking into it, and it would take them a few weeks to review it, but as soon as they made the decision, they will call me. Just wondering if they are going to pay me to go back home for the pictures and stuff... that would be so nice!!! :)

As for the publishers in the US... I've been emailing to him a few times and he is surprisingly efficient and very responsive. Nothing promising yet, but at least I got my foot in the door.

Hi Pauline,

I received this email with the four attachments (and two other emails with some of these attachments). I will begin our initial review of your material and should be back in touch with you in a few weeks.

Best wishes,

William

Final Day in Young Women

Last Sunday was my last day serving in the YW. Greg G. talked to me two weeks ago of releasing me from the calling. I truly had mixed feelings of leaving my girls, and I didn't realize it would be such a difficult adjustment. I sure appreicate all the free time I am going to have on Wed. nights, Sat, and Sunday, but I also had so much fun with the girls. It was a busy calling, but yet exteremly rewarding. I am glad to get to know each and everyone of them... they are all different, and I learned so much from them.

My new calling? Serving in the Primary as a pianist, or chorister. I like being a pianist, but not too sure about being a chorister because of my Chinese accent. Will try my best to help!

Proposal to Publishers

Great, I am finally done with 40+ dishes and picture taking. Just submitted my proposal to two publisher, one from HK and one from the US. Really am tired, but look forward to hearing from them!

On a different note, I am getting close to finish my personal progress book. Just looked through the book and find out that I have actually done a lot last year... family history, crafts, and cookbook, writing a song and stuff. I am just amazing! :) haha....

Jeannie's Sweet 16th

1/8 Celebrating Jeannie's sweet 16th birthday!!! Can't believe my child has turned 16.... Boy, I am getting old! :)

Blowing off all 16 candles at one time!

Jeannie's best friends coming over for a sleepover. Jessie D., Jenna G., Ashley G., and Sarah D.

1/9-now... I am busy composing my cookbook and testing recipes. That's why I have been so behind! Will need to find a balance... but I would like to publish it before the end of this year. Can't believe I already had some thoughts on what I want to do and learn when I am done with the cookbook. Johnny thinks I am a workaholic! :)

Nov Projects

I promised my aunt that I would put out pictures of my craft projects. Here are are some of the before and after projects.

I love personalized stuff, but I was too lazy to come up with a door wreath to match every occasion. Here's my thought... I got this "Beware" sign and converted it to the "Kwan" sign... I painted one side with red letter, and the other with black. So, in the future, all I need to go is to cut up a few coordinated fabric for the holiday and tie them back on the sign.

These are the personalized clipboards I made in Nov. I put them on our refrigerator as a reminder of the week, and our grocery list. Unfortunately, no one in my house writes on it. :(

Ok, this is actually a craft project I supposed to make on the Relief Society Super Crafts Day. You really think I have the patience to cut all the details? Of course not! Johnny was nice to do it as my birthday gift, and he did a great job. He cut all the details on the glass and we etched it with some etching cream. It looks great on our table at the entrance.

Some more paintings and projects around the house. I truly love this "Thy Will Be Done" sign. It's a perfect reminder of what I should focus on, and how to govern myself in life.

It takes me awhile to finish this "Family Home Evening" sign, and it turned out really nice. We use it for Family Home Evening, and give out assignment ahead of time.

A wood tray I put on our coffee table to hold candles and stuff.

12/20-1/4

It's been awhile since the last time I blogged. Things has been a little crazy around our home, and I don't even remember much what we've done. For the most part, we are enjoying ourselves and having a good time.

Just to recall the days between 12/20 and now...


















Between 12/20-23.... busy making treats for friends and neighbors. Jeannie and the siblings made truffles for her friends at school. I made some 20+ loaves of cranberry bread this year.

12/20 Johnny was sustained and set apart as a High Priest on Dec 20, 2009. He is going to serve on the High Council for the stake.

12/21 Went shopping, got stuck in traffic, and rear ended by a truck.... the guy was talking on the phone when I got hit. Jady and I were fine. No injury!

12/21 Celebrating Jady's 3 year old birthday!!! Homemade cake from mommy!










12/24 Dinner at the Johnnson's home.

12/25 Kids taking turn opening their gifts on Chrismtas morning. We also had dinner with the Drydens that evening.










12/26-28 Family trip to Pittsburgh.



















Kids playing at the science museum.










A visit at the Pittsburgh University with some 26 rooms all decorated with themes of a different country. Really cool!!!! This might be the room of Isreal.










This restaurant used to be a church but was remodelled and made to a brewing house. Very interesting building.

12/29 Was planning to go with the youth for a temple trip to DC, but we got a few more ladies to go, so I ended up staying at home catching up with laundry. (Plus, our heat wasn't working properly.)

12/30 Was expecting our friend came over, but they cancelled on us the last minute because of the snow. (The technicans showed up finally and fixed our geothermal heating system.)

12/31 Charperoning the New Year's Youth Dance from 9:00p-1:00am. Meet another leader at the chapel... and listening to the experiences that the kids downtown has gone through... I should be more grateful than ever! The leaders in downtown Philly are truly awesome and they had sacrificed a lot to sustain the youth program. (Got home around 2:15am after all the dropped off.)

1/1 Hang out and relax at home. 1/2-4 More vacation time...